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Wisconsin ski park faces lawsuit after allegedly firing employee for sharing Bible verses on social media

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Wisconsin ski park faces lawsuit after allegedly firing employee for sharing Bible verses on social media

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A Wisconsin snow park is facing a federal lawsuit that accuses it of firing a Christian employee for posting Bible verses on his personal social media account.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed a complaint against Crystal Ridge Ski Area, LLC, formerly known as The Rock Snowpark, a winter sports park and summer events venue in Franklin, Wisconsin, on Wednesday. Their complaint alleges the park discriminated against a former employee who worked there from January 2, 2022 to June 12, 2023.

During his time of employment, the Rock Snowpark employee “frequently posted religious messages” including Bible verses, on his personal social media account, the suit states. On June 9, 2023, Rock Snowpark’s Operations Manager met with the individual and expressed concern that his posts “were discriminatory to gay people,” and asked him to refrain from posting these statements. When the employee asked if he could still post Bible verses, the manager gave approval, the suit says.

Three days later, the employee posted another Bible verse on his personal social media and was terminated the same day.

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A federal lawsuit filed by the EEOC claims a Christian employee was told to refrain from posting Scripture on social media that was discriminatory toward gay people. (iStock)

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The EEOC complaint states the employee did not identify his workplace or claim to be representing the views of his employer on his social media account. His posts were not directed at any employee of Rock Snowpark and the park did not receive any complaints about the posts, the complaint claims.

The employee had worked for the company for a year and a half before his termination, during which time he received bonuses and was promoted for his excellent performance, according to the lawsuit.

The EEOC filed the suit after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement, the complaint explains. The park is accused of violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination based on religion.

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The commission is asking the court to issue a permanent injunction restricting Crystal Ridge from engaging in “any employment practices which discriminate on the basis of religion in violation of Title VII.” The commission asks the court to order the park to implement new policies to ensure equal employment opportunities “regardless of religion.” The complaint also asks for the employee to receive backpay and compensatory and punitive damages for the alleged harms caused.

The EEOC lawsuit asks for the Wisconsin snow park to provide compensation and damages to an employee who was fired over alleged religious discrimination. (Getty Images/IStock)

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The commission is requesting a jury trial in the case.

“All employees have the right to earn a living free from discrimination based on their religious beliefs,” EEOC Acting Chair Andrea Lucas said in a press release. “While employers must remain alert to potential harassment in the workplace, religious statements made outside of work that do not reference or impact anyone in the workplace do not constitute unlawful harassment.”

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Crystal Ridge Ski Area told Fox News Digital it had not yet been served the legal complaint but rejected the allegations.

“First, we want to make clear that we, as an employer and member of the community, treat all of our employees and customers equally and with respect, regardless of who they are and what they believe,” the park said. “We also expect all of our employees to similarly respect each other and the customers that we are here to serve.”

“Second, we want to make clear that the internal employment decision that apparently led to the EEOC’s lawsuit was not made on the basis of the employee’s religious beliefs. Rather, it was a business decision based on performance issues and policy violations,” they added, saying they had no further comment on the matter.

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Illinois

Park City, Illinois, police officer charged with sexual abuse

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Park City, Illinois, police officer charged with sexual abuse



Sexual abuse charges were filed this week against a Park City, Illinois, police officer.

On Jan. 28, the Park City Police Department requested an investigation by Illinois State Police after a civilian accused a part-time Park City officer, state police said.

State police said their special agents conducted several interviews and obtained search warrants.

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On Tuesday of this week, the special agents presented the case to the Lake County State’s Attorney’s office, who charged Officer Patrick Cacho, 29, of Kenosha, Wisconsin, with 10 felony counts. They were composed of four counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, two of aggravated battery, two of official misconduct, and two of criminal sexual abuse.

Cacho was  being held at the Lake County Jail Wednesday.

No further details were provided about what Cacho is accused of doing.

Park City is located in Lake County, adjacent to Waukegan and Gurnee.

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Indiana

Smokey Bones barbecue chain closes its Indiana store

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Smokey Bones barbecue chain closes its Indiana store


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Smokey Bones barbecue chain is closing stores, including its lone Indiana location.

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The chain, known for its authentic fire-grilled and house-smoked meats, closed various locations April 28. Signage at some shops indicates all locations have been closed.

The store at 1203 Apple Glen Boulevard in Fort Wayne was among 20 locations listed on the chain’s website on April 29, but its hours were listed as “CLOSED” for every day this week and the site was not allowing customers to place orders there for pickup or delivery.

The chain previously operated stores in Central Indiana, including spots in Indianapolis, Avon and Greenwood.

The closures come after Twin Peaks Hospitality, the owner of Smokey Bones and Twin Peaks restaurants, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Texas, USA TODAY reported in January.

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The chain began closing restaurants in late 2025.

Smokey Bones was acquired as a 60-unit group by FAT Brands Inc. in 2023 and was spun off into Twin Hospitality in January 2025. Then, in September 2025, Twin Hospitality Group Inc. said it planned to rebrand 19 Smokey Bones locations as Twin Peaks restaurants while closing 15 underperforming sites.

Contact Midwest Connect reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at cjackson@usatodayco.com or 317-444-6264. Follow her on X.com: @cherylvjackson or Bluesky: @cherylvjackson.bsky.social.



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Iowa

Iowa gas prices jump 33 cents from last week, more than national average

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Iowa gas prices jump 33 cents from last week, more than national average


CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – The price of regular unleaded gasoline in Iowa is 33 cents higher from last week, averaging $3.84.

Americans had a brief relief in gas prices last week when prices for brent crude oil dipped below $100 per barrel. On Wednesday it was priced at $117.20, according to AAA.

The latest numbers from AAA show Iowa’s gas prices spiked faster than the national average.

The national average price of gas Wednesday was $4.23, 21 cents higher than last week.

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Compared to a year ago, gas is 86 cents more on average in Iowa.

Diesel is also slightly higher this week, averaging $4.94, but was still 52 cents below the national average.

Copyright 2026 KCRG. All rights reserved.



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