The child was allegedly struck by a pickup truck around 7:30 a.m. as he was riding an e-bike to school

'Never imagined this would happen'

President Joe Biden is projected to win the first Democratic primary of 2024 in South Carolina on Saturday‚ according to The Associated Press. Biden is projected to beat challengers Democratic Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips and author Marianne Williamson with more than 96% of the early vote‚ according to the AP. The DNC altered the primary […]

A Beaver County‚ PA resident had 3 separate sightings/encounters with Sasquatch. On each occasion‚ the Sasquatch demonstrated 'mind speak' skills. Once‚ using its cloaking talents."My encounter was with what I believe to have been a young female (but not adolescent) Sasquatch. I wasn't close enough for fine details‚ but I had the overall sense that it was female.On August 16‚ 2021‚ I was fishing at the group camping area lake (western side of Rt 18) in Raccoon Creek State Park (Beaver County). Looking at the lake on the map‚ you can clearly see that one side has a grassy area near the dam/spillway‚ and the other side has the dam breastwork and forested shoreline. I was standing along the shore in the grassy area fishing towards the area in front of the spillway lip. I had a fairly good view of the creek as it ran away from the dam. It was mostly sunny and warm with a mild breeze with gusts up to 10-ish mph. I was enjoying the fishing and just being outdoors. There are several trails in the immediate area‚ but I hadn't seen another human for at least a half hour.I saw a dark brown flash off to my left. I thought I was about to see my first western Pennsylvania black bear‚ but I did not. What I did see was a large bipedal being covered in medium dark brown hair mid-stride crossing the creek downstream about 50 yards from me. It was frozen in place and staring right at me with bright golden yellow eyes. It slowly stood straight up and turned to face me.The Sasquatch was between 7 and 8 feet tall and built like a muscular basketball player.The really crazy part was that it camouflaged itself like the 'Predator' alien from the movies. I could still see it because its bright glowing gold-colored eyes were locked onto mine. THEN! I heard (in my mind) a calm‚ peaceful voice say‚ "You did not see." Ten seconds later‚ it repeated the phrase. Ten more seconds‚ and I heard the phrase a third time. After about ten more seconds‚ it took a large step to the side and disappeared into the underbrush along the creek. At that point‚ my mouth finally uttered the words‚ "You know I saw you." From beginning to end the encounter lasted about 45 seconds.I stood statue-still for at least 5 minutes trying to figure out what I should do. I was totally calm and didn't feel any fear. In fact‚ I was surprised that I wasn't afraid‚ so I decided to keep fishing.In July 2022‚ at around 8:30 PM‚ I was taking the trash to the dumpster. Near the dumpster is a small grassy yard with a park bench beneath two 35 to 40-foot tall trees. When I was about 50 feet away from the dumpster‚ something moved in the grassy area‚ like it wanted me to notice it. When I looked up‚ I saw a very large bipedal being walking behind one of the trees‚ BUT IT didn't come out the other side. There was still plenty enough daylight left that I would've clearly seen it as it passed behind the tree. Unlike the calm Raccoon Creek encounter‚ this time‚ all of my nerves were on edge‚ and the hair on the back of my neck stood up when the Sasquatch didn't reappear.My mind went blank because I do not recall putting the trash in the dumpster‚ just that I was back inside my apartment home and I didn't have the trash bag with me. The next day‚ I went back to the tree with my cellphone camera at the ready and a tape measure. I was certain I would find footprints. Sadly‚ I did not see a single thing. I did‚ tho‚ measure the lowest branches to get an idea of how tall the Sasquatch was. The lowest hanging branches were still 8 feet off the ground and were at shoulder height of the Sasquatch. Unlike my previous encounter‚ this Sasquatch was very muscular.I'm fairly certain that it was watching me on another trash run. It was during the 2022/2023 winter season. I took the trash out around 7 PM (quite dark this time of year)‚ and it was standing on a large branch in a giant sycamore tree about 30 feet beyond the small yard by the dumpster. I couldn't see it‚ but I could feel something telling me to look up into that particular tree. I could feel pressure in my brain like something was drawing my attention to it. I told the tree‚ "I can't run from you‚ so I hope you have a good night." (spinal cord injury from breaking my neck back in the 1900s). Upon saying that‚ the pressure in my brain went away.Anyway‚ there you have it. I did my best to give as much detail as I could remember." CA Field Guide to the Cryptids of North AmericaTime Slips: Real Stories of Time TravelUltraterrestrial Contact: A Paranormal Investigator's Explorations into the Hidden Abduction EpidemicDead Mountain: The Untold True Story of the Dyatlov Pass IncidentFlying Serpents and Dragons: The Story of Mankind's Reptilian PastUnexplained World of the Chestnut Ridge: A Hike through the Goblin Universe of Western PennsylvaniaImpossible Realities: The Science Behind Energy Healing‚ Telepathy‚ Reincarnation‚ Precognition‚ and Other Black Swan PhenomenaRegister a SNAP EBT CardTry Audible PlusPHANTOMS &; MONSTERS READING LISTHave you had a sighting or encounter?Contact me by email or call the hotline at 410-241-5974Thanks. LonAccess Phantoms &; Monsters Posts on Twitter 'X'-----Hey‚ folks. How would you like to design artwork for Phantoms &; Monsters‚ Phantoms &; Monsters Radio‚ or Phantoms &; Monsters Fortean Research?If your art is approved by me I will promote it with your name and link. It must be original‚ print-ready‚ and sized for clothing &; merchandise. You can choose your favorite cryptid or paranormal subject to include in your artwork. I will select up to 5 different designs‚ and each will be fully promoted on the blog‚ the Phantoms &; Monsters online shop‚ YouTube‚ social media‚ etc.Please contact me at lonstrickler@phantomsandmonsters.com - Thanks. Lon-----YOUR SUPPORT IS APPRECIATED! THANKS-----ORDER THE AUDIOBOOK VERSIONORDER THE AUDIOBOOK VERSIONProject Threshold: Finale-----TODAY'S TOP LINKSMultiple Pilots Report Seeing Mysterious Lights Over Canadian Prairies'Slender Man' attacker seeks release from mental health instituteSHAPESHIFTERS: MYTHS or REAL BEINGS? - Please Join Us For LIVE CHAT! - Q &; A - Lon Strickler (Host)LISTEN TO NARRATIONS OF PHANTOMS &; MONSTERS REPORTS &; CASES - PLEASE SUBSCRIBE‚ LIKE &; SHAREFlashy Fireball Lights Up Sky Above West Virginia And TennesseeTeen Tragically Dies Photographing Scenic OverlookPHANTOMS &; MONSTERS READING LISTCONSIDER ADVERTISING ON PHANTOMS &; MONSTERS RADIOLET'S DISCUSS YOUR OPTIONSClick the link for our Media KitCHICAGO MOTHMAN / O'HARE BATMAN YouTube PlaylistPHANTOMS &; MONSTERS RADIO Podcasts on Spotify**********Your financial support of Phantoms &; Monsters and our other pursuits is much appreciated. Please click the banner above. Thanks.Have you had a sighting or encounter?Contact us by email or call the hotline at 410-241-5974Thanks. LonContact us by email or call the hotline at 410-241-5974Also available with audiobooknarration by Terry Springs‚CBS-TV Las Vegas affiliate.The Dark Arts of MISTER SAM SHEARON - Original Prints &; MerchandiseThis blog and newsletter are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Work 3.0 United States License.Registered trademark PHANTOMS AND MONSTERS ® / PHANTOMS &; MONSTERS ® - USPTO #90902480 - Lon D. Strickler© 2005-2024 Phantoms &; Monsters - All Rights Reserved

On December 22‚ 2023‚ the Alien Skies Facebook group uploaded a photograph taken by a person named Chris Boone. The UFO/UAP resembles a craft from the Star Wars franchise."Boone had been outside his Paris‚ Kentucky home on the evening of December 21‚ 2023‚ at around 9:52 PM‚ and noticed something odd in the evening sky. He decided to take out his phone and record it. The image he captured seems to show an unknown object that looks eerily similar to the UT-60D U-wing starfighter/support craft made famous in the popular 'Star Wars' movie franchise.In the comments‚ some of the more skeptical types thought it might be some type of secret military craft. “The fact that it has a contrail leads me to believe it’s something we have made‚” Donna Atkinson Myers wrote. “Speed‚ angle of attack‚ the right temps can cause contrails. not just hot exhaust. contrail would indicate it is most likely in the atmosphere. Going with clean your lens/get a better camera‚” noted Daniel Trowell. One thought that it might be “Chinese balloons.” Other commenters cheekily suggested that it might be Santa Claus or the Amish. “It’s easy to see. That is the bottom view of Santa’s Sleigh. The runners are reflecting light from the moon‚” wrote Chuck Morley. “Amish weather drones?” added Jon Grube. Geoff Jenkins wondered‚ “Maybe Sky Lab?”User Darlene Hunt claims to have observed the same object the day before. “I got pictures of it right outside of Millersburg‚ Kentucky on Wednesday‚ December 20‚ 2023. At a little after 11 am. It kept circling. When I got to Paris‚ I saw it up there.” A woman by the name of Betty Lou claims to have taken photos of a similar object over her Atlanta‚ Georgia home. She posted in the group so that people could compare them.In her images‚ three lines appear in the sky. It is unclear what the lines are but it does like somewhat similar to Boone's object.A Field Guide to the Cryptids of North AmericaTime Slips: Real Stories of Time TravelUltraterrestrial Contact: A Paranormal Investigator's Explorations into the Hidden Abduction EpidemicDead Mountain: The Untold True Story of the Dyatlov Pass IncidentFlying Serpents and Dragons: The Story of Mankind's Reptilian PastUnexplained World of the Chestnut Ridge: A Hike through the Goblin Universe of Western PennsylvaniaImpossible Realities: The Science Behind Energy Healing‚ Telepathy‚ Reincarnation‚ Precognition‚ and Other Black Swan PhenomenaRegister a SNAP EBT CardTry Audible PlusPHANTOMS &; MONSTERS READING LISTHave you had a sighting or encounter?Contact me by email or call the hotline at 410-241-5974Thanks. LonAccess Phantoms &; Monsters Posts on Twitter 'X'-----Hey‚ folks. How would you like to design artwork for Phantoms &; Monsters‚ Phantoms &; Monsters Radio‚ or Phantoms &; Monsters Fortean Research?If your art is approved by me I will promote it with your name and link. It must be original‚ print-ready‚ and sized for clothing &; merchandise. You can choose your favorite cryptid or paranormal subject to include in your artwork. I will select up to 5 different designs‚ and each will be fully promoted on the blog‚ the Phantoms &; Monsters online shop‚ YouTube‚ social media‚ etc.Please contact me at lonstrickler@phantomsandmonsters.com - Thanks. Lon-----YOUR SUPPORT IS APPRECIATED! THANKS-----ORDER THE AUDIOBOOK VERSIONORDER THE AUDIOBOOK VERSIONProject Threshold: Finale-----TODAY'S TOP LINKSMultiple Pilots Report Seeing Mysterious Lights Over Canadian Prairies'Slender Man' attacker seeks release from mental health instituteSHAPESHIFTERS: MYTHS or REAL BEINGS? - Please Join Us For LIVE CHAT! - Q &; A - Lon Strickler (Host)LISTEN TO NARRATIONS OF PHANTOMS &; MONSTERS REPORTS &; CASES - PLEASE SUBSCRIBE‚ LIKE &; SHAREFlashy Fireball Lights Up Sky Above West Virginia And TennesseeTeen Tragically Dies Photographing Scenic OverlookPHANTOMS &; MONSTERS READING LISTCONSIDER ADVERTISING ON PHANTOMS &; MONSTERS RADIOLET'S DISCUSS YOUR OPTIONSClick the link for our Media KitCHICAGO MOTHMAN / O'HARE BATMAN YouTube PlaylistPHANTOMS &; MONSTERS RADIO Podcasts on Spotify**********Your financial support of Phantoms &; Monsters and our other pursuits is much appreciated. Please click the banner above. Thanks.Have you had a sighting or encounter?Contact us by email or call the hotline at 410-241-5974Thanks. LonContact us by email or call the hotline at 410-241-5974Also available with audiobooknarration by Terry Springs‚CBS-TV Las Vegas affiliate.The Dark Arts of MISTER SAM SHEARON - Original Prints &; MerchandiseThis blog and newsletter are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Work 3.0 United States License.Registered trademark PHANTOMS AND MONSTERS ® / PHANTOMS &; MONSTERS ® - USPTO #90902480 - Lon D. Strickler© 2005-2024 Phantoms &; Monsters - All Rights Reserved

A Welsh boy is in the local forest when he comes face-to-face with a bipedal dog-like creature. It is leaning against a tree and staring at the witness. The youth immediately ran home.The following account was forwarded to me:"I live in Southern Wales UK. Now admittedly‚ we aren’t known for our cryptids (more known for ghosts‚ which I don’t believe in) I’m a 30 man and live in a remote area. In the past‚ I’ve hunted and eaten rabbits. However‚ I no longer do this as I can’t hurt animals anymore. The largest (native) animal we have is the red deer.For many years‚ there have been news articles of large cats in our area‚ possibly puma or panther‚ that had grown too large for their owners. I live in an area close to Tonmawr‚ Wales‚ and there is a creature sighted frequently called the “ Beast Of Tonmawr.” A police officer who was a close friend of my family told of an encounter with said beast.However‚ the creature I encountered that day‚ when I was 11 years old‚ was neither a large cat nor a red deer. I had been playing with my cousins. As children who lived in the valley‚ exploring the trees‚ forests‚ rivers‚ and valleys was the norm.My cousin‚ who lived barely 2 miles from my house‚ had asked me to go for a walk and explore .(as our parents‚ related in some distant ways‚ sat‚ spoke‚ and ate)My cousin was a lot thinner and more agile than me. While exploring the forests‚ barely a mile from his home. I had lost sight of him rather quickly. I’m not sure what made me turn to my right. I heard no sound or caught no glimpse in the corner of my eye‚ but I turned and glanced.There in the tree line‚ maybe 20 feet from me‚ was a creature I could only explain as a bipedal dog. Werewolf isn’t the word‚ this was‚ sure as day‚ a dog. It was leaning against a tree using one paw to steady itself. As I looked at it‚ the creature pushed off from the tree and stood in a way that was terrifying and threatening at the same time‚ a stance I knew immediately as aggressive‚ though I couldn’t say why. It was run away or die‚ even at 11 years old I knew that.I ran with tears streaming‚ all the way back to my cousin’s home. When my younger cousins returned‚ they scolded me for my imagination getting the better of me.I know what I saw that day. I’m 31 now and I’ll remember the sheer helplessness I felt in that creature's presence for the rest of my life. The world is a scary place‚ never underestimate it." DA Field Guide to the Cryptids of North AmericaTime Slips: Real Stories of Time TravelUltraterrestrial Contact: A Paranormal Investigator's Explorations into the Hidden Abduction EpidemicDead Mountain: The Untold True Story of the Dyatlov Pass IncidentFlying Serpents and Dragons: The Story of Mankind's Reptilian PastUnexplained World of the Chestnut Ridge: A Hike through the Goblin Universe of Western PennsylvaniaImpossible Realities: The Science Behind Energy Healing‚ Telepathy‚ Reincarnation‚ Precognition‚ and Other Black Swan PhenomenaRegister a SNAP EBT CardTry Audible PlusPHANTOMS &; MONSTERS READING LISTHave you had a sighting or encounter?Contact me by email or call the hotline at 410-241-5974Thanks. LonAccess Phantoms &; Monsters Posts on Twitter 'X'-----Hey‚ folks. How would you like to design artwork for Phantoms &; Monsters‚ Phantoms &; Monsters Radio‚ or Phantoms &; Monsters Fortean Research?If your art is approved by me I will promote it with your name and link. It must be original‚ print-ready‚ and sized for clothing &; merchandise. You can choose your favorite cryptid or paranormal subject to include in your artwork. I will select up to 5 different designs‚ and each will be fully promoted on the blog‚ the Phantoms &; Monsters online shop‚ YouTube‚ social media‚ etc.Please contact me at lonstrickler@phantomsandmonsters.com - Thanks. Lon-----YOUR SUPPORT IS APPRECIATED! THANKS-----ORDER THE AUDIOBOOK VERSIONORDER THE AUDIOBOOK VERSIONProject Threshold: Finale-----TODAY'S TOP LINKSMultiple Pilots Report Seeing Mysterious Lights Over Canadian Prairies'Slender Man' attacker seeks release from mental health instituteSHAPESHIFTERS: MYTHS or REAL BEINGS? - Please Join Us For LIVE CHAT! - Q &; A - Lon Strickler (Host)LISTEN TO NARRATIONS OF PHANTOMS &; MONSTERS REPORTS &; CASES - PLEASE SUBSCRIBE‚ LIKE &; SHAREFlashy Fireball Lights Up Sky Above West Virginia And TennesseeTeen Tragically Dies Photographing Scenic OverlookPHANTOMS &; MONSTERS READING LISTCONSIDER ADVERTISING ON PHANTOMS &; MONSTERS RADIOLET'S DISCUSS YOUR OPTIONSClick the link for our Media KitCHICAGO MOTHMAN / O'HARE BATMAN YouTube PlaylistPHANTOMS &; MONSTERS RADIO Podcasts on Spotify**********Your financial support of Phantoms &; Monsters and our other pursuits is much appreciated. Please click the banner above. Thanks.Have you had a sighting or encounter?Contact us by email or call the hotline at 410-241-5974Thanks. LonContact us by email or call the hotline at 410-241-5974Also available with audiobooknarration by Terry Springs‚CBS-TV Las Vegas affiliate.The Dark Arts of MISTER SAM SHEARON - Original Prints &; MerchandiseThis blog and newsletter are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Work 3.0 United States License.Registered trademark PHANTOMS AND MONSTERS ® / PHANTOMS &; MONSTERS ® - USPTO #90902480 - Lon D. Strickler© 2005-2024 Phantoms &; Monsters - All Rights Reserved

Three Canadian friends are standing on a balcony at night when they observe a massive bird on top of the willow tree. Because of the immense size‚ the witness wonders if it is a Thunderbird.I received the following account:"Hi. I live in Canada in the province of Ontario in the city of Mississauga. The incident took place mid-December 2011 around 2:30 AM and it was shaping up to be a very green Christmas as there wasn’t snow on the ground at that time. My brother‚ a close friend‚ and I were on my balcony as I lived on the mid-upper floor of an apartment building.As we're standing there I see this dark black silhouette moving on top of the willow tree which is on the building property. As I see this silhouette fluttering on the top crown canopy of the willow I grab my brother's and friend's attention asking them if they can make out what I'm seeing. I first thought it was a big black tarp being animated by the wind flow. Once all three of us locked into what we were seeing‚ the wings‚ a neck‚ and the structure of the bird became very apparent. This thing seemed very restless as it kept pacing around the top canopy of the willow. During this time cell phones had poor night support cameras as I’m sure many of you might remember. Trying to take videos at night with an iPhone 3GS‚ Blackberry Bold‚ LG‚ and early Androids‚ especially if zoomed in‚ you were left with horrible grainy rubbish. We tried to capture it on camera from my balcony which yielded the previously mentioned results.All three of us ran down to the ground floor. The mere presence of this animal keeps your soul frozen. It’s like you can’t fathom something like this being thrown to you visually. It was that moment that led me to discover what a natural high is in this world. My brother and our friend made it about 6 feet away from the door that leads out from the building‚ these guys weren’t mentally prepared for something like this as they both tripped over each other while keeping their eyes glued to it. This animal was quite frightening especially when you have to come to terms with the reality you now share with it‚ knowing it’s living and breathing as you are.I chose to proceed closer to the tree until I got about 5 feet from it. I couldn’t approach any closer as it shrieked a sound so intimidating and loud it sounded like an eagle on steroids but much deeper and sharper in terms of its pitch. I distinctly remember it going into a crouched position with its tail up and its head charging downwards with its wings halfway opened and curled upwards. This bird is all black with some red feathering near the face. I never felt that specific feeling of fear before.I ran back toward my brother and friend the bird continued to get more restless and aggressive. It literally flapped its wings and hopped to the next building which is about 4 stories high while the willow is about 7 stories and the distance between both places is less than 15 feet. It paced around there agitated then flew off again and disappeared. The wing span was definitely 20 feet easily and it was about 8-10 feet tall.I was lucky enough to share it with 2 others. We told a few of our other friends and surprisingly they believed us. I became really obsessed with finding answers‚ I even thought about calling the avian people who oversee the birds and wildlife at the zoo but didn’t want them to think we were crazy/lying.I have wondered since that night if this was an actual Thunderbird. Whatever it was I'll never forget the experience." CA Field Guide to the Cryptids of North AmericaTime Slips: Real Stories of Time TravelUltraterrestrial Contact: A Paranormal Investigator's Explorations into the Hidden Abduction EpidemicDead Mountain: The Untold True Story of the Dyatlov Pass IncidentFlying Serpents and Dragons: The Story of Mankind's Reptilian PastUnexplained World of the Chestnut Ridge: A Hike through the Goblin Universe of Western PennsylvaniaImpossible Realities: The Science Behind Energy Healing‚ Telepathy‚ Reincarnation‚ Precognition‚ and Other Black Swan PhenomenaRegister a SNAP EBT CardTry Audible PlusPHANTOMS &; MONSTERS READING LISTHave you had a sighting or encounter?Contact me by email or call the hotline at 410-241-5974Thanks. LonAccess Phantoms &; Monsters Posts on Twitter 'X'-----Hey‚ folks. How would you like to design artwork for Phantoms &; Monsters‚ Phantoms &; Monsters Radio‚ or Phantoms &; Monsters Fortean Research?If your art is approved by me I will promote it with your name and link. It must be original‚ print-ready‚ and sized for clothing &; merchandise. You can choose your favorite cryptid or paranormal subject to include in your artwork. I will select up to 5 different designs‚ and each will be fully promoted on the blog‚ the Phantoms &; Monsters online shop‚ YouTube‚ social media‚ etc.Please contact me at lonstrickler@phantomsandmonsters.com - Thanks. Lon-----YOUR SUPPORT IS APPRECIATED! THANKS-----ORDER THE AUDIOBOOK VERSIONORDER THE AUDIOBOOK VERSIONProject Threshold: Finale-----TODAY'S TOP LINKSMultiple Pilots Report Seeing Mysterious Lights Over Canadian Prairies'Slender Man' attacker seeks release from mental health instituteSHAPESHIFTERS: MYTHS or REAL BEINGS? - Please Join Us For LIVE CHAT! - Q &; A - Lon Strickler (Host)LISTEN TO NARRATIONS OF PHANTOMS &; MONSTERS REPORTS &; CASES - PLEASE SUBSCRIBE‚ LIKE &; SHAREFlashy Fireball Lights Up Sky Above West Virginia And TennesseeTeen Tragically Dies Photographing Scenic OverlookPHANTOMS &; MONSTERS READING LISTCONSIDER ADVERTISING ON PHANTOMS &; MONSTERS RADIOLET'S DISCUSS YOUR OPTIONSClick the link for our Media KitCHICAGO MOTHMAN / O'HARE BATMAN YouTube PlaylistPHANTOMS &; MONSTERS RADIO Podcasts on Spotify**********Your financial support of Phantoms &; Monsters and our other pursuits is much appreciated. Please click the banner above. Thanks.Have you had a sighting or encounter?Contact us by email or call the hotline at 410-241-5974Thanks. LonContact us by email or call the hotline at 410-241-5974Also available with audiobooknarration by Terry Springs‚CBS-TV Las Vegas affiliate.The Dark Arts of MISTER SAM SHEARON - Original Prints &; MerchandiseThis blog and newsletter are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Work 3.0 United States License.Registered trademark PHANTOMS AND MONSTERS ® / PHANTOMS &; MONSTERS ® - USPTO #90902480 - Lon D. Strickler© 2005-2024 Phantoms &; Monsters - All Rights Reserved

Equality under the law is a bedrock principle of our country.  But sadly‚ it’s fallen out of fashion‚ with many calling for “equity”—the favoring of certain racial or ethnic groups—instead of equality. This toxic ideology has infused our culture and our courts in many ways‚ both large and small.  Once neutral areas like procedural and grammatical rules are being weaponized to subtly (or maybe not so subtly) advance the radical equity-over-equality agenda. To this end‚ it has become fashionable for writers in both popular culture and the courts to treat and write about people differently based on their race. Many likely don’t even realize they’re doing it and probably (albeit mistakenly) believe they are being good grammarians and following the proper rules. But they’re not. To explain why‚ it’s important to back up and put this debate in its proper context.  All of this came about in the wake of the racial unrest and riots in the summer of 2020. Certain news outlets‚ including The Associated Press and  The New York Times‚ “updated” their style guides so that the word “Black” would be capitalized as a racial identifier‚ but other racial identifiers such as “white” or “brown” would not. The AP said that its style is now “to capitalize Black in a racial‚ ethnic or cultural sense‚” because doing so conveys “an essential and shared sense of history‚ identity and community among people who identify as Black.”  But the 177-year-old wire service said that AP style “will continue to lowercase the term white in racial‚ ethnic and cultural senses.” To justify its decision‚ the AP said that “[w]hite people generally do not share the same history and culture‚ or the experience of being discriminated against because of skin color.”  The New York Times echoed similar sentiments in justifying its decision to capitalize the word in this context. So did The Washington Post. But consider the racist and reductionist mindset implicit in these assumptions: All black people share essentially the same history‚ identity‚ and community based on nothing more than the color of their skin. That’s textbook racial stereotyping. And while these developments are troubling no matter where they occur‚ they are particularly troubling when they occur in the courts.  How can courts mete out “equal justice under the law” when they themselves are treating people differently based on their race? Although some litigants‚ lawyers‚ and judges have chosen to act discriminatorily and follow the lead of the AP‚ the Post‚ and the Times‚ others—thankfully—have not. Compare U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor‚ for example‚ with Alabama Supreme Court Justice Jay Mitchell.     Sotomayor suddenly began capitalizing “Black” in 2021. As some have noted‚ until April of that year‚ “her opinions uniformly put the term in lowercase.” Mitchell‚ on the other hand‚ took the courageous and correct step of calling attention to the practice and castigating it‚ saying that such a practice “has no place in our legal system.” Some justices on other courts‚ such as the Florida Supreme Court‚ have taken steps to ensure that racial discrimination has no place in our legal system. Others sadly have not‚ pledging instead to take actions such as giving preferential hiring to those of certain races or granting oral arguments only if litigants are represented by lawyers of a certain sex or race. At the end of the day‚ some might ask why all the fuss about capitalizing or not capitalizing certain words.  But as the lion of the legal lexicon‚ Bryan Garner‚ put it: “Are these questions of nomenclature trivialities?  Decidedly not.  It’s not trivial what you call a person or a whole group of people—especially a group that the law considers a protected class.” And more than that‚ it’s an issue of fundamental fairness. If we‚ as a society‚ truly believe that everyone should be treated equally‚ that should apply to all matters.  We shouldn’t let language—particularly our legal language—be weaponized to support a radical ideology based on discrimination. Have an opinion about this article? To sound off‚ please email letters@DailySignal.com‚ and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the URL or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state. The post Capitalization Wars Come to Our Courts appeared first on The Daily Signal.

A high school in Houston went into lockdown on Friday after hoards of students stormed out of their classrooms in protest of the school's cell phone ban. James Madison High School staff called for a shelter-in-place as a precaution after physical violence broke out the day before the new policy was instituted‚ according to the New York Post.Principal Edgar Contreras told parents that the "school is currently on lockdown due to concern over recent fights that have occurred on campus."“As you know‚ we communicated yesterday that‚ beginning on Monday‚ students will not be allowed to use their cell phones – at any time – while they are inside the school building. Cell phones have been at the center of fights that have broken out at our school‚” he continued.Students at the high school have been upset since the announcement about the new rule‚ which would require all students to turn in their phones to the front desk before they begin class each day. The students would be allowed to get their phones at the end of the day or if there is an emergency‚ according to the Houston Chronicle.“Some students who are angry about this policy have caused disruptions on campus today‚ prompting the lockdown that is in place‚” Contreras said. “We have additional support from the HISD South Division as well as additional officers from HISD Police at our school as we work to keep everyone safe.”In response‚ the students stormed out of their classrooms. Some students complained that the new rule was a violation of their Fourth Amendment in the form of "unreasonable search and seizure." Others claimed that it was not fair that the school punished the whole student body for the behavior of just a few.Stephanie Martinez‚ a student at the Houston school‚ said "[w]e [the students] have responsibilities. Our moms might need to reach us. We need our phones."“We’re cool staying off our phones in class‚ but they shouldn’t just take them from us.”James Madison High School introduced a strict policy to crack down on distractions that have made it difficult for teachers to do their jobs. Houston Independent School District police monitored the situation in case it escalated. However‚ there has been no update on the policy or whether it will still be implemented. Like Blaze News? Circumvent the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

President Biden has won the Democratic primary in South Carolina overwhelmingly‚ as two opponents garner only a minuscule percentage of the vote.