National grocery store chain Kroger settles with two former employees in discrimination case
A grocery store chain has settled a case involving religious discrimination. National grocery store chain Kroger has agreed on a settlement involving two former employees. The grocery store chain introduced employee aprons with an LGBT pride flag logo as part of a campaign in support of the LGBT community. The two employees, Trudy Rickerd, and Brenda Lawson each refused to wear the apron citing their Christian beliefs. One of the women even offered to buy a new apron on her own to prevent the company from spending more money according to court documents. Both women, who worked at a Kroger near Little Rock, Arkansas were fired from the company in 2019 following the incident. The case was eventually taken to court by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Kroger claims the incident was not religious discrimination because the rainbow logo did not possess all the LGBT pride flag colors. A judge ruled in favor of the women awarding them 180-thousand dollars, which the company has agreed to pay. Kroger will also create a religious accommodation policy for employees and religious discrimination training for its store managers.
SNBC NEWS UPDATE: Allen family sues after daughter suspended over trans student in locker room
The family of a student in Vermont has now sued school officials following an incident that made national headlines. The family of Blake Allen has sued after the student and her father were suspended for objecting to a male student being allowed in the girl’s locker room. The student who has not been identified, is a biological male that identifies as female, according to school officials. The student was allowed to participate on the girls’ volleyball team at Randolph Union High School and use the girl’s locker room. Students including Blake Allen complained saying the male student was watching the girls undress and making inappropriate comments. Allen led the attempts to have the student removed, later complaining to the school officials. Following an investigation Blake Allen was suspended and required to take part in pro-LGBT training to accommodate the student’s identity according to school officials. Allen’s father who is a soccer middle school coach was later suspended for the rest of the season without pay for making comments online about the incident and referring to the student in question as a male. The Allen family is being represented by Alliance Defending Freedom. A senior counsel member for the organization called the suspensions a violation of the Blake and Travis Allen’s free speech rights. Since the lawsuit was filed, Blake Allen has been allowed to return to school with no disciplinary requirements, her father Coach Travis Allen is still suspended. SNBC NEWS will continue to update you on this story as it develops.
Charges against pastor in Canada
A pastor in Canada has been acquitted of all charges related to COVID mandate violations. Pastor Tim Stephens was arrested twice for violating covid mandate restrictions in Alberta, Canada in 2021. Officials claim Stephens violated public health orders and even went as far as tracking down the pastor with a police helicopter to locate where he was holding outdoor services. Officials later arrested and charged Stephens with civil disobedience. The Provincial Court of Alberta announced the last two charges against the pastor would be erased and Alberta’s top official says she will issue pardons to Stephens and other citizens in the area that were punished or arrested for covid mandate violations. Several pastors in Canada, including Pastor Tim Stephens were arrested and had their churches closed for violating covid mandate restrictions. The Canadian government has continued to defend the arrests claiming the pastors were in violation of emergency laws designed to protect Canadian citizens.
SNBC HEALTH Report: the health benefits of quercetin
This nutrient is a pigment that adds color to fruits and vegetables. It can be found in various foods and provides health benefits to the body in several ways. It is described by nutritionists as an antioxidant flavanol and is found in several foods naturally. This nutrient fights against inflammation and is considered a natural antihistamine. It is known to treat cold and flu symptoms and helps fight against heart disease. Quercetin is an antiviral and helps prevent viruses from infecting cells and boosts immunity.
It promotes brain health, and fights against cancer. This nutrient can be found in kale, cherry tomatoes, onions, broccoli, blueberries, and apples.