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State education board to set new library standards following law prohibiting adult content

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 18:15:20 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- The State Board of Education on Wednesday is expected to approve new rules that school libraries must follow when procuring books, acting on a new law designed to prohibit explicit material.The Restricting Explicit and Adult-Designated Educational Resources Act -- the READER Act -- requires book vendors to establish a "rating" for each book they sell to libraries. Gov. Abbott signed it into law in June.“Without attaching any religious, political or cultural belief, this bill does one thing and one thing only — restricts explicit books from unaccompanied minors in Texas public schools,” the bill's author, Plano Republican representative Jared Patterson, told lawmakers during the regular legislative session.How new Texas law restricting some books stacks up nationwideThe bill requires the State Board to approve new standards that school districts must follow when developing their library collection. Those standards prohibit the purchase of "harmful," "sexually expl...

Hays County approves AI facial recognition technology for sheriff's office

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 18:15:20 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) --- A facial recognition software could come to the Hays County Sheriff's Office in the future. County commissioners recently approved for the sheriff's office to fill out an order form with Clearview AI, a facial recognition company that provides software to law enforcement, government agencies and other organizations.The agenda item said the sheriff's office is approved to purchase Clearview AI software licenses in the FY 2024 budget. "The software is a facial recognition software that will provide law enforcement with greater insight and lead generation through the use of its investigative platform," the agenda item said. It said the term for this purchase is over a three-year period, with $6,495 due each year. It totals out to $19,485. The agenda item said funding for the first year is available in the Sheriff's Office Software Capital general ledger.  What is Clearview AI?According to Clearview AI's website, its platform has the "largest know...

UT Austin says pro-Palestinian protesters 'crossed the line,' launches investigation

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 18:15:20 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — There's an active investigation at The University of Texas at Austin looking into protesters who "crossed the line," according to a statement UT posted on X Wednesday morning.According to a pro-Palestinian organization, there were at least two pro-Palestinian protests on campus last week speaking out after they said two UT teaching assistants lost their positions after putting out mental health resources for Palestinian, Arab and Muslim students about Palestine. This came as tensions continued to rise overseas in the Hamas-Israel war. Two UT teaching assistants lose their positions after message about Palestine A UT student part of a pro-Palestinian organization on campus told KXAN multiple organizations were involved in protests on campus last week. KXAN is working to obtain videos and statements from those involved. Reporter Jala Washington also requested an interview with UT. This story will be updated.

UT students embrace shelter adoption, responsible pet ownership

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 18:15:20 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — With an increasing number of University of Texas students seeking companionship and responsibility, students are looking to animal shelters for a remedy.Austin is a 'no-kill' city, meaning the city's shelter partners have limits on the number of animals they can euthanize entering the shelter and must implement a large-scale foster and adoption program. To save every animal possible, shelters across the city are brimming with available pets, and UT students are adopting."Shelters here in Texas are really faced with a lot more overcrowding issues than typical shelters," said Luis Sanchez, director of PR and communications at Austin Pets Alive! "What we believe in is that every pet that's in the shelter system deserves a chance at finding a family, and what sets us aside from most other shelters is that we strictly pull from the euthanasia list. We are really the last chance for a lot of these pets."Hall's cat, Kerbey, was adopted from Austin Pets Alive! in May 2020, a...

The Loop Fantasy Football Report Week 15: Prescott may not be fantasy playoff MVP

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 18:15:20 GMT

When running down the list of candidates for the NFL’s Most Valuable Player of 2023, it doesn’t take long to get to the name of Rayne Dakota Prescott.Dallas’ quarterback has had a banner season for the Super Bowl contenders. He has 3,500 passing yards and has accounted for 30 touchdowns for the 10-3 Cowboys.But it’s fantasy playoff time, and No. 4 is facing one of the toughest schedules over the next three weeks.The Cowboys will be at Buffalo, at Miami and will play host to Detroit in Weeks 15 through 17.Three strong defenses. And two of those games on the road, where the Dallas attack has been much less prolific than at home in Jerryworld.Dak’s team lost two of its first three road games, against the Cardinals and the 49ers. And he was mediocre at best in those games.With all the quarterback injuries there’s almost no chance any fantasy mavens will bench Prescott these next three weeks, nor should they. But they should not assume he will produce gaudy numbers in enemy territory.Her...

Siena students sign beam for new science building

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 18:15:20 GMT

LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- With Siena College's new science complex under construction, students, professors, and staff gathered to sign a 20-foot, 500-pound beam that will go into the making of a new science building. The beam signing took place on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! Siena President Dr. Chuck Seifert spoke at the event. Tuesday was the college's reading day before final exams, and students were treated to cookies and brownies.

Execution date set for Missouri man who killed couple

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 18:15:20 GMT

BOONE COUNTY, Mo. - A Missouri man convicted of killing his cousin and her husband in 2006 was sentenced to death in 2008. The Supreme Court of Missouri issued a date for Brian Dorsey's execution today. He will be put to death at 6 p.m. on April 9, 2024.Dorsey shot and killed his sleeping cousin, Sarah Bonnie, and her husband, Ben Bonnie, in their New Bloomfield home on the night of December 23, 2006. After the murders, he stole cash, her car, and other property to sell in an attempt to settle his drug debts. On December 26, 2006, Dorsey turned himself in to the authorities after Sarah Bonnie's parents discovered the victims. St. Louis Blues fire head coach Craig Berube The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Dorsey's most recent request to have his death sentence overturned in February. In 2017, all seven judges unanimously rejected his attempt to have his guilty plea and death sentence overturned at the Missouri Supreme Court. In 2013, he alleged that the state withheld DNA evidence and...

Here are the best ugly Christmas sweaters this season

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 18:15:20 GMT

BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details.Ugly and hilarious sweaters to liven up your holiday moodChristmas is a time of tradition. Every family has its own, such as when exactly presents get opened, whether a secret Santa system is used or a white elephant game is played and more. Then there are the common traditions like putting up decorations inside and out, pretending you like eggnog and, the most fun of all, attending or throwing an ugly Christmas sweater party.There are many reasons why this tradition took off and has yet to come back down, but one of the biggest is the simple joy that comes from letting go of your appearance-based worries and having some silly, dumb fun with the people you care about most.The 50 best Christmas gift ideas of 2023 Ugly Christmas sweater typesThere are three main categories to consider when selecting your next ugly Christmas sweater.ClassicThe ...

Effingham's newest deputy is a... Poodle?

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 18:15:20 GMT

EFFINGHAM, Ill. (WTWO/WAWV) — When you think of a police dog, you likely think of large, intimidating, German Shepherds, or maybe a Bloodhound utilizing its nose to track the trail of a suspect.But the latest K9 to join the Effingham County Sheriff's Office is of a different breed, literally.Meet Deputy Dale, the rescued poodle-mix who will be working as a K9 therapy dog alongside School Resource Officer Alex Ritz.Image of Officer Alex Ritz and Effingham's newest Deputy, K9 Dale. (Image courtesy of the Effingham Sheriff's Office)"I have seen Therapy Dogs work wonders in instances where young children were required to testify in court," Sheriff Paul F. Kuhns said. "There is something about a friendly dog that makes intimidating unfamiliar places, a little less scary." WATCH: Paris, Ill. based-baker has decorating ideas for Christmas cookies According to the sheriff, Dale is a 2½-year-old Poodle mix rescued out of Brevard County, Florida. Kuhns said Dale's role will be to assist peo...

Children’s Hospital Colorado reverses course, will continue paying full tuition for current recipients

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 18:15:20 GMT

Children’s Hospital Colorado reversed course Tuesday and said it would continue paying full tuition for employees who received the benefit this year.The Aurora hospital had announced earlier this month that all employees pursuing eligible degrees would receive only $5,250 in tuition assistance next year.Some staff members who’d previously had their full tuition paid by the hospital told The Denver Post and other news outlets that they didn’t think they could pay the balance of their tuition and were scrambling for solutions.Children’s stated earlier this week that it decided to stop paying full tuition because too many employees had enrolled. The hospital estimated it has spent about $11 million on education benefits since May 2022.Hospital spokeswoman Leila Roche said Tuesday that employees already enrolled in the full tuition program would continue to receive that assistance.Related ArticlesHealth | Staff scrambling after Children’s Hospita...