Member of the EU Commission

The European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation is a member of the European Commission. The portfolio was previously titled European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport until 2019 when it was merged with the European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation to form its current title.

The portfolio is responsible for policies in education and training, youth, sport, civil society, and culture. The commissioner leads the Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture.

Commissioner Ján Figeľ was approved by the European Parliament in 2004 as the European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Multilingualism. This was enlarged since the Prodi Commission with the addition of training and multilingualism (The Directorate-General is still just Directorate-General for Education and Culture).

However, when Romania joined the European Union on 1 January 2007, responsibility for multilingualism was handed over to the new Romanian commissioner, Leonard Orban. In its place the portfolio now also includes youth, sport and civil society. Figeľ describes his position is very orientated to “the citizens and their quality of life”.^[1]

The commission has become increasingly active in education. The ERASMUS programme, which was established in 1987, is a student exchange programme promoting mobility of students between European universities. The Bologna process aims to create a European Higher Education Area where academic qualifications can be recognised across Europe. The European Institute of Technology is a proposed research university.

With the 2014 inauguration of the Juncker Commission, the portfolio was once again renamed – multilingualism was removed in favour of citizenship: “Education, Culture, Youth and Citizenship”. Citizenship in turn was soon replaced by sport.^[2][3] The title from 2014 to 2019 was thus European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport. The portfolio from 2019 is named European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation.

The previous portfolio to the current was Culture, merged with Audiovisual policy and EP relations.

No.	Picture	Commissioner	Took office	Left office	Time in office	Party	Country	Commission
1		Reding, VivianeViviane Reding (born 1951)	13 September 1999	21 November 2004	5 years, 69 days	CSV	Luxembourg	Prodi
2		Grybauskaitė, DaliaDalia Grybauskaitė (born 1956)	1 May 2004	11 November 2004	194 days	Independent	Lithuania	Prodi
3		Figeľ, JánJán Figeľ (born 1960)	22 November 2004	1 October 2009	4 years, 313 days	KDH	Slovakia	Barroso
4		Šefčovič, MarošMaroš Šefčovič (born 1966)	1 October 2009	9 February 2010	131 days	PES	Slovakia	Barroso
5		Vassiliou, AndroullaAndroulla Vassiliou (born 1943)	9 February 2010	1 November 2014	4 years, 265 days	EDI	Cyprus	Barroso
6		Navracsics, TiborTibor Navracsics (born 1966)	1 November 2014	30 November 2019	5 years, 29 days	Fidesz	Hungary	Juncker
7		Gabriel, MariyaMariya Gabriel (born 1979)	1 December 2019	15 May 2023	3 years, 166 days	GERB	Bulgaria	Von der Leyen
8		Ivanova, IlianaIliana Ivanova (born 1975)	19 September 2023	30 November 2024	1 year, 72 days	GERB	Bulgaria	Von der Leyen
9		Zaharieva, EkaterinaEkaterina Zaharieva (born 1975)	1 December 2024	Incumbent	201 days	GERB	Bulgaria	Von der Leyen II

Murfreesboro, TN – Grab your ball caps and folding chairs—it’s almost time! In just a few short weeks, the crack of the bat and the cheer of proud families will fill the air as the Tennessee Youth Baseball Association (TYBA) hosts its much-anticipated State Tournament, July 11–13, 2025, at Barfield Park, 697 Veterans Parkway, Murfreesboro.

Open to players ages 3 to 15, this three-day celebration of baseball brings together teams from across the state for a weekend filled with teamwork, sportsmanship, and unforgettable summer memories. Families interested in having their young ballplayers join the excitement can get more info by calling 615-319-8508, emailing tyba4u@comcast.net, or visiting http://tybaball.com.

Now celebrating its 28th year, Tennessee Youth Baseball Association began right here in Murfreesboro and has grown into a cornerstone of the local youth sports community. With a heart for helping young athletes grow both on and off the diamond, the association proudly instills values of leadership, respect, and sportsmanship—principles coaches say every child can recite by heart.

“The attitude is unbelievable,” said one coach. “There are three words my boys use on and off the field: leadership, respect, sportsmanship. That’s what it’s all about.”

From pint-sized t-ballers to budding middle-school stars, Tennessee Youth Baseball Association offers more than just baseball. It’s a place where kids develop confidence, lifelong friendships, and a love for the game that lasts long after the final inning. Over the years, families have seen how baseball has helped kids grow in resilience, cooperation, and self-discipline—all while having a ton of fun.

Whether you’re a longtime fan of youth baseball or just looking for a wholesome way to spend a summer weekend, the TYBA State Tournament is a can’t-miss Murfreesboro tradition.

Mark your calendars for July 11–13 and come cheer on the future of Tennessee baseball!

Items found in vehicles of subjects arrested in an investigation of gang-related graffiti in Everett. Courtesy of the Everett Police Department.

EVERETT, JUNE 19: The Everett Police Department (EPD) have made four arrests, one adult and three juveniles, in connection to three separate gang-related graffiti vandalism investigations this spring.

Investigation 1:

On March 6, officers from the EPD held a graffiti vandalism paint-over operation that took place in the 1100 block of W Casino Road, near Walter E Hall Park. The operation targeted a location displaying known gang tags, which are known to have direct ties to gang violence, EPD said in a press release.

Two days following the event, a vehicle was observed dropping off four subjects who subsequently tagged the fence with gang-related graffiti.

A month later on April 3, the Everett Police Violent Crime Unit (VCU) and south patrol officers located the suspect vehicle using the Flock Safety System License Plate Readers (LPRs). The grant-funded Flock Safety cameras are utilized to capture reported license plates and monitor high crime areas before police arrive on the scene.

The occupants of the vehicle were identified, and officers found cans of spray paint and alcohol inside the vehicle, which was later towed pending a search warrant. The occupants of the vehicle included three individuals, a 15-year-old male, a 15-year-old female and an 18-year-old male.

After a search warrant for the vehicle was approved, three loaded pistols were located inside the vehicle.

“The connection between gang graffiti and violence is incredibly troubling, especially as we see more young people drawn into this dangerous cycle,” Mayor Cassie Franklin said. “We know that when a young person is carrying a firearm, they are likely one conflict away from tragedy—taking someone else’s life and derailing their own. That’s why we are treating this issue with the urgency it deserves. Our focus remains on preventing violence before it happens: through partnerships, upstream solutions and holding people accountable when necessary.”

Investigation 2:

On May 6, Everett patrol officers responded to an additional report of graffiti vandalism in the 1100 block of W Casino Rd. Responding officers observed fresh graffiti, which was identified as gang-affiliated, and saw a vehicle pulling away from the scene.

Officers detained the occupants of the vehicle and noticed spray paint cans and a significant amount of alcohol. The driver of the vehicle was an 18-year-old male, and the additional occupants were all juveniles.

This vehicle was impounded pending a search warrant and upon warrant service, a stolen firearm was discovered.

Investigation 3:

On April 26, the Everett Police Department’s Volunteers in Police Service painted over gang-related graffiti vandalism located along 75th St SE, across from Lions Park. The fence was then tagged with gang graffiti the evening of the following day. A suspect vehicle was identified using the Flock Safety System LPRs and further investigation led to the identification of a 17-year-old male as the suspect.

On May 14, the Violent Crime Unit located the 17-year-old suspect during a traffic stop in South Everett. He admitted to officers he was gang affiliated. Further investigation showed he was in possession of a stolen firearm with an extended magazine.

“Evidence shows that gang-related graffiti is directly linked to violent acts, and the multiple arrests and gun charges resulting from our recent investigations underscore that concerning relationship,” Everett Police Chief John DeRousse said. “Firearms in the hands of young people are a particularly volatile and tragic combination. We are seeing guns used to settle disputes, retaliate against perceived threats or gain status – and it’s putting lives at risk. Because of this, Mayor Franklin identified youth safety as a critical priority this year, directing resources towards prevention as well as robust investigations and holding offenders accountable for the harm they cause our community.”

Several of these investigations are still ongoing, but to date:

• A 15-year-old female was booked into the Denny Juvenile Justice Center for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm 2 and Possession of Graffiti Implements
• A 15-year-old male was booked into the Denny Juvenile Justice Center for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm 2 and Possession of Graffiti Implements
• A 17-year-old male was booked into the Denny Juvenile Justice Center for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm 2 and Possession of a Stolen Firearm.
• An 18-year-old male was booked into the Snohomish County Jail for Minor in Possession and additional weapons violations.

Based on a press release from the Everett Police Department. 

The Edwards County School Board has named Bobby Brake as the new head basketball coach at Albion Grade School. The decision was made during Tuesday night’s board meeting.

Brake has served as an assistant coach for the team over the past several years, bringing experience and familiarity to the program. A graduate of Edwards County High School, Brake earned the title of Male Athlete of the Year his senior year before continuing his athletic career at Millikin University, where he played varsity football for three seasons.

In addition to his new head coaching role, Bobby continues to serve as an assistant coach for the Edwards County football team.

Bobby and his wife, Makenzie, recently celebrated the birth of their first child, a baby girl, just last month.

Brake replaces Nathaniel Schmittler, who was recently promoted to Athletic Director at Edwards County High School. The two have a long history, having been teammates on the ECHS basketball team.

Bobby Brake is the grandson of Dave Rigg of Albion.

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