Student anti-war protesters at U.S. universities are digging in and vowing to keep their demonstrations going, while several school faculties have condemned university presidents for calling law enforcement. As Columbia University continues tenuous negotiations with the pro-Palestinian student encampment, the University’s senate criticized the schools' president on Friday after more than 100 protesters were arrested last week. School faculties at universities in California, Georgia, and Texas initiated or passed votes of no confidence in their leadership. They are largely symbolic rebukes, without the power remove their presidents. But the tensions pile pressure on school officials, who are already scrambling to resolve the protests as May graduation ceremonies near.

For many in the graduating class of 2024, the unrest at campuses across the country over the Israel-Hamas war has marked an emotional end to their college experiences that started amid a pandemic. Students across the country say the reactions by colleges to the demonstrations have been particularly painful, including the cancellation of the main commencement ceremony at the University of Southern California on May 10. Many of the graduates also saw their high school proms and graduation ceremonies cancelled to curb the spread of COVID-19. Some say they believe the turmoil has made them care deeply for others.

Students protesting the Israel-Hamas war are digging in at Columbia University for a 10th day, part of a number of demonstrations roiling campuses from California to Connecticut. Hundreds have been arrested across the nation, sometimes amid scuffles with police. In New York, Columbia is negotiating with student protestors who have rebuffed police and doubled down. Other schools have been quick to call law enforcement to douse demonstrations before they can take hold. Columbia officials have said they will seek other options if the negotiations with protesters fail.

Some public school teachers could gain new powers to bring concealed guns into Tennessee schools. The legislation given final approval this week comes a year after a fatal shooting at a private Nashville elementary school. A previous law already allowed some private school teachers to have guns. The new measure would expand that to public school teachers who undergo training, clear background checks and get school permission. The Tennessee measures comes just days after Republican governors in Iowa and Nebraska signed laws that could expand the potential for armed personnel in schools. Meanwhile, lawmakers in some Democratic states are pursuing more gun restrictions.

Actor Kevin Bacon has returned to the Utah high school where his cult classic movie “Footloose” was filmed more than 40 years ago. Bacon danced his way to a stage on a Payson High School athletic field Saturday to greet students before their “Footloose-themed” prom. About 21,000 people live in Payson, about 60 miles south of Salt Lake City. The town for years has tried to persuade Bacon to return. Students finally convinced him after agreeing to help put together 5,000 care packages for the actor's charity, SixDegrees.

Investments in public preschool have helped many parents through a child care crisis, in which quality options for early learners are often scarce and unaffordable. But some parents say the programs don't work for them. Some public preschools lack an all-day option. No state has a more ambitious plan for universal preschool than California, which plans to extend eligibility for so-called “transitional kindergarten” to all 4-year-olds by fall 2025. But even in California, not all schools hosting transitional kindergarten offer child care before or after instruction.