CO - Hundreds of charter school advocates gathering for the Colorado League of Charter Schools' annual conference in Aurora spoke excitedly about President-elect Barack Obama's pledge to double federal funding for charter schools. Read Nancy Mitchell's story in today's Rocky Mountain News here.

In other headlines...

OH - According to the Associated Press, it is likely that Governor Ted Strickland will introduce his education reform package in the state's budget proposal in early 2009. State Republicans are calling the reforms "dead on arrival" if they eliminate school choice. Read today's story here.

MO - Four organizations planning on opening public charter schools in Kansas City and St. Louis have been awarded $2 million by the U.S. Department of Education. The grants will cover three years of planning and start-up costs, the St. Louis Post Dispatch reports today.

MS - Legislation to allow public schools to convert to public charter schools and receive state funding will be introduced in January, a Pascagoula state Senator announced this weekend. Read the details in this story in the Mississippi Press.

RI - Supporters of a new charter School in Warwick have won a $750,000 federal grant, but face new challenges as the state Board of Regents makes cuts to charters. Read the story here in the Boston Herald.  

IL - Tim King founded Chicago's Urban Prep Charter Academy for Young Men in the Englewood neighborhood and the school now serves 450 young men. The success of Urban Prep is leading King to open a new school in East Garfield Park next year. Read more about the difference that's being made in Dawn Turner Trice's column in today's Chicago Tribune.