Texas court expands protections for families with trans kids

A Texas judge expanded an injunction on Friday to block state officials from investigating families with trans children that belong to PFLAG National, an LGBTQ advocacy group, the ACLU announced. The big picture: The decision expands on a district court's previous injunction to protect some families that are part of PFLAG, which has sued to block state investigations against them for supporting gender-affirming care.PFLAG claims more than 600 members in Texas, per the Texas Tribune. Catch up fast: In May, the Texas Supreme Court said that state agencies could but were not required to continue conducting child abuse investigations against the parents of trans children, Axios' Oriana Gonzalez reports.
— (Axios) (September 16)   (Pocket)

The Megastate G.O.P. Rivalry Between Abbott and DeSantis

Publicly, Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas has not criticized the migrant flights from his state by Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida. Privately, the Florida governor’s stunt stung the Texas governor’s team.
— (New York Times) (September 25)   (Pocket)

Kushner critiques DeSantis migrant flights: 'These are human beings'

Earlier this month, DeSantis sent two planes full of migrants to the upper crust left-wing stronghold, prompting outrage from Democratic politicians. They were promptly ferried to a nearby military base. Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and Arizona Republican Gov. Doug Ducey have also transported migrants to Democratic cities, a ploy which has seen even Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell line up in support.
— (Just the News) (September 22)   (Pocket)

Texas judge blocks abuse investigations into families of transgender kids - USA TODAY

Judge Amy Clark Meachum's order is the latest in a lawsuit by LGBTQ advocates against Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and the state's child welfare agency to halt current and future child-abuse probes for children who have received gender- affirming medical care.
— (USA Today) (September 18)   (Pocket)

Court Rules Against Social Media Companies In Free Speech Censorship Fight

The decision by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans (pdf), handed down on Sept. 16, upholds the constitutionality of a Texas law signed by Gov. Greg Abbott last year and delivers a victory to Republicans in their fight against big tech censorship of conservative viewpoints.
— (ZeroHedge Opinion) (September 17)   (Pocket)

Editorial: Border crisis not just a Texas problem - Boston Herald

“The Biden-Harris administration continues ignoring and denying the historic crisis at our southern border, which has endangered and overwhelmed Texas communities for almost two years,” said Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who has sent over 10,000 migrants to Washington, D.C., New York City and Chicago since the spring.
— (Boston Herald) (September 16)   (Pocket)

2 busloads of migrants dropped off near VP Harris' residence

It wasn't immediately clear which Republican leader had sent them. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has been busing migrants out of Texas to cities with Democratic mayors as part of a political strategy this year because he claims there are too many arrivals over the border to his state. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey also has adopted this policy, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also got in on the act recently. It was first dreamed up by former President Donald Trump.
— (The Independent) (September 15)   (Pocket)

Florida governor declares emergency as Tropical Storm Ian approaches

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Saturday declared a state of emergency for Florida as Tropical Storm Ian gathers strength over the Caribbean and is expected to bring heavy rains and intense hurricane winds to the state next week.
— (PBS) (September 24)   (Pocket)

The Megastate G.O.P. Rivalry Between Abbott and DeSantis

Publicly, Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas has not criticized the migrant flights from his state by Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida. Privately, the Florida governor’s stunt stung the Texas governor’s team.
— (New York Times) (September 25)   (Pocket)

DeSantis grabs hold of immigration debate but leaves Florida GOP open to attacks

Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar addresses the media during a round table discussion coordinated by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, with South Florida Officials and Cuban representatives at American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora in Miami, Florida, on Tuesday, July 13, 2021.
— (Miami Herald) (September 22)   (Pocket)

Search interest in abortion falls as the border rises

Note: Data not available from Aug. 8 to Sept. 4, 2022; Data: Google Trends; Chart: Jacque Schrag and Will Chase/AxiosAmericans' Google searches and story interactions around crime and immigration are eclipsing abortion and the FBI search of Mar-a-Lago, according to the Axios midterms dashboard powered by Google Trends, as well as new data from NewsWhip.Why it matters: With elections seven weeks away, some topics more likely to favor Democrats have been losing ground to those that may favor Republicans.The big picture: Democrats have been laser focused on abortion as a winning issue, but the new data shows a waning interest nationally after the initial surge that followed the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade.
— (Axios) (September 22)   (Pocket)

The Republican party's cruel migrant stunts have very deep roots

An image of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is overlaid with the words 'don't attack our democracy' at a rally to denounce the governor's immigration policies on Sept. 20, 2022, in Doral, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) The Republican governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, is facing a criminal investigation for sending two planes full of Latin American asylum-seekers to Martha’s Vineyard, a wealthy Massachusetts island where former president Barack Obama owns a home. Not to be outdone, his Republican counterpart in Texas, Greg Abbott, also dispatched two busloads of mostly Venezuelan migrants, including a one-month old baby, to the Washington, D.C.
— (The Conversation) (September 21)   (Pocket)

False promises, a legal investigation and a mystery woman: Unanswered questions about Ron DeSantis's migrant flights

So much remains unclear about the governor’s plan, including how Florida funds are paying for it, who is working with the state to put migrants on planes, and what will happen next to migrants and their families seeking asylum in the US, Alex Woodward reports
— (The Independent) (September 20)   (Pocket)

Martha's Vineyard migrants file class-action lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis

Some of the illegal immigrants Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis flew to Martha's Vineyard filed a class-action lawsuit Tuesday against the Republican governor, saying he bamboozled them into making the trip.
— (Washington Times) (September 20)   (Pocket)

@OccupyDemocrats: BREAKING NEWS: Miami Democratic lawmaker announces that he is filing a massive lawsuit against Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis for illegally using taxpayer money to fly asylum seekers to blue states, accuses DeSantis of “breaking the law.” RT IF YOU SUPPORT THIS LAWSUIT!

Rihanna Will Perform At Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show

Just over four months ahead of Super Bowl LVII, nine-time Grammy Award winner Rihanna has been announced as the Super Bowl halftime show performer. The announcement comes after rumors circulated earlier in the week that Taylor Swift would be tabbed to headline the event.
— (Sports Illustrated) (September 25)   (Pocket)

Rihanna to headline the next Super Bowl halftime show

Rihanna, known off stage as Robyn Rihanna Fenty, previously declined an offer to perform at the 2020 Super Bowl halftime show in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick, who has been unsigned by any American football team since his on-pitch protests against racial injustice in 2016.
— (The Independent) (September 25)   (Pocket)

Rihanna to perform at Super Bowl halftime show, NFL announces

Jay-Z, founder of Roc Nation, said: “Rihanna is a generational talent, a woman of humble beginnings who has surpassed expectations at every turn. A person born on the small island of Barbados who became one of the most prominent artists ever. Self-made in business and entertainment.”
— (Weekly Standard) (September 25)   (Pocket)

Rihanna to Perform in 2023 Super Bowl Halftime Show - CNET

Steven Musil is the night news editor at CNET News. He's been hooked on tech since learning BASIC in the late '70s. When not cleaning up after his daughter and son, Steven can be found pedaling around the San Francisco Bay Area. Before joining CNET in 2000, Steven spent 10 years at various Bay Area newspapers.
— (CNET) (September 25)   (Pocket)

Rihanna will take center stage at the Super Bowl halftime show

The singer, who declined to perform in the 2019 Super Bowl halftime show out of solidarity with Colin Kaepernick, will headline the 2023 Super Bowl, the NFL announced Sunday along with Jay-Z's Roc Nation and Apple Music. Rihanna posted an image on Instagram of an arm outstretched holding an NFL football.
— (NPR) (September 25)   (Pocket)

Taylor Swift Turns Down Offer to Play 2023 Super Bowl Halftime Show - Pitchfork

Taylor Swift Turns Down Offer to Play 2023 Super Bowl Halftime ShowPitchfork2023 Super Bowl Halftime Performer Has Reportedly Been RevealedmsnNOWTaylor Swift Turned Down Super Bowl Offer, Won't Headline Til Albums Are RerecordedTMZTaylor Swift Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show Speculation Begins To GrowAccessStreaming music's renaissanceAxiosView
— (Pitchfork) (September 24)   (Pocket)

@AdamSchefter: NFL is announcing Apple Music as the new partner for the Super Bowl Halftime Show. “We are proud to welcome Apple Music to the NFL family as our new partner for the iconic Super Bowl Halftime Show," said Nana-Yaw Asamoah, SVP of Partner Strategy for the NFL.

U.K. plan to scrap banker bonus cap comes under spotlight amid cost-of-living crisis

New Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng believes the change would make London more attractive, according to two people familiar with the matter. The discussions are still ongoing about the details, the people said, although an announcement could come as soon as next week, one of them added.
— (Fortune) (September 15)   (Pocket)

Festival of Thrift: Celebration of frugality booms as cost of living crisis bites

Highlights included the usual festival staples (music, theatre and beer at £5 a pint) combined with rather more niche attractions: the swap shop tent, make-do-and-mend workshops, budgeting talks and classes on how, for example, to turn waste cardboard into new interior decorations. This, indeed, might be the world’s only festival where a session on how to make your own cheap washing-up liquid was standing room only.
— (The Independent) (September 25)   (Pocket)

You've heard of the cost-of-living crisis, now get ready for the cost-of-working crisis

As employers herd staff back to the office with few perks, workers are concerned about what it'll cost them We all must have experienced the deepening cost-of-living crisis first hand by now. But according to new research, there is a cost-of-working crisis too as employers insist staff return to the office.…
— (The Register) (September 22)   (Pocket)

Biden and the big government socialists' cost-of-living crisis

Last week, economist Steve Moore, in his invaluable Unleash Prosperity Hotline, reported that Biden’s Big Government Socialist program had dropped real earnings by $3,000 for the average American in less than two years (with even more cuts to real income coming down the road). For 17 consecutive months under Mr. Biden, the cost of living has risen faster than wages.
— (Washington Times) (September 20)   (Pocket)

Breaking Down UK's 'Cost Of Living' Crisis

Breaking Down UK's 'Cost Of Living' Crisis It’s becoming increasingly difficult to reach the minimum standard of living in theUnited Kingdom. As Statista's Anna Fleck details in the chart below, using data from theJoseph Rowntree Foundation, the amount you need to live a basic lifestyle has gone up by around 20 percent for all selected groups and by nearly 27 percent for a single working adult. You will find more infographics at Statista According to the report, a single working adult needs to earn at least £25,000 a year to reach a minimum acceptablestandard of livingin 2022, while a couple with two children needs to earn £43,400 between them.
— (ZeroHedge Opinion) (September 17)   (Pocket)

Listeria: how the cost of living crisis could increase the risk of food poisoning

More than half the people in the UK say that their health has been negatively affected by the rising cost of living, according to a YouGov poll. Rising energy and food prices can certainly harm people’s health in many ways – but there’s one way that hasn’t been much discussed. As a food-safety expert, my concern is that it might increase rates of a particularly deadly food poisoning called listeriosis. Listeriosis is food poisoning caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. Symptoms might begin a few days after a person has eaten contaminated food, but it can take 30 days or more before the first symptoms appear.
— (The Conversation) (September 13)   (Pocket)

Yellow vests: Hundreds arrested in Paris following protests over cost of living crisis

In 2018, the “yellow vest” movement came together in a bid to end the fuel tax hike. The wish list swiftly mushroomed - most of the demands focus on social justice including lower taxes on workers and pensioners, higher taxes on the rich and more public spending to help the working class.
— (Weekly Standard) (September 12)   (Pocket)

@GoodLawProject: From taxpayers allegedly footing Johnson's legal bills, to the cost of living crisis - here’s what we’ve been working on this week 👀

Migrants sue Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis over Martha's Vineyard flights

Venezuelan migrants flown from San Antonio to the upscale Massachusetts island of Martha's Vineyard have sued Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and his transportation secretary for engaging in a "fraudulent and discriminatory scheme" to relocate them.
— (PBS) (September 20)   (Pocket)

Mysteries, legal peril follow DeSantis's migrant flight - The Washington Post

Mysteries, legal peril follow DeSantis's migrant flightThe Washington PostWhere Republican governors DeSantis, Abbott and Ducey are transporting migrants across the United StatesAxiosImmigration Gives Greg Abbott Lead Over Beto O'Rourke in Texas: PollNewsweekGREG GUTFELD: Hispanics support migrant flights to sanctuary citiesFox NewsLook beyond the Abbott, DeSantis stunts: The border crisis is real, and it’s good for no oneFort Worth Star-Telegram
— (Washington Post) (September 25)   (Pocket)

Kushner critiques DeSantis migrant flights: 'These are human beings'

Earlier this month, DeSantis sent two planes full of migrants to the upper crust left-wing stronghold, prompting outrage from Democratic politicians. They were promptly ferried to a nearby military base. Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and Arizona Republican Gov. Doug Ducey have also transported migrants to Democratic cities, a ploy which has seen even Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell line up in support.
— (Just the News) (September 22)   (Pocket)

Migrants sue Florida governor over Martha's Vineyard flights

Venezuelan migrants flown from San Antonio to the upscale Massachusetts island of Martha’s Vineyard have sued Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and his transportation secretary for engaging in a “fraudulent and discriminatory scheme” to relocate them
— (The Independent) (September 20)   (Pocket)

Texas sheriff investigating migrant flights to Martha's Vineyard organized by Florida governor

A Texas sheriff announced Monday evening he's opened a criminal investigation into flights Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) arranged last week that took some 50 Venezuelan migrants to Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. Driving the news: DeSantis insists the flights were voluntary. But the Bexar County sheriff's office said in an emailed statement that it "has opened an investigation into the migrants that were lured from the Migrant Resource Center" in the county, where San Antonio is located. Photo: Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar/TwitterThey were then flown to Florida, "where they were ultimately left to fend for themselves in Martha's Vineyard," according to the statement.The sheriff's office said it was "working with private attorneys who are representing the victims ...
— (Axios) (September 20)   (Pocket)

Texas sheriff investigating Gov. Ron DeSantis' migrant flights to Martha's Vineyard

A Texas sheriff on Monday opened an investigation into two flights of migrants sent to Martha's Vineyard by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, but did not say what laws may have been broken in putting 48 Venezuelans on private planes last week from San Antonio.
— (Washington Times) (September 19)   (Pocket)

Florida, Texas escalate flights, buses to move migrants

EDGARTOWN, Mass. (AP) — Republican governors are escalating their practice of sending migrants without advance warning to Democratic strongholds, including a wealthy summer enclave in Massachusetts and the home of Vice President Kamala Harris, to taunt leaders of immigrant-friendly “sanctuary” cities and highlight their opposition to Biden administration border policies.
— (Boston Herald) (September 15)   (Pocket)

Justin Herbert, Chargers Grapple With Injury Decision, per Report

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reports if Herbert gets a pain-killing injection in order to play, he must sign a waiver that advises him of the risks of the injection. Additionally, Mortensen says the Chargers have been “proactive” with the league and NFLPA in addressing Herbert’s injury.
— (Sports Illustrated) (September 25)   (Pocket)

Justin Herbert may get ultrasound-guided painkilling injection in his ribs - NBC Sports

Justin Herbert may get ultrasound-guided painkilling injection in his ribsNBC SportsChargers' Justin Herbert reportedly mulls injection for rib injuryThe Washington PostJaguars vs. Chargers score: NFL Week 3 live updatesThe Florida Times-UnionJustin Herbert injury: Updates on Chargers QB’s ribs in Week 3SB NationChargers vs. Jaguars updates: Live NFL game scores, results for SundayCBS SportsView
— (NBC Sports) (September 25)   (Pocket)

NFL Week 3 injuries: Justin Herbert questionable with rib issue; George Kittle, Michael Pittman set to return - CBS Sports

NFL Week 3 injuries: Justin Herbert questionable with rib issue; George Kittle, Michael Pittman set to returnCBS Sports2022 Fantasy Football Week 3 Sleepers Heat CheckFantasy Six PackWeekend Waiver Wire Stashes: Week 3 (2022 Fantasy Football)FantasyProsFantasy Football Rankings for Week 3, 2022: Model says start Rashod Bateman, but sit Ezekiel ElliottCBS SportsUpdated Week 3 fantasy football projections, rankings from Draft SharksSporting NewsView
— (CBS Sports) (September 24)   (Pocket)

Fantasy football -- What to do if you have Justin Herbert on your team - ESPN

Justin Herbert is questionable for Sunday's game against the Jaguars with fractured rib cartilage and is at risk of ending a streak of 34 straight starts (seventh in the NFL). With Herbert's status likely to remain unclear until after the 1 p.m. ET games kick off, fantasy football managers probably have plenty of questions. Could backup Chase Daniel be trusted as a replacement for Herbert? How would this affect other Chargers such as Austin Ekeler and Mike Williams? I'll answer all those questions and more to help you ahead of Week 3.
— (ESPN) (September 24)   (Pocket)

Justin Herbert, Chargers QB, has rib cartilage fracture - USA TODAY

Herbert sustained a hard shot from Chiefs defensive end Mike Danna and left the game for one play but returned to action and after the game received additional tests to determine the extent of his injury. It’s unclear what kind of a recovery timeline Herbert can expect.
— (USA Today) (September 16)   (Pocket)