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Wyoming library director receives $700K settlement following LGBTQ books dispute firing

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Wyoming library director receives 0K settlement following LGBTQ books dispute firing

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A former Wyoming library director who was fired amid a community dispute over sexually explicit and LGBTQ-themed books in the children’s section will receive $700,000 in a settlement.

Terri Lesley, who served as executive director of the Campbell County Public Library System in Gillette, filed a federal civil rights lawsuit in April 2025 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming alleging she was unlawfully fired in July 2023 for refusing to remove or relocate books with LGBTQ content from the library’s youth sections.

Lesley claimed in her complaint that county officials and library board members aligned themselves with a “book-ban campaign” led by local residents who labeled the books “pornographic.”

“A small fraction of the community espoused openly homophobic, transphobic, and other hateful ideologies,” the lawsuit states. “Instead of rejecting this campaign of fear and hate, defendants aligned themselves with it.”

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Terri Lesley, a former library director in Wyoming, filed a federal lawsuit in April alleging discrimination and violation of her civil rights. (Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

EX-WISCONSIN UNIVERSITY DEI STAFFER WINS $265K SETTLEMENT AFTER ALLEGING DISCRIMINATION FOR BEING WHITE

Her suit accuses Campbell County, its Board of Commissioners and the library board, along with individual officials — including former Commissioners Del Shelstad and Colleen Faber — of discrimination, retaliation and conspiracy in violation of her civil and constitutional rights.

The defendants denied the allegations in the lawsuit, saying Lesley’s firing was based on performance issues, according to The Associated Press. 

The Campbell County Commissioner’s Office told Fox News Digital a $700,000 settlement was reached through mediation by the county’s insurance company’s attorney. The attorney said no public funds were involved in the payment. They also said the settlement does not constitute an admission of liability and was a practical decision to avoid the substantial legal costs of a federal trial.

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“I do feel vindicated,” Lesley told The Associated Press. “It’s been a rough road, but I will never regret standing up for the First Amendment.”

“This Book is Gay,” a novel marketed to teens, includes graphic depictions of gay sex and has frequently been challenged by parents in libraries across the nation. (Juno Dawson; iStock)

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The dispute dates back to June 2021, when a library Facebook post celebrating Pride Month drew criticism from some residents and Commissioner Shelstad, who objected to promoting LGBTQ+ materials to minors. The conflict intensified after news that a transgender magician had been booked for a children’s program, sparking protests and threats that led to the show’s cancellation.

Frequently challenged LGBTQ books like “This Book Is Gay” by Juno Dawson were among those challenged in Gillette. Others included “How Do You Make a Baby” by Anna Fiske, “Doing It” by Hannah Witton, “Sex is a Funny Word” by Corey Silverberg, and “Dating and Sex: A Guide for the 21st Century Teen Boy” by Andrew P. Smiler, according to The Associated Press.

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Lesley repeatedly stated at public library board meetings that removing or relocating the books from the juvenile sections would amount to censorship and was “in violation of the First Amendment,” according to the complaint.

After her firing, Lesley filed a discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, receiving a right-to-sue letter in February 2025.

A Gillette, Wyoming former librarian received a settlement payment after filing a federal lawsuit against Campbell County. (Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

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Lesley has also filed a separate, ongoing defamation lawsuit against a local family alleging they helped orchestrate the campaign that led to her dismissal.

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The Campbell County Public Library Board did not immediately return a request for comment from Fox News Digital. 

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Oregon

Oregon Lottery Pick 4 results for March 5

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

Here’s a look at March 5, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 5 drawing

1PM: 6-6-8-1

4PM: 7-4-6-0

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7PM: 5-6-5-2

10PM: 3-5-4-4

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Oregon Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 7:59 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 7:59 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
  • Pick 4: 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. daily.
  • Win for Life: 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Megabucks: 7:29 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.

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



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Utah

Utah Blanks Philadelphia, 3-0 | Utah Mammoth

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Utah Blanks Philadelphia, 3-0 | Utah Mammoth


Schmaltz’s 24 goals this season are a new career-high. He’s been a consistently strong presence and has taken on more responsibility with the switch from wing to center. His goal on the power play came just eight seconds into the man-advantage and opened the scoring early in the second period. In addition to his goal, he had an assist on Utah’s second goal of the game. Tourigny discussed Schmaltz’s maturity following the win.

“He’s a mature person, mature man,” Tourigny explained. “He really wants to make a difference. I always say about Schmaltz, (he’s) a gamer. He wants to play in those moments, and I think he’s excited about where our team is at, and he wants to be a big part of it, and he is. He’s a huge leader for us.”

Utah held Philadelphia to 16 total shots: four in the first period, seven in the second, and five in the third. The Mammoth showed their strong defensive game in the win.

“I think that’s when we’re at our best, when we’re defending hard,” Schmaltz said. “We’re playing with a lot of pace, not giving them time and space, frustrating them, and making them force plays, and then we turn it over and go the other way.”

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On the flip side, against a stingy Philadelphia defense, Utah generated 23 shots including 14 in the second period. Schmaltz spoke to what led to the increased opportunities in the middle frame.

“A little bit more direct,” Schmaltz shared. “I think our transition game was really good. We were catching them, kind of hemming them in. Good line changes and just rolling them over and shooting a little bit more.”

In addition to Schmaltz’s goal, Captain Clayton Keller scored his 19th of the season seven and half minutes after his linemate’s tally to increase the score to 2-0. Michael Carcone’s empty net goal with 1:48 left in regulation secured the 3-0 win.

Additional Notes from Tonight (per Mammoth PR)

  • The Mammoth’s power play went 1-for-2 against the Flyers. Utah has scored seven power play goals in seven games (7-for-18, 38.9%). On the other side of special teams, the Mammoth’s penalty kill went 3-for-3.
  • JJ Peterka played his 300th NHL game. Peterka was selected 34th overall in the 2020 NHL Draft and is the ninth player from his draft class to reach the milestone. He is also just the eighth German-born forward in NHL history to accomplish the feat.
  • Keller has recorded 11 points in his last seven games (2/2-3/5: 3g, 8a), finding the scoresheet in six of those contests.
  • With two assists tonight, Dylan Guenther has posted his second straight multi-point outing (3/3 at WSH: 1g, 1a) and his third in five games (2/25 vs. COL: 2g).

Utah has won the first two games of a five-game road trip. Up next, the Mammoth travel to Columbus and face the Blue Jackets on Saturday night.

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Washington

Capitals Acquire a Conditional First-Round Pick in Either 2026 or 2027 and a 2027 Third-Round Pick from Anaheim for John Carlson | Washington Capitals

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Capitals Acquire a Conditional First-Round Pick in Either 2026 or 2027 and a 2027 Third-Round Pick from Anaheim for John Carlson | Washington Capitals


The Washington Capitals have acquired a conditional first-round pick in either the 2026 NHL Draft or the 2027 NHL Draft and a third-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft from the Anaheim Ducks for defenseman John Carlson, senior vice president and general manager Chris Patrick announced today. Should Anaheim qualify for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Anaheim will transfer its 2026 first-round pick to Washington. If Anaheim fails to qualify for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Anaheim has the option to retain its 2026 first-round pick and transfer its 2027 first-round pick to Washington instead.

“Since joining our organization 17 years ago, John Carlson has exemplified what it means to be a Washington Capital every day,” said Patrick. “John’s determination, leadership, persistence and skill helped our franchise reach new heights and cemented him as a cornerstone and one of the greatest players in Capitals history. His contributions to our organization and the Washington, D.C., community both on and off the ice have been immeasurable. We are incredibly grateful for everything John has given to our team and wish him and his family nothing but the best moving forward with Anaheim.”

The Capitals own 22 total picks in the next three drafts, including four first-round selections and nine picks in the first three rounds. Washington also acquired a 2029 second-round pick from the Vegas Golden Knights on March 5.

Carlson, 36, recorded 46 points (10g, 36a) in 55 games with the Capitals this season and will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. Carlson has played his entire 17-season career with the Capitals and is the franchise’s all-time leader in games played (1,143), goals (166), assists (605) and points (771) among defensemen. The Natick, Massachusetts native helped lead the Capitals to their first Stanley Cup championship in 2018, and led all defensemen in playoff scoring with 20 points (5g, 15a) in 24 games played. Carlson was originally drafted by Washington in the first round (27th overall) of the 2008 NHL Draft.

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