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Things to know about the latest court and policy action on transgender issues in the US

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:59 GMT

On Friday, Texas became the most populous state with a ban in effect against gender-affirming care for minors.The law was allowed to kick in after a court ruling on Thursday, part of a flurry of action across the country on policies aimed at transgender people and their rights. A separate Texas ruling blocked a law that drag show performers feared would shut them down.Here’s a look at the latest developments and what’s next.TEXAS GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE BAN TAKES EFFECTIn its ruling Thursday, the Texas Supreme Court allowed a law banning gender-affirming care including puberty blockers, hormones and surgery for minors.The ruling is not final, but allows enforcement of the law while courts determine whether it’s constitutional. The decision is also a reversal of a lower court from the week before, when a state judge had said the law should be put on hold while it’s sorted out.Since 2021, 22 Republican-controlled states have passed laws restricting access to gend...

18 killed in a shootout with South African police

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:59 GMT

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Eighteen suspects were killed in a shootout with South African police in a rural northern region on Friday.Police said their top officials, including the national commissioner of police, the deputy commissioner and the head of the elite Hawks unit were on their way to the scene of the shootout in the Makhado municipality in the Limpopo province.Police spokesperson Brig. Athlenda Mathe gave no more immediate information but local media reported that the 18 killed were in a gang suspected of robbing armored vans carrying cash for banks, a common and often violent crime in South Africa that regularly leads to deadly shootouts.The shootings added to an horrific two days for the country after at least 74 people died in a fire in a rundown apartment complex in the city of Johannesburg in the predawn hours of Thursday.___AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africaGerald Imray, The Associated Press

2 bodies found at Chicago beaches on North Side: CPD

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:59 GMT

CHICAGO -- Two separate bodies were recovered from beaches on the North Side Friday morning, police said. According to police, the body of an identified male was found near the 1000 block of West Columbia Avenue in Rogers Park at Columbia Beach around 5:45 a.m. and was pronounced dead on the scene. Shuttle bus driver, 80, critical after crash at O’Hare Airport In another incident, the body of an unidentified male was found near the 300 block of East Marine Drive around Montrose Beach at 7:40 a.m. and was also pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives are conducting a death investigation for both occurances. WGN is actively following both incidents and will update as more information is provided.

ACC becomes the latest college conference to expand

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:59 GMT

CHARLOTTE — There is another conference that is expanding here in 2023, and this time it concerns one that's primarily on the East Coast. But now the Atlantic Coast Conference is going to have representation on the West Coast and Texas. The conference announced that the University of California, Berkeley, Stanford University, and Southern Methodist University have been added as new members. All three schools will join the ACC in the 2024-2025 academic year, expanding the conference to 18 teams. Per numerous reports, the three schools were accepted by a vote of 12-3 from current ACC members.Previously, the conference had only gone as far west as Notre Dame, which has most of its spots participating in that conference. The farthest west football member of the ACC previously was Louisville.“We are thrilled to welcome three world-class institutions to the ACC, and we look forward to having them compete as part of our amazing league,” said ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips in a statement. “T...

Tennessee woman sets record with world's longest mullet

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:59 GMT

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Guinness World Records has awarded the title of "World's Longest Competitive Mullet (female)" to a woman from Tennessee, who says she started growing out her hair more than 30 years ago. Tami Manis, a public health nurse in Knoxville, and her mullet measuring 5 feet, 8 inches long will appear in the Guinness World Records 2024 according to a news release shared by the record-keeping publication. Tami Manis – Longest Mullet (Female) Guinness World Records 2023 (Photo Credit: Wade Payne/Guinness World Records)Guinness World Records 2023Photo Credit: Wade Payne/Guinness World RecordsTami Manis – Longest Mullet (Female) Guinness World Records 2023 (Photo Credit: Wade Payne/Guinness World Records)Tami Manis – Longest Mullet (Female) Guinness World Records 2023 (Photo Credit: Wade Payne/Guinness World Records)Tami Manis - World's Longest Mullet, Female. (Photo: Guinness World Records)Manis shared in the release that her hair's official birthday is Feb. 9, 1990, w...

Caroline Rose's locally shot short film 'The Art of Forgetting' to be screened at Front Festival

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:59 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Indie artist Caroline Rose has had a whirlwind of a year so far, following the release of their album 'The Art of Forgetting' and a tour around the U.S. and Europe. Leading up to the album release and tour, Rose shot a short film in Austin. Caroline Rose talks about Austin music scene, locally shot short film ‘The Art of Forgetting’ The film, sharing the same name as Rose's third studio album, has picked up accolades at film festival screenings over the last few months, and it'll have its Austin premier Friday night. 'The Art of Forgetting' short-film will be screened during the Front Festival at The Contemporary Austin - Laguna Gloria. The Front Fest, according to its website, is an "end-of-summer festival, featuring musical performances, films and creative experiences curated by Future Front. Hosted annually in Austin, we put Texas women and LGBTQ+ artists at the front of our lineups." A full lineup and tickets for the festival are available online. The film’s ...

Suspect in deadly Leander hit-and-run crash arrested by US Marshals

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:59 GMT

Editor's Note: The video in this story shows KXAN Live's top headlines for Sept. 1, 2023AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The suspect in a hit-and-run crash that killed two people and injured others in Leander last weekend was arrested Thursday by the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, led by U.S. Marshals. The crash happened around 11:30 a.m. at the intersection of 183A Toll Road frontage road and Hero Way, according to the Leander Police Department.Jose Luis Rebollar Osorio, of Liberty Hill, 35, and Avelina Osorio Lopez, of Bertram, 69, were found dead on the scene. 2 dead in crash on 183A Toll frontage road in Leander; Police searching for driver A 38-year-old woman and two children were taken by ambulance to Dell Children’s Hospital due to their injuries, and a 70-year-old man was also taken by ambulance to St. David’s Round Rock with "incapacitating injuries."Jose Luis Gonzalez, 32, of Austin was wanted for leaving the scene of a vehicular accident, according to a release from U.S. Marshals. The...

Samsung announces $3.7 million commitment to UT for 'semiconductor ecosystem'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:59 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Samsung Austin Semiconductor on Friday morning announced a $3.7 million investment to the University of Texas for Central Texas' semiconductor ecosystem. Samsung said in a social media post the money will "bolster semiconductor ecosystem in Central Texas." The announcement was made during UT's Semiconductor Day, which is a full day of open forums bringing together industry leaders, academia, government officials and students to discuss the semiconductor industry, innovative research being done on campus, and the opportunity for Texas to continue its leadership in semiconductor manufacturing, according to a release. Taylor ISD finds success with Samsung internship program According to UT, the partnership includes funds for recruiting and supporting undergraduate and graduate students to study semiconductor manufacturing in the Cockrell School of Engineering and other majors across UT, as well as research and development support and upgrades to lab facilities. UT sa...

APD: Schenectady man menaced woman with gun in Albany

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:59 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Schenectady man was arrested on Thursday after menacing a woman with a semi-automatic long rife on South Pearl Street. Jeffery Pitts, 52, faces multiple charges. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! On Thursday, around 7:40 p.m., police responded to the 400 block of South Pearl Street for reports of a person with a weapon. Upon arrival, the victim told police Pitts had approached her car with a long rife, pointed it at her car door, and told her he needed a ride. Police say they later found Pitts on South Pearl Street and took him into custody. Law enforcement says he was found with a loaded semi-automatic long rife. No one was injured during the incident. Albany man fled patrols, found with drugs and gun Charges:Second-degree criminal possession of a weaponThird-degree criminal possession of a weaponSecond-degree menacingPitts was arraigned in Albany City Criminal Court.

First annual community cleanup comes to Lake George

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:59 GMT

LAKE GEORGE, N.Y. (NEWS10) - This September, the Lake George Association (LGA) is enacting a new tradition for the health of the Queen of American Lakes. Sunday, Sep. 17, will mark the first annual "Clean Up Lake George" Day. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! The LGA is asking neighbors, businesses, and visitors to the village of Lake George to be conscious of trash and remove waste near the lake's shore. Volunteers can register online to take part in a cleanup effort that starts at 8:30 a.m. at the village pier, or sign up upon arrival. Those who want to clean up around their own properties around the lake can take part as well.“This idea for a clean-up day came from discussions within our Young Professionals groupwanting to give back to Lake George,” said Danielle Brown, LGA Development Manager. “We are grateful to Mayor Perry, Sheriff LaFarr, our sponsors, and this amazing community for coming together to help us keep the Lake we rely ...