Author: jameswburke

Nothing in Arizona State Board of Education policy or  state law requires high schools to host Turning Point USA clubs. Arizona follows the Equal Access Act, a federal law that prohibits public schools from discriminating against clubs based on political or religious viewpoints. 

Some states—Nebraska, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Montana, Florida, Tennessee and Indiana—have announced efforts that encourage public high schools to open Turning Point USA chapters, although doing so is not required.

Arizona also passed a 2026 law requiring schools to allow “patriotic youth groups” to speak to students. The law defines the organizations using a federal designation that includes groups such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Turning Point USA is not currently included. 

Nothing in Arizona State Board of Education policy or  state law requires high schools to host Turning Point USA clubs. Arizona follows the Equal Access Act, a federal law that prohibits public schools from discriminating against clubs based on political or religious viewpoints. 

Some states—Nebraska, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Montana, Florida, Tennessee and Indiana—have announced efforts that encourage public high schools to open Turning Point USA chapters, although doing so is not required.

Arizona also passed a 2026 law requiring schools to allow “patriotic youth groups” to speak to students. The law defines the organizations using a federal designation that includes groups such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Turning Point USA is not currently included. 

Candidates for Missouri’s Supreme Court are selected through a nonpartisan process led by the Appellate Judicial Commission.

The commission interviews applicants and submits three candidates for the governor to choose from. If the governor fails to appoint a candidate within 60 days, the commission chooses.

The commission includes lawyers elected by the Missouri Bar Association and citizens appointed by the governor. It is chaired by the Chief Justice of the Missouri Supreme Court.

This process was approved by voters through an initiative petition in 1940, commonly known as the Missouri Plan.

Twenty-three states have since adopted the plan, or a hybrid model, to choose judges.

Rep. Cathy Jo Loy, R-Carthage, proposed a joint resolution in December 2025 that would eliminate the nonpartisan commission and allow the governor to appoint justices directly. If passed by the legislature, it would place the question on the statewide ballot as a constitutional amendment for voter approval.

The Iran war is putting a strain on American drivers – leading Iran to block commercial access to the Strait of Hormuz, a passage where about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply flows.

The U.S. may be the largest oil-producing country in the world, as stated in an April 1 Sarasota Herald-Tribune letter to the editor, but it doesn’t set oil prices. Oil is priced globally by traders bidding for it. 

Therefore, when conflict happens outside of U.S. soil, American drivers can still feel the pinch of rising gas prices.

President Donald Trump initiated an attack on Iran in February. The attack sparked an ongoing conflict that is now impacting oil prices.

The average gas price in Sarasota as of April 15 was $4.17 per gallon.