SUMMARY: A Mississippi law requiring age verification for accessing websites was blocked by U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden, citing constitutional concerns. The law, intended to protect minors from explicit content, faced opposition from NetChoice, a tech industry group including Google and Meta, which argued it would limit free speech. Legislators claim the law addresses serious issues like child exploitation. However, Ozerden emphasized that speech-related laws face strict scrutiny. Similar laws in other states have been blocked by courts. NetChoice seeks permanent invalidation of the law, stressing that mandatory age verification undermines privacy and free expression online.

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SUMMARY: Mississippi's new laws include allowing sign language courses as foreign language credits for high school graduation and extending Medicaid coverage during pregnancy for better maternal and infant health. The Mississippi Student Funding Formula replaces its predecessor, providing extra funds for special education needs. A new inheritance law grants rights to children born via assisted reproductive technology posthumously. Cities of any size can vote on alcohol sales. Ranked-choice voting is mostly banned. Shoplifting laws now penalize aiding in theft over $1,000 as a felony. Transgender bathroom use is restricted in public education buildings. Run-offs for elections will be set four weeks after.

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SUMMARY: Hurricane Beryl intensified into a rare Category 4 storm as it neared the southeastern Caribbean, prompting urgent shelter warnings. Expected to hit the Windward Islands, including Barbados and St. Lucia, Beryl posed a severe threat with 130 mph winds and significant storm surges. This makes Beryl the earliest recorded Category 4 Atlantic hurricane, surpassing Hurricane Dennis in 2005. Moving west-northwest, Beryl was set to graze Barbados and enter the Caribbean Sea, targeting Jamaica and weakening midweek. Historically fast-intensifying and dangerous for this season, Beryl follows 2004's Hurricane Ivan's devastating trajectory.

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