Elementary school students in Kansas reportedly chose the likes of Jesus, President Donald Trump, and Charlie Kirk as role models during an assignment — but a guidance counselor reportedly squashed those picks, KWCH-TV reported.The incident at Marshall Elementary School in Eureka took place in late October, the station said, citing a civil rights complaint the American Center for Law & Justice filed Tuesday.'This action undermines trust between schools, students, and parents.'The ACLJ is representing a parent and an elementary school student in the case, KWCH said.The station reported that a guidance counselor assigned sixth-grade students to call out their role models in a project called “Find Your Voice" while one student designated as a "student teacher" wrote the names on a board.The ACLJ provided the following narrative of what it said happened, KWCH noted:"When a student identified Charlie Kirk as a role model, [the guidance counselor] got very uncomfortable and refused to allow this name to be written on the board, yelling that he was 'not a hero,' and that he was not a role model. The student teacher had already started writing Charlie Kirk's name on the board, and was ordered by [the guidance counselor] to remove it. When another student selected President Donald J. Trump as a role model, [the guidance counselor] reiterated her prohibition even more angrily, stating that students could not write political or religious figures on the board, and in fact excluded political and religious topics altogether. However, [the guidance counselor] permitted other controversial figures to be listed as heroes."The station said it spoke with a Eureka parent of a sixth-grade student who recalled that another student wanted Jesus as a role model, but that choice also was not allowed as part of the assignment.RELATED: Yet another SoCal HS teacher allegedly embroiled in anti-Trump controversy — this time it's over a student's MAGA clothing The ACLJ's complaint accuses the school district of religious discrimination, political/viewpoint discrimination, violation of free speech rights, and retaliation, KWCH noted.Oh, and the law firm also accused the powers that be of encouraging students to not tell their parents about the incident, the station said.Specifically, the ACLJ called out "egregious conduct in engaging in viewpoint-based discrimination against students who identified conservative political figures as role models, and the subsequent directive instructing students not to report concerns to their parents," KWCH reported.In addition, the ACLJ maintained that while students were allowed to list whomever they wanted in their written assignments, they were prohibited from calling out the names of "religious or political heroes publicly on the board," the station said.The ACLJ further argued that "the selective prohibition created immediate confusion among students about whose voices were valued and whose were not," KWCH said.More from the station:The group also called out school's response to what happened, saying that the administration claimed that prohibiting political and religious figures from being discussed in the "Find Your Voice" activity was in the name of being "inclusive and neutral."The American Center for Law & Justice particularly took issue with an alleged instruction for students to bring concerns to teachers or the principal first, not directly to their parents.The ACLJ said the directive "instructing children not to report concerns to their parents ... violates fundamental principles of parental rights, educational ethics, and child safety," KWCH added.The Eureka school board reportedly addressed the issue during a Dec. 8 meeting and met in executive session, the station said. However, the ACLJ said "no public response was provided, no corrective action has been announced, and the violations continue to remain unaddressed," KWCH reported.U.S. Rep. Ron Estes of Kansas' 4th Congressional District, which includes Eureka, shared the following on social media about the controversy, the station said:"It's alarming to hear of a Kansas teacher silencing students' voices in the classroom. Schools shouldn't be a place where a teacher's political beliefs are forced onto students. This is a violation of their constitutional rights and does not represent Kansas schools' fundamental principles."Parents should have the confidence in schools to allow their children to grow and engage in classrooms that support their children's ideas and opinions. This action undermines trust between schools, students, and parents. I do not condone this type of political censorship in any school."Marshall Elementary School Principal Stacy Coulter noted the following in response to the civil rights complaint and a request to discuss the issue, KWCH reported:"We are aware of this incident and are always working with families and our school staff to make sure every learning activity is a positive and encouraging experience for every student."We are unable to comment on the individuals involved because of our commitment to the privacy of our students and employees. This information is also protected by confidentiality laws. Thank you for your understanding."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

A St. Louis-area mayor obsessed with race and swamped with lawsuits has been arrested — and the accusations against him are horrifying.On Thursday, Mayor Michael Cornell of Riverview, Missouri, was arrested and charged with nine felonies: four counts of second-degree statutory sodomy, three counts of first-degree sodomy or attempted sodomy, and one count each of first-degree harassment and possession of child pornography — film/videotape.'Tell me why we’re being sued because you made sexual advances to an employee and when he refused, you fired him.'As of Thursday afternoon, Cornell remained in custody on a $1 million, cash-only bond.The statutory sodomy charges relate to repeated incidents between 2016 and 2017 of alleged sexual contact with a teenager under 17 years of age, KSDK reported.Prosecutors claimed that Cornell has also attacked three adult males: one between 2016 and 2017, one in May and September 2024, and one just last month.Police worry that other victims, including minors, may be out there."In these types of cases with this type of behavior, based on the victims that we've talked to, it's possible that this is a predatory type of behavior. And we're concerned that if he was willing to do it to a minor, there may be other minors that we're just not aware of," St. Louis County Police Lieutenant Colonel Jerry Lohr said, according to KSDK.A bond hearing has been scheduled for next week, and a preliminary hearing has been scheduled for February 18, KSDK said.RELATED: Noncitizen Kansas mayor accused of voter fraud has cast dozens of ballots since 2000, documents show Bill Oxford/Getty ImagesCornell, 39, has been inundated with accusations since before he was elected mayor in April 2024. He currently faces litigation related to sexual harassment, wrongful termination, gender discrimination, fostering a toxic work environment, and jokes on social media.A former Riverview alderwoman also filed a suit after Cornell allegedly ordered her to be placed in handcuffs after she mentioned the sexual harassment allegations against him at a town hall meeting last February."I held up the court papers. I said, 'Tell me why we’re being sued because you made sexual advances to an employee and when he refused, you fired him,'" Regina Davis said, according to KMOV, which has covered the accusations against Cornell extensively.At least seven lawsuits have been filed against Cornell in just two years, the outlet noted.Cornell has also recently made bizarre claims about members of the KKK vandalizing both public and private property in Riverview."I am writing to inform you of the disturbing markings and threats against the City of Riverview and its residents by racist and cowardly KKK affiliates throughout the night. Over the past six months, alarming KKK and hate-related markings or destruction of City property and churches in Riverview have been reported," he posted to Facebook in December.Additionally, Cornell issued KMOV a rambling seven-page letter on city letterhead, referring to not only the alleged KKK problem, but other wild allegations, including that the chief of police had orchestrated "conspiracies to blow my head off, commit a mass shooting, and then kill himself."Former Riverview Police Chief Thomas Tumbrink filed a lawsuit against Cornell and other officials in June, alleging wrongful termination.In response to a request for comment on the lawsuits, Cornell told KMOV: "Just let the system play that out, and you just follow the facts, you understand? We’re not here to be choked in with the smoke. When the smoke clears, a lot of facts. And if you are someone with some type of integrity, follow the facts."RELATED: 'Experience your first orgasm': Rabid Trump-hater allegedly packs sex toys for 'date' with supposed 11-year-old Cornell's bio on the Riverview website evinces a man obsessed with race and overly impressed with his resume. The first paragraph of many notes his "unmatched knowledge, courage, and strength, he has broken barriers and shattered ceilings at such a young age counting back over 20 years."Cornell also brags about his call for "environmental justice" and greater "integrity" and "transparency." Among other accomplishments, he claims to be the "youngest and First African American" chairman of the Riverview Board of Trustees and that in 2022, he became a "State Licensed Private Investigator."A public records request to the state law enforcement licensing agency revealed that Cornell had a peace officer license that has since "expired." Cornell pled guilty to one count of impersonating an officer in 2017, but his record was later expunged, KMOV said.Through a public records request, Blaze News learned that while Cornell has been registered to vote in Missouri since at least September 2020 and has cast a vote 10 times since then, he is not registered with a particular political party.Riverview City Hall did not respond to a request for comment.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

"Star Wars" fans may be celebrating a bit too early when it comes to Kathleen Kennedy's departure.Kennedy headed Lucasfilm for 14 years, controlling iconic franchises like "Star Wars" and "Indiana Jones."'After destroying a beloved modern myth ... Kathleen Kennedy is finally stepping down.'Fans rejoiced online as Disney announced Kennedy will be replaced by two executives: chief creative officer Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan, president and general manager. Filoni will be president at Lucasfilm, while Brennan will be co-president.Director Filoni's pairing with Brennan was described by Variety as a move that suggests Disney wanted to pair a strong filmmaker with a person who has a solid sense of budgets.However, despite what appears to be good news for "Star Wars" fans, Kennedy's tenure is not exactly coming to a screeching halt.One to 'Grogu' onKennedy will still serve as a producer for two theatrical "Star Wars" films, the first being 2026's "The Mandalorian and Grogu."This is the same wing of the franchise's universe that fired former MMA fighter and actress Gina Carano for speaking out against mask mandates.Additionally, Kennedy will produce "Star Wars: Starfighter," which is set for a 2027 release.RELATED: 'Put a chick in it, make it lame and gay!' 'South Park: Joining the Panderverse' review Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images for Disney That didn't seem to bother detractors like Babylon Bee editor Joel Berry, who posted, "After destroying a beloved modern myth and replacing it with a 14-year, malice-filled tantrum against the patriarchy, Kathleen Kennedy is finally stepping down. Finally."Cartoonist George Alexopoulos joked that Kennedy put the franchise "in a grave."Others screamed from X's rooftops that "Star Wars" is now "free" and is "going to be amazing."Put a chick in itX owner Elon Musk even jumped into the mix by simply posting a clip from "South Park: Joining the Panderverse."The 2023 episode was internationally recognized for hilariously mocking the downward spiral of Disney's intellectual properties at the hands of Kennedy. The episode showed Kennedy demanding the diversification of every character Disney had to offer, changing movies to ensure they had "lame," gay, and female characters, no matter how unsuccessful they were.The cartoon popularized the phrase, "Put a chick in it! Make it lame and gay!" as a way to describe needless and forced diversity in media.RELATED: Male 'Star Wars' fans attack women, Kathleen Kennedy says ahead of latest woke series 'The Acolyte' Your worshipfulnessDisney CEO Bob Iger praised Kennedy in a statement on her way out, saying "We're deeply grateful for Kathleen Kennedy's leadership, her vision, and her stewardship of such an iconic studio and brand."During her time at Lucasfilm, Kennedy has been criticized by fans not only for her film choices, but for comments that she made toward them.In 2024, Kennedy accused fans who were unhappy with the show "The Acolyte" of attacking women online."I think a lot of the women who step into 'Star Wars' struggle with this a bit more. Because of the fan base being so male dominated, they sometimes get attacked in ways that can be quite personal."While adding that she too has been a victim, Kennedy alluded to the fact that some of the fans were bigots."I stand by my empathy for 'Star Wars' fans. But I want to be clear. Anyone who engages in bigotry, racism or hate speech ... I don't consider a fan."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!