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This is the most banned book in Texas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:54 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — Last month, the state of Florida topped Texas for one controversial title: state with the most school book bans. But did you know the Lone Star State still ranks second overall, with a total of 625 book bans between July 2022 and June 2023?That's according to PEN America, a nonprofit freedom of expression advocacy group, who tracks book challenges and bans in the U.S. And while Texas' 625 total trails behind Florida's staggering 1,400 book ban cases during the same time, it's far ahead of its closest competitor, Missouri, with 333 bans.Between Jan. 1 and August 31, there were at least 30 attempts to restrict access to books in Texas — and about 1,120 books were challenged in that time, according to the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom. Last year, the ALA reports a total of 93 attempts to remove or censor materials in Texas. No one beats the Texas Longhorns, in terms of making money Fervor in-state and nationwide over what books are availab...

A spiderweb of Hamas tunnels in Gaza Strip raises risks for an Israeli ground offensive

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:54 GMT

By JON GAMBRELL and ISABEL DEBRE (Associated Press)JERUSALEM (AP) — As an Israeli ground offensive in the Gaza Strip looms in its most devastating war yet with Hamas, one of the greatest threats to both its troops and the 2.3 million Palestinians trapped inside the seaside enclave is buried deep underground.An extensive labyrinth of tunnels built by the Hamas militant group stretches across the densely populated strip, hiding fighters, their rocket arsenal and over 200 hostages they now hold after an unprecedented Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Clearing and collapsing those tunnels will be crucial if Israel seeks to dismantle Hamas. But fighting in densely populated urban areas and moving underground could strip the Israeli military of some of its technological advantages while giving an edge to Hamas both above and below ground.“I usually say it’s like walking down the street waiting to get punched in the face,” said John Spencer, a retired U.S. Army major and the...

Albany woman arrested on weapon and drug charges

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:54 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- An Albany woman was arrested on Saturday following a pursuit, according to the Albany County Sheriff's Office. Christina Wright, 29, is facing multiple charges. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! On October 27 at 5:30 p.m., officers attempted to stop a car in Ravena for vehicle and traffic violations. The operator of the vehicle reportedly fled from police before coming to a stop after a brief pursuit. Police say the driver of the car, identified as Wright, was found to be in possession of a loaded handgun and quantities of controlled substances, all while a 10-year-old child was present in the vehicle. Wright was taken into custody at the scene and now faces the following charges:ChargesSecond-degree criminal possession of a weaponTwo counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weaponTwo counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substanceEndangering the welfare of a childAggravated...

Swiss skier Gut-Behrami takes World Cup season-opening GS. Mikaela Shiffrin places 6th

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:54 GMT

By ERIC WILLEMSEN (Associated Press)SOELDEN, Austria — Lara Gut-Behrami sat in the snow and leaned back against an inflatable banner in the finish area after completing her final run.The Swiss skier only stood up and pumped her right fist after seeing that first-run leader Federica Brignone narrowly failed to beat her time.Coming from fourth place, Gut-Behrami edged the Italian by two-hundredths of a second Saturday to win the season-opening women’s World Cup giant slalom, with Mikaela Shiffrin finishing in sixth.Gut-Behrami trailed Brignone by 0.73 after the opening leg but made up three-quarters of a second with a gutsy second run.“I needed time to recover, I was just tired,” Gut-Behrami said. “I was happy with my race.”The 2016 overall champion previously won the traditional season opener on an Austrian glacier in 2013 and 2016.“I’m happy as it’s my third win after 10 years,” Gut-Behrami said. “It’s nice, it’s an amazing slope, I really like to ski in Soelden. It was a toug...

Fruit flies threaten to decimate California agriculture industry

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:54 GMT

California is under attack.Agriculture officials sounded that alarm on Friday after two Queensland fruit flies were found in Ventura County, marking at least the third discovery of invasive and destructive fruit flies in the Los Angeles area in recent months.A 76 square mile area was placed under quarantine on Oct. 23 after the Queensland flies were found in a residential area of Thousand Oaks, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture. It is the first official quarantine in North America due to the pest which, as the name implies, is native to Queensland, Australia.A California Department of Agriculture sign about the invasive Queensland fruit fly. Oct. 27, 2023. Residents inside the quarantine zone are urged to not move fruits or vegetables from their properties and to dispose of any green waste by double-bagging in plastic bags before placing it in the trash.“California is facing an agricultural crisis,” Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner Korrine Bell s...

Bay Area high school football roundup 2023: Best of Week 10 action

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:54 GMT

Welcome back to the Bay Area News Group’s high school football roundup.Here, you’ll find all the details from the weekend’s action in this news organization’s coverage area, which encompasses teams that play in leagues based primarily in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.Check back every Saturday during the season for scores, highlights and top performers, updated throughout the day.If you have not already, please subscribe here for complete digital access all season long. Your contributions keep us going.On to the roundup …Ranked teamsNo. 1 Serra 24, No. 4 Valley Christian 13In a season filled with blowouts, Serra held just a 14-13 lead on the road against Valley Christian late in the third quarter in this West Catholic Athletic League game. Then quarterback Maealiuaki Smith threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Kyon Loud, making it 21-13 with 1:27 left in the third period. That was followed by a 31-yard field goal by Thomas Gooch with 8:18 left. Serra improved ...

A shortage of teachers for computer science classes puts California near the bottom of a national instruction ranking

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:54 GMT

(BCN) -- Five years ago, California embarked on an ambitious plan to bring computer science to all K-12 students, bolstering the state economy and opening doors to promising careers -- especially for low-income students and students of color.But a lack of qualified teachers has stalled these efforts, and left California -- a global hub for the technological industry -- ranked near the bottom of states nationally in the percentage of high schools offering computer science classes. Father mourns son killed in Oakley house party shooting "I truly believe that California's future is dependent on preparing students for the tech-driven global economy. You see where the world is going, and it's urgent that we make this happen," said Allison Scott, chief executive officer of the Kapor Foundation, an Oakland-based organization that advocates for equity in the technology sector.Scott was among those at a conference in Oakland this week aimed at expanding computer science education national...

Campillo leads by 1 shot at Qatar Masters as fading light cuts short his third round

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:54 GMT

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Jorge Campillo led by one shot before the third round of the Qatar Masters was suspended because of fading light on Saturday, with the Spanish golfer having just the 18th hole left to play.Campillo will return Sunday bidding to win on the European tour for a fourth time, for the second time this year after the Kenya Open in March and for the second time at the Qatar Masters, after 2020.Sami Valimaki of Finland held the clubhouse lead after shooting a third straight round of 67, leaving him on 15-under par for the tournament. Campillo was the only player above him on the leaderboard and was 6 under for his third round with the par-5 last remaining.Valimaki, whose only title was in Oman in 2020, was still in contention to earn a PGA Tour card for next season as one of the leading 10 players not otherwise exempt on the European tour’s season-ending’s DP Race to Dubai rankings.“I have tomorrow to go and then two more weeks (of the season),” he said. “...

Encuentran vivo en una balsa salvavidas frente a la costa de Washington a un hombre desaparecido en el mar durante casi dos semanas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:54 GMT

(CNN) — Uno de los dos hombres que estaban desaparecidos en el mar desde hace casi dos semanas fue encontrado con vida este jueves por un barco pesquero canadiense en una balsa salvavidas. El hombre fue hallado en aguas canadienses, aproximadamente a 110 kilómetros al noroeste de Cape Flattery, Washington, según el portavoz de la Guardia Costera de Estados Unidos, el suboficial Steve Strohmaier.“Es increíble y milagroso que haya estado en esta balsa salvavidas durante varios días, y de haber mantenido la esperanza, hasta finalmente ser encontrado por un barco pesquero más o menos de forma aleatoria”, dijo Strohmaier a CNN por teléfono. “El océano es un lugar muy vasto. Estaba flotando en medio de la nada. Muchas veces es bastante raro que pase un barco”.El domingo por la tarde, la Guardia Costera fue alertada sobre un barco pesquero desaparecido que había partido desde la costa de Washington el 12 de octubre y debía regresar el 15 de octubre.“Sali...

Mick Jagger attends ‘clasico’ soccer game. Barcelona wears Stones logo against Real Madrid

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:59:54 GMT

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona aligned with The Rolling Stones for Saturday’s “clasico” game against Real Madrid when Mick Jagger showed up to see the home team wear special shirts featuring the iconic logo of his legendary rock group.Jagger and fellow Stones member Ronnie Wood were in attendance at Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium, where Barcelona is playing this season while Camp Nou is being remodeled.Barcelona’s players wore special shirts for the game featuring the Rolling Stones’ iconic “hot lips” logo in place of its normal shirt sponsor. The shirts were also on sale.Also, before kickoff Barcelona displayed a mosaic of burgundy and blue along with a huge Rolling Stones logo.Barcelona, which has a sponsorship deal with audio-streaming service Spotify, has worn special shirts for recent “clasicos” featuring the logos of Spanish pop star Rosalía and Canadian rapper Drake.The “clasico” game between the Spanish powerhouses is a must-see soccer game in Spain and abroad.___AP socce...