Controversial CRT curriculum sparks backlash in Temecula schools, while California districts support pastor and LGBT youth group

Three school board members in Temecula, Southern California, who were backed by a far-right pastor, are facing a recall effort and a civil rights investigation after banning critical race theory and rejecting social studies materials that included LGBTQ rights hero Harvey Milk. Students, parents, and teachers have been protesting and attending board meetings, expressing their frustration with the town becoming consumed by partisan warfare. The religious right's attempt to jump into the parental rights movement has faced backlash, and the strategy of banning certain books and challenging curriculum has split Republicans and polled poorly with independent voters. Local Democrats are looking to capitalize on the situation, seeing an opportunity to win down-ballot races.