Juneteenth is now a paid holiday for NYC workers

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who was working remotely due to a COVID diagnosis, officially designated Juneteenth a paid city holiday. Monday's announcement marked a first in city history.

Coaches Ray Horton and Steve Wilks sue NFL for racial discrimination

Coaches Steve Wilks and Ray Horton have joined Brian Flores in his lawsuit alleging racist hiring practices by the NFL toward coaches and general managers. Wilks says the Arizona Cardinals discriminated against him in 2018 and Horton claims the Tennessee Titans discriminated against him in 2016.

Coast Guard admiral nominated to be first woman to lead a U.S. military branch

If confirmed by the Senate, Adm. Linda Fagan will become the commandant of the Coast Guard. She would be the woman to serve as the Coast Guard's top officer as well as the first woman to lead any of the U.S. armed forces.

Jazz musician with autism releases debut album

Pianist Sam Baum loves filling the room with his own jazz creations. Sam, who has autism, is most comfortable when he is composing and playing with his band, whose members are from three underrepresented groups in jazz: the elderly, the disabled, and women.

Book bans: The 10 most challenged titles in school libraries

The American Library Association says book-ban attempts are spiking, and the most targeted titles were by or about Black or LGBTQ individuals.

NYC posting billboards in Florida denouncing 'Don't Say Gay' law, inviting LGBTQ+ to city

New York City is launching a campaign denouncing Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' law with five billboards across the Sunshine State inviting Floridians to move to New York City.

Work by artists with autism showcased at Museum of the Moving Image

Marvels of Media includes an exhibition, a festival, and an awards ceremony. On Thursday, autistic media makers walked the red carpet as they were honored.

KKK leader's name to be replaced on Long Island street

A village on Long Island has voted to give a new identity to Lindner Place — a street that was named for a KKK leader who was involved in cross burnings.

Young adults with special needs learn to advocate for themselves

An institute in New York teaches young adults with special needs how to advocate for themselves. Students pick an area of interest and learn how to make and give a presentation on the subject. Who better to educate others about what they need than those who need it most?

Gov. DeSantis signs bill prohibiting gender identity, sexual orientation instruction in grades K-3

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the "Parental Rights in Education Act" into law during a visit to Classical Preparatory School in Spring Hill. The bill bars instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity for young public-school students.

'We're going to have a gay night': At Oscars, Florida’s ‘Parental Rights in Education Act’ bill target of joke

The co-hosts of the 94th Academy Awards took aim at Florida's Parents Rights in Education Act, which critics have dubbed the "Don't Say Gay" bill. "We're gonna have a great night tonight—and for you people in Florida, we're going to have a gay night."

Ariana DeBose makes Oscar history with supporting actress win

Ariana DeBose made Oscar history Sunday evening, becoming the first openly queer woman of color to win an Academy Award, but the win also made her the second woman to win the prize for playing the same character.

Gov. DeSantis issues proclamation declaring Sarasota swimmer 'real' winner over transgender athlete

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has issued a proclamation declaring Sarasota native Emma Weyant the "real" winner of the NCAA Championship 500-yard freestyle after the top spot had gone to UPenn swimmer Lia Thomas, the first known transgender woman to win the title.

Lawsuit says Google discriminates against Black workers

A former Google employee sued the tech giant saying it engages in a "pattern and practice" of racial discrimination against its Black workers, steering them into lower-level and lower-paid jobs and subjecting them to a hostile work environment if they speak out. 

Transgender woman wins 500 free at NCAA swimming championship

University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas is the first known transgender woman to win an NCAA Division I swimming title.

Gender pay-gap bot calls out companies on Twitter paying men more than women

The Twitter account @PayGapApp uses government data in the U.K. to call out companies tweeting for International Women’s Day while having some stark gender pay disparities.

Legal Marijuana: Cannabis ex-cons will get dibs on NY sales permits

New York officials said that people with marijuana-related convictions will get dibs on the first 100 to 200 retail cannabis licenses to be awarded in the state's new recreational marijuana marketplace.