American naturalist, essayist, philosopher and transcendentalist
Pencils remain a staple in classrooms as debates about testing shift with technology. The piece traces the No. 2 pencil’s American origins, its enduring role in exams, and the culture around handwritten work in a digital era.
Wendell Berry has died at 92 in Port Royal, Kentucky. The Kentucky-born author and critic of industrial farming had published more than 40 books and influenced figures from Michael Pollan to Alice Waters. His work linked literature to land, community and a simpler life, while challenging modern prosperity and mechanization.
A US father has filed a federal lawsuit against his son’s school district, arguing that notice and opt-out requirements for LGBTQ-related lessons violate his First and Fourteenth Amendment rights. The district reportedly limited opt-outs, while a Pride Month presentation touched on gender identity and surgery. The case underscores parental rights in education as districts balance policy and law.