As AI use becomes increasingly common in classrooms, research is also showing that students who use AI are experiencing declines in critical thinking and creativity.

Now, some Michigan teachers are turning back to handwritten assignments and other “old school” methods to keep students engaged.

Today, The ’Gander’s Lucas Henkel introduces us to one such teacher in Metro Detroit, who’s taken to “old school” methods to help students learn without the need for AI.

Plus: We mapped out Michigan’s summer Pride events in one convenient place for you.

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House effort to revamp state university boards fails (LSJ): A Michigan House proposal to replace elected university boards with governor-appointed members failed Wednesday, despite support from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and others who say the current system is not working. The effort comes as the state’s universities have been hit with board-level scandals in recent years.

Mackinac Island residents to vote on ferry authority (CBS News): Mackinac Island voters will soon decide whether city officials should gain greater authority over ferry fees, including charges for parking, baggage and priority boarding. The change comes after ferry costs to the island rose significantly following additional fees imposed by the two ferry operators serving Mackinac Island.

Lawmakers advance bills to combat childhood lead exposure (Michigan Advance): Michigan lawmakers advanced bills aimed at reducing childhood lead exposure and addressing fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, including measures to require heavy metal testing in baby food and referrals for affected children to early intervention programs.

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Studies show that students who use generative AI are experiencing declines in critical thinking, motivating Michigan educators to create lesson plans that require a level of authenticity that artificial intelligence can’t replicate. (Pexels)

By Lucas Henkel

As artificial intelligence creeps into classrooms across the country, some teachers are resorting to “old school” methods. 

“With the advent of AI, I’m going back to strategies I haven’t used since the beginning of my career,” said Kelley Cusmano, a high school English teacher in Metro Detroit. This includes having students handwrite drafts before escorting them to the school’s computer lab to write their papers digitally—and then comparing the typed copies and handwritten drafts for changes or potential AI use. 

 National studies reveal that more than half of US teens say they have used AI chatbots to search for information or get help with schoolwork. Others show that students who use generative AI are experiencing declines in content knowledge, critical thinking, and creativity. 

In response, educators like Cusmano are developing lesson plans that students can’t use AI to solve. This includes more in-class work and assignments that require a level of authenticity that AI can’t replicate. 

For Cusmano’s sophomore English class, for example, students are assigned to interview someone in their own life about the “American Dream” and use their findings as the foundation for an oral history project. 

“Research is very easy to AI your way out of. A kid will always, if presented, take the easy way out, and it’s not because they’re a bad human or they’re unethical. They’re wired to do what’s easiest if it’s presented to them,” Cusmano said.

Join COURIER and 3.14 Action on June 11 for Facts vs. Fiction: The Fight for Science in American Democracy.

Misinformation isn’t just noise. It’s shaping policy decisions that determine who can afford care, which communities are protected, and how our government responds to real-world risks.

This live conversation will examine what’s at stake when facts are ignored and how science-informed leadership has shaped policy on healthcare, climate, agriculture, and public health. At a moment when institutions and public trust are under attack, we’ll explore what happens when decision-making is driven by evidence, what it takes to rebuild trust, and why scientific integrity is essential to democracy.

Stay tuned for more speaker announcements, and don’t miss this conversation.

We’ve mapped out nearly 40 Michigan Pride events happening from June through September. (Mixmike/Getty Images Signature)

By Abigail Deatrick

Pride Month kicks off in June, but the celebrations don’t stop there. Throughout the summer, communities across Michigan are organizing marches, rallies, festivals, advocacy events, and gatherings supporting LGBTQ+ rights and communities. From Michigan’s largest Pride parade in Detroit to small-town celebrations across the state, Pride season offers countless ways to connect, celebrate, and take action.

Here’s a roundup of Pride rallies, marches, festivals, picnics, and gatherings happening across Michigan from June through August 2026:

While we addressed AI earlier in the newsletter, it’s not the only technological burden the younger generation faces.

Earlier this week, we shared news of a town hall centering on Kids Over Clicks, a package of bills moving through the state legislature aimed at making Big Tech accountable for its exploitation of children.

That’s why earlier this week, we asked:

How concerned are you about the impact of social media on kids today?

Here’s what you had to say:

“I’m extremely concerned about kids being negatively influenced by social media. Including over exposure to negative news stories. My youngest child, now 16, has been hospitalized twice for suicidal ideation. The first was in 6th grade at age 11. The second time was the summer after 8th grade, at age 14. THANK GOD, we made it through a very rough time and things are stable now.  Neither of my kids use social media. They have apps to play games & chat with their friends & that’s all.” — Stacy, Dearborn

“I’m not only concerned about kids but all of us. I’ve seen grown adults so immersed in their devices that they don’t interact with the world in any other way.” — Kern, Interlochen

And if you have a question you’d like me to ask our community, send it my way. I might feature it in a future newsletter.

*Responses may be edited for conciseness or clarity.

Want deeper coverage of Michigan politics? Our free Thursday newsletter, This Week in Michigan Politics, breaks down what’s happening in Lansing and Washington—clearly and without the jargon.

With the midterms approaching, we’ll keep you informed on what could affect your day-to-day life.

Interested?

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Karel Vega with stories from Lucas Henkel and Abigail Deatrick. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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