by Steve Taylor, "Valley Interfaith to Mobilize Against Cuts in Education, Healthcare," Rio Grande Valley Guardian

by Doris Benavides, "Interfaith Assembly Stresses Need for Affordable Healthcare," The Tidings

by Editorial Staff, "Jefferson Parish's Advanced Academy Overhaul," Times Picayune

Last June, the Jeremiah Group in New Orleans brought forth 25 parents with gifted children that had been denied admissions to advanced academies in the Jefferson parish. After several months of challenging the lack of transparency and irregularities of the admissions process, evidence emerged that school board members wrote letters supporting the admission of certain children, leading the Superintendent to step down.

Building on GOTV efforts from the fall, leaders in San Angelo succeeded in passing a city-wide initiative raising $3 Million dollars for affordable housing.

After increasing voter turnout across Del Rio, enough to boot out a recalcitrant judge, TBO succeeded in picking up the required signatures for collective bargaining for police officers by a margin of 65% and reestablishing the public defenders office with the new Republican judge. City Council subsequently allocated $35 thousand for the use of city buildings for long-term job training (Quest) which has the potential to leverage an additional $250 thousand from the Texas JET fund. Leaders have already identified 40 potential students.

With 550 delegates from Omaha, OTOC celebrated its 15^th Anniversary with endorsements from the Catholic Archbishop and support from the mayor, police chief and superintendent of schools. This convention built on the energy of 130 house meetings to identify issues.

Addressing an agenda item in relation to schools, COPS / Metro Alliance helped pass a $515 million school bond measure, with over 300 leaders walking neighborhoods in the fall. They are now working with the school board to ensure that they implement an effective citizen oversight committee.