Latest news with #AdAstra
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Three lawsuits confirm that Kansas lawmakers concocted menacing attacks on civil rights
The Ad Astra statue atop the Kansas Statehouse takes aim against a wall of gray clouds on May 2, 2025. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) In their apparent eagerness to save money and do right by taxpayers, perhaps Kansas Republican leaders could try passing laws that don't trample on the rights of their constituents. That's my only response to lawsuits filed throughout May that highlight the downright sloppy lawmaking that has become a hallmark of our state's rushed, secretive legislative session. Bills are introduced and rubber-stamped in committee, testimony from experts is ignored, and the House and Senate send them through with nary a speed bump. Afterward, the taxpayers of Kansas have to foot the bill for any carelessness. Let's take a quick look at the lawsuits and their subjects. Up first, Kansas Reflector editor in chief Sherman Smith, who reported the following May 28. Two transgender teenagers and their parents are challenging a new Kansas law that bans gender-affirming care for minors. The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas and the national ACLU filed a lawsuit Wednesday in Douglas County District Court on behalf of a 16-year-old trans boy and a 13-year-old trans girl. The lawsuit argues the new law violates state constitutional rights for equal protection, personal autonomy and parenting. Senate Bill 63 prohibits health care providers from using surgery, hormones or puberty blockers to treat anyone younger than 18 who identifies with a gender that is different from the sex they were assigned at birth. Health care providers who break the law may be subject to civil penalties and stripped of their license. You can read the law here. You can read the lawsuit here. Next, Reflector reporter Anna Kaminski wrote about another lawsuit on May 19. A Kansas reproductive rights advocacy group, backed by a Washington, D.C., law firm, sued state officials over a new law banning financial contributions from 'foreign nationals' to support or oppose constitutional amendments. The group, Kansans for Constitutional Freedom, argued in a complaint filed in federal court Friday that House Bill 2106, which passed the Legislature in April and is set to go into effect July 1, is broad, vague and unconstitutional. The group said the bill inhibits its ability to advocate for or against future constitutional amendments. Kansans for Constitutional Freedom and its donors have received contributions from foreign nationals, the lawsuit said. The complaint drew a connection between HB 2106 and opposition to the 2022 ballot measure that sought to limit reproductive rights. Voters rejected the proposed constitutional amendment by a 59-41 margin. You can read the law here. You can read the lawsuit here. But wait, there's still more! Here's senior reporter Morgan Chilson on May 6. Three advocacy organizations filed a lawsuit Monday in Douglas County District Court challenging the Kansas Legislature's attempt to 'arbitrarily' reject advance ballots of voters if the mail system fails to deliver them by Election Day. Kansas Appleseed, Loud Light and Disability Rights Center of Kansas are asking the court to find Senate Bill 4 unconstitutional. Defendants are Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab and Douglas County Clerk Jamie Shew. SB 4, which the Legislature passed this year, disqualifies any mail-in ballots not received by 7 p.m. on Election Day. Previously, mail-in ballots were counted if they were postmarked by Election Day and arrived within three days later. You can read the law here. You can read the lawsuit here. We covered all of these proposals at various stages, from twinkles in legislators' eyes to enshrinement in the statute books. Leaders sent the anti-trans bill to Gov. Laura Kelly as their first act of business in the 2025 session. She allowed the foreign nationals ban to become law without her signature and a warning that it 'went too far.' The advance-voting bill was called 'pure partisan politics' by former Rep. Ann Mah. Sure, the deluge of wastewater emanating from the Statehouse in 2025 may have overwhelmed at times. But none of this should have come as a surprise. If people or groups believe the government has infringed on their rights — to medical care, to advocacy, to voting — no one can be surprised if they bring legal action. When senators and representatives cast votes on such issues, they decide whether the state should place a barrier in front of the people they represent. No amount of victim blaming or sanctimonious claptrap obscures the truth. Defending the laws falls to Attorney General Kris Kobach and his office. Who pays their salaries? You and me and all the people of Kansas. We're all on the hook for legislative foolishness. The state may win some or all of these suits. So may those who filed them. Regardless, their mere presence suggests that our elected officials tread far too easily into the swamps of ideological overreaction. Rather than representing all, they have bowed and scraped in service to a hateful few. We will see the consequences play out before judges in the months ahead. Clay Wirestone is Kansas Reflector opinion editor. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here.
Daily Mail
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Netflix adds 'criminally underrated' movie starring Brad Pitt with near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score that's been hailed as a 'genuine masterwork'
Netflix has added a 'criminally underrated' movie starring Brad Pitt with a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score to the streaming service. Ad Astra, written by James Gray and Ethan Ross, has been hailed as a 'genuine masterwork'. The science fiction film, which is distributed by 20th Century Fox, hit our screens in 2019. Now, six years on, fans can rewatch it on Netflix. The movie's Rotten Tomatoes synopsis reads: 'Thirty years ago, Clifford McBride led a voyage into deep space, but the ship and crew were never heard from again. 'Now his son - a fearless astronaut - must embark on a daring mission to Neptune to uncover the truth about his missing father and a mysterious power surge that threatens the stability of the universe.' Ad Astra also boasts a star-studded cast which includes Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones, Ruth Negga, Liv Tyler and Donald Sutherland. It has received pretty impressive reviews online, with various fans rushing to review site Rotten Tomatoes to share their thoughts. Ad Astra managed to bag a whopping 83 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer. Others shared their positive thoughts, with one saying: '[Director James] Gray's Ad Astra, as a reflection upon loss and masculinity is as illuminating as the sun, personal in its careful inspection, and a repressed masterpiece.' 'This is an EXCELLENT film! It is one to watch multiple times to keep picking up little details. It may not appeal to folks with low attention spans who are afraid to think or commit to a film. For those who want to take a journey for a night, it's a 5/5!' 'Words can't describe how much I love this movie. I really wish it caught a better audience because most of the people writing reviews either didn't watch it or didn't experience it for the movie I see it as. 'Also a lot of people were really mad at the physics in this movie which I think is really, really stupid.' 'Requires focus and patience as it powers up but it is well worth the ride once it flies. Psychologically compelling, visually astute and thought-provoking. Many have rushed to review site Rotten Tomatoes to share their positive reviews on the 2019 film 'For one, it captures enough of the emotional impact of extended space travel as to convince even those who love the idea of doing so to reconsider.' 'Wow... Astonishing! Probably one of the best films I've ever seen. 'Fantastic photography, excellent acting by Brad Pitt and Tommy Lee Jones, and a captivating script. 'I felt immersed, exploring the space while the film masterfully guided me.' 'A great gripping movie, a fresh story, Brad Pitt solo performance definitely carried this space adventure.' Hollywood legend Brad took on the role of Roy Richard McBride. Tommy Lee Jones plays Roy's dad H. Clifford McBride, while Ruth Negga plays Helen Lantos. Liv Tyler has taken on the role of Roy's wife Eve McBride, Donald Sutherland plays Colonel Thomas Pruitt and John Ortiz plays Lieutenant General Rivas. It comes after Netflix fans raved over a gangster film with the 'greatest fight scenes ever' and a whopping 92 per cent Rotten Tomatoes scare. They ended up hailing it as a 'no-holds-barred bloodbath'. The Night Comes For Us, made and released by the streamer in 2018, follows a gangster named Ito, whose job as a crime enforcer is to use violence to ensure the syndicate's rules are followed and its business is protected. It stars Indonesian actors Joe Taslim and Iko Uwais respectively as the hero and a gangster who hunts him down, with the latter known in Hollywood for co-starring with Mark Wahlberg in 2018 espionage action film Mile 22.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Scarlett Johansson & Miles Teller Join Adam Driver in Ad Adstra Director's Paper Tiger Cast
Scarlett Johansson and Miles Teller have joined the cast of . Paper Tiger is a new film going into production next month in New Jersey that comes from director James Gray, who is known for making 2016's The Lost City of Z and 2019's Ad Astra, among other titles. Along with Teller and Johansson, the movie will also star Adam Driver. Character details are being kept under wraps at this time. 'Paper Tiger is a tense and gritty story, two brothers pursue the American Dream —only to become entangled in a scheme that turns out to be too good to be true,' the synopsis reads. 'As they try to navigate their way through an ever-more dangerous world of corruption and violence, they find themselves and their family brutally terrorized by the Russian 'Mafiya.' Their bond begins to fray, and betrayal—once utterly unthinkable—now becomes all too possible.' RT Features' Rodrigo Teixeira and AK Productions' Anthony Katagas serve as producers on the movie alongside Raffaella Leone, Gary Farkas, Marco Perego, Carlo Salem, and Andrea Bucko. Executive producers include Lee Broda, Jeff Rice, Riccardo Maddalosso, and Emille Salveson. Johansson, known for playing Black Widow in the MCU, will soon be seen playing a character named Zora Bennett in Jurassic World Rebirth, which opens in United States theaters this coming July. She's also starring in Wes Anderson's next movie, The Phoenician Scheme, which arrives later this month. Teller is set to play John Branca in the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic, titled Michael. He'll also soon be seen starring alongside Elizabeth Olsen, Callum Turner, and Da'Vine Joy Randolph in David Freyne's Eternity. In addition to The Lost City of Z and Ad Astra, Gray previously made 1994's Little Odessa, 2000's The Yards, 2007's WE Own the Night, 2008's Two Lovers, 2013's The Immigrant, and 2022's Armageddon Time. A release date for Paper Tiger has not yet been announced. The post Scarlett Johansson & Miles Teller Join Adam Driver in Ad Adstra Director's Paper Tiger Cast appeared first on - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
What license plates are the most popular in Kansas?
TOPEKA (KSNT) – License plates are a hot ticket item for some Kansans who enjoy adding a little extra style to their rides or a more personal touch. But which plates resonate the most with the state's drivers? 27 News checked with the Kansas Department of Revenue's (KDOR) records to find out which license plate options are picked the most by the state residents. Kansans can pick and choose from dozens of different license plates to put on their vehicles, depending on what organizations they support, whether or not they served in the military and more. The KDOR also began rolling out the new 'To the Stars' license plates last year which were chosen through a public vote in 2023. These new license plates are gradually replacing the older embossed plates that were used in Kansas. What are 'sovereign citizen' license plates and are they legal? Zach Denney with the KDOR provided a list of which license plates were purchased the most in Kansas last year. You can check out the lists below to see which plates resonate most with Kansans. Standard – 1,292,176. Standard motorcycle – 47,392. Disabled – 21,327. Personalized 2020 – 9,749. Permanent Trailer – 5,706. Ad Astra personalized – 2919. Disabled veteran – 2,754. Standard motorized bicycle – 2,072. Personal Antique – 975. Disabled veteran but not disabled citizen – 917. Personalized motorcycle 2020 – 587. Personal Antique motorcycle – 223. Ad Astra personalized motorcycle – 209. Disabled veteran motorcycle – 85. Disabled motorcycle – 85. Disabled veteran motorcycle – 85. Disabled veteran but not disabled citizen motorcycle – 37. Personal Disabled 2020 – 21. Ad Astra disabled personalized – 10. Kansas State University – 2,291. University of Kansas – 1,543. Fort Hays State University – 478. Washburn University – 94. Wichita State University – 390. Pittsburg State University – 384. Emporia State University – 109. Benedictine College – 52. Garden City Community College – 51. Friends University – 37. Kansas State University motorcycle – 22. University of Kansas motorcycle – 16. 2026 I-70 shutdown in Topeka to last for six months, what to know Veteran – 7,767. Army – 1,622. Veteran motorcycle – 692. Air Force – 643. Vietnam War Veteran – 574. Navy – 477. Marine Corps – 464. Iraqi Freedom – 345. Desert Storm – 203. Operation Enduring Freedom – 195. Purple Heart – 190. Bronze Star – 179. Army motorcycle – 120. National Guard – 81. Marine Corps motorcycle – 79. Coast Guard – 45. Air Force motorcycle – 39. Vietnam War Veteran motorcycle – 38. Navy motorcycle – 33. Desert Storm motorcycle – 31. Iraqi Freedom motorcycle – 29. Families of the Fallen – 25. Bronze Star motorcycle – 12. Enduring Freedom motorcycle – 12. Purple Heart motorcycle – 10. Gold Star Mother – 9. National Guard motorcycle – 9. Families of the Fallen motorcycle – 5. Silver Star Medal – 4. Coast Guard motorcycle – 2. Space Force – 2. City/County – 3,805. City of Wichita – 1,377. City of Topeka – 67. City of Hutchinson – 47. City/County motorcycle – 13. New blackout-style license plates get the green light in Kansas, what that means Firefighter – 1,579. Back the Blue – 249. Emergency Medical Services – 195. Back the Blue motorcycle – 25. Emergency Medical Services motorcycle – 12. Firefighter motorcycle – 5. Ducks Unlimited – 859. Hunting – 733. State Park – 711. Fishing – 368. Nongame Wildlife – 298. State Park motorcycle – 21. Hunting motorcycle – 9. Fishing motorcycle – 4. Gadsden Flag – 2,403. Horse Council – 644. Support the Arts – 567. Breast Cancer Research – 372. I'm Pet Friendly – 321. Donate Life – 257. Gadsden Flag motorcycle – 239. Ag in the Classroom – 209. Autism Awareness – 184. Eisenhower Foundation – 143. Masonic Lodge – 86. Down Syndrome – 85. Kansas 4-H Foundation – 76. Love Chloe – 71. Proud Educator – 59. Shriner's Plate – 43. Special Olympics – 36. Children's Trust Fund – 32. Braden's Hope – 13. I'm Pet Friendly motorcycle – 5. Donate Life motorcycle – 4 Special Olympics motorcycle – 1. Kansas Highway Patrol to move Topeka headquarters Antique – 11,579. In God We Trust – 1,798. Antique motorcycle – 963. Amateur Radio – 279. Choose Life – 98. Special Interest – 71. In God We Trust motorcycle – 32. Street Rod – 25. Choose Life motorcycle – 7. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Mark Zuckkerberg's wife Priscilla Chan-funded free Silicon Valley School to shut down next year
The Primary School , a no-cost private institution in the Bay Area co-founded by Priscilla Chan , wife of Facebook parent Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg , will reportedly cease operations following the 2025-2026 academic year, concluding roughly ten years of service to 543 students. First reported by Bloomberg, the impending closure was disclosed in a statement posted on the school's website recently. In a move aimed at preserving its legacy, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), the billionaire couple's philanthropic arm, has committed $50 million to invest in the communities the school serves -— specifically East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, and the East Bay region near San Francisco -- over the subsequent few years. What the note on the school's website says "This was a very difficult decision, and we are committed to ensuring a thoughtful and supportive transition for students and families over the next year," the online statement conveyed. Carson Cook, a spokesperson for The Primary School, stated there would be no further comment beyond the official announcement. Pediatrician Priscilla Chan, 40, co-established The Primary School in 2016, implementing an "integrated health and education model" designed to support families and children from birth through high school, according to the organization's tax filings. The school's inaugural middle school cohort commenced in 2023. The most recent tax documentation indicates that over 95% of The Primary School's students in East Palo Alto identify as under-represented minorities. The filing also revealed the nonprofit held assets exceeding $30 million as of the end of June 2023. Mark Zuckerberg's Education Ventures The Primary School is among several educational endeavors recently initiated by prominent billionaires. Elon Musk , Jeff Bezos, and Larry Ellison have all established schools in recent years. Musk's nonprofit, the Musk Foundation, has contributed $237 million to his technology-focused primary and secondary school in Austin, named Ad Astra, with future aspirations for a university. Ad Astra collaborates with the same entity that assisted Ellison in establishing his Hala Kahiki Montessori school in Lanai, Hawaii, an island largely owned by the Oracle co-founder. founder Bezos has created a network of Montessori-inspired preschools catering to children in underserved communities. The closure of The Primary School coincides with significant strategic shifts within Zuckerberg's Meta Platforms Inc. as the 40-year-old founder appears to be aligning his business interests more closely with the Trump administration. Recent appointments to Meta's board include longtime Trump allies Dana White, CEO of Ultimate Fighting Championship, and Dina Powell McCormick, who served as Trump's deputy national security adviser during his first term. Furthermore, Zuckerberg has appointed a Republican strategist as chief of global affairs, eliminated Meta's US fact-checking program, rolled back the company's hate-speech policies, and discontinued key diversity, equity, and inclusion programs at both Meta and CZI. This contrasts with The Primary School's documented commitment to diversity, which included conducting a diversity audit in June 2020 following the Black Lives Matter protests and forming a DEI task force in the fall of that year.
