Midwest
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.”
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)
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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.
“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)
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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.
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.
“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.”
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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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Detroit, MI
Former Piston shows Detroit what they’re missing as he dominates next to LeBron
The Pistons have made recent moves to add more shooting, but still don’t have anyone quite as lethal as former Detroit guard Luke Kennard. On Saturday night, Kennard had a brilliant start to his postseason with 27 uber-efficient points for the Lakers in a win against the Rockets. His level of 3-point accuracy is something the Pistons have desperately been seeking all season long to bolster their offense.
Luke Kennard’s shooting makes him a dangerous playoff performer
Kennard was originally drafted to Detroit with the 17th pick of the 2017 Draft. The Pistons have plenty of draft regrets from that general era of team history, but picking Kennard has never been one of them. Despite any other weaknesses he may have, his strength as a shooter has always been enough to offset them.
In terms of pure 3-point percentage, Kennard is one of the best shooters in NBA history. He averages 44% behind the arc for his career, and shot a blistering 48% this season – the best mark in the league. Given his incredible track record, it’s not exactly a shocker to see him shoot 5-of-5 from three en route to 27 points in Game 1.
Not only is Kennard obviously an excellent standstill shooter, but he’s also a master of getting himself open with his movement. On Saturday night, he was able to play off LeBron James perfectly for a few easy looks. After that, he caught enough of a rhythm to create 3-point looks for himself, even in transition.
A player like Kennard is easily capable of turning an entire playoff game when he gets hot. In a close series, that one game where Kennard hits several threes can be all the difference his team needs to advance. If the Lakers do manage to win this series, even without Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves, Kennard’s shooting will be a major reason why.
The Pistons could use someone like Kennard
Kennard would be a perfect marginal addition for the Pistons that only makes them better without taking anything away from the team. To be fair, the Pistons do have two shooters who have been hot recently in Duncan Robinson and Kevin Huerter. But having more than one respected shooter on the court at a time is often necessary to maintain a solid offense in today’s NBA.
Given the Pistons’ current lack of shooting, any additional shooters are welcome. And Kennard is understandably one of the most feared shooters in the league, capable of bending defenses just by the threat of him taking a three. Rolling him out on the Pistons would surely open up more lanes for Detroit’s stars to attack the paint and score easier points.
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Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee boy critically missing, last seen near Teutonia and Kiley
MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee Police Department requested the public’s help to find 11-year-old Sir’Charles Bason, a critically missing boy who was last seen near Teutonia and Kiley at around 6:20 p.m. on Saturday, April 18.
Police described Bason as 4 feet, 5 inches tall with a slim build, brown eyes and black, low-cut hair. He was last seen wearing a gray jacket with green lines, dark-colored jeans, tan sandals and carrying gray Nike Jordan shoes.
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What you can do:
Anyone with information on Bason’s whereabouts is asked to call Milwaukee Police District 4 at 414-935-7242.
The Source: The Milwaukee Police Department released information.
Minneapolis, MN
Fatal Minneapolis crash sentencing: Teniki Steward sentenced to more than 12 years
The scene of the crash at 26th Avenue North and Emerson Avenue North in Minneapolis. (FOX 9)
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A Minneapolis woman was sentenced for her role in a deadly crash that killed two women and injured two other people in December 2024.
READ MORE: Minneapolis woman charged in fatal high-speed crash faces additional charges
Woman sentenced in fatal Minneapolis crash
Big picture view:
Prosecutors say Teniki Steward drove a Buick Enclave into a bus shelter and a Ford Explorer after speeding through a red light.
Both of the women in the Ford Explorer died in the crash. They were identified as 53-year-old Ester Jean Fulks and 57-year-old Rose Elaine Reece.
During the crash, the Ford Explorer went off the road, injuring a 17-year-old boy who was waiting for a school bus.
The passenger in Steward’s vehicle also suffered injuries.
Minneapolis police said that Steward was also injured in the crash.
Steward pleaded guilty to multiple murder charges.
What they’re saying:
During the sentencing, the daughter of one of the victims had a statement read on her behalf:
“There’s nothing that can truly prepare you for the moment your entire world is taken from you. Losing my mom has left a pain in my heart that words will never be able to explain.”
What’s next:
Minnesota law requires that Steward serves at least two-thirds of her sentence, a bit under eight-and-a-half years, in prison.
Fatal Emerson and 26th crash
The backstory:
According to the criminal complaint, through surveillance videos from the scene of the crash and witnesses, investigators learned that Steward, driving the Buick Enclave, had been driving at a high rate of speed northbound on Emerson Avenue North.
Before the fatal crash, Steward sped through the intersection of Emerson Avenue North and Broadway Avenue North, running a red light and nearly causing a crash, the charges said.
Steward then continued to speed northbound down Emerson Avenue North, and ran another red light at 26th Avenue North, hitting the Ford Explorer, which was traveling eastbound, according to the complaint.
The Ford Explorer had been at the intersection of Emerson and 26th on a green light.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty shared the following statement:
“This was an egregious act that took Rose and Esther’s lives and injured a child waiting to go to school at a bus stop. Ms. Steward was driving at extremely dangerous speeds on city streets and narrowly avoided multiple collisions before the incident occurred. Third-degree murder charges are appropriate to hold her accountable and protect our community.”
The Source: This story uses information gathered from an Olmsted County court appearance and previous FOX 9 reporting.
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