How school board battles became national news, plus a Biden-Putin summit preview and soaring temps cause problems

Tuesday, June 15, 2021 Good morning, NBC News readers.     This morning we are diving deep into the increasingly rancorous — and politicized — debate over the teaching of critical race theory in schools across the country. We also have a look at the expectations surrounding President Joe Biden's summit with Russia's President Vladimir Putin, plus soaring temperatures cause problems for planes and power grids.   Here's what we're watching this Tuesday morning. How conservative groups injected fear of critical race theory into school board battles In towns nationwide, well-connected conservative activists are engaged in pitched battles against public school boards to make sure they do not teach critical race theory, the academic study of racism's pervasive impact.   The new, increasingly coordinated movement with the backing of major conservative organizations and media outlets has amped up grassroots parental organizing around the country, bringing the lens and stakes of national politics — along with the playbook of seasoned GOP activists — to school boards. Prominent Republican political figures are rushing in to support the parent activists, hoping that these local battles will mobilize conservative voters in next year's midterms and beyond.   As former Trump adviser Steve Bannon put it on his podcast in May: "The path to save the nation is very simple — it's going to go through the school boards."   Read more of NBC News' in-depth reporting on this increasingly contentious issue here. Tuesday's top stories The Biden-Putin summit: High stakes, low expectations By Shannon Pettypiece | Read more  The list of U.S. grievances with Russia ahead of Biden's summit with Putin on Wednesday in Geneva is long. But the expectations that any of them will get sorted out after one meeting are low.    White House unveils new strategy to counter domestic terrorism 'laser-focused on violence' By Ken Dilanian | Read more The Biden administration on Tuesday rolled out what it said is a new strategy to counter domestic terrorism as an urgent problem with renewed efforts to deter, detect and prosecute those who would use violence in pursuit of political aims. 'Unplanned' outages hit Texas power plants in soaring temperatures By Tim Stelloh and Amy Calvin | Read more   Just four months after deadly blackouts during a winter storm left millions of Texans without power, officials with Texas' power grid operator pleaded with residents Monday to limit their electrical usage amid soaring temperatures and a series of mechanical problems at power plants. OPINION One place in America frontier justice is still allowed — and even encouraged By Danny Cevallos  | Read more   We're relying on a Wild West-inspired social contract: If you misbehave on the airplane, a deputized posse of complete strangers will take you down. Denmark's Christian Eriksen says he is 'fine' after on-field cardiac arrest By Yuliya Talmazan | Read more Days after collapsing and suffering a cardiac arrest on the field during a Euro 2020 match, Danish soccer star Christian Eriksen said he was doing "fine" on Tuesday — "under the circumstances." BETTER Woman loses 200 pounds before turning 70: 'If I can do it, you can do it' By A. Pawlowski | Read more Judy Wilson says she lost almost half her body weight after experiencing a host of health problems: "Enough was enough." Want to receive the Morning Rundown in your inbox? Sign up here. Also in the news ... Argument over mask at Georgia supermarket ends with fatal shooting  Southwest resumes flights after weather-data system forced ground stop Israeli nationalists to march in East Jerusalem, Palestinians plan 'Day of Rage' Democrats harden position on infrastructure package as doubts about bipartisan deal grow 'I'm truly sorry': Lin-Manuel Miranda apologizes for lack of Afro-Latino representation in 'In the Heights' SHOPPING For fathers who enjoy the outdoors, consider fishing gifts, grilling supplies, golf gear and more. One incredible thing A litter of gray wolf pups has been spotted in Colorado for the first time in around 80 years, according to state wildlife officials.   Colorado Parks and Wildlife said last week that several staff members have observed at least three pups of the endangered species in June.   "Colorado is now home to our first wolf litter since the 1940s," Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement. "We welcome this historic den and the new wolf family to Colorado.    Read the story here. Thanks for reading the Morning Rundown.    If you have any comments — likes, dislikes — send me an email at: petra@nbcuni.com   If you're a fan, please forward it to your family and friends. They can sign-up here.    Thanks, Petra Cahill Download the NBC News App Follow NBC News Privacy | Unsubscribe | More NBC Newsletters | Contact View in browser