Author: CNN Newsource

By Tara Lynch

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    BEL AIR, Maryland (WJZ) — The author of the illustrated novel “Flamer” spoke to a crowd in Harford County on Tuesday after his book was banned by the county’s Board of Education.

The fireside chat in Bel Air, Maryland, included an audience question-and-answer segment and a general discussion about the book and book banning. Event organizers said the discussion was sold out.

The event was sponsored by Upper Chesapeake Bay Pride Foundation and the Harford County chapter of the American Association of University Women.

The book, “Flamer” by Mike Curato, was previously approved by district committees. However, parents said the school board voted to ban the book during a closed-door session in late June, after public appeals.

This was the first book to be removed by the district after it created a process to review books flagged by concerned parents.

The controversial novel is about a teenage boy who “navigates friendships, deals with bullies, and spends time with Elias (a boy he can’t stop thinking about), he finds himself on a path of self-discovery and acceptance,” according to the author.

Curato told WJZ the book is meant to help young people who are going through difficult times and those who are trying to find themselves.

“A lot of people who ban ‘Flamer’ don’t talk about how the book is about suicidal ideation and prevention,” Curato said. “That’s why I made this book, because I know that there are kids out there right now who are going through exactly what I went through in 1995.”

This book and its ban have sparked debates between parents and Board of Education members for months. Some argue they want their children to have access to all material.

“I would say I’m frustrated that people are using their political ideations or political thoughts to guide what we are allowed to teach and learn about in schools,” said Olivia Rines, a parent of an elementary school student in the district.

Other parents have spoken out against the book at several board meetings, saying it isn’t appropriate.

“We want to curate the best library possible, so there’s just no room for sexually explicit and vulgar materials in the school library,” Suzie Scott, Chair of Moms For Liberty Harford County, said in July.

The group sent the following statement to WJZ regarding Tuesday’s book discussion:

“Contrary to the shrill accusations and name-calling being directed at parents, taxpayers and school board members who are trying to uphold a basic community standard of what is and is not age-appropriate material for young readers, no parent or Moms for Liberty member is calling for any book to be removed from bookstores, public libraries or Amazon. Challenging the placement of obscene materials in school libraries is not censorship or banning. It is a reasonable demand to prevent children from being exposed to age-inappropriate materials,” the statement read.

The decision to ban “Flamer” has also prompted division among board members who had a heated debate at a July meeting.

Curato said he thinks these types of bans diminish people’s rights.

“The emphasis of the book banning was on marginalized communities, but now, because we’ve set this precedent of like…we can erase these stories from the shelf, but now that’s opened the door for people to take anything off the shelf,” Curato said.

The Harford County Board of Education said it is looking into changing the banning process. One suggestion is to allow the board to simply restrict books based on the age of a student.

Curato said all board members should be required to read and write a report on a book before banning it.

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By Kara Finnstrom

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    California (KCAL, KCBS) — With the city of Long Beach set to host 18 events as part of the 2028 Olympic Games and 2029 Paralympic Games, the most for any city other than Los Angeles, local leaders are searching for creative ways to transport spectators and tourists across the vast county.

In May, the LA County Board of Supervisors floated the idea of using a water taxi service between San Pedro and Long Beach to get visitors around while dodging air emissions from cars – and traffic. The service would be emissions-free and quick, making it perfect for a heavy-tourist season like the one that will come during the 2028 Summer Olympics.

“I think it’s time to look at our blue highway and think outside of the box for transit,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn.

This week, members with the county took a ride on some of the vessels that would be used for the proposed service and came away impressed.

“[We want to] put systems in place that not only benefits the experience during 2028 but they can be left in place [after the Olympics],” said Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson.

A service currently exists that transports patrons between the pier and the Queen Mary, but service is heavily limited and seasonal. No line between San Pedro and Long Beach exists currently. In addition to transportation for tourists, an alternate route for commuters could be an advantage in battling traffic.

Hahn suggested that the LA Metro could connect to the boats in some way, making for car-free trips throughout the county during the Olympics.

A car-free Olympics is a lofty objective for local leaders as they prepare for the quickly approaching games. The city of LA is making 500 emissions-free LAUSD buses available for transportation purposes, since school will be out for the summer during that time.

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By Jesse Sarles

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    DENVER, Colorado (KCNC) — A competition is underway in Denver to build life-sized structures out of canned food. Architects and designers are currently working on the creations for an exhibit at the Cherry Creek Shopping Center.

It’s called Canstruction, and it’s being hosted by the group We Don’t Waste. Approximately 15,000 cans of food are being used for six different pieces.

All of the builds are Halloween-themed; they include a witch’s cauldron (1,331 cans) and a sugar skull (3,635 cans).

“It can take months just to figure out the design, rework it. (To find out) what kind of cans they need, what colors, what sizes,” said Jessica Lecortz, Senior Development & Events Manager at We Don’t Waste.

After the Canstruction exhibit ends on Nov. 2, We Don’t Waste will donate the cans to local communities.

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By Carlos E. Castañeda

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    SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, California (KPIX) — An invasive species of mosquito that can carry diseases has been found in Santa Cruz County, authorities announced Monday.

The Santa Cruz County Mosquito & Vector Control District said in a press release that it detected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes near downtown Boulder Creek, the second confirmed sighting in the county following a 2022 identification around the Watsonville area.

Aedes aegypti is an aggressive, day-biting insect about a quarter-inch in size that can transmit diseases such as chikungunya, dengue, yellow fever, and Zika. They have distinctive black and white markings on their legs and upper thorax.

The Vector Control District said staffers have launched expanded surveillance efforts in the downtown Boulder Creek area, with specialized traps that target Aedes aegypti adults, water sampling for mosquito larvae, and door-to-door property inspections. Staffers were able to prevent the spread with similar actions following the 2022 discovery in South County, and the mosquito had not been detected within that area, the district said.

The discovery of Aeges aegypti in Santa Cruz County comes days after officials in Contra Costa County reported additional findings of the mosquito in Antioch, which have been in the area for several months around Holland Tract, an island in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. The mosquito was also found on the grounds of the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton in July and in October 2024. Santa Clara County officials said last year that more Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were being found despite the county’s eradication efforts.

Officials say the species has been found in at least 26 of California’s 58 counties and is established in at least 19 counties, mostly in the Central Valley and Southern California. In 2024, local dengue cases were identified in Los Angeles and San Diego counties.

The district said that residents who develop fever, headache, or joint pain after traveling to areas where dengue, Zika, or chikungunya are active should contact their doctor and stay indoors to prevent possible spread.

Residents are urged to dump out any standing water on their property and to use insect repellents such as DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus, wear long sleeves and pants, and make sure window and door screens are intact. Residents were also asked to report mosquito bites to Santa Cruz County Mosquito & Vector Control online at mvc.santacruzcountyca.gov via “Submit a Service Request” or by calling (831) 454-2590.

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By Cecilio Padilla, Tori Apodaca

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    California (KMAX, KOVR) — Jesuit High School Sacramento will be welcoming its first class of girls in the coming years, the school announced over the weekend.

The Catholic private school says it will be shifting to a co-divisional educational model – meaning both genders will be present on campus, but boys and girls will still have separate classes.

School officials say they decided on the shift after analyzing enrollment trends, among other factors.

“This expansion allows us to share our mission with an even broader community, forming young men and women for others into leaders of competence, conscience, compassion, and commitment,” said Jesuit High Board of Trustees Chair-Elect Dr. Amy Rogers in a statement.

Jesuit High was founded in 1963 as a boys-only school. No educational model change has been announced for St. Francis High School, the region’s all-girls Catholic school.

Applications for Jesuit’s first co-divisional class will open in October 2026. Jesuit expects to welcome its first class of girls on campus in fall 2027.

Some parents think it’ll be positive for their teenage boys to have more interactions with girls and for girls to get to experience Jesuit’s curriculum.

“I have nieces and I look forward to them someday being a part of the Jesuit family,” Adreana Alvarez said.

Others think it’s bending tradition, and Jesuit being an all-boys school was why they chose to enroll their child in the first place.

“Well, I hope they’ll be ready. There’s going to be a lot more room and there’s Title IX with girls sports and all that,” Darlene Cornwall said. “So it’ll be interesting to see how it goes.”

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By Amy Nay

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    FARMINGTON, Utah (KSTU) — A Utah family decided to make the most of the mud and water after Saturday’s record rainfall.

“A lot of water coming into the yard nonstop and my husband’s hunting,” said Stacie Dorius, a mom of five in Farmington. “I thought, ‘There’s nothing I can do about this…’ and my kids started playing in it and I thought, ‘I think we can do one better,’ so I grabbed a ski rope and put it on the back of the car and off we went.”

She said she kept their safety in mind and tried to be careful, but believed a little fun was in order.

“I think sometimes we’re too careful in this world, so I think a little bit of excitement is okay,” she said.

Dorius has four older brothers, and she got one of them to jump into the fun.

“They are usually the ones doing crazy things and getting me when I was younger to do crazy things, and now I’m the younger sister who brings them to come and play with me, too,” she said.

A video is now being shared online of Dorius, her kids and her brother clad in a wetsuit, trying his hand at wakesurfing in the extra waters.

“I was like, ‘Oh, man, the kids are going to be a mess,’ and then I was like, ‘Let’s just make the best of this and go have some fun,'” she said.

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