Vermont forced to pay $566,000 to Christian school it punished for refusing to play against trans athlete
Vermont state education authorities agreed to pay Mid Vermont Christian School more than $566,000 in damages and legal fees after banning the small school from all sports and academic competitions for two years, a punishment that began when its girls’ basketball team forfeited a postseason game rather than compete against a biological male.
The settlement, finalized Tuesday following mediation, closes one chapter of a legal fight that exposed how far state officials were willing to go to punish a 111-student religious school for holding a position shared by most Americans: that boys and girls are different, and girls’ sports should be for girls.
The Vermont Principals’ Association didn’t just strip Mid Vermont Christian of basketball. It banned the school from every state-sanctioned athletic competition, and then extended the punishment to science fairs and spelling bees. The message was clear: comply with the state’s gender ideology, or lose access to public life.
Vermont state education authorities agreed to pay Mid Vermont Christian School more than $566,000 in damages and legal fees after banning the small school from all sports and academic competitions for two years, a punishment that began when its girls’ basketball team forfeited a postseason game rather than compete against a biological male, Fox News Digital reported.
The Vermont Principals’ Association didn’t just strip Mid Vermont Christian of basketball. It banned the school from every state-sanctioned athletic competition, and then extended the punishment to science fairs and spelling bees. The message was clear: comply with the state’s gender ideology, or lose access to public life.
How a single forfeit became a two-year exile
The trouble started early in the 2023 school year. Mid Vermont Christian’s girls’ basketball team was set to face an opponent in the postseason whose roster included a transgender athlete, a biological male. The school decided to withdraw rather than force its players onto the court under those conditions.
Redistricting battle intensifies in states after Supreme Court ruling on Voting Rights Act
A Supreme Court decision striking down a majority Black congressional district in Louisiana has amplified an already intense national redistricting battle. The court’s ruling Wednesday limits the use of race in drawing voting districts. In response, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry has suspended the state’s May 16 congressional primary to allow time for state lawmakers to draw new House districts. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has called a special session to start Monday in case the Supreme Court allows the state to change its U.S. House districts. President Donald Trump also is urging Tennessee officials to redraw House districts to try to gain another seat for Republicans.
Apple leads Wall Street toward more records as oil prices pull back
NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. stock market is rising toward more records after Apple, Estee Lauder and others joined the list of companies delivering fatter profits for the start of the year than analysts expected. The S&P 500 rose 0.4% Friday and added to its all-time high set the day before. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 87 points, and the Nasdaq composite added 0.9% to its own record. Easing oil prices also helped to steady the stock markets around the world that are still open on the May Day holiday. Treasury yields fell in the bond market.
Trump’s new pick for surgeon general has both praised and cringed at his administration
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has chosen Dr. Nicole Saphier as his third pick for U.S. surgeon general. Saphier is a radiologist and ex-Fox News Channel contributor who’s been a vocal advocate for vaccination and has criticized the Trump administration’s handling of health issues. Still, Saphier supports Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s agenda, including removing food additives and cutting ultraprocessed foods. Saphier’s nomination follows the failed campaign of Dr. Casey Means, who faced scrutiny over her experience and vaccination stance. Means says her failed nomination was the result of a “smear campaign.” The nomination of the Republican president’s first surgeon general pick, Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, fell apart after questions about her academic credentials.
Former Miami Congressman David Rivera is convicted of secretly lobbying for Maduro’s Venezuela
MIAMI (AP) — A former Miami congressman and close friend of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was convicted Friday in connection with a secret $50 million lobbying campaign on behalf of Venezuela’s socialist government during the first Trump administration. Jurors found Republican David Rivera and an associate guilty on all counts, including failing to register as a foreign agent with the Justice Department and conspiracy to commit money laundering as part of its work for former President Nicolás Maduro’s government. The seven-week trial offered a rare glimpse into Miami’s role as a crossroads for foreign influence campaigns aimed at shaping U.S. policy toward Latin America.
Florida sheriff identifies body found in Tampa Bay as 2nd missing student from Bangladesh
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A Florida sheriff says a body found in Tampa Bay has been identified as the second missing University of South Florida doctoral student from Bangladesh. Nahida Bristy’s remains were in a garbage bag, discovered by a kayaker whose fishing line got snagged. Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said the positive identification was eventually made using DNA and dental records. The body of her friend, fellow USF doctoral student Zamil Limon, was found in another garbage bag on a bridge over the bay. Limon’s roommate, Hisham Saleh Abugharbieh, is jailed on two charges of murder. The sheriff said detectives are still working to determine a motive for what he’s calling “a monstrous crime.”
US military reaches deals with 7 tech companies to use their AI on classified systems
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon says it has reached deals with seven tech companies to use their artificial intelligence in its classified computer networks This will allow the military to tap into AI-powered capabilities to help it fight wars. The Pentagon said Friday that Google, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, Nvidia, OpenAI, Reflection and SpaceX will provide their resources to help “augment warfighter decision-making in complex operational environments.” The Defense Department has been rapidly accelerating its use of AI in recent years. But AI has already raised concerns that its use could invade Americans’ privacy or allow machines to choose targets on the battlefield.
Trump says a ‘final proposal’ to rescue Spirit Airlines is under consideration
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says his administration is still weighing a taxpayer-funded takeover of Spirit Airlines. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Trump emphasized that a deal to rescue the financially strapped airline remained under review. The president didn’t provide details but said an announcement could come as soon as later Friday or Saturday. Lawmakers from both parties and members of the Trump administration have criticized the idea of using taxpayer funds to keep the ultra-low cost airline afloat. Speculation around the likelihood of a deal emerging has mounted with every day that passes without a resolution as Spirit’s operating expenses and debts mount.
No clear favorite and plenty of contenders: The 152nd Kentucky Derby is a 20-horse puzzle
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — There is no clear favorite in the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby that has at least a half-dozen legitimate contenders and maybe more horses that can win it. Todd Pletcher-trained Renegade opened as the 4-1 morning line favorite but horses like Brad Cox’s Commander or Further Ado or Bill Mott’s Chief Wallabee could be in the mix. It does not yet look like there’s a super horse in this 3-year-old class who could sweep the Triple Crown.
