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Here's your weekly roundup of important stories you may have missed both locally and nationally!
Updates on Russia's Invasion Into Ukraine [[link removed]]
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As of noon Thursday, the most recent update out of Ukraine is that Russian forces push into the area surrounding Chernobyl per Ukrainian officials.
On early Thursday morning local time in Ukraine, Russian forces invaded the country by way of land, sea, and air. They began with attacks of airports and military buildings all over the country. By the time the sun was setting, Russian special forces had begun pushing into the area surrounding the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. Although motives of Russian President Vladimir Putin were unclear, American officials believe the attacks to be an attempt to overthrow the Ukrainian government and replacement of Ukraine’s president Vlodymyr Zelensky with a russian puppet regime. Zelensky said on twitter at 9am CT on Feb 24th that Russian forces were attempting to seize Chernoybl, and that this was “a declaration of war against the whole of Europe.”
Early Thursday, Putin confirmed that the Russian Military was invading Ukraine. More than 40 Ukrainian soldiers wre killed and dozens more wounded. 18 military officials were killed outside the city of Odessa which was invaded via sea by Russian forces. Explosions began around 10:30 am in Odessa but by noon there was no indication of Russian forces in Odessa. Ukrainian forces stated they shot down multiple Russian aircrafts and a helicopter as battles continue to ensue throughout the country. However, the Ukrainian Army is incredibly outgunned and outmanned by Russian forces, but is believed to be mounting a resistance with Russian carriers being seen damaged.
A hundred men ranging in age from twenty to fifty have shown up at a military recruitment office in Kramatorsk heeding a call from Ukraine’s defense minister, Oleksiy Reznikov, to join the military. Reznikov stated “the enemy is attacking, but our army is indestructible. Ukraine is moving into all-out defense mode.”
To follow the most recent news coming out of Ukraine, please follow this link [[link removed]] .
Texas Governor Attacks Transgender Children [[link removed]]
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Texas Governor Greg Abbott said that “licensed professionals” as well as “members of the general public” need to report parents of transgender minors to authorities if it appears that they are receiving gender-affirming medical care. This statement was part of a letter Abbott sent Tuesday to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services following an opinion from Texas AG Ken Paxton that transition care such as puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and surgery are child abuse under state law. The statement from Paxton came after Legislature failed to “pass a bill that would have made it a felony alongside physical and sexual abuse to provide such care to minors.” Professionals included in Abbotts termed “licensed professionals” include teachers, nurses, and doctors. He also added that these individuals could face criminal penalties for failure to report child abuse per state law.
Adri Pérez, policy and advocacy strategist for LGBTQ ewuality at the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas said there is no court in texas or the entire country that has ecer found that gender-affirming care can constitute child abuse. It is currently unclear whether Abbott and Paxton can force the Department of Family and Protective Services and other agencies to investigate these “claims” of child abuse against the parents of trans kids without legislation that would change the law. Christian Menefee, an elected attourney who represents the Department of Family and Child Services said in a statement that Paxton and Abbott are “ignoring medical professionals and intentionally misrepresenting the law to the detriment of transgender chikdren and their families.” He followed this by stating that “(his) office will not participate in these bad faith political games” and that they will “continue to follow the laws on the books and not a politically motivated and and legally incorrect ‘opinion.’”
A Huge Win Off the Field for the USWNT [[link removed]]
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Tuesday marked a huge win for the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) as they reached an agreement to end a dispute over equal pay with US Soccer. This agreement means that the USWNT will receive an equal rate of pay to the men’s national team for all friendlies and tournaments, which includes the World Cup.
The joint statement from US Soccer and the USWNT said “contingent on the negotiation of a new collective bargaining agreement, we have resolved our long standing dispute over equal pay and proudly stand together in a shared commitment to advancing equality in soccer.
This agreement means that US Soccer will pay $22 million to the players in the case, as well as $2 million into an account to benefit the USWNT athletes in their post-career goals and charitable efforts in support of women’s and girls soccer.
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