Dear Friends,
I’m reaching out to you today with a humble heart. As many of you know, I made a life-changing decision to leave behind a high-paying job in mainstream media to pursue a different path – one that I believe matters deeply. I left the comfort of a steady paycheck because I felt called to bring you the truth without the filters, the spin, or the agendas that too often shape what we see and hear. It’s been a tough journey, but it’s been worth it, because I’m doing it for all of you.
To those who are already supporting me as paid subscribers, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your $5 a month isn’t just a financial contribution – it’s a powerful statement that you believe in the mission of independent journalism. You’re making a real difference, and I wouldn’t be able to continue this work without your support. You have no idea how much it means to me and how deeply I appreciate every one of you. Your generosity allows me to keep going, to keep pushing for stories that matter, and to keep standing up for what’s right.
For those who haven’t yet subscribed, I completely understand. Times are tough, and not everyone is in a position to give financially. I want you to know that I will always keep my content available for free. No matter what, you’re a valued part of this community, and I’m grateful for your time, your comments, and your support in all its forms. You’re here, and that means the world to me.
But if you do have the means, and if you believe in what I’m trying to accomplish, I’m asking you to consider joining as a paid subscriber on Locals. Your $5 a month could be the lifeline that helps keep this mission alive. It would allow me to continue bringing you the stories that others might ignore, to speak the truth without fear, and to keep being your voice in a world where so many voices are silenced. You can cancel at any time, and there’s no obligation, but I hope you’ll stay, not because you have to, but because together, we can build something that truly matters.
Thank you for being here. Thank you for caring about independent journalism. And thank you to those who are already helping to keep this dream alive. Whether you’re able to subscribe or not, your presence, your encouragement, and your belief in the mission mean everything.
Click the support button below to sign up. ⬇️ Give it a try, you can always drop back to free.
With heartfelt gratitude and hope,
Dave Bondy
Michigan schools have lost more than 100,000 students in just nine years, but somehow, they’ve added more than 35,000 full-time employees.
E-bike crashes involving kids are getting attention in Michigan — and now a state lawmaker wants tougher rules. Would new age restrictions go too far? #Michigan #EBikes #news
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The U.S. Department of Justice is threatening legal action against Ann Arbor Public Schools unless the district changes policies that federal officials say violate parents’ rights under federal education privacy laws.
In a letter dated Sunday, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said the district has 14 days to address what it described as “substantial noncompliance” with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, known as FERPA, and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment, or PPRA.
The dispute centers on Ann Arbor Public Schools’ Policy 5011, which addresses transgender and gender-nonconforming students.
According to the Justice Department, the U.S. Department of Education first raised concerns about the policy in July, arguing that it did not provide parents with full access to their children’s education records.
The Ann Arbor Board of Education amended the policy Aug. 26. However, federal officials said the revisions did not substantially change the policy. The Justice Department cited comments made by board members during the meeting as evidence that the changes were intended largely to clarify the policy rather than alter its effect.
The Department of Education determined Aug. 31 that the district remained out of substantial compliance with FERPA and PPRA and authorized the Justice Department to begin enforcement measures, according to the letter.
Federal officials are demanding that the district rescind Policy 5011 or revise it to comply with federal law.
Among the requested changes, the Justice Department wants the district to remove language directing school personnel to privately consult with students about requested names and pronouns. It also wants the district to obtain prior written parental consent before requiring minors to answer questions involving information protected under PPRA.
The federal government is also demanding that parents be given an opportunity to challenge, correct or seek deletion of information in their children’s education records that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. The letter specifically references records involving changes to a student’s name or gender markers and reports concerning a student’s legal name or gender.
The Justice Department also directed the district to review its policies and practices to ensure parents can inspect their children’s education records and exercise their rights under federal law.
If the district does not comply within the 14-day deadline, the Justice Department said the federal government could file a civil lawsuit and take other enforcement action related to conditions attached to federal education funding.
“This letter constitutes a formal demand and a final opportunity to cure before litigation is initiated,” the Justice Department wrote.
The letter was signed by Harmeet K. Dhillon, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
The documents provided do not include a response from Ann Arbor Public Schools to the latest Justice Department demand.
