St. Joseph school board members say a national Christian group is fueling a harassment campaign

The Le Mars Community School District in Iowa will no longer allow a Christian organization access to students (August 2025)

Iowa — The Le Mars Community School District in Iowa will no longer allow a Christian organization access to students after the district partnered with a local religious group to proselytize students. FFRF learned that on May 1, a religious organization seemingly affiliated with Side by Side Ministries, was permitted by LMCSD to enter Le Mars Community Middle and High School grounds as part of a National Day of Prayer celebration. A Facebook pos…

St. Joseph school board members say a national Christian group is fueling a harassment campaign

The members say the Herzog Charitable Foundation, a Missouri-based organization dedicated to "advancing Christian education," has triggered scrutiny of their political beliefs and personal lives. That’s resulted in professional consequences, social media harassment and an investigation from Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s office.

St. Joseph, Missouri school district refuses to verify board member’s eligibility after home sale

The St. Joseph School District has refused to confirm whether a board member known for a furious F-word philippic, who has since sold her home, is still eligible to serve on the board.   The request by The Heartlander came after public records showed board member Whitney Lanning sold her house in early July. Other records seem to indicate Lanning secured a position with a government-funded nonprofit in Lincoln, Nebraska.  A records search with t…