DEI in Schools: Iowa Senate candidate Josh Turek, a “common-sense moderate Democrat,” voted to protect race-based DEI programs, opposing multiple anti-DEI bills that led universities to scale back initiatives. U.S. Supreme Court & Guns: The Court will hear challenges to state assault-weapons bans, including Connecticut’s AR-15 law, as the nation debates public safety vs. expanded Second Amendment rights. Education & Gender Privacy: The U.S. Department of Education says Kansas City teachers hid students’ transgender identities from parents, escalating federal pressure on school districts. Hawaiʻi Education & Culture: Hawaiʻi’s HIDOE welcomed a record-size J-1 teacher cohort to help close vacancy gaps, bringing educators from abroad while staying grounded in local values. Local Politics: Civil Beat published Q&As for State House District 28 candidates, with housing, wildfire preparedness, and community-focused policy ideas front and center. Ocean Protection: A Native Hawaiian elder is pushing for a moratorium on deep-sea mining, warning it threatens food systems and cultural lifeways. Samoan Heritage in Hawaiʻi: CMEx founder Lelei LeLaulu will be honored in Honolulu as Samoa International Radio celebrates 40 years. Sports & Community: AlohaCare Foundation awarded $54K in scholarships to 12 Hawaiʻi students pursuing health and social-service careers. Culture & Travel: Swan Hellenic expanded its 2027 Asia-Pacific cultural expedition voyages, with more Japan and South Pacific exploration. Arts & Storytelling: Imagine Little Tokyo Short Story Awards returns with actor-readings of winning stories at the Japanese American National Museum.