skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, March 29, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

“Banned” Author in Minnesota To Mark “Banned Book Week”

play audio
Play

Friday, October 5, 2007   

St. Paul, MN – This is "Banned Books Week," and the author of one of the most frequently banned books in U.S. schools and libraries is in Minnesota, to talk about people's "freedom to read."

Robie Harris wrote "It's Perfectly Normal," which deals with teen sexuality. According to the American Library Association, it is one of the books challenged most often for its content. Harris says it's important that everyone, whatever their view, has the chance to express themselves.

"We have the freedom to choose how we're going to live our lives, and the freedom to figure out how we're going to educate our kids. And, if we start having groups take away those decisions because they believe their way is the best, then I believe we're no longer a democracy."

Harris hopes her books encourage parents and kids to have conservations about sexual health. She feels strongly that government should not prohibit the expression of ideas, even if some find them offensive or disagreeable. She knows sex is a controversial topic, but believes teens need information about sexuality, and that books are a good source.

"Our kids and teens have the right to have the most accurate, up-to-date and honest information about their bodies -- about how they work, how they change, and how to stay healthy as they go through puberty and adolescence."

"Banned Books Week" is an annual event promoted by the American Library Association to highlight literary freedom. Other books on this year's list include "To Kill a Mockingbird," "Where the Wild Things Are," and "Where’s Waldo?" Previous entries include the Bible and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." The ALA reports books are usually challenged in libraries and schools because of sexual content.

Learn more about the "Banned Books" list online, at www.ala.org.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this week about the popular abortion pill Mifepristone and will weigh in on whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was correct in how it can be dosed and prescribed. (Ascannio/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…


Social Issues

play sound

Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …

Social Issues

play sound

Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared …


The U.S. teaching workforce remains primarily white while the percentage of Black teachers has declined. However, the percentage of Asian and Latinx teachers is rising.(WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobestock)

Social Issues

play sound

Education advocates are calling on lawmakers to increase funding for programs to combat the teacher shortage. Around 37% of schools nationwide …

Environment

play sound

New York's Legislature is considering a bill to get clean-energy projects connected to the grid faster. It's called the RAPID Act, for "Renewable …

Social Issues

play sound

Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

Social Issues

play sound

Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021