Dave Bondy
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November 10, 2024
Michigan Democrats push bill making it harder for parents to remove explicit books from libraries

Lansing, MI – In a move that has raised alarm among parents and community leaders, Michigan House Democrats have introduced a bill that could significantly shift decision-making power within district libraries. The "District Library Freedom to Read Act," House Bill 6035, proposes new guidelines that many believe will strip local library boards—and by extension, the community—of their voice in determining what materials are suitable for public access

The bill mandates that library directors have ultimate authority over what content is included in or removed from a library’s collection. While proponents argue this centralization ensures consistency and protects diverse perspectives, critics see it as an overreach that sidelines local values and the community-elected boards tasked with representing them.

Hope Riley, a newly elected member of the Caro Area District Library Board in Tuscola County, voiced her concerns in an interview, saying, “This bill hands significant power to the library directors, allowing them to singlehandedly decide what materials are included. It effectively cuts the community out of the process, ignoring what parents and local taxpayers find appropriate for their children.”

Under the bill’s provisions, public requests for reconsideration of library materials would only be accepted from local residents who have read or viewed the entire material in question. Additionally, requests cannot be based on an author’s personal characteristics or on content related to issues like gender or sexual orientation, unless deemed legally obscene by a court

Riley argued that this top-down approach erodes community input, particularly regarding age-appropriate materials in the children’s section. “We’re not looking to ban books; we’re advocating for common sense. Children’s sections should be a safe space, free from content that parents feel is inappropriate,” she said.

The bill’s restrictions on what can be reconsidered have fueled concerns that library boards—many of which include members who ran for their positions to uphold community standards—will be rendered powerless. Riley highlighted the absurdity of the situation, comparing it to eliminating Congress and allowing the president to unilaterally govern. “This is like removing checks and balances,” she noted. “Absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

The bill also empowers the attorney general and residents to take civil action if a library does not comply, including seeking injunctions to prevent unauthorized removal of materials. Critics argue that this adds a layer of state control that undermines local governance.

Riley pointed out that while parents are routinely tasked with monitoring their children’s online and media consumption, they should be able to trust that the public library reflects the moral and cultural values of their community. “We don’t allow children to buy alcohol or cigarettes, and yet some want to make explicit material easily accessible in a library’s children’s section. It just doesn’t add up,” she said.

As Democrats push the bill forward during their last weeks in power before Republicans take legislative control in January, questions about the appropriateness of such last-minute maneuvers have surfaced. “It’s not surprising that they’re trying to push this through before they lose power, but it’s a move that doesn’t respect the voice of the voters who elected a Republican majority to represent their values,” Riley added.

House Bill 6035 remains in the early stages, but its introduction has ignited debates about parental rights, community standards, and the balance of power between state and local governance. Conservatives argue that the bill exemplifies a troubling trend of centralized control that disregards local input, setting a dangerous precedent for other areas of public policy.

00:20:23
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September 12, 2026
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.

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.

00:01:21
September 09, 2026
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

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

00:01:04
Gladwin mayor challenges city administrator contract clause, calls it a ‘gag order’

Gladwin mayor challenges city administrator contract clause, calls it a ‘gag order’

00:13:48
September 11, 2026
Michigan High School Students depicts Charlie Kirk murder during school
School district is investigating

LIVONIA, Mich. — Livonia Public Schools says administrators at Churchill High School took action after becoming aware of a student’s reported depiction of the killing of Charlie Kirk.

According to information provided to Keeping it Real, a student reportedly arrived at Churchill High School dressed to depict Kirk being killed, including what appeared to be fake blood running down the student’s neck.

The incident raised questions about how the school responded and whether the depiction violated district policies.

A photograph of the student in the costume was subsequently posted to a non- affiliated

Churchill Instagram account, with the song “We Are Charlie Kirk.”

I have obtained a copy of the photo, but due to its disturbing nature, I have chosen not to publish it.

Keeping it Real contacted school officials seeking an explanation of what happened and how administrators handled the situation.

Stacy Jenkins, administrator of district communications, said Churchill High School officials learned about the situation at the beginning of the school day and acted quickly.

 

“Churchill High School administration was made aware of the situation at the start of the school day and swiftly addressed it with the student involved,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins acknowledged that the depiction was inappropriate.

“While we cannot prevent every poor choice a student may make, we can ensure that inappropriate behavior is addressed when our administration becomes aware — that is exactly what occurred in this situation,” Jenkins said. “The depiction was inappropriate and did not align with our expectations for student behavior.”

The district’s response does not specify what action was taken involving the student or whether disciplinary measures were imposed.

The incident comes amid heightened concerns about how schools handle depictions or references to real-world political violence, particularly when they involve students.

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September 10, 2026
News they don't want you to see
Thursday September 10, 2026
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September 09, 2026
News they don't want you to see
Wednesday September 9, 2026

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Michigan pays out smaller portion of pothole damage claims

Michigan drivers who traverse state highways often incur vehicle damage from potholes. Many of Michigan’s roads tend to be riddled with potholes that blow out tires, crack windshields and break suspensions.

Some drivers seek state compensation, but only about 12% of those people received it last year, according to a document that Michigan Capitol Confidential obtained via a records request.

Michigan paid 10 out of 86 claims for pothole-related damages in 2025, totaling $4,844, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation.

Those 10 people who received compensation from the state claimed damages caused by potholes on I-75, I-96, US-12, M-77, M-89, Saginaw Street, Plymouth Road, and Fort Street. Click here to read more.


 

Trump Asks SCOTUS to Permit Voter Verification System Ahead of Midterms

On Tuesday, Solicitor General John Sauer wrote to SCOTUS asking the justices to stay an order from Judge Sparkle Sooknanan, appointed to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia by former President Joe Biden.

In June, Sooknanan issued an order preventing the government from using an updated Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program. The updates greatly streamlined the process for states to purge voter rolls of ineligible voters.

According to Sauer, Sooknanan’s order is “indefensible” and “threatens the integrity of upcoming elections by vacating the federal government’s authority to internally use Social Security data when fulfilling its duty to respond to requests by States to verify the citizenship of individuals for voting and other purposes.”

“The order will irreparably harm the federal government, the States, and the public by depriving the government of an effective tool to verify the eligibility of registered voters and benefits applicants under various state and federal programs,” Sauer writes to SCOTUS. Click here to read more.


Stay in contact with family with push to talk nationwide waterproof walkie talkies. Click here to learn more and get an extra 10% off.

 

Click here to learn more and get an extra 10% off.

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Illinois woman accused of killing son represented by Casey Anthony attorney

A mother accused of killing her young son before trying to harm herself will be represented by an attorney who helped defend Casey Anthony.

Corie Walsh, 40, is facing three counts of first-degree murder in the death of her 2-year-old son, Barrett, who was found dead in her suburban Chicago home. Walsh also had what was described as self-inflicted injuries.

Walsh’s first court appearance was set for Tuesday morning and she is being represented by Andrea Lyon, an attorney who has dubbed herself the “Angel of Death Row.”

Lyon helped defend Casey Anthony, who was found not guilty of killing her 2-year-old daughter in a highly publicized and controversial case. Lyon is arguing Walsh was suffering from a psychotic episode. Click here to read more.

 

NYC releases 170,000 pages of long-sought 9/11 health, air quality records

NEW YORK — New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the release of more than 170,000 pages of records detailing the government’s response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the aftermath, including documents related to air quality and health concerns.

In a press release, the city said it also settled two lawsuits brought by 9/11 Health Watch, ending a years-long legal dispute over access to post-9/11 health and air-quality records.

First responders, elected officials and families have sought the records for years. Mamdani’s FY27 budget includes $34 million to create and maintain the public portal.

The portal includes about 170,000 pages covering post-9/11 health concerns, air quality and the city’s response. Among the records are the Harding Memo, 68 boxes of documents discovered in 2025 and records related to World Trade Center 7. Click here to read more.

 

Florida blocks 10 CDL training schools after federal regulators remove them from registry

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida education officials are blocking 10 commercial driver training schools from recruiting new students or collecting tuition after federal regulators removed the providers from a national registry as part of a crackdown on commercial driver training.

The Florida Department of Education announced Tuesday that it is taking action against the 10 schools following their removal from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Training Provider Registry.

Through the Commission for Independent Education, the state ordered affected licensed programs to immediately stop advertising, recruiting, enrolling new students and collecting tuition while their federal removal remains in effect.

The schools must also identify students who have been affected, provide refunds where required and report to the state on corrective actions and communications with federal regulators. Click here to read more.

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