Student Mental Health Funding: The U.S. Department of Education moved to terminate more than 200 multi-year grants for school-based mental health programs, threatening support for about 775,000 K-12 students and the hiring of roughly 1,300 counselors and social workers. Online Safety for Kids: California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed sweeping laws limiting addictive social media features for users under 16 and adding strict rules for AI companion chatbots, plus expanded protections tied to K-12 privacy and AI-generated sexual exploitation. Higher Ed Access Lawsuits: The Trump administration sued Arkansas (and others) over in-state tuition for DACA and certain immigrant students, arguing unequal treatment after a Kansas ruling struck down a similar policy. Student Loan Crisis: Mississippi leads the nation in federal student loan defaults, with about 28.3% of borrowers in default, highlighting repayment struggles. School Safety Reopening: Waynesboro Public Schools set a deliberate, gradual timeline for Westwood Hills Elementary’s Sept. 17 reopening after a Sept. 2 library shooting, including staff training in trauma-informed care. Campus Work-From-Home Backlash: University of Delaware staff face a return-to-office requirement (at least four days weekly) that won’t start until next June, but employees say it was decided without enough input. Arts in Schools: Jasper High School’s theater program won a national production grant for “The Heart of Rock and Roll,” one of only 11 school recipients nationwide. 9/11 Teaching and Remembrance: Across classrooms and campuses, educators and students marked the 25th anniversary with lessons, flag observances, and panels aimed at helping students who weren’t alive in 2001 understand the day.