The Politics of the Ohio Train Derailment and School Testing

It’s the Friday news roundup! This week we are talking about the EPA’s latest efforts to clean up the East Palestine train derailment, how the state is trying to be more flexible with mandatory testing requirements (but is really putting a strain on already underfunded schools), and how to keep celebrating Black history and excellence all year long.

As always, our Friday shows are powered by great local journalism.

• Here’s the NYT’s latest explainer on what’s happening in East Palestine, Ohio. 
• If you want to read more, the Pittsburgh Independent shared a bunch of great reporting about the derailment on Thursday.
• WESA has also had some really great coverage — their collected stories live here.
• And the Allegheny Front is doing great work, too. Check their online feed often, or catch their full show via podcast or on Saturdays on 90.5 FM in Pittsburgh.
• PublicSource’s Dakota Casto-Jarrett did a great job explaining the new rules around Act 158 and how it affects PA’s Keystone exams.
• Read historian David Rotenstein’s NEXTPittsburgh article about the first Black baseball field in Pittsburgh here. 
• There are lots of great ways to learn Black Pittsburgh history in a recent Hey Pittsburgh newsletter.
• And check out tonight’s August Wilson archive event here. 

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