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NY judge tosses order restricting transgender players from using county-run parks

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NY judge tosses order restricting transgender players from using county-run parks

An order restricting transgender athletes from using county-run parks and fields in Long Island, New York, was struck down by a judge on Friday after it was challenged by a roller derby league.  

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman issued an executive order in February denying park permits to any women’s and girl’s teams, leagues or organizations that allow female transgender athletes to participate. Blakeman held a news conference in March with Caitlyn Jenner, the Olympic gold medalist for the men’s decathlon in 1976 prior to a gender transition, who endorsed the ban.

Blakeman’s reasoning for the executive order stemmed from his effort to ensure female athletes could compete in their respective sports fairly, but Judge Francis Ricigliano ruled that he didn’t have the authority to issue the order.

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Members of the Long Island Roller Rebels, practice skills on March 19, 2023, at United Skates of America in Seaford, New York. (AP Photo/Jeenah Moon)

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In his 13-page decision, Ricigliano, wrote that Blakeman’s order was aimed at preventing transgender women from participating in girls’ and women’s athletics in county parks, “despite there being no corresponding legislative enactment” providing him with such authority.

“In doing so, this Court finds the County Executive acted beyond the scope of his authority as the Chief Executive Officer of Nassau County,” Ricigliano wrote.

The league’s lawsuit was backed by the New York Civil Liberties Union, which said the decision overturned a harmful policy that attempted to “score cheap political points by peddling harmful stereotypes about transgender women and girls.”

“This is a huge victory for all trans people in Nassau, especially our plaintiffs @LIRollerRebels,” the NYCLU wrote on X, formerly Twitter. 

“This decision sends a strong message that transphobic discrimination cannot and will not stand. We are gratified that the court saw this order for what it was: a harmful, hateful policy that has no place in New York.”

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Caitlin Carroll, right, demonstrates skills on Tuesday, March 19, 2023, at United Skates of America in Seaford, N.Y.

Blakeman dismissed the judge’s decision as one that didn’t address the merits of the case. The ruling doesn’t delve into the civil rights arguments raised by both sides, instead focusing on the limitations of the county executive’s powers.

“Unfortunately girls and women are hurt by the court,” he wrote in an emailed statement to The Associated Press.

The Roller Rebels were one of those teams looking for a permit for the county-owned rinks. The league allows anyone who identifies as a woman, and one transgender player is already on their roster. 

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State Attorney General Letitia James had previously called for Nassau County to rescind the order, saying anti-discrimination laws are being violated.

Caitlyn Jenner supported the measure. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

She said that Friday’s ruling is a “major victory.” 

“In New York, it is illegal to discriminate against a person because of their gender identity or expression…My office will keep working to ensure every New Yorker is free to be who they are.”

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The issue involving trans women in women’s sports adds to the national discussion surrounding one of the most controversial topics in sports.

Fox News’ Scott Thompson and The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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Boston, MA

With snow still piled up, Boston says it’s time to remove your space saver

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With snow still piled up, Boston says it’s time to remove your space saver


Mounds of snow continue to make getting around Boston difficult, and a new hurdle for drivers came Wednesday.

The city allows drivers to use space savers — objects placed in a street space that’s already been dug out — for 48 hours after the end of a snow emergency. That deadline came at 8 p.m. Wednesday.

“You have 48 hours to use a space saver after the end of a declared snow emergency,” the city wrote. “By 8 p.m. Wednesday, January 28, you need to remove it from the street.”

Boston added that space savers can never be used in Bay Village or the South End.

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The Boston area experienced significant snowfall Sunday into Monday. While road crews have kept busy since then, huge piles of snow still sit along the sides of the city’s streets — which have become more narrow, along with sidewalks, as drivers and pedestrians are forced to navigate blocked paths.

“City gets rid of snow, I’ll get rid of my space saver,” the top comment under Boston’s Facebook post read.

A shortage of rock salt after one major storm is impacting preparation for more possible snow this weekend.

Residents living on Whiting Street in Roxbury told NBC10 Boston Wednesday that they weren’t surprised it took two days for a plow to come through. They said it’s frustrating, but they kept calling 311 until the snow was cleared.

“We’ve lived here since 1988,” said Bolade Owolewa. “It’s been a problem on and on.”

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Boston requires property owners to remove snow from sidewalks within three hours of snow ending. Some remained unshoveled days later, including along Washington Street.

The city issues citations to property owners, but that doesn’t make it easier for people living in the area to get around.

“It’s very dangerous and it’s very slippery,” said Roxbury resident Sigal Pudasaini.

Getting around Boston requires some patience after this weekend’s snowfall, whether you’re walking or driving.

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Pittsburg, PA

PPS board reopens discussion on school closure plan

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PPS board reopens discussion on school closure plan






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Connecticut

Connecticut Democrats to bring back legislation giving parents control over social media 

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Connecticut Democrats to bring back legislation giving parents control over social media 


Democrats plan to revive a proposal to give parents greater control over how children use social media.  

“If they don’t like what we’re going to protect the kids, what is your plan to protect the kids?” Gov. Ned Lamont (D-Connecticut) said. “Otherwise, we’ll keep going with this.”  

Leaders of the legislature’s General Law Committee joined Lamont for a press conference at the Capitol, saying they’ll introduce the bill once the legislative session starts on Feb. 4.  

The bill would require parental approval before anyone under 18 years old can open a social media account.  

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Additionally, parents would need to approve the content children can view, set time limits for usage, and decide whether their accounts are public. 

Attorney General William Tong (D-Connecticut) said the law would require parents to opt in to ensure they give consent.  

That means social media platforms can’t, for example, make a minor’s account public as a default setting.  

Lastly, the bill would prohibit social media companies from sending push notifications to children between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m. 

“What this specifically does is highlight a very vulnerable population and says there needs to be protections in place,” Rep. Roland Lemar (D-New Haven) said. “Children need to have these protections. 

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Lemar said social media can be a valuable resource, but he wants to safeguard children against potential harm.  

Some experts have been raising concerns that social media platforms can become addictive, especially since they allow users to scroll content endlessly.  

Those experts have also warned about increased risks of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues among children and teenagers.  

“They’re still children, and they’re still vulnerable in how they’re developing those individual identities,” Connecticut Children’s pediatrician Dr. Robert Keder said. “They are subject to things like FOMO, or fear of missing out, or influencing body image.”  

Tech companies pushed back against the bill last year, saying they’re already putting tools in place for parents.  

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Instagram, for example, announced a teen-friendly version of its app in October, with more age-appropriate content.  

Christopher Gilrein, executive director with the lobbying firm Technet, said last year that “the industry has a longstanding commitment to provide parents and guardians with resources to help ensure a safe online experience for their children, and the industry has been at the forefront of educating parents and guardians about safety.”  

Last year’s version received a 121-26 vote in the House, but the Senate failed to raise it for debate before the session ended.  

A few Republicans raised concerns about whether the state could enforce the bill.  

One of those Republicans, Rep. Lezlye Zupkus (R-Prostect), said she’ll need to review this year’s bill, but she supports the concept.  

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“We need to look at what our kids are looking at and what is age-appropriate for them and what they should be doing,” she said



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