Police at the University of Michigan ‘removed’ a student encampment Tuesday morning and arrested four people following a month-long protest over the Israel-Hamas war. Student groups say multiple people were injured by chemical spray.
Isabel Lohman
Isabel Lohman reports on early childhood, K-12 and higher education for Bridge Michigan, tracking how policies made in Lansing affect students and educators. She has closely reported on literacy, absenteeism and special education. Isabel was a finalist for the Society of Professional Journalists Detroit's 2026 Young Journalist of the Year award. Before joining Bridge, she covered children's issues for the Knoxville News Sentinel in Tennessee, reporting on COVID-19 in schools and communities coping with gun violence.
Isabel grew up outside of Chicago and has a bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri. She moved to Ann Arbor in 2022.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Ann Arbor Public Schools approves $20.4 million in cuts over parent protests
The cuts follow pay raises and an enrollment drop, upsetting parents who wanted administrators to share the pain in order to save teachers, world language and music programs.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Prosecutor: U-M protesters charged for alleged police assaults at sit-in
Prosecutor alleges four people protesting the Israel-Hamas war assaulted or attempted to disarm police at a University of Michigan sit-in in November. Peaceful protesters will not be charged.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Ann Arbor plans teacher layoffs, buyouts as part of $20M in school cuts
One of Michigan’s largest school districts plans to cut 94 teachers, dozens of other staffers as a “COVID cliff” looms across the state.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
U-M board chair: Body bag protest at my home over Israel is ‘unacceptable’
Police responded but made no arrests as pro-Palestinian protesters dumped fake, blood-drenched body bags on the lawn of the home of the U-M board chair early in the morning.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Michigan lawmakers may require high schools to teach computer science
A bill that has some bipartisan support would required schools to offer an elective focused on computers and their algorithms, hardware and software.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Amid homeschool boom, Michigan registry fight looms
Curriculum wasn’t the only thing on the agenda at an annual Michigan conference for Christian homeschool families. Movement leaders spoke out against a potential state registry.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Pro-Palestinian camp continues at U-M amid national arrests, negotiations
Classes are over. Graduation has passed. But the encampment on the University of Michigan campus continues.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Whitmer wants free community college for all. Michigan House has other plans
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer wants all high school graduates to be able to attend community college tuition free. But she faces resistance from some lawmakers.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Marijuana edibles, vape pens in Michigan schools prompt calls for reform
Pot use for students isn’t new. But Michigan school leaders say they worry about students using vapes or marijuana edibles.
