Virtually no one acquitted themselves well in the murders on Brown University's campus on Saturday, in particular the school's president, Christina Paxson. For the rest of us, hopefully Thursday night's media briefing -- in which law enforcement announced that the man they said was responsible, 48-year-old former student Claudio Neves-Valente,...

The ending was the best part

A Utah state employee accused Republican Governor Spencer Cox of engaging in “reprehensible censorship” for ordering a review that included flagging content related to radical gender and racial ideology in state documents, according to emails viewed by The Daily Wire.  An employee with the Utah Department of Health attacked Cox, accusing him of “dehumanizing” minorities and saying more should be done to “push back” against the review, emails obtained by Do No Harm show. The employee made the comment amid a sensitive content review that directed officials at Utah’s Department of Health to go through content and watch for words like “anti-racism,” “environmental justice,” “gender identity,” “LGBTQ(IA+),” “Racism,” “transgender,” “white privilege,” “white fragility,” abortion, and more.  The call to “push back” was apparently made during a staff meeting and passed along by public information officer Charla Haley, whose job is to communicate with the public about what’s happening at the health department, to other employees in the Utah Department of Health in an email on January 10, 2024. “Why isn’t more being done to push back against the Sensitive Content Assignment issued by the governor’s office?” the quote shared by Haley read. “This effort to remove references to health equity, race, gender identity, ethnicity, and sexual orientation is reprehensible censorship that invisibilizes communities who have already experienced disproportionate negative health outcomes from systemic oppression. It is dehumanizing and will further marginalize diverse people in Utah, including employees and Partners.”  Utah Department of Health and Human Services Director Mike Grass said in an email to The Daily Wire that Haley passed the message along to other employees “who had some questions.” It was not clear what the questions were. “With respect to the comment sent by Charla Haley, this was simply a direct quote written by an employee made during a staff meeting. She passed it along to three staff members who had some questions,” the Utah Department of Health told The Daily Wire.  Kurt Miceli, the medical Director of Do No Harm, said the comment showed that there were political ideologues embedded in Utah’s Department of Health and Human Services.   “What Do No Harm has uncovered makes it clear that there are political ideologues in Utah’s DHHS who are interested in pushing an agenda, not science,” he said. “These activists within Utah’s DHHS should stop pushing their political agenda and spend more time helping the people of their state.” A few hours after passing along the quote attacking the governor, Haley sent an email to another health department employee telling them to pull “concerning” handouts “for the time being.”  “So, you might want to go through some of your handouts that might be concerning and pull them for the time being. Your disease reports should be fine for now and we can review them and rebrand them after the 15th,” she wrote.  Grass told The Daily Wire that the reference to rebranding had to do with a merger, and the department was not trying to hide DEI-focused materials. “DHHS is compliant with the governor’s directive. DHHS materials were not rebranded to hide references to DEI activities; however, materials were revised to comply with the governor’s directive and the department’s internal policies,” he said. “Additionally, the department’s efforts to rebrand and the references to rebranding were necessary due to the merger between the Utah Department of Health and the Utah Department of Human Services in July 2022. After the merger, the department’s website continued to contain documents with old logos. The rebranding comments simply referred to making sure they all had the new logo.” Grass said those conducting the review were “instructed to watch for certain words” and “the context in which those words were used during the review process.” “The use of those words alone did not necessarily result in revisions to particular materials,” he said.  In another email sent to a health department employee in February 2024, Haley shared a rant from someone named “Mikey” who she said was “definitely in touch with his emotions.” In the rant, “Mikey” said that parents should allow their kids to identify as transgender.  “The LGBTQIA+ community does not want your children. They want to give a safe space for your child when you decide they are no longer your child because they came out as gay or trans. YOU, as a parent, are a failure if you feel that is the only acceptable response to your child telling you what has been plaguing their minds the most,” the person wrote.  In another email from April 16, 2024, obtained by Do No Harm, a then-health department employee, Andrea Hood, discussed editing an LGBT-focused resource to get it through the content review process.  “I was wondering if we want to edit this resource for parents and submit it through the DHHS ‘sensitive topics’ review process,” she wrote. “What are your thoughts? I created it to go with Inclusive Spaces training but I think it could be useful on its own. I’m open to making adjustments to it if there are pieces that might be particularly scrutinized we can brainstorm how to do that.” The resource pushed parents to get involved in politics and embrace their kids’ gender expression. The resource said that using “chosen name & pronouns,” supporting “gender expression,” encouraging “inclusive practices,” and being “active in the legislative process,” would “increase the likelihood of your LGBTQ+ child having a healthy and happy future.” The resource also said to “speak up when you hear stereotypes about LGBTQ+ people,” and “talk with your religious leaders to help your congregation become more supportive of LGBTQ+ people.” The inclusive practices the resource said to support included “including pronouns on enrollment forms,” “name and pronoun change procedures,” “LGBTQ+ professional development for staff,” “sports participation for transgender and gender non-binary youth,” “inclusive curricula,” and “affirming clubs (Gender & Sexuality Alliances).” The resource told parents to use their children’s chosen pronouns, not their biological ones, and to “correct” themselves when they “make a mistake.”  “Listen to your child to understand what being transgender or gender nonbinary means to them, and what it feels like,” the resource said, adding, “Try to use their chosen name and pronouns, and correct yourself in the moment when you make a mistake.” The resource also claimed that studies “found that youth who have parental and school support to transition socially have significantly better mental health outcomes than youth without that support.” Cox’s office did not respond to requests for comment on the emails.  Christmas Sale – Get 40% off New DailyWire+ Annual Memberships Utah’s Department of Health has been criticized for producing a “terribly flawed” report on the science behind transgender procedures for kids. The report, which was sent from the department to the Utah legislature, significantly misrepresents the scientific record and glosses over the danger of transgender procedures, Do No Harm said in a memo last week.  The report also came alongside recommendations from the Utah Department of Health, which Miceli said silently supported undoing protections for kids from transgender procedures.  The recommendations are all contingent on the moratorium being lifted, Miceli said. These included things like setting up a board to oversee the moratorium, creating specific standards of care, and limiting those who prescribe transgender procedures to “demonstrated experts.” Utah’s Department of Health also maintains a “self-paced” training page on the topics of “advancing health equity,” “an anti-racist imperative for public health data,” and “How to be Anti-Racist in the Everyday Practice of Public Health.” “Each day, we have opportunities to fight racism and bias in our work in public health. From our hiring practices to microaggressions that occur in internal meetings to the data we collect to the policies we influence, enact, and enforce — racism and bias impact all facets of public health. Studies show that this ultimately causes a negative impact on health outcomes and hinders our efforts to reduce racial inequities in health,” the course description says.  In January 2023, Cox signed legislation placing a moratorium on doctors giving kids cross-sex hormones and puberty blockers and banning transgender surgeries. That came after he previously vetoed a bill keeping males out of female sports.

Daily Wire host Michael Knowles defended the idea of Americans as a distinct people with a “real historical lineage and a real historical destiny” on Thursday night. Knowles spoke on the main stage during the first night of Turning Point USA’s America Fest conference in Phoenix, Arizona. In a speech largely about uniting the American political Right, Knowles described the American people as having a heritage that sets them apart from others. “To be on the team, you have to acknowledge that there is such a thing as the American people. We’re not just an idea floating in outer space. We are a real people with a real historical lineage and a real historical destiny,” said Knowles. What defines Americanism became a point of debate online this week after Vivek Ramaswamy, a former 2024 GOP presidential candidate and current candidate for Ohio governor, wrote an op-ed for The New York Times arguing that the “American identity is based on ideals.” Knowles appeared to push back against that idea in his speech at AmFest. Christmas Sale – Get 40% off New DailyWire+ Annual Memberships “We have a real historical experience and character that is not magically imbued through a few lines of philosophy or a naturalization pop quiz,” he said. “At different times, we’ve taken in foreigners. When it’s worked, those foreigners have come to act and talk and even look like us. When it hasn’t worked, they haven’t.” “If you prefer the flag of some other nation, the customs and habits of some other people, you are not on my team. If you are and want to be a member of the American people, you are on my team,” he added. Follow along with The Daily Wire’s live coverage here and live blog here.

A new travel advisory warns of “active hostilities” in Türkiye, raising concerns among American tourists. U.S. Travel Advisory for Türkiye In 2025, the U.S. Department of State updated its travel advisory for Türkiye, maintaining a Level 2: “Exercise Increased Caution” status. This advisory highlights concerns over terrorism and arbitrary detentions, particularly stressing heightened risks in eastern and southeastern Türkiye near the Syrian and Iraqi borders. This update comes amidst broader regional tensions impacting U.S. foreign policy and perceptions. Despite the advisory, key tourist areas in Türkiye, such as Istanbul, the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, and Cappadocia, continue to welcome visitors. Tourism experts and government officials assure that these regions remain secure for travelers who take standard precautions. Nonetheless, the U.S. Mission Türkiye advises government personnel to maintain a low profile and avoid the Adana Consular District, which includes 22 southeastern provinces. Some people stoned a Starbucks branch in Turkey’s Kahramanmaras, likely due to perceived support to Israel by the chain even though it repeatedly denied it pic.twitter.com/7t5UlHKhwV — Ragıp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) April 12, 2024 Security Concerns and Regional Tensions The advisory underscores the risks associated with regional conflicts, particularly those involving Syria and Iraq. The southeastern part of Türkiye remains a focal point due to ongoing military operations and intermittent violence from neighboring conflict zones. The advisory also notes the possibility of anti-U.S. sentiment leading to demonstrations or actions against Western interests, urging travelers to avoid protests and stay informed about local conditions. Historical tensions further complicate the situation. Türkiye’s proximity to volatile regions has long exposed it to cross-border instability. The current advisory reflects a continuation of cautionary measures that have been in place for years, adapting to evolving geopolitical dynamics and threats. A woman from Skopje who was visiting Turkey was followed and harassed by a Turkish man . Don’t visit Turkey , you aren’t safe. pic.twitter.com/FzRvTuHqQ3 — Theophobos | Θεόφοβος (@TheophobosIV) September 2, 2025 Implications for Travelers and Türkiye’s Tourism Industry Travelers are advised to exercise heightened situational awareness, especially near protest sites and regions associated with the U.S. or Israel. While the advisory may deter some tourists, the Turkish tourism industry emphasizes the safety and appeal of its main attractions, far removed from high-risk zones. The industry aims to reassure potential visitors that most of Türkiye remains a vibrant and welcoming destination. Türkiye’s reliance on tourism revenue underscores the potential economic impact of such advisories. However, the country’s strategic location and historical allure continue to draw international visitors. As regional tensions persist, Türkiye’s government and tourism sector are tasked with balancing security concerns and maintaining the nation’s image as a desirable travel destination. Sources: Turkey Travel Planner: Should I Go? U.S. Embassy Türkiye: Exercise Increased Caution U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories State Department – Turkey Travel Information

A sweet little lost pooch has come home in time for Christmas—to a bigger family than the one he left. That’s because little Choco was gone for 5 years. But his hominid mama Patricia never gave up hope of finding him again. It was 2022 when Choco disappeared from his Antelope, California home, and though […] The post Lost Dog Found Chained to Pole 2,000 Miles Away Reunited with Family in Time for Christmas appeared first on Good News Network.

Reading and math scores are abysmal across the country, as national testing results keep documenting. Illiteracy rates are rising: The number of 16- to 24-year-olds reading at the lowest literacy levels increased from 16% in 2017 to 25% in 2023, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics. In some inner-city schools, less than half of kids are reading or doing math at grade-level proficiency. Many high school grads can’t read their diplomas. As an economist, I would submit that this is our greatest crisis. It puts the future of American prosperity in grave danger. Also, the learning gap widens income and wealth disparities. The apparent solution among the education establishment is not to challenge kids to stretch their minds and hit the books but rather to dumb down the curriculum so everyone passes. I call this the “make everyone below average” solution. Some schools are now no longer requiring kids in English class to read cover to cover the classic books that students have been reading for decades. Perhaps the students don’t have the attention spans. Perhaps their reading skills aren’t up to par. Perhaps they are too busy texting or playing video games on their cellphones. A case in point is what has happened at Alice Deal Middle School in Washington, D.C. This is one of the best public schools in the city, with reading proficiency rates at 80%, or double the D.C. District’s abysmal 38% average. Alice Deal has decided to remove all full-length novels from its eighth-grade English curriculum. The educrats behind this strategy claim that moving from full-length books to section readings will better prepare students for high school. Huh? How is it better for reading proficiency and knowledge-gathering for a student to read sections of “Huckleberry Finn” or “To Kill a Mockingbird” but not the whole book? Would anyone watch only a few scenes of the movie? It’s almost as if the school is instructing the 13-year-olds to read the CliffsNotes version of “The Scarlet Letter” or “A Man for All Seasons.” That used to be considered a form of cheating. But now it’s the schools that are cheating the kids. If it is true that reading a full-length novel is now too heavy a lift for a sixth, seventh, or eighth grader, Houston, we have a problem. If the kids in the top public schools can’t be expected to read a full-length book, it’s scary to think about the reading levels at the bad schools. We solved the problem of illiteracy nearly 100 years ago. Now the problem is back. This is yet another sad example of subjecting our children to the tyranny of low expectations. It is sadly symbolic of all that is wrong with government-run schools. Ironically, it is coming at a time when poor states like Louisiana and Mississippi have returned to the basics—like good old-fashioned phonics—and have seen miraculous jumps in their reading scores. They are now beating out higher-income blue states. Raise the bar, don’t lower it. We can do this. We all remember with fondness reading our favorite books—like “The Outsiders.” The joy of reading comes from reading a great book and learning its life message. Kids are now being robbed of that joy. Washington, D.C., will reap the illiteracy it sows, and my only hope is that other schools don’t participate in this dumbing down of America’s children. COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM We publish a variety of perspectives. Nothing written here is to be construed as representing the views of The Daily Signal. The post Why Johnny Can’t Read appeared first on The Daily Signal.

The comet will be farther than the Sun, but there are still ways to see it as it swings by.