Child Welfare
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Bill Rankin reports on the debtor’s prison situation created by jailing parents for nonpayment of child support, even though they have no ability to pay.
The Jacksons are a couple who had their three natural children and two adoptive children taken by the state of New Jersey, which is alleging abuse. The husband, John Jackson, tells World Net Daily reporter Brian Fitzpatrick that his kids are being “held hostage,” perhaps because of religious bias against him and his wife by child welfare officials.
Juvenile Justice
The sheriff of Alamance County (Burlington) N.C., tells the Times-News’ Roselee Papandrea that considering possible warnings that weren’t heeded before the Columbine and Virginia Tech shooting, a posting on Facebook indicating a “desire to commit violent acts” landed a juvenile in secure custody.
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear Reynolds v. United States, in which the justices have only agreed to decide on whether sex offenders can challenge the retroactive enforcement of the Sex Offender Registry and Notification Act, a key part of the Adam Walsh Act of 2006.
Education/Jobs
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Dave Montgomery reports that the Texas State Senate is proposing budget cuts that would preserve four community colleges, all of which faced elimination in the House bill.
The city of Buffalo, N.Y. has begun recruitment for its summer youth employment program, with the process explained by reporter Brian Meyer in the Buffalo News.
The New York Times’ Opinionator blog examines the youth employment training program Year Up, which has had success at placing graduates in jobs.
