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

Gov. Phil Murphy signed a new law requiring public schools to provide parents with a written statement of items to be discussed at an annual Individualized Education Program meeting for students with disabilities.

Traci Ricks withdrew her candidacy Wednesday, a day before she was scheduled to be interviewed by the board.

The district is adjusting start and dismissal times in order to manage transportation routes amid what officials say is an ongoing bus driver shortage.

The district has delayed publicly releasing data officials say will inform which schools they choose to close. Principals and community members who’ve seen that data recently have concerns.

The second-in-command weighed in on how long it will take reading curriculum mandates to pay off, hiring challenges connected to the class size mandate, and Zohran Mamdani’s education proposals.

CPS officials estimate 1500 additional students would be eligible to advance a grade or work ahead a grade level under the new policy.