A Mask 'Won't Hurt You': School Board Outmaneuvers Texas Governor

Good morning! It’s Thursday, Aug. 19, and here’s what we’re catching you up on today: A school district uses its dress code to get around a state mask mandate ban; President Joe Biden issues an ultimatum to nursing homes; and military officials continue to defend and dodge questions on the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Texas School District Finds Mask Loophole

After Texas Gov. Greg Abbott prohibited schools from mandating masks, one small district in northeast Texas discovered a creative way to work around the ban.

The trustees of the Paris Independent School District found their opening to require masks with an amendment to the student dress code. Moreover, the trustees said in a sharply worded statement Tuesday, the governor "does not have the authority to usurp" the local control on the matter.

Trustees believe the dress code can be used to mitigate communicable health issues, the statement said, and therefore amended the dress code to "protect our students and employees."

Many spoke against and on behalf of the decision at a school board meeting this week. Among them was Dr. Pia Lippincott, an intensive care anesthesiologist at the Paris Regional Medical Center, who spoke in favor of a mandate.

"People are dying from this," Lippincott said at the meeting. "A little mask for a few weeks won't hurt you."

Read the full story on Dallas Patch.

Biden To Nursing Homes: Vaccinate Or Else

Only one-quarter of U.S. nursing homes have at least 75 percent of staff fully vaccinated. However, this could change following a Wednesday announcement by President Joe Biden, who said his administration will now require all nursing homes and long-term care facilities that receive federal funding to require full vaccination among staff. Read more via Across America Patch.

Python Huntress Launches Fashion Brand

Growing up in Indiana, Amy Siewe found herself drawn to everything creepy and crawly. Now a Florida resident, Siewe hunts pythons in the Everglades, where the invasive serpent has taken over, killing the native animals that call it home.

That was just the start of Siewe’s journey. In 2017, she launched BSWANKY, a fashion company that specializes in handbags made from the python skins Siewe collects. She sold 35 handbags her first night and knew immediately the brand would fill a void in the luxury handbag space.

In addition to empowering other women makers, Siewe uses the brand to encourage others.

"It's like a badge of honor. It gives them a little boost of self-esteem," she said. "That's what drives me. Once the bag leaves the building, we know it's never coming back, and hopefully, it elevates the life of the woman it goes with." Read the full story on Sarasota Patch.

Afghanistan Latest

Top officials at the Pentagon are defending the U.S. military’s efforts to evacuate Americans and other allies from Afghanistan while also deflecting questions about their decisions. Read the latest via The Washington Post.

Around ‘The Patch’

Young Girl Honors Heroes: What started as a Cub Scout project has turned into an 11-year-old’s mission: to make sure first responders realize how much they are appreciated, via Morristown, New Jersey, Patch.

A Phenomenon Turns 17: It’s been 17 years since three unknown lights first appeared in the sky over Tinley Park, Illinois. To this day, residents still have questions, via Tinley Park Patch.

94 Years Young: Rosalynn Carter — mental health advocate, former first lady and wife to President Jimmy Carter — celebrated her 94th birthday Wednesday, via Atlanta Patch.

Politico In Sales Talks: German publisher Axel Springer SE is in talks to purchase Virginia-based news outlet Politico. The deal would formalize the multiyear relationship between the two publishers, via Clarendon Patch.

Texas Governor Has COVID-19: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott tested positive for COVID-19 this week. His office said the governor is in good health and not experiencing symptoms, via Austin Patch.

PAWS Act Moves Forward: The Biden administration will direct the Department of Veterans Affairs to develop a program to provide dog training and other services to veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome, via Across America Patch.

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