A Southern California school district is set to pay $360,000 to a teacher who was fired last year for refusing to follow the district’s transgender policies. The Jurupa Unified School District settled a lawsuit from Jessica Tapia, agreeing to pay $285,000 plus $75,000 more to cover her attorneys’ fees. Tapia filed a wrongful termination lawsuit last year, accusing the district of religious discrimination in firing her after she refused to comply with several of the district’s policies on trans-identifying students. The district required teachers to use students’ desired pronouns, allow trans-identifying students to use the bathrooms and locker rooms of the opposite sex, and barred them from expressing religious beliefs with students or on social media. The district said it “continues to deny any illegal action or discrimination” against Tapia and “has not admitted any fault or wrongdoing.” However, the district said it was settling the lawsuit “in the best interest of the students,” so the district “can continue to dedicate all of its resources and efforts to educate and support its student population regardless of their protected class.” Tapia reacted to the settlement in a statement, saying she hopes other teachers have the confidence to “educate in truth.” “What happened to me can happen to anybody, and I want the next teacher to know that it is worth it to take a stand for what is right,” Tapia said in a statement after the settlement. “Across the country, we are seeing teachers’ freedom of speech and religious liberty violated through policies that require them to forsake their morals. I want teachers to be confident in the fact that the best thing we can do for students is educate in truth, not deception.” Tapia’s legal team with Advocates for Faith and Freedom previously criticized the district for firing Tapia over her “Christian beliefs” and celebrated the settlement. “Today’s settlement serves as a reminder that religious freedom is protected, no matter your career,” said Julianne Fleischer, legal counsel for Advocates for Faith and Freedom. “If the school district’s actions were legal, no teacher of faith would be qualified to serve as a… pic.twitter.com/iXaIIl8Q46 — Advocates for Faith & Freedom (@advocates4faith) May 15, 2024   “Today’s settlement serves as a reminder that religious freedom is protected, no matter your career,” said Julianne Fleischer, legal counsel for Advocates for Faith and Freedom. “If the school district’s actions were legal, no teacher of faith would be qualified to serve as a public school teacher. Jessica’s story is one of faithful courage. She fought back to ensure her school district was held accountable and that no other teacher has to succumb to this type of discrimination,” Fleischer said. Tapia and the legal firm are now launching “Teachers Don’t Lie,” a campaign to educate teachers on their constitutional rights and how to respond to school districts that ask them to go against their religious beliefs.

Abi Carter is officially the winner of American Idol Season 22, and while she had dozens of jaw-dropping performances throughout the competition, her final song is making waves all over social media. Just before being crowned, Abi took the stage to sing an original single titled This Isn’t Over, which she released on May 17. The 21-year-old penned the coming-of-age lyrics based on the empowering emotions she felt as she found her place in adulthood. “This Isn’t Over means so much to me because it’s about growing and becoming a stronger person,” she said in a statement, per The Sacramento Bee. “It’s about finally being able to fight for the kid in me that couldn’t.” Abi sang the single with genuine emotion that got the crowd singing along. When she finished, judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan gave her a standing ovation. “I love this song so much!!” one of Abi’s new fans wrote under a video of the performance. “Also love her so much! She definitely deserved the win!!! Congratulations Abi Carter! I’m beyond happy for you and will be following your career and I can’t wait for you to become famous!! “A natural born performer. Amazing vocalist too,” shared another. “Totally deserving winner!! I can’t wait to see her music career flourish even more.” Abi Carter Heard A Special Message From Grammy-Winner Billie Eilish After the newest American Idol winner learned her fate on the show, she broke out in a tearful encore of the song that earned her a golden ticket to Hollywood last fall, What Was I Made For, which earned a special message from the song’s original artist, Billie Eilish. “I wish you nothing but the best,” Billie said in a pre-recorded video that aired during the live finale. “I’m here to support you, and I love ya.” You can find the source of this story’s featured image here. The post Abi Carter Wins American Idol Season 22–Watch The Performance That Took The Crown appeared first on InspireMore.

Wynonna Judd felt honored to stand beside Loretta Lynn’s granddaughter, Emmy Russell, during their American Idol duet. The Grammy winner spoke to ET during the Season 22 finale on May 19, and she admitted that Loretta was one of the first people in the industry who showed her true kindness when she was getting her start in the 1980s. “She gave me the shirt off her back, literally,” Wynonna shared. “And she was the first woman that hugged me in country music.” Wynonna and Emmy, who was an American Idol Top 5 finalist, took the stage during the show’s grand finale to perform a mashup of Loretta Lynn’s Coal Miner’s Daughter and Wynonna Judd’s No One Else On Earth. Emmy likely knew she was in the presence of greatness during the duet, but she may not have understood that Wynonna thought the same. “At some point in your life, you find yourself talking to someone in the family that’s carrying on what their ancestors started and that’s what she’s doing,” Wynonna continued. Loretta Lynn Was “Like An Aunt” To Wynonna Judd Wynonna Judd forged a genuine friendship with Loretta Lynn as she became a country icon in her own right. And when Loretta passed away, Wynonna was one of the many who sang at her celebration of life memorial service. Following Loretta’s death, Wynonna penned a heartfelt message on Instagram that detailed exactly why she cherished the late singer. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wynonna (@wynonnajudd) “Loretta has always been my favorite, from the time I can remember,” she wrote. “As a young girl, I learned about Loretta from listening to her on the Grand Ole Opry. She was the very first country concert I ever saw.” “I got to meet her when I was 20 years old,” she continued. “As I walked into the CMA’s for the first time in 1984, she was the first person who came over and hugged me. Loretta was like an aunt to me.” Loretta Lynn passed away on October 4, 2022, at the age of 90. You can find the source of this story’s featured image here. The post Wynonna Judd Emotionally Remembers Emmy Russell’s Grandmother Loretta Lynn Following Her Stunning “American Idol” Duet appeared first on InspireMore.

'The victim was beaten and thrown through the shop's plate-glass window'

And I got a fucking goddamn gun right here if I need it!

'Exploded to an all-time high'

'kill the Jews and their supporters, the Americans and their supporters, without leaving a single one'

Cruz agreed with Kelly, saying it is 'good advice' not to 'be a jackass'

'The reality is that nobody knows'

ZZ Top’s First Album Released: 1971 ZZ Top’s First Album was the debut album from ZZ Top, featuring Billy Gibbons on guitar and vocals, Dusty Hill on bass guitar and vocals, and Frank Beard on drums. The album was produced by Bill Ham and recorded at Robin Hood Studios in Tyler, Texas. It was released on the London label. CD Track Listings: “(Somebody Else Been) Shaking Your Tree” – 2:32 “Brown Sugar” – 5:22 “Squank” – 2:46 “Goin’ Down to Mexico” – 3:26 “Old Man” – 3:23 “Neighbor, Neighbor” – 2:18 “Certified Blues” – 3:25 “Bedroom Thang” – 4:37 “Just The post Complete List Of ZZ Top Albums And Discography appeared first on ClassicRockHistory.com.