Parents may pull their children from classes that offend their religion, Supreme Court rules

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court ruled Friday that parents have a right to opt their schoolchildren out of classes and lessons that offend their religious beliefs.

The 6-3 ruling will have an impact nationwide because it empowers parents who object to books or lessons at school.

"A government burdens the religious exercise of parents when it requires them to submit their children to instruction that poses a very real threat of undermining the religious beliefs and practices that the parents wish to instill," said Justice Samuel A. Alito, speaking for the conservative majority.

Parents in Montgomery County, Md., sued over new LGBTQ+ storybooks that were used in kindergarten and elementary school classes. This clash between progressive educators and religiously conservative parents moved quickly to the Supreme Court after judges refused to intervene.

—Los Angeles Times

NYPD cops again banned from marching in Pride parade while in uniform

NEW YORK — NYPD cops have again been barred from marching in uniform in the city’s annual Pride parade, a decision Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch Friday said is “deeply offensive” and conflicts with the inclusivity members of the LGTBQ+ community have fought to achieve.

The organizer, Heritage of Pride, about two weeks ago informed the NYPD, including the Gay Officers Action League, or GOAL, that it was continuing its ban for a fourth straight year.

Tisch said she was shocked by the decision, given earlier dialogue she and Det. Brian Downey, GOAL’s president, had with Heritage of Pride officials.

“I have been very clear with Heritage of Pride that its exclusion is unacceptable,” Tisch said at a press conference held to discuss parade security. “And I will continue to be outspoken on this topic until Heritage of Pride rights this wrong … because this march is not about hiding who you are. It is about being visible.”

—New York Daily News

New Texas law will require warning labels on some foods. Here’s what to know

DALLAS — A new law signed by Gov. Greg Abbott has shaken up the nation’s food industry. The measure — part of a sweeping public nutrition bill — requires labels to be put on foods and drinks sold in Texas that contain certain dyes and additives “not recommended for human consumption” in other countries.

Senate Bill 25, which will impact some of Texas’ most iconic food brands like Big Red and Blue Bell ice cream, received bipartisan support but strong pushback from the food industry.

The new law will apply to food labels developed or copyrighted on or after Jan. 1, 2027. Any food labels developed or copyrighted prior to that date are not impacted.

Listed in the bill are 44 dyes, additives and chemicals commonly found in packaged snacks, candy and drinks. The impacted ingredients include bleached flour, red 40, yellow 5 and partially hydrogenated oil. Notably, high-fructose corn syrup is not included.

—The Dallas Morning News

Israeli strikes hit Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon

TEL AVIV, Israel — The Israeli army said on Friday that it had carried out a series of airstrikes on Hezbollah facilities in southern Lebanon.

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the facility, used by the militia to “manage its fire and defense array,” was part of an underground Hezbollah site that was previously targeted in Israeli strikes.

“In recent days, the IDF identified attempts by the Hezbollah terror organization to restore the site and therefore the terror infrastructure in the area was struck,” the military said.

The IDF added that the “presence of this site and the attempts to re-establish it constitute a blatant violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon.” Lebanese media broadcast footage showing columns of thick smoke rising from the targeted hills near the city of Nabatiyeh area, which is 54 kilometers south of Beirut.

—dpa