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NJ lawmakers urge schools to follow Trump's order against 'radical indoctrination'

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NJ lawmakers urge schools to follow Trump's order against 'radical indoctrination'

Schools should be following President Donald Trump’s executive order “ending radical indoctrination in K-12,” say two New Jersey lawmakers who put forward a bill to repeal the Garden State’s countervailing law.

Assembs. Gregory McGuckin, R-Brick, and Paul Kanitra, R-Point Pleasant Beach, have put forward bill A-5560, which would repeal the 2021 state law requiring instruction on DEI and topics like unconscious bias, gender identity tolerance and disability tolerance.

Meanwhile, the state’s Democratic attorney general remains party to multi-state legal guidance countering Trump’s order.

“DEI is not appropriate in any part of our children’s curriculum. It is nothing more than rebranded Marxist ideology that destroys people, relationships and communities,” McGuckin said in a statement announcing the repeal effort.

GREEN NEW HEADACHE: NJ DEMS FLEE GOV’S ENERGY MASTER PLAN AS ELECTION APPROACHES

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“[I]n schools, [it] wrecks merit-based rewards and an ambition to excel. True diversity, equity and inclusion leads to free associations which foster innovation and progress.”

McGuckin went on to call DEI lessons “garbage” that don’t belong in New Jersey schools.

Kanitra said it “boggles the mind” why “telling students their skin color determines their success or failure is true or helpful.”

“They are either stupid or evil, or maybe brilliant, because the experts pushing this stuff are quite wealthy, I hear,” he said.

Both lawmakers highlighted the decline in state education and test scores since the COVID-era school lock-outs ordered by Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat.

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McGuckin said students have yet to collectively return to 2019-level proficiency scores.

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin characterized Trump’s order to end DEI curricula as having little effect on established law and pledged to continue to fight purported federal overreach.

In a statement last week, Platkin said New Jersey’s schools are excelling because of the system’s ability to embrace the state’s diversity.

‘DOGE FEVER’ STATES FROM NJ TO TX ADOPT DOGE INITIATIVES

New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin in Trenton (AP)

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“No toothless threats from the Trump administration will change that,” he said. “Along with my [AG] colleagues across the country, we are issuing legal guidance to schools so that they can continue to foster diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible environments that benefit all students.”

Platkin added he and the other state AGs will continue to fight any effort by the White House to withhold federal funding from schools or special-needs students.

He was backed up by neighboring New York Attorney General Letitia James, who said in a statement that the Trump administration “cannot ban diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility efforts with a ‘Dear Colleague’ letter.”

New Jersey’s DEI law, spearheaded by former Gov. Richard Codey — now a Democratic state senator from West Orange — mandated school districts incorporate such instruction beginning in the 2021 school year.

“The instruction shall highlight and promote diversity, including economic diversity, equity, inclusion, tolerance, and belonging in connection with gender and sexual orientation, race and ethnicity, disabilities, and religious tolerance,” the bill reads.

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It also “examine[s] the impact that unconscious bias and economic disparities have at both an individual level and on society as a whole; and encourage safe, welcoming, and inclusive environments for all students regardless of race or ethnicity, sexual and gender identities, mental and physical disabilities, and religious beliefs.”

Assemb. Carol Murphy, D-Burlington, said in 2020 it guarantees students will be “accepted and understanding of what each student goes through in life and making sure there is no stigma attached to that student, regardless of what culture… race… sexuality or where they are in life.”

As of Monday afternoon, the repeal effort had gained three additional co-sponsors: Assembs. Gregory Myhre of Barnegat, Brian Rumpf of Little Egg Harbor and Erik Peterson of Readington, all Republicans. 

Fox News Digital reached out to Platkin and GOP gubernatorial frontrunner Jack Ciattarelli for additional comment for purposes of this story. 

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Vermont

Catch these concerts in Vermont outdoors in July

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Catch these concerts in Vermont outdoors in July


The outdoor concert season in Vermont started in early June, but the alfresco musical offerings really began unfolding later in the month after summer’s official start.

July is overflowing with live music outdoors. In in southern and northern Vermont you can find festivals, and there are music series at both the Essex Experience and the Shelburne Museum.

Artists including “Weird Al” Yankovic, Jack White, Thundertcat, Trombone Shorty and Gillian Welch are playing big stages, while local standouts such as Dave Grippo, High Summer and the Vermont Jazz Ensemble are making their sounds heard in the fresh air as well. Here’s the definitive list.

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Jammin’ in July in Essex

5-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, the weekly music series “Jammin’ in July” kicks off with the Lara Cwass Band and continues at the same time each week with, on July 8, The Grift; July 15, the All Night Boogie Band; July 22, Soul Porpoise with The Project; and July 29, Kyle Chadburn & the Earthbound Spirits, The Old Stage at the Essex Experience. Free. doubleevt.com

Dead of Summer festival brings out the Dead

Thursday, July 9-Sunday, July 12, the Dead of Summer Music Festival welcomes God Street Wine, Pink Talking Fish, Leftover Salmon, Steely Dead, Giant Panda Guerrilla Dub Squad, Saints and Liars, Jatoba, Deadgrass, Mystic Dead, the Krishna Guthrie Band and many more acts paying tribute directly or indirectly to the Grateful Dead, Hunter Park, Manchester Center. $35-$335. deadofsummermusicfestival.com

Jeezum Crow at Jay Peak

Friday, July 10-Saturday, July 11, the 11th annual Jeezum Crow Festival starts with Yonder Mountain String Band, Dead Man Strumming and Beg, Steal or Borrow and continues Saturday with The Disco Biscuits, Lee Ross, Railroad Earth, Shane Goodwin, Magoo, Tim Comings, Charlie Parr, Koa Phoenix and Kyle Chadburn & the Earthbound Spirits, Stateside Amphitheater, Jay Peak. $45-$75; free for ages 6 and under. jaypeakresort.com

Do Good with Smash Mouth, Toad the Wet Sprocket

1:30 p.m. Saturday, July 11, the annual Do Good Fest unleashes the sounds of Neon Trees, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Smash Mouth, Augustana, Glam Cowboys and DJ Cheetatah on the back lawn at National Life, Montpelier. $10 minimum donation benefiting the National Life Peace of Mind Fund to support children’s mental health. dogoodfest.com

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Middlebury Festival on the Green gets going

7 p.m. Sunday, July 12, the weeklong Middlebury Festival on the Green starts with the Colorado sextet Mojo Birds, town green, Middlebury. Free. festivalonthegreen.org

Get the blues with Jack White

7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, rock star Jack White visits Vermont for a show on the midway lawn at the Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction; free for ages 12 and under. $69.50. highergroundmusic.com

Big Head Todd on a big mountain

6 p.m. Thursday, July 16, ‘90s rockers Big Head Todd and the Monsters inaugurate a trio of concerts co-presented by Higher Ground and the Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, Spruce Peak Village Green, Stowe. $16.70-$64.85; free for ages 5 and under. highergroundmusic.com or sprucepeakarts.org

Getting Frendly in southern Vermont

Thursday, July 16-Saturday, July 18, the Frendly Gathering (remember, there is no “I” in Frend) brings Gatsby’s Revenge, Neighbor, Satsang, Ryan Dempsey, Coyote Island, Jatoba, Jarv, The Big Takeover, All Night Boogie Band and more to Timber Ridge, Windham. $250; free for ages 13 and under. frendlygathering.com

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Dave Grippo joined by Jennifer Hartswick

7 p.m. Friday, July 17, Vermont sax legend Dave Grippo leads the Grippo Funk Band with trumpeter/singer/Vermont native Jennifer Hartswick, The Old Stage at the Essex Experience. $20. doubleevt.com

Music and food in Stowe

Noon-8 p.m. Saturday, July 18, the first von Trapp Music & Food Festival offers plenty of the latter as well as music from Uprooted featuring Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root plus Dwight & Nicole, the All Night Boogie Band, Blues Over Easy featuring Gina Coleman and Mal Maiz, von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort concert meadow, Stowe. $40-$125. vontrappresort.com/musicfestival

Welch and Rawlings and a night at the Museum

7 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, Americana stalwarts Gillian Welch and David Rawlings play the Concerts on the Green series at the Shelburne Museum. $56. highergroundmusic.com

Long lines for Trombone Shorty

7 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, the jazz-and-more sounds of Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, joined by JJ Grey & Mofro, continue the Concerts on the Green series at the Shelburne Museum. Sold out. highergroundmusic.com

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Getting weird with Al Yankovic

7:30 p.m., Friday, July 24, musical comedy weirdo “Weird Al” Yankovic follows Puddles Pity Party in a performance on the midway lawn, Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction. $69.50; seated admission is sold out; free general-admission tickets for ages 12 and under. highergroundmusic.com

Maple Roots Music Festival takes shape

Noon Saturday, July 25, the half-day Maple Roots Music Festival offers performances by the Vermont Jazz Ensemble, the Lara Cwass Band, festival organizer Michael-Louis Smith & Friends, Bob Wagner, High Summer, Mikahely, Linda Bassick, Doug Perkins’ “Hot Pickin’ Party,” the Eames Brothers Band, the Onion River Jazz Band and more, Morse Farm Maple Sugar Works, Montpelier. Free; donations accepted; parking passes available upon entry for a fee. maplerootsfest.com

A bit of Allman, a bit of Betts

7 p.m. Saturday, July 25, together, Devon Allman and Duane Betts lead The Allman Betts Band, inspired by the sounds of their family’s Allman Brothers Band, Stateside Amphitheater, Jay Peak Resort. $49 in advance, $65 day of show; free for ages 6 and under. jaypeakresort.com

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Sample The Samples once again in Essex

7 p.m. Saturday, July 25, veteran jam-rock favorites The Samples, plus Arty LaVigne & Friends, play outside on The Old Stage at The Double E, Essex. $25. doubleevermont.com

Shakey and Dope sing in Shelburne

6 p.m. Sunday, July 26, two guys named Alejandro Rose-Garcia and Angus Stone — better known as Shakey Graves and Dope Lemon — share a Concerts on the Green bill that includes an opening performance from Texino, Shelburne Museum. $54.50; free for ages 12 and under. highergroundmusic.com

Thundercat starts Waterfront Concert Series

7 p.m. Thursday, July 30, bassist and singer Thundercat jump-starts four straight days of music presented by Higher Ground in its Waterfront Concert Series, Waterfront Park, Burlington. $54.50; free for ages 12 and under. highergroundmusic.com

Sylvan Esso goes down to the water

7 p.m. Friday, July 31, electropop group Sylvan Esso, featuring Bennington College graduate Amelia Meath, follows Landlady on the second night of Higher Ground’s Waterfront Concert Series, Waterfront Park, Burlington. $54.50; free for ages 12 and under. highergroundmusic.com

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Contact Brent Hallenbeck at bhallenbeck@burlingtonfreepress.com.



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New York

Metropolitan Diary Challenge Day 2: How to Write Your N.Y. Story

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Metropolitan Diary Challenge Day 2: How to Write Your N.Y. Story

Welcome to Day 2 of the Metropolitan Diary challenge, part of our celebration of the column’s 50th anniversary. On Day 1, we gave you tips for identifying your New York City story. Today, we’ll help you write it. (Missed Day 1? It’s not too late to start.)

What makes for a good Diary? It’s simply a good story that happens to be set in, and capture, the essential New York-ness of the city. While this isn’t a full writing course, we do have guidance on the kinds of elements that the submissions we publish include. They typically have: a beginning, middle and end; sharp details; catchy dialogue; a bit of surprise; some humor, warmth or emotion. But there is no formula, so flouting these loose rules can be worthwhile.

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Don’t worry if you don’t think of yourself as a “writer.” Focus on being a “storyteller.” Pretend you are telling your story to the person who’d most appreciate it, using whatever conversational language or pacing that would hold their attention. Do it out loud if you want, maybe give that person a call and tell them your story (or tell it to them again). Then write it down.

That’s the big picture. For more tips, read on.

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Here is an example of a published Diary that we (and readers) really liked, and a few thoughts on why that may help crystallize yours.

Unacceptable

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Dear Diary:

I went to a new bagel store in Brooklyn Heights1 with my son.

When it was my turn to order, I asked for a cinnamon raisin bagel with whitefish salad and a slice of red onion.2

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The man behind the counter looked up at me.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I can’t do that.”3

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— Richie Powers

One of this item’s best qualities is that it is short and snappy. Only 53 words! Although we will use stories of up to 300 words, many don’t need to be that long and the column doesn’t work if we don’t have a mix of long, medium and short, so we are always looking for stuff like this. Here’s another one!

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A black and white illustration of a doorman holding the door for two people entering a building.

At Attention

Dear Diary:

It was December 1967. I had just finished basic training at Fort Dix in New Jersey and was traveling to Boston in uniform. For reasons I no longer recall, I stopped in New York City on the way.1

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Walking on the Upper East Side2 in a snowstorm, I spied another man in a uniform. He was older, and his cap bore the familiar gold band that identified him as an officer.

I rendered a snappy salute. It was not returned. 3The uniform was unfamiliar, so I guessed he was a foreign officer. Military courtesy still required me to salute.

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A little farther down the street, I encountered another officer and offered another salute that went unacknowledged.4 His uniform was strange to me as well.

The third time it happened, the man I saluted ignored me while holding the door for a couple 5on their way into a large apartment building.

I realized I had been saluting doormen.6

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— Stephen Salisbury

To get your storytelling muscles going, think through or jot down the answers to some of these questions.

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Let’s start with setting the scene.

  • When and where in the city did this happen? Is this place well-known?

  • Was there anything particular about that point in your life that’s relevant?

  • What did you see, hear, smell? Was there something notable about the weather?

Now, let’s move to the middle, the meat of the story.

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  • Did you have an exchange with someone?

  • What details are important to how events unfolded, especially in setting up the ending?

And now, the end.

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  • What’s the resolution? Is there a punchline?

  • Does the story end with a sense of shared humanity or some other warm feeling that lingers? You don’t need to name it. A good description will often allow readers to feel it too.

  • Why has this experience stayed with you?

  • Lines like “and that’s why I love New York” are almost always unnecessary.

That’s it. Keep your story simple and use the kind of plain language you use in conversation. You are sketching a moment in time. The details are important. Let them move the story along. Have fun and good luck.

Once you’re done, read through what you’ve got. What details are less important and can be left out? (Remember, there is a strict 300-word limit.)

Write your Metropolitan Diary however you like, on paper, on your phone or wherever! When you’re happy with what you’ve written, put your diary entry into the box below, fill out your information and submit it. You might just hear from me about including it in a future column.

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That’s it! Submit your Metropolitan Diary.

This is the official submission form, so make sure to double-check your work before hitting submit.

By transmitting your submission, you grant The New York Times Company a perpetual, royalty-free license to use the submission in any medium. They may be edited, and may be republished and adapted in all media. You may reprint your story elsewhere after it appears in The Times.

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Boston, MA

Boston Pops surprise travelers at Logan Airport with July 4th preview performance

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Boston Pops surprise travelers at Logan Airport with July 4th preview performance




Boston Pops surprise travelers at Logan Airport with July 4th preview performance – CBS Boston

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The Boston Pops surprised travelers at terminal E at Logan Airport with a preview of their July 4th performance.

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