wpln.org – Paige Pfleger – 2025-01-13 05:00:00
SUMMARY: Two families have filed lawsuits against an East Tennessee school district, claiming violations of students’ rights after school officials called the police under a law targeting threats of mass violence. One lawsuit involves an 11-year-old who was arrested after joking about a school shooting; another concerns a 13-year-old with disabilities, handcuffed for mentioning a “blow up” backpack containing only a stuffed animal. The lawsuits argue that the district’s actions, driven by a zero-tolerance policy, infringe on First Amendment rights and fail to adequately consider students with disabilities. Advocates are pushing for legislative changes to protect vulnerable students from unjust criminal charges.
Morning Weather (1/13): Slightly warmer weather today with lots of snow melting…