States

Federal Judge Blocks Washington State’s Stricter Oversight of For-Profit Immigration Detention Center

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TACOMA, Washington – A federal judge has blocked the enforcement of a Washington state law aimed at improving conditions and oversight at the only for-profit immigration detention facility in the state. U.S. District Judge Benjamin Settle’s decision on Friday provides relief to Geo Group, the owner of the Northwest Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Processing Center in Tacoma, which houses around 1,575 beds and is one of the largest facilities of its kind in the United States. The Washington law required private detention facility operators to maintain regular cleanliness and hygiene standards, provide detainees with … Read more

Growing Momentum: More States Push for Age Verification Laws to Protect Children from Online Pornography

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A growing number of states are considering legislation that would require age verification for access to pornography sites. In 2024, as many as twelve additional states in the United States are weighing bills of their own, following the lead of seven states that adopted similar measures last year. The goal of these laws is to establish a barrier between children and adult content online, potentially paving the way for federal legislation on the issue. Despite the broad public support for these age verification requirements, powerful interests from the tech and pornography industries are pushing back … Read more

Texas Attorney General Alleges Pornography Giant Aylo Violates State’s Age Verification Law, Files Lawsuit Seeking Accountability

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Austin, Texas – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is taking legal action against Aylo, the owner of popular pornography websites including Pornhub, alleging that the company is violating the state’s recently enacted age verification law. The lawsuit filed by Paxton accuses Aylo of failing to implement reasonable age verification measures on its websites, as required by law. The attorney general argues that Aylo’s actions harm Texas children and adolescents. The state law in question mandates that pornographic websites use measures to ensure that viewers accessing their content are at least 18 years old. Paxton’s lawsuit … Read more

Heyde Center Invites Artists from Five States to Explore the Theme of ‘Arrivals and Departures’ in Juried Art Show

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CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wisconsin – The Heyde Center for the Arts in Chippewa Falls is set to host its inaugural juried art show, with the theme of “Arrivals and Departures.” This showcase, running from September 5 to October 16, 2024, aims to capture the constant cycle of arrivals and departures that shape our everyday lives. From significant life events like the birth of a child to mundane moments like eagerly awaiting the end of the workday, we are constantly reminded of the comings and goings in the world around us. Organized by Heyde Center committee member … Read more