Around the Local

Lawsuit Against RIDE, Providence Schools Over Loan Forgiveness Program Continues

https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/01/16/teachers-of-color-loan-forgiveness-program-is-over-not-lawsuit-against-ride-providence-schools/

RIDE and Providence schools filed responses claiming their Educators of Color Loan Forgiveness Program is now defunct, after a September DOJ lawsuit alleged the program discriminated against white teachers by offering up to $25,000 in student debt relief exclusively to teachers of color. Both defendants are seeking dismissal and requesting a jury trial.
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IBEW Winter Coat Distribution Event

https://jtv.tv/jackson-public-schools-ibew-winter-coat-distribution-event-1-12-2026-photo-gallery/

jtv.tv
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2026 AFL-CIO MLK Conference Kicks Off

https://aflcio.org/2026/1/16/2026-afl-cio-mlk-conference-kicks-baltimore

aflcio.org
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What to Know About MLK Day

https://www.nytimes.com/article/mlk-day-birthday-celebration.html

nytimes.com
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The Real AI Talent War Is for Plumbers and Electricians

https://www.wired.com/story/why-there-arent-enough-electricians-and-plumbers-to-build-ai-data-centers/

wired.com1
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Optimum Workers Go IBEW

https://midhudsonnews.com/2026/01/15/optimum-workers-in-greenwood-lake-unionize-with-ibew-local-363/

midhudsonnews.com
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Meet the New IEC Chairman, Joe Calabro (Video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7k-a9usiiY

youtube.com
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IBEW Construction Division Endorses Gill for Congress

https://www.insidernj.com/press-release/international-brotherhood-of-electrical-workers-construction-division-endorses-brendan-gill-for-congress/

The entire IBEW Construction Division endorsed Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill for Congress in New Jersey's 11th District. President Joe Egan praised Gill's decades-long record supporting organized labor and fighting for fair wages, safe working conditions, and the dignity of labor for construction workers across New Jersey.
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Climate Crisis Has Now Shrunk US Salaries by 12%. Worse Is To Come

https://www.sciencefocus.com/news/climate-change-income

New research shows climate change has already reduced US incomes by 12% since 2000, far higher than previous estimates, as persistent temperature shifts affect supply chains and regional economies nationwide.
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CANCELED: The White House's $236 Billion Assault on Blue-Collar Jobs (EW)

https://ibew.org/electrical_worker/canceled-the-white-houses-236-billion-assault-on-blue-collar-jobs/?ref=ew

Trump administration policies have led to cancellation of at least 300 energy and transportation construction projects worth $236 billion, representing 255,000 lost construction jobs as tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act are gutted.
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