A Colorado school district faces accusations of firing an employee who expressed views against critical race theory (CRT) during a mandatory diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training session. America First Legal (AFL) filed a lawsuit against the Cherry Creek School District on behalf of Patrick Hogarty. Hogarty, a former dean of students, alleges the school district violated his First Amendment rights by terminating his employment under “false pretenses.” New: The Colorado Dean Students at Campus Middle School in the Cherry Creek School District was fired after saying America is “the greatest country in the world” during DEI training. Via: The Independent pic.twitter.com/3jrjGxaOAH — The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) September 28, 2024 “Disguised as a ‘budget cut,’ Mr. Hogarty’s position as dean was eliminated because the district found Mr. Hogarty’s pride in the United States of America incompatible with the district’s political ideology that America is a systemically racist nation,” the lawsuit alleges. “Like other school districts across the country, Cherry Creek School District has replaced the Bill of Rights with a ‘DEI Manifesto,’ and teachers, students, and parents are being silenced for standing up for the values that make America great,” it continued. Fox News reports: Hogarty, who served as dean of students at Campus Middle School from 2021 to 2024, voiced his belief in American identity and the greatness of the United States during the session, which focused on race and equity through the “Courageous Conversations” program, according to the suit. For example, Hogarty was asked, “What does it mean to be White?;” “What experiences define Whiteness?;” “How do you identify?” Hogarty responded “that he identifies as an American, that he loves his country, and that he believes it is the greatest country ever founded.” Despite assurances from the district that his comments would remain confidential, the district’s equity director reported his statements, which the director deemed to have “racist undertones.” Shortly after, the district eliminated his position, citing budgetary reasons, despite records showing increased staffing allocations, the suit said. BREAKING: Colorado Middle School Dean FIRED for Identifying as a Proud American READ: https://t.co/YWGm888wHE In a shocking move, Cherry Creek School District @CCSDK12 allegedly labeled his pride in America as racist and terminated him. This is what happens when… — Colorado Parent Advocacy Network (@CPANColorado) September 26, 2024 Colorado dean of students fired after saying USA is 'the greatest country in the world' during mandatory DEI training "Cherry Creek @CCSDK12 has replaced the Bill of Rights with the 'DEI Manifesto,' and teachers, students, and parents are being silenced for standing up for the… pic.twitter.com/e9V67ksszN — ????? ???????? ?????? (@nomandatesco) September 27, 2024 From The Post Millennial: Ian Prior, America First Legal senior advisor, wrote in a press release: “Cherry Creek School District blatantly violated the First Amendment rights of our client when they terminated him because his pride in the United States of America did not align with the district’s political ideology that America is a systematically racist nation. Like other school districts across the country, Cherry Creek has replaced the Bill of Rights with the ‘DEI Manifesto,’ and teachers, students, and parents are being silenced for standing up for the values that make America great.” Read the full lawsuit HERE.

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After the horrific damage caused by Hurricane Helene, local officials issued a warning to electric vehicle owners. Officials asked residents who have electric vehicles and hybrids to be alert for potential fires caused by flooding. “Electric Vehicles that have been flooded in saltwater can catch fire. If you evacuated and left an electric vehicle or golf cart in your garage or under a building and you are not able to get to it or move it, we want you to let us know,” the Pinellas County Government stated. The local government’s X account posted footage of a Tesla that caught fire inside a homeowner’s garage. WATCH: Electric Vehicles that have been flooded in saltwater can catch fire. If you evacuated and left an electric vehicle or golf cart in your garage or under a building and you are not able to get to it or move it, we want you to let us know. /1 pic.twitter.com/dpfiXRAGuR — Pinellas County (@PinellasGov) September 28, 2024 WFLA reports: All barrier islands and beaches in Pinellas County are set to reopen at 4 p.m. to residents, business owners, and employees with a Barrier Island Re-Entry permit, officials said. Helene blew ashore in Florida’s Big Bend region as a Category 4 hurricane late Thursday packing winds of 140 mph (225 kph) and then quickly moved through Georgia, the Carolinas and Tennessee, uprooting trees, splintering homes and sending creeks and rivers over their banks, churning up tornadoes and straining dams. The hurricane’s massive rains and powerful winds left at least 52 people dead, caused widespread destruction across the U.S. Southeast and left millions without power. “HYBRID & EV OWNERS: Saltwater flooding can cause hidden damage to your electric vehicle’s battery, even if it appears normal. This corrosion can lead to dangerous fires days or even weeks later. If your electric vehicle was exposed to saltwater during the storm, do not attempt to drive or charge it. Contact your EV manufacturer for advice on removal and towing,” St. Petersburg Fire Rescue wrote on Facebook. Important info for all to be aware of. ——- from St. Petersburg Fire Rescue: HYBRID & EV OWNERS: Saltwater flooding can cause hidden damage to your electric vehicle's battery, even if it appears normal. This corrosion can lead to dangerous fires days or even weeks later.… pic.twitter.com/AXukPxgpR5 — Alysha (@Dimples5490) September 28, 2024 Per FOX Weather: The combination of storm surge from the Gulf of Mexico and lithium-ion batteries in vehicles has proven to be a recipe for disaster, as Florida agencies report responding to numerous fires in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Photos and videos from the Tampa Bay area show the aftermath of highly combustible batteries being exposed to saltwater, leaving homes damaged and cars destroyed. A surge of 5-8 feet was reported across the metro during Helene, flooding thousands of homes and raising the potential for further destruction. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor warned that she’s seen reports of cars and even scooters that were exposed to saltwater and exploded in the days since landfall. Helene is not the first hurricane where an increase in EV-related fires has occurred, a similar streak of incidents were reported during Hurricanes Idalia and Ian, both of which were powerful storms that impacted the Florida coastline.

Hurricane Helene has left a path of destruction across the Southeastern United States. “Massive rains from powerful Hurricane Helene left people stranded, without shelter and awaiting rescue Saturday, as the cleanup began from a tempest that killed at least 64 people, caused widespread destruction across the U.S. Southeast and left millions without power,” the Associated Press reports. Tennessee and North Carolina experienced horrendous flooding from the storm, with bridges, roads, and dams failing. WATCH: Tennessee farmland and the devastation hard working farmers must face. Pray for the farmers. They work so hard as it is and many can't afford flood insurance and virtually none have hurricane insurance. #Helene took their livelihood. pic.twitter.com/Dfd8tj0486 — Jennifer Coffindaffer (@CoffindafferFBI) September 28, 2024 Chimney Rock, North Carolina obliterated by flash flood from remnants of Hurricane Helene. Highway 9 Before and After pic.twitter.com/vLGIOh4xsz — Michael Evon (@EvonDesign) September 28, 2024 NEW: Chimney Rock village in North Carolina is completely destroyed after Lake Lure dam overtopped from Hurricane Helene. According to NBC News. the dam is still at "imminent risk of failure." "Structural supports have been compromised but the Dam wall is currently… pic.twitter.com/25kojNwt5U — Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 27, 2024 “Watch a road bridge in East Tennessee collapse into a river. Known as Kisner Bridge on Highway 107 in the town of Afton, the bridge was no match for the powerful waters of the flooded Nolichucky River,” FOX Weather wrote. WATCH: The Kinser Bridge has collapsed near Greenville, Tennessee from severe flood waters of the Nolichuky River. This was caused by scour on the foundations of the bridge, removing the supporting mudline soil from the piers. pic.twitter.com/W1uQDfg1KG — Matt Dursh (@MattDursh) September 28, 2024 From the Associated Press: Helene blew ashore in Florida’s Big Bend region as a Category 4 hurricane late Thursday with winds of 140 mph (225 kph). From there, it quickly moved through Georgia, where Gov. Brian Kemp said Saturday that it “looks like a bomb went off” after viewing splintered homes and debris-covered highways from the air. Weakened, Helene then soaked the Carolinas and Tennessee with torrential rains, sending creeks and rivers over their banks and straining dams. Western North Carolina was isolated because of landslides and flooding that forced the closure of Interstate 40 and other roads. All those closures delayed the start of the East Tennessee State University football game against The Citadel because the Buccaneers’ drive to Charleston, South Carolina, took 16 hours. There have been hundreds of water rescues, none more dramatic than in rural Unicoi County in East Tennessee, where dozens of patients and staff were plucked by helicopter from a hospital rooftop Friday. And the rescues continued into the following day in Buncombe County, North Carolina, where part of Asheville was under water. “To say this caught us off guard would be an understatement,” said Quentin Miller, the county sheriff. Helene caused catastrophic damage in parts of Florida, flattening Cedar Key, a beloved island city and tourist destination. Island City Decimated By Hurricane Helene, Resident Says ‘Completely Gone’ WATCH: Pieces of homes are widely scattered around Cedar Key, which was slammed with over 10 feet of storm surge last night. The first floor of multi-story buildings have largely been swept away by the record breaking surge wrought by #Helene and its massive wind field. #FLwx pic.twitter.com/1oQbIotfdW — WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) September 27, 2024 Per USA TODAY: Dozens were killed. Hospital-goers scrambled to rooftops to be whisked away in helicopters. Mayors frantically told citizens to flee. And inmates were desperately removed from a jail directly in the path of floodwaters. These were among countless harrowing moments as Helene brought a cascade of destruction across the Southeast. The record-breaking storm hit Florida as a hurricane with wind speeds of 140 mph that flattened buildings. It has since weakened to a post-tropical cyclone with 25 mph winds, as floodwaters besieged parts of North Carolina and Tennessee. Hundreds of road closures cut off Western North Carolina amid what Buncombe County has billed as a “catastrophic natural disaster,” in a morning news release from the county. There was no cellular coverage Saturday morning in the county of over 250,000 people. In Asheville, one video posted by ABC 11 showed a house floating away and collapsing into raging floodwaters. "This is looking to be Buncombe County's own Hurricane Katrina," County Manager Avril Pinder said during an afternoon news briefing, referring to the 2005 storm that led to widespread flooding, destruction and deaths in New Orleans. Gov. Roy Cooper said 10 people had died in North Carolina due to the storm, in a news release on Saturday night. More than 200 others had been rescued by water and helicopter rescue crews who will continue operations through the night.

Previously released on DVD and Blu-ray in 2015, Slowhand at 70 – Live At The Royal Albert Hall has been upgraded to 4K UHD to feast the eyes and ears. The show, filmed during the guitarist’s “70th Birthday Celebration” tour on May 21, 2015, was one of seven at Royal Albert Hall, a week that marked Clapton’s 200th concert at the famous London venue where 50 years before he made his first appearance with The Yardbirds. The setlist is a carefully curated journey through Clapton’s illustrious career, featuring timeless classics like “Layla,” “Tears in Heaven,” and “Cocaine.” Each song is delivered with a raw emotional intensity that speaks to the guitarist’s enduring passion for music. His guitar work is nothing short of mesmerizing; his signature riffs and soulful solos resonate throughout the venue, showcasing both his technical prowess and deep musicality. The performance highlights not just his skill as a guitarist but also his evolution as a songwriter, with tracks that resonate on personal and universal levels. The quality of the 4K UHD Blu-ray is exceptional, effectively capturing the grandeur of the Royal Albert Hall while maintaining an intimate atmosphere. The cinematography brilliantly alternates between wide shots of the full stage and close-ups of Clapton and his band, allowing viewers to appreciate the chemistry between the musicians. The audio quality is equally impressive, ensuring that every note and nuance is clearly heard. This attention to detail immerses the audience in the live experience, making it feel as though they are right there in the crowd. Clapton’s interactions with his band members, including Paul Carrack, Andy Fairweather Low and Chris Stainton, as well as the audience adds a personalized dimension to the performance. His warmth and humility shine through as he shares anecdotes and reflections on his journey, offering a glimpse into the man behind the music. These moments of candidness not only enhance the viewing experience but also reinforce the deep connection Clapton has fostered with fans over the years. It’s a celebration of not just his music but the relationships that have sustained him throughout his career. Slowhand at 70 – Live At The Royal Albert Hall is more than just a concert film; it’s a poignant tribute to Eric Clapton’s legacy as one of the greatest musicians of our time. With its stellar setlist, exceptional production, and heartfelt moments, this set serves as a must-have for any music lover. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or new to his work, this performance encapsulates the essence of Clapton’s artistry, leaving a lasting impression that will resonate long after the final note fades. ~ Bertrand Rosette Purchase Slowhand at 70 – Live At The Royal Albert Hall