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His LGBTQ teen book is one of the most banned in the U.S. Here's why he keeps writing

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:12 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — Writer and illustrator Mike Curato didn't set out to write one of the most-banned books in school libraries (or the most banned, depending which list you're reading). Instead, he says he was just being honest about what it's like being a young LGBTQ person.The Massachusetts-based artist has written several children's books — many starring a polka-dotted elephant named Little Elliot — but older readers may be more familiar with his blockbuster young adult graphic novel "Flamer." Released in 2020, the book, aimed at readers ages 14-18, is a based on Curato's own experiences as a gay Filipino Boy Scout. Memes, jokes about Titan submersible draw criticism over insensitivity "Flamer" has earned rave reviews and won awards for its portrayal of suicidal ideation, which LGBTQ youth are at higher risk of due to societal mistreatment. In "Flamer," fourteen-year-old protagonist Aiden discovers a first male crush — but he also faces severe bullying and alienation at summer camp. ...

Shop on social media the smart way

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:12 GMT

(NerdWallet) - When Ziwei Cong bought some sweatpants that caught her eye during a livestream shopping event on social media, she was disappointed when they arrived and didn’t fit well.“It’s very easy for me to become irrational during these kinds of shopping events,” says the assistant professor of marketing at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. She adds that the hosts can be very persuasive and hook you with limited- time offers to trigger impulse purchases.Social shopping, or purchases made through social media sites that sometimes incorporate livestreaming events with influencers, is booming. Almost half of U.S. consumers (47%) say they’ve made a purchase on social media, and 39% say they have bought that way and would do so again, according to 2022 data in a report released in April by the market intelligence agency Mintel.“Shopping on social media has really taken off more with younger consumers. They’re on their phones more and on social media more often, s...

Person airlifted after falling 15 feet at Pace Bend Park, ATCEMS says

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:12 GMT

SPICEWOOD, Texas (KXAN) -- One person was airlifted via STARFlight after falling approximately 15 feet at Pace Bend Park-Levi Cove in Spicewood, Austin-Travis County EMS said on Twitter.At approximately 1:45 p.m., medics and STARFlight responded to the incident and declared the person a trauma alert, according to Twitter.The patient was transported by the Pedernales Fire Department boat to "the flats" where STARFlight landed and transported the person, who was not identified Saturday, to Dell Seton with potentially serious injuries, medics said.No further information was released, and the incident remained under investigation Saturday.

Slow and steady warmup through the middle of next week

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:12 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The rest of your afternoon is sunny and hot with high temperatures returning to triple digits after a two-day hiatus in the 90s at Austin's Camp Mabry.Today's normal high is 94°A Heat Advisory is in effect today for the entire area. Maximum heat index readings this afternoon will likely rise to between 108° to 115° at many locations. Heat advisory now continues through Sunday eveningThe Heat Advisory has already been extended through at least Sunday evening.High pressure over Mexico continues to be our main weather feature. The high will drift to the northeast, parking over Central Texas Tuesday and Wednesday, which is when we expect this coming week's heat to peak at close to 106º.The heat dome is over Central Texas Tuesday and WednesdayTuesday's record high is 106° set in 2012. Wednesday's record high is 106° set in 2013.Later next week as the high starts to slide to our east we'll notice high temperatures dropping slightly, but still staying in the triple digits ...

Brock Stewart has been a boon to Twins’ bullpen

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:12 GMT

DETROIT — This whole Brock Stewart thing is really working out for the Twins.That isn’t often the case for teams that take a flier on a veteran who has been out of the game, and Stewart hadn’t pitched in a major league game since Sept. 24, 2019, with the Toronto Blue Jays.But Stewart, 31, has been just about lights-out since he joined the big league club on April 25 after signing a two-year, minor-league deal with Minnesota last July.“This could not have played out any better for us,” manager Rocco Baldelli said.After defusing a bases-loaded situation in the sixth inning, and then striking out the side in the seventh of Friday’s 4-1 victory at Detroit, Stewart has fanned 33 batters in 24⅔ innings and has an earned-run average of 0.73.In his past nine appearances, the right-hander is 1-0 with a blown save, three holds, 16 strikeouts, six hits, no walks and a 0.00 earned-run average in 9⅔ innings. His WHIP in 24 appearances is an impressive 1.054.Stewart, 31, has appeared in 46 major-...

SiCM Summer Meals program starting up this week

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:12 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Schenectady Community Ministries (SiCM) will be facilitating their annual Summer Meals program to benefit children in the Schenectady and Scotia areas. The initiative is set to begin on Monday, June 26. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! 2023 marks the 29th year of the initiative, and this summer's program will operate in a "congregate setting", departing from the pandemic-era grab-and-go model. This year, SiCM is preparing to serve lunches at several different sites, supported by volunteers, partnerships with local organizations, and the generosity of donors. “The congregate meals will be a new experience for hundreds of children throughout Schenectady who experienced better and safer access to meals during the pandemic.” said Amaury Tañón-Santos, Executive Director of SiCM. “Partnering with organizations offering summer programs to children and youth throughout Schenectady can ensure that, ...

4 dead in fiery high-speed crash on 5 Freeway in Downey 

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:12 GMT

A crash on the 5 Freeway in Downey claimed the lives of four people early Saturday morning. According to a release from the California Highway Patrol, the single vehicle crash involving a 2018 Dodge Charger happened around 2:30 a.m. on the southbound span of the 5 Freeway south of Lakewood Boulevard. CHP confirmed that the vehicle was on fire when they arrived and that all four occupants of the vehicle were pronounced dead at the scene. "Preliminary information indicates that the driver lost control of the vehicle at a high rate of speed causing the vehicle to collide with a guardrail and the bridge abutment of the Lemoran Avenue pedestrian overcrossing," CHP said in a statement. "The force of the impact caused the vehicle to split in two, subsequently ejecting the two rear passengers onto the right shoulder."The rear end of the car was found approximately 100 feet south of the front end, authorities said. 5-year-old killed, teen hospitalized in South L.A. hit-and-run crash ...

Armed truck driver arrested on multiple weapons, narcotics charges in Pasadena

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:12 GMT

A man who fell asleep with his U-Haul truck stopped in a Pasadena street was arrested when police discovered several weapons, magazines and body armor inside the vehicle. According to a release from the Pasadena Police Department, officers responded to the area of Claremont Street and Wilson Avenue regarding a truck stopped in the street. Upon arriving on the scene, they noticed the truck had been involved in a minor accident. When officers went to contact the driver, they found him asleep in the driver’s seat. “[Officers] woke up the driver and asked him to exit the vehicle,” Pasadena Police said in a statement. “As he exited, officers saw a handgun in the driver’s waistband.” The driver, later identified as 36-year-old Carson resident Marc Oliver David, fled from officers and was apprehended after a brief foot pursuit. Upon detaining David, they discovered a loaded 9mm handgun.  Man stops elderly couple from being robbed in San Gabriel Police searched the U-H...

Saudi Arabia wants tourists. It didn’t expect Christians.

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:12 GMT

HAQL, Saudi Arabia — The caravan of five Toyota Land Cruisers raced across Saudi Arabia’s rocky desert, weaving onto a highway so new it was not on the map. At the cleft of sea that splits the kingdom from Egypt, they stopped on a barren beach. Fifteen tourists spilled out and gathered around Joel Richardson, a Kansas preacher.As the sun dipped below the mountains of the Sinai Peninsula — hazy across the water in Egypt — Richardson asked the group to imagine standing on the other side at the moment of the biblical Exodus, fleeing from Pharaoh’s army with Moses, when the sea ripped in half.He opened a Bible, donned his glasses and began to recite. “Who among the gods is like you, oh Lord?” he said. “Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?”Two Florida retirees, a Colorado pharmacist, an Idaho bookkeeper and an Israeli archaeologist listened intently.These were not the visitors Saudi officials expected when they opened the country’s borders to leisure ...

Human remains found near Oakland Zoo investigated as homicide

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:12 GMT

(KRON) -- Human remains were found near the Oakland Zoo on Friday afternoon, and police are investigating the death as a homicide, the Oakland Police Department confirmed to KRON4. Suspect in custody after death of Oakland baker Just before 1:15 p.m. a person notified OPD that they found human remains in the 9700 block of Golf Links Road. When officers arrived at the scene, they found a dead victim, OPD said. Investigators with the Homicide Section arrived at the scene to conduct a follow-up investigation. Anyone with information is asked to reach out to the OPD Criminal Investigations Division at 510-238-3821 or the Tip Line at 510-238-7950.