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Detroit-area city bans LGBTQ+ pride flags on public property

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:22:54 GMT

HAMTRAMCK, Mich. (AP) — A Detroit-area community has banned LGBTQ+ flags from publicly owned flagpoles after a tense hourslong meeting that raised questions about discrimination, religion and the city’s reputation for welcoming newcomers.In protest, a woman speaking during the public comment portion of the Hamtramck City Council meeting kissed a woman standing next to her Tuesday night.“You guys are welcome,” council member Nayeem Choudhury said. “(But) why do you have to have the flag shown on government property to be represented? You’re already represented. We already know who you are.”Some members of the all-Muslim council said the pride flag clashes with the beliefs of some members of their faith. Businesses and residents aren’t prohibited from displaying a pride flag on their own property.“We want to respect the religious rights of our citizens,” Choudhury said.Hamtramck, population 27,000, is an enclave surrounded by Detroit. More than 40% of residents were born i...

Nunavut judge rules mandatory minimum for sexual crime violates Charter

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:22:54 GMT

IQALUIT, Nunavut — A Nunavut judge has ruled that the mandatory minimum sentence for inviting a person under the age of 16 years to sexual touching violates Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms. A 27-year-old man, referred to as SS in the ruling, pleaded guilty to the offence that carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 90 days.During sentencing, his defence lawyer challenged that minimum as cruel and unusual punishment contrary to the Charter. He instead sought a 90-day conditional sentence, sometimes referred to as house arrest. The Crown, however, opposed the Charter application and argued for a sentence of 120 days in jail followed by one year of probation.In a written decision, Justice Christian Lyons found a 90-day jail sentence was not grossly disproportionate in this particular case. He did, however, find that in some circumstances it “would outrage standards of decency to the extent that reasonable members of the public would find the punishment abhorrent or i...

Man gets 18 years in federal prison for shooting, plan to rid Montana town of LGBTQ residents

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:22:54 GMT

GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) — A southwestern Montana man has been sentenced to 18 years in federal prison after being convicted of a hate crime and firearms charges for threatening a woman with violent, homophobic slurs and shooting at her house with an assault rifle as part of a self-described “mission” to rid a small town of its LGBTQ community.John Russell Howald, 46, was convicted in February and sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Brian Morris in Great Falls for the March 2020 shooting. His indictment in June 2021 was part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s increased enforcement of hate crimes under U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland.“Hate crimes are especially pernicious because they harm targeted individuals and the entire community to which the individual belongs,” Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clark said in a statement to The Associated Press at the time. “No community should live in fear because of who they are, where they are from, or what they believe, an...

More complaints possible after ‘Dances With Wolves’ actor charged in Alberta: police

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:22:54 GMT

TSUUT’INA FIRST NATION — Police in Alberta say they anticipate more complainants will come forward after a former actor and self-described medicine man was charged with sexual exploitation and sexual assault in the province. The Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service announced Tuesday that warrantshave been issuedfor Nathan Chasing Horse, who appeared in the 1990 movie “Dances With Wolves.” He faces nine charges, including sexual exploitation, sexual assault and removing a child from Canada under the age of 16.He has been in jail in Las Vegas since his arrest in January in southern Nevada, where he is charged with 18 felonies, including sexual assault of a minor, child abuse and kidnapping.“At the end of the day, it is important for us to have the warrants on the system so our victims know they’ve been heard,” Tsuut’ina police Sgt. Nancy Farmer said Wednesday. She would not say how many complainants have come forward to police at the First Nation west of Calgary, bu...

Divvy rolls out new e-scooters featuring charging dock locations, turn signals, & more features

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:22:54 GMT

CHICAGO -- The next generation of Divvy scooters have arrived in the Windy City.The Chicago Department of Transportation and Lyft on Wednesday introduced the new Divvy docked scooter program."Over the past year, Divvy stations have proven they are uniquely capable of meeting residents’ preference for scooters while eliminating sidewalk clutter downtown,” said Caroline Samponaro, VP of Transit, Bike and Scooter Policy at Lyft.“Our new scooter is purpose-built for cities like Chicago, incorporating learnings from the previous model to make it more reliable and theft resistant, while keeping safety and the rider experience top of mind.”  Grocery, gas taxes set to rise in Illinois next month The new scooters have several features that improve safety and convenience:Docked scooters at Divvy stations offer a convenient, predictable experience for riders, and a clutter-free sidewalk for pedestrians. New dual handbrakes offer riders more control, while turn signals allow riders to easily ...

Longhorns to renew rivalry with Aggies as SEC releases 2024 football matchups

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:22:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A once-bitter rivalry on the gridiron will be rekindled when the Texas Longhorns bolt for the Southeastern Conference in 2024.On Wednesday, SEC leadership announced the 2024 football opponents and venues for the Longhorns' first season, and they'll play Texas A&M for the first time since 2011. The game will be at Kyle Field in College Station.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersThe Aggies left the Big 12 Conference for the SEC in 2012, and now the longtime adversaries are back together. Texas kicker Justin Tucker cemented himself in the storied rivalry's history with a game-winning field goal as time expired to lift the Longhorns to a 27-25 win on Thanksgiving in College Station before the Aggies moved to the SEC.Each of the 14 teams already in the SEC will play either the Longhorns or Sooners in 2024. Two-time reigning national champion Georgia will co...

Round Rock ISD: More than 1,000 students experiencing homelessness

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:22:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — In the last few months, Round Rock ISD has seen a big increase in the number of students who are experiencing homelessness."We are seeing more and more students," said Desiree Viramontes, Families in Transition coordinator in RRISD.Viramontes helps connect students and families with food, clothes, school supplies and other resources.In November, there were about 700 students experiencing homelessness, but by the end of the school year, that number reached more than 1,000.Jelliah McDaniel just graduated, but while in school she was one of the many students who experienced homelessness."It was very challenging," said McDaniel. More than 700 students experiencing homelessness in Round Rock ISD McDaniel said she grew up in and out of hotels which made going to school a challenge."It's hard because you don't fit in you don't know how to live like a normal kid," said McDaniel.At Round Rock High School there is a portable which houses FIT and all the supplies and donation...

LGBTQ+ friendly West Texas business vandalized following Pride event

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:22:54 GMT

LUBBOCK, Texas -- Wolfforth coffee shop Tumbleweed & Sage Coffeehouse was vandalized, according to owner Destiny Adams.Adams told EverythingLubbock.com an employee arrived at the shop and found the front door was spray painted with the phrase "Say no to LGBT. Protect our kids." "Our employee went in at 8:00 am. And she texted us and was like, 'Hey, I think you'll really need to get to the shop, someone vandalized the [doors],'" Adams said. Adams said Tumbleweed & Sage hosted a family-friendly event on Friday as a way to celebrate Pride Month and protesters were present. She said the group was "yelling obscenities while children were around." EverythingLubbock.com previously reported Tumbleweed & Sage would be selling the business at the end of June due to personal reasons. Adams stressed the sale was not politically or financially motivated. Adams said this incident was a setback in regard to finding a potential buyer and called the situation "ridiculous" and "awful." ...

Former Wild goaltender Niklas Backstrom named Blue Jackets goaltending coach

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:22:54 GMT

After making a name for himself as a franchise goaltender for the Wild more than a decade ago, Niklas Backstrom will now serve as the goaltending coach for the Columbus Blue Jackets.The official announcement from Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen came on Wednesday. Previously, the 45-year-old Backstrom had served as a different goaltending coach within the organization.As a player, Backstrom was a standout overseas before he settled in with the Wild. He finished his NHL career with a 196-144-50 record, a 2.49 goals against average and .914 save percentage across 413 games. Though he spent most of his time with the Wild, he actually finished his NHL playing career with the Calgary Flames.After leaving the NHL for good, the Helsinki, Finland, native returned home, where he continued to play for a few more years. He retired upon the conclusion of the 2018-19 season, wrapping up a professional career than spanned more than 20 years.Related ArticlesMinnesota Wild | ...

The British pop band led by Taylor Swift’s ex Matty Healy will headline Target Center in October

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:22:54 GMT

The 1975 — the British pop band led by Taylor Swift’s recent fling Matty Healy — will play their biggest local show to date when they headline Target Center in downtown Minneapolis on Oct. 26.Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. June 23 through Axs, the same day Taylor plays the first of two nights at U.S. Bank Stadium. Neither the promoter nor the venue announced ticket prices.Healy and his bandmates first performed together while they were teenagers, with Healy citing Talking Heads, My Bloody Valentine, Ride and Michael Jackson as musical influences. The band’s 2013 self-titled debut topped the charts in England and went platinum in the States.Each one of the 1975’s subsequent five albums hit No. 1 in England and the Top 10 here. Their biggest hits include “Chocolate,” “Love Me,” “Somebody Else,” “Love It If We Made It,” “It’s Not Living (If It’s Not with You)” and “If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know).”The 1975 is known for heavy touring and th...