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How after-school clubs became a new battleground in the Satanic Temple’s push to preserve separation of church and state

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:43 GMT

(The Conversation) - As the start of the school year rapidly approaches, controversy can’t be far behind. But not all hot-button topics in education are about what goes on in class.Over the past few years, conflict has trailed attempts to establish After School Satan Clubs sponsored by the Satanic Temple, which the U.S. government recognizes as a religious group.Organizers have tried to form clubs in California, Colorado, Illinois, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Organizers in Broome County, New York, also formed a summer Satan Club that meets at a local library.Though there are estimates that only a handful of Satan Clubs are up and running, the groups raise significant questions about freedom of speech in K-12 public schools, particularly around religious issues – topics I teach and write about frequently as a faculty member specializing in education law.More ‘science’ than ‘Satan"Members of ...

Plane crashes into vacant home in Georgetown; 3 injured

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:43 GMT

GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — First responders arrived at the site of a plane crash in Georgetown on Sunday, according to officials.The Georgetown Texas Fire Department said the plane crash occurred just before noon in the 500 block of North Wood Drive.Plane crash into Georgetown home (Courtesy Georgetown Fire Department)Plane crash into Georgetown home (Courtesy Georgetown Fire Department)Plane crash into Georgetown home (Courtesy Georgetown Fire Department)Officials said the small plane crashed into a vacant two-story home.“The three occupants of the plane were transported to the hospital,” GFD said.Officials said the National Transportation Safety Board would begin its investigation this afternoon while fire crews remain on the scene to assist.GFD asked people to avoid the area.

FM 1431 reopened following fatal motorcycle crash Sunday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:43 GMT

JONESTOWN, Texas (KXAN) — FM 1431 reopened Sunday afternoon after a fatal motorcycle crash earlier in the day.Austin-Travis County EMS and other emergency crews responded to a two-motorcycle crash in Jonestown Sunday morning.ATCEMS was notified of a crash in the 19400 block of FM 1431 just before 9 a.m. Sunday. North Lake Travis Fire Department, Travis County Sheriff's Office and Travis County Star Flight joined ATCEMS in the response effort.In a follow-up tweet, ATCEMS said FM 1431 is shut down and urged drivers to avoid the area. Two patients were initially marked as trauma alerts, with one set to be transported by air via Star Flight and the other via an ambulance.In a later update, ATCEMS officials said one patient died at the crash scene. Emergency responders added one adult trauma patient has been taken to St. David's Round Rock Medical Center with serious, albeit not expected to be life-threatening, injuries. The Texas Department of Transportation's Austin District tweeted ou...

Brighton police suspect speed, impairment contributed in fatal crash

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:43 GMT

One person died in a crash in early Sunday morning in Brighton.The fatal crash involving a motorcycle and truck occurred around 1 a.m. and led to a closure of Bridge Street at 50th Avenue, according to social media posts by Brighton police.Police said investigators suspect that high speeds and drugs or alcohol contributed to the crash. The agency did not respond to requests for comment Sunday with details about how the crash occurred or those involved.Commenters took to Facebook to express frustration about the intersection on the Brighton Police Department’s Facebook post, saying that many accidents occur there as drivers speed in the area.TRAFFIC ALERT: Full closure of Bridge Street at 50th Avenue as officers investigate a fatal crash involving a motorcycle and truck. Please use alternate routes. pic.twitter.com/bSZSEey3Ni— Brighton PD (@BrightonPolice) July 23, 2023

Live updates | Harman reaches 13 under and is on brink of winning the British Open

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:43 GMT

HOYLAKE, England (AP) — Brian Harman has reached 13-under par for the first time this week and is on the brink of winning the British Open.Harman made birdie from 8 feet at the par-5 15th to restore the five-stroke lead with which he started the final round at Royal Liverpool.Sepp Straka was playing the last hole in second place at 8 under, one shot ahead of Jason Day and 21-year-old Tom Kim of South Korea. Kim shot 67 and Day had two holes to play.___— Harman builds a 5-shot lead at British Open— Jon Rahm sets Hoylake record with 63 to give himself a chance — Younger brother of U.S. Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick in the top 10 — Rory McIlroy lets chances slip away with poor putting___Rory McIlroy will go yet another year without winning a major.McIlroy couldn’t keep his early run going in the final round of the British Open, finishing at 3-under 68 for the day and 6 under for the tournament.He went into the clubhouse in a tie for fifth, five shot...

Rhodes wildfire forces thousands of evacuations, tourists flee - Reuters

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:43 GMT

SummaryCompaniesGreece moves 19,000 people to safety, some by boatTourists flee hotels, gather on beachesOperators cancel flights to RhodesClimate change exacerbates heatwavesRHODES, Greece, July 23 (Reuters) - Thousands of tourists and residents fleeing wildfires on the Greek island of Rhodes took refuge in schools and shelters on Sunday, with many evacuated on private boats from beaches as flames threatened resorts and coastal villages.Thousands spent the night on beaches and streets.Tour operators Jet2, TUI and Correndon cancelled flights leaving for Rhodes, which lies southeast of mainland Greece and is famous for its beaches and historic sites. The fire left trees black and skeletal. Dead animals lay in the road near burnt-out cars.The fire brigade said 19,000 people were moved from homes and hotels, calling it the biggest safe transport of residents and tourists Greece has carried out.British holidaymaker Chris Freestone said TUI had not put on enough coaches for the 800 peopl...

Napa Valley restaurant added to Michelin Guide

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:43 GMT

(KRON) -- The Michelin Guide awarded new stars to some Bay Area eateries this month, adding some extra sparkle to several local restaurants Glen Park gas leaks prompts resident evacuations One restaurant knows what it's like to bask in the glow of the Michelin star. Executive Chef of Press restaurant in Napa Valley, Phil Tessier, joined KRON4 anchor Ella Sogomonian to share more.

Mind over matter: How meditation can lower your blood pressure

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:43 GMT

Meditation and its numerous health benefits have been known for millennia, but a new set of studies explains how meditation can help people lower their blood pressure using only their mind.Nearly half of all American adults suffer from hypertension or high blood pressure — a condition that doubles a person’s chance of having a stroke. Pharmaceutical and physical solutions can reduce blood pressure, but so can 10 to 20 minutes of sustained meditation, according to Dr. Herbert Benson, director emeritus of the Harvard-affiliated Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine.According to Benson, meditation, the quieting of the mind, can produce a “relaxation response” that triggers a lowering in blood pressure, just as stress can result in a “fight-or-flight response” that triggers an increase in blood pressure.Studies have shown that self-induced quieting of brain activity can cause increased levels of nitric oxide, a molecule that relaxes and widens blood...

Spencer Torkelson and Andy Ibañez homer as Detroit Tigers beat San Diego Padres 3-1

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:43 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — Spencer Torkelson and Andy Ibañez homered, and the Detroit Tigers beat the San Diego Padres 3-1 on Sunday to avoid a weekend sweep.Alex Faedo (2-4), who entered with a 6.98 ERA, pitched six shutout innings for Detroit. The right-hander allowed one hit and walked four.“That lineup has guys one through nine who can not only put the ball out of the park but put it in the gap and do everything with the stick,” Faedo said. “You have to stay out of the middle of the plate, so that was kind of my approach.”Tigers manager A.J. Hinch was impressed by his young starter’s poise against one of baseball’s most dangerous lineups.“We asked a lot from him today and he delivered,” he said. “He’s seen the damage the last couple of days and he knows the names in that lineup. He stayed locked in, even after a couple of misfires, and got some big outs.”Beau Brieske and Jason Foley each worked an inning before Alex Lange pitched a rainy ninth for his 17th save. With runners on ...

Rahm, Day and others fail to put pressure on Harman in damp finale at British Open

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:31:43 GMT

HOYLAKE, England (AP) — Jon Rahm was so eager to begin chasing down Brian Harman in the final round of the British Open that he was putting his tee in the ground on No. 1 when the starter said: “On the tee, Viktor Hovland.”Rahm stepped aside and waited his turn, but he was on a mission at Royal Liverpool on Sunday. And after five holes — amid cries of “Do it for Seve!” and “Vamos, Rahmbo!” from spectators — the Spaniard’s deficit to the leader had been trimmed from six shots overnight to three.It was the closest he, or anyone else, would get all day.No player in a long and varied list of potential threats to Harman — ranging from major champions (Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Jason Day) to a local favorite (Tommy Fleetwood) to up-and-coming talents (Tom Kim) — could mount any sort of sustained challenge to the American left-hander on a wet and miserable afternoon on the Hoylake links.Harman started his round on 12-under par and finished it on 13 under. None of the chasers made it to 9 under.“...