West
Washington state school district votes to keep biological males out of girls sports despite state pushback
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A school district in a state with a Democratic governor has voted to keep biological boys out of girls sports.
The Quilcene School District in Washington voted 3-2 to keep sports competition based on athletes’ birth gender.
The ruling defies a policy by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA), enacted in 2007, that allows transgender students to participate based on their gender identity.
House GOP members and female athletes mark the passage of the Protection of Women and Girls In Sports Act April 20, 2023, in Washington, D.C. (Chip Somodevilla)
According to Fox 13, board member Ron Frantz said “Title IX is the law,” and sports should be kept based on birth gender.
But another member, Vivian Kuehl, said it is “immoral” to keep transgender females out of girls and women’s sports, according to The Seattle Times.
The vote was taken May 7. The state’s governor, Bob Ferguson, defeated Republican nominee Dave Reichert in November. The state has not had a Republican governor since John Spellman, from 1981 to 1985.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order in February to keep biological boys out of girls and women’s sports, but Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal said the order defies state law.
“State law prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity, and we will not back down from that,” Reykdal said at the time.
Later that month, Reykdal said it would be “inaccurate” to say there are only two genders.
Bills that would prohibit transgender athletes from participating in girls and women’s sports have been introduced in the state but have not passed.
HALL OF FAMER BRIAN URLACHER REITERATES STANCE ON TRANSGENDER ATHLETES IN SPORTS: ‘COMMON SENSE’
However, the issue became so concerning for residents that the WIAA announced a proposal in December to create a separate open division for transgender athletes to compete in.
In May, a trans athlete competed in a girls cross-country championship and won.
The athlete won the 400-meter heat race in the girls division with a time of 55.59 seconds. The second-place runner finished in 58.83 seconds. In the finals, the trans athlete won with a time of 55.75 seconds, a full second ahead of the second-place runner who finished in 56.75.
In February, a civil rights complaint was filed with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights on behalf of a teenage girl in Washington state who was allegedly punished for refusing to play a basketball game against a trans athlete.
The complaint said the Tumwater School District in Washington is investigating 15-year-old Frances Staudt for “misgendering” the opponent and violating the district’s policies against bullying and harassment.
Several other states have defied Trump’s executive order on the issue, resulting in Maine temporarily losing federal funding.
Fox News’ Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.
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Nevada
Nevada Immigrant Coalition rallies in downtown Las Vegas on May Day to demand worker protections
LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Nevada Immigrant Coalition held a march and rally in downtown Las Vegas on May Day, joining similar demonstrations across the country to demand better treatment for immigrant families and workers.
The event coincided with First Friday, drawing attention to the economic pressures facing local businesses and workers as costs continue to rise.
Noe’ Orozco, a representative with the Nevada Immigrant Coalition, said the group is focused on elevating people over corporations.
WATCH | Nevada Immigrant Coalition rallies on May Day to demand worker protections
Nevada Immigrant Coalition rallies on May Day to demand worker protections
“We’re trying to put people above corporations, and we one way. You can do that is definitely by supporting the local businesses, because a lot of the local businesses, they, they sustain themselves,” Orozco said.
Many local business owners and workers say they rely on the foot traffic that First Friday generates each month.
“It’s our one night a month that we get walking traffic as if we’re on Fremont Street or on the Strip,” said a business owner at First Friday.
KTNV
Workers also described the financial strain of the current economy.
“It’s very difficult to be living in the economy now without having two jobs,” said another business owner at First Friday.
The coalition said it is also responding to a recent surge in immigration enforcement activity across Nevada, which it says is negatively affecting local families.
KTNV
“Since the start of last year, we’ve seen a lot more of those overlapping conversations happening. And so, as I mentioned, right, highlighting the workers’ rights and a lot of those workers, a lot of workers that we engage with our migrant or immigrant workers, immigrant families, and so regardless of what industry you’re looking at, there is going to be an immigrant household that is being impacted,” Orozco said.
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This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
New Mexico
Hiker found dead on Albuquerque’s La Luz Trail sparks safety warnings
Hikers heading into the Sandia Mountains are being reminded to never underestimate Albuquerque’s trail system after a man was found dead earlier this week along the popular La Luz Trail.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Hikers heading into the Sandia Mountains are being reminded to never underestimate Albuquerque’s trail system after a man was found dead earlier this week along the popular La Luz Trail.
The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office has identified the man as Samuel Gurule. Authorities say there are no signs of foul play and no obvious trauma, though the investigation into his death is ongoing.
While details remain limited, officials say the tragedy is serving as an important reminder for hikers to prepare carefully before heading into the mountains.
“Respect the mountains, respect the outdoors,” said Steve LaRese with the New Mexico Search and Rescue Council. “We want to see everybody outside. Everyone deserves to be outside.”
With hiking season in full swing, trails throughout the Sandias are drawing more visitors. While the Sandia Crest remains closed, lower‑elevation routes like La Luz are open — and can appear deceptively manageable.
“It looks very obtainable and very two‑dimensional,” LaRese said. “But when you get in there, it’s a lot of rolling terrain.”
Between steep terrain, heat, elevation, and winding paths, conditions can change quickly — and it’s easy to get turned around.
“Little things turn into big things,” LaRese explained. “It’s very easy to get off the main trail and end up in a steep area or somewhere you don’t want to be.”
Search and Rescue officials say that’s why preparation is critical, even on shorter hikes.
The New Mexico Search and Rescue Council encourages hikers to over‑prepare, even if they don’t expect trouble. Recommended items include:
- A light source, even for daytime hikes
- A whistle, which can help rescuers locate you
- Plenty of water and protection from the sun
If something does go wrong, officials stress that hikers should not hesitate to call for help.
“Search and Rescue in New Mexico is free,” LaRese said. “You won’t be charged for calling 911 or for a rescue team coming out to get you off the mountain.”
As temperatures continue to rise across New Mexico, hikers are urged to listen to their bodies and avoid pushing past their limits.
“Check your heart rate. Be realistic about your physical abilities,” LaRese said. “There’s nothing wrong with hiking two miles up and saying, ‘That’s a good day,’ and heading back. The mountain will always be there.”
One final reminder for hikers planning a summit route: never assume the Sandia Tram will be operating for a ride back down.
Weather conditions or maintenance closures can leave hikers stranded — sometimes facing a long descent after dark.
Officials say preparation, awareness, and knowing when to turn around can make the difference between a great hike and a dangerous situation.
Oregon
‘Brutal and calculated’: Oregon woman who shot ex-husband in rectum sentenced
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — An Oregon woman will spend the rest of her life behind bars for the murder of her ex.
A Coos County jury convicted 46-year-old Reina Jackson of second-degree murder this week following a three-week trial for the death of her former husband in 2021.
“Dr. Craig Jackson served his country, built a career dedicated to caring for people, and was building a new life for himself and his daughter,” said Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield.
“What happened to him was brutal and calculated. His family deserved justice, and the sentence reflects the gravity of what was done.”
Dr. Craig Jackson, Reina’s ex-husband and a physician at Bay Clinic in Coos Bay, was shot and killed in his home in North Bend on Aug. 2, 2021. The couple recently had a contentious divorce and Dr. Jackson was granted full custody of their daughter.
Evidence submitted by the state at trial suggested that Reina conspired with two others to carry out the attack. According to a memo from prosecutors, Reina broke into her ex’s home with two others in the middle of the night and fought with him in his bedroom. She shot him in his rectum and then through his head.
His new wife, who had been lying in bed with him when Reina and the others entered, said she quickly rolled off the bed and hid underneath it. When she believed it was safe, she came and found her husband shot and lying in the hallway.
Police later found a hand-drawn map of Dr. Jackson’s home in Reina’s vehicle and DNA evidence of two unknown men who are believed to have accompanied her. She was also on probation for previously breaking into his home and assaulting him.
Just before Reina was arrested, she withdrew her daughter from school and fled to Guatemala. She was later arrested in Atlanta after returning to the U.S. on June 10, 2023.
According to court documents obtained by KOIN 6 News, Dr. Jackson’s family believes Reina forged a check in his name for $40,000 and used the money to purchase land for herself in Guatemala. The check posted a few days after his death.
Reina was sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole for at least 25 years.
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