Norwalk High Softball Coach Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Students On Campus: Police Norwalk High Softball Coach Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Students On Campus: Police
Norwalk High Softball Coach Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Students On Campus: Police A Connecticut high school softball coach has turned himself in to police on Friday, May 9, after investigators accused him of sexually assaulting multiple students at school. Cary Nadel, 70, of Wilton, was charged with risk of injury to a minor and four counts of fourth-degree sexual assault, according to Norwalk police. Nadel, who coached at Norwalk High School, was accused on April 1 of inappropriate behavior and unwanted touching of students on campus, police said. The Norwalk Police Department’s Special Victims Unit investigated the claims and found them credible, authorities said…
CT Middle School Student Hospitalized, Charged After TikTok Laptop Fire Stunt: Police CT Middle School Student Hospitalized, Charged After TikTok Laptop Fire Stunt: Police
CT Middle School Student Hospitalized, Charged After TikTok Laptop Fire Stunt: Police A Connecticut middle school student who was hospitalized for smoke inhalation has now been charged with intentionally setting the laptop fire that led to the emergency, authorities said. Plainville firefighters responded to the Middle School of Plainville on Thursday, May 8, around 10:15 a.m., after a school-issued laptop began smoking. The school was evacuated, but students were later allowed to return once the building was deemed safe, Plainville police said.  The teen was reportedly following a social media trend called the "Chromebook Challenge" when he stuck scissors into the mac…
Millions To Have Paychecks Garnished As Federal Student Loan Collections Restart Millions To Have Paychecks Garnished As Federal Student Loan Collections Restart
Millions To Have Paychecks Garnished As Federal Student Loan Collections Restart Millions of Americans may soon have their wages garnished as the Trump administration resumes student loan collections paused since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. About 5.3 million borrowers are set to receive wage garnishment notices in the summer of 2025, according to the Department of Education. The federal government officially restarted student loan debt collections on Monday, May 5. Nearly 195,000 borrowers began receiving 30-day warning letters from the Treasury Department. Their Social Security or other federal benefits will be seized through the Treasury Offset …
Teacher Appreciation Week 2025: Freebies, Deals, Celebrations For Educators Teacher Appreciation Week 2025: Freebies, Deals, Celebrations For Educators
Teacher Appreciation Week 2025: Freebies, Deals, Celebrations For Educators Teachers across the US are being celebrated throughout the first full week of May with plenty of free giveaways and discounts. National Teacher Day falls on Tuesday, May 6. It coincides with Teacher Appreciation Week, which runs from Monday, May 5, through Friday, May 9. The annual celebration dates back to the 50s, when First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt urged Congress to dedicate time to honor educators. "The teachers are, of course, among the most important people in our nation," the first lady wrote in 1953. "Day in and day out, they are at work preparing the future citizens of the…
Record Student Loan Borrowers Face Default As Collections Resume, Grads Enter Weak Job Market Record Student Loan Borrowers Face Default As Collections Resume, Grads Enter Weak Job Market
Record Student Loan Borrowers Face Default As Collections Resume, Grads Enter Weak Job Market A record number of federal student loan borrowers are seriously delinquent as debt collections resume after a five-year pause, while new college graduates face tough employment prospects. The Education Department restarted collecting defaulted federal student loan debt on Monday, May 5. Collections were paused at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The move threatens to seize tax refunds and garnish paychecks from millions of Americans in default on their loans. The Education Department said about 42.7 million people owe more than $1.6 trillion in student loan d…
Student Scored $127K In Aid With University Application Full Of Lies — Now He’s In ICE Custody Student Scored $127K In Aid With University Application Full Of Lies — Now He’s In ICE Custody
Student Scored $127K In Aid With University Application Full Of Lies — Now He’s In ICE Custody A student who faked his way into Lehigh University and received over $127,000 in aid is now in ICE custody — marking the school’s third international student in recent years to face criminal charges, including one who poisoned his roommate and another who used a fake death certificate to win a full scholarship. All three have since been removed or are being deported. Cryilstan Sowah-Nai, originally from Ghana, pleaded no contest to securing execution of documents by deception on Monday, April 28, according to the Northampton County District Attorney’s Office. Investigators say he misrepresen…
National Teacher Of Year Named As Woman Who Returned Home To Teach With Mentor National Teacher Of Year Named As Woman Who Returned Home To Teach With Mentor
National Teacher Of Year Named As Woman Who Returned Home To Teach With Mentor A Pennsylvania high school teacher has been named the 2025 National Teacher of the Year, education officials announced Tuesday, April 29. Ashlie Crosson teaches English and journalism at Mifflin County High School in Lewistown, where she also helps students publish a newspaper, magazine, and run social media accounts. She earned the national title after being selected as Pennsylvania’s 2024 Teacher of the Year by the state Department of Education. Crosson started teaching in Delaware in 2011, later returning to Pennsylvania to work in the Bellefonte Area School District while earning her m…
Cheng Out As CSCU Chancellor, Board Begins Search For Interim Replacement Cheng Out As CSCU Chancellor, Board Begins Search For Interim Replacement
Cheng Out As Cscu Chancellor, Board Begins Search For Interim Replacement Connecticut’s college system is preparing for a major leadership change.  The Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education announced Monday, April 28, that it will not extend the contract for Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) Chancellor Terrence Cheng past its current end date of June 30, 2026. However, beginning on July 1, 2025, Cheng will move into a new position as strategic advisor to the board. An interim chancellor is expected to be named in the coming weeks. "We thank Chancellor Cheng for his hard work, partnership, and dedication to the system," …
‘Oscars Of Teaching’: Norwich Teacher Turns College 'Pipe Dreams' To Launchpad For Students ‘Oscars Of Teaching’: Norwich Teacher Turns College 'Pipe Dreams' To Launchpad For Students
‘Oscars Of Teaching’: Norwich Teacher Turns College 'Pipe Dreams' To Launchpad For Students Jessica Chapman, a dedicated social studies teacher at Norwich Free Academy (NFA), has been nationally recognized with the 2024 Milken Educator Award—and a $25,000 cash prize—for her outstanding work in the classroom and beyond. The award celebrates Chapman’s innovative teaching and her ability to inspire students from all backgrounds to aim higher. Chapman was honored in Los Angeles by Milken Educator Awards Founder Lowell Milken during a special event for this year’s awardees. Each winner receives an all-expenses-paid trip, access to a nationwide network of over 3,000 top educators, and pr…
150+ College Leaders Blast Trump For 'Unprecedented Overreach' On Higher Education 150+ College Leaders Blast Trump For 'Unprecedented Overreach' On Higher Education
150+ College Leaders Blast Trump For 'Unprecedented Overreach' On Higher Education More than 150 college leaders issued a scathing letter criticizing the Trump administration's escalating threats against universities. The American Association of Colleges and Universities released the public letter on Tuesday, April 22. The group of university presidents accused President Donald Trump of "unprecedented government overreach," warning that the crackdown could harm students and democracy. Trump has demanded that colleges eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, along with other orders aimed at limiting campus activism. The Trump administration has paused…
IRS May Withdraw Harvard's Tax-Exempt Status As Fight Between Trump, University Escalates IRS May Withdraw Harvard's Tax-Exempt Status As Fight Between Trump, University Escalates
IRS May Withdraw Harvard's Tax-Exempt Status As Fight Between Trump, University Escalates The Trump administration is weighing whether to revoke Harvard University’s tax-exempt status—an unprecedented and aggressive move that has escalated tensions between the Ivy League institution and the federal government, according to reports from The Washington Post and CNN. According to two people familiar with the matter, the Internal Revenue Service is preparing to rescind Harvard’s long-standing nonprofit designation, CNN reported. A final decision could be announced soon. Related: Obama Calls Out Trump Over "Unlawful" $2 Billion Cuts to Harvard The effort follows the White House’s …
'Unlawful': Obama Sides With Yale Professors, Harvard; Blasts Trump Over Funding Freeze 'Unlawful': Obama Sides With Yale Professors, Harvard; Blasts Trump Over Funding Freeze
'Unlawful': Obama Sides With Yale Professors, Harvard; Blasts Trump Over Funding Freeze Former President Barack Obama is lending his voice to support Harvard University after the prestigious Ivy League school dared President Donald Trump to follow through on his threatened $2 billion federal funding freeze if the school didn’t comply with his administration’s new guidelines. Among other demands, Trump wants Harvard to dismantle its diversity, equity, and inclusion programs; ban masks at campus protests; implement a merit-based admissions and hiring system; and reduce the influence of faculty and administrators he claims are “more committed to activism” than education, a letter …
Feds Revoke More Visas From Foreign-Born UConn, Yale Students Amid Immigration Crackdown Feds Revoke More Visas From Foreign-Born UConn, Yale Students Amid Immigration Crackdown
Feds Revoke More Visas From Foreign-Born UConn, Yale Students Amid Immigration Crackdown The federal government has revoked visas for more than a dozen international students in Connecticut, with most enrolled at the University of Connecticut (UConn) and Yale University. UConn officials announced Monday, April 14, that 13 of the university’s nearly 3,500 international students had their visas canceled. According to a statement from the university, six are undergraduate students, six are graduate students, and one is enrolled in a post-graduate professional program. Related: Tufts University Student Arrested On Street, Moved Across Country University administrators said they …
Villanova Student Removed From Campus After Assault Outcry, Won’t Walk At Graduation Villanova Student Removed From Campus After Assault Outcry, Won’t Walk At Graduation
Villanova Student Removed From Campus After Assault Outcry, Won’t Walk At Graduation A Villanova University student who recorded another student’s sexual assault will not walk at the school’s graduation ceremony following intense backlash, the victim's attorney told Daily Voice on Wednesday, April 9. Juan Eguiguren, a Villanova senior, was present during the assault of a female classmate, according to a lawsuit and campus petition. Rather than intervening, Eguiguren allegedly took photos of the incident and later slept in the same room, organizers of the campaign allege. In the underlying case, Elijah Joseph Katzenell, 22, of Camp Hill, PA (according to the Pennsylvania S…
CT School Social Worker Caught DWI, Cops Say — But Superintendent Refuses To Address It CT School Social Worker Caught DWI, Cops Say — But Superintendent Refuses To Address It
CT School Social Worker Caught DWI, Cops Say — But Superintendent Refuses To Address It A Connecticut woman who was arrested after police said she was driving intoxicated down the wrong side of I-395 at high speeds, nearly crashing into multiple vehicles, reportedly worked as a school social worker, Daily Voice has learned.  Cailin Sorder, 34, of Griswold, was charged on Saturday, March 22, with operating under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, driving the wrong way on a limited-access highway, engaging police in a pursuit, interfering with an officer, and first-degree reckless endangerment, Connecticut State Police said. Original Report: Intoxicated Wrong-Way…
Kermit The Frog Confirmed As 2025 UMD Commencement Speaker — And The Internet Has Best Reaction Kermit The Frog Confirmed As 2025 UMD Commencement Speaker — And The Internet Has Best Reaction
Kermit The Frog Confirmed As 2025 UMD Commencement Speaker — And The Internet Has Best Reaction It's not easy being green, or delivering an epic commencement speech.  But Kermit the Frog, a Peabody Award winner and best-selling author (and muppet) will do both in May, when he will return to the campus where he was first brought to life (by creator and alum Jim Henson, Class of 1960) to deliver the commencement speech in May. The school made the announcement this week, and the internet's reaction is everything you could've ever hoped for. "Kermencement," one absolute genius commented on UMD's post on Facebook. Others begged for the event to be live-streamed, while many …
Girl, 12, Charged With Hate Crime Over Incident At CT Middle School: Cops Girl, 12, Charged With Hate Crime Over Incident At CT Middle School: Cops
Girl, 12, Charged With Hate Crime Over Incident At CT Middle School: Cops A 12-year-old Connecticut middle school student has been charged with a hate crime after a fight involving four seventh-graders at Wallace Middle School, which police say was motivated by religion and ethnicity. Waterbury police said that the student was issued a juvenile court summons for intimidation based on bigotry and bias in the first and second degrees on Friday, March 21. Police said the girl bullied two Muslim classmates at the Waterbury middle school but did not release specific details. The charge follows a comprehensive investigation by the department’s Criminal Investigation B…
Trump Signs Order to Dismantle Dept of Education Sparking Backlash From CT Democrats, Teachers Trump Signs Order to Dismantle Dept of Education Sparking Backlash From CT Democrats, Teachers
Trump Signs Order to Dismantle Dept of Education Sparking Backlash From CT Democrats, Teachers President Donald Trump fulfilled a campaign promise this week by signing an executive order to begin dismantling the Department of Education. The move has thrilled many Republicans, but Connecticut Democrats fear long-lasting repercussions for the state's most vulnerable students. Trump signed the order Thursday, May 20, in the East Room of the White House, flanked by children. The goal, the president said, is to return school decisions to the states. But such a major overhaul will require congressional approval, meaning it needs some Democratic support. "Everybody knows it’s right, and the…
Students Feel Record Stress Over Admissions, Yale Ranked Top 5 Dream College: Survey Students Feel Record Stress Over Admissions, Yale Ranked Top 5 Dream College: Survey
Students Feel Record Stress Over Admissions, Yale Ranked Top 5 Dream College: Survey For high school seniors, spring is a nerve-wracking time as college decisions roll in — but the class of 2025 is more stressed than ever, according to a new survey. The Princeton Review said 73 percent of students and parents reported "high" or "very high" stress over the admissions process. That's the highest level in the 23-year history of the College Hopes & Worries Survey, which had its 2025 edition released on Tuesday, Mar. 4. The 2025 survey polled 9,317 students and parents about a wide variety of college-related issues. Financial Pressures, Testing, AI Concerns Financial s…
Lamont’s Veto Of $40M Special Ed Funds Sparks Educator Outrage: 'That Is Unacceptable' Lamont’s Veto Of $40M Special Ed Funds Sparks Educator Outrage: 'That Is Unacceptable'
Lamont’s Veto Of $40M Special Ed Funds Sparks Educator Outrage: 'That Is Unacceptable' Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont returned home on Monday, March 3, and vetoed a $40 million spending measure for special education initiatives in cities and towns across the state. Now, educators are urging lawmakers to override that decision. The bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support last week before reaching the governor's desk. The measure would allocate $40 million to this school year's budget to cover special education funding gaps. Lamont told reporters Monday that he wanted to preserve the state's spending cap, which is designed to keep the state financially stable. State lawm…
Two CT Colleges Named To Most Beautiful Campuses In US List: See Why Two CT Colleges Named To Most Beautiful Campuses In US List: See Why
Two CT Colleges Named To Most Beautiful Campuses In US List: See Why Choosing a college is about more than academics, sports, and social life — campus beauty can also make a lasting impression. Travel magazine Conde Nast released its 2025 list of the 54 Most Beautiful College Campuses in the United States. Across the Northeast, several schools stand out for their historic architecture, stunning landscapes, and picturesque settings. Whether framed by rolling hills, autumn foliage, or Gothic spires, these colleges offer students an inspiring backdrop for their studies. Connecticut Wesleyan University was recognized for utilizing Greek Revival a…
A Nye-ce Surprise: Fairfield Teacher Competes To Bring Science Legend To His Classroom A Nye-ce Surprise: Fairfield Teacher Competes To Bring Science Legend To His Classroom
A Nye-ce Surprise: Fairfield Teacher Competes To Bring Science Legend To His Classroom A Connecticut teacher with a passion for science hopes to land his class a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: a virtual lesson from legendary science educator Bill Nye, "The Science Guy." Josh Bartosiewicz, 31, a seventh- and eighth-grade teacher at the Unquowa School in Fairfield, is competing in the "America’s Favorite Teacher" award, a contest that benefits the Planetary Society. Voting is now open and runs until March 6. If he wins, Bartosiewicz will receive a $25,000 cash prize, a trip to Hawaii, and the chance to have Nye—a childhood hero—teach a live, virtual class for his students. …
Education Pays: Northeast States Among Nation's Best In School Quality, College Attainment Education Pays: Northeast States Among Nation's Best In School Quality, College Attainment
Education Pays: Northeast States Among Nation's Best In School Quality, College Attainment Several Northeast states are among the most educated in the US, excelling in school quality, college attainment, and overall academic achievement, a new study said. Massachusetts was ranked as the country's most-educated state, according to a WalletHub study released on Monday, Feb. 10. Maryland was second, followed by Vermont, Colorado, and Connecticut in the top five. The study analyzed all 50 states using 18 factors, including educational attainment, quality, and achievement gaps. "There's a strong correlation between being more educated and receiving higher compensation," said Wal…
CT Students To Talk With Astronauts Aboard International Space Station In Rare Space Q&A CT Students To Talk With Astronauts Aboard International Space Station In Rare Space Q&A
CT Students To Talk With Astronauts Aboard International Space Station In Rare Space Q&A Students in one Connecticut town will get a rare chance to hear directly from NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station. The Rocky Hill Library will host the talk between astronauts and kids in Kindergarten through 12th grade, NASA said in a news release on Tuesday, Feb. 11. The 20-minute space-to-Earth call will happen at 11:40 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 18. NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Don Pettit will answer prerecorded questions about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. "The goal is to engage area students by introducing them to the wide variety of STE…
(Update) CT School Bus Crashes Into 73-Year-Old Man, Sending Him To Hospital: Police (Update) CT School Bus Crashes Into 73-Year-Old Man, Sending Him To Hospital: Police
(Update) CT School Bus Crashes Into 73-Year-Old Man, Sending Him To Hospital: Police Update: Police have reopened the intersection of Harpers Ferry Road and East Main Street following the bus crash on Wednesday morning, Feb. 5. The man who was hit is in serious but stable condition, Waterbury police said.  Original: A 73-year-old man suffered serious injuries Wednesday morning, Feb. 5, after a school bus struck him at an intersection, police said. The crash happened around 8:23 a.m. at Harpers Ferry Road and East Main Street, authorities said. Officials have not released details on what led to the crash. Five students were on the bus, along with the driver, but n…
CT School Superintendent Charged With DUI Will Keep His Job: Board CT School Superintendent Charged With DUI Will Keep His Job: Board
CT School Superintendent Charged With DUI Will Keep His Job: Board A Connecticut school leader who is accused of crashing his car while driving intoxicated last month will not be fired, the school district announced this week.  Superintendent of Pomperaug Regional School District 15 Joshua Smith, 52, was charged with operating under the influence and failure to maintain his lane in the Jan. 18 crash, Southington police said this week.  Smith crashed his 2015 Lexus on Mulberry Street in Southington around 1 a.m. when he slammed into a utility pole and another vehicle in a driveway, authorities said. Eversource had to repair the pole, whi…
New Study Reveals Shocking Amount Of Phone Use By Teens While At School New Study Reveals Shocking Amount Of Phone Use By Teens While At School
New Study Reveals Shocking Amount Of Phone Use By Teens While At School A brand-new study has uncovered surprising trends in teen phone use during school hours, raising fresh concerns about digital distractions in the classroom. The study, published by JAMA Pediatrics on Monday, Feb. 3, found that students spent a significant portion of the school day on their phones, with messaging, Instagram, and video streaming among the most-used apps. Researchers also noted that a quarter of students logged more than two hours of screen time during class. In addition, students whose parents held bachelor’s degrees or higher spent about a half-hour less on their phones dur…
Group Threatens To Sue CT School District For Suspending Teacher Over Crucifix Group Threatens To Sue CT School District For Suspending Teacher Over Crucifix
Group Threatens To Sue CT School District For Suspending Teacher Over Crucifix A Connecticut teacher was placed on administrative leave earlier this month after refusing to remove a crucifix affixed to a wall near her desk, authorities said. Now, a group known for handling religious liberty cases in public schools is championing her cause. Marisol Arroyo-Castro, who has worked in Connecticut schools for 32 years, has been a teacher at DiLoreto Elementary & Middle School in New Britain since 2003. She has kept the crucifix by her desk for a decade, according to a Jan. 21 letter from the First Liberty Institute. However, in December, one of the school’s vice princip…
Stratford High Teacher Ran Facebook Scams Using School Computers: Police Stratford High Teacher Ran Facebook Scams Using School Computers: Police
Stratford High Teacher Ran Facebook Scams Using School Computers: Police A Connecticut high school teacher is facing serious charges after police uncovered an alleged vehicle-selling scam on Facebook that he was allegedly running using school equipment, authorities said. James O’Neil, a teacher at Stratford High School, was arrested following a weeks-long investigation by Stratford police, officials said. Authorities allege O'Neil used Facebook Marketplace to sell vehicles illegally by altering documents, including bills of sale, police said. Detective Jennifer Murolo began investigating in November 2024 after receiving an anonymous tip about O’Neil’s activitie…
New Canaan Teacher Dies Unexpectedly, Middle School Says New Canaan Teacher Dies Unexpectedly, Middle School Says
New Canaan Teacher Dies Unexpectedly, Middle School Says A Connecticut middle school art teacher died unexpectedly over the weekend, school authorities announced to the community.  Saxe Middle School Teacher Alyssa Iwanski died this weekend, Bryan D. Luizzi, Superintendent of New Canaan Public Schools said in an email to parents on Sunday, Jan. 12.  He did not disclose when or how Iwarnski died. It's unclear how long she worked at the New Canaan middle school.  It is with deep sadness that I share the unexpected passing of one of our teachers, Saxe Art Teacher Alyssa Iwanski, over the weekend. We do not have additio…
Sharp Drop In College Enrollment Raises Alarm Sharp Drop In College Enrollment Raises Alarm
Sharp Drop In College Enrollment Raises Alarm Fewer high school graduates began college this fall, with enrollment in that age group dropping 5 percent from last year, according to an analysis by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.  Four-year institutions were hardest hit, with public colleges seeing an 8.5 percent drop in first-year enrollments and private nonprofit colleges reporting a 6.5 percent decline.  This trend poses significant challenges for colleges and universities, particularly those reliant on tuition revenue.  As the competition for students intensifies, institutions face mounting pressur…