#MAGFAB: Zoe Saldana for Vogue Thailand - October 2023
Nice!
After being Historically Booted Kevin McCarthy says he won't run again for House speaker
WASHINGTON — Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., announced Tuesday night that he won't attempt to reclaim his post as House speaker, hours after he was ousted in a historic vote.
"I will not run for speaker again. I’ll have the [Republican] conference pick somebody else," McCarthy said in remarks to the press following a closed-door meeting with GOP lawmakers.
McCarthy initially informed Republican colleagues about his decision during the meeting, multiple lawmakers said as they left the gathering. The California Republican served as House speaker for the last nine months after a chaotic effort within the GOP conference in January to elect him.
When asked Tuesday night by a reporter if he plans to remain a member of Congress, McCarthy said, "I'll look at that."
Tuesday's announcement came after the House adopted a motion to remove him as speaker. That vote was forced by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., a conservative critic who made certain demands of the California Republican ahead of the deadline over the weekend to prevent a government shutdown.
Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., became the acting House speaker after the vote and is expected to hold the gavel at least temporarily. House Republicans are expected to huddle about possible speaker candidates at a forum next Tuesday and plan to hold an election for House speaker the following day.
Gaetz had filed a resolution on Monday that would trigger a floor vote on removing McCarthy as speaker, arguing that McCarthy had not complied with the terms the Florida Republican had insisted upon during negotiations over government funding.
McCarthy became speaker in January after he was elected on the 15th ballot — the fifth-longest speaker vote by number of ballots in U.S. history, and the longest such vote in 164 years.
Amid the intraparty drama, one of the conditions that McCarthy had agreed to at the time as he tried to assuage conservatives was allowing the reinstatement of a rule that would permit a single lawmaker to force a vote to oust a sitting speaker in the middle of a congressional session.
Trump advisers express skepticism he backed Matt Gaetz's push to oust Kevin McCarthy
Before the House vote to oust him on Tuesday, McCarthy was defiant and said he would fight efforts to strip him of the speaker's gavel.
"I think Matt has planned this all along," McCarthy told reporters. "It didn’t matter what...transpired. You know, he would have done it if it were in shutdown or not. I firmly believe it’s the right decision to keep government open to make sure our military is still paid or border agents are still paid. If that makes a challenge based upon whether I should be speaker I’ll take that fight."
Democrats, meanwhile, decided that they would not take action to save McCarthy. They voted with conservatives in favor of the motion to vacate the speakership, removing McCarthy from his post.
Earlier in the day, McCarthy said he had spoken to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., about the situation.
McCarthy said he told Jeffries, "You guys do whatever you need to do. I get politics. I understand where people are. I truly believe though in the institution of the House. At the end of the day, if you throw a speaker out that has 99% of their conference, that kept government open and paid the troops, I think we’re in a really bad place for how we’re gonna run Congress."
McCarthy had served as the leader of House Republicans since January 2019 after Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., who had served as House speaker, decided not to run for re-election to Congress. Democrats won control of the House in the 2018 midterm elections, and Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., became speaker in 2019.
Even before this year's drama, McCarthy was considered at one point for the speakership, but dropped out of the race in 2015 after the decision by then-House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, to resign from Congress. McCarthy had made a public gaffe, admitting that the House investigation into the 2012 Benghazi attack was intended to hurt former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's presidential bid. Ryan then entered the race and was elected speaker.
McCarthy has served as a member of the House since 2007
#RHOP: Gordon and Mia Thornton Have Been Separated ‘For Months’
There’s big trouble in Little Potomac. Just days after Bravo released the trailer for Season 8 of The Real Housewives of Potomac, the streets started talking about the status of Mia Thornton and Gordon Thornton’s marriage.
TV Deets first reported the news. Now, Mia has confirmed that the two have separated, and apparently, it’s been going on for months.
A marriage on pause
In the trailer for RHOP Season 8, there were breadcrumbs that hinted at issues within Mia’s marriage. In one scene, she mentioned consulting a divorce lawyer. During another awkward moment, she suggested the only reason she married Gordon was his money. Within hours of that trailer dropping, the rumors started surfacing that there were serious issues in their marriage. Reports of trouble in Mia’s marriage were first reported during a recent episode of the TV Deets podcast.
“Mia Thornton and her husband Gordon have been separated for months,” TV Deets teased. “This is not a new separation, they have been separated for months and are, in essence, living separate lives.”
Of course, there have been money issues in the Thornton’s world recently, so perhaps that’s the reason for the separation. Last year, Mia shared that Gordon’s brothers held a hostile takeover of their chiropractic empire, and revoked access to their money. So, if she just married him for the money, perhaps that’s a clue to what’s going on here.
Mia asks for privacy
People got an exclusive statement from Mia about the status of her marriage, and she confirmed that she and Gordon had separated after 11 years of marriage.
“Like all marriages, ours has had its ups and downs,” Mia said. “At this time, Gordon and I are separated, but my family is my number one priority, and I am committed to doing whatever it takes to make sure we are okay.”
Mia went on to ask for “privacy” during this time, which is rich coming from a reality TV star getting ready to hit her third season as a Real Housewife.
Season 8 of The Real Housewives of Potomac premieres on Bravo on November 5th at 8/7c.
#MusicNews: Ruben Studdard Announces New Album, ‘The Way I Remember It’
Grammy nominated artist, Ruben Studdard has announced a new album, The Way I Remember, which will be released Oct. 27. The new project serves as a follow up to 2018’s Ruben Sings Luther, a collection of Luther Vandross covers. After taking some time to regroup and find a new label home, the American Idol winner has returned with a 10-song album via SoNo Recording Group.
The title track, The Way I Remember It arrived shortly after Studdard signed his new record deal. Written and produced by Belewa Muhammad, the tender ballad is inspired by the classic Luther balladry.
“Working with Ruben, I just knew that we needed the right partnership, and with all the buzz that the SRG/ILS Group has been getting on making sure that legacy artists in the R&B space still had a voice, it was only right for us to meet with them and speak about Ruben joining the family,” Muhammad shared with Rated RnB.
Muhammad also landed a co-writing credit with Studdard’s second released track, W.I.F.E.
Studdard and his American Idol alum Clay Aiken are co-headlining Twenty The Tour. The joint tour runs through October and November, with final dates scheduled for January 2024. For more information, visit rubenandclay.com.
Ruben Studdard’s The Way I Remember It is available for pre-save/pre-order HERE.
#HipHopNews: Cardi B Seemingly Reacts To Leaked Video Of Kanye West Calling Her A "Plant By The Illuminati"
In a 2018 documentary that recently leaked, Kanye West leveled a number of accusations at his former collaborators. Notably, the Chicago native mentioned Cardi B, Teyana Taylor, Pusha T, and Nas.
In a clip that surfaced on Twitter, Ye claimed, “Cardi B is a plant by the Illuminati. She don’t write her raps. She’s just there to sound as ignorant as possible and then make songs like, ‘F**k ’em, then [I] get some money.’ She has literally replaced Nicki Minaj purposely… that they put her there. And now she doesn’t know what to do, and she’s just a f**king — she has no idea what the f**k is going on. She thinks it’s just a blessing from the universe. Ain’t no blessing from the f**king universe.”
In what appeared to be a response, the “Hot S**t” rapper shared a video excerpt from a 2022 interview West had with Hollywood Unlocked’s Jason Lee, where the lyricist praised her. “My cousins was saying come by here yesterday, but I was finishing that verse for your girl. I always believed in her since she was on the show, period,” the 24-time Grammy winner said.
Posted on Sunday (Oct. 1), Cardi’s now-deleted tweet was captioned with just a heart emoji, which seemingly implied her awareness of the contradiction in West’s comments.
Missing 9-year-old Charlotte Sena found safe in NY after search, suspect in custody
A missing 9-year-old girl was found alive Monday after a frantic three-day search that ensued amid reports that she was abducted from a campground in Upstate New York.
Police said they've detained a suspect. Charlotte Sena had been last seen on her bicycle Saturday at 6:15 p.m. in Moreau Lake State Park, about 35 miles north of Albany, New York where she was camping with her family.
"Charlotte Sena has been located and in good health," New York State Police authorities said. "A suspect is in custody. This is still an active investigation."
During their investigation, police "identified an individual as being in the area of the Moreau Lake State Park around the time Charlotte went missing," they wrote in an update on the case on their website.
"Further investigation led to the search of multiple residences where the individual is known to reside," they said. Authorities found Charlotte during the search of the homes at about 6:30 p.m. on Monday.
"This investigation is a culmination of multiple agencies working together for the common goal of bringing this child home to her loving family," police wrote. "We cannot emphasize enough how appreciative we are for the support we received from Charlotte’s community, friends and family.
What happened?
Sena was riding her bike around a loop in the bucolic park with her friends when she decided to ride around one more time by herself. Thirty minutes later, Charlotte's mother, Trisha Sena, found the bicycle but not her daughter. She called 911, leading to a massive search that includes state police, forest rangers, divers, dogs, drones and helicopters.
Authorities issued an Amber Alert for Charlotte on Sunday morning.
"The child was taken under circumstances that lead police to believe that they are in imminent danger of serious harm and/or death," the Amber Alert said.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers led the search, which expanded over 46 linear miles, according to New York State Police.
"At this time, approximately 400 certified search and rescue personnel are actively searching," state police wrote in a Facebook post Monday afternoon. "The searchers originate from law enforcement agencies, 34 volunteer Fire Departments, along with private search and rescue groups."
The FBI also joined the search, CBS New York reported on Monday.
Moreau Lake State Park, where Charlotte was last seen before she was found, remains closed "until further notice," according to its website. The 4,600 acres state park in Saratoga County is “mostly wild” and includes dense forests, pine stands and rocky ridges, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The wooded campsites are “quiet and secluded.”
Charlotte Sena's disappearance has been a 'nightmare' for the family
Jené Sena, an aunt of Charlotte, told USA TODAY the last few days have been a "nightmare" for her family.
Charlotte's mother and father stayed at the campsite since Saturday to help police in their search. They were surrounded by friends and over 30 family members, Jené Sena said.
Her husband, Patrick Sena, a firefighter with the Schenectady Fire Department, had searched for their niece since Saturday night, along with other family members. He was out in the state park all through Saturday night and well into Sunday evening after a 24-hour work shift.
"My husband couldn't walk this morning," Jené Sena said.
Charlotte is the middle child of three girls. Her father, David Sena, is a union pipe fitter, and her mother, Trisha, is a food service inspector for Stewart's Shops convenience stores. The family lives in Greenfield, a town of about 8,200 residents in Saratoga County, New York.
Jené Sena described Charlotte as a kind, funny girl who's known for her dry humor and contagious smile.
"She is such a sweet girl," Jené Sena said. "A real sweetheart."
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children: Law enforcement was 'putting the puzzle pieces together' before Charlotte was found
The early days of a case involving a missing child are crucial for law enforcement as they "put the puzzle pieces together" of what happened and build a timeline, said John Bischoff, the vice president of the Missing Children Division at the nonprofit organization National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
Those "puzzle pieces" can vary depending on the type of missing child case. Bischoff said the case in Upstate New York was believed to be a "non-familial abduction."
Because the disappearance happened in a state park, authorities in the search for Charlotte looked at "who these people are, who was in the area in the park, who was in the park at the time of the disappearance and what's transpired beforehand and what’s transpired up until today," Bischoff said. His organization assisted New York State Police, he said.
"Charlotte’s case is a parent's worst nightmare – to see your child ride off on a bicycle and never see them again, or a few days at least," he said.
The case shines a light on nearly on the more than 7,000 missing children listed on the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's website. Bischoff is asking Americans to "stop for a second" at the nonprofit's "partner locations like Walmart and really look for those images behind every one of those images child in danger," he said.
"We've seen time and time again that all it takes is one set of eyes to be a hero," said Bischoff.
Jodie Turner-Smith and Joshua Jackson to divorce
Jodie Turner-Smith and Joshua Jackson are parting ways.The “Queen & Slim” star filed a petition to divorce Jackson on Monday in Los Angeles, according to court records.
The two married in 2019 and share a young daughter. Turner-Smith has requested equally shared custody of their child.
In early September, the two actors were photographed celebrating Turner-Smith’s birthday in New York.
They met in 2018 at an event for Usher, she revealed on “Late Night with Seth Meyers” in 2021.
“When I first met my husband, we had a one-night stand,” she said. “We’re in a two, three-year one-night stand now.”
In May Jackson appeared on “Watch What Happens Live” that he fell in love with Turner-Smith when she “walked into the room.”
We have reached out to both Jackson’s and Turner-Smith’s representatives for comment.
Halle Bailey Removed From Oscar Consideration For 'Little Mermaid' Amid Pregnancy Rumors
Halle Bailey's alleged pregnancy is apparently starting to have ramifications to her career. The singer/actress has been removed from Oscar consideration for "The Little Mermaid (2023)" amid persistent rumors that she is currently expecting a child with her rapper beau DDG.
As noted by Media Take Out, a screenshot from Disney's website from a few weeks ago showed that they submitted Halle's song "For the First Time" for Best Original Song nomination. However, as of Sunday, October 1, Disney made a change on their website and removed Halle's song from Oscar consideration.
While Halle had a high chance to score an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song, this could be complicated for the rumored pregnant star. She will be required to perform the song live on stage during the ceremony as it has been the tradition for all Best Original Song nominees for years.
It should be noted though that Halle is still submitted for Oscar consideration for Best Actress. The category does not require a nominated actress to attend the event, which is schedule to take place on March 10, 2024, in person.
Rumors of Halle's supposed pregnancy first surfaced in August. During her boyfriend DDG's live stream, she was spotted walking in the background with what appeared to be a baby bump. Fans also noted that her recent photos on social media always featured her wearing baggy clothes to hide her belly. Moreover, a photo and video circulating online appeared to show the 23-year-old with sticking out belly.
The speculation was reignited last month following Halle's appearance at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards. The "Angel" songstress, who was on hand as presenter along with her sister Chloe Bailey, reportedly "stayed away from the pink carpet so she would not be photographed." An insider told Page Six that "when she was inside, she was very mindful in the way she gave hugs, and who she gave them to."
The actress/singer also opted for a long, flowing orange dress while introducing a performance by Maneskin on stage. A source said of her look at the event, "The orange dress flow was an indicator she was trying to hide."
Neither Halle nor DDG has responded to the speculation, but Chloe came to her sister's defense back in August. During an Instagram Live session, she said, "And y'all better keep my sister's name out your mouth. Thank you. Amen. Amen. Hallelujah. 'Bout to get me riled the hell up. Anyways..."
Zendaya Goes Daring In Low-Cut Zipper Dress At Paris Fashion Week Show
Zendaya Coleman has gone daring with a low-cut zipper dress during a recent outing. While making an appearance during the 2023 Paris Fashion Week, the actress portraying Rue Bennett on "Euphoria" did not shy away from putting on a busty display.
The 27-year-old actress dressed to the nines when she attended the Louis Vuitton Womenswear Spring/Summer 2024 show in Paris, France on Monday, October 2. She exposed her cleavage and long legs in her revealing gown.
For the occasion, Zendaya opted to wear a long white dress that came with two straps and a double zipper. She unzipped the upper and lower zipper, allowing her to have an upper-thigh high slit on the front side of her dress.
The former "Shake It Up" star put on a pair of white high heels, small hoop earrings, a number of bracelets and rings to complete the look. Her brown hair was long enough to reach her lower back. It was styled into a simple straight hairdo and parted in the middle.
That same day, Zendaya treated her devotees to pictures featuring her jaw-dropping look via Instagram. She uploaded a series of close-up photos, capturing her appearance from the top of her head down to her upper tummy. It did not take long for her first post to be flooded with positive online responses.
In the comments section, fellow actress Eiza Gonzalez gushed over Zendaya's beauty. Eiza simply penned, "Stunner." In the meantime, singer and TV star Naomi Campbell complimented her by letting out a slew of heart emojis.
The "Spider-Man: Homecoming" actress additionally uploaded a video from the star-studded fashion show. In the footage, she was confidently walking as she gave a smile near the end of the clip. Her stunning look was noticed by many Instagram users, including singer and actress Rita Ora. In the comments section of the post, Rita asked, "How are you real."
Zendaya might have brushed shoulders with other famous stars at the Louis Vuitton show. The fashion event was also attended by actresses Saoirse Ronan, Ana de Armas, Cynthia Erivo and Cate Blanchett as well as actor and rapper Jaden Smith.
Kim Cattrall Models Body-Hugging LBD in Sexy SKIMS Campaign
Kim Cattrall is the latest celebrity to slip into some SKIMS.The actress, 67, stars in a new campaign for Kim Kardashian's shapewear brand — and she appears to be channeling her iconic Sex and the City character, Samantha Jones, in the sexy shots.
A video posted on SKIMS' Instagram page Monday teases the "Best of SKIMS" campaign, with Cattrall drawling in a Samantha-esque voice, "How do I feel about SKIMS? Oh, you'd like to know, wouldn't you?" before winking at the camera.
"Freakin' fabulous," Cattrall continues as she turns her body to better show off the black Sculpting Mid Thigh Bodysuit she's wearing as she perches on a table.
"SKIMS makes me feel free," she adds later in the video, calling the shapewear her "new best friend."
A still image from the campaign, shot by Vanessa Beecroft, captures Cattrall wearing a black body-hugging lounge dress as she strikes a sultry pose on her side with one arm behind her back. Her hair is stylishly mussed as if she just returned from a wild night out on the town.
The Glamorous star is joined by several other celebrities in the campaign
Simone Biles makes history at the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships
Simone Biles returned to the global stage in groundbreaking fashion on Sunday (Oct. 1) at the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp, Belgium. The seven-time Olympic medalist became the first woman to successfully execute the Yurchenko double pike vault, which subsequently secured her position at the top of the women’s all-around qualification.
Biles launched herself into the air and completed a sequence that ended with a nearly flawless landing. Per CNN, officials now recognize the move as the “Biles II,” which marked her fifth named element in an international competition.
The skill itself is complex and risky, typically attempted only by male acrobats. Her coach, Laurent Landi, emphasized the significance. “It’s great. People, I hope, realize that’s maybe one of the last times you’re going to see a vault like that in your life from a woman gymnast. So I think it’s time to appreciate it,” he said.
Landi continued, “She made it. She handled her nerves, handled the pressure. [It was the] last event, so there was fatigue and everything.”
Team USA also performed exceptionally well by logging a total qualifying score of 171.395. The number virtually guaranteed a spot in the final, outdoing 2022’s first-place sum total of 167.263.
This championship marked Biles’ first major international event since the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where she withdrew from several competitions due to a mental block that she dubbed “the twisties.” She acknowledged the emotional weight of her return.
“It’s really amazing. Everybody in here believes in me. So I just need to start believing in myself a little bit more, but it feels amazing, and I love the fans, I love the crowd. It was really special,” Biles detailed.
Additionally, Biles’ participation in the Antwerp competition made her the first woman to represent the U.S. in six artistic world championships.
Jimmy Butler brings laughs to NBA Media Day with new look for the second straight year
Back in 2022, Jimmy Butler left fans, the Miami Heat organization, and the press in a confused state when he debuted fresh locs out of nowhere during the NBA’s annual Media Day event. When asked about the hairstyle, the star forward came clean about his intentions. “I’m just messing with stuff to make the internet mad. That was my goal this summer and it worked,” he said.
Perhaps inspired by last year’s response, Butler decided to take things to another level for 2023. Earlier today (Oct. 2), he appeared at Miami’s Kaseya Center rocking full-on goth garb — complete with painted fingernails, face piercings, and straightened hair that covered one eye. In clips shared on social media, the 34-year-old even added a new persona to the entire look, which left teammates like Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo in tears.
As expected, he was more than ready for the reporters — none of whom were ready for him. “Yea, yea, laugh it up… I feel like I’m very emotional right now. This is my emo state, and I like this,” he explained. “This is me. This is how I’m feeling as of late… You never know how I’m going to wake up. This is how I feel today. We’ll see tomorrow. Tomorrow might be in all yellow.”
Butler joined the Miami Heat back in 2019 as part of a trade deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. During the 2022-2023 season, he helped to lead the team to the NBA Finals. Outside of sports, he’s been an outspoken fan of country music. As Butler explained in an interview with Rolling Stone, fans can soon expect to hear the budding musical talent on wax soon
“I’m in the lab writing and producing country music. We got some real artists and songwriters. We probably got around 45 tracks right now, and I hope to go write some more,” he revealed. “There’s definitely going to be an album. That’s the goal. I just don’t know when.”
Viola Davis' Daughter Genesis Looks So Grown Up While Making Paris Fashion Week Appearance With Her!
Viola Davis and her husband Julius Tennon are such proud parents!
The Oscar-winning actress and her frequent collaborator walked the runway alongside their 13-year-old daughter Genesis at the Le Défilé L’Oréal Paris fashion show during Paris Fashion Week on Sunday (October 1) in Paris, France.
Viola was just one of MANY celebs who walked the runway for the event.
This year, alongside the entire L’Oréal Paris spokespeople family, the general public came together under the “Iron Lady” to make a feminine and feminist statement. The show was broadcasted live on Instagram, YouTube, and, for the first time, spectators were able to experience it on Roblox.
For those who don’t know, Viola and Julius have been married since 2003 after meeting on the set of the CBS show City of Angels in 1999.
George M. Johnson's 'All Boys Aren't Blue' is banned in 5 states!
Writer and LGBTQ activist George M. Johnson sparked conversation — and controversy — with their 2020 memoir about growing up Black and queer. All Boys Aren't Blue has been banned in dozens of school libraries.
George M. Johnson's young-adult memoir All Boys Aren't Blue has become one of the most banned books in the U.S.
The book is about growing up Black and queer, and always feeling different but not having the words to express it. Over the past couple of years, at least 29 school districts have banned the book because of its LGBTQ content and for being sexually explicit.
"Any time you write a book where you write about your truth, there are going to be people who want to silence that truth," Johnson, who uses they/them pronouns, tells Morning Edition's Leila Fadel.
PEN America, a group that advocates for freedom of expression, says more than 1,600 books about gender and race were banned in more than 130 districts between 2021 and 2022, in what it calls a growing movement to censor books in schools. Taken together, the bans impacted some 4 million students at more than 5,000 schools.
"The curriculum that is being taught in most school systems is still heavily geared towards the straight, white, male teen," Johnson says. "And so when we now have the ability to put books into curriculum that tell other stories, that tell stories that are non-white, that tell stories that are non-heterosexual, they're trying to take them out across the board because, you know, it's like, 'Oh, my God, how dangerous would it be if young white teens had to actually learn about the other people who exist in society with them?'"
"All Boys Aren't Blue" is bigger than Johnson's story
Johnson's book is still on the shelves in the New Jersey school district where they grew up, even though it has faced challenges in their home state. They say that some of their former classmates are now high school teachers, and recognize the book's value for students who may be struggling with questions about their own identities.
New report finds a coordinated rise in attempted book bans
"They're using the book and telling them, 'I had a friend in high school who's gone through what you're going through,'" Johnson says. "And so it became very relatable."
Johnson is glad to have written a book that might help others, but says watching it be banned has been bittersweet. They say that if parents don't want their own child to read it, they should opt them out rather than try to block all students — some who may really need the book — from accessing it.
"Students ... have publicly said on record that works like mine have saved their lives, works like mine have helped them name their abusers, works like mine have helped them come to terms with who they are and feel validated in the fact that there is somebody else that exists in the world like them," Johnson says. "And you want to remove that from them. I just think it's sad."
Johnson also knows that the actual content of All Boys Aren't Blue isn't under attack, because the people who want it banned most likely haven't read it.
"You can't attack something you actually don't know," they say. "And this is really just an attack on an ideology, that just says that LGBTQ people shouldn't exist. And they want teens to feel unsafe and to feel silenced — and that is just something that I refuse to see happen again, because I lived as one that felt that way."
Johnson says the book has more supporters than critics
Johnson anticipated that their book would be challenged even before it published. They remember seeing Angie Thomas' novel The Hate U Give face bans years ago because it features profanity and racism, and saw it as a signal that their own book would also get caught up in controversy. (Thomas' book, published in 2017, has been among the top banned books nearly every year since its release.)
Johnson never expected the controversy around All Boys Aren't Blue to rise quite to this level, but says a lifetime of LGBTQ advocacy prepared them for the current conversation. Theirs is an important voice in the LGTBQ community — this year TIME magazine named them one of the 100 influencers shaping the next generation.
How independent bookstores help in the fight against book banning and why it matters
"I've been fighting for LGBTQ rights for as long as I can remember, because in turn I'm fighting for myself and fighting for people like me. This is just an extension of the advocacy work that I do," Johnson says. "Writing is a form of activism. ... And any time you do something that's a form of activism, there's going to be another side that doesn't like it."
While the book has its vocal critics, Johnson says they are far outweighed by its supporters, whom they've heard from at school board meetings and in written letters and recreated cover artwork.
"So the book ... is so much bigger than just my story," Johnson says. "And I'm watching it in real time help so many people, from parents to children to teachers to librarians, across the board. I just feel like the support is greater, and we just have to find ways to make sure that everybody sees that, too."
Nationwide Emergency Alert Test to Impact All U.S. iPhones This Wednesday
FEMA and the FCC are conducting a nationwide test on October 4 to send test messages to all iPhones, TVs, and radios at 2:20 p.m. Eastern time.
The test includes two parts, with the EAS sending test messages to TVs and radios. The second part of the test, involving Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), will reach all consumer cell phones and smartphones.
The WEA test will use FEMA’s IPAWS system to send emergency messages. The message will be displayed in English or Spanish based on the device’s language settings and will say, “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”
The test will include a noise similar to National Weather Service alerts. Smartphones with cellular access turned on will receive the message, but those in Wi-Fi or airplane mode won’t get it.
According to reports, iPhone users can control whether they receive the emergency alert test by dialing 500525371# to enable test notifications or 500525370# to disable them.
In case of severe weather or significant events, the October 4 test has a backup date set for October 11.
After being Historically Booted Kevin McCarthy says he won't run again for House speaker
WASHINGTON — Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., announced Tuesday night that he won't attempt to reclaim his post as House speaker, hours after he was ousted in a historic vote.
"I will not run for speaker again. I’ll have the [Republican] conference pick somebody else," McCarthy said in remarks to the press following a closed-door meeting with GOP lawmakers.
McCarthy initially informed Republican colleagues about his decision during the meeting, multiple lawmakers said as they left the gathering. The California Republican served as House speaker for the last nine months after a chaotic effort within the GOP conference in January to elect him.
When asked Tuesday night by a reporter if he plans to remain a member of Congress, McCarthy said, "I'll look at that."
Tuesday's announcement came after the House adopted a motion to remove him as speaker. That vote was forced by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., a conservative critic who made certain demands of the California Republican ahead of the deadline over the weekend to prevent a government shutdown.
Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., became the acting House speaker after the vote and is expected to hold the gavel at least temporarily. House Republicans are expected to huddle about possible speaker candidates at a forum next Tuesday and plan to hold an election for House speaker the following day.
Gaetz had filed a resolution on Monday that would trigger a floor vote on removing McCarthy as speaker, arguing that McCarthy had not complied with the terms the Florida Republican had insisted upon during negotiations over government funding.
McCarthy became speaker in January after he was elected on the 15th ballot — the fifth-longest speaker vote by number of ballots in U.S. history, and the longest such vote in 164 years.
Amid the intraparty drama, one of the conditions that McCarthy had agreed to at the time as he tried to assuage conservatives was allowing the reinstatement of a rule that would permit a single lawmaker to force a vote to oust a sitting speaker in the middle of a congressional session.
Trump advisers express skepticism he backed Matt Gaetz's push to oust Kevin McCarthy
Before the House vote to oust him on Tuesday, McCarthy was defiant and said he would fight efforts to strip him of the speaker's gavel.
"I think Matt has planned this all along," McCarthy told reporters. "It didn’t matter what...transpired. You know, he would have done it if it were in shutdown or not. I firmly believe it’s the right decision to keep government open to make sure our military is still paid or border agents are still paid. If that makes a challenge based upon whether I should be speaker I’ll take that fight."
Democrats, meanwhile, decided that they would not take action to save McCarthy. They voted with conservatives in favor of the motion to vacate the speakership, removing McCarthy from his post.
Earlier in the day, McCarthy said he had spoken to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., about the situation.
McCarthy said he told Jeffries, "You guys do whatever you need to do. I get politics. I understand where people are. I truly believe though in the institution of the House. At the end of the day, if you throw a speaker out that has 99% of their conference, that kept government open and paid the troops, I think we’re in a really bad place for how we’re gonna run Congress."
McCarthy had served as the leader of House Republicans since January 2019 after Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., who had served as House speaker, decided not to run for re-election to Congress. Democrats won control of the House in the 2018 midterm elections, and Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., became speaker in 2019.
Even before this year's drama, McCarthy was considered at one point for the speakership, but dropped out of the race in 2015 after the decision by then-House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, to resign from Congress. McCarthy had made a public gaffe, admitting that the House investigation into the 2012 Benghazi attack was intended to hurt former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's presidential bid. Ryan then entered the race and was elected speaker.
McCarthy has served as a member of the House since 2007
#RHOP: Gordon and Mia Thornton Have Been Separated ‘For Months’
TV Deets first reported the news. Now, Mia has confirmed that the two have separated, and apparently, it’s been going on for months.
A marriage on pause
In the trailer for RHOP Season 8, there were breadcrumbs that hinted at issues within Mia’s marriage. In one scene, she mentioned consulting a divorce lawyer. During another awkward moment, she suggested the only reason she married Gordon was his money. Within hours of that trailer dropping, the rumors started surfacing that there were serious issues in their marriage. Reports of trouble in Mia’s marriage were first reported during a recent episode of the TV Deets podcast.
“Mia Thornton and her husband Gordon have been separated for months,” TV Deets teased. “This is not a new separation, they have been separated for months and are, in essence, living separate lives.”
Of course, there have been money issues in the Thornton’s world recently, so perhaps that’s the reason for the separation. Last year, Mia shared that Gordon’s brothers held a hostile takeover of their chiropractic empire, and revoked access to their money. So, if she just married him for the money, perhaps that’s a clue to what’s going on here.
Mia asks for privacy
People got an exclusive statement from Mia about the status of her marriage, and she confirmed that she and Gordon had separated after 11 years of marriage.
“Like all marriages, ours has had its ups and downs,” Mia said. “At this time, Gordon and I are separated, but my family is my number one priority, and I am committed to doing whatever it takes to make sure we are okay.”
Mia went on to ask for “privacy” during this time, which is rich coming from a reality TV star getting ready to hit her third season as a Real Housewife.
Season 8 of The Real Housewives of Potomac premieres on Bravo on November 5th at 8/7c.
#MusicNews: Ruben Studdard Announces New Album, ‘The Way I Remember It’
Grammy nominated artist, Ruben Studdard has announced a new album, The Way I Remember, which will be released Oct. 27. The new project serves as a follow up to 2018’s Ruben Sings Luther, a collection of Luther Vandross covers. After taking some time to regroup and find a new label home, the American Idol winner has returned with a 10-song album via SoNo Recording Group.
The title track, The Way I Remember It arrived shortly after Studdard signed his new record deal. Written and produced by Belewa Muhammad, the tender ballad is inspired by the classic Luther balladry.
“Working with Ruben, I just knew that we needed the right partnership, and with all the buzz that the SRG/ILS Group has been getting on making sure that legacy artists in the R&B space still had a voice, it was only right for us to meet with them and speak about Ruben joining the family,” Muhammad shared with Rated RnB.
Muhammad also landed a co-writing credit with Studdard’s second released track, W.I.F.E.
Studdard and his American Idol alum Clay Aiken are co-headlining Twenty The Tour. The joint tour runs through October and November, with final dates scheduled for January 2024. For more information, visit rubenandclay.com.
Ruben Studdard’s The Way I Remember It is available for pre-save/pre-order HERE.
#HipHopNews: Cardi B Seemingly Reacts To Leaked Video Of Kanye West Calling Her A "Plant By The Illuminati"
In a clip that surfaced on Twitter, Ye claimed, “Cardi B is a plant by the Illuminati. She don’t write her raps. She’s just there to sound as ignorant as possible and then make songs like, ‘F**k ’em, then [I] get some money.’ She has literally replaced Nicki Minaj purposely… that they put her there. And now she doesn’t know what to do, and she’s just a f**king — she has no idea what the f**k is going on. She thinks it’s just a blessing from the universe. Ain’t no blessing from the f**king universe.”
In what appeared to be a response, the “Hot S**t” rapper shared a video excerpt from a 2022 interview West had with Hollywood Unlocked’s Jason Lee, where the lyricist praised her. “My cousins was saying come by here yesterday, but I was finishing that verse for your girl. I always believed in her since she was on the show, period,” the 24-time Grammy winner said.
Posted on Sunday (Oct. 1), Cardi’s now-deleted tweet was captioned with just a heart emoji, which seemingly implied her awareness of the contradiction in West’s comments.
Missing 9-year-old Charlotte Sena found safe in NY after search, suspect in custody
A missing 9-year-old girl was found alive Monday after a frantic three-day search that ensued amid reports that she was abducted from a campground in Upstate New York.
Police said they've detained a suspect. Charlotte Sena had been last seen on her bicycle Saturday at 6:15 p.m. in Moreau Lake State Park, about 35 miles north of Albany, New York where she was camping with her family.
"Charlotte Sena has been located and in good health," New York State Police authorities said. "A suspect is in custody. This is still an active investigation."
During their investigation, police "identified an individual as being in the area of the Moreau Lake State Park around the time Charlotte went missing," they wrote in an update on the case on their website.
"Further investigation led to the search of multiple residences where the individual is known to reside," they said. Authorities found Charlotte during the search of the homes at about 6:30 p.m. on Monday.
"This investigation is a culmination of multiple agencies working together for the common goal of bringing this child home to her loving family," police wrote. "We cannot emphasize enough how appreciative we are for the support we received from Charlotte’s community, friends and family.
What happened?
Sena was riding her bike around a loop in the bucolic park with her friends when she decided to ride around one more time by herself. Thirty minutes later, Charlotte's mother, Trisha Sena, found the bicycle but not her daughter. She called 911, leading to a massive search that includes state police, forest rangers, divers, dogs, drones and helicopters.
Authorities issued an Amber Alert for Charlotte on Sunday morning.
"The child was taken under circumstances that lead police to believe that they are in imminent danger of serious harm and/or death," the Amber Alert said.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers led the search, which expanded over 46 linear miles, according to New York State Police.
"At this time, approximately 400 certified search and rescue personnel are actively searching," state police wrote in a Facebook post Monday afternoon. "The searchers originate from law enforcement agencies, 34 volunteer Fire Departments, along with private search and rescue groups."
The FBI also joined the search, CBS New York reported on Monday.
Moreau Lake State Park, where Charlotte was last seen before she was found, remains closed "until further notice," according to its website. The 4,600 acres state park in Saratoga County is “mostly wild” and includes dense forests, pine stands and rocky ridges, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The wooded campsites are “quiet and secluded.”
Charlotte Sena's disappearance has been a 'nightmare' for the family
Jené Sena, an aunt of Charlotte, told USA TODAY the last few days have been a "nightmare" for her family.
Charlotte's mother and father stayed at the campsite since Saturday to help police in their search. They were surrounded by friends and over 30 family members, Jené Sena said.
Her husband, Patrick Sena, a firefighter with the Schenectady Fire Department, had searched for their niece since Saturday night, along with other family members. He was out in the state park all through Saturday night and well into Sunday evening after a 24-hour work shift.
"My husband couldn't walk this morning," Jené Sena said.
Charlotte is the middle child of three girls. Her father, David Sena, is a union pipe fitter, and her mother, Trisha, is a food service inspector for Stewart's Shops convenience stores. The family lives in Greenfield, a town of about 8,200 residents in Saratoga County, New York.
Jené Sena described Charlotte as a kind, funny girl who's known for her dry humor and contagious smile.
"She is such a sweet girl," Jené Sena said. "A real sweetheart."
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children: Law enforcement was 'putting the puzzle pieces together' before Charlotte was found
The early days of a case involving a missing child are crucial for law enforcement as they "put the puzzle pieces together" of what happened and build a timeline, said John Bischoff, the vice president of the Missing Children Division at the nonprofit organization National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
Those "puzzle pieces" can vary depending on the type of missing child case. Bischoff said the case in Upstate New York was believed to be a "non-familial abduction."
Because the disappearance happened in a state park, authorities in the search for Charlotte looked at "who these people are, who was in the area in the park, who was in the park at the time of the disappearance and what's transpired beforehand and what’s transpired up until today," Bischoff said. His organization assisted New York State Police, he said.
"Charlotte’s case is a parent's worst nightmare – to see your child ride off on a bicycle and never see them again, or a few days at least," he said.
The case shines a light on nearly on the more than 7,000 missing children listed on the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's website. Bischoff is asking Americans to "stop for a second" at the nonprofit's "partner locations like Walmart and really look for those images behind every one of those images child in danger," he said.
"We've seen time and time again that all it takes is one set of eyes to be a hero," said Bischoff.
Jodie Turner-Smith and Joshua Jackson to divorce
The two married in 2019 and share a young daughter. Turner-Smith has requested equally shared custody of their child.
In early September, the two actors were photographed celebrating Turner-Smith’s birthday in New York.
They met in 2018 at an event for Usher, she revealed on “Late Night with Seth Meyers” in 2021.
“When I first met my husband, we had a one-night stand,” she said. “We’re in a two, three-year one-night stand now.”
In May Jackson appeared on “Watch What Happens Live” that he fell in love with Turner-Smith when she “walked into the room.”
We have reached out to both Jackson’s and Turner-Smith’s representatives for comment.
Halle Bailey Removed From Oscar Consideration For 'Little Mermaid' Amid Pregnancy Rumors
Halle Bailey's alleged pregnancy is apparently starting to have ramifications to her career. The singer/actress has been removed from Oscar consideration for "The Little Mermaid (2023)" amid persistent rumors that she is currently expecting a child with her rapper beau DDG.
As noted by Media Take Out, a screenshot from Disney's website from a few weeks ago showed that they submitted Halle's song "For the First Time" for Best Original Song nomination. However, as of Sunday, October 1, Disney made a change on their website and removed Halle's song from Oscar consideration.
While Halle had a high chance to score an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song, this could be complicated for the rumored pregnant star. She will be required to perform the song live on stage during the ceremony as it has been the tradition for all Best Original Song nominees for years.
It should be noted though that Halle is still submitted for Oscar consideration for Best Actress. The category does not require a nominated actress to attend the event, which is schedule to take place on March 10, 2024, in person.
Rumors of Halle's supposed pregnancy first surfaced in August. During her boyfriend DDG's live stream, she was spotted walking in the background with what appeared to be a baby bump. Fans also noted that her recent photos on social media always featured her wearing baggy clothes to hide her belly. Moreover, a photo and video circulating online appeared to show the 23-year-old with sticking out belly.
The speculation was reignited last month following Halle's appearance at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards. The "Angel" songstress, who was on hand as presenter along with her sister Chloe Bailey, reportedly "stayed away from the pink carpet so she would not be photographed." An insider told Page Six that "when she was inside, she was very mindful in the way she gave hugs, and who she gave them to."
The actress/singer also opted for a long, flowing orange dress while introducing a performance by Maneskin on stage. A source said of her look at the event, "The orange dress flow was an indicator she was trying to hide."
Neither Halle nor DDG has responded to the speculation, but Chloe came to her sister's defense back in August. During an Instagram Live session, she said, "And y'all better keep my sister's name out your mouth. Thank you. Amen. Amen. Hallelujah. 'Bout to get me riled the hell up. Anyways..."
Zendaya Goes Daring In Low-Cut Zipper Dress At Paris Fashion Week Show
The 27-year-old actress dressed to the nines when she attended the Louis Vuitton Womenswear Spring/Summer 2024 show in Paris, France on Monday, October 2. She exposed her cleavage and long legs in her revealing gown.
For the occasion, Zendaya opted to wear a long white dress that came with two straps and a double zipper. She unzipped the upper and lower zipper, allowing her to have an upper-thigh high slit on the front side of her dress.
The former "Shake It Up" star put on a pair of white high heels, small hoop earrings, a number of bracelets and rings to complete the look. Her brown hair was long enough to reach her lower back. It was styled into a simple straight hairdo and parted in the middle.
That same day, Zendaya treated her devotees to pictures featuring her jaw-dropping look via Instagram. She uploaded a series of close-up photos, capturing her appearance from the top of her head down to her upper tummy. It did not take long for her first post to be flooded with positive online responses.
In the comments section, fellow actress Eiza Gonzalez gushed over Zendaya's beauty. Eiza simply penned, "Stunner." In the meantime, singer and TV star Naomi Campbell complimented her by letting out a slew of heart emojis.
The "Spider-Man: Homecoming" actress additionally uploaded a video from the star-studded fashion show. In the footage, she was confidently walking as she gave a smile near the end of the clip. Her stunning look was noticed by many Instagram users, including singer and actress Rita Ora. In the comments section of the post, Rita asked, "How are you real."
Zendaya might have brushed shoulders with other famous stars at the Louis Vuitton show. The fashion event was also attended by actresses Saoirse Ronan, Ana de Armas, Cynthia Erivo and Cate Blanchett as well as actor and rapper Jaden Smith.
Kim Cattrall Models Body-Hugging LBD in Sexy SKIMS Campaign
A video posted on SKIMS' Instagram page Monday teases the "Best of SKIMS" campaign, with Cattrall drawling in a Samantha-esque voice, "How do I feel about SKIMS? Oh, you'd like to know, wouldn't you?" before winking at the camera.
"Freakin' fabulous," Cattrall continues as she turns her body to better show off the black Sculpting Mid Thigh Bodysuit she's wearing as she perches on a table.
"SKIMS makes me feel free," she adds later in the video, calling the shapewear her "new best friend."
A still image from the campaign, shot by Vanessa Beecroft, captures Cattrall wearing a black body-hugging lounge dress as she strikes a sultry pose on her side with one arm behind her back. Her hair is stylishly mussed as if she just returned from a wild night out on the town.
The Glamorous star is joined by several other celebrities in the campaign
Simone Biles makes history at the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships
Simone Biles returned to the global stage in groundbreaking fashion on Sunday (Oct. 1) at the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp, Belgium. The seven-time Olympic medalist became the first woman to successfully execute the Yurchenko double pike vault, which subsequently secured her position at the top of the women’s all-around qualification.
Biles launched herself into the air and completed a sequence that ended with a nearly flawless landing. Per CNN, officials now recognize the move as the “Biles II,” which marked her fifth named element in an international competition.
The skill itself is complex and risky, typically attempted only by male acrobats. Her coach, Laurent Landi, emphasized the significance. “It’s great. People, I hope, realize that’s maybe one of the last times you’re going to see a vault like that in your life from a woman gymnast. So I think it’s time to appreciate it,” he said.
Landi continued, “She made it. She handled her nerves, handled the pressure. [It was the] last event, so there was fatigue and everything.”
Team USA also performed exceptionally well by logging a total qualifying score of 171.395. The number virtually guaranteed a spot in the final, outdoing 2022’s first-place sum total of 167.263.
This championship marked Biles’ first major international event since the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where she withdrew from several competitions due to a mental block that she dubbed “the twisties.” She acknowledged the emotional weight of her return.
“It’s really amazing. Everybody in here believes in me. So I just need to start believing in myself a little bit more, but it feels amazing, and I love the fans, I love the crowd. It was really special,” Biles detailed.
Additionally, Biles’ participation in the Antwerp competition made her the first woman to represent the U.S. in six artistic world championships.
Jimmy Butler brings laughs to NBA Media Day with new look for the second straight year
Perhaps inspired by last year’s response, Butler decided to take things to another level for 2023. Earlier today (Oct. 2), he appeared at Miami’s Kaseya Center rocking full-on goth garb — complete with painted fingernails, face piercings, and straightened hair that covered one eye. In clips shared on social media, the 34-year-old even added a new persona to the entire look, which left teammates like Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo in tears.
As expected, he was more than ready for the reporters — none of whom were ready for him. “Yea, yea, laugh it up… I feel like I’m very emotional right now. This is my emo state, and I like this,” he explained. “This is me. This is how I’m feeling as of late… You never know how I’m going to wake up. This is how I feel today. We’ll see tomorrow. Tomorrow might be in all yellow.”
Butler joined the Miami Heat back in 2019 as part of a trade deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. During the 2022-2023 season, he helped to lead the team to the NBA Finals. Outside of sports, he’s been an outspoken fan of country music. As Butler explained in an interview with Rolling Stone, fans can soon expect to hear the budding musical talent on wax soon
“I’m in the lab writing and producing country music. We got some real artists and songwriters. We probably got around 45 tracks right now, and I hope to go write some more,” he revealed. “There’s definitely going to be an album. That’s the goal. I just don’t know when.”
Viola Davis' Daughter Genesis Looks So Grown Up While Making Paris Fashion Week Appearance With Her!
Viola Davis and her husband Julius Tennon are such proud parents!
The Oscar-winning actress and her frequent collaborator walked the runway alongside their 13-year-old daughter Genesis at the Le Défilé L’Oréal Paris fashion show during Paris Fashion Week on Sunday (October 1) in Paris, France.
Viola was just one of MANY celebs who walked the runway for the event.
This year, alongside the entire L’Oréal Paris spokespeople family, the general public came together under the “Iron Lady” to make a feminine and feminist statement. The show was broadcasted live on Instagram, YouTube, and, for the first time, spectators were able to experience it on Roblox.
For those who don’t know, Viola and Julius have been married since 2003 after meeting on the set of the CBS show City of Angels in 1999.
George M. Johnson's 'All Boys Aren't Blue' is banned in 5 states!
George M. Johnson's young-adult memoir All Boys Aren't Blue has become one of the most banned books in the U.S.
The book is about growing up Black and queer, and always feeling different but not having the words to express it. Over the past couple of years, at least 29 school districts have banned the book because of its LGBTQ content and for being sexually explicit.
"Any time you write a book where you write about your truth, there are going to be people who want to silence that truth," Johnson, who uses they/them pronouns, tells Morning Edition's Leila Fadel.
PEN America, a group that advocates for freedom of expression, says more than 1,600 books about gender and race were banned in more than 130 districts between 2021 and 2022, in what it calls a growing movement to censor books in schools. Taken together, the bans impacted some 4 million students at more than 5,000 schools.
"The curriculum that is being taught in most school systems is still heavily geared towards the straight, white, male teen," Johnson says. "And so when we now have the ability to put books into curriculum that tell other stories, that tell stories that are non-white, that tell stories that are non-heterosexual, they're trying to take them out across the board because, you know, it's like, 'Oh, my God, how dangerous would it be if young white teens had to actually learn about the other people who exist in society with them?'"
"All Boys Aren't Blue" is bigger than Johnson's story
Johnson's book is still on the shelves in the New Jersey school district where they grew up, even though it has faced challenges in their home state. They say that some of their former classmates are now high school teachers, and recognize the book's value for students who may be struggling with questions about their own identities.
New report finds a coordinated rise in attempted book bans
"They're using the book and telling them, 'I had a friend in high school who's gone through what you're going through,'" Johnson says. "And so it became very relatable."
Johnson is glad to have written a book that might help others, but says watching it be banned has been bittersweet. They say that if parents don't want their own child to read it, they should opt them out rather than try to block all students — some who may really need the book — from accessing it.
"Students ... have publicly said on record that works like mine have saved their lives, works like mine have helped them name their abusers, works like mine have helped them come to terms with who they are and feel validated in the fact that there is somebody else that exists in the world like them," Johnson says. "And you want to remove that from them. I just think it's sad."
Johnson also knows that the actual content of All Boys Aren't Blue isn't under attack, because the people who want it banned most likely haven't read it.
"You can't attack something you actually don't know," they say. "And this is really just an attack on an ideology, that just says that LGBTQ people shouldn't exist. And they want teens to feel unsafe and to feel silenced — and that is just something that I refuse to see happen again, because I lived as one that felt that way."
Johnson says the book has more supporters than critics
Johnson anticipated that their book would be challenged even before it published. They remember seeing Angie Thomas' novel The Hate U Give face bans years ago because it features profanity and racism, and saw it as a signal that their own book would also get caught up in controversy. (Thomas' book, published in 2017, has been among the top banned books nearly every year since its release.)
Johnson never expected the controversy around All Boys Aren't Blue to rise quite to this level, but says a lifetime of LGBTQ advocacy prepared them for the current conversation. Theirs is an important voice in the LGTBQ community — this year TIME magazine named them one of the 100 influencers shaping the next generation.
How independent bookstores help in the fight against book banning and why it matters
"I've been fighting for LGBTQ rights for as long as I can remember, because in turn I'm fighting for myself and fighting for people like me. This is just an extension of the advocacy work that I do," Johnson says. "Writing is a form of activism. ... And any time you do something that's a form of activism, there's going to be another side that doesn't like it."
While the book has its vocal critics, Johnson says they are far outweighed by its supporters, whom they've heard from at school board meetings and in written letters and recreated cover artwork.
"So the book ... is so much bigger than just my story," Johnson says. "And I'm watching it in real time help so many people, from parents to children to teachers to librarians, across the board. I just feel like the support is greater, and we just have to find ways to make sure that everybody sees that, too."
Nationwide Emergency Alert Test to Impact All U.S. iPhones This Wednesday
FEMA and the FCC are conducting a nationwide test on October 4 to send test messages to all iPhones, TVs, and radios at 2:20 p.m. Eastern time.
The test includes two parts, with the EAS sending test messages to TVs and radios. The second part of the test, involving Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), will reach all consumer cell phones and smartphones.
The WEA test will use FEMA’s IPAWS system to send emergency messages. The message will be displayed in English or Spanish based on the device’s language settings and will say, “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”
The test will include a noise similar to National Weather Service alerts. Smartphones with cellular access turned on will receive the message, but those in Wi-Fi or airplane mode won’t get it.
According to reports, iPhone users can control whether they receive the emergency alert test by dialing 500525371# to enable test notifications or 500525370# to disable them.
In case of severe weather or significant events, the October 4 test has a backup date set for October 11.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
Wind Breeze There Is Good!
SHOOSH!
SHOOSH!
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
No comments:
Post a Comment