The iOpener: Your Comments On Trump's National Emergency; Charter School Teachers Strike in Parma

Good morning on this Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019, the first day of the work week for those of you who were off Monday for President's Day. 

More than 6-in-10 Americans disapprove of President Trump's decision to declare a national emergency so he can build a wall along the U.S border with Mexico.  The NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll also found most think his decision should be challenged in court.  The poll's findings echo what we found when we asked you, "Do you think President Trump is right to call a national emergency at the border to fund his wall?"  We had several calls to our Listener Contribution line and also several comments on the WCPN Facebook page.

We asked, "Do you think President Trump is right to call a national emergency at the border to fund his wall?"  

Teachers at the Summit Academy charter school’s Parma branch are planning to strike today, after the latest round of contract negotiations did not lead to a deal. They’re asking for smaller caseloads and class sizes, as well as a pay increase.  The school mainly serves students with learning and behavioral disabilities.  The strike would be only the third charter school strike in the nation.

The Portage County Sheriff’s deputy who was set on fire last week while serving an arrest warrant is out of the hospital. Sgt. Jim Acklin was released from the Akron Children’s Hospital, where he was treated for burns.  Suspect Jay Brannon faces charges that include attempted murder.  Police say he threw an ignited can of flammable liquid at Acklin last Thursday. 

Lorain’s City Council passed a resolution asking schools CEO David Hardy and the board of education to work together and end “all acts of public disharmony.”  Council President Joel Arredondo said teachers are stressed, and he knew of eight who left the district because of “nervous breakdowns.” Hardy does not attend school board meetings, and members have complained of knowing little about his plans to get Lorain’s schools out of the state’s “academic distress” rating. 

The Indians’s Jason Kipnis is returning to second base, after spending time last season in the outfield. Manager Terry Francona made the announcement before the team held their first full-squad workout of spring training.  Kipnis is in the last year of his contract with the Indians.

The best-in-the-NHL Tampa Bay Lightening beat the Columbus Blue Jackets, 5-1, at Nationwide Arena.  It was Tampa Bay’s sixth straight win.

Weather forecast: Mostly sunny and cold, high 29.  Increasing clouds tonight, low 24.  Wednesday, a wintry mix of rain and snow starts the day off, with a turn to all rain after 1:00 p.m. Warmer, with a high of 40.