Ky. school warns parents that kids are barking like dogs and it’s a TikTok trend

Camp Ernst Middle School officials in the Boone County School District told parents in a letter this week that kids are barking at each other, which is a trend on TikTok. “We have noticed an uptick in TikTok trends such as challenges that encourage kids to destroy the soap dispenser in the bathroom and kids…

Study: State worker pension systems in best shape since 2008

Pension systems for state government workers across the U.S. are in their best shape since the Great Recession began more than a dozen years ago, according to a study released Tuesday. The Pew Charitable Trust report credits a booming stock market over the past year as well as states’ longer-term steps, which include boosting taxpayer contributions to…

Which Kentucky school districts are requiring masks? The latest on school mask policies

Mask policies for Kentucky’s public schools are now in the hands of district leaders. Lawmakers recently voted to end a statewide mask mandate for public schools, keeping the requirement in place until Friday, when districts are expected to have determined their own mask policy.  Guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend universal masking inside K-12…

Surgeon general: US to ‘monitor’ whether vaccine exemptions being used properly

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has advised that the Biden administration will “monitor” to ensure no one abuses COVID-19 vaccine exemptions. President Biden last week announced a mandate that required any company with at least 100 employees to mandate its workforce. The only way to avoid the mandate is to claim an exemption on either religious or medical grounds.  Some critics…

Wuhan lab documents show Fauci ‘untruthful’ about gain-of-function research: critics

Dr. Anthony Fauci has been accused by critics of lying after newly released documents appear to contradict his claims that the National Institute of Health did not fund gain-of-function research at China’s Wuhan lab. Senator Rand Paul led the criticism against Fauci on Tuesday after the documents, obtained by The Intercept, detailed grants given to EcoHealth…