'Significant threat'

A majority of the Catholic women’s colleges in the United States allow men who identify as transgender women to enroll‚ according to a new report—despite church teaching on gender and sex. The National Catholic Register reported on Friday that of the three dozen women’s colleges throughout the country‚ most are now admitting men. The publication notes that there are eight Catholic women’s colleges‚ all founded by Catholic female religious orders‚ and each of those colleges has an independent board of trustees that oversees them. Five of the eight women’s colleges explicitly state on their websites that they allow men who identify as women to enroll in their institutions‚ according to the National Catholic Register. According to a pro-transgender organization‚ Campus Pride‚ two more of the colleges also allow trans-identifying students to enroll. “We have a twofold identity crisis—both among young people captured by gender ideology‚ and among Catholic colleges that defy the Church and reject the Catholic teaching that is foundational to authentic Catholic education‚” Patrick Reilly‚ president of the Cardinal Newman Society‚ told the National Catholic Register. Some of those colleges go so far as to claim that their pro-transgender policies are inspired by Catholic teaching—although Pope Francis himself has explicitly rejected gender ideology. And only one of the bishops in the dioceses where these schools are located told NCR that his diocese is taking action on the policies. 1. Alverno College At Alverno College in Milwaukee‚ for example‚ the college claims on its website: “In the Catholic tradition of caring and respect for each human person‚ we support students on their journey of self-discovery and recognize that gender identity may change over time.” “Alverno has put guidelines and services in place to support transgender students as integral members of our diverse campus community. Specifically‚ Alverno College admits students who consistently live and identify as women‚” the Alverno website states. “In addition‚ continuing students whose gender identity changes after admission are encouraged to persist through graduation‚ experiencing the personal and academic support each student deserves from an Alverno education.” 2. Mount Mary University Mount Mary University‚ which is also in Milwaukee‚ similarly describes itself as a “Catholic university that believes and acts in accordance to the tradition of caring‚ respect‚ and educational access.” The university did not immediately respond to a request for comment. “As such‚ MMU strives to create an environment that is inclusive of all gender identities and intersectionality‚” the Mount Mary University website explains. “At the undergraduate level‚ all individuals who identify as women (including cisgender and transgender women)‚ intersex individuals who do not identify as male‚ and nonbinary individuals are eligible for admission to MMU.” 3. Mount Saint Mary’s University Mount Saint Mary’s University in Los Angeles states that “any student who was born female or who identifies as female is eligible for admission to our traditional undergraduate women’s university.” The university did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 4. St. Catherine University St. Catherine University in St. Paul‚ Minnesota‚ “admits students of all genders and gender identities to the College for Adults and the Graduate College and admits all students who identify as women to the College for Women.” The university did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 5. College of Saint Benedict College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph‚ Minnesota‚ admits “applicants who were assigned female at birth‚ as well as those who were assigned male or female at birth but now consistently live and identify as female‚ transgender‚ gender fluid or nonbinary.” The college did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 6. Trinity Washington University Trinity Washington University in Washington‚ D.C.‚ reportedly allows men who identify as women to enroll‚ according to Campus Pride‚ an LGBTQ organization tracking women’s colleges’ admissions policies. The university did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 7. The College of Saint Mary The College of Saint Mary in Omaha‚ Nebraska‚ is similarly reported to allow men who identify as women to enroll‚ according to Campus Pride. The college did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 8. Saint Mary’s College The Daily Signal reported in November that Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame‚ Indiana‚ would allow men who identify as women to enroll at the college in the fall of 2024. That news was first reported by the Notre Dame student newspaper‚ The Observer. In December‚ the college announced it was backtracking on that decision. President Katie Conboy claimed in an email at the time the initial decision was viewed as a “reflection of our College’s commitment to live our Catholic values as a loving and just community”—but said that it is “increasingly clear” that “the position we took is not shared by all members of our community.” The college did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The post Majority of Catholic Women’s Colleges Enroll Men Who Identify As Trans Women appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Tomatoes and basil go together like peanut butter and jelly – both in meals and in the garden&;#33; If you’ve ever wondered what to plant with tomatoes‚ you’ve come to the right place. Read along to learn about the best tomato companion plants along with the unique proven benefits they each offer. This article also includes tips on exactly how to interplant popular tomato companion plants such as herbs‚ flowers and vegetables in your garden‚ raised beds‚ or containers to help you grow healthy and productive tomatoes. Last but not least‚ we’ll cover a few plants that are less compatible to grow with tomatoes&;#33; RELATED: Want more tomato tips&;#63; See our guide on planting tomatoes here – including best practices for timing‚ depth‚ soil amendments‚ and more. Then learn how to prune‚ train and support tomato plants‚ including our favorite DIY tomato trellis (for indeterminate or vining tomatoes) or DIY tomato cages (for determinate varieties). What is Companion Planting&;#63; Companion planting (aka intercropping) is the idea that growing a particular combination of vegetables‚ flowers‚ and herbs near one another in the garden can offer a number of symbiotic benefits to one or both of the plants. These compatible plants are considered “friends”‚ while other plants may be less compatible or antagonistic when planted together. Potential benefits of companion planting include increased pollination‚ larger crop yields‚ improved nutrient cycling‚ and reduced disease and pest pressure – resulting in less need for pesticides and chemical fertilizers too. Companion planting also enhances biodiversity and beauty in the garden. Does it really work&;#63; To a degree‚ yes&;#33; Research confirms the power of many companion crops‚ such as marigold’s uncanny ability to reduce root knot nematodes‚ or basil’s tendency to boost root growth in tomatoes. Interplanting vegetables with pollen and nectar-rich flowers will without a doubt draw in more pollinators and beneficial insects‚ which is always good for the garden&;#33; On the other hand‚ some commonly recommended companion planting combinations are purely anecdotal. In general‚ practicing polyculture (mixing many types of plants together) creates a more healthy‚ biodiverse‚ and resilient garden. So while companion plants alone may not be able to solve all your pest or plant vigor problems‚ there is certainly no harm in giving it a try&;#33; Learn more and see our full printable garden companion planting chart here. The Best Tomato Companion Plants Marigolds Marigolds are one of the most popular tomato companion plants‚ and for good reason&;#33; The roots of French Marigolds are scientifically-proven to suppress root knot nematodes‚ a pest that commonly inflicts tomatoes and causes stunted growth. By keeping the nematodes away‚ research shows that interplanting marigolds with tomatoes can help increase tomato fruit yields by up to 50%&;#33; Another reputable study found that companion planting tomatoes with marigolds can help reduce humidity and related diseases‚ including early tomato blight. To reap the rewards‚ plant marigolds around the base of your tomato plants wherever you have a bit of free space – between plants or around the borders of the bed. Most marigold varieties are fairly compact‚ and will add a vibrant pop of color to your tomato bed&;#33; At the end of the season‚ be sure to cut the marigold plants out (instead of pulling) and leave the roots in the soil. Marigolds roots have long-lasting effects against nematodes beyond the season they’re grown. Our tomato beds – full of marigolds‚ basil‚ zinnia‚ bush beans‚ and other companion plants. Learn how to make our favorite DIY tomato trellis here. There are many varieties of marigolds‚ but French marigolds are the most effective against harmful nematodes. Also don’t confuse marigolds with calendula&;#33; Calendula is sometimes referred to as “pot marigold” but is a different plant. Allium Family (Garlic‚ Onions‚ Chives) Members of the allium plant family such as chives‚ onions‚ garlic‚ scallions‚ and leeks are awesome to grow alongside tomatoes. The spunky aroma and sulfur compounds found in alliums is known to repel pest insects such as aphids‚ spider mites‚ whitefly‚ beetles‚ caterpillars‚ and moths. Therefore‚ intercropping alliums amongst your tomatoes can help to naturally reduce pest pressure. Basil Like marigolds‚ basil’s strengths as a trusty tomato companion plant are well-documented. Research shows interplanting basil with tomatoes can increase tomato plant size‚ fruit yield‚ and root growth while simultaneously deterring pests including tomato hornworm. When planted in a 1:1 ratio‚ one study found basil was even more effective at boosting tomato plant vigor than applying chemical fertilizer&;#33; Garden folklore also says that growing basil and tomatoes together will make your tomatoes taste sweeter‚ yet there is no scientific evidence to back that. All in all‚ basil is a delicious little space-filler. We always tuck several basil plants into our tomato beds. It doesn’t mind the bit of shade the tomatoes may cast on it. However‚ be sure to maintain at least a foot of space between your tomatoes and basil at the time of planting so things don’t get too crowded as they fill in. A couple happy basil plants planted between two tomato cages (yet to grow in). Learn how we grow super bushy basil plants here‚ including harvesting tips&;#33; Other Herbs Beyond basil‚ many other other aromatic culinary herbs make excellent tomato companions‚ including thyme‚ parsley‚ sage‚ oregano and cilantro. The strong scent that these herbs emit can help to ward off pest insects like whitefly‚ beetles‚ aphids‚ thrips and more. If allowed to flower‚ these herbs will also attract beneficial insects including pollinators‚ lacewings‚ ladybugs‚ and parasitic wasps – who prey on pests like tomato hornworms&;#33; Most herbs will thrive in the little bit of shade offered by tomato plants too. Beans Beans are an excellent companion for tomatoes because they fix and add nitrogen to the soil. This helps provide extra nutrition for tomatoes while they grow‚ who are notoriously heavy feeders&;#33; With their small stature‚ bush green beans are perfect to interplant around tomatoes. Pole beans can also be grown with tomatoes; just be sure to provide enough space and separate trellis for the beans so they don’t become a jumbled mess. Locate the bean trellis on the north side of the bed so the tomatoes don’t get shaded out. Learn how to make a simple and sturdy DIY trellis here. Lettuce and Swiss Chard Summer salad‚ anyone&;#63; Lettuce doesn’t necessarily offer a direct benefit to tomatoes; it’s the lettuce that gets the good end of the deal here&;#33; When planted together‚ tall tomatoes offer tender lettuce shelter and shade during the heat of summer. This enables you to extend your lettuce growing season through early summer or beyond‚ especially paired with growing heat-resistant lettuce varieties like Coastal Star‚ Jericho‚ Nevada‚ Freckles‚ Muir‚ Magenta‚ and Red Mist. Lettuce is the also the perfect spring space-filler: tuck lettuce in the open spaces between or in front of small tomatoes when you first plant them‚ and it will likely be gone by the time the tomatoes take over the bed in summer. Learn more about growing lettuce here. Looking for other leafy greens to grow with tomatoes&;#63; Consider Swiss Chard&;#33; The young tender greens are also excellent in salad‚ and it’s notably more heat tolerant than lettuce. Borage Borage is another great tomato companion plant‚ and a beautiful one at that&;#33; The aroma of borage is thought to repel the dreaded tomato hornworm. Simultaneously‚ borage attracts beneficial insects like lacewings and ladybugs – who eat aphids‚ mealybugs‚ and other soft-bodied pest insects. It also draws in parasitic wasps that in turn target tomato hornworms. In addition to its natural pest control properties‚ borage is highly attractive to bees&;#33; Plus‚ the blue edible flowers taste reminiscent to cucumber‚ and can be used to jazz up summer salads‚ cocktails‚ iced tea and more. Do proceed with caution however&;#33; Borage readily self-seeds in the garden and can easily become invasive. Carrots This combination is a famous one&;#33; First published in 1975‚ the book “Carrots Love Tomatoes” was one of the original resources on garden companion planting. Carrots grow well with tomatoes because both crops love fertile soil and deep consistent water. With their slender profile‚ carrots can be tucked just about anywhere in the garden without interfering with other plant’s roots. Rather‚ long carrots help to break up and aerate soil‚ which tomatoes love&;#33; However‚ keep in mind that carrots prefer cooler growing conditions than tomatoes‚ so you’ll want to plant them out in early spring to harvest before the hottest part of the summer. That said‚ carrots will appreciate the shade the tomatoes can provide them. Last but not least‚ the strong scent and solanine found in tomato leaves may help deter pests like carrot flies. Visit our guide on growing carrots here. Squash Tomatoes and squash (zucchini or winter squash) grow well together in the garden because they have similar growing requirements. Both these warm-weather crops enjoy full sun‚ moderately rich soil‚ and a steady supply of water. Even more‚ sprawling squash plants shield the soil below tomatoes much like mulch does: helping to insulate soil from temperature extremes‚ reduce moisture fluctuations‚ and suppress weeds.Since both plants get quite large‚ it’s important to follow good spacing practices when interplanting squash and tomatoes to avoid overcrowding. Plant squash a couple feet away from trellised indeterminate (vining) tomatoes‚ and at least 3 to 4 feet away from caged determinate (bush) tomatoes. Other Flowers In addition to marigolds‚ we always tuck plenty of other annual companion flowers around our tomatoes including cosmos‚ bachelor buttons‚ zinnia‚ nasturtium‚ and calendula. Get growing tips on my 7 favorite easy annual companion flowers here. Flowers attract and provide natural habitat for all sorts of beneficial insects that in turn ward off tomato pests‚ including lacewings‚ ladybugs‚ parasitic wasps‚ hover flies and more. Even though tomatoes don’t rely on bees for pollination‚ it’s never a bad idea to welcome more pollinators to the garden&;#33; Plus‚ they sure do look pretty. How to Companion Plant With Tomatoes Here are few additional tips on how to successfully intercrop companion plants with tomatoes so that they don’t have a negative effect on one another. Remember to consider mature plant size‚ spacing‚ and the orientation of the sun when mixing tomato companion plants in your garden. Remember that tomatoes grow very large and tall‚ and can easily crowd or shade out their neighbors. For instance‚ it would be best to add heat-loving squash or bush beans to the south/west side of your tomato bed‚ where those low-growing companions will still be able to get plenty of sun. Position tall trellises for pole beans‚ squash‚ or peas on the north side of your bed so they don’t shade the tomatoes out. Tuck more tender and shade-tolerant companions like lettuce or cilantro along north/east of tomato plants where they’ll receive some much-needed protection during the heat of summer. Mix smaller tomato companions including flowers‚ onions‚ garlic‚ and carrots wherever space allows – in the corners‚ borders‚ or isles of beds. As a general rule of thumb‚ you can tuck companion plants much closer to the base of trellised indeterminate tomatoes that will have their lower branches pruned compared to bushy tomatoes in cages. If you wish to companion plant with tomatoes in a pot‚ choose a container that is large enough to accommodate all the plants without overcrowding. Some companions will still provide benefits in their own separate pot placed near the tomatoes‚ such as flowers‚ herbs‚ and alliums. However‚ other tomato companion plants need to be in the same soil to really work their magic – like marigolds and basil. Tomatoes in our garden surrounded by friends like marigolds‚ basil‚ cosmos‚ chives and more. Potted tomatoes and basil planted in the same container. This patio garden could also use a few more potted herbs and flowers IMHO&;#33; What Not to Plant with Tomatoes Last but not least‚ here are a few plants that do not grow well with tomatoes. Either grow these crops in separate garden beds‚ or as far away as possible from your tomatoes if they must be in the same bed. Brassicas including kale‚ cabbage‚ cauliflower‚ broccoli‚ turnips and other members of the cabbage family are known to stunt the growth of tomatoes. Plus‚ most brassicas prefer to grow during cooler conditions than tomatoes. Like the cabbage family‚ Cornell University warns that fennel‚ dill‚ and potatoes may inhibit the growth of tomato plants and to keep them separate. Corn attracts pesky corn earworms‚ which are closely related to tomato fruit worms‚ therefore‚ it’s best to keep corn away from tomatoes as to not draw extra pest attention. As a tall and heavy feeder‚ corn will also directly compete with tomatoes for sun‚ nutrients‚ and airflow. Finally‚ it’s advised to avoid planting strawberries and tomatoes together since they both attract similar fungal diseases. We made the mistake of planting strawberries near the base of our tomatoes one year and both got a bad case of botrytis&;#33; And that’s the low-down on tomato companion planting&;#33; Well friends‚ I hope you learned something new today. I also hope this article helps you grow the biggest‚ most beautiful and productive tomatoes ever. Have questions&;#63; Feel free to give us a shout in the comments below. Also please consider sharing this post if your found it useful. Have a wonderful tomato growing season ahead&;#33; Don’t miss these related articles: 13 Ways to Preserve Tomatoes: Recipes to Freeze‚ Can‚ and More Tomato Blossom End Rot: Myths‚ Prevention and Treatment Simple &; Delicious Roasted Tomato Sauce Recipe (Freeze or Can) How to Make Tomato Powder (Fresh Tomatoes or Skins) Did you enjoy this article&;#63; Want to hear more&;#63; Stay in touch&;#33; Sign up below to receive weekly updates on new posts from Homestead and Chill. The post The Best Tomato Companion Plants for the Garden appeared first on Homestead and Chill.

Feel-Good Friday: Senator Fetterman's Passover Message Edition

Equitable Grading&;#63;

Here at IFLScience‚ it’s safe to say we have a soft spot for unusually colored animals‚ from bright lobsters to pink elephants‚ we can’t resist the color combinations that nature sometimes comes up with. The latest addition is no exception. Meet Blanquita‚ the first reported case of incomplete albinism in the Eurasian eagle owl (Bubo bubo).Within the protected Monte El Valle y Sierras de Altaona y Escalona region in southeastern Spain‚ a female owlet‚ thought to be around 40 days old‚ was spotted in a nest during a routine visit to band these chicks as part of a long-term monitoring project. The female‚ named Blanquita by the team‚ was the only unusually colored owlet in the clutch of four chicks. The face you make when your sister is a world-first.Image Courtesy of Jos&;eacute; Lacalle / ULULA AssociationBlanquita's coloring is known as &;quot;incomplete albinism&;quot; because while her feathers are white‚ she has bright orange eyes. Albinism is the lack of the pigment melanin which often causes white feathers or fur and pink or red eyes.  The albinism is incomplete in that case because Blanquita had true melanin in their eyes (iris)‚ but also slight black shadow in their wing feathers.Jos&;eacute; Zamora-Mar&;iacute;n“The albinism is incomplete in that case because Blanquita had true melanin in their eyes (iris)‚ but also slight black shadow (= subdued barred) in their wing feathers‚” Jos&;eacute; Zamora-Mar&;iacute;n co-author of the paper told IFLScience. As she matured she was fitted with a VHF radio transmitter so researchers could track her movements as she left the nest. Unfortunately‚ just 10 weeks later Blanquita was found dead around 20 kilometers (12 miles) west of the nest site. Her death was likely due to the ingestion of poisoned rodents which then in turn made her more vulnerable to predators. The team wrote that they found “showed signs of mammal scavenging” in the area. A typically colored adult eagle owlImage Credit: petrdd/Shutterstock“We think that Blanquita could have predated on rats or other rodents affected by recent rodenticide consumption‚ thus causing sublethal effects (reduction of basal activity) through secondary exposure and making her vulnerable to predation by a canid (red fox or dog). In turn‚ the remains of the wings and body found by us showed signs of canid consumption or scavenging‚” continued Zamora-Marin. The short life of Blanquita does not give any insights into what might have happened for her life in terms of breeding and mate selection but does highlight the struggle of unusually colored animals to survive and maintain camouflage at roosting sites. The report is published in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment.

The largest continuous dinosaur trackway in the world has been bought by the US Forest Service‚ putting this magnificent monument into the hands of the public and protecting the site from mining. Located in Ouray County‚ Colorado‚ the West Gold Hill Dinosaur Track site features 134 consecutive dinosaur footprints that extend for nearly 97 meters (318 feet). The fossilized prints were stomped into the ground around 150 million years ago by a single sauropod‚ the clade of dinosaurs with notoriously lanky necks and four thick‚ pillar-like legs. Fossilized dinosaur trackways of this size are incredibly rare as they’re only created if conditions are just right. They are often found along muddy shorelines‚ although the West Gold Hill Dinosaur Track is found amongst the rugged mountain topography at an elevation of 2‚835 meters (9‚300 feet).The site is extra-remarkable as the tracks show the dinosaur sharply turning around in a 270-degree turn‚ behavior which is rarely seen in the fossil record. Last week‚ the US Forest Service announced they had purchased approximately 27 acres in Ouray County‚ a portion of which includes the rare trackway. The three land parcels were purchased from the Charles Real Estate Trust‚ which bought the land in 1945 with the hopes of prospecting for gold. The Charles family would often spend their summer vacations at the site‚ unaware that the pothole-like features on their property were prehistoric dinosaur tracks. This only became apparent in 2021 when scientists studied the site.In 2022‚ the Charles family approached the US Forest Service to see whether the agency had any interest in acquiring the land. The deal has now gone ahead‚ with the US Forest Service buying the land for $135‚000‚ according to the Denver Post.Along with keeping the door open to further research‚ the purchase ensures that the public will maintain access to the site. The Forest Service plans on placing educational signs at the site and will set up a new webpage to relay information about the significance of the site and the natural history of the area.“Acquisition of these new parcels‚ with the unique dinosaur trackway‚ highlights our dedication to conservation‚&;quot; Jim Pitts‚ Acting Forest Supervisor for the Grand Mesa‚ Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests‚ said in a statement.&;quot;By preserving these fossilized imprints‚ we are not only safeguarding a valuable scientific resource but also creating an incredible opportunity for the public to connect with the distant past‚ inspiring curiosity‚ education and stewardship‚&;quot; added Pitts. 

On Thursday‚ Morning Joe treated us to surprising praise for Speaker Mike Johnson -- albeit regarding his support for aid to Ukraine‚ something dear to Joe Scarborough. Friday brought another surprise: tough talk about the pro-Hamas protesters wreaking havoc on American campuses‚ and praise for university administrators taking action to curb their excesses. Thus‚ Joe Scarborough condemned students occupying the offices of college presidents‚ even suggesting that any president who tolerates that should &;quot;seek employment elsewhere.&;quot; At one point‚ Scarborough even called protesters who blocked graduation speakers &;quot;brats.&;quot; Willie Geist spoke positively about the chancellor of his alma mater‚ Vanderbilt‚ who actually expelled three students who had occupied his office. New York Times reporter Jeremy Peters has written an article on the matter: &;quot;Colleges Warn Student Demonstrators: Enough.&;quot; As a panelist on Morning Joe‚ he criticized protesters at the University of Michigan‚ his alma mater‚ who had marred what was supposed to be a joyful event for outstanding students. He also acknowledged that college administrators have been slow in dealing with these problems. He cited the Trump years during which speakers who were conservative‚ or affiliated with Trump‚ were often canceled or shouted down.  President Biden is reported to be &;quot;obsessed&;quot; with Morning Joe‚ so much so that he has made Scarborough a frequent phone buddy and informal adviser. But if Biden tuned in on Friday‚ he couldn't have been thrilled with the panel's take. Biden's already under pressure from the Pro-Hamas/River to the Sea wing of the Democrat party.  And now even the liberal media is starting to call for crackdowns on those protesters&;#63; Oy vey&;#33; Here's the transcript. MSNBC Morning Joe  4/19/24 6:47 am EDT WILLIE GEIST: So Joe‚ yesterday‚ you saw another case‚ several in recent weeks‚ where heads of school‚ chancellors‚ administrators‚ have said‚ there is a line now between free speech. We've allowed you to protest‚ we've allowed you to go to certain places. We've opened dialogues on our  campus‚ given you a place to have these debates.  But when it comes to harassment of Jewish students‚ when it comes to interrupting the operations of‚ say‚ a class‚ or a speaker‚ or people moving through the campus‚ we're now saying‚ you can't do that anymore. JOE SCARBOROUGH: Yeah‚ exactly. Whether you're talking about the‚ the interruption of the functioning of the Golden Gate Bridge‚ or the normal functioning of Columbia University‚ you know‚ it's‚ it's too much. It's too much. You can have free speech without‚ again‚ stopping the normal functioning of these institutions.  . . .  And so‚ I'm glad the president of Columbia University has stepped forward. You know‚ some people may call allowing students to take over president's offices at Columbia in the 1960s a storied tradition. I don't. I call that anarchy. Like‚ if you're a president of the university and you're letting students take over your office‚ maybe‚ maybe you should seek employment elsewhere.  Because I guarantee you there are a lot of parents that send their children to schools who don't want students running the place. They'd like grown-ups to run the place. And it looks like that's what's happening in Columbia. GEIST: Yeah. I'll speak for -- you know‚ I went to Vanderbilt University. They've had a lot of this on their campus in recent weeks. And a group of students a couple of weeks ago pushed their way into Kirkland Hall‚ where the chancellor's office is. They pushed aside an unarmed security guard‚ they sat there for 20 hours doing exactly what you're talking about‚ Joe. And Chancellor Diermeier‚ who runs Vanderbilt‚ ultimately said‚ okay‚ you're all suspended. And then one by one‚ reviewed their cases and expelled three of the students. SCARBOROUGH: Good&;#33; GEIST: And said‚ we've given you a place to have free speech. We've given you a place to protest. We've given you a place to voice your opinion. We've created symposiums where both sides of this discussion can be heard. You didn't participate in that‚ but you broke into our office and sat here. So now‚ three of you are no longer students of Vanderbilt University. And that was one of the first schools‚ actually‚ to do that‚ and I think you've seen more if it now since then.  Jeremy Peters‚ the national reporter for the New York Times is writing about this. He's got new reporting on how those administrators are now responding to a surge in anti-Israel protests on campus. Also with us‚ CEO of the Anti-Defamation League‚ Jonathan Greenblatt. His group is out with new data on antisemitic incidents in the United States in the last year. Good morning to you both. Jeremy‚ I'll begin with you. It does seem to have been‚ just within the last couple of weeks even‚ a bit of a change in the approach that some‚ not all‚ that some leaders of campuses‚ of universities across the country‚ are taking with these protests. What did you find in your reporting&;#63; JEREMY PETERS: That's exactly right‚ Willie. Schools have had enough. And Vanderbilt issued what are believed to be the first expulsions of student protesters related to demonstrations stemming from the October 7th Hamas attack on Israel.And from Vanderbilt to NYU‚ to Columbia‚ to the University of Michigan‚ to Pomona‚ schools are saying‚ basically‚ look‚ this is not about free speech. You have a right to speak up. You have a right to demonstrate. What you don't have is a right to harass and disrupt. And that's what's really been impeding these universities core mission‚ which is to educate your students. And you can't have an environment that is constantly disrupted‚ where students are subject to harassment‚ where they're spit upon‚ where they're yelled at.  Where graduation ceremonies‚ or like the incident I wrote about at my alma mater‚ the University of Michigan‚ this honors convocation that was supposed to be this kind of lovely‚ celebratory moment where kids who were the highest-achieving students are honored. Their parents and grandparents are there. And shat happened&;#63; It got disrupted and had to be shut down early because of pro-Palestinian protesters were standing up and shouting down speakers and unfurling banners. And this is something I think universities have been slow to acknowledge. I mean‚ remember during the Trump years‚ universities really became this‚ this cauldron of protest activity‚ where this kind of overly censorious culture developed. Where if there was a speaker who was conservative‚ or aligned with Trump‚ instead of letting that person speak‚ a lot of times the speach would be canceled out of fear for the safety of that speaker. Or people would interrupt the speaker. And now‚ you know‚ I think universities are saying‚ we didn't do enough to rein that in‚ but now they are. SCARBOROUGH: And‚ you know‚ the thing is‚ that's happened over the past couple of years. But this has been a problem for a long time. I'll just say it‚ brats who are protesting when‚ say‚ Christine Lagarde tries to speak at a graduation‚ or Condi Rice tries to speak at a graduation‚ or I think even Christine Todd Whitman one time was canceled from speaking at the graduation&;#33;  I gotta say‚ you're either the adult running the campus‚ or you're the child‚ that is incapable of controlling students. The students are there to learn. That means IIall the students are there to learn. Not just students who decide this one issue is the most important issue to them. And I certainly understand‚ if Gaza is the most important issue‚ especially to Palestinian students in America. But it goes well beyond that. You can't shut down an entire campus.Your right to free speech doesn't mean your right to impinge upon everybody else's free speech and their ability to unction in a university setting.

Friday afternoon featured one of the more disturbing incidents one will ever see on live TV as‚ amid rolling coverage on cable news and streaming platforms of the Trump trial brought by far-left Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg‚ a man lit himself on fire in the so-called protest space outside the New York City courthouse. On ABC News Live‚ longtime network correspondent Terry Moran invoked January 6 and repeatedly implied without evidence Trump and “the gravitational pull of the...melodrama” around him drove a disturbed person to harm themselves.     Investigative reporter Olivia Rubin was discussing the breaking news that a full jury had been selected for the trial ahead of Monday’s opening statements when a commotion broke out nearby with the man’s self-immolation. After a shaken Rubin narrated the scene‚ Moran jumped in and‚ instead of stopping after coaching her along and reassuring her she was doing great‚ he put his foot in his mouth: “Let me just ask. It seems then‚ that the gravitational pull of the Trump melodrama that has gripped the nation since he came down the escalator has now‚ it appears‚ resulted in someone coming to that where protesters have gathered and lit himself on fire.” Rubin politely but strongly pushed back on the veteran correspondent: “Well‚ we’ll have to see exactly what‚ you know‚ it ends up being. I think we all have been in scenarios where happens. Information unfolds later and it’s not exactly what we thought first. But certainly‚ there appears to have been some sort of demonstration...just outside of the courthouse.” Rubin then continued to narrate the scene as the fire was extinguished and the man was placed on a stretcher. A few minutes later‚ Moran complimented Rubin for the “real smart caution” and acknowledged “[t]hat’s a big courthouse” with “a lot of cases going on.” Just like before‚ Moran could have stopped there and stuck to what was known. Alas‚ Moran couldn’t help himself and chalked this up to possibly an example of how “the Trump era” caused “feelings” to run “very‚ very high right across the political spectrum”.     He even invoked the Capitol riot on January 6‚ 2021: Political violence has resulted from those high feelings‚ obviously‚ at the United States Capitol most — most intensely. But‚ as Olivia says‚ we don’t know right now and having covered a lot of trials‚ a lot of courthouses‚ it — there is a tremendous amount of misery that goes through the courthouse as human misery‚ people having the worst day of their lives‚ the worst experience of their lives‚ murder trials‚ people going bankrupt‚ divorce‚ child‚ all kinds of things that can send people into the depths of anguish. We don’t know why this man set himself on fire‚ but there it was in that park‚ once again‚ where the protests have been occurring. Protests we can expect continue. It’s an awful situation. Moran couldn’t stop falling on his face. Yet again‚ he correctly said “caution is fully justified” about what led this person to take this sad step and “there have been a lot of people on the streets who have mental issues‚” but tripled down on the blame-Trump route. Along with arguing Trump coming “down that escalator in 2015 to announce his presidential campaign” had “changed American politics‚ raised it to a pitch of intensity‚” Moran fretted “the — the style‚ the rhetoric‚ and the policies that — that he proposed is so different‚ so inspiring to some‚ so infuriating to others‚ that we are now as polarized the country as we ever have been.”     “And the emotions around politics are ratcheted up to something that we haven’t seen at least since the 1960s in this country‚ where there was‚ you know‚ a good deal of unrest and turmoil‚” he added. Eventually‚ he conceded that what we do know was “something awful has happened‚ something truly horrific and one has to — one has to have to pray for that for the person who is drawn to that extreme and has done that”. To see the relevant transcript from April 19‚ click “expand.” ABC News Live April 19‚ 2024 1:41 p.m. Eastern TERRY MORAN: Let me just ask. It seems then‚ that the gravitational pull of the Trump melodrama that has gripped the nation since he came down the escalator has now‚ it appears‚ resulted in someone coming to that where protesters have gathered and lit himself on fire. OLIVIA RUBIN: Well‚ we’ll have to see exactly what‚ you know‚ it ends up being. I think we all have been in scenarios where happens. Information unfolds later and it’s not exactly what we thought first. But certainly there appears to have been some sort of demonstration‚ potentially‚ just outside of the courthouse‚ if it’s unrelated‚ potentially‚ they’re bringing out a stretcher now that they have and they are lifting the man who is severely burned‚ Terry‚ and putting him onto the stretcher. They are bundling the ropes around him and it does seem like all of the fire is out now. I can’t see any flames and we could see the flames from where we were standing before and they are carrying him out on stretcher. (....) 1:42 p.m. Eastern MORAN: Olivia offering‚ a real smart caution. That’s a big courthouse. A lot of cases going on in there. Obviously‚ in our justice system‚ there are plenty of issues and plenty of personal issues that people can get caught up in the justice system‚ that can — that can break them. And so‚ we don’t know that this incident police now apparently from our Aaron Katersky that a man lit himself on fire in the courthouse — just outside the courthouse where the trial of Donald Trump is going in the square with protesters‚ pro-Trump anti-Trump have been gathering. So‚ that is a ground that has seen some protest activity. But this — this incident‚ a man lighting himself on fire in front of that courthouse. Now‚ obviously‚ the Trump era has had feelings running very‚ very high right across the political spectrum. Political violence has resulted from those high feelings‚ obviously‚ at the United States Capitol most — most intensely. But‚ as Olivia says‚ we don’t know right now and having covered a lot of trials‚ a lot of courthouses‚ it — there is a tremendous amount of misery that goes through the courthouse as human misery‚ people having the worst day of their lives‚ the worst experience of their lives‚ murder trials‚ people going bankrupt‚ divorce‚ child‚ all kinds of things that can send people into the depths of anguish. We don’t know why this man set himself on fire‚ but there it was in that park‚ once again‚ where the protests have been occurring. Protests we can expect continue. It’s an awful situation. (....) 1:47 p.m. Eastern MORAN: Alright‚ once again‚ that — that caution is fully justified‚ Aaron. That — that whatever we it may be‚ we don’t know yet. And courthouses and that one in particular‚ as you say there‚ there have been a lot people on the streets who have mental issues and gather there sometimes and there are a lot of things that happen in courthouses that can stress people to the point of breakdown. We don’t know what is going on‚ except that‚ as Olivia Rubin has pointed out‚ there was a man taken away in a stretcher‚ badly burned. (....) 1:50 p.m. Eastern MORAN: But the Trump era‚ which is what we have been living in since he came down that escalator in 2015 to announce his presidential campaign and changed American politics‚ raised it to a pitch of intensity‚ the — the style‚ the rhetoric‚ and the policies that — that he proposed is so different‚ so inspiring to some‚ so infuriating to others‚ that we are now as polarized the country as we ever have been. And the emotions around politics are ratcheted up to something that we haven’t seen at least since the 1960s in this country‚ where there was‚ you know‚ a good deal of unrest and turmoil. But once again‚ just to underline‚ it does seem‚ from Olivia’s reporting‚ from what we have as well‚ that a man has set himself on fire in the park outside the courthouse where the hush money criminal trial of Donald Trump has been underway. The completed jury selection today and we don’t know if it’s this incident‚ this man setting himself fire is related to what was going on in the — in the courtroom where Donald Trump was sitting‚ watching the completion of jury selection or if this is someone with other issues — either in the courts or just in life — but clearly something awful has happened‚ something truly horrific and one has to — one has to have to pray for that for the person who is drawn to that extreme and has done that and is taken away. Police were on and very quickly put it and put the fire out on him. As Olivia saw and reported‚ and he was taken away in an ambulance to a hospital where he will get care.

Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) called for Biden administration Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm to resign following a testy Senate hearing.  During the April 17 edition of Fox News’s Hannity‚ Hawley told host Sean Hannity‚ that Granholm lied to Congress and cannot be trusted to regulate American energy. “She did lie to Congress‚ what she said Sean‚ is that she sold all of her shares‚ that she didn't own any stock in companies she regulates — not true‚” Hawley told Hannity‚ after being asked about Granholm’s stock scandal. “She later then… came back and said‚ ‘Oops‚ oops‚ I made a mistake I owned a bunch of stock‚ in a bunch of companies including Ford‚’ who the Energy Department obviously regulates and oversees‚” Hawley stated.  Expanding on his remarks‚ Hawley added: “And she now expects us to buy that. Listen‚ it is a fact‚ Sean‚ an independent watchdog has found that she violated the law nine separate times and yet here she is still running the Energy Department‚ still trading stocks.”  Hawley went on to call for her resignation‚ exclaiming‚ “I don't believe a word she says‚ she ought to resign. It is a disgrace that she is sitting there making money on the stock market off companies that she regulates when she’s supposed to be making energy safe and cheap for the American people.”  During the April 16 hearing when Hawley confronted Granholm‚ Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) questioned Granholm on whether the Biden administration supports the radical goal of reaching “net zero‚” or drastically reducing carbon emissions. American energy‚ transportation‚ agriculture and construction depend heavily on fossil fuels such as oil and coal and fossil fuel products such as plastic and artificial fertilizer. Lee also drew an admission from Granholm that the Biden Administration is anti-energy. When Lee asked her if the Biden administration supports making the country net-zero‚ Granholm admitted that the Biden administration supports a transition to net-zero. Days later‚ Granholm crowed in a post on X about a 20-state project to “accelerate America’s net-zero transition by 2050.”  Lee also grilled Granholm on the absurdity of running away from cheap sources of energy like coal‚ while energy demand is rapidly increasing. After mentioning how developments such as new data centers lead to rising demand‚ Lee said‚ “Demand is soaring and it’s soaring at the same time when the premature retirement of coal-fired power generation units is happening. And it's happening without replacement dispatchable generation capabilities.” [SEE MORE: Biden Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm Dodges Question] Conservatives are under attack&;#33; Contact ABC News at 818-460-7477‚ CBS News at 212-975-3247 and NBC News at 212-664-6192 and demand they hold Biden and his cronies accountable for attempting to restrict fossil fuel production and Americans’ choices.