Parents protest explicit content in books at school library
Parents are speaking out after a controversial book was allowed in an elementary school library. According to reports, parents of students at Cobbles Elementary School in New York say children as young as five were allowed access to a Pro-LGBT book. The book featured nudity, and sexually explicit images. The book, entitled Rainbow Parade, is about a young girl who attends an LGBT pride parade. The book was the subject of a heated school board meeting, where parents voiced their anger and concerns over explicit content being available to children as young as 5. The School Board claims they are open to hearing the parents’ concerns; however, the board was not open to the parents’ objections until protests erupted at the School Board meeting. The Board now claims they are open to removing the book but insist that the process be carried out according to district protocol.
Florida celebrates lives of babies saved
Officials in the state of Florida are celebrating life in a recent announcement. According to the Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration, the lives of thousands of babies have been saved through the Heartbeat Law. State officials passed the Heartbeat Protection Act in 2023. Since it was signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, the law has saved the lives of more than 23,000 babies. The law specifies that an abortion cannot be performed after a heartbeat is detected (between six and eight weeks of gestation). Pro-abortion groups sued to have the law overturned, but the Florida State Supreme Court ruled in favor of the law last year. Supporters have the praised the law and its continued success in saving the lives of the unborn. Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America, praised God on social media saying the law gives babies a chance at life.
Actress announces playing role of Jesus
Controversy from Hollywood as a female star made a recent announcement. Broadway and film actress Cynthia Erivo has announced on social media that she will be playing Jesus in a live production of Jesus Christ Superstar. The controversial play has long been lauded by conservatives and Christians for its portrayal of Jesus and other figures in the Bible. Erivo, who lives an openly alternative lifestyle and recently starred in the film Wicked, expressed her excitement about the role on social media. The play depicts Jesus as having anxiety about his role as the Savior and alludes to a relationship with Mary Magdalene. The play also depicts Judas in a sympathetic light. Critics are calling the play blasphemous and an outright mockery of Christ. The play is scheduled to premier this summer at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.
SNBC Health Report: How Socializing is Linked to Good Health
A recent study has revealed that on average, we speak 3,000 fewer words each day compared to the year 2005. Between 2005 and 2018, researchers from the University of Arizona found that the average number of spoken words fell from 16,000 to around 13,000. According to Study Finds, they also discovered that women talk much more than men in one age category only, between the ages of 25 to 64 years, with women speaking almost 3,000 more words than men. In all other age categories, the genders were almost equally vocal. The study, conducted by leading linguists and communication experts, analyzed the daily word usage of a diverse sample of individuals over the past two decades. Their findings indicate a significant reduction in verbal communication, which they attribute to the increasing digital communication methods, such as texting and social media. Additionally, the study highlights changes in work environments, where remote and hybrid working models have reduced face-to-face interactions. The authors of the study pointed out that less talk means less socializing, a factor linked to overall health and well-being. “The evidence is very strong that socializing is linked to health, said senior author Matthias Mehl, a professor of psychology at the University of Arizona, at least to the same extent as physical activity and sleep are. It’s just another health behavior.”