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SCOTUS won’t rule on Texas library’s book banning case

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SCOTUS won’t rule on Texas library’s book banning case


In a years-long Texas book banning case that’s seen rulings from multiple judges, the highest court in the nation has decided not to weigh in. 

It all started in 2021, when a community in a small county near Austin decided to rid their public library’s shelves of “inappropriate” literature. 

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SCOTUS declines to rule

The latest:

The Supreme Court of the United States decided Monday they would not rule on an appeal in the Llano County case. Decisions by lower courts had previously allowed for books regarding topics like sex and social issues to be removed from the shelves. 

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According to the court’s timeline of proceedings, they first received an application to file a petition in the case on July 24. Since this summer, the petition was filed, motions to extend were passed through, numerous briefs were submitted in support of the appeal, and finally, in November, the petition was distributed for conference. 

After nearly a month of no further actions, the next proceeding was a simple denial. 

Anti-censorship groups request action

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What they’re saying:

Numerous groups and organizations advocating free speech and expression submitted briefs to the court in favor of the appeal.

One group was The National Coalition Against Censorship, whose conclusion reads in part as follows: 

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“Allowing the Fifth Circuit’s decision to stand threatens to make public libraries a doctrinal oxymoron—institutions with a proud historical tradition of providing access to the widest possible range of ideas would become one of the only areas where the government could openly censor private viewpoints.”

Another group, PEN America, expressed a similar view in their brief:

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“Library doors are open to all without regard to wealth, status, education, profession, or identity, and their collections run the gamut of expression. That extraordinary public service demands safeguards against official orthodoxy. Fortunately, the First Amendment has long offered such protection. This Court should reaffirm as much here.”

The removal of books from Llano County libraries

The backstory:

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In 2021, a group of community members began working to have several books they deemed inappropriate removed from Llano County public library shelves.

A group of seven Llano County residents filed a federal lawsuit against the county judge, commissioners, library board members and the library systems director for restricting and banning books from the three-branch library system.

The lawsuit stated that the county judge, commissioners and library director removed several books off shelves, suspended access to digital library books, replaced the Llano County library board with community members in favor of book bans, halted new library book orders and allowed the library board to close its meetings to the public in a coordinated censorship campaign that violates the First Amendment and 14th Amendment.

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In 2024, a divided panel from the Fifth Circuit ordered eight of the removed books returned.

Both the majority opinion of the 2024 panel and the dissenting opinion from Friday’s decision called the removal of the books a political decision.

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What are the books?

The books at issue in the case include “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent” by Isabel Wilkerson; “They Called Themselves the K.K.K: The Birth of an American Terrorist Group,” by Susan Campbell Bartoletti; “In the Night Kitchen” by Maurice Sendak; “It’s Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex and Sexual Health” by Robie H. Harris; and “Being Jazz: My Life as a (Transgender) Teen” by Jazz Jennings.

Other titles include “Larry the Farting Leprechaun” by Jane Bexley and “My Butt is So Noisy!” by Dawn McMillan.

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The Source: Information in this article comes from the Supreme Court of the United States and briefs filed in a petition to the court. 

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North Texas prepares for major World Cup operations

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North Texas prepares for major World Cup operations


North Texas FIFA World Cup organizers say this week will bring the first visible signs of activity.

“Tomorrow is a very big day for us,” organizer Monica Paul said. “The move-in for the International Broadcast Center for the World Cup begins. So, they will start moving in a lot of trucks, a lot of building out will take place.”

“I feel like we’re ready for this,” organizer Dan Hunt said. “I mean, this city has been built for this.”

Thousands of media arriving soon

Organizers say that by mid-May, 3,500 broadcasters, media, and staff are expected to arrive at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.

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Transportation planning will involve coordination across multiple cities and agencies, as millions of fans are expected to move across the region once the tournament begins.

“A large stakeholder group has been taking shape to put this transportation plan together,” Paul said. “Our last mobility plan is due to FIFA at the end of March.”

Security effort spans all levels

Safety and security will involve local, state, and federal partners.

“We are working with the White House Task Force for the World Cup,” Paul said. “It was set up specifically to be our federal government liaison with the host cities to address any concerns.”

Organizers say they want to ensure international visitors feel welcome.

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Fan festival to anchor celebrations

For fans without tickets, Fair Park will host the FIFA Fan Festival, a large-scale viewing and entertainment experience during the tournament. The full schedule is expected to be released next month.

“With the good fortune we have here, Dallas Stadium will have nine matches which is over 700,000 tickets,” Hunt said. “Fan fest down in Fair Park should do double that. Almost 1.5 million visitors.”

“What I’m excited about is our Fan Fest is estimated to be free to the public and that excites me because everyone who does not have a ticket can also benefit from the energy of celebrating the World Cup,” organizer Nina Vaca said.

Long‑term goals beyond the tournament

With a projected $2.1 billion economic impact, organizers say the broader goal is to grow the game of soccer in North Texas long after the final match.

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Texas Democrats demand AG investigation into X for alleged child sex content

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Texas Democrats demand AG investigation into X for alleged child sex content


The X logo on the X app formerly known as Twitter is seen in this photo illustration on 01 November, 2023 in Warsaw, Poland. (Photo by Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Texas Democrat leaders are demanding that state Attorney General Ken Paxton investigate X, formerly Twitter, and the built-in chatbot Grok for alleged child sex abuse content being generated on the site. 

The joint letter from the House leaders says sexualized material is being created at a rate that should trigger a Texas law that would require age verification to use the site. 

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Texas Democrats request X investigation

What we know:

The Monday letter, signed by 43 House Democrats, references reporting that claims investigators have observed around 7,750 sexualized images being generated per hour and at least one nonconsensual image per minute on X. 

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They note that Grok has been documented generating sexualized or “nudified” images of minors as well. 

According to the House Democrats, other regulators, including those in Europe, have already launched their own queries into the social media site and chatbot. Additionally, they say, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation has called on the DOJ and Federal Trade Commission to investigate X and Grok over the same concerns. 

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The letter says Texas has already established a standard for sites operating as they claim X does: House Bill 1181, enacted in 2023, requires websites where more than one-third of content is sexual material harmful to minors to use age-verification methods to ensure users are over 18. 

Proposed investigation requirements

The letter asks Paxton to look into the following:

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  • Open a formal investigation into whether X, xAI, Grok, or related tools accessible in Texas are being used to create or distribute unlawful sexually explicit deepfakes, nonconsensual intimate imagery, and any AI-generated child sexual exploitation material, and whether platform design choices are facilitating that conduct.
  • Investigate whether X is in compliance with Texas age verification requirements under HB 1181, including whether minors can access sexually explicit material or AI tools that generate sexual imagery without reasonable age verification.
  • Issue a public enforcement and reporting pathway for victims and parents in Texas, including instructions to preserve evidence, how reports will be routed for rapid investigation when minors are involved, and a point of contact for legislative coordination.
  • Provide written guidance to platforms operating in Texas on compliance expectations, including meaningful age gating for sexually explicit material, prompt removal pathways for victims, and cooperation with law enforcement.

What we don’t know:

Paxton has not yet issued a public response to the letter, or announced an investigation into the matter.

What parents and users should know

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If you encounter sexualized images of minors or other abusive material online, report it immediately. In the United States, you can contact the FBI tip line or seek help from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

Do not download, share, screenshot or interact with the content in any way. Even viewing or forwarding illegal material can expose you to serious legal risk.

Parents should also talk with children and teens about AI image tools and social media prompts. Many of these images are created through casual requests that do not feel dangerous at first. Teaching kids to report content, close the app and tell a trusted adult can stop harm from spreading further.

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The Source: Information in this article comes from the Texas House Democratic Caucus and previous reporting by Fox News. 

TexasArtificial IntelligenceTexas PoliticsTechnologyKen PaxtonElon Musk



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Texas DPS arrests Cowboys defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku

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Texas DPS arrests Cowboys defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku


The Texas Department of Public Safety told CBS News Texas that a trooper witnessed “a vehicle being operated recklessly” on the southbound lanes of Dallas North Tollway just before midnight on Saturday. Jail records show Ezeiruaku was booked into the Collin County jail for reckless driving on Sunday, Jan. 11. He was released the same day with a bond of $500 and other unlisted conditions.



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