Students at Owasso High School in Owasso‚ Oklahoma‚ walked out of class Monday to protest the school’s response to anti-LGBTQ+ bullying‚ which they say led to the death of 16-year-old Nex Benedict earlier this month. “There’s been bullying issues. This time‚ the bullying has gone so far that a student passed‚” Kane‚ a former Owasso High School student who now takes classes online‚ told NBC News. Benedict’s death has sent shockwaves through the queer and trans community in recent weeks. On...

If a bill now racing through the Tennessee legislature becomes law‚ as it almost certainly will‚ it will become illegal to display a pride flag at a public school in a location where any student might see it. It’s one of a long line of moves made by Tennessee’s Republican-dominated legislature to demonstrate their disdain and disapproval of LGBTQ+ Americans. As this bill was rapidly heading toward a final vote‚ Democratic Rep. Justin Pearson introduced an amendment. “This legislation is immoral...

While the death of a Georgia nursing student allegedly at the hands of an illegal immigrant from Venezuela reverberates across the country‚ President Biden will visit the border for just the second time since being elected to office — the president has yet to address the death of Augusta University student Laken Riley. The trip is a good sign that Biden is taking a beating in the polls on immigration — rightfully so — and comes amid announced plans by former President Donald Trump to visit the...

President Joe Biden is not only facing political consequences for his handling of the Israel–Hamas war with Arab and Muslim voters but also black and young voters‚ many of whom were already skeptical of his administration‘s record and community outreach. The common interests and concerns of Arab‚ Muslim‚ black‚ and young people are poised to be underscored by Tuesday’s Democratic presidential primary in Michigan‚ a battleground state where...

Arab Americans threatening to withhold support for President Biden in Michigan's primary Tuesday are upset with his handling of the war in Gaza — but for many‚ their frustration is rooted in years of feeling ignored or dismissed in the U.S. Why it matters: It goes beyond U.S. policies that favor Israel. The war has become a symbol for what many see as disrespect for Arab Americans' longtime contributions to American life. Biden's early support for Israel's assault on...

GOP lawmakers in Tennessee advanced a bill Monday that would ban local governments from appointing state lawmakers who were expelled due to their behavior. The bill is one of Tennessee Republicans’ efforts to restrict the actions of lawmakers who have been ousted from either chamber of the state General Assembly after state lawmakers voted to expel state Reps. Justin Pearson (D-Memphis) and Justin Jones (D-Nashville) last year. The bill‚ sponsored by state Rep. Johnny Garrett (R-Goodlettsville...

The White House had expected Democratic unrest over Gaza to fade as President Biden picked up his campaigning against presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump. Nine months before the election‚ the problem is worsening as Mr. Biden’s opposition to calling for a permanent cease-fire continues to stir anger in a coalition of voters that propelled his 2020 victory‚ from Black Americans to Muslim activists in must-win Michigan to young voters. Democrats have been broadly divided over Mr....

As Macy’s chases sales growth‚ the department store operator said Tuesday that it will close about 150 of its namesake stores and open more shops with better locations or that sell luxury goods. The changes reflect a focus on what’s working at Macy’s — higher-end department store Bloomingdale’s and beauty chain Bluemercury — and what’s not — its namesake stores‚ particularly the ones at struggling malls. In its holiday quarter results posted Tuesday‚ the...

Cinnamon-flavored applesauce pouches sold in grocery and dollar stores last year poisoned hundreds of American children with extremely high doses of lead‚ leaving anxious parents to watch for signs of brain damage‚ developmental delays and seizures. The Food and Drug Administration‚ citing Ecuadorean investigators‚ said a spice grinder was likely responsible for the contamination and said the quick recall of three million applesauce pouches protected the food supply. But hundreds of pages...