Education
GOP bill establishing a federal parental bill of rights passed in U.S. House
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans on Friday passed a bill designed to empower parents to inspect books and other teaching materials in local public schools, but Democrats sharply criticized the measure, saying it would censor teachers and ban books. The legislation, called the Parents Bill of Rights, passed on a 213-208 vote. It would codify federal education law to […]
U of M graduate instructors approve strike authorization
Faced with steep cost of living increases, including burdensome rents, unionized graduate student workers at the University of Michigan voted Thursday night to authorize a strike should union leaders determine it’s necessary in an effort to secure increased wages in their new contract. Ninety-five percent of the Graduate Employees’ Organization (GEO) AFT Local 3500 members […]
MSU shooting survivor Troy Forbush speaks at gun reform rally in Lansing
“This is more than being at the wrong place at the wrong time. This could happen anywhere, at any time in this country. This has to end.” With those words, Troy Forbush began to tell his story on Thursday at the March for Our Lives rally at Michigan’s Capitol. Forbush was among the five students […]
U of M graduate instructors to hold strike authorization vote
Updated, 7:59 a.m., 3/22/23 Members of the Graduate Employees’ Organization (GEO) AFT Local 3550 are a step closer to striking following a general membership meeting on Monday in which they voted to initiate the strike authorization process. The union, which is an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), represents Graduate Student Instructors (GSIs) […]
Biden administration details potential cuts in education, food aid and more under GOP plan
WASHINGTON — Federal departments and agencies say U.S. House Republicans’ plans to cut federal spending would result in reductions to key programs like food aid, education assistance and wildfire management. The series of letters from across the federal government released Monday detail exactly how plans to cut at least $130 billion in domestic spending during […]
In ‘history-making’ votes, Democratic-led Senate passes gun reform legislation
A little more than one month after a mass shooting killed three students at Michigan State University, the Democratic-led Senate on Thursday passed an 11-bill package that aims to curb and prevent the gun violence that has traumatized children, parents and communities across the state. Garnering uniform support among Democrats and largely condemnation from Republicans, […]
Giffords joins students at Michigan rally amid legislative action on gun safety
Former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, a gun violence survivor, joined state leaders Wednesday for a rally at the Michigan Capitol as the Michigan Legislature continues to debate gun safety legislation. Monday marked one month since a mass shooting on the campus of Michigan State University that killed three students and injured five more. “We have […]
Detroit’s Wayne State University announces free tuition for families earning less than $70K
Michigan families with annual incomes of $70,000 or less are now eligible for the “Wayne State Guarantee,” a new program that offers a tuition-free degree from Detroit’s Wayne State University with zero out-of-pocket expenses. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joined WSU officials on Monday to announce the program, set to begin in fall 2023. “Students in Michigan […]
‘This is our blood on your hands’: Students describe a crushing emotional toll of mass shootings
In the wake of mass shootings at Michigan State University and Oxford High School, as well as the gun violence that has shattered lives across the state, the children now living with the permanent scars of trauma keep hearing the same message: They are the future; their advocacy is the reason this country will change. […]
Idaho college censors portions of art exhibit for discussing abortion
Artists whose work was scheduled to be displayed at Lewis-Clark State College for an exhibition called “Unconditional Care” say their First Amendment rights were violated after the college censored parts of the show related to abortion. The college, which is located in Lewiston, Idaho, and serves close to 4,000 students, cited Idaho’s No Public Funds […]
GOP bill mandating federal Parents Bill of Rights passed by U.S. House committee
WASHINGTON — A national “Parents Bill of Rights” is headed for a full U.S. House vote after the House Committee on Education and the Workforce early Thursday approved the measure designed to empower parents to inspect books and other teaching materials in schools. Lawmakers on the committee debated the GOP-backed bill that would federally mandate […]
Bill repealing ‘punitive’ third-grade reading law headed to Whitmer’s desk
A long-sought-after Democratic bill to do away with Michigan’s controversial third-grade reading law cleared final passage in the state House on Tuesday, moving the legislation to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s desk for her likely signature. Senate Bill 12 passed 57-51 in the House, with state Rep. Tim Beson (R-Bay City) being the lone Republican vote. “The […]