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Conservative mom sued for calling DEI teacher ‘woke’ celebrates as defamation case tossed

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Conservative mom sued for calling DEI teacher ‘woke’ celebrates as defamation case tossed

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A Wisconsin mother and conservative activist has won a free speech case after being sued for defamation over social media posts criticizing her school district’s “woke” priorities.

Scarlett Johnson, a leader in Moms for Liberty’s Wisconsin chapter, was sued by Mary MacCudden, a former English teacher and “Social Justice Coordinator” for the Mequon-Thiensville School District (MTSD), after Johnson made critical posts on social media in October 2022.

Johnson posted a screenshot of MacCudden’s LinkedIn profile and wrote, “Why the hell am I paying for a ‘Social Justice Coordinator’ in my school district?” She added, “This is just what @mtschools needs; more woke, White women w/ a god complex. Thank you, White savior.”

In other posts, Johnson described DEI specialists as “woke lunatics” and “bullies” who “bully” parents “into silence and compliance.”

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Wisconsin Moms for Liberty activist Scarlett Johnson was sued by a former educator in a Wisconsin school district for defamation after Johnson criticized the school district for hiring a “woke” social justice coordinator.  (Scarlett Johnson/Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

TRUMP-APPOINTED JUDGE STRIKES DOWN ANTI-DEI MEASURES FROM EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

MacCudden filed a defamation lawsuit in 2022. The circuit court allowed parts of the case to proceed, but Johnson and her lawyers at the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty (WILL) appealed the decision.

WILL argued that Johnson’s comments were “run-of-the-mill social media posts” that are protected by the First Amendment.

On Tuesday, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals sided with Johnson, ruling that her comments were opinions, not factual statements that could be proven true or false, and therefore could not be considered defamatory.

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“We conclude that Johnson’s statements do not constitute defamation. Thus, we reverse and remand for the circuit court to enter summary judgment in Johnson’s favor,” the appeals court found.

Protesters descend on Philadelphia as President Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis give remarks at Moms for Liberty’s “Joyful Warriors National Summit” in 2023. (Fox News Photo/Joshua Comins)

WISCONSIN STUDENT SAID TEACHER PRESSURED HER TO PUBLICLY IDENTIFY POLITICAL PARTY DESPITE SAFETY FEARS

Terms like “bully” and “lunatic” are subjective, the court argued, while the terms “woke,” “White savior” and “god complex” are “vague and do not have a clear meaning or definition,” it said.

One judge dissented, saying the posts identified MacCudden by name and might have implied undisclosed facts that a jury should consider.

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Johnson said she saw the lawsuit as an effort to silence her and other parents who spoke out against DEI programs. She recalled facing a similar defamation claim just days before a 2021 school board election, calling it a politically timed attempt to intimidate her.

A sign reading “We Do Not CO-PARENT with the Government” is seen in the hallway during the inaugural Moms For Liberty Summit at the Tampa Marriott Water Street on July 15, 2022, in Tampa, Florida.  (Octavio Jones)

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“I felt I had to fight back in this case. It couldn’t be like the other. I had to stand up because this would never stop,” she told Fox News Digital. “They’d keep going after parents like me.”

She added that she hopes the ruling encourages other parents to speak out against “radical ideologies” in public schools without fear of being sued.

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“This sets legal precedent,” she said. “Parents everywhere can speak the truth about what’s happening in their schools with a little less fear that they’re going to be dragged into court for frivolous lawsuits.”

MARYLAND HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER AWARDED HALF A MILLION IN DEFAMATION LAWSUIT OVER RACISM ALLEGATION

WILL Deputy Counsel Luke Berg praised the ruling in a statement.

“Scarlett, like all of us, has the right to question and criticize her government. The defamation lawsuit against her was meritless and should have been promptly dismissed. We are pleased that the Court agreed, and that Scarlett can put this distraction behind her,” he said.

Fox News Digital reached out to MacCudden’s attorney, James McAlister, for comment but did not receive a response.

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Illinois

Where to watch Iowa basketball vs. Illinois today: TV channel, time

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Where to watch Iowa basketball vs. Illinois today: TV channel, time


Iowa basketball (12-3, 2-2 Big Ten) welcomes in No. 16 Illinois (12-3, 3-1 Big Ten) to Carver-Hawkeye Arena in a top-25 conference tilt.

The 19th-ranked Hawkeyes are looking to get the taste of a frustrating road loss at Minnesota out of their mouths. Iowa trailed by as many as 14, but rallied back to take the lead in the game’s final two minutes. The Golden Gophers hit a go-ahead 3-pointer from Jaylen Crocker-Johnson and then watched as a series of potential game-tying Iowa threes wouldn’t drop in a final, frantic sequence from Williams Arena.

Illinois enters winners of four straight and six of their past seven. The Illini rolled past Rutgers on Thursday, 81-55.

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Watch Iowa vs. Illinois

Iowa owns a 57-24 all-time record against Illinois in Iowa City, though the Illini have owned the series of late. Illinois has won four straight over Iowa and nine of the past 10. That stretch of success from the Illini comes on the heels of a five-game Iowa win streak in the series from 2018-20.

As tipoff approaches, here’s how and when Hawkeye fans can watch Iowa basketball vs. Illinois:

How to watch Iowa basketball vs. Illinois

TV: Fox

Tipoff Time: 11 a.m.

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Iowa battles Illinois on Fox in its “Gold Out” game from Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Jason Benetti (play-by-play) will be joined by Steve Smith (color).

How to stream Iowa basketball vs. Illinois

Hawkeye fans can stream Iowa basketball vs. Illinois with Fubo, which offers a free trial to first-time subscribers.

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Josh on X: @JoshOnHawks



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Indiana

After Surviving Northwestern, MSU Basketball looks ahead to Indiana

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After Surviving Northwestern, MSU Basketball looks ahead to Indiana


Michigan State narrowly escaped with a home win against the now 8–7 Northwestern Wildcats. The Spartans struggled mightily in the first half, entering the break down seven points after scoring just 28 points. Michigan State committed eight turnovers in the opening 20 minutes and went 6-of-11 from the free-throw line.

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After a sluggish start, the Spartans regrouped and took control in the second half. Michigan State shot 14-of-27 from the field after halftime, playing with better pace and ball movement.

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Michigan State’s Cam Ward celebrates after a score and a Northwestern foul during the second half on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Jeremy Fears, who picked up two early fouls and began the game 0-of-4 from the field, responded with a strong second half. He finished the game shooting 4-of-7 from the field and a perfect 7-of-7 from the free-throw line.

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Overall, Michigan State was far more composed in the second half against the Wildcats. However, with a matchup against Indiana looming, the Spartans will not be able to afford another slow start like the one they experienced against Northwestern.

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Jan 5, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo sends in a play against the Southern California Trojans during the first half at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images | Dale Young-Imagn Images

Scouting Indiana

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Indiana has undergone a similar offseason transformation to another Big Ten opponent Michigan State has already faced: the Iowa Hawkeyes. After parting ways with head coach Mike Woodson, the Hoosiers hired former West Virginia head coach Darian DeVries.

DeVries began his head coaching career at Drake, where he posted an impressive 150–55 record. Over his final four seasons with the Bulldogs, he led the program to 108 wins and three NCAA Tournament appearances.

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Michigan State’s Jaxon Kohler, center, makes a shot against Northwestern during the second half on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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DeVries also went 79–33 in Missouri Valley Conference play, captured three MVC titles, and guided Drake to six of the program’s 11 20-win seasons before leaving for West Virginia.

In his lone season with the Mountaineers, DeVries engineered a significant turnaround, improving West Virginia from a 10-win team to a 19-win team.

Now at Indiana, DeVries has continued that trend of rapid improvement. In Mike Woodson’s final season, the Hoosiers finished 19–13 and missed the NCAA Tournament. This season, Indiana has already reached 12 wins and appears firmly back in the postseason conversation.

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Michigan State’s Jeremy Fears Jr., left, shoots as Northwestern’s Arrinten Page defends during the second half on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Hoosiers are led by senior guard Lamar Wilkerson, a transfer from Sam Houston. Wilkerson is averaging 19.5 points per game while shooting 46.2 percent from the field and 41.8 percent from three-point range.

Indiana has been strong on both ends of the floor. According to KenPom, the Hoosiers rank 30th nationally in offensive efficiency and 28th in defensive efficiency.

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Michigan State’s Jeremy Fears Jr., left, slaps hands with Coen Carr, right, after Carr’s dunk against Northwestern during the second half on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

As Michigan State prepares to face Indiana, the Spartans will need to clean up their first-half execution to keep pace with one of the Big Ten’s more balanced teams. Indiana’s efficiency on both ends of the court, combined with DeVries’ proven ability to elevate programs quickly, makes this a difficult matchup. For Michigan State, a complete 40-minute performance will be essential if it hopes to build momentum in conference play.

Keep up with all our content when you follow the official Spartan Nation page on Facebook, Spartan Nation, WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE, and be sure to share your thoughts on Cam Ward when you join our community group, Go Green Go White, WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE. Don’t forget to give us a follow on X @MSUSpartansOnSI as well.

Never again miss one major story related to your beloved Spartans when you sign up for our 100% FREE newsletter that comes straight to your email with the latest news. SIGN UP HERE NOW

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Iowa

Where to watch Iowa women’s basketball vs. Indiana today, TV, time

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Where to watch Iowa women’s basketball vs. Indiana today, TV, time


Looking for a second road win this week, No. 14 Iowa women’s basketball heads to Indiana for today’s 4 p.m. contest inside Assembly Hall. BTN will televise the game.

The Hawkeyes (13-2, 4-0 Big Ten Conference) remained perfect in league play with a 67-58 win at Northwestern on Jan. 5, a game in which Iowa survived despite enduring heavy foul trouble.

Meanwhile, Indiana (11-6, 0-5) has reached desperation territory. The Hoosiers have dropped four straight, including two at home, during this extended skid.

Here’s how to watch today’s game.

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Watch Iowa vs. Indiana on Fubo (free trial)

What channel is Iowa women’s basketball vs. Indiana on today?

Iowa vs. Indiana time today

  • Date: Sunday, Jan. 11
  • Start time: 4 p.m. CT
  • Location: Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana

Dargan Southard is a sports trending reporter and covers Iowa athletics for the Des Moines Register and HawkCentral.com. Email him at msouthard@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.



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