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LGBTQ+ rights group sues over Iowa law banning school library books, gender identity discussion

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:53 GMT

Several families are suing to stop Iowa’s new law that bans books from school libraries, forbids teachers from raising LGBTQ+ issues and forces educators in some cases to out the gender identity of students to their parents.The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa and Lambda announced the federal lawsuit Tuesday, saying the law passed earlier this year by the Republican-led Legislature and enacted this fall “seeks to silence LGBTQ+ students, erase any recognition of LGBTQ+ people from public schools, and bans books with sexual or LGBTQ+ content.”Under the law, educators are forbidden from raising gender identity and sexual orientation issues with students through grade six, and school administrators are required to notify parents if students ask to change their pronouns or names. The law’s section that bans books depicting sex acts from school libraries includes an exception for religious texts, like the Christian Bible.The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Iowa Safe Scho...

Devin Hester, Julius Peppers advance to semifinal stage for Pro Football Hall of Fame

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:53 GMT

Three-time All-Pros Julius Peppers and Antonio Gates were chosen as semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2024 in their first year of eligibility.Peppers and Gates headline a group of 25 modern-day semifinalists announced Tuesday by the Hall of Fame from a group of 173 nominees announced in September. The only other player who advanced to the semifinal stage for the first time was running back Tiki Barber.Eight players who made it to the final stage of 15 in the class of 2023 return as semifinalists this year with Jared Allen, Dwight Freeney, Devin Hester, Andre Johnson, Torry Holt, Patrick Willis, Willie Anderson and Darren Woodson all looking to get in after falling short a year ago.CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 16: Julius Peppers #90 of the Chicago Bears is blocked by Chris Spencer #65 of the Seattle Seahawks in the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on January 16, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)The other semifinali...

Video of Bruce Willis grasping daughter's hand draws mixed reactions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:53 GMT

(KTLA) -- A recently posted Instagram video showing actor Bruce Willis reaching for and grasping the hand of his daughter is causing mixed reactions. In the short video posted Friday, Willis' daughter Scout is seen with her hand outstretched and smiling when she feels her dad's touch. Reactions to the video have been mixed, however, with some fans saying it is an invasion of privacy. “I can't help but think he is being used by wife to get attention 😢 he can't give consent,” hopeapplefinncooper posted.“I feel like we shouldnt see him like this... He isnt a public figure anymore and deserves peace and privacy,” _houseofthewolves wrote. Tragic Thanksgiving Day crash kills young mother and daughter Others supported the video and its transparency. “I think people saying 'this should be private' are uncomfortable with the subject matter and how transparent the family is being about his diagnosis/status. I applaud them for exposing their family situation,” profound_bound posted...

Coroner releases cause of death for 'CSI: Miami' actor Evan Ellingson

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:53 GMT

HOLLYWOOD (KTLA) — The San Bernardino County Coroner has released the cause of death of former child star Evan Ellingson.Ellingson, 35, was found dead inside a bedroom at a home in Fontana on Nov. 5. His father told TMZ it was a sober living home where the former actor had been staying as he worked to overcome drug addiction.The coroner confirmed to Nexstar's KTLA that Ellingson died from an accidental overdose of fentanyl.Pictured (L-R) Evan Ellingson as Kyle Harmon and David Caruso as Horatio Caine (Photo by Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty Images)As a child actor, Ellingson appeared on shows including “General Hospital” and “Mad TV,” and landed an early recurring role on the 2000 Fox sitcom “Titus” as a child version of lead actor Christopher Titus.Later, Ellingson appeared on “24” playing the nephew of Keifer Sutherland’s Jack Bauer character and portrayed the son of David Caruso's Horatio Crane on “CSI: Miami” from 2007 to 2010.He was also well known for his role as Jesse Fitzgeral...

Mold at Hays CISD elementary school costing district $858K+

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:53 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) --- Earlier in November, Hemphill Elementary School in Kyle closed after mold was discovered in 13 classrooms, according to Hays Consolidated Independent School District.The district said it started from a concern about a mold smell in a classroom. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Hays County elementary school closed for one week due to mold discovery An air quality test confirmed the mold, and crews began working to remove it, according to Hays CISD.The air quality test “revealed the initial classroom had elevated levels of Aspergillus/Penicillium,” which can affect people with “weakened immune systems or cause allergies,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Although mold is gone, classes for Hays County elementary school not resuming until Monday According to the district, classes resumed on Monday, Nov. 11. A hefty price tag The entire process ended up costing the district $858,380, according to a school board agen...

What's new with Travis County's mental health diversion center?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:53 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video at the top of this story shows KXAN’s morning headlines for Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023.TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Travis County staff are working to put out a request for qualification related to the county's upcoming mental health diversion center, an initiative designed to divert people with serious mental health complications or drug addiction away from serving jail time for minor offenses.Travis County commissioners unanimously voted back in March to move forward on recommendations from a forensic mental health project conducted by Dell Medical School. That project report included five "high priority" recommendations, including the creation of a mental health diversion center. PAST COVERAGE: Travis County mental health diversion center moving forward with unanimous commissioners vote On Tuesday, county staff said officials have been hosting bimonthly meetings and undergone site visits to diversion centers elsewhere. They have also held meetings with Cit...

Fort Edward man sentenced to 8 years in prison

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:53 GMT

BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- David T. Henderson, 47, of Fort Edward, was sentenced to 8 years in prison after being convicted of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree. He also had drug charges from Washington County. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The Saratoga County Sheriff's Office arrested Henderson following an investigation into drug deals across multiple counties. A search of Henderson's car yielded a half kilo of cocaine and fentanyl pills. Henderson has at least five prior felony drug convictions. Upon release from prison, Henderson will serve three years of post-release supervision. His vehicle was also forfeited to be used for law enforcement purposes.

Police respond to Lake George for a reported stabbing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:53 GMT

LAKE GEORGE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Tony Velasquez, 47, was arrested following a reported stabbing at the Travelodge in Lake George on Monday afternoon. Velasquez allegedly stabbed the victim in the face and fled into the woods behind the hotel. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Police located Velasquez in Lake George Village and charged him with second-degree assault and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree. Police say the victim was not known to Velasquez and that the attack appears to be unprovoked. The victim was located and treated by Lake George EMS. He was then transported to the Glens Falls Hospital for further treatment.Velasquez was arraigned at Warren County CAP Court. He was released and is scheduled to return to Lake George Town Court at a later date.

U.S. Steel idles steelmaking at Granite City Works ‘indefinitely’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:53 GMT

GRANITE CITY, Ill. – Up to a thousand employees at U.S. Steel's Granite City Works plant could be out of a job this holiday season, as the steel producer announced Tuesday that it would idle the facility indefinitely.In a statement, a spokesperson for U.S. Steel said the Granite City mill is being idled "in order to help ensure melt capacity is balanced with our order book" and will meet demand by leveraging its active iron and steelmaking plants.Employees at the Granite City facility who may be affected have been notified of these changes, according to the spokesperson. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News SIGN UP NOW Meanwhile, shares of U.S. Steel are up more than 53% over the past five years as the company solicits potential buyers.Illinois State Re...

St. Louisans weigh in on radioactive contamination, efforts in DC to fund victims

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:53 GMT

WASHINGTON - A small group of St. Louisans made a trip to the nation's capitol on Tuesday to lobby for legislation that could compensate victims of radioactive contamination.Missouri U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley introduced legislation earlier this year to fund victims who suffered an autoimmune virus, a genetic disorder, or cancer because of radioactive contamination in the St. Louis area.Hawley spoke on the issue in front of Congress members Tuesday, vouching to expand coverage under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act through an annual defense policy bill. Hawley claims he will vote against the defense bill before the Senate and "use every available means to slow its passage unless it includes compensation for the victims of nuclear contamination in Missouri." "This is a world issue, and I can tell you for me, it's the No. 1 priority. That will be reflected in my actions in court," said Hawley to Nexstar DC correspondent Raquel Martin ahead of Tuesday's proceedings. U.S. Steel idl...