Latest news with #Hodges
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
How to keep kids excited about reading all summer long
School's out — and summer reading challenges are in. Everywhere from public libraries to bookstores like The King's English Bookshop and Barnes & Noble to Chuck E. Cheese are kicking off summer reading programs, meaning there are more than enough challenges to keep kids booked until September. It may sometimes feel difficult to keep kids engaged in summer reading when the call of the outdoors (or video games) is beckoning. But a majority of kids say they enjoy summer reading, and it has plenty of benefits that last well into the school year. Here are some ways families can help the kids in their lives stay excited about reading this summer — and why it matters. Most public libraries have a summer reading program each year. At the Salt Lake County Library, the challenge runs from June 1-July 31 with a theme of 'Color our World,' and involves tracking your reading through a reading record you can pick up from the library or electronically. 'The program really is highly adaptable and can be tailored for all abilities,' said Marissa Hodges, the public relations coordinator for the Salt Lake County Library. 'So you could complete an activity by reading for five minutes or maybe it's five chapters — like, it could be whatever's challenging for you." The King's English Bookshop in Salt Lake City is hosting its own challenge with Summer Book Bingo. Bingo cards can be picked up from the store or downloaded electronically. 'We wanted something that would not only engage the kids, but also engage the parents, so it's something the family can do together,' said Cal Crosby, chief bookseller at The King's English. Many reading challenges have opportunities to win prizes if the challenge is completed. The most important reason for kids to read during the summer is that a majority of kids enjoy it — 61% of kids said they enjoy summer reading, according to a survey conducted by Scholastic for its Kids & Family Reading Report. But more specifically, participating in (and completing) a summer reading challenge can give kids a boost. 'Setting and achieving reading goals gives kids a sense of accomplishment,' said Hodges. Reading during the summer has more tangible benefits, too. It's been linked to higher test scores and is a way to fight the dreaded 'summer slide' — 'the loss of academic skills that occurs when school is not in session and which is attributed largely to the lack of reading‚' according to Scholastic's Kids & Family Reading Report. What can parents and family members do to help? Hodges and Crosby had some suggestions. Summer is a great time to let kids explore their interests — wherever it may take them. 'We like to suggest that parents let their kids choose what they want to read and what they're interested in without giving any, like, input or judgment or expectation of reading level,' Hodges said, advising that parents give their kids 'free rein in the library.' Kids appear to overwhelmingly support this approach — 92% of kids said they're more likely to finish a book that they picked out themselves, according to Scholastic's report, and 93% said that their favorite books are ones they picked themselves. Crosby says that he's seen graphic novels become increasingly popular among kids, particularly middle-grade readers. Although reading graphic novels or comic books is sometimes looked down as not really 'reading,' Crosby calls that idea a 'myth.' 'Being able to choose a graphic novel, not only does it give them the story and encourage reading, but it sparks that creativity.' Letting kids have the choice in what they're reading is crucial, according to both Crosby and Hodges. 'Choice is the magic,' Crosby said. 'The best thing to get kids excited about reading is for adults to also be excited about reading,' said Hodges. One way for family members to show their excitement is to participate in reading challenges together. 'When grown-ups, you know, come to the library and sign up for the challenge and select their own books, it gets their kids excited and encourages them to do the same thing,' Hodges said. Reading and discussing books together can also provide connection between parents and kids, according to Crosby. 'I encourage parents to read whatever their kids are reading,' he said. 'Because that conversation, you know, it's unique — it's not about dinner. It's not about taking out the trash. It's not about chores. It's about sharing and experience.' The Salt Lake County Library's summer program is meant to go beyond just reading, according to Hodges — they're hoping to encourage patrons to 'stay engaged in many different ways all summer long, so to keep their mind, bodies, social well-being all engaged.' The summer reading challenge can be a way to encourage library patrons to interact more with the library itself, through social events as well as by making use of the library's resources, such as a 3D printer or VR equipment. A little over half (52%) of kids say that they enjoy going to community events that involve reading, according to Scholastic's report. Involving them in events and activities is another way to keep kids engaged. Crosby agreed that, for the King's English, 'it's not just the books.' 'It's a place where everyone can come together and exchange ideas, and share stories — literally," he said. 'And, you know, engage with people who also read like you do. The amount of conversation sometimes, just between the readers shopping in the store, it's phenomenal.' Public libraries. Libraries across the country typically hold challenges each summer. In Utah, the Salt Lake City Library, Davis County Library and Park City Library are among those hosting challenges — check your local library to see what it has planned. Other reading challenges. You can look to bookstores like the King's English and Barnes & Noble, or to restaurants like Chuck E. Cheese or Pizza Hut, or even organizations like the Utah State Fair for other fun challenges.
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
New poll finds record-low support of marriage equality from Republicans since Obergefell v. Hodges
The divide between Democrats and Republicans on the morality of marriage equality is at its highest level, according to a new poll conducted by Gallup. Overall, a record 88 percent of Democrats supported marriage equality, compared to only 41 percent of Republicans – a low not seen since the Obergefell v. Hodges decision, which affirmed marriage equality in 2015. While 68 percent of Americans support marriage equality, the 47 percent gap between Republicans and Democrats on the issue is the highest recorded since Gallup began polling on the issue of marriage equality in 1996. RELATED: Gay men prefer cities, lesbians prefer the country: census The poll was conducted from May 1 to 18 and asked a sample of 1,003 adults a series of questions about marriage equality and the morality of same-sex sexual relations. All interviewees were 18 years of age or older and came from all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. The poll claims a margin of error of ±4 percentage points. Interviewees were asked the following question: 'Do you think marriages between same-sex couples should or should not be recognized by the law as valid, with the same rights as traditional marriages?' RELATED: Gay marriage or marriage equality? Why the language matters Democrats supported marriage equality with 88 percent. Republican support for marriage equality was only 41 percent. Independents supported marriage equality with 76 percent. Americans support marriage equality by a wide margin. Interviewees were also queried about their moral perception of same-sex sexual relations. 'Regardless of whether or not you think it should be legal, for each one, please tell me whether you personally believe that in general it is morally acceptable or morally wrong? How about gay or lesbian relations?' interviewees were asked. RELATED: Americans don't want politicians focusing on trans issues For Democrats, 87 percent viewed same-sex sexual relations as morally acceptable, while only 38 percent of Republicans felt similarly. Republican belief that same-sex sexual relations are moral continues to dip. RELATED: Top 15 safest U.S. cities for LGBTQ+ travel Support for both marriage equality and the morality of same-sex sexual relations comes from a broad range of demographics, with only weekly attendees of church services disapproving of marriage equality and same-sex sexual relations. Only 33 percent of this demographic supported marriage equality and only 24 percent found same-sex sexual relations morally acceptable. Only Americans who attended church at least once per week disapproved of marriage equality and same-sex sexual relations, and by wide margins. Since 1996, support for marriage equality in the U.S. has consistently increased, according to Gallup. In that year, only 27 percent of Americans were in favor. This support grew to a majority in 2011 and has remained at that level since. Support has remained above 61 percent overall since 2016, a year after the Obergefell decision. While support for marriage equality remains high, Gallup warns that the deepening divide signals potential trouble for the support and protection of LGBTQ+ rights in the country, as Republican support for marriage equality and acceptance of same-sex sexual relations has been steadily decreasing in recent years. RELATED: LGBTQ+ married couples worry about losing benefits: study 'Despite the stable national backing for same-sex marriage and relations, the widening political divide suggests potential vulnerabilities in the durability of LGBTQ+ rights. In 2022, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in his concurring opinion in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision that the high court 'should reconsider' its past rulings, including those on same-sex relationships and marriage,' Gallup concludes. 'Since then, Republican lawmakers in some states have introduced resolutions asking the Supreme Court to overturn Obergefell. During his second term, President Donald Trump has implemented policies that significantly roll back LGBTQ+ protections, particularly affecting transgender individuals. These occurrences suggest that same-sex marriage in the U.S. could face renewed legal and political challenges."
Sky News AU
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
Heartbreaking detail in Ex-Bachelorette Georgia Love's property listing after shock split from Lee Elliot
The Bachelorette's Georgia Love and Lee Elliot are selling their former marital home in Melbourne's leafy eastern suburbs amid their divorce. Love, 35, and Elliot, 43, confirmed their split in February after first meeting on the 2018 season of The Bachelorette and later marrying in 2021. 'After nine wonderful years together, including four as husband and wife, Lee and l have made the incredibly difficult decision to lovingly part ways,' Love announced in a statement via Instagram. Now, the former reality stars have listed their spacious four-bed, three-bath Hampton East townhouse for between $1.5 million and $1.58 million. The listing is being managed by agency Hodges in Sandringham and is set to go under the hammer on June 21. 'Ready to entertain you inside and out, this architectural four bedroom, three bathroom design goes over and above with a wall of bi-folds separating expansive open-plan living-dining from a pergola-shaded al fresco area, and an elite Siemens appliance kitchen plus a fully-plumbed BBQ kitchen,' an advertisement for the property said. 'Built on a spectacular scale with a vast master-domain (comprising a balconied bedroom, fitted dressing-room and dual-vanity ensuite) encompassing almost half the upper level, this adaptable design changes with the times with a versatile ground-floor bedroom beside its own full bathroom adding accessibility through the ages.' The home also includes features like Caesarstone benchtops, solid Tasmanian Oak floors as well as practical touches like double-glazed windows throughout. While public figures often remove personal items and furniture before staging a property, the former couple's real belongings are still visible in the listing photos. In a heartbreaking twist, a framed family photo of Georgia and Lee in happier times could be seen in the living room. The happy snap, which shows the exes beaming at each other, was sitting atop a well-appointed wine rack by the fireplace. The real estate listing comes weeks after Love addressed her divorce for the first time in an interview with Kate Langbroek on Mamamia's No Filter podcast. During the chat, Love opened about feeling a sense of guilt over letting Bachelorette fans downs after previously being heralded as one of the reality show's rare success stories. 'I don't want to feel like I've let anyone down, which is so silly because it's not about anyone else, it's about us,' she said. 'People have been so wonderful following our story since the start and so many say they look at our relationship and it gives them hope. 'I've been really sad feeling like I've let people down.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
On marriage equality, new polling suggests Republicans are moving backwards
The so-called 'culture war' is made up of fights over all kinds of social and cultural issues, but in the recent past, it appeared marriage equality was no longer near the top of the list of contentious disputes. The Supreme court made same-sex marriage the law of the land; polls showed broad and bipartisan public support; and even congressional Republicans moved on. The civil rights fight was over. Fairness and human decency had prevailed. There's fresh evidence, however, that a growing number of Republicans are starting to move backwards on the issue. NBC News reported: While Democratic support for gay nuptials has risen steadily since [the Supreme Court's Obergefell v. Hodges decision in 2015], Republican support has tumbled 14 points since its record high of 55% in 2021 and 2022, according to a Gallup report released Thursday. As recently as a few years ago, Gallup found that a narrow majority of self-identified Republican voters agreed that same-sex couples should be 'recognized by the law as valid, with the same rights as traditional marriages.' But over the last three years, GOP support for marriage equality has fallen from 55% to 41% — the sharpest slide since the national pollster started keeping track — even as attitudes among Democrats and independents move in the opposite direction. (For more information on the poll's methodology and margin of error, click the link.) In fact, Gallup's latest data suggests GOP voters are roughly back to where they were in 2016, surrendering nearly a decade of progress. Complicating matters, the survey isn't the only discouraging news for civil rights advocates. Circling back to our earlier coverage, even after the Supreme Court's Obergefell ruling, then-Sen. Marco Rubio (before the Floridian became secretary of state) was one of the most prominent Republicans who not only said he disagreed with the justices' decision, the Floridian also vowed to look for ways to 'change the law' in order to stop same-sex couples from getting married. Soon after, in October 2020, Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas complained in a dissent about the 'victims' of the court's marriage equality ruling, and a month later, Alito delivered an unusually political speech to the Federalist Society in which he complained about social pressure surrounding anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments. 'You can't say that marriage is a union between one man and one woman' anymore, the conservative justice whined, as if he were a candidate seeking social conservatives' votes. 'Until very recently, that's what the vast majority of Americans thought. Now it's considered bigotry.' A year later, Kevin Roberts, the president of the Heritage Foundation, argued that if you support marriage equality, 'it means you're not a movement conservative.' All of which is to say that it seemed as though the debate over marriage equality had run its course, but for too many on the right, that's apparently no longer the case. This post updates our related earlier coverage. This article was originally published on
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Reward increased to $50k per remaining 2 fugitives still on the run
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Law enforcement is upping the rewards for tips leading to the arrest of the remaining Orleans Parish Jail fugitives Antoine Massey and Derrick Groves. 'They're tired, they're looking over their shoulder, they're running out of resources,' said Louisiana State Police Superintendent Colonel Robery Hodges. Since Friday, May 16, law enforcement has been on the hunt for the escapees, with two of them still on the run. OPSO sheriff requests removal of District Attorney from escape investigation Crimestoppers GNO and the FBI have both increased the reward offered to $20,000. Additionally, the ATF has increased its reward to $10,000, for a total of $50,000 per fugitive. 'With the increase in the reward amount today, we're going to get more tips which means we are going to close in faster,' said Hodges. Since the escape, Crimestoppers has received over 700 tips as they've opened four additional lines due to the influx. 'Certain tips have helped in assisting law enforcement to make the apprehensions of three of the individuals. As far as the other individuals who are aiding and abetting, yes, we've gotten information from those, folks,' said Crime Stoppers President Darlene Cusanza. So far, three of the escapees have been arrested due to Crimestoppers tips. With a long list of people arrested for aiding and abetting, they are asking those who may still be helping Massey or Groves to turn them in. 'We understand some of you might be reporting a friend, a loved one, a relative, and albeit not easy, it is critical to your safety and the safety of the public that you report that,' said FBI Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Tapp. Man arrested, accused of buying hotel room for Orleans Parish Jail escapee in Baton Rouge 'The decision is simple, to assist law enforcement and potentially earn a reward, or try to assist these fugitives and go to jail,' said Hodges. State troopers are confident they are closing in on the two remaining escapees, no matter where they are hiding out. 'They're going to get tired and frustrated as they try to move around Louisiana or move around a metropolitan area, they know the walls are closing in and very soon we will have them in custody,' said Hodges. Again, the reward is $50,000 per inmate if your tip leads to an arrest. You are asked to call Crimestoppers at briefly peeks through ahead of Friday's Severe Weather New Orleans Saints' head coach Kellen Moore discusses second week of OTAs Transportation Department launches website to encourage Americans to hit the road Capital Jewish Museum reopens after deadly shooting Mother abandons children, then reports them as missing Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
