Headlines:
• LGBT activists criticize Hempfield district's postponement of decision, consultant choice: The district will retain the conservative Independence Law Center to develop a transgender student athlete policy. An American Civil Liberties Union policy advocate said the ILC has "a history of pushing for transphobic policies." (Source: LNP)
• Six state system universities to merge: In northern Pennsylvania, the universities of Bloomsburg, Lock Haven and Mansfield will merge; in the west, Clarion, California and Edinboro universities will merge as well. The change does not affect Millersville University. (Source: WGAL)
• Pa. lawmakers debate critical race theory: Conservatives say CRT is divisive and promotes racist and sexist concepts. Their opponents say the anti-CRT movement is trying to block history teaching that grapples with America's flaws. House Bill 1532 would ban teaching CRT in public schools (Source: CBS 21)
• Tioga County rejects Mastriano 'audit' inquiry: The county said state policy bars it from complying with the request, part of Mastriano's attempt to launch an Arizona-style recount in Pennsylvania. (Source: Capital-Star)
• National/world roundup: First advanced child tax credit payments made to parents. (Source: AP) Tennessee ends all vaccine outreach to minors, fires official. (Source: USA Today) Covid-19 cases, deaths resume rising worldwide (Source: ABC News)
