The Weekly Readlines February 22

The Weekly Readlines (rhymes with headlines!) offers news you can use every Wednesday morning.  You can view the archives here. And coming this spring: an audio edition of the Readlines. Fasten your headphones! 

  BIG CUP: THE WEEK’S TOP STORIES 

First the good news: the Trump crime family inched closer to indictment on racketeering charges, with the organization’s accounting firm cutting and running. That may be it for an otherwise bleak news cycle.

Vladimir Putin “recognized” two separatist regions of Ukraine, in preparation for what everyone assumes will be a full scale invasion of the sovereign nation.

Taking this week’s hate cake, Florida’s sure-to-pass Don’t Say Gay Bill includes an amendment requiring schools to out LGBTQ students to their parents, with a “harm exemption” removed. So much for saving the children.

  LGBTQ+ NEWS  

NJ Appeals Court Sides With Transgender Man
Out In Jersey

It’s Not Just Florida. 15 Other ‘Don’t Say Gay’-Style Bills Are Cropping Up Nationwide
The Hill

Guadalajara In Talks To Co-Host Next Gay Games
Bay Area Reporter 

Record 7% In US Now Identify As LGBT, Gallup Polls Shows
WGN-TV 

Gen-Z Drives Surge Of More Americans Identifying As LGBT
Forbes

Two In Five Young LGBT People “Can’t Be Themselves” Around Their Own Family
Planet Radio

  U.S. AND BEYOND

How Free Speech Is Under Attack In The U.S.
CBS News

Kremlin Wants To “Liquidate” LGBT Network, Says Rights Activist Igor Kochetkov
EU Today

Renewed Opposition To Trump Stirs Among Establishment Republicans
The Guardian

School: Parents Can Opt Out Of Black History Month
JoeMyGod

California Bill Would Have Citizens Enforce Weapons Ban
AP

Jury Finds New York Times Did Not Defame Sarah Palin
The Guardian

Pro-Russia Ukrainian Politician Punched, Put In Headlock By Journalist On Live TV
Slate

  HEALTH AND AGING 

25 Famous Women on Getting Older
The Cut 

Adults with Aging Parent Drivers
Patch

  FINANCE AND RETIREMENT 

Social Security Full Retirement Age Stops Changing In 2022
USA Today 

Changing Jobs? It Pays To Check Your Finances Before You Take The Plunge
Financial Post

Uncertain Times Call For A Watchful Eye On Your Finances
The Morning Sun 

  THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT

Obi-Wan Kenobi’ Leak Could Mean The Debut Of An Unusual New Jedi
Inverse

Fan Photos Of British Royals To Go On Exhibition At Kensington Palace
CNN

  TRAVEL

Travelling With Pride: How The Travel Industry Is Embracing LGBTQ+ Travellers
National Geographic

Royal Caribbean Recognised As LGBT+ Supporter
Travel Weekly

TSA Reports Air Travel Up 85% From 1 Year Ago
WMUR

  ISN’T THAT SOMETHING? 

FDA: Family Dollar Products Might Contain Rat Feces
JoeMyGod

My Cousin Allegedly Killed His Wife and Cast Her Vote for Trump
The Daily Beast

Raccoon Crashes Through Ceiling Of Louisiana State University Dining Hall
UPI.com