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Federal appeals court questions new Texas law targeting 'explicit' books

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:46:24 GMT

NEW ORLEANS (Nexstar) — Federal appellate judges questioned a new Texas law in court on Wednesday, which aims to get rid of "sexually explicit" books in public school libraries. Federal judges inquired about the definitions outlined in House Bill 900, also known as the READER Act, which requires book distributors to rate books based on if they are deemed "sexually explicit," "sexually relevant," or give the book "no rating." How new Texas law restricting some books stacks up nationwide The law broadly defines “sexually explicit” as material that “describes, depicts, or portrays sexual conduct in a way that is patently offensive.” In September, a U.S. District Judge blocked the enforcement of a new Texas law saying it violated free speech. The judge said the court did not dispute the state’s interest in protecting kids, but said the law was unconstitutionally vague. "READER is not a book ban," said Kateland Jackson, Texas's assistant solicitor general. "The new law simply protects ...

F.D. Flam: It’s past time scientists admitted their COVID mistakes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:46:24 GMT

During the pandemic years, Americans’ trust in scientists fell, according to a Pew poll released this month. In 2019, only 13% of Americans were distrustful enough to say they weren’t confident in scientists to act in the public’s best interest. Now that figure is 27% — despite recent triumphs in astronomy, cancer research, genetics and other fields.It’s reasonable to assume the problem stems from COVID-era public health missteps. Some public health agencies took years to admit what had quickly become obvious: that the virus was airborne. Others suggested precautions, closing playgrounds and beaches, where any benefit would have been minimal. Some promoted policies, like sustained social isolation, that were hard to implement and endure — even for the prominent epidemiologists promoting them.Public health researchers and officials seem to think that rebuilding trust is just a matter of clearer, more persuasive communication. That would help, but i...

Local law proposes public contest for new Albany flag

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:46:24 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Conversations about the removal of stereotypical images of Native Americans have gone from school districts to city council meetings. This Native American Heritage Month one local leader introduced legislation that would remove one prominently placed image.Albany Councilman Owusu Anane feels strongly about the removal of the Native imagery from the city’s flag. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! “We want a flag that everyone in our community can be proud of,” said Anane. Earlier this month he introduced an ordinance that would create a contest for the public to choose a new flag for the city. He said Albany needs a modern flag that reflects the city’s diverse communities. “So all across our city and county, and across this country, many elected officials and community leaders are calling for ways that we can celebrate diversity,” said Anane.That diversity is being celebrated this month all across ...

The 'center' of Missouri isn't too far from Jefferson City

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:46:24 GMT

MISSOURI - If you were to point to the middle of Missouri on a map, you might think Columbia, Rolla, or Jefferson City. Oddly enough, it's not any of those three, but it's not too far from the state capitol.At the start of every decade, the U.S. Census Bureau calculates the "population center" point of each state. This is a somewhat loose term that doesn't necessarily represent the geographic center of the state. Rather it represents a theoretical, flat, weightless map of Missouri would balance if it were of uniform density, meaning that residents were distributed evenly within the state. Inspired by a digital report from our friends at WGN, which calculated the population center of Illinois, FOX 2 wanted to find out more about the heart of Missouri. Based on the latest Census report from 2020, Missouri's population center is located at 38° 25′ 59″ N , 92° 14' 06″ W. Google Maps reveals this to be closest to an unincorporated community called Osage Township. The coordinates show a v...

Could Broncos WR Marvin Mims Jr. be on the verge of a breakout? Playing time indicates he might be: “The biggest thing is just being ready”

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:46:24 GMT

Marvin Mims Jr. had to adjust on the fly.Working across the field on a critical third down Sunday against Cleveland, he had a ball coming his way from Russell Wilson for an easy first down.The ball got tipped, though, and redirected against Mims’ momentum. He reached back, snared it and made sure the Broncos kept the chains moving with a 16-yard gain en route to a second-quarter touchdown.“It was pure reaction, just locked in on the ball,” Mims told The Post. “I haven’t got many chances lately, so I saw it coming and it kind of misdirected. …“We really needed it, too, on a third down. So it was pretty cool.”The trajectory of Mims’ rookie season has taken a similar mid-flight change, and he’s doing his best to make the adjustment as a critical stretch of the season arrives.“It’s just waiting for the opportunity,” Mims said. “It’s kind of tough, especially having success early and then now it’s kind of stalled out, but you’ve got to be ready for your opportunity. Any time your number’...

Officer, suspect killed in a shootout after a traffic stop in Cortez

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:46:24 GMT

CORTEZ — A police officer and a suspect were killed in a shootout following a traffic stop in southwest Colorado on Wednesday, authorities said.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Man killed by Denver police in Commons Park had assault rifle, more than 400 rounds of ammunition on him Crime and Public Safety | Armed man shot by Denver police after making “threatening motion” Crime and Public Safety | Armed man was chasing people in Denver’s Commons Park before police shooting Crime and Public Safety | Fort Collins police officer kills man holding “edged weapon” after 911 caller reported he was yelling racial slurs Crime and Public Safety | 6 additional Colorado officers charged in fatal police shooting of Christian Glass Police say the officer, whose name has not been released, was shot after pulling over a vehicle shortly before noon in the rural town of Cortez in the Four C...

Man killed by Denver police in Commons Park had AK-47, more than 400 rounds of ammunition on him

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:46:24 GMT

The man shot and killed by Denver police on Nov. 20 after chasing people in Commons Park with an AK-47 semi-automatic rifle and shooting at officers had more than 400 rounds of ammunition on him, Denver Police Department officials said Wednesday.Police responded to calls of a man with a rifle yelling at a group of people and chasing people near 16th and Platte streets at 3:40 p.m. on Nov. 20.Officers located the man, later identified by the Denver Office of the Medical Examiner as 42-year-old Joshua Mitchell, sitting on a park bench with the rifle, Cmdr. Matt Clark said at a news conference on Wednesday.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Armed man shot by Denver police after making “threatening motion” Crime and Public Safety | Armed man was chasing people in Denver’s Commons Park before police shooting Crime and Public Safety | Fort Collins police officer kills man holding “edged weapon” after 911 caller reported h...

Elon Musk tells advertisers who left X to 'go f— yourself' during event

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:46:24 GMT

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and the owner of X, formally Twitter, had some strong choice words for companies who have decided to pull advertisements from the company after certain ads appeared next to pro-Nazi posts.Musk was interviewed by Andrew Ross Sorkin Wednesday afternoon at The New York Times Dealbook Summit when he was asked about companies pulling their ads from the social media website and if he had a message for them."Don’t advertise. If someone is going to try and blackmail me with advertising? Blackmail me with money? Go f*** yourself,” Musk said. “Go f*** yourself, is that clear? Hey Bob, if you’re in the audience. That’s how I feel, don’t advertise.”Bob Iger, the CEO of Walt Disney Co., is the Bob to whom Musk referred during the interview. Musk says anyone advocating for genocide will be removed from X following backlash Video of the interview was quickly shared on social media. Earlier during the event, Iger explained why Disney decided to pull advertis...

Orange County creating Hall of Fame: These are the first inductees

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:46:24 GMT

Late Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, golf legend Tiger Woods and No Doubt singer Gwen Stefani will be among the 10 inaugural members of Orange County's new Hall of Fame.On Tuesday, the county Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to create a Hall of Fame to pay tribute to O.C. residents whose impact has resonated far beyond the region. Woods, Bryant and Stefani will be joined by Olympic diver Greg Louganis, Olympic swimmer Amanda Beard, Righteous Brothers singer Bill Medley, developer and businessman Frank Jao, Walt Disney, real estate magnate William Lyon and businessman/philanthropist Henry Segerstrom.“Their names resonate with excellence and embody the very essence of what makes Orange County special and great,” said Supervisor Don Wagner.Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts before taking on the Utah Jazz at Staples Center on April 13, 2016, in Los Angeles. (Harry How/Getty Images)BURBANK, CA - MAY 09: Singers Blake Shelton (L) and Gwen Stefani perform on the Honda...

Warner Bros. Studio Tour again welcoming guests to enjoy holidays on the lot

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:46:24 GMT

Do you smell snow?Warner Bros. is again welcoming guests to the fictional town of Stars Hollow from the timeless sitcom "Gilmore Girls" this Christmas as part of a special studio tour experience for the holidays. The famed Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood will be decked out for the holidays next month, giving guests a close-up tour through some iconic film and TV sets, famous holiday wardrobes and exclusive photo opportunities.Beginning Dec. 22, fans of some of legendary Warner Bros. properties can hop on the famous Burbank studio tour in celebration of the holidays. Among the exhibits on the tour is a walk through Stage 48: Script to Screen, which houses costumes from many beloved holiday films and TV shows, including Papa Elf's uniform from the 2003 classic "Elf," as well as the grotesque "Holiday Armadillo" costume worn by Ross Geller in an iconic episode of "Friends."This year's holiday tour will once again welcome guests to experience Stars Hollow from "Gilmore Girls," includ...