Two bright orange Genesis concepts stormed around Australia’s famous Mount Panorama circuit earlier today ahead of this weekend’s 12 Hours of Bathurst endurance race. Those concepts, the Genesis X Gran Berlinetta Concept and the Genesis GV60 Magma, provide the world a look at the South Korean marque’s new focus on motorsport and high-performance vehicles.

The crazed X Gran Berlinetta Concept was unveiled in late 2023 as the latest in a series of special one-off concepts created by the Gran Turismo series. As it turns out, it’s not just a display piece and is fully functional with legendary racer Jacky Ickx jumping behind the wheel at Bathurst.

Read: Genesis X Gran Berlinetta Is A Wild 1,017HP Hypercar Concept That Screams To 10,000 RPM

When the concept was launched, Hyundai said it had a mid-mounted V6 and an electric motor, combining to produce 1,071 hp and 986 hp (1,337 Nm) of torque. Genesis hasn’t said if the car which Ickx drove has this same almighty powertrain, but the concept certainly looks more spectacular than the cars that usually race around Mount Panorama. Ickx also described it as “wildly powerful.”

The Future Of Magma

For as spectacular as the X Gran Berlinetta is as a preview of Genesis’s upcoming Le Mans hypercar, it’s the GV60 Magma that’s of most relevance to the public. The concept previews a forthcoming performance model that will serve as the Genesis alternative to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and Kia EV6 GT with which it shares many parts. The production model will premiere in the coming months before hitting the market.

Ickx has plenty of history at the Aussie circuit and in 1977, claimed the Bathurst 1000 crown with local driver Allan Moffat.

“I was blown away by the X Gran Berlinetta Concept, which was a wildly powerful and loud machine to drive. I could tell the crowd really enjoyed both the sight and the sound as I went by,” Ickx said. “Being an EV, my laps in the Genesis GV60 Magma Concept were quite different, and a lot quieter, but the torque and the thrust you get from a modern electric vehicle like that… truly, it’s quite something. The GV60 Magma Concept feels a long way from the Ford Falcon I drove here last time, and quite a lot faster.”

Carlos Tavares had a rocky relationship with U.S. dealers, so Stellantis is trying to improve things now that he’s gone. As part of that effort, the company recently attended the National Automobile Dealers Association to tell their partners things will get better.

A big part of this will be new product and Ram will launch the 1500 Ramcharger later this year. It’s a range-extended pickup that has a 92 kWh battery pack, which powers a dual-motor all-wheel drive system producing 663 hp (494 kW / 672 PS) and 615 lb-ft (833 Nm) of torque. This enables the model to accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in approximately 4.4 seconds.

More: 2025 Ram 1500 Ramcharger Is An Electric Truck That Actually Makes Sense, Thanks To A V6 Engine

However, what makes the Ramcharger special is a 3.6-liter V6 engine that acts as a generator. This should give the truck up to 690 miles (1,110 km) of range and the ability to tow up to 14,000 lbs (6,350 kg).

Besides launching the Ramcharger, the company will introduce “more affordable trims for the Ram 1500.” The truck currently starts at $40,275 in Tradesman guise, but there are huge price gaps at the lower end. In particular, the next step up is the $45,230 Big Horn and pricing jumps to $54,505 for the Warlock.

Over at Dodge, the gas-powered Charger will be launched by this summer. It features a twin-turbo 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six that is available in two different outputs. The entry-level variant has 420 hp (313 kW / 426 PS), while the high output version produces 550 hp (410 kW / 558 PS). Both are significantly more powerful than the old 5.7- and 6.4-liter Hemi V8s, which developed 375 hp (280 kW / 380 PS) and 485 hp (362 kW / 492 PS) in the Challenger.

Lastly, there’s Jeep which has been devastated by a series of missteps. However, Stellantis told dealers they’ll be introducing “three all-new Jeep nameplates and three new powertrains” including ICE, hybrid and electric. One of them is the Recon, while another is likely the Cherokee successor.

The third model is a bit of a mystery, assuming it’s not the Wagoneer S, but the company has already confirmed plans for a redesigned Compass and Renegade. Jeep boss Antonio Filosa has also previously said the Gladiator 4xe is coming this year.

Aside from new and updated products, Stellantis told dealers to expect “consistent incentive programs, increased advertising efforts, and exciting product actions designed to support dealers and meet evolving customer needs.” The automaker didn’t go into many specifics, but said advertising will return to pre-pandemic levels and part of this includes Super Bowl ads for Jeep and Ram.

Three years after the Polestar 2 Arctic Circle one-off, the Swedish brand applied a similar treatment to the Polestar 3 and 4 models. The Arctic Circle collection is a lineup of rally-inspired EVs, featuring beefed-up suspensions, studded tires, and a bunch of cool accessories.

The one-offs were created at Polestar’s R&D facilities in Sweden. Their development was headed by Joakim Rydholm, ex-rally driver and current Head of Driving Dynamics at Polestar, who admitted that applying the Arctic Circle treatment to their electric SUVs was “a fun and challenging task”. Rydholm said that his team collaborated with their technology partners on “bespoke engineering solutions” that made the EVs “incredibly fun to drive”.

More: Fed Up With Musk’s Politics? Polestar’s CEO Has Some EVs He’d Like To Sell You

All three models feature upgraded suspension setups with 3-way adjustable Öhlins dampers and a front strut brace. The ground clearance has been increased between 20-40 mm (0.8-1.6 inches) depending on the EV. The OZ Racing alloy wheels (19-inch and 20-inch designs) are finished in white for a proper rally look, wrapped in studded Pirelli tires.

The exterior is finished in a cool white and yellow livery, combined with Stedi Quad Pro LEDs at the front, two hooks finished in Swedish gold, and a set of mud flaps. Furthermore, the company added Thule roof rails with a custom basket and an LED bar on the Polestar 3, ski mounts on the Polestar 4, and a combined setup on the Polestar 2.

Inside, the Recaro bucket seats are a common feature between the three modified EVs, while the sportier Polestar 4 adds the novelty of a drift-inspired hydraulic handbrake.

The EVs are based on the Long Range Dual motor trims of the models, fitted with the optional Performance Pack. The Polestar 2 produces 470 hp (350 kW / 476 PS) thanks to a software upgrade, while the Polestar 3 and 4 remain stock with 510 hp (380 kW / 517 PS) and 537 hp (400 kW / 544 PS) respectively.

The Polestar Arctic Circle Editions will make their first public outing at the 2025 FAT Ice Race in Zell am See, Austria, on February 1st.

Michael Lohscheller, Polestar’s new CEO, said: “The Arctic Circle collection illustrates our unique performance DNA, rooted in motorsport and combined with Scandinavian design. We develop our cars under challenging conditions within the Arctic Circle in Sweden, and at the FAT Ice Race we will showcase that on ice there is nothing better than a Polestar. We are really excited to be part of this special event with our full model line-up, where it’s all about car culture and the performance experience.”

While none of the models is destined for production, Polestar could use them as inspiration for future special editions. After all, this is exactly what happened with the Polestar 2 BST limited-production special a couple of years ago.

This is the latest EV from brand Hongqi, and unlike many of its other offerings, it’s not a big luxury sedan designed to ferry around the country’s elite. Instead, it belongs in the compact segment, sporting similar dimensions to the Hyundai Ioniq 6 and being slightly larger than the Tesla Model 3.

The car is known as the Tiangong 05 and forms part of Hongqi’s new Tiangong series of models, which also includes the 08 SUV. It was first previewed by a compelling concept car last year, and the production model looks surprisingly sleek. It’s unlikely it’ll ever be sold outside of Asia, but given that China is the largest car market in the world, Hongqi definitely has a sizeable group of potential buyers it can market the 05 to.

Read: New Hongqi Guoya Flagship Luxury Sedan Looks Like A Bentley After A Wild Night Out

Up front, there’s a pair of sharp LED headlights, not dissimilar to those of the popular MG 4. Running along the center of the hood is Hongqi’s customary ‘Red Flag’ symbol. Other key features include door handles that sit flush with the bodywork and curvaceous LED taillights.

Underpinning the 05 is Hongqi’s Tiangong platform, which uses batteries sourced from CATL with at least two different options. While the company hasn’t announced their capacities, the base model is reportedly good for 342 miles (550 km) of range on the (rather generous) CLTC cycle, while the flagship version can travel up to 466 miles (750 km) on a charge. Driving the car is a single electric motor at the rear wheels with 281 hp (210 kW).

Hongqi, which is owned by FAW Group, has yet to release official photos of the 05’s interior. However, a recent spy shot revealed it sports a big central infotainment screen and a two-spoke flat-bottomed steering wheel. Much like a Tesla, the EV eschews a traditional gauge cluster, but does include a massive 65-inch head-up display. There is also a 50-watt wireless charging pad and a pair of cupholders.

Local pricing details haven’t been announced, but the 05 will no doubt be far cheaper in China than an equivalent EV would be here in the US.

Renault has introduced a fully electric demo-car aiming to set records for power consumption and driving range. The Filante Record 2025 sports a retro-futuristic stance, inspired by record-breaking Renault prototypes from the past. At the same time, it incorporates the latest tech for optimum aerodynamics and lower weight, contributing to greater efficiency.

The French automaker describes the model as a “laboratory on wheels for testing new technologies, materials and innovations”. The Filante Record 2025 continues bloodline of speed-record prototypes from Renault such as the 40 CV des Records (1925), the Nervasport des Records (1934), and the Étoile Filante (1956). This time, however, the focus isn’t on top speed but on achieving the longest possible range on a single charge.

More: Renault 5 Turbo 3E Is An Electric Hyper Hatch With Over 500 HP

The project is the result of a collaboration between Renault and Ligier Automotive. The single-seater measures 5.12 m long and just 1.19 m tall, with a streamlined shape inspired by aeronautics. The design was based on numerical simulations, but engineers will carry out additional wind tunnel tests in spring 2025 for the final adjustments.

Features such as the round LED headlights, and the fin-shaped tail are clear nods to the past, as with the wheels which are separate from the body. The latter have been “carefully faired” with aero covers and sculpted fenders designed to minimize drag. Tires are said to influence range by around 20%, which is why Renault chose custom friction-reducing 19-inch rubber from Michelin.

The futuristic cockpit is inspired by aviation and space travel, adopting an F1-style driving position. The unconventional steering wheel shaped like a gaming controller integrates all of the necessary functions and controls, benefiting from steer-by-wire and brake-by-wire technologies. The hammock-style seat is a stretched canvas supported by carbon blades, adapting to the body shape of the driver. Furthermore, the canopy opens together with the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to climb inside.

Predictably, weight-saving measures have also played an important role in the development. The chassis is made of aluminium, carbon fiber, and steel, with engineers reducing the material use as much as possible. The team has also used Scalmalloy, an aluminum alloy specifically designed for 3D printing. As a result, the demo-car tips the scales at 1,000 kg (2,205 pounds), despite the fact that the battery alone weighs 600 kg (1,323 pounds).

More: Renault And Volvo Joint Venture Unveils Three New Electric Delivery Vans

The battery pack is mounted under the driver’s feet, with a capacity of 87 kWh, matching the production-spec Scenic E-Tech crossover. However, in order to fit in the ultra-low body of the Filante Record 2025, it features cell-to-pack technology, within a carbon casing. At the moment, there is no information on the electric motors or the performance specifications of the prototype.

The Filante Record 2025 will make its first public outing at the Rétromobile motor show in Paris on February 5. Renault said that the efficiency record attempt will take place in the first half of 2025, without setting a specific goal for the range figure. Finally, while the Filante Record 2025 will remain a one-off, the automaker claims it “previews a range of technologies that will be studied for use on tomorrow’s production vehicles.”

In a world brimming with innovation and limited time, it can be hard to tell what technology has the potential to really shift life. Yet, every year, MIT Technology Review undertakes this very task and puts out an annual list to magazine readers of 10 Breakthrough Technologies. Today, host Regina G. Barber hops through highlights from the list with Amy Nordrum, an executive editor at the publication.

Check out the full list here.

Another tech topic on your mind that you want us to discuss on an upcoming episode? Let us know by emailing shortwave@npr.org!

Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.

The study found that some local communities near tiger habitats have also benefited from the increase in tigers because of the foot traffic and revenues brought in by ecotourism.

(Image credit: Satyajeet Singh Rathore)

The recognition acknowledges the mountain's theft from the Māori after New Zealand was colonized. It fulfills an agreement from the country's government to Indigenous people.

(Image credit: Dita Alangkara)

Oklahoma House Bill 1244 would require school buses to be equipped with seatbelts or harnesses. If passed, it would make Oklahoma the 10th state to require safety restraint systems.

HB1244, introduced by Rep. Judd Strom, would require all new vehicles that transport 10 passengers or more and are purchased or contracted for use by school districts to be equipped with seatbelts or harnesses for every passenger. The bill does not differentiate between three-point lap/shoulder or two-point lap belts.

The bill states that every related vehicle would need the words “SCHOOL BUS” painted on the front and rear of the vehicle. HB1244 would apply to vehicles purchased or contracted for use by the effective date of July 1, 2025, ensuring the vehicles would be certified by the start of next school year.

Currently, nine other states require school bus seatbelts: Arkansas, California, Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, and Texas. Louisiana has been unable to fully implement the law to install lap belts due to insufficient funding. Arkansas, while requiring lap/shoulder seatbelts, first requires local voters to approve property tax increases to pay for them.

Meanwhile, Florida’s law requires two-point belts and New York allows school boards to decide if they want to provide lap or lap/shoulder seatbelts and does not mandate students to use them.

All other states require lap/shoulder seatbelts.

Read more about seatbelt usage and laws at the footer of stnonline.com, in the resources section.

“The addition of seatbelts for students riding to school or school events on our school buses would put parents’ minds at ease and provide an important layer of security for Oklahoma students,” Strom said. “By implementing this proposed requirement, we would not only be in the small number of states that are on the forefront of aligning Oklahoma with school bus seatbelt requirements but also give parents greater peace of mind knowing their children are as safe as possible during their daily commute.”

The bill will be eligible for consideration in the upcoming legislative session, beginning on Feb. 3.

The post Oklahoma Latest State to Introduce School Bus Seatbelt Bill appeared first on School Transportation News.

A year after the Ohio School Bus Working Group issued its final recommendations on school bus safety, a bill introduced in the state House seeks to increase fines of illegally passing motorists and to create a safety fund that would award school districts grants for updating their fleets with safety features.

The Ohio School Bus Working Group, called by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine following the August 2024 ejection and death of 11-year-old Aidan Clark after his school bus was struck by an oncoming truck, issued final recommendations after five months of in-person meetings.

Two recommendations are specifically addressed in the new bill. The first is, “The Ohio Department of Public Safety should work with the Ohio General Assembly to strengthen penalties for drivers who violate traffic laws in school zones and around school buses.”

The Ohio School Bus Safety Act (HB3), introduced on Jan. 23, would increase the penalties for drivers passing a stopped school bus. The bill states that anyone found guilty of passing a stopped school bus would be issued an unclassified misdemeanor and could receive a fine of no less than $250 and no more than $1,000. Repeat offenders will face greater fines and would need to attend a school bus safety course.

The second recommendation addressed is, “The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce should work with the Ohio General Assembly to develop and fund a grant program to help school districts invest in school bus safety features such as, but not limited to, seatbelts. The grant program should be needs-based.”

School Bus Safety Features Included in the Ohio School Bus Safety Act:

 

– External school bus cameras

– Crossing arms

– Lane departure warning systems

– Electronic stability control

– Lighted crossover mirrors

– Colorado rack test-approved bus frames

– Fully illuminated stop arms located at the front and rear of a school bus

– Fully illuminated “school bus” signs

– Collision avoidance systems

– All light-emitting diode lights

– Ground wash lights

– Reflective chevron

– Occupant restraining devices that conform to the school bus seat belt requirements

– Additional safety features that become available through advancements in technology and that are approved by the department of public safety and the department of education and workforce.

The school bus safety fund would consist of “money appropriated to it by the general assembly and the criminal fines collected for violations,” the bill states, adding that the fund would be used to make grants available to school districts to improve safety features on school buses, as well as to be used to support the department of education and workforce and the department of public safety in educating the public regarding the laws around school buses.

Related: Local School Bus Seatbelt Grant a Potential Template for Ohio Program
Related: Ohio School Bus Safety Working Group to Investigate Seatbelts Following Fatality
Related: Parents of 11-Year-Old Speak Out About Politicization of Ohio School Bus Death

The bill adds that grants would be awarded to eligible applicants for the purchase and installation of school bus safety features. School districts would be able to purchase and install school bus safety features to replace old, broken or outdated safety futures, and to purchase additional school bus safety options when specifying new school bus orders.

The legislation adds that the director of education and workforce at the Ohio Department of Education would be tasked with establishing procedures and requirements necessary to administer the grant, including procedures and requirements regarding the grant applicants and grant award processes and amounts. Grant awardees would need to spend the funds within two years after they were distributed.

Related: Florida Students Hit, Two Killed During School Bus Stop Walks
Related: Kindergartner Struck and Killed by School Bus
Related: Fatality Data Analysis Indicates School Bus Safety in Comparison to Other Modes

The post Ohio Bill Seeks School Bus Illegal Passing Fine Increase, Safety Fund appeared first on School Transportation News.

A child and an elderly person were hit by a school bus in Brooklyn, New York, while crossing the street, reported PIX 11 News.

The incident reportedly took place on Friday morning at the intersection of Eastern Parkway and Buffalo Avenue in Crown Heights.

According to the news report, the 56-year-old bus driver was turning onto Buffalo Avenue when he struck the 79-year-old and 9-year-old, who were not identified at this writing. The pedestrians were crossing the street, but it was not disclosed if they were in a crosswalk or not.

Both the child and adult were rushed to a nearby hospital in unknown conditions, it is unclear if they are related. The driver reportedly stayed on the scene and no arrests were made at this time. The incident remains under investigation.

Related: 9-year-old Boy Struck by SUV While Waiting for School Bus
Related: Florida Students Hit, Two Killed During School Bus Stop Walks
Related: New York Child and Mother Struck by School Bus
Related: Teen Struck, Killed by Kentucky School Bus

The post 79-Year-Old, 9-Year-Old Struck by School Bus in New York appeared first on School Transportation News.

There’s no getting around the fact that transporting students is an expensive enterprise. Add to that the extra measures needed for serving students with disabilities, and costs grow substantially higher than for other routine operations.

For school some districts, at least a portion of that extra expense is being offset with funds from the federal government. Through provisions in the legislation authorizing Medicaid funding, school systems may file for reimbursement for transportation to and from specified eligible services that students with disabilities need during the school day. These services can include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology or therapy services, psychological counseling, and nursing services.

Of course, that’s based on acceptable submission of the required reports, which in turn rests on providing accurate ridership figures. Currently, reporting practices vary among school districts across the country, from relying on paper-based approaches to capitalizing on advanced features offered by routing software and related student ridership verification.

Teena Mitchell, special needs transportation coordinator for Greenville County Schools in Greenville, South Carolina, noted that considering the extra costs involved in serving special needs riders, seeking reimbursement is well worth the effort.

“I think it’s safe to say the cost of transporting students with disabilities is substantially higher than transporting those without them and plays a major role in the overall cost of educating our students with disabilities,” said Mitchell, who is also president of the National Association for Pupil Transportation.

Even if reimbursements go back into a school district’s general fund rather than the transportation department’s budget, she added, the dollars benefit the entire district and can be tracked back to the benefit of the transportation department in supporting areas such as personnel, training and equipment needs.

Of the 78,000 students Greenville County serves daily, nearly 16 percent are students with disabilities. The vat vast majority of those students, 88 percent according to Mitchell, receive the same transportation as non-disabled students and ride general education buses. The remaining 12 percent receive specialized transportation and are served on 111 specialized school buses.

Payment is based on a standard amount per trip. For the 2023-2024 school year, the amount was $13.35 per trip although the rate as of Oct. 1 has increased to $29.06. At the standard of $13.35 per trip, a typical school district of Greenville’s size could have expected to receive about $221,000 this school year, Mitchell calculated.

To file for reimbursement, school bus drivers are given a form that lists qualified students listed for the route in question and the dates transported. When two weeks of information has been recorded, a clerk who manages the program enters the information into the Medicaid system for payment.

The school district has routing software but as of this report wasn’t using for tracking Medicaid reimbursements. However, transportation staff were evaluating options for moving in that direction.

This step has already been taken at Colorado’s Weld County School District 6, said Chad Hawley, director of transportation. Routing software is now being used to track ridership in the district’s 60 routes, including 26 designated for serving students who require specialized transportation.

Software features include custom reporting functionality to capture and document data such as days qualifying students rode, where and what time they were picked up and dropped off, and which personnel were involved. A student information specialist incorporates the relevant details in a report that is shared with the Medicaid specialist in the district’s finance department.

Along with improved accuracy, the workload involved in reporting has been reduced.

“We used to have someone collect daily student counts from all of our specialized routes, input the data into a spreadsheet, and then send all the spreadsheets to the finance department,” Hawley noted. “The previous way was time consuming and not always accurate.”

Plans for a similar approach are in the works at El Dorado Union High School District in Placerville, California, where drivers log attendance and submit monthly reports for transportation provided to an average of 130 students who meet Medicaid requirements.

“When drivers turn in reports, they go first to our dispatchers, who enter the data into a shared spreadsheet,” said Sarah Lemke, director of transportation. “This spreadsheet is then accessible to both the finance team and the student success team, which also tracks our McKinney-Vento [Homeless Assistance Act] students.”

This collective info feeds into a report for both state and federal reimbursements.

Transportation staff currently use routing software to support route planning. “While it doesn’t track attendance directly, this capability is expected once we fully implement the software,” Lemke said, adding the goal is to have it fully operational to support Medicaid tracking this school year. “We’re working to streamline this process into one centralized system. The shared Google sheet we currently use has been very effective for transparency across departments, so we’re optimistic that routing will further enhance that.”

Services provided by an outside firm are central to Medicaid reporting at Hutto Independent School District, where the number of special needs riders has been growing. Currently, the school district located northeast of Austin, Texas transports 242 special needs students out of 4,568 total riders, an increase of 14 percent from last year. This necessitates running 15 routes for students with individualized education programs and 35 general routes with some specialty shuttles and McKinney-Vento routes as well, noted David Uecker, director of transportation.

“A contractor does the filing for us,” Uecker says. “We submit rider counts to the company with our [special education] department handling the reporting.”

Hutto leaders plan to enhance reporting with the implementation of new software. Slated for full adoption in the spring, that move will support tracking of riders with disabilities.

Some school districts have elected not to pursue Medicaid reimbursements, at least for now. That’s the case at Deer Creek School District in Edmond, Oklahoma. The district currently utilizes eight routes to transport 100 students with IEPs each school day but meets those demands without additional federal funding.

“The time it takes to go through the reimbursement process makes it difficult to pursue and maintain districtwide,” said Robert Feinberg, transportation director, echoing a common sentiment of peers nationwide.

At the same time, that decision is subject to review. “There is always a possibility of us beginning to use the program,” Feinberg noted. “Our district will continue to evaluate the process versus the manpower it would take to submit the claims.” He said one scenario that might prompt Deer Creek to begin seeking Medicaid funding would be if the school district experienced a large influx of students who meet reimbursement requirements.

Making It Work
Dealing with the federal government is never simple, and the Medicaid reimbursement process is no exception.

Given the complexity involved, good organization is a must. “Prioritize organization from the beginning,” Lemke said. “And establish a reliable system for collecting needed information in advance.”

The same goes for maintaining the necessary knowledge base. “Special needs transportation is definitely a challenge for many districts,” Feinberg said. “Knowing the local, state and federal laws pertaining to their transportation is vital.”

Targeted training can be a key to effective practice in this area, Mitchell pointed out.
“Training your drivers and attendants to be accurate and consistent can be a challenge, especially if you’re in a larger district,” said Mitchell.

Greenville addresses this need during new-hire training, with all incoming transportation employees receiving at least four days of training in transporting students with disabilities. That includes the Medicaid tracking and reporting process in addition to driver training instruction.

“During this training, we impress on the employees the importance of accuracy and remind them that their signature is their assurance that the form is accurate,” Mitchell added.

“Occasionally there may be updates to the process, and when this happens as it did recently, we schedule an in-service training and also give hand-outs with specific instructions.”

Even with the best training, mistakes can occur. To ensure accuracy, Mitchell said she has found it beneficial to have a staff member oversee the process and review the information generated.

Katrina Morris, who directs transportation at both West Shore Educational School District and Mason County Eastern School District in Michigan, advises those in transportation who have not yet pursued this type of funding to consider going for it.

A lot of districts do not realize that there is money for Medicaid reimbursement for students with special needs who require services,” said Morris, who is also the executive director for the Michigan Association for Pupil Transportation. “Please work with your special ed departments to see if this is an option to help receive the funding you are entitled to.”

Mitchell offered similar advice. “If your program is set up and maintained properly, it can run rather smoothly and bring much-needed funding back into the district to offset our diminishing budgets,” she concluded. “These funds can aid you in providing safe transportation with qualified staff.”

Editor’s Note: As reprinted in the January 2025 issue of School Transportation News.

Related: 5 Questions to Ask Before Implementing New Software
Related: TSD Conference Panel Discusses Routing for Students with Special Needs
Related: Bus Surveillance Software Solution is Game-Changer for Florida District
Related: Managing Transportation Data and Keeping It Safe

The post School Districts Use Data, Routing For Medicaid Reimbursements appeared first on School Transportation News.

A Volusia County school bus driver is being hailed a hero after helping a young boy that was choking on a piece of candy while on the bus, reported Fox 35.

The school bus driver, identified as Mayrelyn Lopez, said there was a disturbance in the back of the bus shortly after arriving at her first afternoon stop. The disruption, which was unrelated to the choking incident was quickly resolved.

However, as Lopez made her way back to her driver’s seat, she noticed a boy turning light purple. The boy, identified as Levi Holder, had reportedly just eaten a piece of candy, and it got stuck in his throat.

Lopez told local news reporters that she grabbed Holder and performed the Heimlich Maneuver, which is a first aid technique school bus drivers are trained on to dislodge a blockage in the airway. The action cleared the candy from Holder’s throat. Surveillance footage shows Lopez springing into action to help the student.

According to the article, Holder fully recovered and told local news reporters that Lopez was very nice and thanked her for saving his life. Additionally, Holder’s mother expressed gratitude for Lopez’s willingness and her attentiveness in the situation.

The surveillance video is not being shared with the public due to privacy concerns. Most school districts have no eating policies on board the school bus for this very reason.

Related: Texas School Bus Driver Named “Hero” for Saving Choking Student
Related: First Student School Bus Driver Saves Choking Student
Related: Florida School Bus Driver Saves Seven-Year-Old Student from Choking
Related: Georgia School Bus Driver Named “Hidden Hero” After Saving Student’s Life

The post Florida School Bus Driver Saves Student from Choking on Candy appeared first on School Transportation News.