This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
One school district in Florida has begun subjecting students, without permission, to a "Witchy Wednesday" indoctrination, and experts who follow the Constitution's requirements for protected speech and religious liberty are unhappy.
Soon school officials may be unhappy, too.
That's because Liberty Counsel has sent a demand letter to officials at Orange County public schools calling for opt-out procedures for students who object to a "Witchy Wednesday" video series school officials have started airing school-wide.
"The series, which is aired during mid-week morning announcements, is produced by students providing 'religious instruction' on spells, magic, moon worship, and other witchcraft rituals," the legal team explained.
And it has cautioned officials against making any such indoctrination mandatory.
Further, since that one religious perspective has been promoted officially by the school, now any Christian students "who wish to share their Christian beliefs" must be allowed to do so in the same manner.
Liberty Counsel's letter asks for school confirmation of plans to let students and staff opt out. And confirmation that students may express their own religious perspectives in the same manner.
The organization reported the "Witchy Wednesday" episodes were aired starting Sept. 10.
"Good morning, witches and [SCHOOL MASCOT NAME]. I'm [NAME REDACTED]. Today is Wednesday, September 10th, and this is our first episode of 'Witchy Wednesday.' I am here to guide you through your magical midweek journey every Wednesday. To start, there was a new moon yesterday on September 9th, normally regarded as a blank slate and a new start. This phase invites introspection and intention setting. Simple things to honor this phase could be to write your intentions and bury them or just meditate for an energy reset and healing," the promotion of witchcraft began.
"There is a full moon coming up on September 18th where the energy is at its highest peak. Creating simple things like moon water and releasing rituals are good ways to cleanse and recharge yourself during this period. In other news, our first ever 'Witch Tip Spotlight' is a spell for enlightenment that I call 'Light of Insight.' Its purpose is all about inviting clarity, wisdom, and light into your life. You will need a white candle, paper, pen, and incense. You can burn your incense around your area of practice to clear your surrounding energy for a start.
"You write your intuition down on your paper. Fold it three times. Burn your paper into your white candle. Burn it completely and entirely to have your intention released into the universe. That itself is your 'Light of Insight' at work. You then cleanse the space around you once more to finalize your spell. That's all for today, [SCHOOL MASCOT NAME]. Have a Wicked Wednesday."
The Supreme Court's perspective on such activity could be pertinent.
In Ma0hmoud v. Taylor, the justices recently said parents have the right to opt their children out of instruction that undermines their religious beliefs.
"The First Amendment compels [the school district] to provide any student who desires a religious opt-out to Witchy Wednesday be afforded that option," wrote Liberty Counsel.
Further high court rulings have confirmed "Christian expression cannot be denied in an open forum where other viewpoints are expressed."
Liberty Counsel founder Mat Staver said, "Parents and students with contrary religious beliefs to the religious instruction of 'Witchy Wednesday" have the right to opt out. The First Amendment does not allow government schools to require this instruction, nor can the school deny differing viewpoints after it has opened its morning announcements forum to student expression. Orange County Public Schools would be wise to proceed by facilitating opt-outs and including other viewpoints."
The legal team warned the school's actions could set up some interesting arguments, as the Bible specifically undermines the "Witchy" claims.
For example, the letter explains, "The Bible warns of real spiritual beings who seek to destroy lives: 'put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places' (Ephesians 6:11-12). • The Bible states that there 'shall not be found among you anyone…who practices witchcraft… or one who conjures spells…or one who calls up the dead' and that these things are a great sin. (Deuteronomy 18:9-12a) • The Bible warns against astrology. (Jeremiah 10:2; 27:9-10; Daniel 2:1-4; 4:7; 5:7-9) • The Bible condemns worship of the sun, moon and stars. (Deuteronomy 4:19; 17:2-5; 2 Kings 21:3, 5; Zephaniah 1:5; Job 31:26-28; Jeremiah 8:1-2). • The Bible instructs people to inquire of God (Isaiah 8:19), not mediums and spiritists (Deuteronomy 18:9-14; Isaiah 44:25; Jeremiah 27:9; 2 Kings 21:6; 23:24; Ezekiel 21:21; Isaiah 19:3; 1 Samuel 28). • God warns that those who practice 'witchcraft…will not inherit the kingdom of God.' (Galatians 5:20-21; (Revelation 21:8)."
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Conservative icon Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated at a free speech event at a Utah school only a week ago, co-founded Turning Point USA, an organization that specifically confronted radical leftists on college campuses and challenged them to speak their minds, listen and then consider their extremist attitudes.
The organization, which had several thousand chapters before the assassination, allegedly carried out by a leftist under the influence of the transgender ideology, has had interest expressed in starting not just hundreds or thousands, but tens of thousands more, and now has confirmed it will continue.
Under the leadership of Kirk's widow, Erika.
The group announced:
"In Ecclesiastes, King Solomon wrote that mankind is to be tested by God. Today we are facing such a test, yet we also know that God has prepared us with everything we need to overcome this ordeal.
"It was the honor of our lives to serve as board members at Charlie's side. Charlie prepared all of us for a moment like this one. He worked tirelessly to ensure Turning Point USA was built to survive even the greatest tests. And now it is our great pride to announce Erika Kirk as the new CEO and Chair of the Board for Turning Point USA."
The statement continued, "All of us at Turning Point USA have a special role in carrying Charlie Kirk's mantle and completing his vision of bringing us all closer to our Lord and fostering a prosperous country for generations to come. As Charlie always said, 'We have a country to save.' We will not surrender or kneel before evil. We will carry on. The attempt to destroy Charlie's work will become our chance to make it more powerful and enduring than ever before.
"May God Bleses Erika, the Kirk family, and the entire team at Turning Point USA.
Signed by Doug De Groote, Mike Miller, Tom Sodeika and David Engelhardt.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission is threatening to take action against ABC over on-air claims made by comedian Jimmy Kimmel about the man suspected of assassinating Charlie Kirk last week.
Kimmel said in his monologue Monday, "We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them – and doing everything they can to score political points from it."
The suspect, Tyler Robinson, however, is reported by family members to have moved to the left politically in recent months, and Utah officials released texts to his transgender roommate in which he offers the reason he shot and killed the popular activist who clearly was in the MAGA camp.
"I had enough of [Kirk's] hatred. Some hate can't be negotiated out," Robinson said.
As reported at the Gateway Pundit, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr appeared on "The Benny Show" and told host Benny Johnson that he may take action against ABC and Kimmel.
"This is a very, very serious issue right now for Disney. We can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to take action on Kimmel or there is going to be additional work for the FCC ahead," Carr said.
"They have a license granted by us at the FCC, and that comes with it an obligation to operate in the public interest. There are calls for Kimmel to be fired. I think you could certainly see a path forward for suspension over this."
Continued Carr, "The FCC could make a strong argument that this is sort of an intentional effort to mislead the American people about a very core fundamental fact, a very important matter.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
President Donald Trump, in recent months, has won massive legal victories over ABC and CBS.
To resolve a defamation lawsuit from Trump, ABC agreed to pay $15 million as a charitable contribution to a future presidential museum or foundation. It settled a case brought on by anchor George Stephanopoulos repeatedly saying on air Trump was held liable for rape, when he wasn't.
And Trump's "election interference" lawsuit against CBS over its "60 Minutes" interview of Kamala Harris was settled for a sum that could reach $30 million.
Now he's taking aim at the New York Times and its long-standing and well-earned reputation of opposing and criticizing him, while praising other political candidates.
A report by Fox explains Trump is bringing a $15 billion action, for both defamation and libel, against the Times, whose officials claimed they would not be intimidated.
Trump's case describes the Times as a "mouthpiece" for the Democrat Party and thus, its advocacy for leftists in campaigns and elections amounted to an illegal "campaign contribution" to the left's failed 2024 presidential candidate, Kamala Harris.
"Today, I have the Great Honor of bringing a $15 Billion Dollar Defamation and Libel Lawsuit against The New York Times, one of the worst and most degenerate newspapers in the History of our Country, becoming a virtual 'mouthpiece' for the Radical Left Democrat Party. I view it as the single largest illegal Campaign contribution, EVER," Trump explained.
"Their Endorsement of Kamala Harris was actually put dead center on the front page of The New York Times, something heretofore UNHEARD OF!"
His claims include that the publication lied about him, his businesses, family, and MAGA.
He added, "I am PROUD to hold this once respected 'rag' responsible, as we are doing with the Fake News Networks such as our successful litigation against George Slopadopoulos/ABC/Disney, and 60 Minutes/CBS/Paramount, who knew that they were falsely 'smearing' me through a highly sophisticated system of document and visual alteration, which was, in effect, a malicious form of defamation, and thus, settled for record amounts. They practiced this longterm INTENT and pattern of abuse, which is both unacceptable and illegal. The New York Times has been allowed to freely lie, smear, and defame me for far too long, and that stops, NOW! The suit is being brought in the Great State of Florida. Thank you for your attention to this matter. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
The Times alleged that the case lacks merit.
But Trump's case charges, "All across our country, Americans from a wide array of backgrounds saw the truth about him and voted accordingly—the same truth that the New York Times refused to recognize as it continued spreading false and defamatory content about President Trump."
It was filed in U.S. District Court for Florida's Middle District. The named defendants are the New York Times Company, reporters Susanne Craig, Russ Buettner, Peter Baker and Michael S. Schmidt, and Penguin Random House, which published "Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father's Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success," which was authored by Craig and Buettner.
The Times leans precariously to the left and endorsed Harris in 2024, surprising no one.
But its editorial board went even further at the time, attacking Trump.
"It is hard to imagine a candidate more unworthy to serve as president of the United States than Donald Trump. He has proved himself morally unfit for an office that asks its occupant to put the good of the nation above self-interest," the board politically claimed.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Letitia James, the far-left attorney general in New York who campaigned for office on a promise to "get" President Donald Trump when there were no allegations available, now is in legal jeopardy again.
It's because of the height of a fence at a five-unit apartment structure she owns in Brooklyn.
It's the same address that triggered a federal mortgage fraud investigation into her, as she obtained an interest rate on a mortgage for the property that was based on it having four units, when it actually has five, according to building records.
The Washington Examiner said James could face $500 in fines because the fence at the brownstone is five feet, five inches tall, beyond the 48-inch limit.
The New York Department of Buildings served James with a violation notice recently that deemed her front fence exceeded height limitations.
It was James who, after campaigning to "get" Trump, came up with a claim that his business operations committed fraud. She worked with a judge, Arthur Engoron, on the case, which alleged that there was fraud even though the business entities that supposedly were victimized said their loans were repaid on time and in full, and they would like to do more business with Trump.
Despite the lack of evidence, the judge created a penalty for Trump and his businesses of almost half a billion dollars, a decision that subsequently was tossed by an appeals court ruling that said it violated the U.S. Constitution.
In James' latest legal woes, she'll face a hearing in October, and if found guilty could be ordered to pay $500 in fines. Alternatively, the problem could be "cured" by the time the hearing is held, when the case could be then dropped.
Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte referred James to the DOJ for alleged mortgage fraud over her Brooklyn and Norfolk properties in April, alleging that James consistently listed her Brooklyn residence as a four-bedroom home instead of a five-bedroom home.
James is accused of fraud for misrepresenting her residences in order to obtain preferential mortgage loan treatments, including once when she allegedly characterized her father as a "spouse" and represented a five-apartment building she owns as having four apartments because that would give her a better interest rate.
In a column at the Gateway Pundit, author Joel Gilbert explained that James needs to be held accountable, "for the integrity of public office, for victims of any wrongdoing, and for public trust."
He noted James herself "agrees."
"After Donald Trump's fraud conviction, on February 16, 2024, James released a statement: 'When powerful people cheat to get better loans, it comes at the expense of honest and hardworking people.'"
The column explained that in 2011 James "obtained a US government HAMP loan by falsely claiming her apartment building had just 4 units. The HAMP loan was eligible only to owners with four or less apartment units. Letitia James likely also falsely claimed a financial hardship to qualify for the loan, as she was earning around $14,000 per month. With the HAMP loan, James was able to replace her 10% adjustable bank mortgage with a 2.7% government loan on the backs of American taxpayers.:"
He noted, "More recently, in 2021, James secured a $200,000 'Credit Line Mortgage' with Citizens Bank by describing the same five-family commercial building as a 'single-family dwelling.' The result: she paid just $4,070 in closing costs instead of $20,000-$30,000 that a commercial borrower would have faced, and got lower interest rates."
James' case against Trump was one of a multitude of lawfare cases assembled by Democrats that apparently were intended to demolish him financially and destroy his chances to run for president again in 2024, which he ultimately did.
Most of the cases now have evaporated.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Commentator Tucker Carlson and Neil Patel have announced, online, that they have launched a fund to help the family of Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist assassinated this week during a free speech event at a Utah school
"We met Charlie Kirk when he was 18, through our friend Foster Friess, and have known him well since. He was an amazing person. It's hard to find the right words in a moment like this or to understand exactly what's happened.
"But in the meantime we want to do everything we can for Charlie's widow Erika and their two small children. We've set up a GiveSendGo page on their behalf and are seeding it with $1 million from Alp Pouch.
"The link is below,
"Every dollar will go to Charlie's family at: givesendgo.com/inlovingmemoryofcharlie
Announcements were all online but had this been published in an old legacy broadsheet, before the ink would have been dry, the total already was at $1.3 million.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
The face of Iryna Zarutska, the Ukrainian refugee gruesomely slain on a Charlotte train last month by career criminal Decarlos Brown, may soon be appearing on large murals across America.
Tech giants including Elon Musk and Eoghan McCabe, CEO and founder of the customer communications platform Intercom, are pledging major donations to get the artwork started.
"I am offering $500k in $10k grants to paint murals of the face of Iryna Zarutska in prominent U.S. city locations," McCabe posted on X.
"Please contact katie@eoghan.com for more details. Please also share this message. If you would like to contribute to this fund, please contact Katie also."
Musk responded to McCabe's announcement by saying he would contribute $1 million.
GiveSendGo also launched its own campaign to promote the artwork to honor the 23-year-old murder victim.
"Iryna Zarutska did not ask to be a martyr," its campaign states. "But you can help make sure there is at least some meaning in her brutal death.
"We will install as many posters and murals across this great nation as funds afford so that the important conversations her slaying provokes may perpetuate and drive much needed change. Eoghan McCabe is donating $500k and looking for other sponsors.
"Every dollar beyond that donated here will help. Eoghan's team will ensure all installations are in high visibility locations, are well executed, and are completed legally."
Already more than $54,000 has been raised in that campaign, with a goal of $100,000.
One artificial intelligence expert named Blake has already proffered his own design for a Zarutska mural, saying: "Not a painter, but I do stuff with gen AI. Would be happy to provide artwork to be painted. For free use."
Ian Miles Cheong noted of McCabe's mural project: "I support this effort. While you're at it, can you commission a bronze statue of Iryna sitting on that bench to be placed in front of the Charlotte court as a reminder of their failings and to basically say 'never again.'"
Meanwhile, bestselling author and DEI consultant Matt Walsh says the haunting image of Zarutska's final, fearful moments when her throat was slashed will have a long-lasting impact on Americans.
"This image will define the new civil rights movement," Walsh said.
"We have a right to use public accommodations without being butchered in our seats. We have a right to safe communities where violent animals are rounded up and caged. This is not just a local crime. It's a civil rights issue."
President Donald Trump on Wednesday called for a "quick" trial for Brown as well as the death penalty for the "ANIMAL."
"The ANIMAL who so violently killed the beautiful young lady from Ukraine, who came to America searching for peace and safety, should be given a 'Quick' (there is no doubt!) Trial, and only awarded THE DEATH PENALTY," Trump said on Truth Social.
"There can be no other option!!! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP."
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
There are a lot of threats to the rights of parents to raise their own children these days. Some schools have been caught forcing children into various religious ideologies, without parental permission.
Others, including several in Colorado, have been caught secretly campaigning for children enrolled in their classes to claim to be transgenders, and portray themselves in class as such.
Now those types of cases are going to be under federal review.
It is Just the News that revealed a new DOJ memo has directed the Civil Rights Division to work with various law enforcement partners to "identify threats to parental rights and freed speech" in schools.
"Recent years have seen a disturbing trend in which state and local authorities have brought radical gender and racial ideology into our public schools while suppressing dissenting viewpoints. Worse still, they have ignored, dismissed, and even retaliated against concerned parents who speak out against these morally and factually bankrupt ideologies and in defense of their own children," charged Attorney General Pam Bondi.
She explained the First Amendment guarantees the right of every citizen to speak freely, assemble peaceably, and petition the government for redress of grievances – including at public school board meetings.
Political ideologies, bureaucratic convenience and such do not overcome those rights.
The report said she specifically cited forced indoctrination that schools impose on children when they refuse to exempt them from teachings that violate their religious beliefs.
This story was originally published by the WND News Center
Get ready for Democrats and other leftists, who long have called for gun limits, gun restrictions, gun bans and gun confiscations. to start defending the Second Amendment.
It's because there are reports the Department of Justice is considering the idea of banning transgenders from buying weapons.
After all, they could be argued to fall under existing restrictions on guns for those who have confirmed mental health conditions.
It is the Daily Wire that noted, "In the wake of the latest deadly attack on a school by a transgender-identifying individual, President Donald Trump's Justice Department is considering blocking trans-identifying people from buying firearms."
A DOJ source explained, "Individuals within the DOJ are reviewing ways to ensure that mentally ill individuals suffering from gender dysphoria are unable to obtain firearms while they are unstable and unwell."
The reasoning is that those who say they are transgender suffer from gender dysphoria, a mental disorder.
Specifics were not yet being discussed.
But the DOJ official said, "Under Attorney General Bondi's leadership this Department of Justice is actively considering a range of options to prevent mentally unstable individuals from committing acts of violence, especially at schools."
The most recent gun violence by a transgender happened last week at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis. Trans-identifying Robert Westman, who changed his name to Robin, but also admitted he regretted brainwashing himself, shot up a school, killing two students and injuring many more.
"Westman's actions came only two years after another trans-identifying killer, this one a woman who identified as a man, targeted Christian school children in Nashville," the report said.
The report continued, "A review by The Daily Wire found that the Annunciation school shooting and the Covenant Christian school shooting are just two examples of a steady stream of transgender-related violence over the past decade."
It continued, "The move would undoubtedly infuriate those on the left who believe that men can become women and women can become men — and that people who identify as transgender are not mentally ill but merely living in the wrong body. These critics argue that transgender identification is irrelevant when discussing school shootings and that even discussing the topic puts trans-identifying people in danger and should be off limits.
"In recent years, doctors, therapists, activists, and even President Joe Biden's administration have argued that people experiencing gender dysphoria will benefit from so-called 'gender-affirming care' — transgender surgeries, hormones, and puberty blockers — claiming that these gender dysphoric people are more likely to kill themselves if they don't receive such 'care.' Opponents of these measures, including young people who underwent the procedures as teenagers like Chloe Cole, argue that 'gender-affirming care' does not mitigate the distress that gender dysphoric people have, but actually often exacerbates mental health issues."
This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Amid growing unrest in the United Kingdom over immigration policies and disconcerting incidents of Brits arrested for publicly – and silently – praying, word comes that a popular comedian has been arrested because of a series of "anti-trans" X posts.
Graham Linehan, creator of the comedy TV show "Father Ted," was arrested by five armed police officers at Heathrow Airport, the Daily Mail reports.
The Irish comedy writer, who was traveling on an American Airlines flight from Arizona to London Monday, says he was treated like a terrorist after being detained as soon as he stepped off the plane.
Linehan says he was then escorted to a private are and informed he was under arrest "for three tweets."
Police confirmed that a 57-year-old was arrested on suspicion of inciting violence at "in relation to posts on X," the British news site reported.
After his arrest, Linehan says he required medical assistance "because the stress nearly killed me."
One of the posts, from April 20, said: "If a trans-identified male is in a female-only space, he is committing a violent, abusive act. Make a scene, call the cops and if all else fails, punch him in the balls."
Linehan decried the arrest, saying: "In a country where paedophiles escape sentencing, where knife crime is out of control, where women are assaulted and harassed every time they gather to speak, the state had mobilised five armed officers to arrest a comedy writer for this tweet.
"I promise you, I am not making this up."
He said he was "arrested at an airport like a terrorist, locked in a cell like a criminal, taken to hospital because the stress nearly killed me, and banned from speaking online."
"To me, this proves one thing beyond doubt: the U.K. has become a country that is hostile to freedom of speech, hostile to women, and far too accommodating to the demands of violent, entitled, abusive men who have turned the police into their personal goon squad," Linehan added.