Journalism professor A.J. Bauer felt a pit in his stomach last Wednesday when he opened an email newsletter from 1819 News. The Alabama-based conservative media website was promoting its story alleging that a small-town mayor who was also a pastor wore women’s clothing and makeup while posing online. Bauer, who teaches at the University of Alabama, had watched as some in the state grew increasingly hostile to those who don’t adhere to traditional gender norms — in recent years, an avalanche of anti-transgender bills and others targeting the LGBTQ+ community had hit the state legislature. He...…Journalism professor A.J. Bauer felt a pit in his stomach last Wednesday when he opened an email newsletter from 1819 News. The Alabama-based conservative media website was promoting its story alleging that a small-town mayor who was also a pastor wore women’s clothing and makeup while posing online. Bauer, who teaches at the University of Alabama, had watched as some in the state grew increasingly hostile to those who don’t adhere to traditional gender norms — in recent years, an avalanche of anti-transgender bills and others targeting the LGBTQ+ community had hit the state legislature. He...WW…

In a sting operation, police seized 17 pounds of illegal sperm whale vomit.According to several sources, Indian officials recovered around 17 pounds of sperm whale vomit, often known as ambergris, in a sting operation on Saturday night.Ambergris is a waxy material found in the intestines of sperm whales and is said to be utilized in the production of high-end perfumes. When sperm whales have a stomach or throat irritant, they “wrap it with a greasy substance [ambergris]and cast it out,” according to National Geographic. K. Arivozhi, a district forest officer in India, told The Hindu: “The...…In a sting operation, police seized 17 pounds of illegal sperm whale vomit.According to several sources, Indian officials recovered around 17 pounds of sperm whale vomit, often known as ambergris, in a sting operation on Saturday night.Ambergris is a waxy material found in the intestines of sperm whales and is said to be utilized in the production of high-end perfumes. When sperm whales have a stomach or throat irritant, they “wrap it with a greasy substance [ambergris]and cast it out,” according to National Geographic. K. Arivozhi, a district forest officer in India, told The Hindu: “The...WW…

AdvertisementBy The Virginian-PilotJan 16, 2021 at 11:11 amA state lawmaker has introduced legislation that would require local civilian leaders to give police departments approval before they could use facial recognition technology.Del. Lashrecse Aird, D-Petersburg, this week filed House Bill 2031, which would ban most law enforcement agencies from using such technology unless city or town leaders pass an ordinance authorizing its use. In the case of campus police departments, a governing board would have to approve it. The Virginia State Police would still be able to use facial...…AdvertisementBy The Virginian-PilotJan 16, 2021 at 11:11 amA state lawmaker has introduced legislation that would require local civilian leaders to give police departments approval before they could use facial recognition technology.Del. Lashrecse Aird, D-Petersburg, this week filed House Bill 2031, which would ban most law enforcement agencies from using such technology unless city or town leaders pass an ordinance authorizing its use. In the case of campus police departments, a governing board would have to approve it. The Virginia State Police would still be able to use facial...WW…

AdvertisementBy The Virginian-PilotNov 28, 2020 at 12:03 pmVirginia Beach — Ricky Johnson was on the fast track to living on the streets for Thanksgiving, during the worst part of the worst pandemic in more than a century.Johnson, a 67-year-old Vietnam vet, has lived in his mobile home for seven years and never had a problem making rent. Until the coronavirus. He still gets his Army pension and disability money, and so does Mike, his brother and roommate. But people are afraid of letting strangers into their home, so the odd jobs Ricky Johnson used to do to make ends meet, such as house...…AdvertisementBy The Virginian-PilotNov 28, 2020 at 12:03 pmVirginia Beach — Ricky Johnson was on the fast track to living on the streets for Thanksgiving, during the worst part of the worst pandemic in more than a century.Johnson, a 67-year-old Vietnam vet, has lived in his mobile home for seven years and never had a problem making rent. Until the coronavirus. He still gets his Army pension and disability money, and so does Mike, his brother and roommate. But people are afraid of letting strangers into their home, so the odd jobs Ricky Johnson used to do to make ends meet, such as house...WW…