News

California mental health: Big money gap in 2024 ballot measure

Monday, January 29th, 2024

via CalMatters (California)

Gov. Newsom wanted only his mental health measure on the March ballot, and now his allies are vastly outraising opponents.

Book Bans

Utility bills: Legislators push back on proposed fee

Wednesday, January 31st, 2024

via CalMatters (California)

Democrats join Republicans in opposing a plan to use household income in setting some fees in utility bills.

Book Bans

Fighting Book Bans, Librarians Rally to Their Own Defense

Wednesday, April 8th, 2026

via The New York Times (New York)

As libraries become battlegrounds in the nation's culture wars, their allies are fighting to preserve access to their collections and keep themselves out of jail, or worse.

Book Bans

‘My Heart Sank’: In Maine, a Challenge to a Book, and to a Town’s Self-Image

Saturday, February 3rd, 2024

via The New York Times (New York)

Wealthy, liberal-leaning Blue Hill prided itself on staying above the fray - until the library stocked a book that drew anger from the left.

Book Bans

Workplace harassment: How bad at the Capitol?

Monday, February 5th, 2024

via CalMatters (California)

A new report shows a drop in workplace harassment complaints at the California Legislature, but details are kept under wraps.

Book Bans

2024 election: Concord, Cabarrus County NC primary voter guide

Wednesday, February 14th, 2024

via Charlotte Observer (North Carolina)

2024 NC primary election candidates for U.S. House, General Assembly and county commissioner answers questions on issues in Cabarrus, Concord.

Racism, School Board – General, Book Bans

Maryland ‘Freedom to Read Act’ bill aims to protects books and librarians

Tuesday, February 20th, 2024

via The Washington Post (Virginia)

The "Freedom to Read Act" of Maryland is proposed to protects books and librarians

School Board – General, Book Bans, Parent Involvement

Perspective | In a Maryland school library, empty shelves are about to get emptier

Saturday, February 17th, 2024

via The Washington Post (Virginia)

While the nation has been focusing on book bans, some schools have gone without enough (noncontroversial) books. One in Maryland has been trying to raise funds.

Book Bans

Moms for Liberty takes aim at Howard County school library books

Friday, February 16th, 2024

via The Baltimore Banner (Maryland)

The conservative parents group is enlisting the help of the "mastermind" behind a book-ban campaign in Carroll County schools.

School Board – General, Book Bans, Parent Involvement

Support for Teaching Gender Identity in School Is Split, Even Among Democrats

Wednesday, April 8th, 2026

via The New York Times (New York)

Americans are deeply divided on whether schools should teach about gender identity, two polls found. But there was broader support for teaching about race.

Book Bans

NJ bill would protect librarians from harassment amid push to ban books

Monday, February 26th, 2024

via NorthJersey (New Jersey)

School Board – General, Book Bans

Inside One Publisher’s Fight Against Book Bans – The Journal. – WSJ Podcasts

Tuesday, February 27th, 2024

via The Wall Street Journal (Oregon)

School districts and state legislatures have been ramping up efforts to ban certain books from school libraries and curricula. Last year, Penguin Random House decided to do something to stop them. We speak to WSJ's Jeffrey Trachtenberg and to the man leading Penguin Random House's efforts, Skip Dye.

Book Bans

RuPaul Is Sending a Rainbow Bus to Give Away Books Targeted by Bans

Monday, March 4th, 2024

via The New York Times (New York)

The star, whose show "RuPaul's Drag Race" has an international following, is one of the founders of a new online bookstore promoting underrepresented authors. The giveaways are part of its outreach.

Book Bans

Pollio accuses lawmakers of waging an attack on JCPS with bill that could split district

Wednesday, March 6th, 2024

via Courier Journal (Kentucky)

A bill to study Jefferson County Public Schools and examine splitting up large districts passed through the House Education Committee Tuesday morning.

Book Bans, Social Emotional Learning

Mingus Union district policy bans students from sharing library books

Friday, March 8th, 2024

via The Arizona Republic (Arizona)

A school board member asked for the removal of library books with titles that contained "queer" or "LGBTQ." Then the district changed library policy.

Book Bans, Sex Education

Stuck in Vermont: Hannah Miller Visits the Haskell Free Library & Opera House in Derby Line, Vt., and Stanstead, Québec

Thursday, March 7th, 2024

via Seven Days (Vermont)

Book Bans

Black women teachers out to change the world

Friday, March 8th, 2024

via AL.com (Alabama)

Two Black women educators share the importance of providing a safe and affirming space for their students.

Book Bans

From controversial to life-saving, these WA school bills are headed to Inslee to sign

Wednesday, April 8th, 2026

via Tri-City Herald (Washington)

Several bills related to K-12 public school education head to Gov. Inslee to be signed into law after passing 2024 Washington legislature.

Book Bans

101-year-old activist who gained notoriety for protesting book bans will attend the Oscars

Wednesday, April 8th, 2026

via WCAX (Vermont)

Grace Linn has taken it upon herself to protest the proposed book bans in her state.

Book Bans