3 News Stories You Should Read Today – 4/23/2018
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Two Republican state lawmakers are trying to shut down a potential teachers strike in Colorado with the threat of jail time.
The bill, introduced in the state Senate Friday, prohibits districts from supporting a teachers strike and requires schools to dock a teacher’s pay for each day they participate in a walkout. The teachers could also face up to six months in jail and a $500 daily fine if they violate a court order to stop striking. Under the new law, sponsored by state Sen. Bob Gardner (R) and state Rep. Paul Lundeen (R), a teacher could be immediately fired without a hearing.
The harsh punishment comes in reaction to the teacher strikes sweeping red and purple states, including Oklahoma, West Virginia, Arizona, and Kentucky. Thousands of teachers in Colorado have joined the grassroots movement, holding rallies at the state capitol in recent weeks to demand a pay raise and more funding.
Blame Bibi: Natalie Portman explains her decision for declining award in Israel
Observers have speculated that Portman is referring to the killing of Palestinian protestors on the Gaza border in ongoing protests over the past month. Human Rights Watch called the killings “unlawful,” with nearly 40 Palestinians slain, including a Palestinian journalist said to be wearing a distinct press vest.
Amid the backlash from Israeli politicians, Portman, who is Israeli-American, elaborated. “My decision not to attend the Genesis Prize ceremony has been mischaracterized by others,” she wrote on her Instagram. “Let me speak for myself. I chose not to attend because I did not want to appear as endorsing Benjamin Netanyahu, who was to be giving a speech at the ceremony.”
White House won’t rule out pardon for Trump’s lawyer
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Monday refused to discuss whether President Trump is considering a pardon for his embattled personal attorney, Michael Cohen.
“It’s hard to close a door on something that hasn’t taken place. I don’t like to discuss or comment on hypothetical situations that may or may not ever happen,” Sanders said during Monday’s press briefing.
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