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Judy Blume tears into Florida, DeSantis: 'Teachers are under fire, librarians are threatened'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:43 GMT

(The Hill) - Author Judy Blume took aim at Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) for banning certain topics in schools and the state after some Florida school districts banned certain books from their shelves, including some of Blume's own. “Teachers are under fire, librarians are threatened,” Blume said at Variety‘s "Power of Women" luncheon on Tuesday. "They are criminalizing teachers and librarians. It’s not just that they’re threatening their jobs, they’re threatening them.""They could go to jail, all because they stand up for the rights of the students they teach. All because they refuse to give in to fear," Blume continued. "I’ve known librarians who have saved lives by handing the right book to the right child at the right time. And for that one kid, finding themselves in a book can be a lifesaver."DeSantis proposed an expansion last month to the state's so-called "Don't Say Gay" bill, which currently bans classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity to studen...

Creator of popular Catan board game, Klaus Teuber, dies at 70

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:43 GMT

Klaus Teuber, creator of the hugely popular Catan board game in which players compete to build settlements on a fictional island, has died after a brief illness, according to a family statement. He was 70.The board game, originally called The Settlers of Catan when introduced in 1995 and based on a set of hexagonal tiles, has sold tens of millions of copies and is available in more than 40 languages. It has spawned dozens of spinoffs and new editions, including electronic versions, not to mention products related to the game.“It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that the Teuber family announces their beloved husband and father Klaus Teuber passed away at the age of 70 on April 1, 2023 after a short and serious illness,” said the statement posted on the German-language Catan website. The family requested privacy. Brandon Johnson wins Chicago mayor’s race A statement from the Catan studio team on social media noted that “While Klaus’ contributions to the board gaming industry ...

High fire danger follows early morning storms

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:43 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A line of storms pushing across our area this morning is bringing brief heavy rain, frequent lightning and a risk of small hail to parts of Central Texas.LIVE RADAR UPDATED April forecast increases chances for rain These storms have the potential to impact your morning drive - be sure to factor in extra time to navigate wet roads.This cold front clears the area by early afternoon, leaving gusty winds and lower humidity in its wake. A Red Flag Warning for very high fire danger is in place, for parts of the Hill Country and the I-35 corridor.Red Flag Warning in effect until 4PM WednesdayRain returns to much of the area Thursday and Friday as temperatures continue to drop. North winds, clouds and rain keep high temperatures in the 50s, and some areas east of I-35 may see minor flash flooding.While areas east of I-35 are nearly guaranteed beneficial rainfall, rain amounts are less certain in the Hill Country. We expect a tight rainfall gradient of less than 1 inch ove...

Community meeting held on Barton Springs Bridge project

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:43 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Public Works held a community meeting Tuesday night to update the public about the future of the bridge over Barton Springs Road near Zilker Park. In 2020, Austinites approved funding to evaluate the bridge so the city staff could begin working on plans to improve the existing structure. The approval came a couple of years after the structure was ranked among the top five bridges in Austin in the most need of rehabilitation.According to Austin Public Works, the bridge ultimately needs to be fixed or replaced to ensure the safety of pedestrians and, of course, improve the flow of traffic over the bridge.“I’m sure y’all have been down there on ACL weekend, and it’s a narrow point that is difficult for pedestrians and cars to interact,” Eric Bailey, Assistant Director for Austin Public Works, said in November.There are a few options the city is considering, but all the plans fall under two categories: rehabilitate or complete replacement.Though nothing...

Recipe: Homemade strawberry-filled toaster pastries

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:43 GMT

Is there any more memorable and cherished taste from childhood than a Pop-Tart?The sugary toaster pastries have been an iconic grab-and-go breakfast food since Kellogg Co. introduced them in the 1960s, probably because they taste more like a dessert than a healthy way to start your day.I rarely had them as a child because they were considered “junk food” and continued that as a mom. My kids only ate them on special occasions like birthday party sleep-overs and vacations.They’re even more of a guilty pleasure when you make them from scratch. The fruity filling is encased in a flaky pastry dough with real butter instead of a mass-produced dough sweetened with high fructose corn syrup, dextrose and soybean and palm oil.This recipe comes from Pittsburgh-based recipe developer Michelle Lettrich, the voice behind the food blog Brown Eyed Baker. It’s a winner because it’s relatively easy for even non-bakers to follow and the end result is incredibly tasty.The ...

David French: The rule of law now depends on Republicans

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:43 GMT

“Probably not the best time to give up your AR-15. And I think most people know that.”With those words, spoken the night The New York Times broke the news that a Manhattan grand jury indicted Donald Trump, Fox News host Tucker Carlson signaled the next, dangerous phase of the Trumpist assault on the rule of law. We began to watch a replay of the circumstances that led to the violent assault on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.It continued. Former Fox News host Glenn Beck told Carlson that he predicted that by 2025, America would be “at war,” “we’ll have a currency collapse, and we will live in a virtual police state.” The Bill of Rights is “gone,” Beck said.Vivek Ramaswamy, a Republican businessman and presidential candidate, put out a video statement saying that America is “skating on thin ice as a country right now” and that “we may be heading on our way to a national divorce.”Perhaps the most disturbing reaction came from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is polling second to Trump in pr...

98.3 TRY Social Dilemma-Should You Have To Ask Your Spouses Permission To Get Pierced

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:43 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Today's 98.3 TRY Social Dilemma came from Jacob He sent me an email asking to use this as our social dilemma because he's trying to let his wife know why he's so upset. She doesn't think she did anything wrong. He's hoping by hearing what others say, it will sway her, This is Jacob's email:  Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Jaime I'm so upset. My wife got her belly button pierced last weekend. I am ticked off about this. She is 51 years old. At her age, she shouldn't be getting her belly button pierced. That's something teenagers do to make their parents mad. She is a grown woman. When I asked her why she said "because I wanted to do it for a long time, so I just did it." I think that's a dumb excuse. She never even told me she wanted it done. I wouldn't go and get a tattoo without at least talking to her about it first. She should have asked me before she got it done. Don't you think so? Please use ...

Coxsackie man pleads guilty to fatal crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:43 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Coxsackie man has pleaded guilty to a fatal car crash that happened on Saturday, September 24, 2022. John Peterson, 35, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide and driving while ability impaired by the combined influence of drugs and alcohol, according to the Greene County District Attorney's Office. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! At the time of the crash, police found two cars with heavy damage. Upon initial investigation, police identified Peterson as the driver of a 2015 Nissan sedan involved, and it appeared he crossed over into the southbound lane, hitting Daniele McKenna, 41, head-on. McKenna was pronounced dead at the scene. Peterson will be sentenced at a later date.

Rescue efforts underway after tornado-warned storms strike south of St. Louis

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:43 GMT

BOLLINGER COUNTY, Mo. - Some rescue and search efforts are underway after a tornado-warned storm system struck some areas south of the St. Louis region Wednesday morning. Tornado-warned cells were warned within the last few hours around Perry and Bollinger counties, a little closer to Cape Girardeau. Much of the damage was expected in the 3 a.m. hour. A spokesperson with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tells FOX 2 that officers have responded to the Glenallen community for search and rescue assistance. Because of the darkness to start the morning and debris all around the roads, travel is difficult around the area. Top story: Crash survivor claims St. Louis firefighter took wallet FOX 2's debris tracker shows various impacts in Bollinger County, particularly in the Glenallen and Grassy communities near Marble Hill. Initial reports suggest that there could be extensive damages to homes, trees and other property. FOX 2 has reached out to emergency officials and is awaiting confir...

Strong winds damage homes around Moscow Mills

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:43 GMT

MOSCOW MILLS, Mo. - Strong winds led to some major damage overnight around Missouri, including Moscow Mills in the St. Louis region. At least one homeowner has been working to clean up pieces of his home for several hours since it was damaged by winds Tuesday evening. On Elm Tree Road, just off of Route C in Moscow Mills, heavy winds started to impact the home of Walt Humburg around 9-10 p.m. Trending: Two St. Louis pizza parlors make ‘Eat This’ top 10 list Humburg had just arrived back from playing pool with friends when the winds grew more fierce. As he came home to his wife, brother-in-law and pets, they all noticed the situation and took cover in the bathroom. Before he knew it, part of his home's roof started blowing off. Part of his carport blew off as well. When it was over, debris was scattered all over his home. Humburg said they reacted to the situation as if it was a tornado. "It was horrible," said Humburg. "It was one when it popped, and everything started going hayw...