Overview

• Supporters and opponents addressed the High School District 214 board Thursday night to press competing views on honoring Wheeling High School alum Charlie Kirk, though the item was not on the agenda.
• Two Change.org petitions have gathered thousands of signatures on both sides, reflecting a divided community over how the school should recognize the conservative activist.
• Backers seek honorary plaques at Wheeling High School, expedited approval for Turning Point USA chapters across the district, and a day of honor tied to a planned Presidential Medal of Freedom.
• District 214 says any requests will go through its distinguished-alumni nomination process and rules for non-school-sponsored political groups, and it will not hold a district-wide memorial to avoid disrupting the learning environment.
• Administrators prepared for a large turnout and added security, as national plans continue with a Sunday funeral that President Donald Trump plans to attend and a homicide case in Utah where the suspect is jailed on aggravated murder charges and prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty.