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

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis proposed eliminating student population averaging for the purposes of funding schools. The idea has been criticized by district leaders.

The Education Department expects to hire between 7,000 and 9,000 new educators.

This year, charter schools are serving about 15% of public school students in Colorado.

Under the bill, school districts would have to start screening students in the 2026-27 school year.

The tentative four-year contract would raise teacher pay, add prep time for elementary school teachers, and increase recess time for students.

Colorado’s $43.9 billion budget increases K-12 and higher education budgets, but falls short of what officials say is needed