The Salina Public Library is collecting donations for the Friends of the Salina Animal Shelter. 

Among the items being collected are dog biscuits, canned dog and cat food, cat toys, soft dog treats, dog Kongs, small cat beds, dog collars, dog leashes, and cat treats.

From the Salina Public Library Facebook page:

In celebration of this year's Salina Reads selection "A Dog's Purpose," we're collecting donations for the Friends of the Salina Animal Shelter. Visit Salina Public Library to check out the book and drop off your donation!&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/salinareads?__eep__=6&amp;__cft__[0]=AZVvr4HEqS8vbqCJTMzrTDttUusmjV6kSNtGK8a_ngxz9qJBc39huWZkclrANZ378E7-UEkYyyZDAbi81MncjkjRHrEZrpYTYq8Is7HI2W_GB_QuGJy5btfC-3wI7uVfRH6rlMcPC23D1mS8BPaJDF7N&amp;__tn__=*NK-R">#SalinaReads</a>

By SALINA POSTThe Salina Public Library is collecting donations for the Friends of the Salina Animal Shelter. Among the items being collected are dog biscuits, canned dog and cat food, cat toys, soft dog treats, dog Kongs, small cat beds, dog collars, dog leashes, and cat treats.From the Salina Public Library Facebook page:<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633904897784.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>In celebration of this year's Salina Reads selection "A Dog's Purpose," we're collecting donations for the Friends of the Salina Animal Shelter. Visit Salina Public Library to check out the book and drop off your donation!&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/salinareads?__eep__=6&amp;__cft__[0]=AZVvr4HEqS8vbqCJTMzrTDttUusmjV6kSNtGK8a_ngxz9qJBc39huWZkclrANZ378E7-UEkYyyZDAbi81MncjkjRHrEZrpYTYq8Is7HI2W_GB_QuGJy5btfC-3wI7uVfRH6rlMcPC23D1mS8BPaJDF7N&amp;__tn__=*NK-R">#SalinaReads</a>

Library collecting items for Friends of the Salina Animal Shelter

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an aggravated robbery and have made an arrest.

Just before 6 p.m., October 5, a suspect , later identified as Tyrelle D. Burk, 36, of Topeka, took items by force from a teenage girl who was walking in the area of SW 6th Avenue and SW Clay Street in Topeka, according to Police Lt. Jerry Monasmith.

 Burk displayed a knife during the robbery The teenage girl was not injured.

On Thursday, police with assistance from community members, identified and located Burk near SW 4th Street and SW Harrison Street in Topeka.

As a result, police arrested Burkand booked him into the Shawnee County Department on requested charges of Aggravated Robbery, Possession of Methamphetamine and&nbsp;&nbsp;Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633724668494.png" alt="Burk photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Burk photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an aggravated robbery and have made an arrest.Just before 6 p.m., October 5, a suspect , later identified as Tyrelle D. Burk, 36, of Topeka, took items by force from a teenage girl who was walking in the area of SW 6th Avenue and SW Clay Street in Topeka, according to Police Lt. Jerry Monasmith. Burk displayed a knife during the robbery The teenage girl was not injured.On Thursday, police with assistance from community members, identified and located Burk near SW 4th Street and SW Harrison Street in Topeka.As a result, police arrested Burkand booked him into the Shawnee County Department on requested charges of Aggravated Robbery, Possession of Methamphetamine and&nbsp;&nbsp;Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Police: Kansas man robbed teen girl at knifepoint

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on drug charges after a traffic stop.

On October 6, a sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 1100 block of SW 10th Street, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

 During the investigation, deputies found illegal narcotics, including methamphetamine, and firearms. They arrested 34-year-old Stefon C. Butler and 48-year-old Beth A. Mikita both of Topeka.

They were arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections. Butler is being held on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and criminal possession of a firearm. Mikita is being held on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633726681974.png" alt="Butler photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Butler photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on drug charges after a traffic stop.On October 6, a sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 1100 block of SW 10th Street, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. During the investigation, deputies found illegal narcotics, including methamphetamine, and firearms. They arrested 34-year-old Stefon C. Butler and 48-year-old Beth A. Mikita both of Topeka.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633726631159.png" alt="Mikita photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Mikita photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>They were arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections. Butler is being held on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and criminal possession of a firearm. Mikita is being held on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

Kan. deputies find illegal drugs, firearms during traffic stop

“Built to last.” That’s a phrase we often use to describe something built with the careful craftsmanship and solid materials of yesteryear – something that stands the test of time, like a solid old school building from decades ago.&nbsp;

Today we’ll learn about a group of volunteers who have taken such a building and repurposed it for their community’s modern use. Thanks to K-State’s Dr. Steve Smethers for this story idea.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Jack Donaldson is one of the founders of the community center in Kincaid. Jack grew up in the nearby community of Selma where he went to grade school. He went on to high school at Kincaid and married Ann who also attended Kincaid before the high school closed in 1967. At that time, it was converted to a junior high school which then closed in 2005.&nbsp;

Jack had a career in the trucking and construction industries. Then he and Ann opened a bed and breakfast in Moran. In 2016, they retired back to Kincaid.&nbsp;

After the school closed, the building had been purchased by a couple from Utah. They were unable to do anything with it and donated it back to the city.&nbsp;

The mayor approached Jack about the building, which remains city-owned. “It was built as a WPA project back in the ‘30s,” Jack said. “It was very sturdy, built to last.”&nbsp;&nbsp;For example, he said, “instead of 2 x 6 floor joists, it had full 2 x 16 floor joists.”&nbsp;

As president of the high school alumni association, Jack checked with alumni. They gathered the donations needed to pay back taxes and create a museum in the old school building. A volunteer board of directors was created to raise operating funds.&nbsp;

Today the Kincaid Community Center serves as the site of the city library, senior citizen nutrition center and community museum. “A lady named Jennifer Gum-Fowler took over the library in what had been the school library upstairs, and that’s now part of the southeast Kansas library system,” Jack said.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The large science and biology classroom has been converted to the museum for Kincaid, housing lots of artifacts from the community. “We have most of the annual yearbooks,” Jack said.&nbsp;

Artifacts donated for display include a 1936 baby buggy, a treadle sewing machine, quilts, old-time items such as feed sack dresses, a collection of fair books dating to 1909 and much more. Ann spent many days repainting rooms in the old building.&nbsp;

A smaller classroom has been converted into a museum for the even smaller&nbsp;rural&nbsp;communities in the region, including Selma, Bush City, and Lone Elm – population 25 people. Now, that’s&nbsp;rural.&nbsp;

The old ag classroom and shop is now an exercise room, complete with exercise bikes and other equipment. “The ag teacher had taken lots of pictures of his students’ projects,” Jack said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Those are now posted on the walls around the room. “There are probably more than 650 pictures.”&nbsp;

Meeting space is available for rent to the public. The former school kitchen is available for caterers. “We get some money from the township, but otherwise the museum has to support itself through donations and rentals,” Ann said. Several ladies clubs help raise money. “People are good about donating,” Ann said. “Everybody pulls together.”&nbsp;

The museum is open by appointment. “The city clerk will open the museum to the public when notified,” Ann said. “A lot of people have helped to do this,” Jack said.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

For more information, search for the Kincaid Community Center on Facebook.&nbsp;

Built to last. That’s how Jack Donaldson described the structure of the old Kincaid High School building. Now he and others have helped convert that structure to a community center that serves the needs of the community today. We commend Jack and Ann Donaldson and the many other donors and volunteers who support the museum. They are making a difference that lasts.&nbsp;

And there’s more. Remember the collection of fair books dating back to 1909? Those fair books were from the free fair that’s been held in Kincaid for more than a century. We’ll learn about that next week.&nbsp;

Ron Wilson is director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University.

For more information about the Huck Boyd Institute, interested persons can visit&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.huckboydinstitute.org/" target="_blank">http://www.huckboydinstitute.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600566316666.jpeg" alt="Ron Wilson. Photo courtesy KSRE" />
 <figcaption>Ron Wilson. Photo courtesy KSRE</figcaption>
 </figure>By RON WILSON“Built to last.” That’s a phrase we often use to describe something built with the careful craftsmanship and solid materials of yesteryear – something that stands the test of time, like a solid old school building from decades ago.&nbsp;Today we’ll learn about a group of volunteers who have taken such a building and repurposed it for their community’s modern use. Thanks to K-State’s Dr. Steve Smethers for this story idea.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack Donaldson is one of the founders of the community center in Kincaid. Jack grew up in the nearby community of Selma where he went to grade school. He went on to high school at Kincaid and married Ann who also attended Kincaid before the high school closed in 1967. At that time, it was converted to a junior high school which then closed in 2005.&nbsp;Jack had a career in the trucking and construction industries. Then he and Ann opened a bed and breakfast in Moran. In 2016, they retired back to Kincaid.&nbsp;After the school closed, the building had been purchased by a couple from Utah. They were unable to do anything with it and donated it back to the city.&nbsp;The mayor approached Jack about the building, which remains city-owned. “It was built as a WPA project back in the ‘30s,” Jack said. “It was very sturdy, built to last.”&nbsp;&nbsp;For example, he said, “instead of 2 x 6 floor joists, it had full 2 x 16 floor joists.”&nbsp;As president of the high school alumni association, Jack checked with alumni. They gathered the donations needed to pay back taxes and create a museum in the old school building. A volunteer board of directors was created to raise operating funds.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633834129781.jpeg" alt="Kincaid Community Center. Photo courtesy KSRE" />
 <figcaption>Kincaid Community Center. Photo courtesy KSRE</figcaption>
 </figure>Today the Kincaid Community Center serves as the site of the city library, senior citizen nutrition center and community museum. “A lady named Jennifer Gum-Fowler took over the library in what had been the school library upstairs, and that’s now part of the southeast Kansas library system,” Jack said.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The large science and biology classroom has been converted to the museum for Kincaid, housing lots of artifacts from the community. “We have most of the annual yearbooks,” Jack said.&nbsp;Artifacts donated for display include a 1936 baby buggy, a treadle sewing machine, quilts, old-time items such as feed sack dresses, a collection of fair books dating to 1909 and much more. Ann spent many days repainting rooms in the old building.&nbsp;A smaller classroom has been converted into a museum for the even smaller&nbsp;rural&nbsp;communities in the region, including Selma, Bush City, and Lone Elm – population 25 people. Now, that’s&nbsp;rural.&nbsp;The old ag classroom and shop is now an exercise room, complete with exercise bikes and other equipment. “The ag teacher had taken lots of pictures of his students’ projects,” Jack said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Those are now posted on the walls around the room. “There are probably more than 650 pictures.”&nbsp;Meeting space is available for rent to the public. The former school kitchen is available for caterers. “We get some money from the township, but otherwise the museum has to support itself through donations and rentals,” Ann said. Several ladies clubs help raise money. “People are good about donating,” Ann said. “Everybody pulls together.”&nbsp;The museum is open by appointment. “The city clerk will open the museum to the public when notified,” Ann said. “A lot of people have helped to do this,” Jack said.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;For more information, search for the Kincaid Community Center on Facebook.&nbsp;Built to last. That’s how Jack Donaldson described the structure of the old Kincaid High School building. Now he and others have helped convert that structure to a community center that serves the needs of the community today. We commend Jack and Ann Donaldson and the many other donors and volunteers who support the museum. They are making a difference that lasts.&nbsp;And there’s more. Remember the collection of fair books dating back to 1909? Those fair books were from the free fair that’s been held in Kincaid for more than a century. We’ll learn about that next week.&nbsp;Ron Wilson is director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University.For more information about the Huck Boyd Institute, interested persons can visit&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.huckboydinstitute.org/" target="_blank">http://www.huckboydinstitute.org</a>.

NOW THAT'S RURAL: Jack, Ann Donaldson, Kincaid Community Center

Today is Sunday, Oct. 10, the 283rd day of 2021. There are 82 days left in the year. 

On Oct. 10, 2014, Malala Yousafzai, a 17-year-old Pakistani girl, and Kailash Satyarthi, a 60-year-old Indian man, were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for risking their lives for the right of children to receive an education and to live free from abuse. 

In 1845, the U.S. Naval Academy was established in Annapolis, Maryland. 

In 1911, Chinese revolutionaries launched an uprising that led to the collapse of the Qing (or Manchu) Dynasty and the establishment of the Republic of China. 

In 1935, the George Gershwin opera "Porgy and Bess," featuring an all-Black cast, opened on Broadway, beginning a run of 124 performances.

In 1957, the Milwaukee Braves won the World Series, defeating the New York Yankees in Game 7, 5-0.

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy, responding to the Thalidomide birth defects crisis, signed an amendment to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act requiring pharmaceutical companies to prove that their products were safe and effective prior to marketing. 

In 1964, the 18th Summer Olympic Games opened in Tokyo.

In 1973, Vice President Spiro T. Agnew, accused of accepting bribes, pleaded no contest to one count of federal income tax evasion, and resigned his office. 

In 1985, U.S. fighter jets forced an Egyptian plane carrying the hijackers of the Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro to land in Italy, where the gunmen were taken into custody. Actor-director Orson Welles died in Los Angeles at age 70; actor Yul Brynner died in New York at age 65. 

In 1997, the International Campaign to Ban Landmines and its coordinator, Jody Williams, were named winners of the Nobel Peace Prize. 

In 2001, U.S. jets pounded the Afghan capital of Kabul. President George W. Bush unveiled a list of 22 most-wanted terrorists, including Osama bin Laden. 

In 2004, Christopher Reeve, the "Superman" of celluloid who became a quadriplegic after a May 1995 horse riding accident, died in Mount Kisco, New York, at age 52. 

In 2015, twin bombings in Ankara killed 103 people at a peace rally in the worst terror attack in Turkey's modern history. 

Ten years ago: NBA Commissioner David Stern canceled the first two weeks of the season after owners and players were unable to reach a new labor deal and end a lockout. 

Five years ago: Amid controversy over Donald Trump's past sexual comments about women, House Speaker Paul Ryan effectively abandoned his party's nominee, telling anxious fellow lawmakers he would not campaign for or defend Trump in the election's closing weeks; pro-Trump members rebelled in anger, accusing Ryan of conceding the election to Hillary Clinton.

One year ago: President Donald Trump's doctor said Trump could safely discontinue isolating after treatment for COVID-19, and that by "currently recognized standards" he was no longer considered a transmission risk; the memo did not say whether Trump had tested negative for the virus. Trump made his first public appearance since returning to the White House following coronavirus treatment; hundreds of people gathered on the South Lawn for a Trump address from the Blue Room balcony on his support for law enforcement. Iga Swiatek grabbed the last six games to beat Sofia Kenin 6-4, 6-1 in the French Open final; the 19-year-old became the first Polish tennis player to win a Grand Slam singles championship.

Today's Birthdays: Actor Peter Coyote is 80. Entertainer Ben Vereen is 75. Actor Charles Dance is 75. Rock singer-musician Cyril Neville (The Neville Brothers) is 73. Actor Jessica Harper is 72. Author Nora Roberts (aka "J.D. Robb") is 71. Singer-musician Midge Ure is 68. Rock singer David Lee Roth is 67. Actor J. Eddie Peck is 63. Country singer Tanya Tucker is 63. Actor Julia Sweeney is 62. Actor Bradley Whitford is 62. Musician Martin Kemp is 60. Actor Jodi Benson is 60. Rock musician Jim Glennie (James) is 58. Actor Rebecca Pidgeon is 56. California Gov. Gavin Newsom is 54. Rock musician Mike Malinin (Goo Goo Dolls) is 54. Pro Football Hall of Famer Brett Favre is 52. Actor Manu Bennett is 52. Actor Joelle Carter is 52. Actor Wendi McLendon-Covey is 52. Actor/TV host Mario Lopez is 48. Retired race car driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. is 47. Actor Jodi Lyn O'Keefe is 43. Singer Mya is 42. Actor Dan Stevens is 39. Singer Cherie is 37. MLB outfielder Andrew McCutchen is 35. Actor Rose McIver is 33. Actor Aimee Teegarden is 32.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a></figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSToday is Sunday, Oct. 10, the 283rd day of 2021. There are 82 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Oct. 10, 2014, Malala Yousafzai, a 17-year-old Pakistani girl, and Kailash Satyarthi, a 60-year-old Indian man, were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for risking their lives for the right of children to receive an education and to live free from abuse. On this date: In 1845, the U.S. Naval Academy was established in Annapolis, Maryland. In 1911, Chinese revolutionaries launched an uprising that led to the collapse of the Qing (or Manchu) Dynasty and the establishment of the Republic of China. In 1935, the George Gershwin opera "Porgy and Bess," featuring an all-Black cast, opened on Broadway, beginning a run of 124 performances.In 1957, the Milwaukee Braves won the World Series, defeating the New York Yankees in Game 7, 5-0.In 1962, President John F. Kennedy, responding to the Thalidomide birth defects crisis, signed an amendment to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act requiring pharmaceutical companies to prove that their products were safe and effective prior to marketing. In 1964, the 18th Summer Olympic Games opened in Tokyo.In 1973, Vice President Spiro T. Agnew, accused of accepting bribes, pleaded no contest to one count of federal income tax evasion, and resigned his office. In 1985, U.S. fighter jets forced an Egyptian plane carrying the hijackers of the Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro to land in Italy, where the gunmen were taken into custody. Actor-director Orson Welles died in Los Angeles at age 70; actor Yul Brynner died in New York at age 65. In 1997, the International Campaign to Ban Landmines and its coordinator, Jody Williams, were named winners of the Nobel Peace Prize. In 2001, U.S. jets pounded the Afghan capital of Kabul. President George W. Bush unveiled a list of 22 most-wanted terrorists, including Osama bin Laden. In 2004, Christopher Reeve, the "Superman" of celluloid who became a quadriplegic after a May 1995 horse riding accident, died in Mount Kisco, New York, at age 52. In 2015, twin bombings in Ankara killed 103 people at a peace rally in the worst terror attack in Turkey's modern history. Ten years ago: NBA Commissioner David Stern canceled the first two weeks of the season after owners and players were unable to reach a new labor deal and end a lockout. Five years ago: Amid controversy over Donald Trump's past sexual comments about women, House Speaker Paul Ryan effectively abandoned his party's nominee, telling anxious fellow lawmakers he would not campaign for or defend Trump in the election's closing weeks; pro-Trump members rebelled in anger, accusing Ryan of conceding the election to Hillary Clinton.One year ago: President Donald Trump's doctor said Trump could safely discontinue isolating after treatment for COVID-19, and that by "currently recognized standards" he was no longer considered a transmission risk; the memo did not say whether Trump had tested negative for the virus. Trump made his first public appearance since returning to the White House following coronavirus treatment; hundreds of people gathered on the South Lawn for a Trump address from the Blue Room balcony on his support for law enforcement. Iga Swiatek grabbed the last six games to beat Sofia Kenin 6-4, 6-1 in the French Open final; the 19-year-old became the first Polish tennis player to win a Grand Slam singles championship.Today's Birthdays: Actor Peter Coyote is 80. Entertainer Ben Vereen is 75. Actor Charles Dance is 75. Rock singer-musician Cyril Neville (The Neville Brothers) is 73. Actor Jessica Harper is 72. Author Nora Roberts (aka "J.D. Robb") is 71. Singer-musician Midge Ure is 68. Rock singer David Lee Roth is 67. Actor J. Eddie Peck is 63. Country singer Tanya Tucker is 63. Actor Julia Sweeney is 62. Actor Bradley Whitford is 62. Musician Martin Kemp is 60. Actor Jodi Benson is 60. Rock musician Jim Glennie (James) is 58. Actor Rebecca Pidgeon is 56. California Gov. Gavin Newsom is 54. Rock musician Mike Malinin (Goo Goo Dolls) is 54. Pro Football Hall of Famer Brett Favre is 52. Actor Manu Bennett is 52. Actor Joelle Carter is 52. Actor Wendi McLendon-Covey is 52. Actor/TV host Mario Lopez is 48. Retired race car driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. is 47. Actor Jodi Lyn O'Keefe is 43. Singer Mya is 42. Actor Dan Stevens is 39. Singer Cherie is 37. MLB outfielder Andrew McCutchen is 35. Actor Rose McIver is 33. Actor Aimee Teegarden is 32.

Today in History - Oct. 10

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A federal appeals court Friday night quickly allowed Texas to resume banning most abortions, just one day after clinics began racing to serve patients again for the first time since early September.

A one-page order by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated the nation’s strictest abortion law, which bans abortions&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-laws-government-and-politics-health-77c9ba98c4f4ab46fdbd5bcc47b5b938">once cardiac activity is detected</a>, usually around six weeks. It makes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-health-texas-courts-dallas-ac56b654f88471753b22e19587956c29">no exceptions in cases of rape or incest</a>.

“Patients are being thrown back into a state of chaos and fear,” said Nancy Northup, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights, which represents several Texas clinics that had briefly resumed normal abortion services.

She called on the U.S. Supreme Court to “step in and stop this madness.”

Clinics had braced for the New Orleans-based appeals court to act fast after U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman, an appointee of President Barack Obama, on Wednesday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-business-texas-courts-5eb085acee67615da3623212953220c9">suspended the Texas law</a>&nbsp;that he called an “offensive deprivation” of the constitutional right to an abortion. Knowing that order might not stand long, a handful of Texas clinics immediately started performing abortions again beyond six weeks, and booked new appointments for this weekend.

But barely 48 hours passed before the appeals court accepted Texas’ request to set aside Pitman’s ruling — at least for now — pending further arguments. It gave the Biden administration,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-abortion-law-court-a7961b629e913e1008f8e929c99fb310">which had brought the lawsuit</a>, until Tuesday to respond.

“Great news tonight,” Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton tweeted. “I will fight federal overreach at every turn.”

Texas had roughly two dozen abortion clinics before the law took effect Sept. 1. During the brief period the law was on hold, many Texas physicians remained unwilling to perform abortions, fearful that doing so could still leave them in legal jeopardy.

The new law threatens Texas abortion providers with lawsuits from private citizens, who are entitled to collect at least $10,000 in damages if successful. That novel approach to enforcement is the reason why Texas had been able to evade an earlier wave of legal challenges prior to this week.

The 5th circuit appeals court had already once allowed the law to take effect in September, and stepped in this time only hours after Paxton’s office urged them to act.

His office&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21081018-sb-8-state-appeal" target="_blank">told the court</a>&nbsp;that since the state does not enforce the law, it cannot “be held responsible for the filings of private citizens that Texas is powerless to prevent.”

It is unclear how many abortions Texas clinics performed in the short time the law was put on hold. On Thursday, at least six abortions providers had resumed normal services or were gearing up to do so, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights.

Prior to Pitman’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21079947-pitman-order" target="_blank">blistering 113-page order</a>, other courts had declined to stop the law, which bans abortions&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-health-texas-courts-dallas-ac56b654f88471753b22e19587956c29">before some women even know they are pregnant</a>. That includes the Supreme Court, which allowed it to move forward in September without ruling on its constitutionality.

One of the first providers to resume normal services this week was Whole Woman’s Health, which operates four clinics in Texas.

Amy Hagstrom Miller, president of Whole Woman’s Health, said her clinics called in some patients early Thursday who were on a list in case the law was blocked at some point. Other appointments were in the process of being scheduled for the days ahead, and phone lines were again busy. But some of the clinics’ 17 physicians were still declining to perform abortions because of the legal risk.

Pitman’s order had amounted to the first legal blow to the law known as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-abortion-business-lawsuits-laws-8690c15ea5de5c6ed695003b7a533cb1">Senate Bill 8</a>. In the weeks since the restrictions took effect, Texas abortion providers said the impact had been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-courts-laws-e456aeea9fcd2dd86723cf915429e594">“exactly what we feared.”</a>

Planned Parenthood says the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-lifestyle-health-travel-texas-fbc505c3db4a08af51ba409a91ea161c">number of patients</a>&nbsp;from Texas at its clinics in the state decreased by nearly 80% in the two weeks after the law took effect. Some providers have said Texas clinics are now in danger of closing while neighboring states struggle to keep up with a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/in-state-wire-abortion-or-state-wire-il-state-wire-mo-state-wire-4ced42150e3348328296e28559c2143b">surge of patients</a>&nbsp;who must drive hundreds of miles for an abortion.

Other women, they say, are being forced to carry pregnancies to term.

How many abortions have been performed in Texas since the law took effect is unknown.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hhs.texas.gov/about-hhs/records-statistics/data-statistics/itop-statistics" target="_blank">State health officials say</a>&nbsp;additional reporting requirements under the law will not make September data available on its website until early next year.

A 1992 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court prevented states from banning abortion before viability, the point at which a fetus can survive outside the womb, around 24 weeks of pregnancy. But Texas’ version has so far outmaneuvered the courts because it leaves enforcement to private citizens to file suits, not prosecutors, which critics say amounts to a bounty.

“This is an answered prayer,” said Kimberlyn Schwartz, spokeswoman for Texas Right to Life, the state’s largest anti-abortion group.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/9/1569156934026.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A federal appeals court Friday night quickly allowed Texas to resume banning most abortions, just one day after clinics began racing to serve patients again for the first time since early September.A one-page order by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated the nation’s strictest abortion law, which bans abortions&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-laws-government-and-politics-health-77c9ba98c4f4ab46fdbd5bcc47b5b938">once cardiac activity is detected</a>, usually around six weeks. It makes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-health-texas-courts-dallas-ac56b654f88471753b22e19587956c29">no exceptions in cases of rape or incest</a>.“Patients are being thrown back into a state of chaos and fear,” said Nancy Northup, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights, which represents several Texas clinics that had briefly resumed normal abortion services.She called on the U.S. Supreme Court to “step in and stop this madness.”Clinics had braced for the New Orleans-based appeals court to act fast after U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman, an appointee of President Barack Obama, on Wednesday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-business-texas-courts-5eb085acee67615da3623212953220c9">suspended the Texas law</a>&nbsp;that he called an “offensive deprivation” of the constitutional right to an abortion. Knowing that order might not stand long, a handful of Texas clinics immediately started performing abortions again beyond six weeks, and booked new appointments for this weekend.But barely 48 hours passed before the appeals court accepted Texas’ request to set aside Pitman’s ruling — at least for now — pending further arguments. It gave the Biden administration,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-abortion-law-court-a7961b629e913e1008f8e929c99fb310">which had brought the lawsuit</a>, until Tuesday to respond.“Great news tonight,” Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton tweeted. “I will fight federal overreach at every turn.”Texas had roughly two dozen abortion clinics before the law took effect Sept. 1. During the brief period the law was on hold, many Texas physicians remained unwilling to perform abortions, fearful that doing so could still leave them in legal jeopardy.The new law threatens Texas abortion providers with lawsuits from private citizens, who are entitled to collect at least $10,000 in damages if successful. That novel approach to enforcement is the reason why Texas had been able to evade an earlier wave of legal challenges prior to this week.The 5th circuit appeals court had already once allowed the law to take effect in September, and stepped in this time only hours after Paxton’s office urged them to act.His office&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21081018-sb-8-state-appeal" target="_blank">told the court</a>&nbsp;that since the state does not enforce the law, it cannot “be held responsible for the filings of private citizens that Texas is powerless to prevent.”It is unclear how many abortions Texas clinics performed in the short time the law was put on hold. On Thursday, at least six abortions providers had resumed normal services or were gearing up to do so, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights.Prior to Pitman’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21079947-pitman-order" target="_blank">blistering 113-page order</a>, other courts had declined to stop the law, which bans abortions&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-health-texas-courts-dallas-ac56b654f88471753b22e19587956c29">before some women even know they are pregnant</a>. That includes the Supreme Court, which allowed it to move forward in September without ruling on its constitutionality.One of the first providers to resume normal services this week was Whole Woman’s Health, which operates four clinics in Texas.Amy Hagstrom Miller, president of Whole Woman’s Health, said her clinics called in some patients early Thursday who were on a list in case the law was blocked at some point. Other appointments were in the process of being scheduled for the days ahead, and phone lines were again busy. But some of the clinics’ 17 physicians were still declining to perform abortions because of the legal risk.Pitman’s order had amounted to the first legal blow to the law known as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-abortion-business-lawsuits-laws-8690c15ea5de5c6ed695003b7a533cb1">Senate Bill 8</a>. In the weeks since the restrictions took effect, Texas abortion providers said the impact had been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-courts-laws-e456aeea9fcd2dd86723cf915429e594">“exactly what we feared.”</a>Planned Parenthood says the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-lifestyle-health-travel-texas-fbc505c3db4a08af51ba409a91ea161c">number of patients</a>&nbsp;from Texas at its clinics in the state decreased by nearly 80% in the two weeks after the law took effect. Some providers have said Texas clinics are now in danger of closing while neighboring states struggle to keep up with a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/in-state-wire-abortion-or-state-wire-il-state-wire-mo-state-wire-4ced42150e3348328296e28559c2143b">surge of patients</a>&nbsp;who must drive hundreds of miles for an abortion.Other women, they say, are being forced to carry pregnancies to term.How many abortions have been performed in Texas since the law took effect is unknown.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hhs.texas.gov/about-hhs/records-statistics/data-statistics/itop-statistics" target="_blank">State health officials say</a>&nbsp;additional reporting requirements under the law will not make September data available on its website until early next year.A 1992 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court prevented states from banning abortion before viability, the point at which a fetus can survive outside the womb, around 24 weeks of pregnancy. But Texas’ version has so far outmaneuvered the courts because it leaves enforcement to private citizens to file suits, not prosecutors, which critics say amounts to a bounty.“This is an answered prayer,” said Kimberlyn Schwartz, spokeswoman for Texas Right to Life, the state’s largest anti-abortion group.___

US appeals court ramps up battle over abortion

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Salina woman wounded by police during an exchange of gunfire at a grocery store in Wichita on Monday made her first court appearance Friday.

Danielle Robinson, 31, is charged with attempted 1st degree murder, 2 counts of aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, attempted aggravated robbery, 2 counts of aggravated assault and criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just after 8p.m. Monday, police responded to report of a suspicious person with a gun in the parking lot of the Whole Foods store, 1423 North Webb Road, in Wichita,&nbsp; according to Officer Trevor Macy.

&nbsp;Multiple 911 callers reported a woman at Whole Foods acting strangely, drinking, and brandishing a firearm. Witnesses reported the woman pointing a gun at windows of the store, and toward the parking lot.

At the scene, officers encountered the woman, later identified as Robinson, who pointed a gun in their direction. They gave verbal commands to the suspect to drop the gun but she did not comply and retreated into the store. There was an exchange of gunfire. The suspect fired one shot at officers that shattered a store window. Both officers returned fire, each firing six shots at the suspect.

After shots were fired, the officers rendered aid and placed Robinson in custody. EMS transported her to an area hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.&nbsp;

Police said there were more than a dozen shoppers and staff inside of the store when the shooting happened, but none were harmed.

Interviews with various witnesses on scene revealed that Robinson had been at the store consuming alcohol and attempted to rob a customer of their personal belongings.

Robinson was released from the hospital Tuesday afternoon and booked into jail.&nbsp; Both officers have been placed on administrative leave. They have worked for the Wichita Police Department for 8 and 19-years, according to Macy.

Robinson remains jailed on a $250,000 bond. She is scheduled back in court October 14, according to the district attorney.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633514325560.png" alt="In January, police arrested Robinson in connection with a shooting at Pinnacle Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Salina." />
 <figcaption>In January, police arrested Robinson in connection with a shooting at Pinnacle Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Salina.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Salina woman wounded by police during an exchange of gunfire at a grocery store in Wichita on Monday made her first court appearance Friday.Danielle Robinson, 31, is charged with attempted 1st degree murder, 2 counts of aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, attempted aggravated robbery, 2 counts of aggravated assault and criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Just after 8p.m. Monday, police responded to report of a suspicious person with a gun in the parking lot of the Whole Foods store, 1423 North Webb Road, in Wichita,&nbsp; according to Officer Trevor Macy.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633466749928.png" alt="Police body camera image of the suspect later identified as Robinson- Wichita Police image" />
 <figcaption>Police body camera image of the suspect later identified as Robinson- Wichita Police image</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;Multiple 911 callers reported a woman at Whole Foods acting strangely, drinking, and brandishing a firearm. Witnesses reported the woman pointing a gun at windows of the store, and toward the parking lot.At the scene, officers encountered the woman, later identified as Robinson, who pointed a gun in their direction. They gave verbal commands to the suspect to drop the gun but she did not comply and retreated into the store. There was an exchange of gunfire. The suspect fired one shot at officers that shattered a store window. Both officers returned fire, each firing six shots at the suspect.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633466917940.png" alt="Wichita police body camera image of officers at the scene of the shooting" />
 <figcaption>Wichita police body camera image of officers at the scene of the shooting</figcaption>
 </figure>After shots were fired, the officers rendered aid and placed Robinson in custody. EMS transported her to an area hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.&nbsp;Police said there were more than a dozen shoppers and staff inside of the store when the shooting happened, but none were harmed.Interviews with various witnesses on scene revealed that Robinson had been at the store consuming alcohol and attempted to rob a customer of their personal belongings.Robinson was released from the hospital Tuesday afternoon and booked into jail.&nbsp; Both officers have been placed on administrative leave. They have worked for the Wichita Police Department for 8 and 19-years, according to Macy.Robinson remains jailed on a $250,000 bond. She is scheduled back in court October 14, according to the district attorney.&nbsp;

Salina woman charged in grocery store shooting 

BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal arson fire and have a suspect in custody.

Just after 7 a.m. Friday, the Great Bend Fire Department and Great Bend Police Department responded to a residence located in the 2800 block of 29th Street in Great Bend, in reference to a structure fire.

Upon arrival at the residence, members of the Great Bend Fire Department located a 59-year-old woman inside of the residence and life saving measures were performed. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene and during a preliminary investigation of the incident, arson was determined to be the cause of the fire. Investigators also determined that the deceased victim's death was the result of foul play.

Around 7:19 a.m., the Great Bend Police Department responded to a residence in the 1500 block of Adams Street in reference to an aggravated burglary and battery related to the arson / homicide investigation.

The suspect left that area on foot and at approximately 8:12 a.m. was reported to be at Park Elementary School, 1801 Williams Street.&nbsp; Police officers located the suspect identified as Lyndsay George, in the 2000 Block of 19th Street.

After a physical altercation with police officers, George was arrested. After further investigation and interviews, George was booked into the Barton County jail on requested charges of murder in the 1st degree, aggravated arson, aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer, aggravated burglary, battery and criminal trespass.

During the course of the investigation, members of the Great Bend Police Department, Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Barton County Sheriff's Office, the Kansas Fire Marshal's Office and the A.T.F. obtained and executed search warrants in the 2800 block of 29th Street and at the Traveler's Budget Inn located at 4200 10th Street in Great Bend.

During the execution and thorough search of those locations, items of evidence were located and seized.&nbsp; Authorities have not released the name of the victim.

The victim's name is not being released at this time pending notification of family members.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633782279715.png" alt="Lyndsay George-photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Lyndsay George-photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal arson fire and have a suspect in custody.Just after 7 a.m. Friday, the Great Bend Fire Department and Great Bend Police Department responded to a residence located in the 2800 block of 29th Street in Great Bend, in reference to a structure fire.Upon arrival at the residence, members of the Great Bend Fire Department located a 59-year-old woman inside of the residence and life saving measures were performed. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene and during a preliminary investigation of the incident, arson was determined to be the cause of the fire. Investigators also determined that the deceased victim's death was the result of foul play.Around 7:19 a.m., the Great Bend Police Department responded to a residence in the 1500 block of Adams Street in reference to an aggravated burglary and battery related to the arson / homicide investigation.The suspect left that area on foot and at approximately 8:12 a.m. was reported to be at Park Elementary School, 1801 Williams Street.&nbsp; Police officers located the suspect identified as Lyndsay George, in the 2000 Block of 19th Street.After a physical altercation with police officers, George was arrested. After further investigation and interviews, George was booked into the Barton County jail on requested charges of murder in the 1st degree, aggravated arson, aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer, aggravated burglary, battery and criminal trespass.During the course of the investigation, members of the Great Bend Police Department, Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Barton County Sheriff's Office, the Kansas Fire Marshal's Office and the A.T.F. obtained and executed search warrants in the 2800 block of 29th Street and at the Traveler's Budget Inn located at 4200 10th Street in Great Bend.During the execution and thorough search of those locations, items of evidence were located and seized.&nbsp; Authorities have not released the name of the victim.The victim's name is not being released at this time pending notification of family members.

Kansas woman jailed for fire that killed 59-year-old woman

The Supreme Court’s October 2021 term, which officially began on the&nbsp;<a href="https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/why-the-supreme-court-starts-on-the-first-monday-in-october" target="_blank">first Monday</a>&nbsp;of the month, promises to be an eventful one for those concerned about the First Amendment and its freedoms. The court will hear cases involving:

●A man on death row asserting a violation of his religious liberty rights;

 ●A dispute over whether a college system’s censure is a permissible exercise or a retaliatory act;

●Whether a Texas city can treat digital signs differently on the premises of businesses; and

●A school choice program that bars tuition assistance to parents who send their kids to religious schools.

These decisions will afford the justices an opportunity to explain the contours of religious liberty and to explore the reaches or limitations of important First Amendment free-speech principles, such as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.freedomforuminstitute.org/2017/09/06/the-government-speech-doctrine-a-loophole-in-the-first-amendment/" target="_blank">government speech doctrine</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.freedomforuminstitute.org/2015/06/22/sign-ordinance-ruled-unconstitutional/" target="_blank">content discrimination principle</a>.

Let’s take a closer look at the First Amendment cases on the court’s docket.

RAMIREZ V. COLLIER: RELIGIOUS LIBERTY VIOLATED ON DEATH ROW?

On Nov. 1, the court will hear the case of&nbsp;John H. Ramirez, who was convicted of killing a convenience store clerk during a robbery. Ramirez is arguing that his religious liberty rights were violated when the state of Texas prohibited his pastor from laying his hands on him and from audibly praying and singing in the execution chamber. The state argues the restrictions are necessary for security.

Ramirez was set to be executed in early September, but the court granted a temporary stay to hear this appeal.

The appeal focuses on whether Ramirez adequately exhausted his remedies under the Prison Litigation Reform Act. But the court also specifically asked lawyers in the case to discuss whether Ramirez adequately showed that the actions of Texas officials in limiting his pastor substantially burdened Ramirez’s religious liberty rights under the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/crt/religious-land-use-and-institutionalized-persons-act-0" target="_blank">Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act</a>&nbsp;(RLUIPA).

HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM V. WILSON: CAN GOVERNMENT BODIES FREELY CENSURE MEMBERS WITHOUT FIRST AMENDMENT CONSTRAINTS?

The next day, Nov. 2, the court will hear arguments in Houston Community College System v. Wilson, which examines whether the First Amendment is violated when an elected board censures one of its members for critical speech.&nbsp;David Wilson, who served on Houston Community College System’s board of trustees, alleged that his fellow board members censured him in retaliation for his protected speech.

The college contends that throughout American history, elected bodies have censured their own members. In First Amendment law, the government often is prohibited from discriminating against private speakers because of their speech — but the government can also speak and take its own positions. It often is difficult to determine when the government is discriminating against private speakers or engaging in so-called government speech. In this case, the court could further explain or limit the reach of the government speech doctrine.

<a href="https://www.freedomforuminstitute.org/2017/06/29/justice-alito-and-the-government-speech-doctrine/" target="_blank">Government speech doctrine</a>: If the government is considered the actual speaker, then the government can speak and regulate largely immune from First Amendment scrutiny.&nbsp;&nbsp;

CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS V. REAGAN NATIONAL ADVERTISING OF TEXAS, INC: ARE SIGN PLACEMENT RULES CONTENT DISCRIMINATION?

On Nov. 10, the court will hear arguments in City of Austin v. Reagan National Advertising of Texas, a case that deals with digital signs. The City of Austin allows digital signs on the premises of a business, but not off premise.

An advertising company argues that the city’s disparate treatment of on-premise and off-premise signs amounts to content discrimination impermissible under the First Amendment.

“But, above all else, the First Amendment means that the government has no power to restrict expression because of its message, its ideas, its content and its subject matter.” –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.freedomforuminstitute.org/2013/02/04/justice-marshall-eloquent-first-amendment-defender/" target="_blank">Justice Thurgood Marshall</a>&nbsp;in 1972 capturing the essence of the content discrimination doctrine&nbsp;&nbsp;

The court ruled in&nbsp;<a href="https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-supreme-court/13-502.html" target="_blank">Reed v. Town of Gilbert</a>&nbsp;(2015) that an Arizona town’s sign ordinance violated the First Amendment when it imposed different restrictions on political signs, ideological signs and so-called temporary directional signs.&nbsp;Justice Clarence Thomas&nbsp;reasoned that because the sign ordinance treated signs differently, it was a content-based law subject to strict scrutiny — the highest form of judicial review.

Justice Elena Kagan&nbsp;agreed that the Arizona ordinance violated the First Amendment but warned that an overly strict application of the content discrimination principle could turn the court into “a veritable Supreme Board of Sign Review.”

The Texas case gives the justices an opportunity to determine&nbsp;<a href="https://scholarlycommons.law.case.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4850&amp;context=caselrev" target="_blank">the reach of its reasoning in Reed and the content discrimination principle.</a>

CARSON V. MAKIN: CAN STATES BAR FUNDS FOR PARENTS WHO SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS?

On Dec. 8, the court will hear arguments in Carson v. Makin to determine the constitutionality of a tuition assistance program in Maine that prohibits the state from aiding students who attend secondary schools that are classified as sectarian. The Maine Department of Education examines schools to determine whether they are sectarian or not.

The problem is that many students in Maine live in districts that do not operate a public secondary school. The Carson family lives in such a district; the children attend a private religious school, the Bangor Christian School. However, the Carsons cannot receive any tuition reimbursement because Bangor is considered sectarian.

The group suing on behalf of the Carsons and another family contends that this sectarian exclusion&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/20/20-1088/168134/20210204140045165_Petition%20for%20Writ%20of%20Certiorari.pdf" target="_blank">violates both the Free Exercise and Establishment clauses</a>&nbsp;of the First Amendment: “There is a longstanding, entrenched split among the Courts of Appeals and state courts of last resort on whether government may bar participants in student aid programs from choosing to use their benefit to attend schools that provide religious instruction.”

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion&nbsp;[<a href="https://www.freedomforuminstitute.org/first-amendment-center/topics/freedom-of-religion/establishment-clause-overview/" target="_blank">Establishment Clause</a>],&nbsp;or prohibiting the free exercise thereof&nbsp;[<a href="https://www.freedomforuminstitute.org/first-amendment-center/topics/freedom-of-religion/free-exercise-clause-overview/" target="_blank">Free Exercise Clause</a>] …”&nbsp;&nbsp;

The court in recent years seems to view such exclusions with suspicion. For example, in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/19pdf/18-1195_g314.pdf" target="_blank">Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue</a>&nbsp;(2020) the court invalidated a Montana rule that barred scholarship funds from being used for students attending parochial schools. The court reasoned that the Montana rule unconstitutionally discriminates based on religious status.

This case provides the justices with an opportunity to clarify whether such differential treatment of religious schools violates the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.freedomforuminstitute.org/first-amendment-center/topics/freedom-of-religion/free-exercise-clause-overview/" target="_blank">Free Exercise Clause</a>&nbsp;rights of those who wish to attend such schools and still obtain the governmental benefits provided to those who attend secular schools.

For updates on these and other key First Amendment court cases as they are heard,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.freedomforum.org/contact/join-us/" target="_blank">sign up for the weekly First Five newsletter</a>.

David L. Hudson Jr., is a First Amendment fellow of the Freedom Forum and law professor at Belmont University who publishes widely on First Amendment topics. He is the author of several First Amendment books, including “<a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/209103/let-the-students-speak-by-david-hudson/" target="_blank">Let The Students Speak!: A History of the Fight for Freedom of Expression in American Schools</a>” (2011).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613679776461.jpeg" alt="David Hudson. Photo courtesy Freedom Forum" />
 <figcaption>David Hudson. Photo courtesy Freedom Forum</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVID HUDSONThe Supreme Court’s October 2021 term, which officially began on the&nbsp;<a href="https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/why-the-supreme-court-starts-on-the-first-monday-in-october" target="_blank">first Monday</a>&nbsp;of the month, promises to be an eventful one for those concerned about the First Amendment and its freedoms. The court will hear cases involving:●A man on death row asserting a violation of his religious liberty rights; ●A dispute over whether a college system’s censure is a permissible exercise or a retaliatory act;●Whether a Texas city can treat digital signs differently on the premises of businesses; and●A school choice program that bars tuition assistance to parents who send their kids to religious schools.These decisions will afford the justices an opportunity to explain the contours of religious liberty and to explore the reaches or limitations of important First Amendment free-speech principles, such as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.freedomforuminstitute.org/2017/09/06/the-government-speech-doctrine-a-loophole-in-the-first-amendment/" target="_blank">government speech doctrine</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.freedomforuminstitute.org/2015/06/22/sign-ordinance-ruled-unconstitutional/" target="_blank">content discrimination principle</a>.Let’s take a closer look at the First Amendment cases on the court’s docket.<h2>RAMIREZ V. COLLIER: RELIGIOUS LIBERTY VIOLATED ON DEATH ROW?</h2>On Nov. 1, the court will hear the case of&nbsp;John H. Ramirez, who was convicted of killing a convenience store clerk during a robbery. Ramirez is arguing that his religious liberty rights were violated when the state of Texas prohibited his pastor from laying his hands on him and from audibly praying and singing in the execution chamber. The state argues the restrictions are necessary for security.Ramirez was set to be executed in early September, but the court granted a temporary stay to hear this appeal.The appeal focuses on whether Ramirez adequately exhausted his remedies under the Prison Litigation Reform Act. But the court also specifically asked lawyers in the case to discuss whether Ramirez adequately showed that the actions of Texas officials in limiting his pastor substantially burdened Ramirez’s religious liberty rights under the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/crt/religious-land-use-and-institutionalized-persons-act-0" target="_blank">Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act</a>&nbsp;(RLUIPA).<h2>HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM V. WILSON: CAN GOVERNMENT BODIES FREELY CENSURE MEMBERS WITHOUT FIRST AMENDMENT CONSTRAINTS?</h2>The next day, Nov. 2, the court will hear arguments in Houston Community College System v. Wilson, which examines whether the First Amendment is violated when an elected board censures one of its members for critical speech.&nbsp;David Wilson, who served on Houston Community College System’s board of trustees, alleged that his fellow board members censured him in retaliation for his protected speech.The college contends that throughout American history, elected bodies have censured their own members. In First Amendment law, the government often is prohibited from discriminating against private speakers because of their speech — but the government can also speak and take its own positions. It often is difficult to determine when the government is discriminating against private speakers or engaging in so-called government speech. In this case, the court could further explain or limit the reach of the government speech doctrine.<a href="https://www.freedomforuminstitute.org/2017/06/29/justice-alito-and-the-government-speech-doctrine/" target="_blank">Government speech doctrine</a>: If the government is considered the actual speaker, then the government can speak and regulate largely immune from First Amendment scrutiny.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS V. REAGAN NATIONAL ADVERTISING OF TEXAS, INC: ARE SIGN PLACEMENT RULES CONTENT DISCRIMINATION?</h2>On Nov. 10, the court will hear arguments in City of Austin v. Reagan National Advertising of Texas, a case that deals with digital signs. The City of Austin allows digital signs on the premises of a business, but not off premise.An advertising company argues that the city’s disparate treatment of on-premise and off-premise signs amounts to content discrimination impermissible under the First Amendment.“But, above all else, the First Amendment means that the government has no power to restrict expression because of its message, its ideas, its content and its subject matter.” –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.freedomforuminstitute.org/2013/02/04/justice-marshall-eloquent-first-amendment-defender/" target="_blank">Justice Thurgood Marshall</a>&nbsp;in 1972 capturing the essence of the content discrimination doctrine&nbsp;&nbsp;The court ruled in&nbsp;<a href="https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-supreme-court/13-502.html" target="_blank">Reed v. Town of Gilbert</a>&nbsp;(2015) that an Arizona town’s sign ordinance violated the First Amendment when it imposed different restrictions on political signs, ideological signs and so-called temporary directional signs.&nbsp;Justice Clarence Thomas&nbsp;reasoned that because the sign ordinance treated signs differently, it was a content-based law subject to strict scrutiny — the highest form of judicial review.Justice Elena Kagan&nbsp;agreed that the Arizona ordinance violated the First Amendment but warned that an overly strict application of the content discrimination principle could turn the court into “a veritable Supreme Board of Sign Review.”The Texas case gives the justices an opportunity to determine&nbsp;<a href="https://scholarlycommons.law.case.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4850&amp;context=caselrev" target="_blank">the reach of its reasoning in Reed and the content discrimination principle.</a><h2>CARSON V. MAKIN: CAN STATES BAR FUNDS FOR PARENTS WHO SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS?</h2>On Dec. 8, the court will hear arguments in Carson v. Makin to determine the constitutionality of a tuition assistance program in Maine that prohibits the state from aiding students who attend secondary schools that are classified as sectarian. The Maine Department of Education examines schools to determine whether they are sectarian or not.The problem is that many students in Maine live in districts that do not operate a public secondary school. The Carson family lives in such a district; the children attend a private religious school, the Bangor Christian School. However, the Carsons cannot receive any tuition reimbursement because Bangor is considered sectarian.The group suing on behalf of the Carsons and another family contends that this sectarian exclusion&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/20/20-1088/168134/20210204140045165_Petition%20for%20Writ%20of%20Certiorari.pdf" target="_blank">violates both the Free Exercise and Establishment clauses</a>&nbsp;of the First Amendment: “There is a longstanding, entrenched split among the Courts of Appeals and state courts of last resort on whether government may bar participants in student aid programs from choosing to use their benefit to attend schools that provide religious instruction.”“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion&nbsp;[<a href="https://www.freedomforuminstitute.org/first-amendment-center/topics/freedom-of-religion/establishment-clause-overview/" target="_blank">Establishment Clause</a>],&nbsp;or prohibiting the free exercise thereof&nbsp;[<a href="https://www.freedomforuminstitute.org/first-amendment-center/topics/freedom-of-religion/free-exercise-clause-overview/" target="_blank">Free Exercise Clause</a>] …”&nbsp;&nbsp;The court in recent years seems to view such exclusions with suspicion. For example, in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/19pdf/18-1195_g314.pdf" target="_blank">Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue</a>&nbsp;(2020) the court invalidated a Montana rule that barred scholarship funds from being used for students attending parochial schools. The court reasoned that the Montana rule unconstitutionally discriminates based on religious status.This case provides the justices with an opportunity to clarify whether such differential treatment of religious schools violates the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.freedomforuminstitute.org/first-amendment-center/topics/freedom-of-religion/free-exercise-clause-overview/" target="_blank">Free Exercise Clause</a>&nbsp;rights of those who wish to attend such schools and still obtain the governmental benefits provided to those who attend secular schools.For updates on these and other key First Amendment court cases as they are heard,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.freedomforum.org/contact/join-us/" target="_blank">sign up for the weekly First Five newsletter</a>.David L. Hudson Jr., is a First Amendment fellow of the Freedom Forum and law professor at Belmont University who publishes widely on First Amendment topics. He is the author of several First Amendment books, including “<a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/209103/let-the-students-speak-by-david-hudson/" target="_blank">Let The Students Speak!: A History of the Fight for Freedom of Expression in American Schools</a>” (2011).

FIRST 5: 4 key First Amendment cases to watch this Supreme Court term

Today is Saturday, Oct. 9, the 282nd day of 2021. There are 83 days left in the year. 

On Oct. 9, 1967, Marxist revolutionary guerrilla leader Che Guevara, 39, was summarily executed by the Bolivian army a day after his capture.

In 1888, the public was first admitted to the Washington Monument. 

In 1910, a coal dust explosion at the Starkville Mine in Colorado left 56 miners dead. 

In 1936, the first generator at Boulder (later Hoover) Dam began transmitting electricity to Los Angeles. 

In 1940, rock-and-roll legend John Lennon was born in Liverpool, England. (On this date in 1975, his son, Sean, was born in New York.)

In 1975, Soviet scientist Andrei Sakharov was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

In 1985, the hijackers of the Achille Lauro cruise liner surrendered two days after seizing the vessel in the Mediterranean. (Passenger Leon Klinghoffer was killed by the hijackers during the standoff.) 

In 2001, in the first daylight raids since the start of U.S.-led attacks on Afghanistan, jets bombed the Taliban stronghold of Kandahar. Letters postmarked in Trenton, N.J., were sent to Sens. Tom Daschle and Patrick Leahy; the letters later tested positive for anthrax. 

In 2004, a tour bus from the Chicago area flipped in Arkansas, killing 15 people headed to a Mississippi casino.

In 2006, Google Inc. announced it was snapping up YouTube Inc. for $1.65 billion in a stock deal.

In 2009, President Barack Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize for what the Norwegian Nobel Committee called "his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples." 

In 2012, former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky was sentenced to 30 to 60 years in prison following his conviction on 45 counts of sexual abuse of boys. 

In 2014, six U.S. military planes arrived in the Ebola hot zone with more Marines as West African leaders pleaded for the world's help in dealing with what Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma described as "a tragedy unforeseen in modern times." 

Ten years ago: At least 27 people were killed and more than 200 injured during massive clashes in downtown Cairo in the worst sectarian outburst since the February revolution. The NHL returned to Winnipeg after 15 years; Carey Price stopped 30 shots as the Montreal Canadiens put a damper on a massive civic celebration with a 5-1 victory over the Jets. Paul McCartney married Nancy Shevell at Old Marylebone Town Hall in London.

Five years ago: During a bitter debate in St. Louis, Hillary Clinton declared that Donald Trump's vulgar comments about women revealed "exactly who he is" and proved his unsuitability to be president; firing back, Trump accused Clinton of attacking women involved in Bill Clinton's extramarital affairs and promised she would "be in jail" if he were president.

One year ago: A federal judge refused to block New York's plan to temporarily limit the size of religious gatherings in COVID-19 hot spots. President Donald Trump told Rush Limbaugh on his radio show that he could have become very ill and might not have recovered from COVID-19 without experimental drugs; it was a far worse outlook than what his doctors were telling the American people. The United Nations' World Food Program won the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts to combat hunger and food insecurity around the globe. Hurricane Delta came ashore in southwest Louisiana as a Category 2 storm, drenching the same area that was battered by deadly Hurricane Laura six weeks earlier, but quickly weakened and became a tropical storm as it moved inland.

Today's Birthdays: Retired MLB All-Star Joe Pepitone is 81. Former Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., is 80. C-SPAN founder Brian Lamb is 80. R&amp;B singer Nona Hendryx is 77. Singer Jackson Browne is 73. Nobel Peace laureate Jody Williams is 71. Actor Gary Frank is 71. Actor Richard Chaves is 70. Actor Robert Wuhl is 70. Actor-TV personality Sharon Osbourne is 69. Actor Tony Shalhoub is 68. Actor Scott Bakula is 67. Musician James Fearnley (The Pogues) is 67. Actor John O'Hurley is 67. Writer-producer-director-actor Linwood Boomer is 66. Pro and College Football Hall of Famer Mike Singletary is 63. Actor Michael Paré is 63. Jazz musician Kenny Garrett is 61. Rock singer-musician Kurt Neumann (The BoDeans) is 60. Movie director Guillermo del Toro is 57. Former British Prime Minister David Cameron is 55. Singer P.J. Harvey is 52. Movie director Steve McQueen (Film: "12 Years a Slave") is 52. World Golf Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam is 51. Actor Cocoa Brown is 49. Country singer Tommy Shane Steiner is 48. Actor Steve Burns is 48. Rock singer Sean Lennon is 46. Actor Randy Spelling is 43. Christian hip-hop artist Lecrae is 42. Actor Brandon Routh is 42. Actor Zachery Ty Bryan is 40. Actor Spencer Grammer is 38. Comedian Melissa Villasenor (TV: "Saturday Night Live") is 34. Actor Tyler James Williams is 29. Country singer Scotty McCreery (TV: "American Idol") is 28. Actor Jharrel Jerome is 24.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a></figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSToday is Saturday, Oct. 9, the 282nd day of 2021. There are 83 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Oct. 9, 1967, Marxist revolutionary guerrilla leader Che Guevara, 39, was summarily executed by the Bolivian army a day after his capture.On this date: In 1888, the public was first admitted to the Washington Monument. In 1910, a coal dust explosion at the Starkville Mine in Colorado left 56 miners dead. In 1936, the first generator at Boulder (later Hoover) Dam began transmitting electricity to Los Angeles. In 1940, rock-and-roll legend John Lennon was born in Liverpool, England. (On this date in 1975, his son, Sean, was born in New York.)In 1975, Soviet scientist Andrei Sakharov was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.In 1985, the hijackers of the Achille Lauro cruise liner surrendered two days after seizing the vessel in the Mediterranean. (Passenger Leon Klinghoffer was killed by the hijackers during the standoff.) In 2001, in the first daylight raids since the start of U.S.-led attacks on Afghanistan, jets bombed the Taliban stronghold of Kandahar. Letters postmarked in Trenton, N.J., were sent to Sens. Tom Daschle and Patrick Leahy; the letters later tested positive for anthrax. In 2004, a tour bus from the Chicago area flipped in Arkansas, killing 15 people headed to a Mississippi casino.In 2006, Google Inc. announced it was snapping up YouTube Inc. for $1.65 billion in a stock deal.In 2009, President Barack Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize for what the Norwegian Nobel Committee called "his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples." In 2012, former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky was sentenced to 30 to 60 years in prison following his conviction on 45 counts of sexual abuse of boys. In 2014, six U.S. military planes arrived in the Ebola hot zone with more Marines as West African leaders pleaded for the world's help in dealing with what Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma described as "a tragedy unforeseen in modern times." Ten years ago: At least 27 people were killed and more than 200 injured during massive clashes in downtown Cairo in the worst sectarian outburst since the February revolution. The NHL returned to Winnipeg after 15 years; Carey Price stopped 30 shots as the Montreal Canadiens put a damper on a massive civic celebration with a 5-1 victory over the Jets. Paul McCartney married Nancy Shevell at Old Marylebone Town Hall in London.Five years ago: During a bitter debate in St. Louis, Hillary Clinton declared that Donald Trump's vulgar comments about women revealed "exactly who he is" and proved his unsuitability to be president; firing back, Trump accused Clinton of attacking women involved in Bill Clinton's extramarital affairs and promised she would "be in jail" if he were president. One year ago: A federal judge refused to block New York's plan to temporarily limit the size of religious gatherings in COVID-19 hot spots. President Donald Trump told Rush Limbaugh on his radio show that he could have become very ill and might not have recovered from COVID-19 without experimental drugs; it was a far worse outlook than what his doctors were telling the American people. The United Nations' World Food Program won the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts to combat hunger and food insecurity around the globe. Hurricane Delta came ashore in southwest Louisiana as a Category 2 storm, drenching the same area that was battered by deadly Hurricane Laura six weeks earlier, but quickly weakened and became a tropical storm as it moved inland.Today's Birthdays: Retired MLB All-Star Joe Pepitone is 81. Former Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., is 80. C-SPAN founder Brian Lamb is 80. R&amp;B singer Nona Hendryx is 77. Singer Jackson Browne is 73. Nobel Peace laureate Jody Williams is 71. Actor Gary Frank is 71. Actor Richard Chaves is 70. Actor Robert Wuhl is 70. Actor-TV personality Sharon Osbourne is 69. Actor Tony Shalhoub is 68. Actor Scott Bakula is 67. Musician James Fearnley (The Pogues) is 67. Actor John O'Hurley is 67. Writer-producer-director-actor Linwood Boomer is 66. Pro and College Football Hall of Famer Mike Singletary is 63. Actor Michael Paré is 63. Jazz musician Kenny Garrett is 61. Rock singer-musician Kurt Neumann (The BoDeans) is 60. Movie director Guillermo del Toro is 57. Former British Prime Minister David Cameron is 55. Singer P.J. Harvey is 52. Movie director Steve McQueen (Film: "12 Years a Slave") is 52. World Golf Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam is 51. Actor Cocoa Brown is 49. Country singer Tommy Shane Steiner is 48. Actor Steve Burns is 48. Rock singer Sean Lennon is 46. Actor Randy Spelling is 43. Christian hip-hop artist Lecrae is 42. Actor Brandon Routh is 42. Actor Zachery Ty Bryan is 40. Actor Spencer Grammer is 38. Comedian Melissa Villasenor (TV: "Saturday Night Live") is 34. Actor Tyler James Williams is 29. Country singer Scotty McCreery (TV: "American Idol") is 28. Actor Jharrel Jerome is 24.

Today in History - Oct. 9

TOPEKA —The suspect who walked away from from the Wichita Work Release Facility on Saturday is back in custody.

On Friday afternoon, 43-year-old Elvin Eugene Morris was taken into custody by officials from the Kansas Department of Corrections Enforcement Apprehensions &amp; Investigations (EAI) Unit and booked into Sedgwick County Jail.

Morris was placed on escape status Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, after he failing to report back to correctional facility.

The Wichita Work Release Facility, a satellite unit of the Winfield Correctional Facility, is an all-male, minimum-custody state facility with a population of 250.

TOPEKA, Kansas –&nbsp;Minimum-custody resident Elvin Eugene Morris continues on escape status since 7:50 p.m. Saturday, October 2, after he walked away from the Wichita Work Release Facility, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Morris, a 43-year-old black male, left for Walmart in the community at 4:05 p.m. and was reported missing when he did not report back to the facility following an approved community pass.

Morris is currently serving a sentence for a conviction in Sedgwick County for removing electronic monitoring equipment. Morris was last seen leaving the Wichita Work Release Facility at 400 South Emporia in Wichita, Kansas.

Morris is 5 feet 10 inches tall, 179 pounds with brown eyes and black hair. Morris was last seen wearing jeans and a long sleeved, button up, white shirt and gray sweatshirt.

Anyone with information on Morris can call the Kansas Department of Corrections at 316-265-5211, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (800) 572-7463 or local law enforcement at 911.

The&nbsp;escape&nbsp;is currently being investigated.&nbsp; New information will be released as it becomes available.

The Wichita Work Release Facility, a satellite unit of the Winfield Correctional Facility, is an all-male, minimum-custody state prison with a population of 250.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633225847462.png" alt="Morris has previous convictions for theft and one for aggravated robbery in addition to his conviction in Sedgwick County for removing electronic monitoring equipment, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Morris has previous convictions for theft and one for aggravated robbery in addition to his conviction in Sedgwick County for removing electronic monitoring equipment, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA —The suspect who walked away from from the Wichita Work Release Facility on Saturday is back in custody.On Friday afternoon, 43-year-old Elvin Eugene Morris was taken into custody by officials from the Kansas Department of Corrections Enforcement Apprehensions &amp; Investigations (EAI) Unit and booked into Sedgwick County Jail.Morris was placed on escape status Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, after he failing to report back to correctional facility.The Wichita Work Release Facility, a satellite unit of the Winfield Correctional Facility, is an all-male, minimum-custody state facility with a population of 250.------------TOPEKA, Kansas –&nbsp;Minimum-custody resident Elvin Eugene Morris continues on escape status since 7:50 p.m. Saturday, October 2, after he walked away from the Wichita Work Release Facility, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections.Morris, a 43-year-old black male, left for Walmart in the community at 4:05 p.m. and was reported missing when he did not report back to the facility following an approved community pass.Morris is currently serving a sentence for a conviction in Sedgwick County for removing electronic monitoring equipment. Morris was last seen leaving the Wichita Work Release Facility at 400 South Emporia in Wichita, Kansas.Morris is 5 feet 10 inches tall, 179 pounds with brown eyes and black hair. Morris was last seen wearing jeans and a long sleeved, button up, white shirt and gray sweatshirt.Anyone with information on Morris can call the Kansas Department of Corrections at 316-265-5211, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (800) 572-7463 or local law enforcement at 911.The&nbsp;escape&nbsp;is currently being investigated.&nbsp; New information will be released as it becomes available.The Wichita Work Release Facility, a satellite unit of the Winfield Correctional Facility, is an all-male, minimum-custody state prison with a population of 250.

Kan. felon who walked away from work release is back in custody

Today is Friday, Oct. 8, the 281st day of 2021. There are 84 days left in the year. 

On Oct. 8, 1985, the hijackers of the Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro killed American passenger Leon Klinghoffer, who was in a wheelchair, and threw his body overboard. 

In 1871, the Great Chicago Fire erupted; fires also broke out in Peshtigo, Wisconsin, and in several communities in Michigan. 

In 1918, U.S. Army Cpl. Alvin C. York led an attack that killed 25 German soldiers and resulted in the capture of 132 others in the Argonne Forest in France.

In 1934, Bruno Hauptmann was indicted by a grand jury in New Jersey for murder in the death of the kidnapped son of Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh. 

In 1945, President Harry S. Truman told a press conference in Tiptonville, Tennessee, that the secret scientific knowledge behind the atomic bomb would be shared only with Britain and Canada. 

In 1956, Don Larsen pitched the only perfect game in a World Series to date as the New York Yankees beat the Brooklyn Dodgers in Game 5, 2-0.

In 1981, at the White House, President Ronald Reagan greeted former Presidents Jimmy Carter, Gerald Ford and Richard Nixon, who were preparing to travel to Egypt for the funeral of Anwar Sadat. 

In 1997, scientists reported the Mars Pathfinder had yielded what could be the strongest evidence yet that Mars might once have been hospitable to life. 

In 1998, the House triggered an open-ended impeachment inquiry against President Bill Clinton in a momentous 258-176 vote; 31 Democrats joined majority Republicans in opening the way for nationally televised impeachment hearings. 

In 2002, a federal judge approved President George W. Bush's request to reopen West Coast ports, ending a 10-day labor lockout that was costing the U.S. economy an estimated $1 to $2 billion a day. 

In 2005, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake flattened villages on the Pakistan-India border, killing an estimated 86,000 people. 

In 2010, British aid worker Linda Norgrove, who'd been taken captive in Afghanistan, was killed during a U.S. special forces rescue attempt, apparently by a U.S. grenade. 

In 2015, chef Paul Prudhomme, 75, who'd sparked a nationwide interest in Cajun food, died in New Orleans. 

Ten years ago: Scott Anderson became the first openly gay ordained Presbyterian minister during a ceremony at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Madison, Wisconsin. Al Davis, the Hall of Fame owner of the Oakland Raiders, died at age 82. Pianist Roger Williams, 87, died in Los Angeles.

Five years ago: Donald Trump vowed on Twitter to continue his campaign even though he said the "media and establishment" wanted him out of the race "so badly"; many Republicans were calling on Trump to abandon his presidential bid in the wake of the release of a 2005 video in which he made lewd remarks about women and appeared to condone sexual assault.

One year ago: Authorities in Michigan said six men had been charged with conspiring to kidnap Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in reaction to what they viewed as her "uncontrolled power." (One of the six pleaded guilty and was sentenced to just over six years in prison.) Separately, seven others linked to a paramilitary group were charged in state court for allegedly seeking to storm the Michigan Capitol and seek a "civil war." Democrat Joe Biden said President Donald Trump's tweet earlier in the year to "LIBERATE MICHIGAN" may have encouraged the alleged kidnapping plot. Trump insisted that he was ready to resume campaign rallies and said he felt "perfect" one week after his diagnosis with the coronavirus. Whitey Ford, a Hall of Fame pitcher for the New York Yankees, died at 91.

Today's Birthdays: Entertainment reporter Rona Barrett is 85. Actor Paul Hogan is 82. R&amp;B singer Fred Cash (The Impressions) is 81. Civil rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson is 80. Comedian Chevy Chase is 78. Author R.L. Stine is 78. Actor Dale Dye is 77. Country singer Susan Raye is 77. TV personality Sarah Purcell is 73. R&amp;B singer Airrion Love (The Stylistics) is 72. Actor Sigourney Weaver is 72. R&amp;B singer Robert "Kool" Bell (Kool &amp; the Gang) is 71. Producer-director Edward Zwick is 69. Country singer-musician Ricky Lee Phelps is 68. Actor Michael Dudikoff is 67. Comedian Darrell Hammond is 66. Actor Stephanie Zimbalist is 65. Actor Kim Wayans is 60. Rock singer Steve Perry (Cherry Poppin' Daddies) is 58. Actor Ian Hart is 57. Gospel/R&amp;B singer CeCe Winans is 57. Rock musician C.J. Ramone (The Ramones) is 56. Actor-producer Karyn Parsons is 55. Singer-producer Teddy Riley is 55. Actor Emily Procter is 53. Actor Dylan Neal is 52. Actor-screenwriter Matt Damon is 51. Actor-comedian Robert Kelly is 51. The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is 51. Actor Martin Henderson is 47. Actor Kristanna Loken is 42. Rock-soul singer-musician Noelle Scaggs (Fitz and the Tantrums) is 42. Actor Nick Cannon is 41. Actor J.R. Ramirez is 41. Actor Max Crumm is 36. Singer-songwriter-producer Bruno Mars is 36. Actor Angus T. Jones is 28. Actor Molly Quinn is 28. Actor/singer Bella Thorne is 24.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a></figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSToday is Friday, Oct. 8, the 281st day of 2021. There are 84 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Oct. 8, 1985, the hijackers of the Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro killed American passenger Leon Klinghoffer, who was in a wheelchair, and threw his body overboard. On this date: In 1871, the Great Chicago Fire erupted; fires also broke out in Peshtigo, Wisconsin, and in several communities in Michigan. In 1918, U.S. Army Cpl. Alvin C. York led an attack that killed 25 German soldiers and resulted in the capture of 132 others in the Argonne Forest in France.In 1934, Bruno Hauptmann was indicted by a grand jury in New Jersey for murder in the death of the kidnapped son of Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh. In 1945, President Harry S. Truman told a press conference in Tiptonville, Tennessee, that the secret scientific knowledge behind the atomic bomb would be shared only with Britain and Canada. In 1956, Don Larsen pitched the only perfect game in a World Series to date as the New York Yankees beat the Brooklyn Dodgers in Game 5, 2-0.In 1981, at the White House, President Ronald Reagan greeted former Presidents Jimmy Carter, Gerald Ford and Richard Nixon, who were preparing to travel to Egypt for the funeral of Anwar Sadat. In 1997, scientists reported the Mars Pathfinder had yielded what could be the strongest evidence yet that Mars might once have been hospitable to life. In 1998, the House triggered an open-ended impeachment inquiry against President Bill Clinton in a momentous 258-176 vote; 31 Democrats joined majority Republicans in opening the way for nationally televised impeachment hearings. In 2002, a federal judge approved President George W. Bush's request to reopen West Coast ports, ending a 10-day labor lockout that was costing the U.S. economy an estimated $1 to $2 billion a day. In 2005, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake flattened villages on the Pakistan-India border, killing an estimated 86,000 people. In 2010, British aid worker Linda Norgrove, who'd been taken captive in Afghanistan, was killed during a U.S. special forces rescue attempt, apparently by a U.S. grenade. In 2015, chef Paul Prudhomme, 75, who'd sparked a nationwide interest in Cajun food, died in New Orleans. Ten years ago: Scott Anderson became the first openly gay ordained Presbyterian minister during a ceremony at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Madison, Wisconsin. Al Davis, the Hall of Fame owner of the Oakland Raiders, died at age 82. Pianist Roger Williams, 87, died in Los Angeles.Five years ago: Donald Trump vowed on Twitter to continue his campaign even though he said the "media and establishment" wanted him out of the race "so badly"; many Republicans were calling on Trump to abandon his presidential bid in the wake of the release of a 2005 video in which he made lewd remarks about women and appeared to condone sexual assault.One year ago: Authorities in Michigan said six men had been charged with conspiring to kidnap Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in reaction to what they viewed as her "uncontrolled power." (One of the six pleaded guilty and was sentenced to just over six years in prison.) Separately, seven others linked to a paramilitary group were charged in state court for allegedly seeking to storm the Michigan Capitol and seek a "civil war." Democrat Joe Biden said President Donald Trump's tweet earlier in the year to "LIBERATE MICHIGAN" may have encouraged the alleged kidnapping plot. Trump insisted that he was ready to resume campaign rallies and said he felt "perfect" one week after his diagnosis with the coronavirus. Whitey Ford, a Hall of Fame pitcher for the New York Yankees, died at 91. Today's Birthdays: Entertainment reporter Rona Barrett is 85. Actor Paul Hogan is 82. R&amp;B singer Fred Cash (The Impressions) is 81. Civil rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson is 80. Comedian Chevy Chase is 78. Author R.L. Stine is 78. Actor Dale Dye is 77. Country singer Susan Raye is 77. TV personality Sarah Purcell is 73. R&amp;B singer Airrion Love (The Stylistics) is 72. Actor Sigourney Weaver is 72. R&amp;B singer Robert "Kool" Bell (Kool &amp; the Gang) is 71. Producer-director Edward Zwick is 69. Country singer-musician Ricky Lee Phelps is 68. Actor Michael Dudikoff is 67. Comedian Darrell Hammond is 66. Actor Stephanie Zimbalist is 65. Actor Kim Wayans is 60. Rock singer Steve Perry (Cherry Poppin' Daddies) is 58. Actor Ian Hart is 57. Gospel/R&amp;B singer CeCe Winans is 57. Rock musician C.J. Ramone (The Ramones) is 56. Actor-producer Karyn Parsons is 55. Singer-producer Teddy Riley is 55. Actor Emily Procter is 53. Actor Dylan Neal is 52. Actor-screenwriter Matt Damon is 51. Actor-comedian Robert Kelly is 51. The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is 51. Actor Martin Henderson is 47. Actor Kristanna Loken is 42. Rock-soul singer-musician Noelle Scaggs (Fitz and the Tantrums) is 42. Actor Nick Cannon is 41. Actor J.R. Ramirez is 41. Actor Max Crumm is 36. Singer-songwriter-producer Bruno Mars is 36. Actor Angus T. Jones is 28. Actor Molly Quinn is 28. Actor/singer Bella Thorne is 24.

Today in History - Oct. 8

Today is Thursday, Oct. 7, the 280th day of 2021. There are 85 days left in the year. 

On Oct. 7, 2001, the war in Afghanistan started as the United States and Britain launched air attacks against military targets and Osama bin Laden's training camps in the wake of the September 11 attacks. 

In 1765, the Stamp Act Congress convened in New York to draw up colonial grievances against England. 

In 1849, author Edgar Allan Poe died in Baltimore at age 40. 

In 1910, a major wildfire devastated the northern Minnesota towns of Spooner and Baudette, charring at least 300,000 acres; some 40 people are believed to have died. 

In 1949, the Republic of East Germany was formed.

In 1954, Marian Anderson became the first Black singer hired by the Metropolitan Opera Company in New York. 

In 1985, Palestinian gunmen hijacked the Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro in the Mediterranean. (The hijackers shot and killed Leon Klinghoffer, a Jewish-American tourist in a wheelchair, and pushed him overboard, before surrendering on Oct. 9.) 

In 1991, University of Oklahoma law professor Anita Hill publicly accused Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas of making sexually inappropriate comments when she worked for him; Thomas denied Hill's allegations.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a></figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSToday is Thursday, Oct. 7, the 280th day of 2021. There are 85 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Oct. 7, 2001, the war in Afghanistan started as the United States and Britain launched air attacks against military targets and Osama bin Laden's training camps in the wake of the September 11 attacks. On this date: In 1765, the Stamp Act Congress convened in New York to draw up colonial grievances against England. In 1849, author Edgar Allan Poe died in Baltimore at age 40. In 1910, a major wildfire devastated the northern Minnesota towns of Spooner and Baudette, charring at least 300,000 acres; some 40 people are believed to have died. In 1949, the Republic of East Germany was formed.In 1954, Marian Anderson became the first Black singer hired by the Metropolitan Opera Company in New York. In 1985, Palestinian gunmen hijacked the Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro in the Mediterranean. (The hijackers shot and killed Leon Klinghoffer, a Jewish-American tourist in a wheelchair, and pushed him overboard, before surrendering on Oct. 9.) In 1991, University of Oklahoma law professor Anita Hill publicly accused Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas of making sexually inappropriate comments when she worked for him; Thomas denied Hill's allegations.In 1992, trade representatives of the United States, Canada and Mexico initialed the North American Free Trade Agreement during a ceremony in San Antonio, Texas, in the presence of President George H.W. Bush, Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and Mexican President Carlos Salinas de Gortari. In 1996, Fox News Channel made its debut. In 1998, Matthew Shepard, a gay college student, was beaten and left tied to a wooden fencepost outside of Laramie, Wyoming; he died five days later. (Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney are serving life sentences for Shepard's murder.) In 2003, California voters recalled Gov. Gray Davis and elected Arnold Schwarzenegger their new governor. In 2004, President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney conceded that Saddam Hussein had no weapons of mass destruction as they tried to shift the Iraq war debate to a new issue, arguing that Saddam was abusing a U.N. oil-for-food program. Ten years ago: The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to three women: President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, Liberian activist Leymah Gbowee, and Tawakkul Karman, who began pushing for change in Yemen long before the Arab Spring. Five years ago: The U.S. accused Russia of hacking American political sites and email accounts in an effort to interfere with the upcoming presidential election and also directly accused Russia of war crimes in Syria; Moscow dismissed the allegations. Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos was named winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, receiving a big boost in his efforts to save an agreement seeking to end his country's half-century conflict.One year ago: President Donald Trump returned to the Oval Office for the first time since he was diagnosed with COVID-19; he credited an experimental drug treatment with helping his recovery. Debating from behind plexiglass shields, Vice President Mike Pence and Democrat Kamala Harris zeroed in on Trump's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, with Harris labeling it "the greatest failure of any presidential administration" while Pence defended the overall response. President Donald Trump tweeted that remaining U.S. troops in Afghanistan should be home by Christmas. (Military officials said they had been given no orders to accelerate a more gradual pullout.) The former Minneapolis police officer charged with murder in the death of George Floyd posted bail and was released from state prison, leading Minnesota's governor to activate the National Guard to help keep the peace in the event of protests.Today's Birthdays: Retired South African Archbishop and Nobel Peace laureate Desmond Tutu is 90. Author Thomas Keneally is 86. Comedian Joy Behar is 79. Former National Security Council aide Lt. Col. Oliver North (ret.) is 78. Rock musician Kevin Godley (10cc) is 76. Actor Jill Larson is 74. Country singer Kieran Kane is 72. Singer John Mellencamp is 70. Rock musician Ricky Phillips is 70. Russian President Vladimir Putin is 69. Actor Mary Badham (Film: "To Kill a Mockingbird") is 69. Rock musician Tico Torres (Bon Jovi) is 68. Actor Christopher Norris is 66. Cellist Yo-Yo Ma is 66. Gospel singer Michael W. Smith is 64. Olympic gold medal ice dancer Jayne Torvill is 64. Actor Dylan Baker is 63. Actor Judy Landers is 63. Recording executive and TV personality Simon Cowell is 62. Rock musician Charlie Marinkovich (formerly with Iron Butterfly) is 62. Actor Paula Newsome is 60. Country singer Dale Watson is 59. Pop singer Ann Curless (Expose) is 58. R&amp;B singer Toni Braxton is 54. Rock singer-musician Thom Yorke (Radiohead) is 53. Rock musician-dancer Leeroy Thornhill is 52. Actor Nicole Ari Parker is 51. Actor Allison Munn is 47. Rock singer-musician Damian Kulash is 46. Singer Taylor Hicks is 45. Actor Omar Miller is 43. Neo-soul singer Nathaniel Rateliff (Nathaniel Rateliff &amp; the Night Sweats) is 43. Actor Shawn Ashmore is 42. Actor Jake McLaughlin is 39. Electronic musician Flying Lotus (AKA Steve Ellison) is 38. MLB player Evan Longoria is 36. Actor Holland Roden is 35. Actor Amber Stevens is 35. MLB outfielder Mookie Betts is 29. Actor Lulu Wilson is 16.