Nativity Scene displayed for 70 years remains in place after complaint
A nativity scene in Arkansas will continue to be on display after a dispute. The mayor and city attorney of Eureka Springs, Arkansas requested a display celebrating the birth Jesus be removed following a complaint. According to the organization that donated the display, the mayor asked for it to be taken down after one resident threatened to sue the city. The man claimed the display violated his religious freedom. Randal Christy, who is associated with the organization countered saying the display is a part of a nationally recognized holiday celebrating the Birth of Jesus and he would not remove it. Christy later criticized the city for folding so quickly after one complaint. Following the controversy being made public, the city has agreed to allow the display. It will be featured in an upcoming Christmas play in the city’s park. The display was donated by a local organization and has been on display in Eureka Springs since 1950 (72 years). Randal Christy wrote on social media following the reversal by the city’s mayor, that he was proud of Mayor Robert Berry for his decision.
Afterschool Satan club request withdrawn in Virginia
A resident has withdrawn an application to host a Satanic after school club in Virginia. The resident, who remains unnamed applied to start an after-school Satan club at BM Williams Primary School in Chesapeake, Virginia. According to school officials the sponsor withdrew the application, following backlash from the community and claimed she was fearful for her family’s safety. The sponsor also cited the recent shooting in the area at a local Wal-Mart as reason to remove the request, to help the community, continue to heal (the shooter in that incident mentioned Satan in his manifesto). Organizers with the Satanic Temple claim they do not promote Satanism, but rather encourage children to explore critical thinking, problem-solving and creative expression. The campaign director for the national after school Satan club organization says they have a new sponsor and plan to continue with efforts to launch the after-school program. Parents in Chesapeake say they will continue to protest the Satanic after school program.
Popular doll company under fire for “woke” messaging to young girls
A popular doll company is refusing to back down after releasing a controversial and divisive book for young girls. The American Girl series has published a book by author Mel Hammond. The book advises young girls to “contact a doctor who may offer medicine to delay your body’s changes giving you more time to think about gender identity.” The book entitled, ‘ A Smart Girls Guide: Body Image’, is 96-page book is marketed to girls ages 10 and older, but some parents claim it is marked to girls as young as 4 years old. The book encourages girls who are confused about their bodies to secretly contact doctors without their parents’ knowledge to receive hormone treatment and counseling about gender identity. Parents are calling for a nationwide boycott of the company’s products. Critics believe hurting the company financially by refusing to purchase products will encourage American Girl executives to stay away from these kinds of topics if it effects their bottom line. Customers have reportedly flooded the company’s website with complaints about the controversial book. The American Girl company claims it is committed to delivering content that leaves readers feeling informed, confident, and positive about themselves. American Girl sells dolls and related products to girls as young as toddlers to 14 years of age. The company has not commented further on the controversy and has continued to refuse to issue an apology concerning the controversy.
SNBC HEALTH Report: A new report reveals certain Hair Products May Increase Risk for Uterine Disease. The use popular hair straightening products may be at increased risk of uterine cancer, according to a study from the National Institutes of Health. The study finds long-standing concerns about the safety of chemicals used in cosmetics and personal care products. The industry, according to reports, is largely unregulated; the U. S. FDA allows ingredients in these products with no testing. Studies found some to these harmful products, being used in skin care, makeup and hair care products, including hair straightening chemicals, such as relaxers.
The study included data from 33,497 U. S. women between the ages of 35 and 74, who took part in the Sister Study - a separate research initiative led by the NIH’s National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. A follow-up study 10 year later found over 300 of participants were diagnosed with uterine cancer. Those who had used hair straightening products in the previous 12 months had a higher rate of uterine cancer than those who had never used such products.
The rate of uterine cancer cases has increased in recent years; cases are particularly aggressive among Black women, according to a 2019 study led by Dr. Megan Clarke, with the National Cancer Institute’s Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics.
Women who used hair straighteners every 5-8 weeks, were 30% more likely to develop breast cancer, compared to 60% of Black women who were more at risk due to increased use of these product.
The study suggests that hair straighteners are particularly dangerous because more chemicals may be absorbed through the skin of the scalp compared to skin on other parts of the body. In addition, heating processes such as flat ironing or blow drying during straightening treatments could release more toxic chemicals into the scalp.
To simply your routine to avoid exposure, researchers suggest making your own personal care products using safe ingredients like coconut oil, mild soap, and essential oils.