Texas lawmakers set new standards to ban books from schools for sexual content
Texas would expand what can be defined as sexually explicit material or potentially harmful to children in order to ban books from public and charter school libraries, under a bill given final passage by the state Senate late Tuesday night and sent to Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. The Texas move is the latest attempt to ban or regulate reading material in conservative states around the country. Critics say the standards set in the Texas bill are too vague, will snag books that are not inappropriate, and that materials dealing with LGBTQ+ subject matter are more likely to be targeted for bans. The bill passed by the GOP-controlled Legislature defines “sexually explicit material” as anything that includes descriptions, illustrations or audio depicting sexual conduct not relevant to required school curriculum, and prohibits it from school libraries. The bill requires the state’s Library and Archives Commission to adopt standards that schools must follow when purchasing books, and a rating system that would be used to restrict or ban some material. “What we’re talking about is sexually explicit material ... that doesn’t belong in front of the eyes of kids,” said the bill sponsor, Sen. Angela Paxton, a Republican. “They shouldn’t be finding it in their school library.” Abbott, a Republican, previously joined a former GOP lawmaker’s campaign to investigate the use of books in schools covering topics of race, gender identity and sexual orientation. That inquiry included a list of more than 800 books. In April, leaders of a rural central Texas county considered closing their public library system rather than follow a federal judge’s order to return books to the shelves on themes ranging from teen sexuality and gender to bigotry and race. Under the measure passed Tuesday night, book vendors would have to rate books based on depictions or references to sex. "Sexually relevant” material that describes or portrays sex but is part of the required school curriculum could be checked out with a parent's permission. A book would be rated “sexually explicit” if the material is deemed offensive and not part of the required curriculum. Those books would be removed from school bookshelves. State officials will review vendors’ ratings and can request a rating change if they consider it incorrect. School districts and open-enrollment charter schools will be banned from contracting with book sellers who refuse to comply. Read More Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide
2023-05-24 14:28
Keanu Reeves reveals he rejected two roles in $6B movie franchise
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2023-05-24 14:23
Trout on tying DiMaggio with 361st career home run: 'It means a lot'
Mike Trout’s two-run homer during the eighth inning of Tuesday night’s 4-0 win over the Boston Red Sox is the 361st of his career, which ties him with Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio for 85th
2023-05-24 13:55
Israel's Netanyahu and allies pass new budget with sweeping grants for settlements, ultra-Orthodox
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2023-05-24 13:54
Ron DeSantis news – latest: Florida governor’s wife launches his 2024 presidential bid
Ron DeSantis will officially enter the 2024 presidential race on Wednesday following months of speculation. The Florida governor will take part in a live Twitter event with Elon Musk on Wednesday night, NBC News reports. Afterward, the campaign will release an official launch video. On Tuesday night Casey DeSantis kicked off her husband’s campaign by posting a video of him getting ready to go on stage in front of an American flag. “America is worth the fight... Every. Single. Time,” Ms DeSantis tweeted along with the expensively produced video. On Monday, Mr DeSantis, 44, teased his 2024 bid while speaking at the National Religious Broadcasters Convention in Orlando in which he outlined his vision for a conservative grip on the Supreme Court to last a quarter of a century. In what appeared to be a subtle swipe at Donald Trump he announced his plans to run for eight years – something Mr Trump cannot do. Mr DeSantis, 44, is seen as Mr Trump’s biggest rival for the Republican vote with several Republican lawmakers and right-wing media rallying behind him after the midterms. However, the latest polls show Mr DeSantis trailing Mr Trump. This comes at a time when Mr DeSantis is going to war with Disney and pushing back on the NAACP‘s advisory warning travellers that Florida is “openly hostile” towards Black people, people of colour and LGBT+ people due to his laws. Read More DeSantis’s wife launches his presidential campaign with first 2024 video: ‘America is worth the fight’ Everything Elon Musk has said about the 2024 election so far David Sacks: The controversial entrepreneur hosting Ron DeSantis 2024 event with Elon Musk
2023-05-24 13:53
Why is xQc leaving his LA home? Twitch streamer says 'I'll miss this place'
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2023-05-24 13:53
A's 10-40 start worst since 1932 Red Sox, Mariners win 3-2 behind Crawford, France
J
2023-05-24 13:52
Kelly Clarkson reportedly won't return as 'The Voice' Season 24 coach as Reba McEntire set to join show
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2023-05-24 13:49
Kai Cenat claps back at KSI for mocking his and IShowSpeed's new song 'Dogs': 'Stick to boxing'
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2023-05-24 13:48
Analysis-Cross-border incursions from Ukraine may stretch Russian defences
By Tom Balmforth and Anna Dabrowska LONDON/KYIV A two-day incursion from Ukraine into Russia's western borderlands could force
2023-05-24 13:29
Putin’s Central Bank Is Also on the Battlefield in Ukraine
President Vladimir Putin has increasingly put Russia’s economy on a war footing since his invasion of Ukraine. The
2023-05-24 13:27
Trout, Moniak and Thaiss homer to help Angels beat Red Sox 4-0
Mike Trout had a two-run shot, Mickey Moniak homered for the second straight game, Griffin Canning pitched two-hit ball for seven innings and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Boston Red Sox 4-0 on Tuesday night
2023-05-24 13:25