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Sean Salai

Sean Salai is the general assignment/culture reporter for The Washington Times. A former National desk intern and Metro clerk at The Washington Times, he also has served as a City Hall reporter at the Boca Raton News and as a special contributor at America Media. He can be reached at ssalai@washingtontimes.com.

Articles by Sean Salai

Trump policies inspire citizens to brush up on civics knowledge

President Trump's sweeping policy changes on topics ranging from the economy to government spending have inspired Americans to learn more about their rights, according to an annual Constitution Day civics survey.

September 12, 2025

FTC probes AI companions bonding with children, teens

The Federal Trade Commission has opened an investigation into the harm inflicted on children and teens who form intense, emotional "relationships" with artificial intelligence companions.

September 11, 2025

Perceived value of college education hits new lows in Gallup polling

A record-low 35% of Americans consider a college education "very important," according to new Gallup polling released Thursday.

September 11, 2025

Education Secretary touts private schools, AI-run lessons in latest stop of 50-state tour

Education Secretary Linda McMahon is highlighting AI-run private schools and other alternatives to traditional public education as she barnstorms the nation on a "Returning Education to the States" tour.

September 10, 2025

Free speech report gives U.S. colleges an ‘F’ as most students oppose speakers amid Trump crackdowns

America's colleges have received an "F" grade for their free speech climate in an annual watchdog report, as most students reject speakers from both sides of the political spectrum amid the Trump administration's crackdowns.

September 9, 2025

Report finds teens reaching out to AI companions for ‘sex’

Teenagers are turning to AI companions for intense sexual "relationships" more than any other purpose, according to an industry watchdog report published Tuesday.

September 9, 2025

University of North Texas lifts ban on student drag shows

The University of North Texas will lift a pause on student drag shows after similar bans at other college campuses were overturned in federal court.

August 29, 2025

Texas AG Ken Paxton investigates antisemitism in Plano schools

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into complaints of widespread antisemitism in the Plano Independent School District, warning administrators to squash it ahead of the anniversary of the Hamas terror attacks.

August 28, 2025

Appeals court revives lawsuit from Christian physician assistant against transgender surgery

A federal appellate court has upheld the right of a Christian physician assistant to sue the University of Michigan's medical center for firing her after she requested a religious exemption from referring patients for sex-change treatment.

August 28, 2025

Fake college websites surge amid AI enhancements, bilking students with bogus fees

Southeastern Michigan is part of a surge in fake college websites that have used artificial intelligence to generate hours of content over the past two years.

August 27, 2025

Montgomery County Public Schools resumes parental opt-outs for LGBTQ lessons

Montgomery County Public Schools resumed processing religious exemptions from LGBT lessons as the semester began Tuesday, reflecting a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that sided with Christian and Muslim parents.

August 26, 2025

Survey finds married mothers happier than single, childless women

Married mothers are nearly twice as likely to report being "very happy" as single childless women, according to a YouGov poll released Tuesday.

August 26, 2025

Study finds video games lead to decreased learning interest in boys

School-age boys become less interested in learning reading, writing and math the more they play video games, a Canadian study has found.

August 25, 2025

Education Department finds George Mason University illegally used race in faculty hiring, promotion

A federal civil rights investigation has found that George Mason University illegally used race and other "immutable characteristics" in its hiring and promotion, the Education Department said Friday.

August 22, 2025

RFK Jr. calls pouches ‘safest way to consume nicotine’

Smokeless nicotine pouches placed between the lips and gums could provide the safest alternative to cigarettes for users, according to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

August 22, 2025

D.C. students improve standardized test results

D.C. Public Schools and charter students' standardized test scores in English and math have improved, with English results slightly better now than in the pre-COVID era, the city reported Thursday.

August 21, 2025

James Dobson, influential Christian family psychologist, dies at 89

James C. Dobson, a bestselling Christian author and psychologist whose views on families influenced several presidents, died Thursday morning of unspecified causes in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was 89.

August 21, 2025

Survey finds most teachers down on ‘equitable grading’

Most teachers say their public schools have adopted at least one "equitable grading" practice to keep minority students from failing, with negative consequences for academic motivation.

August 20, 2025

Survey finds Federal Student Aid complaints surging amid federal layoffs

Recent surveys show a sharp increase in college administrators complaining about the Federal Student Aid process as the Trump administration implements mass layoffs, a higher education trade group reported Wednesday.