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Utah bans 13 books in public schools statewide, including Judy Blume and Margaret Atwood titles
Utah placed a blanket ban on at least 13 books in schools, including works by Sarah J. Maas, Judy Blume, Rupi Kaur, Margaret Atwood and other authors, in what free speech advocates say is the first state book ban. The Utah State Board of Education put together a list of titles that have met the statewide threshold for removal based on a newly enforced law. H.B. 29, signed by Gov. Spencer Cox in March, requires all schools to remove a book if school officials from at least three school districts or at least two school districts and five charter schools have determined that a book constitutes "objective sensitive material." "Objective sensitive material" is defined under the law as an instructional material that constitutes pornographic or indecent material, which is further defined in Utah law as depicting or describing sex or nudity while also lacking "serious value" for minors.
New Instagram filter will help keep Jackson Hole visitors from getting too close to wildlife
A new Instagram filter will allow Jackson Hole visitors to interact with nature while keeping a safe distance from wildlife. Every summer season, when school is out and the weather is warm enough to explore preserved land around the country, images circulate of people attempting to get too close to wildlife, often to snap a picture with the unsuspecting animal. The occurrence is so prevalent that in 2023, Yellowstone National Park issued a message to tourists who spot wild animals: "Leave it alone and give it space." Tourism experts are now getting creative in finding ways to encourage visitors to keep their distance from wildlife, even docile-seeming giants like bison.
Perseid meteor shower is about to peak: Here's how to see it
The next great sky show is coming late Sunday evening, and it is forecast to be one of the most awe-inspiring shooting star displays of 2024. Appearing annually between late July and mid-August, the Perseid meteor shower is expected to reach its peak on the evening of Sunday, Aug. 11, and before dawn on Monday, Aug. 12, according to NASA. Marking one of the most plentiful meteor showers in the Northern Hemisphere, the Perseids showcase approximately 50 to 100 meteors per hour, NASA reports. In addition to the plentiful showcase, the Perseids -- which get their name from the constellation Perseus -- are famous for bringing fireballs, bright colors and long meteor tails to the night sky.
Trans woman fired by Liberty University speaks out
A trans woman fired by Liberty University last year is speaking to ABC News about the recently filed lawsuit alleging the university let her go for being transgender. Ellenor Zinski was hired by the university to work at its IT Helpdesk in 2023. According to the complaint, her performance was assessed as above average within a few months, and she was told she was “on the path to success” by a supervisor. She told ABC News she didn’t talk openly about her identity at work. She was raised in the Christian denomination that most aligns with Liberty University, and said she had hesitations about how open she could be in the workplace. “There was office talk that would kind of bring me down, and I knew I couldn't say anything out loud, but I was able to make some friends,” said Zinski. “There were some people that I did feel comfortable coming out to in private, but in public, while I was working, I was just there to work, and I was not going to try and express my identity at all.”
Suspected serial killer charged in 1977 cold case murders of 3 young women: Authorities
A suspected serial killer already in custody in North Carolina for a cold case murder has been charged in the slayings of three women who were strangled to death in 1977 in California, authorities said. Kimberly Carol Fritz, 18, was killed in May 1977; Velvet Ann Sanchez, 31, was strangled to death in September 1977; and Lorraine Ann Rodriguez, 21, was killed three months later in December, according to authorities in Ventura County, California. The victims were all sex workers who frequented local hotels, authorities said. Police immediately believed the strangulations were linked, but the cases went cold, Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said at a news conference Thursday.
Woman dies after getting caught in baggage carousel at Chicago O'Hare
A woman died Thursday morning at Chicago O'Hare International Airport after getting caught in a baggage carousel, officials told ABC News. The woman, who has not yet been publicly identified, was 57, according to the Chicago Police Department. The woman was a member of the public and not a worker at the airport, according to a spokesperson for the Department of Labor. Emergency responders were called to Terminal 5 at about 7:45 a.m. Thursday following reports of a woman "pinned in machinery," the Chicago Fire Department said.
Personal finances, net worth of Walz and Vance show stark differences
The major party vice presidential nominees -- Democrat Tim Walz and Republican JD Vance -- sharply disagree on a range of issues. The differences in their personal finances are just as stark. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a former teacher and member of the U.S. House of Representatives, earns about $127,000 in salary per year, retains no stock holdings and relies on a pension account as his primary asset, financial disclosures show. By contrast, Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, a former venture capitalist, brought in roughly $221,000 in 2022 from salary and book royalties, as well as hundreds of thousands in investment income, a U.S. Senate financial disclosure showed. He also held significant wealth in brokerage accounts and dozens of business investments, according to the financial disclosure. Here's what to know about the personal finances of Walz and Vance:
Athlete drowns during CrossFit Games in Texas
An athlete drowned during a swimming event at a CrossFit competition in Texas on Thursday, the organization said. The death occurred on the first day of the CrossFit Games, being held in Fort Worth through Sunday. The events have been canceled for the rest of the day, CrossFit said. Lazar Dukic, 28, of Serbia, was identified as the deceased swimmer, according to the Tarrant County medical examiner. CrossFit CEO Don Faul said during a press briefing he is "gutted" by the death of Dukic.
2 wanted for allegedly stealing human remains from New Orleans apartment
Police in New Orleans are seeking two people accused of stealing human remains from an apartment. The suspects allegedly stole "a bicycle and of a package containing the remains of a deceased person" from the apartment on July 26, according to the New Orleans Police Department. They then fled the scene, police said. Though the incident happened in July, police released information on the case Thursday. Police shared photos and are asking for the public's assistance in identifying and locating the two suspects.
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