News

Florida schools can still paddle students. Lawmakers look at limits.

Thursday, February 1st, 2024

via Tampa Bay Times (Florida)

A roundup of Florida education news from around the state

Book Bans

CT Young Dems hold public hearing to ‘amplify’ Gen Z

Tuesday, January 30th, 2024

via Hartford Courant (Connecticut)

The Connecticut Young Democrats held a public hearing on Monday to build its own issue priority list as a way to amplify Generation Z voices ahead of the legislative session.

Book Bans

Will more outdoor drinking give California economy a buzz?

Tuesday, January 30th, 2024

via CalMatters (California)

A bill to let bars and restaurants serve drinks outside is pitched as a way to keep these businesses open and boost local economies.

Book Bans

Tennessee bill lets residents petition for book bans over ‘community standards’

Tuesday, January 30th, 2024

via Tennessean (Tennessee)

Lawmaker proposes a bill to allow residents to file petitions to remove library books deemed to run afoul of "contemporary community standards."

Book Bans

Several Bills Target Book Bans in School and Public Libraries

Thursday, January 25th, 2024

via Seven Days (Vermont)

Hoping to head off national conservative groups that are pushing book bans, several Vermont lawmakers are sponsoring bills that would make it tougher to remove...

School Board – General, Book Bans

Governor Whitmer’s 2024 State of the State Address: A Visionary Beacon of Hope and Progress in Michigan

Thursday, January 25th, 2024

via Michigan Chronicle (Michigan)

Governor Gretchen Whitmer, in her sixth annual State of the State address to the joint session of the Michigan Legislature in Lansing, charted a course of Democratic achievements in 2023 and laid out…

Book Bans

Schools, Libraries Could Face Charges For Books Deemed Controversial

Thursday, January 25th, 2024

via The Intelligencer (West Virginia)

CHARLESTON – Lawmakers could open another front in the culture wars by lifting criminal liability protections for schools and libraries for carrying books some consider obscene. The House Judiciary…

Book Bans

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer State of the State 2024: Read the speech

Wednesday, January 24th, 2024

via Bridge Michigan (Michigan)

The Democratic governor gave her sixth State of the State address on Wednesday. It was included about 10 goals, lots of references to 1980s rock anthems and praise for the Detroit Lions. Read the…

Book Bans

West Virginians speak out at hearing on bill that could lock up librarians

Wednesday, January 24th, 2024

via The Register-Herald (West Virginia)

This story was originally published by Mountain State Spotlight. Get stories like this delivered to your email inbox once a week; sign up for the free newsletter at…

Book Bans

Libs of TikTok creator’s controversial library appointment sparks backlash in Oklahoma

Wednesday, January 24th, 2024

via Tulsa World (Oklahoma)

Right-wing Libs of TikTok creator Chaya Raichik lives in New York but has been named to an Oklahoma library panel. Critics want to know why.

School Board – General, Book Bans, Parent Involvement

Globe’s reporting leads to North Attleborough reshelving book previously banned from library

Wednesday, January 24th, 2024

via The Boston Globe (Massachusetts)

The district restored 'Woke: A Young Poet's Call to Justice" to an elementary school library Tuesday, less than a week after the Globe reported it had been removed.

Book Bans

Utah lawmaker reading from Sarah J. Maas book cut off during book ban debate

Wednesday, January 24th, 2024

via The Salt Lake Tribune (Utah)

The interaction unfolded as lawmakers debated HB29, which would make it easier to remove titles from Utah schools statewide.

Book Bans

West Virginia bill could open libraries to felony charges in obscenity law

Wednesday, January 24th, 2024

via WV MetroNews (West Virginia)

West Virginia's obscenity laws have possible punishments of fines up to $25,000 and up to five years imprisonment.

Book Bans

With DeSantis Out of the Race, Floridians Wonder: How Will He Govern Now?

Tuesday, January 23rd, 2024

via The New York Times (Virginia)

Supporters can't wait for Gov. Ron DeSantis to renew his focus on the state, while critics are dreading what his final three years on the job might bring.

Book Bans

After federal judge’s injunction on Iowa’s book ban law, confusion and concerns linger

Tuesday, January 23rd, 2024

via The Des Moines Register (Iowa)

Iowa school districts returned from winter break to find a changed legal landscape around Senate File 496, the book ban law, but confusion lingers.

Book Bans

This bookseller is fighting censorship in Boston and beyond

Monday, January 22nd, 2024

via Boston.com (Massachusetts)

Meet bookseller Wendy Dodson of Hummingbird Books: "Books unite us and censorship divides us," she told Boston.com.

Book Bans

MSNBC host blasted for questioning Moms for Liberty’s ‘expertise’ on explicit books

Monday, January 22nd, 2024

via CBS 21 News (Pennsylvania)

Public figures blasted MSNBC anchor Joy Reid Sunday for grilling a Moms for Liberty co-founder over pushes to remove sexually explicit books from schools.

Book Bans, Parent Involvement

What to watch for in U.S. Senate debate

Monday, January 22nd, 2024

via CalMatters (California)

The three top Democrats and one Republican square off Monday evening in the first U.S. Senate debate of the campaign.

Book Bans

How Alabama legislation restricting flag displays could prohibit LGBTQ Rainbow flag

Sunday, January 21st, 2024

via al.com (Alabama)

LGBTQ activists are keeping an eye on Alabama legislation that makes it a misdemeanor to fly unapproved flags. A list of exceptions does not include the LGBTQ Rainbow flag.

School Board – General, Book Bans