Updates from Organizations - Government agencies - Advertise Various Artists

Sutherland Institute releases statement on SCOTUS ruling in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission
 

SALT LAKE CITY — Today, Sutherland Institute's Bill Duncan, director for The Center for Family and Society, released the following statement responding to the Supreme Court decision in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission:

"Today's decision from the Supreme Court in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission emphasizes an important principle of nondiscrimination laws: equal application of the law," Duncan said. "Combined with past Court decisions upholding the dignity of those in the LGBT community, today’s ruling reminds us that equality applies to all Americans, not just the favored few, and we must protect those with firmly held religious beliefs, members of the LGBTQ community, and all citizens alike.

"Animus undertaken in the name of any cause – religious freedom, LGBT equality, or any other – is and remains discrimination disavowed by American values and political principles.

"With their 7-2 decision, the Court also revealed that a reasonable coalition of both conservatives and liberals can recognize that the state has an interest in preventing discrimination and in preserving the First Amendment rights of people of faith. This principle of inclusion is a good guide for national and state policymakers going forward. Reasonable actors of all stripes ought to see today’s decision as an opportunity to elevate our dialogue, rather than retreating into ideological comfort zones, and seek out legal protections inclusive of everyone – even those with whom we disagree."

Sutherland Institute will offer further analysis in op-ed form later in the week. To sign up to receive our newsletter with updates, click here.
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   2 state school board debates set for this week

SALT LAKE CITY — Today Sutherland Institute, as a member of the Utah Education Debate Coalition, announced upcoming primary debates for the Utah State Board of Education. This week, candidates in District 9 (Lehi, American Fork and Alpine area) and District 6 (Kearns, Taylorsville and West Jordan area) will debate.
 
Four candidates in District 9 and three in District 6 are seeking seats on the 15-member state board of education. Candidate bios and details for the two debates are listed below.
 
From Sutherland Education Policy Director Christine Cooke:
“The truth is the Utah State Board of Education election is woefully underestimated,” Cooke said. “Few people know anything about the important work the board does and even less about who their candidates are. That’s why Sutherland Institute is proud to be a continuing part of the Utah Education Debate Coalition, a group that facilitates and promotes candidate debates for the state board of education races. Voters deserve to have an informed vote about Utah’s State Board of Education leaders on Election Day, and we believe this debate series can help.”
 

EVENT DETAILS

*This event is open to the public and media*

DISTRICT 9 DEBATE
 
WHEN: Tuesday, June 5, 7-8 p.m.
*Each debate will be followed by a meet and greet session, beginning at 8 p.m.* 
 
WHERE: Mountainville Academy, 195 S. Main St., Alpine 84004
 
CANDIDATES: 

• Kami Alvarez: “I've been in education for over 16 years and have a Bachelor's degree in English Teaching, a Masters in School Administration, and will soon begin a Doctorate program through BYU in Educational Leadership and Foundations,” Alvarez said on her campaign page. “In addition to that, I have an endorsement in TESL and have taken several classes in educational technology; one class shy of my endorsement.” According to her Declaration of Candidacy form, Alvarez currently works as the Director of Focus Schools for Granite School District.
• Joylin Lincoln: Lincoln works as a sixth-grade science teacher at Lakeview Academy in Saratoga Springs, according to her Declaration of Candidacy form. Lincoln received a bachelor of science in elementary education from Brigham Young University in 1994 and has maintained a Utah state teaching license since graduation, according to her biography for the Utah Association of Public Charter Schools. Lincoln taught 1st grade from 1994-97. She says that during the last 14 years, she has been extremely involved in her own children’s education while also working with charter schools.
• Avalie Muhlestein: Muhlestein has earned a bachelor of arts in English and a master of arts in education, according to her campaign Facebook page. She also currently works pro bono for the Stewards of Liberty nonprofit organization as president and as a youth mentor.
• Cindy Davis: Davis has earned a bachelor of arts and master of education in leadership and policy degrees, according to her campaign information page. She also has earned a Utah reading instruction endorsement. Davis currently works as an adjunct professor at Utah Valley University. 

DISTRICT 6 DEBATE
 
WHEN: Wednesday, June 6, 7-8 p.m.
 
WHERE: Entheos Academy – Kearns Campus, 4710 W. 6200 South, Kearns 84118
*Each debate will be followed by a meet and greet session, beginning at 8 p.m.* 
 
CANDIDATES: 

• Brittney Cummins: Cummins is the incumbent District 6 representative on the state board of education. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor of science in secondary education (with an emphasis in biology), according to her campaign information page. “Over the years, my children have attended neighborhood schools, an online school, and a traditional charter school,” Cummins said. “I have been involved in PTA, School Community Council, a charter school's volunteer organization, and been a member of the board of directors for a public charter school.”
• Valerie Velez-Hall: Velez-Hall currently works as an eighth-grade math teacher at Mount Jordan Middle School in the Canyons School District. According to her LinkedIn profile, Velez-Hall has been involved in education for more than 10 years. She has a bachelor of arts in special education and teaching, a master of arts in mathematics teacher education (5-12), and is pursuing a doctorate in education.
• Megan Ruff: Ruff is a special education teacher in Jordan School District for grades 3 through 6, according to her campaign website. She has been a teacher for over six years and has worked in schools for more than a decade. Ruff earned her bachelor of science degree in severe special education from the University of Utah and is currently working to complete her master’s degree in education administration.

For more information:
Kelsey Koenen Witt | Communications Director
kelsey@sifreedom.org
c: 801.497.1562 (text or call) o: 801.355.1272 ext. 115
www.sutherlandinstitute.org
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 SIGN TO HOPELESS RECORDS

RELEASE NEW SONG/VIDEO FOR

"BAD TO THE BONE"

ANNOUNCE HOMETOWN

RECORD RELEASE SHOW

NEW ALBUM IDENTITY CRISIS 

OUT AUGUST 31 

AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER

JUNE 4, 2018 - Liverpool, UK - WSTR have announced their signing to Hopeless Records, and shared "Bad to the Bone", the exciting first single off their upcoming album Identity Crisis, out August 31st. The song had its exclusive first play on BBC Radio 1 Rock Show with Daniel P. Carter. Fans can watch the music video on the Hopeless Records YouTube channel: smarturl.it/BadToTheBoneVideo

Kicking off the summer of WSTR with a bang, fans will get to hear the track first hand at Download Festival on Sat, June 9, 2018 at 12:50pm BST (Avalanche Stage).  

Continuing the celebration of the upcoming, Identity Crisis, the band have announced their Record Release Show in their hometown of Liverpool, UK on August 31, 2018 at the historic O2 Academy 2. Tickets go on sale on Wednesday, June 6th @ 4PM BST. Signed pre-order bundle tickets are available now at wstr.pmstores.co/

Identity Crisis will be available on August 31, 2018 via Hopeless Records. D2C pre-orders are available at smarturl.it/wstrmerch. 

Speaking to the new record, Identity Crisis, vocalist Sammy Clifford expressed the band's desire to push the band's songwriting, take chances, and bring some swagger into the album. 

"We've added all these different genres into our sound while keeping the WSTR roots. This record is about putting the simple things together well and trying to make them great." 

Working once again with long-time friend and producer, Seb Barlow (Neck Deep, As It Is), WSTR channeled the energy of the classics they grew up on and blasted forward with guitar solos, ad libs, and sing-a-long choruses that defiantly punches through the crowd. After extensive touring in the UK/Europe and Australia with bands like Neck Deep and Creeper, marquee festival runs on Slam Dunk Festival and Download Festival, and an upcoming North America tour, WSTR is geared up for the year ahead.  

WSTR is Sammy Clifford (vocals), Alex Tobijanski (bass), Andy Makin (drums), and Tom Hawkes (guitar).

For more information, visit  http://www.hopelessrecords.com

Identity Crisis Track Listing:

1. Tell Me More

2. Crisis
3. Bad to the Bone

4. Promiscuous 

5. The Latest

6. Silly Me

7. Fling

8. Hide Everything Sharp

9. See You In Hell

10. Ashtray

11. Riddle Me This

Upcoming Tour Dates 

6/9 - Donington Park, UK - Download Festival (Avalanche Stage: 12:50pm BST)

8/31 - Liverpool, UK - Liverpool O2 Academy 2 (Record Release Show)

For Tickets Visit: www.livenation.co.uk / www.ticketmaster.co.uk

w/ Neck Deep, Trophy Eyes, and Stand Atlantic

9/6 - Santa Cruz, CA - Catalyst

9/7 - Ventura, CA - Ventura Theater

9/8 - Las Vegas, NV - BK Bowl

9/10 - Albuquerque, NM - El Rey Theatre

9/11 - Lubbock, TX - Jakes

9/12 - Oklahoma City, OK - Diamond Ballroom

9/14 - Louisville, KY - Headliners

9/15 - Nashville, TN - Marathon

9/16 - Birmingham, AL - Workplay

9/18 - Columbia, SC - Music Farm

9/19 - Greensboro, NC - Arizona Pete's

9/20 - Richmond, VA - National

9/21 - Long Island, NY - Stereo Garden

9/22 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom

9/24 - New Haven, CT - Webster

9/25 - Buffalo, NY - Town Ballroom

9/27 - Pittsburgh, PA - Mr. Smalls

9/28 - Detroit, MI - Royal Oak

9/29 - Cleveland, OH - Agora

9/30 - Toronto, ON - Danforth

10/2 - Cincinnati, OH - Bogarts

10/3 - Ft. Wayne, IN - Clyde

10/5 - Milwaukee, WI - Eagles Ballroom

10/6 - Des Moines, IA - Woolys

10/7 - Omaha, NE - Sokol

10/9 - Boulder, CO - Boulder Theater

10/10 - Grand Junction, CO - Mesa Theater

10/12 - San Luis Obispo, CA - Fremont

10/13 - San Diego, CA - SOMA

Follow WSTR

https://www.facebook.com/wstrband/

https://twitter.com/wstrband

https://www.instagram.com/wstrband/