QUICK HITS

Drag shows targeted:

1

Republican lawmakers have advanced a bill aimed at limiting drag shows in Kentucky. The committee action on Thursday sparked chants of “shame” from opponents. They criticized the measure as discriminatory and said it would stifle First Amendment rights. The measure would prohibit drag shows on public property or in places where the adult performances could be viewed by children.

2

Congressman faces censure: Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-texas, is facing a censure vote this weekend from the Texas Republican Party for actions including voting in favor of a bipartisan gun-control package during the last Congress after the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, which is in his district. The censure would follow a similar move by a county party in Texas, which also cited Gonzales’ support for samesex marriage legislation.

Jazz innovator dies: Influential

3 jazz innovator Wayne Shorter, 89, whose lyrical jazz compositions and pioneering saxophone playing sounded through more than half a century of American music, died Thursday in Los Angeles. Shorter was a tenor saxophonist who was a foundational member of two of the most seminal jazz groups: Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and the Miles Davis Quintet.

4

Three die in avalanche: Three foreign skiers were killed in an avalanche in southeastern British Columbia, Canadian police said Thursday. The three were among 10 skiers who were caught by the slide on Wednesday near Invermere, British Columbia.

Mortgage rates up: The average 5 long-term U.S. mortgage rate hit a three-month high this week. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the average on the benchmark 30year rate rose to 6.65% from 6.5% last week.