Scholastic will drop policy that makes it easier for school fairs to exclude diverse books

NEW YORK – Scholastic Inc. will end a widely criticized policy that made it easier for school book fairs not to sell works with racial, disability and LGBTQ+ themes. The children’s publisher angered many authors and educators this fall when it created a separate package of dozens of books, labeled “Share Every Story, Celebrate Every … Read more

‘The Art of War,’ Amy Schumer’s memoir and many other books are banned in US prisons. Here’s why

NEW YORK – Tens of thousands of books are being banned or restricted by U.S. prisons, according to a new report from PEN America. The list includes everything from self-help books to an Elmore Leonard novel. “The common concept underpinning the censorship we’re seeing is that certain ideas and information are a threat,” says the … Read more

‘Shaft’ star Richard Roundtree, considered the first Black action movie hero, has died at 81

LOS ANGELES – Richard Roundtree, the trailblazing actor who starred as the ultra-smooth private detective in several “Shaft” films beginning in the early 1970s, has died. He was 81. Roundtree’s longtime manager, Patrick McMinn, said the actor had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died at his home in Los Angeles on Tuesday. He was … Read more

Colorado coach Deion Sanders enjoys the spoof of Deion Sanders on ‘Saturday Night Live’

BOULDER, Colo. – Deion Sanders certainly enjoyed the spoof of Deion Sanders in a recent skit on “ Saturday Night Live.” Actor Kenan Thompson’s parody of the Colorado coach was spot-on, from the attire — Colorado sweatshirt pulled over his CU hat, shades and whistle dangling from his neck — to the larger-than-life attitude. Still, … Read more