Late last year, Merced High School Districts bus routes were cut to students that lived within five miles of their respective high schools. This burdened many high school students and their families with the task of finding their own way to get to school, a safe way to return home and continue to perform well in class. However, a small victory was achieved as the school district recently reinstated busing through an emergency board meeting.

Data shows that one in 9 students are suspended nationally, with racial disparities widening. The Central Valley city of Fresno, CA. is among districts seeking to reverse this trend. Under a zero-tolerance school discipline policy, the district has long seen high numbers of both suspensions and expulsions. But in a major reversal last week, Superintendent Michael Hanson announced that he would begin funding district-wide restorative justice programs. Jane Stevens is founder and editor of ACES Too High, which focuses on adverse childhood experiences (ACE). Stevens, a journalist who has long covered school discipline practices in Fresno, spoke with New America Media about decision.

We’ve all heard the expression “double bottom line” or even “triple bottom line,” meaning that an investment not only brings a return but also generates a second or third return, such as having a positive social impact. What about a quadruple bottom line?

When one thinks of transportation, cars, bikes and walking pop into people’s minds. However, one doesn’t usually relate transportation to health, but there is a connection. For example, transportation difficulties can create stress, compromise safety for children and the elderly and cause other health issues in the community.

The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of The Desert and The Birdcage share their views on the issues facing gay drag. I found Priscilla to have less of a flair for the dramatic, because it depicted the real life realities faced with being homosexual on a day to day basis. Whether it was finding love, or sometimes dealing with harsh homophobia. I found this movie more relatable with my everyday life. The Birdcage had its moments where I could identify with some of the characters, but I found it to be more of a laugh riot. Whether it was comical or dramatic it sent the same message to me, it’s not who we’re attracted to that makes us a person but what’s inside us that counts.