TROY, MI — The Troy School District Board of Education is grappling with rising concerns over its elementary reading and writing curriculum as student proficiency scores continue to decline — part of a broader trend linked to the use of now-disputed teaching methods across Michigan.

At its latest meeting, the board considered whether to continue using the "Units of Study" curriculum, developed by education professor Lucy Calkins. While the curriculum has been widely used in districts across the country, it has come under fire in recent years for lacking alignment with the “science of reading,” a research-based approach emphasizing phonics and explicit instruction.

A resolution was brought forward to approve the continued use of the writing component of the Calkins curriculum for grades K–5 starting in the 2025–2026 school year. After lengthy discussion, the board voted 5–2 in favor of the plan, though the vote revealed a deep divide over the curriculum’s effectiveness.

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One board member, who voted against the adoption, expressed strong concern that the curriculum does not reflect the latest evidence-based practices. “Our district must begin to align all literacy instruction with the science of reading,” the member said. “The curriculum you’re asking us to approve has been widely criticized for lacking a strong evidence base and not adequately addressing foundational skills. Adopting this would be a step backward.”

Another board member echoed those concerns, sharing that after speaking with administrators in other districts that had transitioned away from Calkins' "Units of Study," she was left questioning why Troy hadn’t explored more alternatives. “I think we lost out on an opportunity to do a deeper dive into other curriculums. That was disappointing to me,” she said.’

These concerns are not unique to Troy. As Michigan Capitol Confidential recently reported, numerous Michigan school districts saw reading scores decline after adopting the Calkins-style curriculum. Troy’s own third-grade English Language Arts proficiency fell from 84.6% in 2014–15 to 63.2% in 2023–24, even as the district spent over $170,000 on reading consultants. The report cited experts who say the decline coincides with the implementation of balanced literacy methods and a move away from phonics-based teaching.

However, supporters of the Calkins curriculum on the board pointed to important strengths. One member who voted in favor of the adoption said the curriculum has been in place for nearly a decade and has evolved over time with improvements in areas such as grammar and spelling. “This is not a brand new curriculum. It’s something our teachers are already familiar with and support,” the member said. “Even those who don’t fully endorse it are mostly concerned with timing, given expected changes in the state’s reading curriculum.”

Another board member added, “The writing that was talked about is motivating for students. It’s not just workbook-based — it’s rich, student-driven, and encourages creativity. That’s important.”

The board emphasized that while the writing curriculum was approved, it does not mean the conversation is over. Several members suggested a reassessment of the reading program may be on the horizon.

“We may reassess our writing and reading curriculum together and make adjustments as needed,” said one board member, acknowledging the growing momentum toward science-of-reading approaches.

The vote reflects the tension between honoring teacher familiarity with an existing program and responding to data and research that call for change.

What’s next:

• The board plans to closely monitor writing outcomes over the next two years.

• Possible changes to the district’s reading curriculum are expected as the state finalizes new literacy mandates.

• Ongoing discussions with teachers, administrators, and parents will help shape future decisions.

While some board members argue that change is needed now, others believe that building on the current curriculum — with continuous improvement and teacher support — can still benefit students.

“We all want what’s best for kids,” said one board member. “This decision was difficult, but it reflects our desire to keep moving forward, even as we keep learning.”

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Good Guy with a Gun Takes Out Alleged Active Shooter in Michigan Church

WAYNE, Mich - An active shooter was killed by church staff after he opened fire outside of a Wayne church on Sunday morning, injuring one person, police say.

The City of Wayne Police Department said the suspect started driving recklessly near Crosspointe Community Church around 11 a.m., drawing the attention of church staff members. Police said he then exited the vehicle wearing a tactical vest, armed with a long gun and a handgun. According to police, he approached the building and opened fire. That's when a parishioner reportedly struck the suspect with their vehicle.

Police say the suspect started firing at the vehicle, and at least two church staff then opened fire on the suspect, killing him. Click here to read more.

 

Unchecked state authority persists five years after COVID, panel says

Five years after the COVID-19 pandemic began, 30 laws give various government officials unregulated emergency powers, an expert told participants at a May 28 event held by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.

The Michigan Supreme Court in 2020 declared that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s use of emergency powers was unconstitutional. The court ruled that the 1945 Emergency Powers of the Governor Act was unconstitutional.

But 30 emergency powers laws are still on the books, according to Michael Van Beek, the Mackinac Center’s director of research. Three of those, he said, need to be addressed immediately: the Emergency Management Act of 1976, the Emergency Rules in the Administrative Procedures Act of 1969, and the Public Health Code Act. Click here to read more.

 

Big Tech Censorship Continues

Big Tech’s censorship of Americans is a threat to free speech rights according to a long list of comments submitted to the Federal Trade Commission.

In February, FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson announced that his agency sought comments from Americans about situations in which they were censored by Big Tech companies.

“Big Tech censorship is not just un-American, it is potentially illegal. The FTC wants your help to investigate these potential violations of the law,” Ferguson wrote.

The comment period closed in May.

Several comments are worth highlighting. A recurring theme was Big Tech companies being accused of moderating viewpoints, especially conservative-leaning content. Many expressed frustration with opaque algorithms that appeared to be suppressing viewpoints. Click here to read more.

 

Wanted man ‘challenged’ deputies to find him — then, Fla. cops did just that

LAKELAND, Fla. — A man wanted on multiple felony charges has been taken into custody after making comments on a Florida sheriff’s office’s Facebook page, challenging deputies to catch him, police said.

Aaron Johnson, 29, was wanted on domestic violence and aggravated assault charges when he commented on a June 3 Facebook post from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office showcasing the speed of K9 Reno, according to the Lakeland Police Department.

While responding to a comment, the sheriff’s office posted, “We really thought our deputy was going to outrun K9 Reno,” according to screengrabs shared by police.

“I done out run y’all several time(s),” Johnson responded.

“Challenge accepted #levelup,” the sheriff’s office said.

“Ok! I’ll give you a head start. Y’all couldn’t catch me on foot or in da car last time. Maybe you gonna need that horse or ya helicopter #levelup #ImgGoneGrady,” Johnson commented. Click here to read more.

 

16 Billion Logins Stolen In One of Largest Data Breaches: What To Do Now

One of the largest data breaches in history has leaked around 16 billion passwords across some of the biggest tech platforms in the world, according to researchers at Cybernews.

The data watchdog found more than 30 datasets, each containing billions of logins to social media, VPNs, and user accounts for Big Tech companies such as Apple and Google, had been left exposed by infostealers.

Newsweek contacted Google and Apple for more information on affected services via email.

This breach may be one of the largest exposures of passwords in history, with millions of people potentially affected. Criminals that are able to gain access to passwords put up for sale on the dark web are able to use them for identify theft, fraud, and even blackmail. Click here to read more.

 

 

Michigan manufacturer to invest $70 million in new factory to create 300 jobs — in Indiana

LANSING, Mich - The good news: Kentwood-based Autocam Medical is building a new $70 million factory that will create up to 300 new jobs.

The bad news: It’s in Indiana.

he company will break ground on the “100,000 SF state-of-the-art manufacturing facility” in August or September in Warsaw, Ind., on 15 acres near the intersection of N200W and US-30.

“Warsaw offers a workforce with technical excellence in the medical device space and unique industry leadership. That’s exactly the kind of environment where we want to invest,” CEO John Kennedy said in a statement. “We are thrilled to expand in the Warsaw community and contribute to its continued leadership in orthopedic innovation.”

The company currently employs 10 in Warsaw, where the new facility is expected to create up to 300 high-skill jobs, from CNC machinists, to engineers, to other technical and manufacturing roles. Click here to read more.

 

Trump allies tout ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ for boosting skilled trades, slashing green energy waste

WASHINGTON – Two prominent voices are throwing their support behind the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill,” hailing it as a transformative effort to reinvest in American workers and dismantle what they call bloated, ineffective green energy programs.

Joe Strada, founder and owner of Strada Services, said the bill’s emphasis on vocational training and skilled trades is critical to rebuilding the nation’s workforce and restoring opportunity to everyday Americans.

“I just think it’s only right and fair to let every person in our country have access to the trade and have the opportunity to better themselves and their family,” Strada said on a Florida radio show. “Trade schools and the skill—you know, make America skilled again. That’s how I look at it.” Click here to read more.

 

Woman saves dog left in hot car, but responding officer says she had ‘no right’ to do so

CORNELIUS, N.C. – A woman in North Carolina said she helped a dog who was trapped inside a hot car on a 90-degree day, but a responding police officer told her she had “no right” to do so.

Suzanne Vella said on June 7, she saw a dog panting inside a hot car that was parked in a shopping center parking lot. She immediately knew she had to do something.

Vella said she called 911 and looked in the area for the dog’s owner, but after not finding them, she opened the car door – which was unlocked – and gave the dog some water.

“I was really concerned because I know it only takes a few minutes for dogs to go into heat stroke. It was a 90-degree day,” Vella said. “It wasn’t even a decision, I knew.” Click here to read more.

 

America First Legal Sues the University of Michigan and the Michigan Law Review Association for Illegal Racial Discrimination

WASHINGTON, D.C. – America First Legal (AFL), in partnership with Jonathan Mitchell and Ben Flowers, has filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of Faculty, Alumni, and Students Opposed to Racial Preferences (FASORP) in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan against the University of Michigan and its Michigan Law Review Association to halt its rampant racial discrimination.

The University of Michigan’s Michigan Law Review has adopted a radical diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) agenda, using a so-called “holistic review” process to award illegal racial preferences to minorities over white and Asian applicants with superior academic credentials.

This taxpayer-funded institution brazenly defies Title VI, the Equal Protection Clause, and 42 U.S.C. § 1981, employing secretive selection committees to enforce diversity quotas and discriminatory citation policies that favor “underrepresented” authors while penalizing white scholars, including underrepresented Republicans and Protestant Christians. This anti-American scheme corrupts legal education and undermines equal justice under the law. Click here to read more.

 

How Easy Is It to Order an Abortion Pill? The Answer Is Shocking.

WASHINGTON D.C. - In as little as five minutes, the Daily Caller News Foundation was able to order abortion pills easily opponents argue are unsafe without a doctor adequately verifying key eligibility requirements.

Groups that launched online services after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved mail-order abortions will provide the pill under circumstances that are questionable even by the agency’s relaxed standards, a DCNF investigation found.

“Mail-order abortion subjects women to an abysmal standard of care,” Dr. Christina Francis, CEO of the American Association of Pro-Life OBGYNs, told the DCNF. “Not only is there minimal health screening that occurs, but women typically have no interaction with any medical professional, let alone a physician.”

The FDA removed in 2021 a requirement that providers distribute mifepristone in person and enabled prescribers to send the pill directly to women in the mail. Now, without speaking to a physician or confirming a pregnancy, a woman can order prescription abortion pills to her home “just in case” she needs them in the future. Click here to read more.