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PRATTVILLE, Ala. (AP) — A federal judge has ordered an Alabama city to allow an LGBTQ+ pride group to participate in the city's Christmas parade on Friday, after the mayor initially blocked the group from the annual event citing unspecified “safety concerns.” U.S. District Judge R. Austin Huffaker Jr. ruled that the City of Prattville violated Prattville Pride's First Amendment right to free speech and 14th Amendment right to equal protection under the law when it banned the group from running a float in the annual Christmas parade one day before the event was set to take place. “The City removed Prattville Pride from the parade based on its belief that certain members of the public who oppose Prattville Pride, and what is stands for, would react in a disruptive way. But discrimination based on a message’s content 'cannot be tolerated under the First Amendment,' ” Huffaker wrote in his opinion. The ruling required the city to provide at least two police officers to escort the float throughout the parade. On Thursday, Prattville Pride requested additional security measures from law enforcement. In response, Mayor Bill Gillespie Jr released a statement banning the group from the parade altogether, citing “serious safety concerns.” Huffaker's ruling said that, leading up to the event, some community members “voiced vehement opposition” to the group's inclusion in the parade, but that “the City has presented no evidence of legitimate, true threats of physical violence.” Gillespie's office referred to a statement posted on the city's social media in response to a request for comment. “The City respects the ruling of the Court and will comply with its order. The safety of everyone involved with the parade is a priority,” city officials said in a statement on social media. Prattville Pride celebrated the ruling on social media. “The Christmas parade is a cherished holiday tradition, and we are excited to celebrate alongside our neighbors and friends in the spirit of love, joy, and unity," the group wrote. Prattville is a small city of about 40,000 people, just north of the capital of Montgomery.My Plan To Minimize My Total Cost Of Ownership On My Tesla Model Y For The Next 10 Years
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Daylen Berry scored 27 points as Charleston Southern beat Columbia International 95-89 on Saturday. Berry had 10 rebounds for the Buccaneers (4-11). RJ Johnson scored 25 points while shooting 7 for 19 (0 for 6 from 3-point range) and 11 of 13 from the free-throw line and added seven assists. Keenan Wilkins went 4 of 12 from the field (3 for 8 from 3-point range) to finish with 11 points, while adding six rebounds. JJ Vaughan finished with 24 points for the Rams. Columbia International also got 22 points from Christian Howard. Brandon Hunt also had 13 points and 11 rebounds. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
There is no question that Nebraska is a Republican state. Our Legislature is controlled by Republicans. Our state governor has been a Republican since 1999. The people of this state have clearly chosen to elect Republicans up and down the ballot. Presumably, voters elected these folks because they viewed Republican candidates as more likely to govern in ways that will better their communities and lives. So my question is: given that Republicans have had complete political control, why have we been forced to resort to the ballot initiative process over the last decade to actually implement the vision voters have on the most important economic issues facing everyday Nebraskans? In 2018 voters, decisively approved a minimum wage increase, and in 2022, voters passed Medicaid expansion — protecting rural hospitals and paving the way for new ones like that in Central City — because their Republican elected state representatives wouldn’t do it. And this November voters overwhelmingly passed initiatives demanding medical marijuana and paid family leave, while repealing a school voucher plan that would have decimated rural schools to benefit primarily wealthy families in Omaha, because their Republican elected representatives had other ideas. It should not be too much to ask that the people we vote into office implement common-sense policies that would impact normal people and are supported by a significant majority of Nebraskans. Going forward, I hope people ask their elected representatives (and themselves) a couple of very simple questions that go to the heart of public service: Why aren’t our Republican elected officials passing the laws we Nebraskans clearly want? And if they are not going to pass the laws we want, why should we keep voting for them? Mark Porto Grand Island We live in a fast-paced, high-tech, push-button world with instant information at the touch of a finger. Some good, some not so good. The technical achievements are miraculous. Having said that, I sometimes wonder if that is drawing us away from our creator Almighty God. Maybe it’s time to access where we are and how we got here. None of the technical achievements would have been possible if God hadn’t put the elements, resources and talented men and women here to build technology. So, before we pat ourselves on the back too much, we should praise the Lord our God who created the universe and all that’s in it — including mankind — and controls and keeps it together. He gave us the Bible, his word, to guide and direct us through life and teach us the way of salvation. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” 2nd Timothy 3:16 Sin is what separates us from God, but in his endless love and mercy for us, he sent his one and only son, Jesus Christ, to be crucified on a cross, who died and was buried and rose again for the forgiveness of the sins of the world. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 All we have or ever will have comes from God whether you believe it or not. We need to turn to God, not away from him. What an awesome God he is in spite of our disobediences and rebellion. God help and have mercy on us. Don Scholz Grand Island As Thanksgiving comes to a close and Advent begins, I can’t help but reflect on how humbled I am to be a part of the Hall County community. This year Project Hunger organized, assembled and distributed over 1,300 Thanksgiving meal boxes to families the weekend before the holiday. This huge endeavor is made possible by volunteers of all ages and the following generous sponsors: The Bud & Gloria Wolbach Foundation, Woodhouse Toyota Honda, Tom Dinsdale Chevrolet Cadillac GMC, Fonner Park, Hiland Dairy Foods, Tilley Sprinklers & Landscaping, Third City Christian Church, Lone Tree Towing & Recovery, Copycat Printing & Signs, NRG Media, Brandon Built Furniture and CHI Health St. Francis. I know that people give without wanting anything in return and without needing recognition. I just want to thank them and let them know thousands in our community have been blessed because of them. I truly believe that both stomachs and souls were fed this Thanksgiving. Amy McDonald Rockville Get local news delivered to your inbox!Michigan upsets No. 2 Ohio State 13-10 for Wolverines' 4th straight win over bitter rival