News

YEAR IN REVIEW: Data centers dominate Fredericksburg-area news in 2023

Friday, December 29th, 2023

via Fredericksburg.com (Virginia)

The Free Lance–Star staff recaps the top headlines and stories of the year.

Book Bans

More than 300 new laws take effect Jan. 1 in Illinois. Here’s a look at some of them

Thursday, December 28th, 2023

via Daily Herald (Illinois)

More than 300 new laws will take effect in Illinois on Jan. 1, ranging from a ban on book bans to the regulation of 'deepfake porn' and prohibitions on videoconferencing while driving. Thanks to a...

Book Bans

Letters: Campaign calls

Thursday, December 28th, 2023

via Orlando Sentinel (Florida)

As another election season rolls around, one letter-writer wants fewer calls and robocalls from candidates seeking your vote.

Book Bans

This Arlington librarian is pushing back against book bans

Wednesday, December 27th, 2023

via The Washington Post (Virginia)

Library directors typically aren't on the front lines of testy national debates, but with the backing of the county board, Diane Kresh is fighting against book bans.

Book Bans

Here’s your guide on what Whitmer and the Democratic-led Legislature got done in 2023 ⋆ Michigan Advance

Tuesday, December 26th, 2023

via Michigan Advance (Michigan)

Session may have ended before Michiganders sat down for Thanksgiving dinner, but the first Democratic-controlled Legislature in four decades did tick off a number of boxes on the party's wish list in…

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Here are 50 new Illinois laws hitting the books in 2024

Sunday, December 24th, 2023

via NBC Chicago (Illinois)

According to a search of the Illinois General Assembly's website, at least 318 laws have an effective date of Jan. 1, but of those, which ones could have the biggest impacts on the lives of state…

Book Bans

Rirkrit Tiravanija: Can Pad Thai Diplomacy Change the World?

Thursday, December 21st, 2023

via The New York Times

The artist's midcareer survey at MoMA PS1 demonstrates the impotence of contemporary art to heal social ills.

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Steve Garvey starts campaigning for U.S. Senate, sort of

Thursday, December 21st, 2023

via CalMatters (California)

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Steve Garvey hit the campaign trail this week, but not many reporters were invited to watch.

Book Bans

Students, staff and Gov. Maura Healy express grief, disapproval after police searched a Great Barrington classroom for ‘Gender Queer’ book

Tuesday, December 19th, 2023

via The Berkshire Eagle (Massachusetts)

The search by police for the book "Gender Queer" has outraged the school community. Some students feel the pain, and talked about it at a demonstration against censorship at Monument

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New Illinois laws roundup: What you need to know in 2024

Monday, December 18th, 2023

via NBC Chicago (Illinois)

While the new year offers feelings of renewal and an excuse to gather with loved ones and friends, it also means that a slew of new laws will hit the books in Illinois.

Book Bans

CA health care patients punished by paperwork

Monday, December 18th, 2023

via CalMatters (California)

Medi-Cal patients lose coverage due to paperwork, private colleges tackle nursing shortage, Newsom scolds counties on mental health.

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Chaos, Injustice and Joy: This Year’s College Essays About Money

Saturday, December 16th, 2023

via The New York Times (Tennessee)

Each year, we ask teenagers to send us their application essays about work, money or social class. Here are four, from California to Cambodia.

Book Bans

New Illinois laws 2024: Full list of laws taking effect Jan. 1

Friday, December 15th, 2023

via ABC 7 Chicago (Illinois)

With the start of the New Year always comes a new set of laws to obey. Read a complete list here, and see the top new Illinois laws for 2024.

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Lexington school district considers restricting who can request book bans, other measures

Wednesday, December 13th, 2023

via The Post and Courier (South Carolina)

Lexington One will reconsider its policy on complaints against instructional materials, including books, early next year.

Book Bans

Here are 64 new Illinois laws hitting the books in 2024

Tuesday, December 12th, 2023

via NBC Chicago (Illinois)

According to a search of the Illinois General Assembly's website, at least 318 laws have an effective date of Jan. 1, but of those, which ones could have the biggest impacts on the lives of state…

Book Bans

Good Company: Nicole Sullivan and Her Indie Book Empire

Tuesday, December 12th, 2023

via ColoradoBiz Magazine (Colorado)

Nicole Sullivan, founder of BookBar Press and owner of The Bookies, talks complexities of book banning and free speech in the publishing industry.

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I’ve Never Watched Anything as Transformative as ‘Sailor Moon’

Tuesday, December 12th, 2023

via The New York Times (California)

The show is about friendship, yes, and also liberation that does not match the world's expectations of femininity.

Book Bans

‘Tens of thousands down the drain’: CT officials aim for first-in-the-nation action to address eBook costs

Saturday, December 9th, 2023

via Hartford Courant (Connecticut)

Connecticut libraries spend millions of taxpayer dollars a year leasing audio and eBooks for digital collections. Librarians want that changed.

Book Bans

CT librarians looking for lawmaker help as they face harassment tied to book bans

Wednesday, December 6th, 2023

via Stamford Advocate (Connecticut)

Connecticut librarians on Tuesday warned state lawmakers of the increasing attempts to...

Book Bans