"5th Circuit Appeals Court Blocks Texas Book Ban Law"

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals blocked the Texas Education Agency from enforcing a law requiring booksellers to rate the explicitness and relevance of sexual references in materials sold to schools, siding with booksellers who claimed it violated their First Amendment rights. The law, which requires vendors to rate materials for appropriateness based on sexual content, was deemed unconstitutional and an undue economic burden on vendors. While a component of the law remains in effect, the court dismissed claims against certain officials and opponents argue that such laws often target books exploring sexuality and race, while supporters argue it restores parents' rights to protect their children from certain themes.