Midwest

Judge blocks key provisions of Arkansas law allowing criminal charges against librarians, booksellers

Published

1 year ago

December 25, 2024

Judge blocks key provisions of Arkansas law allowing criminal charges against librarians, booksellers

A Republican-backed Arkansas law allowing criminal charges to be pressed against librarians and booksellers for providing “harmful” or “obscene” materials to minors was blocked by a federal judge in a Monday ruling that declared some elements of the policy too vague and unconstitutional.

“The law deputizes librarians and booksellers as the agents of censorship; when motivated by the fear of jail time, it is likely they will shelve only books fit for young children and segregate or discard the rest,” U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks of the Western District of Arkansas wrote in his ruling.

Act 372, signed by Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders last year, would have established new avenues for challenging allegedly age-inappropriate library materials and requesting their removal.

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An Arkansas law that would have criminalized making inappropriate materials available to minors faced challenges in court. (In Pictures Ltd./Corbis via Getty Images)

Brooks had previously blocked the law on a temporary basis, according to local reports, mere days before it was slated to take effect, but sided with the 18 plaintiffs who suggested two key provisions of the law were too vague and violated First Amendment protections this week.

A separate report stated Brooks took issue with one of the law’s provisions because it granted anyone the authority to challenge a library’s decision, including interest groups outside of Arkansas.

Section one, which was one of the provisions ruled unconstitutional, would have imposed a misdemeanor penalty of up to one year in jail for librarians, booksellers, etc. who make inappropriate media “available” to minors.

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Plaintiffs challenged sections one and five of Arkansas’ Act 372. (Fox News Digital)

Section five, the other contested provision, would have mandated “a new procedure for libraries, city councils, and county quorum courts to follow when evaluating a citizen’s request to move or remove a book from a public library’s permanent collection,” according to Brooks’ ruling.

Brooks believed the provision was too vague, particularly through its use of terms like “appropriate” and for not providing clearer requirements for restricting book access.

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin told the Associated Press in a statement that he “respect[s] the court’s ruling” but plans to appeal.

Fox News Digital reached out to the attorney general’s office for further comment, but did not immediately hear back.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Taylor Penley is an associate editor with Fox News.

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Michigan

Michigan’s single-stair reform gains as housing package languishes

Published

12 minutes ago

June 25, 2026

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Michigan’s single-stair reform gains as housing package languishes

What’s New?

Updated 33 seconds ago

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Minnesota

Minnesota sends time capsule photos to US Capitol for America’s 250th birthday

Published

22 minutes ago

June 25, 2026

Press Room

Minnesota sends time capsule photos to US Capitol for America’s 250th birthday

Minnesota leaders are sending photos that highlight the state’s landmarks and culture to the U.S. Capitol for a special time capsule.

The time capsule gives each state and territory delegation an opportunity to provide a snapshot of time in 2026 as America celebrates its 250th birthday.

Photos from all eight Minnesota congressional districts were sent to the Capitol.

They include Lake Superior, the State Fair, the loon, Prince’s Purple Rain and the National Eagle Center.

The capsule will be sealed inside the Capitol Visitor Center until America’s 500th birthday on July 4, 2276.

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Missouri

Missouri Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 winning numbers for June 24, 2026

Published

34 minutes ago

June 25, 2026

Press Room

The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at June 24, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from June 24 drawing

13-14-16-21-38, Powerball: 14, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from June 24 drawing

Midday: 3-0-3

Midday Wild: 2

Evening: 8-4-8

Evening Wild: 0

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from June 24 drawing

Midday: 7-5-8-5

Midday Wild: 9

Evening: 7-4-7-6

Evening Wild: 9

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 24 drawing

Early Bird: 06

Morning: 13

Matinee: 03

Prime Time: 14

Night Owl: 02

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Show Me Cash numbers from June 24 drawing

16-17-19-26-35

Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from June 24 drawing

03-11-20-31-65, Powerball: 05

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.

To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:

Ticket Redemption

Missouri Lottery

P.O. Box 7777

Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777

For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.

For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.

When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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