More than half of Hispanic college students considered leaving school for at least a semester last year — a staggering increase since 2020, according to a study released Wednesday.
Why it matters:The study by the Lumina Foundation and Gallup illustrates that despite the overall increasing percentage of Latinos who enroll in college, they are struggling in a way that "should stop you in your tracks," says Gallup education researcher Zach Hrynowski.
Leaders from more than a dozen Pacific island nations visited Washington this week for a forum intended to underscore America's commitment to the region — even as key agreements set to expire this weekend have not yet been renewed.
Why it matters: After decades of disinterest, the U.S. is trying to reengage with the Pacific Islands region just as it has become an epicenter of U.S.-China competition, with both superpowers courting the tiny island nations for access to waterways and landing strips.
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas has decided to allow Israel to join the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, according to U.S. officials who briefed reporters.
Why it matters: The Biden administration's decision is a significant upgrade in relations between the U.S. and Israel, which has been trying to join the program for years.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken praised his predecessor Hillary Clinton for "calling out" Russian leader Vladimir Putin "for who he really is, from the start," during an unveiling of her portrait at the State Department on Tuesday.
The big picture: Clinton took swipes at former President Trump, who defeated her in the 2016 presidential election, during the unveiling ceremony as she praised Blinken for "helping to restore America's standing."
At least 68 people were killed in an explosion at a Nagorno-Karabakh fuel depot this week as thousands of residents attempted to flee the region, the local human rights ombudsman said on Tuesday.
The big picture: Monday's explosion came just days after Azerbaijan attacked Nagorno-Karabakh and took control of the previously autonomous region, marking a major escalation in a decades-long dispute over the territory.
Secretary of State Tony Blinken in recent days signed a letter recommending that Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas allow Israel to join the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, according to two sources briefed on the issue.
Why it matters: While Blinken's letter is largely a technical procedure, it is needed in order for Mayorkas to make a final decision on whether Israel can join the program, which allows a country's citizens to travel to the U.S. for 90 days without first obtaining a visa. The deadline for the decision is Sept. 30.
The Biden Administration is pushing for Latinos to be better prepared for natural disasters and the effects of climate change.
Why it matters: A large percentage of Latinos live in the Southwest, where wildfires hit annually, and along hurricane-prone areas like Florida and North Carolina. But until a couple of years ago, the federal government didn't have enoughmaterials targeting Latinos about potential disasters.
Latinos will take center stage during the celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Rosie Rios, the former U.S. treasurer and head of the planning commission, tells Axios Latino.
Karen Sanchez-Griego is a longtime educator who has defied the odds as a superintendent of a rural New Mexico school district, dramatically improving graduation rates and growing enrollment, especially among Native American students in nearby communities.
Through the lens: This month, Axios Latino spent time withSanchez-Griego — who has held her position for six years in a state where the average superintendent tenure is about two — to see firsthand how she does her job.
