Conservative Republicans in Kansas hoping to earmark state education dollars for helping parents pay for private schooling are struggling to win over enough rural and moderate GOP colleagues to get a law enacted.

This week best-selling author James Patterson was pulled into the fray when Martin County, Florida school district officials removed his young adult series "Maximum Ride" from its elementary school library but kept it accessible for older students.

The SEIU and the employees they represent are working to negotiate new labor agreements, including higher pay, more staffing and more hours for part-time workers.

Some in the Democrat-majority community believe the decision is just another attempt by Republican leaders to regain control following election failures and COVID restrictions.