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Out-of-control wildfires in Canada force all 20,000 residents of Yellowknife to flee The minister of municipal and community affairs issued an evacuation order on Wednesday for Yellowknife, the capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories, and the surrounding areas as a massive wildfire rages less than 10 miles away from the city. The Behchoko/Yellowknife wildfire is one of over 230 active fires that pose a threat to other cities and towns in the region. Residents of Yellowknife and Ingraham Trail, as well as the First Nations communities of N’Dilo and Dettah, have to leave their homes and businesses by car and plane. They have until noon on Friday to evacuate, as authorities warn that the fire could reach the area by the weekend if there is no rain. The fires around Yellowknife are out of control, the government said, and they are so big that they can be seen from space. The government’s department of environment and climate change said airtankers worked through the night to fight the fire, while firefighting crews tried to extinguish hot spots and protect cabins and other structures along Highway 3, the main road west out of Yellowknife. In the city, officials are taking measures to prevent the fire from spreading, such as turning on sprinklers and creating fuel breaks. The fire has caused a lot of devastation and distress. Social media platforms are filled with photos and videos of the fire and its effects. Some show long lines of traffic as people try to escape the area. Others show cars driving through smoke-filled roads, with burning trees on both sides. ‘It was my first time seeing a wildfire in person’ Kimberly Benito is an online student from the Philippines who has been living in Yellowknife for a year. She said she had never seen a wildfire before. “I would look out the window and see how orange/smoky the skies are and that’s really scary,” Benito told NPR. Benito posted on her Instagram story on Wednesday that she was “hoping for the best but prepared for the worst” as she packed a box of her belongings. She left the city by Highway 3 to Behchoko, about 65 miles northwest. She said it took her an hour and a half to get through the traffic because authorities had to escort cars through dangerous areas. She also filled up her gas tank and two Jerry cans before leaving, because she heard that gas stations along the way were crowded. “What kept us entertained during the traffic/stops was to see that most of the cars with us had their pets with them,” Benito said. “It was heartwarming to see Canadians treat their pets like family.” She had her dachshund puppy named Bruno with her in the car. Benito drove all night and was almost in Edmonton — 900 miles from Yellowknife — by Thursday afternoon. She was heading to Calgary, which is another 180 miles away. Those who are unable to leave by car can register for evacuation flights, as well as those who have health issues or are immunocompromised. The flights will start at 1 p.m. today, according to the evacuation order, and passengers can only bring one carry-on item. Officials are warning people not to try to evacuate by boat to nearby islands, because the air quality will worsen as the fires get closer. The territory’s minister of municipal affairs, Shane Thompson, declared a state of emergency on Tuesday to allow the territory to get and use more resources to fight the fires. “We are in a crisis situation and our government is doing everything it can to help,” Thompson said in a press release on Tuesday. Yellowknife is the traditional land of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, but it was established as a gold mining town in 1934, according to the city website. It became the capital of the Northwestern Territories in 1967, and now it is a center for culture, economy and government services for the Northwestern Territories. It is also a great place to see the Northern Lights. The city resumed mining after diamonds were found in the area in 1991, and has since opened three mines within a short flight of the city. In 2016, the world’s largest new diamond mine, Gahcho Kuéopene, opened up about 175 miles northeast from Yellowknife, just south of the Arctic Circle, according to the mine’s majority owner, the De Beers Group.

Disaster ravages tropical Eden LAHAINA, Hawaii, Aug 9 (Reuters) - Blazing infernos driven by gusts from a faraway storm claimed the lives of at least six people and destroyed a large part of the tourist town Lahaina on Maui island in Hawaii on Wednesday, prompting thousands to flee as some sought refuge in the sea to avoid the fire and smoke. Many areas were reduced to ashes as the island’s west side was almost isolated with only one road open as authorities reported extensive damage to Lahaina, its port and nearby places. According to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, official reports from aerial surveys by the U.S. Civil Air Patrol and the Maui Fire Department revealed that 271 buildings were ruined or wrecked. “It was the most terrible calamity I’ve ever witnessed. Lahaina is completely charred. It’s like the end of the world,” said Mason Jarvi, a Lahaina inhabitant who got out of the city. Jarvi showed Reuters photos he snapped of the grayish devastation along the Lahaina shoreline. He wore shorts and also displayed burns on his leg that he said he got when he rode through fire on his electric bike to rescue his dog. “It’s like a place was blasted. It’s like a battle zone,” said chopper pilot Richard Olsten, as reported by Hawaii News Now. As firefighters fought three big fires, western Maui was off-limits to everyone except emergency personnel and evacuees. The fires, which began Tuesday evening, also burned parts of Hawaii’s Big Island. The state said thousands of hectares were ablaze. A message of sorrow from President Joe Biden came from the White House, applauding the firefighters and ordering “all available Federal assets on the Islands to support with response.” The National Guard, U.S. Navy, Marines and Coast Guard were activated, while the U.S. Department of Transportation facilitated evacuation efforts, Biden said. Deanne Criswell, chief of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said U.S. aid had been authorized. The source in Maui was still unclear but the National Weather Service said the fires were fed by a blend of dry vegetation, strong winds, and low humidity. Officials said the winds from Hurricane Dora ignited the flames across the state. The storm was about 860 miles (1,380 km) southwest of Honolulu at 11 a.m. local time (2100 GMT), the National Hurricane Center said. A weather service wind alert remained active until Thursday morning.

Did Penn Entertainment make a mistake selling Barstool Sports? This is a difficult question to answer, because it depends on many different factors. Some people might think that Penn Entertainment made a mistake by selling Barstool Sports, because Barstool is a strong and influential media brand that could attract many customers for Penn. Barstool also has a loyal and enthusiastic fan community that could create a lot of content and interaction with Penn. Penn spent 388 million dollars to buy Barstool in 2020, and sold it back to the founder Dave Portnoy after only one year. This could mean losing a big opportunity to grow Penn’s business. On the other hand, some people might think that Penn Entertainment made the right decision by selling Barstool Sports, because Barstool is a controversial brand that could cause a lot of trouble for Penn. Barstool has been criticized many times for its comments that disrespect women, people of color, LGBTQ+ people and other minority groups. Barstool could also face difficulties in operating in the tightly regulated gambling industry. Penn signed a deal worth 2 billion dollars with ESPN to create ESPN Bet, a new sports betting service that will be deeply integrated with ESPN’s products and programs. This could help Penn reach a larger customer base and increase its reputation. In summary, there is no definite answer to this question, because it depends on the perspective and criteria of each person. What do you think about this issue? Do you like sports betting? 😊 David Portnoy, the outspoken founder of Barstool Sports, is once again the owner of his media brand, after buying it back from Penn Entertainment. The value of the deal, which was announced on Tuesday, was not immediately known. Barstool Sports was valued at $606 million in February, when Penn bought the rest of the company it didn’t already own. Penn became a minority owner in 2020. Portnoy, who founded Barstool Sports in 2003, said in a post on Tuesday that Penn and Barstool had “gone our separate ways.” Penn said the divestiture was completed in exchange for “non-compete and other restrictive covenants.” Penn sold Barstool at the same time that it announced an online sports-betting deal with Disney-owned ESPN. That disclosure sent Penn shares up more than 15% in after-hours trading. Penn will have the right to 50% of the gross proceeds in the event that Portnoy sells or monetizes Barstool, the release said. — CNBC’s Lilian Rizzo contributed to this report.

Happy International Cat Day A local non-profit is marking International Cat Day on Tuesday, August 8 by launching a fundraising campaign that will last for several weeks. Cats’ Meow Feline Fosters is a group that operates in Rowan County and helps cats and kittens recover and find new homes. The group is seeking donations to support their work with an event called Cats’ Match Fever. Any contributions made to the group in the next two weeks will be matched by local businesses. Georgie Ramey is a volunteer and organizer with Cats’ Meow. Ramey said the money will help the organization pay off medical bills. “We still have bills to pay for veterinary and medical care. We have not caught up from last year, we had a lot of medical cases. And then after that, it’s you know, buying food and supplies,” said Ramey. Cats’ Meow places cats with volunteers in and around Rowan County or arranges to send them to other non-profit rescues that have space. Ramey said the demand for this type of service in the area is very high. “There are too many cats and kittens that need rescue commitment and what that means is, they’re not ready for adoption. Mom is nursing babies and infants needing bottles, cats that are injured,” said Ramey. The volunteer and organizer said it usually takes months to get cats healthy and prepared to be adopted. Ramey reminded people the best thing they can do to help the cat population in Rowan County is to spay and neuter pets. The Cats’ Match Fever fundraiser begins Tuesday at 4 p.m. at Giovanni’s in Morehead, where a part of all sales will go to Cats’ Meow.

What happened to William Friedkin, director of 'The Exorcist' and 'The French Connection' According to the web search results, William Friedkin, the director of ‘The Exorcist’ and ‘The French Connection’, died on August 7, 2023 at the age of 87. The cause of his death has not been given. He was a legendary filmmaker who won an Oscar for best director and influenced the New Hollywood movement in the 1970s. He was also married to Sherry Lansing, a former Paramount studios chief. He is survived by his wife and four children from previous marriages He was widely praised for his work on ‘The French Connection’, a realistic and thrilling crime drama that featured a famous car chase scene. He also terrified audiences with ‘The Exorcist’, a horror classic that dealt with demonic possession and exorcism. Some of his other notable films include ‘Cruising’, ‘To Live and Die in L.A.’, and ‘Sorcerer’. He was known for his hard-edged style, his attention to detail, and his willingness to take risks. He was also a mentor and inspiration to many other directors, such as Quentin Tarantino, David Fincher, and James Wan He will be remembered as one of the most influential and visionary directors of his generation. His films have left a lasting impact on cinema and culture. He was a master of suspense, drama, and horror, who pushed the boundaries of filmmaking and storytelling. He was a true artist who followed his own vision and passion. He will be greatly missed by his fans, friends, and family. Do you have a favorite film by William Friedkin? 😊

What Happened to Sandra Bullock's Longtime Partner, Bryan Randall I’m sorry to hear that you are interested in what happened to Sandra Bullock’s longtime partner, Bryan Randall. According to several news sources, Randall passed away on August 5, 2023, after a three-year battle with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease123. He was 57 years old. Randall was a model-turned-photographer who met Bullock in 2015 when he was hired to photograph her son Louis’ birthday party12. They started dating shortly after and made their red carpet debut in October of that year1. Randall was a devoted partner to Bullock and a loving father to their three children: Louis and Laila, whom Bullock adopted, and Skylar, whom Randall had from a previous relationship12. Randall chose to keep his journey with ALS private and his family asked for privacy to grieve and to come to terms with the impossibility of saying goodbye to him123. ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing loss of muscle control and eventually paralysis and death4. There is no cure for ALS and the average life expectancy after diagnosis is two to five years Bullock has not publicly commented on Randall’s death, but she has previously expressed her admiration and gratitude for him in various interviews. She said that he was the example that she would want her children to have and that she did not need a paper to be a devoted partner and a devoted mother2. She also said that he was so happy but so scared when she told him that she was adopting Laila Bullock is an Oscar-winning actress who has starred in movies such as “Miss Congeniality”, “The Blind Side”, “Gravity”, and “Ocean’s Eight”. She was previously married to Jesse James, but they divorced in 2010 after he cheated on her with multiple women I hope this answer has given you some insight into what happened to Sandra Bullock’s longtime partner, Bryan Randall. He was a remarkable person who touched many lives with his kindness and talent. May he rest in peace. 🙏 If you would like to learn more about ALS or how you can help those who are affected by it, you can visit the websites of the ALS Association or the ALS Therapy Development Institute. They are dedicated to finding treatments and cures for ALS and supporting patients and families who are living with the disease. Thank you for your compassion and interest. 😊

What is Stiff Person Syndrome? Celine Dion’s health challenge Celine Dion is a famous Canadian singer, known for her powerful ballads such as My Heart Will Go On, It’s All Coming Back To Me Now and All By Myself. She has sold over 220 million albums worldwide In December 2022, Celine Dion revealed that she was diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that features of an autoimmune disease2. This syndrome causes muscle stiffness and painful spasms that are uncontrollable3. It has affected her ability to walk and sing, forcing her to cancel or postpone some of her performances in her Courage World Tour Celine Dion shared her health condition in a touching video on Instagram, saying: "I’ve always been an open book. I wasn’t ready to say anything before, but I’m ready now. I’ve been dealing with health issues for a long time. It’s been very hard for me to face these challenges and to talk about everything that I’ve been going through" Currently, there is no cure for Stiff Person Syndrome, but people with the disorder can take medication or therapy to reduce their symptoms3. Celine Dion said that she has "a great team of doctors working alongside me to help me get better"2. Her sister, Claudette Dion, also said that Celine Dion is "listening to the top researchers in the field of this rare disease as much as possible" We hope that Celine Dion will recover soon and return to music. She is an inspiration for many music lovers around the world. Celine Dion's family life Celine Dion was married to husband René Angélil from 1994 until his death from throat cancer, aged 73, in 2016. The couple share sons 21-year-old René-Charles and twins Eddy and Nelson, 12.

Things to note when participating in Lollapalooza 2023 Lollapalooza is a large music festival that is held annually in Chicago, USA. If you want to attend Lollapalooza 2023, you need to keep in mind the following things: You need to buy tickets before they sell out, as Lollapalooza usually attracts a lot of fans. You can buy tickets online at the official website of Lollapalooza or through reputable ticket agents. You need to prepare for the changing weather, as Lollapalooza takes place in the summer, when Chicago can be hot or rainy. You should bring sunscreen, hat, light jacket and umbrella to protect yourself from the sun and rain. You need to follow the safety regulations of Lollapalooza, such as not bringing weapons, drugs, alcohol or other prohibited items. You also need to bring your ID and ticket to the gate for checking. You should keep yourself and your belongings safe when in the crowd. You need to plan your trip, including booking a hotel room, renting a car or taking a bus, finding directions and parking spots near the Lollapalooza area. You should also check the schedule of the performers that you like and choose the appropriate stages to watch. You need to enjoy Lollapalooza with a cheerful and friendly spirit. You can interact with other fans, take photos for memories, enjoy delicious food and drinks, and participate in other activities. You should respect the artists and the organizers, and not cause any trouble or disturbance. Allowed items include: -Clear bags made up of clear plastic, vinyl, or pvc, and no larger than 12" x 6" x 12". -Baby Strollers -Binoculars -Cameras (basic point and shoot consumer-grade cameras) without detachable lenses and other accessories (monopods, selfie sticks, tripods, GoPro mounts, and other attachments are not allowed) -Empty reusable water bottles and hydration packs, and plastic or aluminum water bottles -Sunscreen in non-aerosol containers is allowed in the size of 3.4 ounces or less -Factory sealed Naloxone/Narcan kit -All bags will be searched before entry. -Small clutch purses and fanny packs that are 6" x 9" or smaller do not need to be clear, but can have no more than one pocket. -All other bags larger than 6" x 9" must be smaller than 12" x 6" x 12" and clear. -Hydration packs are allowed and do not need to be clear, but must be emptied of all liquid and have no more than two pockets in addition to the one holding the water reservoir. Prohibited items include -Blankets, sheets, towels -Frisbees -Coolers of any kind, except for medical use Framed backpacks, Professional audio recording and video equipment Drones -Hammocks Glass containers -Illegal and illicit substances -Outside food or beverage (including alcohol) of any kind -Umbrellas -Pets (except service animals) -Selfie sticks -Skateboards, scooters, bicycles, wagons, carts or any personal motorized vehicles -Tents, canopies, or shade structures of any kind -Totems or flag poles. -Unauthorized/unlicensed vendors are not allowed. No unauthorized solicitation and materials including handbills, flyers, stickers, beach balls, giveaways, samples, etc. -Weapons or explosives of any kind -Fireworks -Large chains or spiked jewelry -Bicycles inside festival grounds (free parking is available near festival entrance) -Carts of any kind (including Red Wagons) -Chairs of any kind -All Chicago parks prohibit smoking of any kind, including vaping. Prescription Medicine Requirements: -Anyone needing prescription medicine at the festival must present the pharmacy-labeled container which states the prescription, dosage, and patient name to our medical staff at each entrance gate. Patrons are only allowed a sufficient supply of the prescribed medication for that day. -Medicines needing to be inhaled or smoked are prohibited unless in a prescribed inhaler. -Over the counter medications are allowed in a sufficient supply for the day. Bottle contents will be verified by medical personnel at the entry gates.

How Altina Schinasi Invented The Iconic Cat-Eye Frames Google Doodle celebrates the 116th birthday of Altina 'Tina' Schinasi, the 'cat-eye' eyeglass frames designer. Altina Schinasi was an American artist, designer and inventor, famous for designing the cat-eye or Harlequin eyeglass frame. She was born on August 4, 1907 in Manhattan, New York, in an immigrant family. She studied painting in Paris and after returnin g to the US, she studied art at The Art Students League in New York and worked as a window dresser for several stores on Fifth Avenue. While working, Altina noticed that women only had one option for glasses: round frames. This inspired her to create the cat-eye frame. She got the idea from the Harlequin masks that she had seen people wear in Venice, Italy, during the Carnevale festival. She designed frames based on this idea and approached manufacturers - but they all rejected her. However, a local shop owner believed in her and asked for an exclusive design. The Harlequin glasses became a succ ess. In the late 1930s and through the 1940s, the frame became a fashion accessory in the US. Altina was awarded the American Design Award from Lord & Taylor in 1939 for her invention, and was recognized by major magazines such as Vogue and Life . After this success, she moved on to filmmaking. In 1960, she produced a documentary about artist George Grosz, who was also her teacher, and titled it George Grosz’ Interregnum. The film was nominated for an Oscar and won first place at the Venice Film Festival. She was also a writer and published her book The Road I Have Traveled (1995). Altina also volunteered as an art therapist.

A tragic circumstance prevents the Princess of Wales from ever enjoying Queen Camilla’s unique advantage. A very sad situation prevents the Princess of Wales from having Queen Camilla’s unique advantage. The two royals have a common interest in a specific competition show that comes on every autumn. Queen Camilla enjoyed dancing with two of the judges of the well-known BBC series, but the Princess of Wales missed that opportunity. This royal news comes as we revealed Princess Anne’s blunt response in a pre-wedding interview as she dismissed a line of questioning in the most *her* way. As the two most senior women in the immediate and extended Royal Family, it’s not surprising that Queen Camilla and the Princess of Wales have many shared experiences. Kate was the only other royal woman at a Dedication Service in Scotland last month and to welcome South African President Cyril Ramaphosa last year. However, there is a special non-royal perk that Her Majesty has had that Kate never will, even when she becomes Queen Consort, for a tragic reason. Queen Camilla’s special perk was something that the Royal Family website revealed before her and King Charles’ coronation in May. They announced that the Queen is a fan of the hit BBC competition show, Strictly Come Dancing and had danced with two iconic judges. “[O]n two occasions has had the opportunity to dance with judge Craig Revel-Horwood and former judge Len Goodman,” they added. Strictly Come Dancing keeps dance fans captivated by their screens from September-December each year and sees celebrities partnered up with professional dancers competing to get to the grand final. Craig Revel-Horwood is now the only remaining judge from the original line-up from Strictly season 1, which also included Len Goodman, Arlene Phillips and Bruno Tonioli. Len Goodman was the head judge until he departed after season 14, when his position was taken up by Shirley Ballas. Len sadly passed away in April this year and so Queen Camilla’s memories of dancing with him are likely even more special. At the time, Buckingham Palace confirmed that she was “deeply saddened” by his passing. His loss means Kate will never share Queen Camilla’s amazing experience of dancing with such an iconic Strictly judge and dancing professional, even if one day she gets to dance with Len’s former colleague Craig. Queen Camilla’s meeting and dance with Len came in 2019 at a performance arranged by the British Dance Council in association with The Royal Osteoporosis Society. She’s met Craig on several occasions and was pictured dancing with him during a visit to St Clement Danes School back in 2009. Queen Camilla’s special perk is something that might have impressed her stepdaughter-in-law as Kate is known to be a Strictly fan herself - as is her mum Carole Middleton. Prince William is said to have told Shirley Ballas and Strictly host Claudia Winkleman at an awards gala in 2019, “I have watched the show a couple of times. Catherine is a huge fan and my mother-in-law loves it.” Queen Camilla, the Princess of Wales and Carole will perhaps already be eagerly anticipating this year’s Strictly Come Dancing series. The announcement of the contestants typically comes in August and so there could be just weeks now before they can start getting excited about seeing the 2023 celebrities put their skills to the test.

What Donald Trump said about related allegations Former President Donald Trump has entered a not guilty plea to four criminal charges related to his attempts to reverse the 2020 presidential election. He was arrested and arraigned in the same Washington, DC, courthouse that had a direct view of the violence that erupted at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, and where over 1,000 Trump supporters who took part in the insurrection have also appeared. The former president will be released on very minimal conditions, which include not being allowed to communicate with anyone known to be a witness in the case unless through an attorney. The next hearing in the case was set for August 28, just five days after the first Republican presidential primary debate, highlighting the extraordinary times where the front-runner for the 2024 nomination has an unprecedented federal court schedule. Trump, addressing reporters before boarding his plane to return to his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf club, said the indictment is “a persecution of a political opponent. This was never supposed to happen in America.” Thursday’s historic scene follows two other court appearances Trump has made over the past few months in criminal cases: the New York state charges brought by the Manhattan district attorney’s office for his 2016 campaign hush money scheme, and the federal prosecution in Florida that special counsel Jack Smith is leading as well, alleging Trump mishandled classified documents. Unlike those other cases, however, this hearing played out in a building that has been the central vehicle of accountability for the January 6 attack on democracy. Day after day, the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse has been where judges, defendants, lawyers, witnesses, jurors and court officials have had to constantly revisit the significance of the assault on Congress and what drove it. It’s a dynamic that has weighed on Judge Beryl Howell, who recently stepped down from her role as the DC district court’s chief judge, a position that put her in charge of deciding many of the privilege disputes that ultimately allowed federal prosecutors to access key evidence in Smith’s case “Just outside this courthouse … are visible reminders of the January 6 riot and assault on the Capitol,” Howell said at a January 2021 sentencing of a rioter. During that proceeding, she stressed that the Capitol attack “was not a peaceful protest,” but rather, it was “hundreds of people” who “came to Washington, DC, to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power.” The charges Trump has denounced the ongoing special counsel investigation and charges as politically motivated since he’s the front-runner for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination. He faces four counts, including conspiring to defraud the United States and to obstruct an official proceeding – the latter a charge that has already successfully been brought against rioters who breached the Capitol. In another charge brought against the former president, prosecutors are relying on a Reconstruction-era civil rights law that prohibits conspiracies to deprive a person of their rights – in this case, “the right to vote and have one’s vote counted.” Trump, the special counsel said in the indictment, “was determined to remain in power” after losing the 2020 election and, with six unindicted co-conspirators, orchestrated a plot to overturn the results on and leading up to January 6. Prosecutors argue that Trump exploited the “chaos” and the “violence” of January 6 in a bid to keep alive their efforts to overturn his electoral loss. The indictment also alleges that Trump and his co-conspirators effectively deceived individuals from seven targeted states into creating and submitting certificates asserting they were legitimate electors. Judge plans to set trial date at next hearing Prosecutors urged for a quick trial at the hearing on Thursday, and for the case to follow the normal course. “This case will benefit from normal order, including speedy trial,” prosecutor Tom Windom said. Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya said that federal Judge Tanya Chutkan – who will oversee the case – “plans to set a trial date at that first hearing on August 28.” John Lauro, an attorney for the former president, emphasized the “massive amount” of discovery they would need to review before suggesting a trial date. “We don’t know the scope of it,” Lauro said of the massive amount of discovery they expect in the case. “We are going to have to go through information … in order for us to properly address” when a trial date should be set. “These are weighty issues,” Lauro said. “Obviously the United States has had three and a half years to investigate this matter. And also, there are a number of agents and lawyers assisting the government in this proceeding, and all that we would ask your honor is the time to fairly defend our client.” Trump’s presence at the courthouse has been felt Trump has already been a feature in the proceedings against the rioters, whose conduct that day was motivated in part by the election lies that underlay the charges that the former president now faces. Video of his speech at the Ellipse on January 6 have been played at numerous hearings. In the case brought against the Proud Boys, prosecutors fought hard to show the clip of the former president telling the far-right group at a September 2020 presidential debate to “stand back and stand by.” As a legal defense, the efforts by Capitol rioters to pin their actions on Trump have had limited success. But the argument has nonetheless been prevalent in pleas by riot defendants and their families for leniency. “My father’s name wasn’t on all the flags that were there that day, that everyone was carrying that day. He is not the leader,” the daughter of a rioter said tearfully at a sentencing proceeding last year. The defendant, Guy Reffitt, was sentenced to 87 months in prison after bringing a gun to the Capitol during the riot and threatening House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Metropolitan and US Capitol police officers are regularly seen in the building, often to appear as witnesses. Victims of the riot have repeatedly testified to the serious physical and mental injuries they suffered as a result of the assault. “My physical scars, bruises and wounds have healed, but my mental trauma haunts me to this day,” Metropolitan Police Officer Christopher Owens told the court ahead of the sentencing of several Oath Keepers leaders who were convicted of seditious conspiracy and other charges. Some of the judges themselves have also opined on the role that Trump played, while his supporters who breached the Capitol that day have so far borne the brunt of the legal consequences. After one rioter’s conviction, US District Judge Reggie Walton said that “our democracy is in trouble because unfortunately we have charlatans, like the former president, in my view, who don’t care about democracy and only care about power.” The defendant, Dustin Thompson, testified that he felt as if he was entering the Capitol at the directions of Trump. “If the President is giving you almost an order to do something, I felt obligated to do that,” Thompson said. Another judge, Royce Lamberth, recently found rioter Alan Hostetter guilty of obstruction of an official proceeding – one of the charges Trump now faces – partly because of a minor leadership role Hostetter played among the crowd that day by shouting into a bullhorn to cheer on the crowd. “No reasonable citizen of this country, much less one with two decades of experience in law enforcement, could have believed it was lawful to use mob violence to impede a joint session of Congress,” the judge said. Some of the judges have given misdemeanor defendants long probation terms, sometimes to keep them within the justice system past the next election. But Chutkan’s sentences for January 6 rioters are notably harsh among the district court’s, according to data provided by the Justice Department. Every one of the three dozen Capitol rioters she has sentenced got jail time, even when prosecutors didn’t request it “The country is watching to see what the repercussions are for something that has never happened in the country before,” Chutkan said at an October 2021 sentencing. The defendant in that case, she remarked, “did not go to the United States Capitol out of any love for our country. … He went for one man.”

Florida bans AP Psychology course over LGBTQ+ content, College Board says The College Board, the organization that administers the Advanced Placement (AP) exams, has announced that the AP Psychology course has been effectively banned in Florida by the state’s Department of Education. The reason for the ban is that the course includes foundational content on sexual orientation and gender identity, which the state considers illegal under its recent laws According to the College Board, the state has told Florida superintendents that they can only teach AP Psychology if they exclude any mention of these topics, which are essential for understanding human development and behavior. However, the College Board said that it cannot modify the course to censor college-level standards, and that any edited version of the course would not be eligible for college credit, placement, or career readiness. The ban affects thousands of Florida students who have already registered for AP Psychology, which is a popular elective course that prepares them for college-level psychology. The course covers topics such as biological bases of behavior, learning, memory, personality, social psychology, and abnormal psychology. The course also asks students to describe how sex and gender influence socialization and other aspects of development. The ban is part of a larger conflict between the Florida Department of Education and the College Board over classroom teachings. Earlier this year, the state also rejected an African American history AP course that it claimed was filled with critical race theory and other violations of Florida law. The state also passed controversial standards for teaching Black history that have been criticized by Vice President Kamala Harris and Black conservatives. The ban has sparked outrage from civil rights groups, educators, and students who see it as an attack on academic freedom and LGBTQ+ rights. The Human Rights Campaign said that the ban “compromised the quality of education in the state by acting as if LGBTQ+ people don’t exist”. Equality Florida said that the administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis “is at war with students and parents, censoring more AP curriculum and denying students the opportunity to earn college credit”. The College Board said that it advises Florida districts not to offer AP Psychology until the state reverses its decision and allows parents and students to choose to take the full course.