The Texas State Board of Pardons and Paroles voted unanimously Monday to recommend a full posthumous pardon of George Floyd for a 2004 drug conviction, according to hearing minutes provided by the board to CNN.An application for the pardon was filed in April on behalf of Floyd and his surviving family. In the application, Allison Mathis of the Harris County Public Defender's Office said the request was filed because the arresting officer in Floyd's case, Gerald Goines, "manufactured the existence of confidential informants to bolster his cases against innocent defendants."Floyd died in May 2020 after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for more than nine minutes. Chauvin was found guilty of Floyd's murder in April and was sentenced to 22 and a half years in prison in June."We lament the loss of former Houstonian George Floyd and hope that his family finds comfort in Monday's decision by the Texas State Board of Pardons and Paroles to recommend clemency for a 2004 conviction involving former Houston Police Department Officer Gerald Goines," Kim Ogg, the Harris County district attorney, said in a statement.The ultimate decision on whether to grant Floyd clemency rests with Gov. Greg Abbott, Ogg said. CNN has reached out to the governor's office for comment on whether a pardon will be issued.Goines arrested Floyd on Feb. 5, 2004, alleging at the time that Floyd possessed crack cocaine "and that Floyd had provided the drugs to an unnamed 'second suspect' who had agreed to sell the drugs to the undercover Goines. The 'second suspect' was not arrested, Goines noted in his offense report, "in a attempt to further the narcotic trafficing in this area."Goines' attorney, Nicole DeBorde, told CNN in April, "We stand by the original case. We certainly sympathize with Mr. Floyd's cause, but that doesn't change the fact that his former conviction was a legitimate one."In 2019, Goines was involved in a high-profile case known as the Harding Street killings, in which he obtained a warrant for a "no-knock" raid from a municipal judge under false pretenses, Ogg told CNN. The raid left two people dead and five police officers injured.Goines, a 35-year law enforcement veteran, was indicted on two charges of felony murder and tampering with a government record, Ogg said.DeBorde, Goines' attorney, told CNN her client pleaded not guilty to all charges.

LEBANON, Ohio —

The debate over masks is lingering in Lebanon.

With many kids in quarantine, the district considered changing safety strategies on Wednesday.

But after hours of taking public comment, the decision was "no decision."

The school board tabled the vote after a meeting of more than three hours.

It was an emotional meeting.

People knew their stance and they made it abundantly clear.

Parents flooded the central office for Lebanon City Schools.

The temperature of the room was hot and the discussion was even hotter.

They came expecting a mask mandate vote by school board members.

Some people were against masks.

"Leave the decision to the parents. If it is mandated, there is no endgame and this will go forever," parent Christy Sanders said.

Other parents also agreed with Sanders.

"We're saying stay the course. Give parents the option. Let them decide what they want to do with their children," parent Mike Cope said.

Fewer people appeared to be for masks or mandates.

"There's homecoming, prom, choir concerts, musicals. All of these can be taken away if the schools get shut down for not wearing masks," student Alicia Smith said.

A woman who works in health care also spoke out in favor of masks.

"I just think it's probably the thing to do right now. I wish we could just kind of follow the numbers and, as they go down, then take the masks off," she said.

According to data from the district on Wednesday, 49 students have tested positive for COVID-19, with two breakthrough cases.

It said 17 students are waiting on test results and 536 students have been identified as close contacts and are in quarantine.

The data provided by the school district showed 52 students who are vaccinated or who were masked won't miss class.

But a big issue became abundantly clear after looking closer.

Quarantines, parents and even school board members said, are extensive in comparison to positive cases.

School board members decided to table the vote until they can figure out if they must follow the quarantine protocols set forth by Warren County Health officials.

"The quarantine has got to stop. There are counties in Ohio that are not doing it. We can stop doing it," parent Holly Bates said.

The district made it clear that it is not mandating vaccinations.

Some parents said under their breath, and some quite loudly, "for now."

It's not yet clear when the board will meet again to discuss the issue.

Board members said the superintendent will consult with the district's attorney for better guidance.

CINCINNATI —

Thursday is a big day for students as a new school year starts for some in several local school districts.

It's exciting, but uncertain as COVID-19 protocols continue to be adjusted.

Some schools are still deciding mask and COVID-19 protocols and on Wednesday night, the Forest Hills School District made a decision that came with cheers and jeers from parents.

The meeting was full and at one point, a board member cast the incorrect vote twice.

Parents appeared to have had enough before it ever really started.

"I just felt like (Gov. Mike) DeWine lifted that and said we could take them off and I don't want to put it back on and I don't want my children to put it back on either," parent Shawna Myers said.

Parents, students, and community members all stood outside Nagel Middle School greeting school leaders with signs against masks.

Their signs were on display during a meeting of the Forest Hills School Board, where masks were the task at hand.

"I believe that students should wear masks for their protection and for the protection of others," board member Dee Dee Choice said.

"I don't understand why we would do things differently when our goal shouldn't be to experiment. Our goal should be to make sure every child has the ability to learn in person," board member Dr. Leslie Rasmussen said.

"They struggle to learn when they can't fundamentally interact with each other. So to mask them out of fear of what might happen is outrageous," board Member Elizabeth Maier said.

At the end of the night, the board decided for elementary school students, masks will be required in instructional settings, but not in hallways, restrooms or at recess.

For secondary students, masks are optional.

The big concerns appeared to surrounded quarantines and contact tracing.

Members said last year, about 400 children were out with COVID-19 cases leading to about 4,000 in quarantine who did not get sick.

Parents in masks also took part in the meeting, supporting the mask effort.

Unfortunately, we were unable to catch up with them after the meeting.

They appeared to support any mask policy, with one woman saying she did not want her children near unmasked kids.

But those who were protesting said no mask policy is the right policy.

"I don't believe it'll have any effect at controlling the spread. I think the cases will continue to rise in the cold and flu season. We'll have another failed mitigation strategy," parent Scott Nelson said.

As part of the motion the board passed, the school district will revisit mask protocols for schools on Sept. 13 basing any changes on data and the situation at the time.

The Forest Hills School District includes Anderson and Turpin high schools and Ayer, Maddux, Mercer, Sherwood, Summit and Wilson elementary schools.

It serves more than 7,300 students in Anderson Township and the Village of Newtown.