CINCINNATI — The U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that public schools cannot compel students to use “preferred pronouns,” finding that doing so would violate free speech protections under the First Amendment.

The decision stems from a case involving the Olentangy Local School District in Ohio, which barred students from referring to transgender or nonbinary classmates by their biological pronouns. Parents and students argued that the policy violated their right to express the belief that sex is immutable.

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In the ruling, Judge Eric Murphy wrote that the district “introduced no evidence that the use of biological pronouns would disrupt school functions or qualify as harassment under Ohio law.” The court cited Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969), emphasizing that schools cannot restrict personal speech on matters of public concern unless it would “materially and substantially disrupt” school activities or infringe on the rights of others.

The case will now return to a lower court for further proceedings, but the appellate decision marks a significant victory for free speech advocates who argue that schools cannot compel students to speak in ways that conflict with their beliefs.

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As schools see record budget, prominent Democrat says that’s not enough

Michigan schools are underfunded by $4.5 billion, Democratic members of the state Board of Education member said in an October resolution.

The resolution, brought to the board by Mitchell Robinson, endorsed the Invest in MI Kids proposal, which would amend the Michigan Constitution to double the state income tax rate on high earners.

But measures of proficiency and classroom attainment indicate that massive spending hikes do not lead to better education outcomes.

Michigan Senate Democrats praised historic school funding in July 2023, but that sentiment did not last long. Click here to read more.

 

Trans person accused of exposing self in women’s locker room was convicted of brutally beating ex-wife before taking her name

The transgender person caught up in a viral Los Angeles gym bathroom now viral video had been convicted of assaulting their now ex-wife while living in Ohio as a man — before taking the victim’s first name as their own.

Alexis Black ran afoul of women at a gym in Beverly Hills, including singer-songwriter Tish Hyman, who accused them of exposing themself and harassing her in the locker room.

Black, formerly Grant Freeman, pleaded guilty in 2022 to savagely beating their wife Alexis Freeman, causing a compound fractured jaw among other serious injuries. Click here to read more.

Chicago Teachers Union pulls teachers out of class, away from students

The Chicago Teachers Union urged members to use a “release day” to leave their classrooms and lobby state lawmakers for more funding.

Teachers participated in this day of action during regular school hours at taxpayer expense. Chicago Public Schools had to pay substitutes, and children were left without their regular teachers.

CTU members already miss a significant number of days. With member attendance in schools at its lowest point in 10 years, CTU member attendance is 10% lower than the rest of the state. Click here to read more. Click here to read more.

 

Former teacher shot by 6-year-old student wins $10M jury verdict against ex-assistant principal

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (AP) — A jury in Virginia awarded $10 million Thursday to a former teacher who was shot by a 6-year-old student, siding with her claims in a lawsuit that an ex-administrator ignored repeated warnings that the child had a gun.

The jury returned its decision against Ebony Parker, a former assistant principal at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News.

Abby Zwerner was shot in January 2023 as she sat at a reading table in her first-grade classroom. She had sought $40 million against Parker in the lawsuit. Click here to read more.

 

He Wasn’t Afraid’: Erika Kirk Remembers Charlie Kirk as Devoted Father and Fearless Leader

Erika Kirk shared intimate memories about Charlie Kirk and their family during her first TV interview since his assassination.

“It’s a fearlessness that’s rooted in the understanding that I will have my day and my time, whenever that is, when the Lord knows that I have completed my mission, and I’m not afraid,” Erika said during the interview, which aired Wednesday night on “Jesse Watters Primetime.”

“Charlie wasn’t afraid, either. We never lived in fear. If we did, we wouldn’t get anything done.” Click here to read more.