Keeping it Real: Title IX Controversy in Michigan School and hurricane victims update

Parents and students fighting back in Michigan community

This is my show that I produce on Sunday and Thursday. On this edition of Keeping it Real I talked to a parent in Houghton Lake, Michigan who is fighting back against Title IX changes. I also talked to a woman in western North Carolina who is pleading for help.

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TITLE IX Michiagn battle:

Parents in Michigan are expressing concerns over the recent changes to Title IX policies, particularly the inclusion of gender identity under the definition of sex, enacted by the Biden-Harris administration. This policy update she claims allows transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms corresponding to their gender identity, which has led to confusion and unease among community members.

The superintendent, Ben Williams, said that’s not true according to TV 9&10

“School hasn’t changed this week, it’s not going to be any different next week. We don’t have coed bathrooms, we don’t have coed locker rooms. We don’t have boys playing on girls teams,” said Williams.

Sabrina, a parent from Northern Michigan, explained in an interview that these revisions also remove the legal obligation for schools to inform parents if their child seeks to transition genders. “If my child approached a school official about transitioning, they don’t have to tell me, and they’re required to support the child,” she said. This parental rights issue has sparked a heated debate at local school board meetings.

This issue has stirred controversy across Michigan, with some districts, such as Kalkaska, opting to table the policy changes until the Supreme Court provides clarity. In Houghton Lake, parents have planned a student walkout on October 4 to protest the revisions and keep pressure on the school board.

For Sabrina, the heart of the issue is simple: “Little girls should have privacy when they change or use the restroom, and we need to get back to teaching math, science, and reading without all of this confusion.”

The Supreme Court’s decision on these policies is still pending, leaving districts in Michigan and across the country uncertain about the path forward.

NORTH CAROLINA FLOODING UPDATE:

In the aftermath of Hurricane Florence’s devastating landfall in North Carolina, residents continue to struggle with widespread damage, loss of life, and the slow recovery efforts. The western part of the state, particularly in Morganton and surrounding areas, has been hit hard, with severe flooding, power outages, and road blockages leaving many residents isolated and in dire need of assistance.

"We were without power until two days ago, and most of the county is still without it," said a resident of Morganton, a small town located in the western part of North Carolina. "Trees are down everywhere. I counted 94 trees in just a 12-mile stretch on the westbound lane. It’s been rough."

The storm’s path wreaked havoc across North Carolina, with areas west of Morganton bearing the brunt of the damage. While some homes have retained power, others remain without electricity or internet, leaving residents unable to contact loved ones or request help. The resident, who lives just 12 miles from their daughter’s home, noted that while their daughter never lost power, they continue to face connectivity issues and damage.

"We still have flooding, power lines down, mudslides — it’s a mess," the resident explained. "The worst of the flooding and damage is west and north of us."

The storm's impact has been deadly. Many residents remain missing, and local communities are frantically trying to locate loved ones. Social media platforms like Facebook have been flooded with requests for information, with desperate families asking for help in finding missing persons. One of the many tragic stories involves an elderly couple trapped across a flooded creek, with no way for neighbors to reach them. "People are starving because we cannot get to them," the resident said, describing the dire situation faced by those still stranded.

Efforts to rescue those stranded in hard-to-reach areas have been challenging. Many roads remain impassable, and helicopters have been called in to reach isolated areas. The resident highlighted the critical role of volunteers and organizations like Samaritan’s Purse, which have been on the ground delivering essential supplies. Local meteorologist Brad Panovich has also been instrumental in coordinating rescue efforts, leveraging social media to share critical information and support.

"Brad has been a hero in all this," the resident said. "Every day, he’s on Facebook, coordinating efforts and making sure resources are getting to the right places."