California passes controversial law
A state congressman in California is at the center of a controversial bill recently passed in the state. State Senator Scott Wiener has authored a bill that will allow judges to rule according to their discretion in cases of child molestation. The bill approved in both state chambers means a judge can decide if an adult accused of a molesting a child within ten years of the victims age may not be charged with a crime. Senator Wiener claims a justice should be able to dismiss charges or order a more lenient sentence in these cases. Weiner who is openly gay says the previous laws are out of date and are often used to victimize the LGBT community. The vote for the law was 41-18 in the California State Assembly and 23-10 in the State Senate. The vote is believed to have been mostly along party lines; the state assembly and the state senate are both majority Democratic. The bill is expected to be signed by Governor Gavin Newsome. The new law has caused a rift in Senator Wiener’s own party. California Congresswoman Lorena Gonzalez who is part of the Democratic party with Wiener said in a statement, “I cannot in my mind as a mother understand how sex between a 24-year-old and a 14-year-old could ever be consensual, how it could ever not be a registrable offense.”
School alters gift from local church
A Church’s donation to a school here in North Carolina is making news due to the school district’s controversial decision. Sulphur Springs Baptist Church donated several planners to students at East Alexander Middle School in Alexander County as part of a back-to-school donation drive for students. The church later found out according to parents the planners were altered. Students received the planners with the backs of the notebooks cut off. According to the church’s representative Bible scriptures from the Book Jeremiah and Philippians were removed before the planners given to students. A parent interviewed says the school’s altering of the planner was hurtful. The school district released a statement saying student’s individual rights would have been violated if the planner was presented with the scriptures. The school district went on to say in their statement public school’s role is not to indoctrinate students with religious teachings. The church donated over 600-day planners to the school; only a portion of the altered planners were distributed. SNBC NEWS reached out to Sulphur Springs Baptist Church about the story but did not get a response at our deadline.
US NEWS : Washington, D.C., Mississippi, Ohio, Georgia, and Michigan
The mayor of Washington DC announced a special committee wants several national monuments removed in order to appease protestors. According the mayor the committee has come up with a list of statues and monuments they want removed from the nation’s capital. Among the list recommended for removal: The Jefferson Monument, a statue of Christopher Columbus, Benjamin Franklin and the Washington Monument. Several politicians criticized the mayor saying the monuments and statues belong to the American people and cannot be torn down. The committee used five rules to decide on what statues and monuments should be removed. Among those rules: was the person involved in systematic racism, do they violate current human rights laws or support oppression.
Mississippi: The state is now one step closer to selecting a new state flag. The selection is making news because of the bold design. The flag features the state flower a magnolia and the words “In God We Trust”. The design will be voted on for approval by residents of the state in November. State representatives chose to replace the old state flag which featured the Confederate flag after being urged by several groups in that state.The designer of the new flag says she wanted a state flag that represented all residents of Mississippi.
Various states: US Marshals Service announce rescue of sex trafficking victims
The US Marshals Service has announced the arrests of several members of various human trafficking rings. The Marshals reported major busts in Michigan, Ohio, and Georgia. A total of 81 victims were rescued across the three states. The operations rescued victims some as young as 13 years old who were currently victims of sex trafficking rings. The authorities say they still have a long way to go to find other children missing, but are calling the operations a major success. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children estimates one in six of the over 23-thousand missing children in the U.S. last year are suspected victims of sex trafficking rings.
SNBC HEALTH report : the health benefits of sage
This herb is considered medicinal and has been used in this manner since the times of Ancient Greece and Egypt. The herb which is apart of the mint family is also popular in various recipes. Sage however is more than a great accent for a recipe, it also has several health benefits. The herb is noted by researchers for its high antioxidant properties. According to research from a 2017 study sage was used to help relieve Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers noted the herb’s ability to enhance cognitive activity and protect patients against the disease. Sage helps lower cholesterol and glucose levels according to a 2013 study. It also helps with symptoms related to the common cold. Sage oil is also considered to have health benefits according to researchers. Doctors do advise to know the difference between sage oil and clary sage oil. Clary sage oil is produced from the flowering top of the plant and is considered different from sage oil. Make sure to use instructions when applying essential oils and stop using if it causes an allergic reaction.