Chalkbeat now has a new look — and a public health sister site

Three logos, one blue, red and pink on a white background.
Chalkbeat, Votebeat and Healthbeat logos (Civic News Company)

Welcome to the new Chalkbeat!

If you’re a regular reader, you might notice that things look a little different here today. Nothing about our stories or the functionality of our site is changing, but we have a new look that we hope you enjoy: simple, modern, and with the work you know and love front and center.

Why? It’s always nice to feel fresh at the start of a school year. But more importantly, the change comes as we launch a new sibling site. Meet Healthbeat, which is officially launching today to cover public health.

Healthbeat reporters will be digging into issues that shape our collective well-being, from infectious diseases to air and water quality and food safety. And they will be bringing the Chalkbeat (and Votebeat) model of national and local reporting to bear on public health at a time when it’s badly needed. Healthbeat will start with bureaus in New York City and Atlanta as well as national reporting in partnership with the great folks over at KFF Health News.

I hope you will check them out, starting with editor in chief Charlene Pacenti’s introduction to Healthbeat’s work. You can also sign up for Healthbeat’s newsletters here.

— Sarah Darville, Chalkbeat editor in chief

The Latest

The family of Luis Garcia, a 16-year-old student who was shot and killed outside East, agreed to drop its appeal of a wrongful death lawsuit against Denver Public Schools, court documents show.

If weather requires schools to stay closed after Monday, students will learn remotely.

Superintendent Alex Marrero had originally recommended that the board vote no.

In his snow-day update, Mayor Mamdani confirmed that Monday will either be in-person or remote learning. He’ll make the decision by noon on Sunday.

Indiana legislators are advancing bills banning food additives and phones from schools.

The Colorado Succeeds proposal would fully separate Pinnacol Assurance from the state, with $150 million going into a trust to help residents gain job skills.