Weekly Media Roundup: April 22, 2026

After-School Program Opens Pathways to Emerging Careers, C&G News (Michigan)

Students in the Code586 afterschool program in Mount Clemens, Michigan get hands-on experience operating and maintaining quadcopter drones, playing fun games such as “drone basketball” to build skills for careers such as aerial inspection or delivery. “By the time these youths reach 16, they’ll be trained up on operations of drones, how to maintain drones, basic flight maneuvers and everything so they can take that Part 107 test, get their license and they can fly commercially,” Executive Director and Founder Bartel Welch told C&G News. “You’re talking about jobs that can be paying $50-plus an hour for a 16-year-old. That’s game-changing, not only for their lives but for their family’s lives.” The free program provides meals and transportation to enable students to participate regardless of family income.

San Diego Unified Expands Primetime After-School Program to Accommodate Nearly 7,000 Students on Waitlist, KGTV (California)

After years of long waitlists, the San Diego Unified School District’s PrimeTime afterschool program will be available to all kindergarten through eighth grade students this fall, thanks to funding from California’s Expanded Learning Opportunities Program. PrimeTime provides free before-school and afterschool programs, offering homework assistance, enrichment activities, hands-on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programs, sports, and art activities. “Next year we expect to have 30,000 to 40,000 kids getting free afterschool care,” SD Unified Board Trustee Shana Hazan told KGTV. “It’s something that I’ve pushed hard for. Our entire team has advocated for in Sacramento, and it is because of funding we got from the state that we’re able to offer this to every single child.” A major challenge will be hiring enough staff to support the rapid growth of the program.

Arizona Moves to Make Child Care More Affordable When School’s Out, KTAR (Arizona)

As part of Governor Katie Hobbs’ Bright Futures AZ initiative, Arizona has awarded $3 million in grants to expand afterschool programs, lower program fees and increase access to these vital programs in rural areas. The initiative also includes a free online search tool to help families find available afterschool programs in their communities. “The importance of high-quality child care cannot be overstated, and these two new developments in Gov. Hobbs’ Bright Futures AZ initiative ensure that child care remains accessible and affordable to working families,” Department of Economic Security Director Michael Wisehart told KTAR. “Not only will children be better able to access child care and early childhood education opportunities, but parents will also have peace of mind, knowing their children are cared for while they are at work or pursuing education.”

Valle Lindo Parents Look for Child Care Alternatives in Walla Walla, The Bellingham Herald (Washington)

Last year, the Akin afterschool and summer program in Valle Lindo – a community of farmworkers in Walla Walla, Washington – had to close its doors, leaving families with few options for affordable out-of-school time care. Parents, educators and advocates gathered for a community meeting last week to discuss the challenges students and families are facing and how to organize for solutions. At the meeting, Camp Fire Walla Walla Executive Director Ruben Hernandez shared that the nonprofit is opening a new afterschool program in Walla Walla’s Davis Elementary next school year to help fill the gap. "Parents need a safe place for their child, and when their child is in a safe place, that's when you can fully give back and put all your effort to your job," community member Eva Madrigal told the Bellingham Herald.