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Panel discusses libraries as 'political battlegrounds' amidst state book bans

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Friday, the last day of South by Southwest (SXSW) EDU 2023, a panel of librarians assembled to discuss the rise of book bans across the U.S., labeling the legislation an attack on democracy in America.The panel included American Library Association executive director Tracie D. Hall, library consultant Carolyn Foote and Las Vegas-Clark County Library District executive director Kelvin Watson. Digital Public Library Of America executive director John Bracken moderated the panel."They're doing amazing work that I want you to hear their real stories kind of the challenges and realities of what libraries, both front of house and more broadly, are dealing with," said Bracken about the panel. "As we talked beforehand, one of the outcomes we want is not just to share with you a snapshot of what folks are doing on the frontlines to support freedom, to support liberation, to support our democracy, but really also give you output so we can share what we could all do together...

'It's illegal': Zilker Park a popular spot for camping, but not with tents

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Zilker Park is a popular place to visit in Austin, but it has also become a place that some people are using to camp.You will not find tents set up, but instead you will see RV's, buses or people living in their cars in the lot on Stratford Drive."I really think the architecture in the city is beautiful," said Chrisopher Moogalian, who just pulled into Austin a few days ago.Moogalian who is travelling with his dog Bo, said he drove from Virginia. Currently he is living out of a camper he pulls behind his car."Its got a queen size bed, a restroom a shower, a sink," said Moogalian.Moogalian is a part of a growing number of people who live a nomadic lifestyle and he's not the only one who has set up in the lot next to Zilker."There are a couple of people around who are doing it," said Moogalian. "Once you have seen one city for a year, maybe move to the next."The lot on Stratford Drive has become a popular location for people living in their cars, buses or RV's. The Cit...

International Women's Day: NYS top female leaders share advice for women

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)---Not only is March Women's History Month, but Wednesday is International Women's Day. "When you look at leadership, you want to see yourself reflected and that’s why we’re very, very focused on diversity everywhere, but you know women’s history month— let’s make sure women are at the front table," said Roberta Reardon, New York State's Labor Commissioner.And they are, at least in New York State Government. For the first time ever, New York State has an elected female governor. Kathy Hochul is showing women too can do the top job, but she’s not the only female helping to lead the state."There’s a real sisterhood in the cabinet, in the chamber, around the governor, and around state operations, that I love," explained Jackie Bray, Commissioner of the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.The Commissioner of the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, the Commissioner of Labor, and the Senate Majority Leader are just a few of many wome...

Man accused of stealing $71K in merchandise from Ulta Beauty, Dick's Sporting Goods stores

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

CLAYTON, Mo. – A Hillsdale, Missouri, man was charged Tuesday with stealing more than $71,000 in merchandise from multiple businesses in the region over a five-month span. Police and prosecutors allege he used juveniles to commit the crimes. The suspect is not yet in police custody.The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Carlos Willis a felony count of stealing - $25,000 or more."It is concerning, and as a result of that, we've created a retail task force, working with many of our community partners in the retail industry, because this has been an issue," Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell said. Top story: St. Peters police identify alleged Schnucks parking lot shooter The crimes occurred from late September 2022 to late February 2023, according to a probable cause statement obtained from the St. Louis County Police Department.Authorities claim Willis hit several Ulta Beauty stores and numerous Dick's Sporting Goods, from west to south county, racking up more than...

Arrest made in Collinsville kidnapping, sexual assault case

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. - After nearly four months, authorities in Collinsville have made an arrest in connection with a kidnapping at a local shopping center and subsequent sexual assault.On Wednesday, the Madison County State's Attorney's Office charged Timothy Dubois Jr., 39, with four counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault, two counts of aggravated kidnapping, and four counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.The crimes occurred around 7:05 a.m. on Nov. 11, 2022, in the Collinsville Crossing retail complex. Top story: St. Peters police identify alleged Schnucks parking lot shooter The victim told Collinsville police she’d been abducted at knifepoint while waiting in her car for an online order at a Starbucks.The man, who was wearing a black hoodie, grey sweatpants, and black high-top tennis shoes, displayed a large knife and directed her to drive to the Troy, Illinois area. Once they arrived at the designated location, the man sexually assaulted her.The man drove the victim...

2023 Oscar-nominated movies you can stream right now

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

The 95th Academy Awards will honor the top movies of the past year on March 12. Some you may have seen before, others you might have missed. Here’s a quick rundown of how to stream some of the Academy’s favorite films.How to stream 2023 Oscar-nominated filmsTurning Red(Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)Streaming on: Disney+Nominated for: Animated Feature FilmIMDb user rating: 7.0/10Navalny(Photo by Omer Messinger/Getty Images)Streaming on: HBO MaxNominated for: Documentary Feature FilmIMDb user rating: 7.7/10The Martha Mitchell EffectStreaming on: NetflixNominated for: Documentary Short FilmIMDb user rating: 6.6/10The Sea Beast(Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Netflix)Streaming on: NetflixNominated for: Animated Feature FilmIMDb user rating: 7.0/10Marcel the Shell with Shoes On(Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)Streaming on: ShowtimeNominated for: Animated Feature FilmIMDb user rating: 7.8/10Blonde(Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)...

Women’s Day events highlight major gaps in gender equality

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

By CIARÁN GILES and MARI YAMAGUCHI (Associated Press)MADRID (AP) — From demands for constitutional rights in Islamabad to calls for economic parity in Manila, Paris and Madrid, International Women’s Day demonstrations in cities around the world Wednesday highlighted the unfinished work of providing equity for half of the planet’s population.While activists in some places celebrated political and legal advances, observances also pointed to repression in countries such as Afghanistan and Iran, and the large numbers of women and girls who experience sexual assaults and domestic violence globally.United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres noted this week that women’s rights were “abused, threatened and violated” around the world — and gender equality won’t be achieved for 300 years given the current pace of change. Progress won over decades is vanishing because “the patriarchy is fighting back,” Guterres said.Even i...

Denver weather: Red flag warning for fire concerns posted along the Front Range

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

A red flag warning for fire concerns along the Front Range, including Denver, has been posted by the National Weather Service.The warning starts at 11 a.m. and is posted through 5 p.m. Thursday, according to the weather service. It covers an area along the Interstate 25 corridor from Boulder to Trinidad, including Denver, Colorado Springs and Pueblo.Red Flag Warning for Thursday Strong northwest winds, low relative humidity, and dry fuels have increased fire weather conditions for Thursday. Avoid outdoor activities that could cause sparking. #cowx pic.twitter.com/ZUlMJ4bTI2— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) March 8, 2023Strong west winds are expected to develop Thursday morning with humidity dropping as the day progresses, according to the weather service. The combination of strong winds, up to 40 mph, and relative humidity as low as 15% has prompted the warning.Snow cover on the ground remains in some areas, but there are “plenty of fuels, including brush and grass that is exp...

Man accused of fatally stabbing honors student in L.A. taken into custody following standoff

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

A man who was wanted on suspicion of stabbing a high school student in El Sereno was taken into custody after being barricaded inside his Alhambra home Wednesday morning. The barricaded man surrendered "without incident" around 9:15 a.m. after an hourslong standoff.Aerial video from Sky5 showed multiple officers escorting the man into the back of a squad car.Xavier Daniel Chavarin is seen in a photo provided by his family on March 8, 2023.The unidentified man is believed to have fatally stabbed Xavier Daniel Chavarin, 17, a student at Woodrow Wilson High School around 3:55 p.m. last Friday, authorities said.The attack happened on the 4500 block of Valley Boulevard while Chavarin was waiting for his family to pick him up after school. Police previously released surveillance video of the suspect which matched the description of the man taken into custody Tuesday morning. Man wanted for two stabbings, killing teenager in Los Angeles The man was seen getting out of a dark-colored SUV...

Powerball jackpot winner purchases $25.5 millon mansion in Hollywood Hills

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

The winner of last year's record-setting $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot has made his first major splurge.Edwin Castro, who came forward to claim the prize in February, has apparently used a chunk of that life-changing money to purchase a mansion in the Hollywood Hills.The mansion sold for a whopping $25.5 million, according to Jack Flemming of the Los Angeles Times, citing property records. Zillow lists the sale date as March 1. It's the most expensive sale in Hollywood Hills this year and one of the most expensive homes ever sold in the area, Flemming reports.The home was built in 2022 by developer Roman James, according to Dirt.com. The 5-bedroom, 7-bath mansion (with a footprint of 13,578 square feet) overlooks both the Sunset Strip and Chateau Marmont.The mansion sold for a whopping $25.5 million, according to Jack Flemming of the Los Angeles Times, citing property records (Berlyn Photography)The mansion sold for a whopping $25.5 million, according to Jack Flemming of the Los A...