American Morning
School districts warn of deep budget cuts
(CNN) – The battered economy is devastating school districts nationwide. Faced with shrinking budgets, many schools say they have no choice but to lay off teachers.
In fact, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan warns that we are on the brink of an "education catastrophe." The latest example of our schools in crisis can be seen in Illinois, where yesterday thousands rallied at the state capitol to protest deep cuts.
Dan Montgomery, an English teacher in Skokie, Illinois was at yesterday's rally. He joined us on Thursday's American Morning, along with Lindsey Burke, a former teacher and education policy analyst.
Building Up America: Penny tax pays off in Dodge City
(CNN) – The CNN Express bus is rolling across Kansas this week. Today, it brings us to Dodge City. The name may take you back to the Old West, but there's a new sheriff in town and it's helped "Dodge" become a boom town. Our Tom Foreman has this "Building Up America" report.
Full coverage: Building Up America
Sigourney Weaver goes to Washington for Earth Day
(CNN) – She was just in the highest grossing movie of all time – trying to preserve the planet Pandora. Now, actress Sigourney Weaver is trying to help save planet Earth.
She is in Washington for Earth Day and will be testifying at a Senate hearing on the environmental and economic impacts of ocean acidification. She joined us on Thursday's American Morning to discuss the important issue.
Homeless teen has new hope
(CNN) – It's an emotional story we've been following for over a year of a homeless teen named Kenneth Chancey. His dream of going to college and becoming a neurosurgeon was just that – a dream.
Things started to turn around when we hooked him up with an NFL star. Today, our Thelma Gutierrez shows us how his fortunes have changed.
Note: Founded by Oakland Raiders Pro Bowl Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, ACTS is an annual college tour and mentoring program that provides high-achieving high school students of color with the opportunity to visit college campuses across the country.
Notre Dame's 1st African-American valedictorian
(CNN) – Notre Dame's 2010 graduation will be unlike any other in the university's 168 year history.
The class valedictorian's resume might sound familiar: 4.0 GPA, aspiring doctor, mentor to young people, but Katie Washington is different because she's the university's first African-American valedictorian. Our Kiran Chetry had the opportunity to chat with Katie about her reaction to the news.
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