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Florida House votes to expand ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:26:57 GMT

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida could expand what critics call the “Don’t Say Gay” law that limits discussions of gender identity and sexual orientation in public schools under a bill the House approved Friday along party lines.The bill, which passed on a 77-35 vote, would ban discussion on those issues through eighth grade, a year after lawmakers received national attention for banning those discussions through third grade. The bill also would prohibit school staffers or students from being required to refer to people by pronouns that don’t correspond to the person’s sex. The measure was among several the House passed that still need Senate approval before going to Gov. Ron DeSantis, including bills that would change the start time for middle and high school students, ban sports fans from running onto a field in celebration, and require all Florida courthouses to designate private lactation places.But the education bill that expands what Republicans call parental rights in e...

VIDEO: Iowa State students met with hail before Friday classes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:26:57 GMT

CHICAGO -- As the Chicagoland area prepares for severe weather on Friday, massive storms are brewing over at least 15 states in the Midwest and southern United States.Meteorologists are urging people on Friday to brace for dangerous weather including tornadoes, saying the conditions are similar to those a week ago that unleashed a devastating twister that killed at least 21 people in Mississippi.More than 85 million people were under weather advisories Friday as the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center forecast an unusually large outbreak of thunderstorms with the potential to cause hail, damaging wind gusts and strong tornadoes that could move for long distances over the ground. Live Chicago severe weather: Tornado watch, storms through Friday night The area at greatest risk for storms on Friday follows a large stretch of the Mississippi River from Wisconsin all the way to Mississippi, with rare high-risk advisories centered around Memphis; and between Davenport, Io...

PHOTOS: Tornado causes damage across central Arkansas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:26:57 GMT

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KARK/AP) – A tornado swept through central Arkansas Friday evening, leaving roofs torn off buildings, trees down and thousands of power outages.Possible tornado damage at Burns Park west of North Little RockPossible tornado damage at Burns Park west of North Little RockPossible tornado damage at Burns Park west of North Little RockTrees down as storms pass through Breckenridge VillageTrees down as storms pass through Breckenridge VillageTrees down as storms pass through Breckenridge VillageTrees down as storms pass through Breckenridge VillageBuildings are damaged and trees are down after storm passes through the intersection of Cantrell Road and Mississippi Street.Trees are down after storm passes through the intersection of Cantrell Road and Mississippi Street.Trees are down after storm passes through the intersection of Cantrell Road and Mississippi Street.Trees are down after storm passes through the intersection of Cantrell Road and Mississippi Street.Trees a...

Trump indictment: What we know and what happens next

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:26:57 GMT

Former President Trump’s indictment by a Manhattan grand jury has sent the political and legal worlds into a frenzy.Here’s what we know so far about the case against Trump and what could happen next as the country awaits the former president's arraignment.Surprise jury vote on ThursdayA Manhattan grand jury voted Thursday to indict Trump on criminal charges for his role in organizing hush money payments made to an adult film star during his 2016 campaign.The indictment, which remains under seal, follows an investigation by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D) that centered on a $130,000 payment fixer Michael Cohen made to adult film star Stormy Daniels shortly before the 2016 election.The indictment required support from a majority of the grand jury, which typically is made up of 16 or 23 people and hears evidence in secret. The timing of Thursday’s announcement came as something of a surprise. The grand jury had not met as scheduled on multiple occasions the past two we...

Transgender Day of Visibility still vital as legislative threats loom

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:26:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- This year's Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV), an event that celebrates the international transgender community, comes during a time of heightened legislative attacks against the transgender community. Despite the political rhetoric, local leaders in the transgender community still see this year's TDOV as a time for joy.TDOV occurs annually on March 31. It was created by Michigan transgender activist Rachel Crandall in 2009 to balance out the somber Transgender Day of Remembrance. It is a celebratory day for transgender people around the world to show joy, progress and resilience. For Jessica Parker, visibility is a benefit to transgender people who aren't out yet. Seeing "out" transgender people helped her start her gender transition while living in a small Texas town. "I try to be visible in a small town for other people, for other queer, gender nonconforming or trans people to know that they can be who they are and live authentically," Parker said. "I do feel ...

Man arrested in Austin after 2 die in Elgin shooting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:26:57 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for March 31, 2023.ELGIN, Texas (KXAN) — The U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force arrested a man believed to be connected with a double homicide in Elgin, according to an Elgin Police Department release.Terrence Wayne Lewis, 35, was arrested Friday around noon in southeast Austin on Fairway Street, the release said. He will be charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a second-degree felony, and booked into Bastrop County jail. Elgin Police ID 2 victims in double homicide, suspect remains at large KXAN is working to find attorney information for Lewis. We will update this story if we receive a response.Late Monday night, Elgin police officers responded to 817 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. to a report of shots fired, a previous release said.When officers arrived on the scene, they found two victims with gunshot wounds, according to police. They died at the scene.The victims were ...

Teenager charged as adult in 15-year-old West St. Paul girl’s fentanyl death

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:26:57 GMT

A man who was 17 when he allegedly sold a fatal dose of fentanyl that killed a 15-year-old girl will stand trial as an adult, Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena announced Friday.Jay Benson of Bloomington was three months shy of his 18th birthday when the West St. Paul girl died a year ago.The district attorney said in a press release that Benson would stand trial as an adult. He is charged with one count of murder in the third degree in connection with the death.The complaint against Benson gave the following details:Shortly before 1 a.m. on April 20, 2022, West St. Paul police officers responded to a 911 call about a 15-year-old girl who was unconscious and not breathing. When officers arrived the girl’s mother was attempting lifesaving resuscitation efforts. The girl was taken to the hospital where she was pronounced dead.An autopsy revealed she had died from fentanyl poisoning.The girl’s mother told authorities that on the night of April 19, the family had gone to bed...

Who should Wild start in Game 1 of the NHL playoffs? A case for both goaltenders.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:26:57 GMT

Good luck getting Wild coach Dean Evason to tip his hand about his Game 1 playoff starter in goal. Not going to happen.Any time Evason is asked about it — Marc-Andre Fleury or Filip Gustavsson — he goes out of his way to talk about how good both goaltenders have been this season.To be fair, Evason has a point, as Fleury and Gustavsson have been among the best goaltending tandems in the NHL. Only the Boston Bruins’ dynamic duo of Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman has been better.That means the Wild can’t really make a bad decision with the playoffs right around the corner. Let’s take a look at a case for both goaltenders.The case for Marc-Andre FleuryThe most obvious talking point when it comes to Fleury is his postseason experience. The veteran is a three-time Stanley Cup champion with 167 playoff games under his belt. You simply can’t teach that.Are the Wild really going to let the future hall of famer ride the pine to start the playoffs?Whether it’s be...

East Greenbush restaurant offers free meal to police for work during swatting calls

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:26:57 GMT

EAST GREENBUSH, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A local restaurant thanked law enforcement who responded to Thursday's false school threats. The Crisp Cannoli in East Greenbush offered a free lunch to all police officers on Friday as a way of recognizing their role in keeping students safe. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Owner Jason Grant said his son recently graduated high school and wanted to show his appreciation."What they did yesterday, running into all those schools, and their resources spread so thin across the area and across all counties," he said. Why ‘swatting’ calls to US schools are becoming a big concern According to Governor Kathy Hochul, 36 swatting calls happened on Thursday across the state. She said the calls were all different and were made to schools in areas of the Hudson Valley, Capital Region, Western New York, and the Adirondacks. State police went to over 226 schools, and local law enforcement agencies also r...

LIVE UPDATES: Tornado warnings close to St. Louis County

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:26:57 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A tornado warning has been issued for Franklin, Crawford and Washington counties through 6 p.m.A tornado watch remains in effect for much of the St. Louis Metropolitan area for Friday through 8 p.m.When a tornado warning is issued, a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar and there is imminent danger to life and property. If you’re in the area of a tornado warning, seek shelter immediately.During a tornado watch, atmospheric conditions are favorable for a tornado to develop, but a tornado has not yet been sighted or indicated by weather radar.The Storm Prediction Center has upgraded the St. Louis Metropolitan area to a Level-4 risk for severe weather Friday. Mother Nature means business on Friday, as winds will become quite gusty from the south as temperatures climb towards 70 degrees. Severe weather threats include 70 to 80 miles per hour winds, some large hail, and even the chance of quick hitting tornadoes.  St. Louis radar: See a map of c...