NPR is reporting that children with autism face a significantly higher risk of drowning, being 160 times more likely to die from it than other children. It said this is due to a natural attraction to water and a tendency to wander. Florida is addressing this by subsidizing swim lessons for its youngest residents, prioritizing children with autism ages 1 to 7. NPR Ed’s Jonaki Mehta, Janet Woojeong Lee, and LA Johnson traveled to Florida to observe specialized lessons at the YMCA of South Florida, where instructors work one-on-one with children, tailoring each lesson to individual needs.
NPR also reported on a closed-door meeting hosted by the Education Department with advocates regarding plans to shift most special education staff to the Health and Human Services Department. It said the department aimed to reassure advocates that this move would not alter federal oversight for educating students with disabilities, but advocates remained unconvinced.
Separately, NPR Ed’s Sequoia Carrillo reported that the Federal Communications Commission is reviewing the E-Rate program, which helps public schools and libraries pay for internet access. It said FCC Chairman Brendan Carr is linking school internet access to concerns about excessive screen time for children.
NPR Ed’s Cory Turner and Oregon Public Broadcasting’s Tiffany Camhi reported on a new federal policy, dubbed "Do No Harm," which could revoke federal student loan access for college programs whose graduates do not earn more than individuals who did not attend college.
NPR’s Selena Simmons-Duffin reported that the Trump administration abruptly canceled most grants aimed at reducing teen pregnancies. It said the administration argued these programs were "normalizing sexual activity for minors."
Morning Edition reported on the launch of "Trump Accounts," the country's first federally backed investment accounts for children. It said eligible U.S. citizens born during President Donald Trump's second term can opt into a $1,000 deposit. NPR’s Stephan Bisaha provided a guide on whether to sign up.
NPR’s Nina Totenberg and Grady Martin reported that the Supreme Court allowed a Texas law restricting minors' access to app stores without parental consent to take effect. It said several groups had sued the state, citing freedom of speech concerns, but the high court issued an unsigned, unexplained order permitting enforcement while lower court lawsuits proceed.
NPR’s Brian Mann reported on the Kensington Soccer Club in Philadelphia, which offers hope and joy to children in a challenging neighborhood known for its street-drug market. It said the club provides a safe environment and transportation for kids to participate in physical activity.
Finally, NPR asked students nationwide to create podcasts reflecting on American identity for the nation's 250th anniversary. NPR Ed’s Janet Woojeong Lee and Lauren Migaki shared entries that included conversations with immigrant families and interviews with public figures like Gloria Steinem.