A Recap of This Week’s Top News – June 9, 2023

Changes to policy, scientific discovery, and expert recommendations and opinions all have the power to rapidly influence the landscape of a sector. Whether you’re a leader at a non-profit, a member of a university’s marketing department, or a stakeholder for a public health agency, being informed about the latest industry happenings can be the difference between exceeding and falling short of organizational goals. At Hager Sharp, our experts vigorously scan media coverage to identify areas of opportunity. And now, with the introduction of the Sharp Round-Up, you too can review what we consider to be some of the top news of the week.

Below you will find a compilation of news spanning the health and education, labor, and economy sectors. This list includes mainstream, DC-focused, and trade publication coverage from Saturday, June 3, to Friday, June 9. Let these clips serve as a resource when developing thoughtful strategies and use them to further foster organizational innovation and adaptability.

Here’s what you need to know.

Education News:

• Columbia University has dropped out of the U.S. News & World Report’s undergraduate ranking system after claiming that its system is “unreliable and unfair.” The decision came after the ivy league school dropped from 2nd to 18th place in the ranking system in September.
• Oklahoma approved the United States’ first religious public school. St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School will be a charter school with religious teachings and education included in the curriculum. The decision is already causing discourse over the separation of church and state in education, as the school would receive taxpayer funding.
• After a long pause throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, borrowers will be expected to start student loan payments again in September. Experts advise that borrowers start preparing their finances to begin payments again in the fall.
• After-school programs could help prevent burnout, encourage beneficial relationships, and improve mental health in students. An Education Week panel this week discussed the many benefits of after-school programs and the challenges that keep schools across the country from making them a norm for students.

Health News:

• Regions of the United States experienced hazardous air quality levels as the effects of wildfire smoke from Canada swept through the nation. Public officials advised people to limit time outdoors to combat the negative health effects, some even canceling outdoor recess or events for schoolchildren.
• A recent study found signs of insomnia, like trouble falling/staying asleep, not feeling rested, and daytime sleepiness, correlate with a higher risk for strokes. The study’s authors encouraged improving sleep quality to reduce the risk of strokes later in their life.
• Data released last week by the CDC proves that more childbearing people are having children in their 40s. The study suggests increased use of fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF) to help combat the natural decline in fertilization that comes with age for most childbearing people.