A challenge to a monstrously regressive Florida state law that makes it easier for books to be pulled from school libraries is making its way through a federal circuit court in Atlanta. The appeal was brought by a group of publishers, authors, and parents who say their First Amendment rights are being trampled by Florida’s House Bill 1069, which became law in 2023.

Pro-literary and pro-library groups like Authors Against Book Bans and Florida Freedom to Read Project are warning of major, nationwide impacts if the court rules in favor of Florida State.

When House Bill 1069 became law, it required books and other materials to be taken out of school libraries and classrooms if anyone files any objection claiming the material is pornographic, harms minors, or contains descriptions or depictions of sexual conduct. The onus is on schools and libraries to resist this censorious overreach, which takes time and resources, and many have chosen to preemptively remove books rather than face a legal or public challenge. This creates an environment where book banners are empowered to threaten schools, and make it easier than ever to remove books and other materials. It’s a tool that right wing book censors are reaching for repeatedly, with little that under-resourced students, parents, and districts can do to stop them.

The law was swiftly challenged in 2024, and the appeal is currently being decided on in the Eleventh Circuit U.S. District Court based in Atlanta, which oversees district courts in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. The legal challenge was brought by the Big Five publishers, Sourcebooks, The Authors Guild, a number of authors, and two parents. These plaintiffs argue that Florida’s law infringes on their First Amendment rights, doesn’t recognize the expertise of teachers and librarians, and allows for the unconstitutional prohibitions of books and other materials.

The state of Florida’s defense of the bill in response to this appeal is chilling. Their lawyers are arguing that since public school libraries and classrooms are government entities, they represent “government speech,” which is exempt from First Amendment protection. They also claim that public school libraries are a “government benefit” which the state is not required to provide.

I often think about the observation that if public libraries didn’t already exist, their invention would be condemned as a socialist plot.

Florida is proposing a dark future, where public libraries are an unnecessary entitlement and schools must be compelled—even more than they already are—to represent a state agenda. This dismal outlook is already finding nationwide traction. Florida’s case has been supported by 21 other states who send in amicus briefs: Arkansas, Alabama, Alaska, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia.

To make matters worse, Florida’s legislature is now considering HB 1119, a bill that expands on HB 1069 to further enable book banners. The bill “requires schools to judge books by isolated passages rather than by the work as a whole,” empowering the censoring tactic of plucking language out of context to make it seem maximally salacious.

If you’re in Florida, contact your local representatives to ask them to oppose this bill. But for the ongoing legal challenge to HB 1069, we’ll all have to wait for a ruling. In the meantime, you can get connected with groups like the Florida Freedom to Read Project and Authors Against Book Bans who have lots of ways to get plugged in and champion the cause of reading and libraries.

The post » Florida is now claiming school libraries are “government speech.” appeared first on Our Story Insight.

Burchett appeared on Hunt’s show “The Arena” to discuss corruption in Washington when the congressman’s feed was lost mid-rant.

“The real problem, ma’am, is the politicians are greedy and they’re selling this country down the road,” Burchett said before Hunt pressed, “Yourself included?”

CNN anchor Kasie Hunt’s interview with Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) was abruptly cut off Tuesday. X/atrupar

“Well, they’re sellin’ us all down the road. I don’t, I don’t go with them, but you don’t see me —” Burchett replied before Hunt interjected, “But you’re a politician.”

“Well, heck yeah, I am, and you’re in the media, so we’re both hated,” Burchett shot back.

As the Tennessee lawmaker continued blasting lobbyists and “five-dollar-bill”-chasing politicians, his video connection dropped.

“Well, it looks like we lost this politician,” Hunt said on air.

Hunt said she was about to ask about convicted sex predator Jeffrey Epstein and alleged “preferential treatment” for his former associate, Ghislaine Maxwell. X/atrupar

“I was going to ask him about Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell’s apparent preferential treatment. We’re not going to have a chance to do that now, hopefully next time.”

Hunt did not elaborate on what she planned to ask, but her comment came as lawmakers in Washington raise questions over Maxwell’s current status at a federal prison in Texas.

Start your day with all you need to know

Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more.

Thanks for signing up!

Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee claimed this week that the British socialite is being “waited on hand and foot” and enjoying unusually relaxed conditions for a convicted sex trafficker.

In 2022, Maxwell, 63, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for helping Epstein recruit and groom underage girls.

Burchett appeared on Hunt’s show “The Arena” to discuss corruption in Washington when the congressman’s feed was lost mid-rant. X/atrupar

Earlier this week, Democrats claimed that Maxwell was planning to apply for a commutation of her sentence, which is set to run through 2037. President Trump recently deflected questions about whether he would grant a request for clemency.

She was transferred to a low-security facility in Fort Worth following meetings between Trump-era Justice Department officials and her legal team.

Burchett and other lawmakers from both parties have demanded the release of documents tied to Jeffrey Epstein. AP

Epstein, a former financier with ties to Trump and other prominent figures, died in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.

The Justice Department ruled his death a suicide, though the circumstances — including broken cameras and missing guards — fueled widespread skepticism.

Democrats say Epstein’s associate Ghislaine Maxwell plans to ask President Trump for a commutation of her sentence. ZUMA24.com

Earlier this year, Trump’s Justice Department reaffirmed that conclusion and said there was no evidence Epstein trafficked women for “high-profile friends and clients,” despite repeated claims by victims and their attorneys.

Burchett has publicly said he does not trust that finding, urging Congress to independently review the case.

Epstein’s name has continued to surface in Washington, where both Republicans and Democrats have demanded the release of thousands of pages of court and investigative documents related to his associates.

The post CNN’s Kasie Hunt interview with GOP rep ends abruptly — claiming she had planned to ask about Jeffrey Epstein appeared first on Our Story Insight.