Education
Two years after school shooting, Oxford community members reflect, talk gun violence prevention
The day before the second anniversary of the mass shooting at Oxford High School, survivors and their parents met for a roundtable discussion at Oakland University on how Michigan can prevent another school shooting. Thursday will mark two years since the mass shooting at Oxford High School on Nov. 30, 2021, that killed four students […]
Controversial PragerU videos gain educational foothold in a handful of states
In July, Florida became the first state to allow schools to incorporate instructional videos with a conservative viewpoint from vendor PragerU into their classroom materials. Oklahoma and Montana rapidly followed. New Hampshire in September approved the use of online PragerU videos to satisfy financial literacy requirements in public schools. PragerU and one state education board […]
Kathleen Wilbur, respected force in state government and university administration, dies at 70
A trailblazer in state government in Michigan, who was also a key player in university administration, died over the weekend after more than four decades of public service. Kathleen Wilbur, 70, died on Sunday after a sudden recurrence of cancer. Wilbur, who was Michigan State University’s senior vice president for government relations, only just last […]
Whitmer signs teacher evaluation reforms, tenant protections and Juneteenth legislation
On Wednesday, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed off on bills to modify teacher evaluations, provide tenants with notifications of imminent hazards on their property and establish Juneteenth as a state holiday, alongside a number of other policies. Senate Bills 395 and 396, introduced by state Sens. Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia) and Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City) […]
40 pro-Palestinian protestors arrested Friday during U of M demonstration
Leaders of a pro-Palestinian protest Friday at the University of Michigan claim that police acted “aggressively” and “violently” toward students as they staged a sit-in at the office of university President Santa Ono. In a release issued by Students Allied for Freedom & Equality (SAFE), also known as the university’s local Students for Justice in […]
Here’s your guide to what the Michigan Legislature didn’t finish this year
The first Democratic-majority Legislature in four decades ended a frenzied year early this month after sending the governor a slew of legislative priorities, including a clean energy overhaul, abortion rights reforms and financial disclosure requirements for state officials. That came after an even busier first few months that saw Democrats use their narrow majorities to […]
Faculty members surprised, concerned as UNC-Chapel Hill chancellor weighs exit
Members of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill faculty were blindsided by this week’s revelation that Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz is weighing leaving the university to become president of Michigan State University. As faculty members, staff, students and alumni await his decision, they are anticipating a difficult and politically fraught search process for Carolina’s next leader. […]
Attempt to kill Biden student debt relief plan tied to income fails in U.S. Senate
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Republicans on Wednesday night failed to garner enough votes to block a new Biden administration rule on an income-driven repayment plan for federal student loans. The resolution did not pass, 49-50. Sen. Joe Manchin III of West Virginia was the sole Democrat who joined Republicans in backing the resolution. Sen. Tim […]
UNC chancellor could be the frontrunner for Michigan State University president
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz could be leaving the school, which has been marked with several controversies in recent years, to take on the presidency at Michigan State University, which has contended with several firestorms of its own. MSU’s student newspaper, The State News, reported Wednesday that after University of […]
Free speech on college campuses as tensions rise examined by U.S. House Judiciary
WASHINGTON — U.S. lawmakers debated the freedom of speech of students on college campuses during a committee hearing Wednesday. The Republican-led House Judiciary Committee held the hearing amid a rise of antisemitism on college campuses following Hamas attacks on Israel. Many Jewish students and others showing support for Israel have been targets of violence since […]
Legislature passes spending bills funding roads, bridges and school district debt relief
A $615.6 million supplemental spending bill passed through the Michigan legislature Thursday, mostly along party lines. It is now on the desk of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who is expected to sign it. House Bill 4292, sponsored by state Rep. Felicia Brabec (D-Pittsfield Twp.), appropriates $339.8 million for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 budget that ended […]
U.S. House passes resolution condemning antisemitism on college campuses, 1 Michigan rep. votes no
Updated, 6:49 a.m., 11/4/23 The U.S. House passed a resolution on Thursday condemning the support of Hamas, Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations on U.S. College campuses. The measure introduced by U.S. Rep. Burgess Owens (R-Utah) said those groups have created a hostile environment for Jewish students, faculty and staff. At Cornell University, a 21-year-old student was […]