The midterms

North Carolina’s Republican-controlled House passed a previously vetoed proposal Wednesday to restrict how teachers can discuss certain racial topics that some lawmakers have equated to “ critical race theory .” The House voted 68-49 along party lines for legislation banning public school teachers from compelling students to believe they should feel guilty or responsible for past actions committed by people of the same race or sex. United in their opposition, House Democrats challenged Republican claims that the bill would reduce discrimination and argued that a comprehensive history education should make students uncomfortable. Republican seat gains in the midterm elections give them greater leverage this year to override any veto by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, who successfully blocked a similar proposal in 2021 and urged legislators this month in his State of the State address, “Don’t make teachers re-write history.” But Republicans, who are one seat short in the … [Read more...] about North Carolina House passes bill limiting racial teachings

close Video Iowa deemed 'Florida of the north' after midterm 'red wave' Iowa Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks joins 'Fox & Friends First' to discuss her state's shift to the right and the upcoming House hearing on TikTok. Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds signed two bills into law on Wednesday that ban gender care for minors and prevent transgender school students from using bathrooms and locker rooms that align with their gender identity. The first bill prevents doctors in Iowa from prescribing puberty blockers or hormone therapy treatments to children under the age of 18. Additionally, the law also prohibits any "gender transition procedures" that would "affirm the minor's perception of the minor's gender or sex." "I’m a parent. I’m a grandmother. I know how difficult this is," Reynolds said, according to The Gazette, a Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based newspaper. "This is an extremely uncomfortable position for me to be in. And I don’t like it." … [Read more...] about Iowa signs ban on gender transition surgery for minors, says it’s ‘in the best interest of the kids’

9 Community Corner Though inflation is slowing down in FL, thanks to lower gas prices, costs continue to rise on food, rent and in other areas. Tiffany Razzano , Patch Staff Posted Replies FLORIDA — Inflation is slowing down, led largely by tumbling gasoline prices, but residents of Florida will continue to feel pain at grocery stores and other places, according to the July Consumer Price Index report released Wednesday. Consumer prices jumped 8.5 percent in July, compared with a year earlier, but that was down from the 9.1 percent year-over-year increase in June, a four-decade high, according to the report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Supply chain snarls are also loosening, with fewer ships moored off Southern California ports and shipping costs declining. Prices for commodities like corn, wheat and copper have fallen steeply. Florida residents paid an average of $3.73 per gallon of gas Wednesday, compared … [Read more...] about FL Inflation Eases With Falling Gas Prices, But Other Costs Rise

0 Community Corner While used car and gas prices have decreased in Florida, consumer prices surged nationwide. Tiffany Razzano , Patch Staff Posted Reply FLORIDA — Lower gas prices in Florida, along with cheaper used cars, slowed inflation for a second straight month in August, but the new inflation report released Tuesday painted far from a rosy picture as many other items increased in price. Consumer prices surged 8.3 percent last month compared with August 2021, down from the 8.5 percent year-over-year increase in July. Inflation is still painfully high as food and energy prices remain volatile, but it’s down from the four-decade high of 9.1 percent in June. The price of a gallon of regular-grade gasoline was $3.71 Tuesday, compared with $3.80 a gallon a week ago, $3.97 a gallon a month ago and $3.18 a gallon a year ago, according to the AAA fuel price tracker . In Florida, we’re paying an average of $3.43 … [Read more...] about Inflation Slows, But Is Still Painfully High: How It Affects Florida