News

The New Prohibition: The assault on Louisiana libraries, and how citizens and activists are fighting back

Thursday, May 30th, 2024

via The Times-Picayune (Louisiana)

Louisiana librarians fight book bans

Book Bans

An Idaho school district banned books. Here’s what a student did at her graduation

Wednesday, May 29th, 2024

via The Spokesman-Review (Idaho)

Annabelle Jenkins walked onto the stage during her graduation ceremony from the Idaho Fine Arts Academy in the West Ada School District with a book tucked into her sleeve. When she stood before West…

Book Bans

House Speaker Dade Phelan wins runoff, surviving challenge by Texas GOP’s far-right forces

Wednesday, May 29th, 2024

via KPRC (Texas)

Business-minded Republicans spent millions trying to save Phelan, whose far-right opponent had the backing of Donald Trump, Ken Paxton and Dan Patrick. Phelan won by 366 votes, according to unofficial…

Book Bans

Report urges state action to combat rising attacks against LGBTQ youth, families, and educators

Tuesday, May 28th, 2024

via The Boston Globe (Massachusetts)

'The attacks being seen on the ground by advocates and youth include book bans, LGBTQ flag removals in schools, graffiti, drag story hour protests, drag show bans, curriculum disputes, [and] harassment at school committee meetings," the report said.

Book Bans, Parent Involvement

New book paints negative but true account of Southlake and Carroll ISD struggles

Tuesday, May 28th, 2024

via Dallas Morning News (Texas)

The conflicts over racism, sexuality and diversity in Southlake Carroll ISD are retold in a newly published book.

School Board – General, Book Bans

Letters: Return of the Dust Bowl? Dust storms in Illinois are a harbinger of things to come.

Saturday, May 25th, 2024

via Chicago Tribune (Illinois)

Dust storms endanger lives, cripple transportation networks and unleash cascading public health emergencies.

Book Bans

Ohio GOP lawmaker defends bill charging teachers with felonies for ‘pandering obscenity’ • Ohio Capital Journal

Friday, May 24th, 2024

via Ohio Capital Journal (Ohio)

An Ohio Republican lawmaker is defending his controversial bill that would charge teachers and school district librarians with felonies for "pandering" so-called "obscene" material.

Book Bans, Parent Involvement

Independent booksellers continued to expand in 2023, with more than 200 new stores opening

Thursday, May 23rd, 2024

via The Associated Press (Florida)

The independent bookstore boom continues. Even as industry sales were slow in 2023, membership in the American Booksellers Association expanded strongly.

Book Bans

Newsom turns to suburban moms to bankroll Arizona abortion plan

Thursday, May 23rd, 2024

via Los Angeles Times (California)

Red Wine & Blue, a political grassroots organization focused on suburban women, is funding a plan to expand abortion access

Book Bans

Ohio Statehouse Republicans stand determined to prove how toxic gerrymandering is • Ohio Capital Journal

Thursday, May 23rd, 2024

via Ohio Capital Journal (Ohio)

Ohio Statehouse Republicans stand determined to make a lurid example of themselves on just how toxic and destructive gerrymandering is. To paraphrase Cicero, how long, O' gerrymandered Ohio lawmakers,…

Racism, Book Bans, LGBTQ+

Long Island schools election results: Wide support, little controversy this time

Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024

via Newsday (New York)

The overwhelming approval of school budgets marked one of the most unified votes here in memory, local education experts and officials said.

School Board – General, Book Bans

Classroom cell phone rules and a ban on book bans. What school bills passed in Minnesota this year.

Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024

via Star Tribune (Minnesota)

Classroom cell phone use, a prohibition on book bans and a push to address poor attendance were among the education measures were approved the the Legislature. It also found funding to assist student teachers and offer schools relief on literacy training deadlines.

Book Bans

Readers Write: Banning book bans, Minneapolis’ budget problems, Trump’s visit

Tuesday, May 21st, 2024

via Star Tribune (Minnesota)

Hooray for open access to books.

Book Bans

Palm Beach County News in 90: Barron Trump graduates; Florida named best state for education

Tuesday, May 21st, 2024

via The Palm Beach Post (Florida)

Palm Beach County News in 90 gives a rundown of the latest local headlines. This week: Barron Trump's graduation, Florida is named best state for education.

Book Bans

Minnesota Equal Rights Amendment fails in acrimonious end to legislative session

Monday, May 20th, 2024

via The Associated Press (Minnesota)

Minnesota lawmakers have failed to pass a state Equal Rights Amendment that would have enshrined protections for abortion and LGBTQ+ rights in the state Constitution.

Book Bans

Possible hot button debate topics for Biden and Trump: immigration, abortion and Israel

Friday, May 17th, 2024

via Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Wisconsin)

From climate change to foreign policy, a look at some of the topics that Biden and Trump might face during the debates.

Book Bans

Biden-Trump debate topics could include immigration, abortion, Israel and Ukraine

Friday, May 17th, 2024

via Detroit Free Press (Michigan)

From climate change to foreign policy, a look at some of the topics that Biden and Trump might face during the debates.

Book Bans

Minnesota Legislature approves bill prohibiting book bans in public schools, libraries

Thursday, May 16th, 2024

via Star Tribune (Minnesota)

Backers say the law would curb politicized campaigns against titles that focus on LGBTQ and multiracial experiences.

School Board – General, Book Bans

Florida Rep. Byron Donalds’ political career in photos

Thursday, May 16th, 2024

via Lohud (New York)

Republican Byron Donalds has served as the U.S. representative for Florida's 19th congressional district since 2021.

School Board – General, Book Bans, Parent Involvement