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Drag community shows up to protest Nebraska drag show bill

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:00 GMT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A bill that would criminalize exposing anyone 18 or younger to a drag show in Nebraska was the last one to get a public hearing in this year’s legislative session late Friday. But those opposed to the bill made sure the final hearing went out with a flash of glitter and sequins.Among scores of people who showed up to voice their opposition were more than a dozen dressed in drag, including heavy makeup, wigs and evening gowns.The bill’s main sponsor, conservative Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil, said the legislation is intended to protect children “from being exposed to overly-sexualized and inappropriate behavior far too early.”The bill defines drag as a performance by someone presenting a gender identity that is different than the performer’s gender assigned at birth. It would make exposing a minor to a drag show a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail. The bill comes amidst a national push by conservatives to restrict drag shows, transgender h...

Coyotes minority owner suspended by NHL following arrest

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:00 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Arizona Coyotes minority owner Andrew Barroway was suspended indefinitely by the NHL on Friday following his arrest for domestic violence in Colorado.Barroway spent Thursday night in Pitkin County Jail after police arrested him at an Aspen hotel on a felony strangulation charge, according to a police report obtained by the Aspen Daily News.“The National Hockey League is aware of the arrest of Arizona Coyotes’ minority owner Andrew Barroway,” the NHL said in a statement. “Pending further information, he has been suspended indefinitely.”The 57-year-old Barroway was arrested after a verbal altercation with his wife turned physical, according to the police report. He is prohibited from having contact with his wife, except when it involves their children, and can’t consume alcohol under a court order.Barroway faces a Class 4 felony charge of second-degree assault related to strangulation and a third-degree assault charge, according to a court affidavit.A...

Los Angeles schools, union leaders reach contract deal

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:00 GMT

The Los Angeles Unified School District and union leaders said Friday they reached a deal on a new contract for workers after a strike that shut down the nation’s second-largest school system for three days.The agreement includes a pay raise for workers such as bus drivers, custodians, cafeteria workers, special education assistants and other support staff. Union leaders from Local 99 of the Service Employees International Union say that will raise the average pay for those workers significantly. The deal must still be voted on by the full union. The roughly 30,000 workers represented by the union walked off the job from Tuesday to Thursday amid stalled contract talks. Classes resumed Friday.District superintendent Alberto Carvalho, SEIU Local 99 Executive Director Max Arias and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced the deal together.Members of United Teachers Los Angeles, the union representing 35,000 educators, counselors and other staff, joined the picket lines in solidarity.The...

Gwyneth Paltrow testifies she initially feared ski collision was a sexual assault

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:00 GMT

PARK CITY, Utah (KTVX) — In a non-traditional twist, Gwyneth Paltrow was called to the stand by her opposition this afternoon in the Deer Valley Ski Resort crash injury case involving Dr. Terry Sanderson.Sanderson's attorneys spent most of their direct examination trying to replay the crash, which Paltrow repeatedly testified was Sanderson's fault. Neurologists, Sanderson’s daughter take the stand in ski crash case against Gwyneth Paltrow Paltrow testified that she was skiing downhill with her children, Apple and Moses, when a man skied up behind her, with his skis sliding between hers, moving her legs apart. He "pressed" his body against hers, making a "grunting noise" before the two fell to the ground several seconds later.Paltrow told the court that, in the moment, she originally thought she might have been in the midst of a sexual assault due to the confusion. Sanderson's defense attorney, Kristin van Orman asked why she might have thought it was a sexual assault."Was he ...

Texas communities with the best public schools in 2023: report

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:00 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – When it comes to buying a home, the quality of the area's public schools can play a major role in the planning decision – even if you don't have young children, proximity to quality districts can affect home values.Niche, a data site that specializes in education rankings, weighed a number of factors, including academic performance, diversity, parent/student surveys, sports, clubs and more to determine which communities in Texas have the best public schools in 2023. Chick-fil-A discontinuing longtime side dish to ‘help simplify’ menu When it comes to the top 20 places in Texas, communities in the greater Austin area took the top two spots, Niche found:PlaceMetro areaState2023 ranking2022 ranking2021 rankingRollingwoodAustin AreaTexas111West Lake HillsAustin AreaTexas222CoppellDallas-Fort Worth AreaTexas344University ParkDallas-Fort Worth AreaTexas433SouthlakeDallas-Fort Worth AreaTexas566Highland ParkDallas-Fort Worth AreaTexas655FriscoDallas-Fort Worth AreaTexas797Fl...

Walkout ceremony held for longtime Troy detective

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:00 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A longtime detective with the Troy Police Department honored with a walkout ceremony on Friday. Det. Colleen Goldston retired after serving the city for nearly 40 years.She led the city's Drug Education for Youth Program for 12 years but said her favorite memories were spent working downtown building relationships with business owners and community members. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! "I never could have imagined the things I've seen, done and learned and all the great people I've met over the years," she said. "I'm sure at some point, somewhere, I've done some good here, and I'm hoping that anyone young and newer that saw anything I did that they thought was good continues that."Goldston said she is looking forward to spending some well deserved time with her family.

Parents Bill of Rights: 5 things to know about the House GOP's legislation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:00 GMT

The Parents Bill of Rights was passed in the House on Friday in an educational policy win for Republicans that has gained steam at the state level.The legislation was introduced by Rep. Julia Letlow (R-La.) and approved in a largely party-line vote, as Republicans argue parents deserve more transparency from their schools and more of a say in what their children are taught.Democrats, who dubbed the legislation the “Politics Over Parents Act,” argue the bill does nothing to increase parental engagement in their children’s education and overburdens schools. It is unlikely to get any serious attention in a Democrat-controlled Senate, but the bill will most certainly be used by the GOP to attack Democrats, using the message that Democrats do not want parents involved in their children’s education. Here are five things to know about the Parents Bill of Rights, what it does and what it signifies:  Increases transparency in school curriculumOne of the bill's main goals ...

Bi-State plans to expand MetroLink line in St. Louis

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The Bi-State Development Board of Commissioners approved a resolution and memorandum of understanding with the City of St. Louis on Friday to plan, design, and construct the Jefferson Alignment Metrolink Expansion.“What a great milestone, and the city is on board, and under the leadership of Mayor Jones, we’re looking at the Jefferson Alignment for expanding MetroLink,” said Taulby Roach, president, and CEO of Bi-State Development.The federal government's New Starts program funds capital transit projects such as the Jefferson Alignment Metrolink Expansion with up to $4.6 billion per year. Top Stories: St. Louis lauds female firefighters, but denies promotions Bi-State and the city will apply for funds, with 40% of the project paid for locally.“The public has already voted in a self-taxing initiative in the city and county to expand MetroLink,” Taulby said. “We’ve been banking that money, waiting for a project like this.”For phase one, the route runs from Chippewa to th...

Rockies spring training report: German Marquez named opening day starter

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:00 GMT

Germán Márquez stuck a “feather in his cap” and then went out and mowed down the Brewers Friday afternoon.The Rockies’ veteran right-hander was informed by manager Bud Black that he will pitch on opening day against the Padres on Thursday at San Diego. It will be his third start on opening day, the most in franchise history.“It means a lot to me,” Márquez told reporters at spring training. “I’ve been working really hard. I’m so happy and I’m excited to be pitching the first game.”Lefty Kyle Freeland, a Denver native, will pitch Game 2 vs. the Padres and then start the home opener against the Nationals on April 6 at Coors Field.Black, who believes Márquez is primed for a comeback season, knows that pitching the opener is a big deal.“It’s a great feather in the cap to be named the opening-day starter,” Black told reporters at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, Ariz.Márquez celebrated by dominating the Brewers ...

LAUSD reaches historic deal, meets demands of union workers following 3-day strike

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:00 GMT

A tentative deal was reached Friday to end a labor dispute involving the Los Angeles Unified School District and tens of thousands of union workers who staged a three-day strike this week, the district announced.The deal includes a 30% pay increase that Local 99 of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) had been seeking and a vast expansion of benefits including: -$2 per hour increase for all employees effective January 1, 2024-6% ongoing wage increase retroactive to July 1, 2021-7% ongoing wage increase retroactive to July 1, 2022-7% ongoing wage increase effective July 1, 2023-Members working at least part-time (four days or more) or more will receive fully paid healthcare benefits along with their dependents.-$1,000 bonus for current employees with the district from 2020-21 "during adverse circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic."-Raise the minimum wage to $22.52 an hour-Increase hours and compensation for paraprofessionals serving students with special needs-Invest $...