Balance Holocaust books with 'opposing' views, Southlake school leader tells teachers

To ensure delivery to your inbox add email@mail.nbcnews.com to your contacts Today's Top Stories from NBC News FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2021 Good morning, NBC News readers.     Today we have the latest on a long-running battle over education in Texas, a former president in hospital, and Capt. James T. Kirk making it to the edge of space.   Here's the latest on that and everything else we're watching this Friday morning.     Books on Holocaust should be balanced with 'opposing' views, school leader tells teachers A top administrator in a Texas school district advised teachers last week that if they have a book about the Holocaust in their classroom, they should also offer students access to a book from an "opposing" perspective, according to an audio recording obtained by NBC News.   Gina Peddy, executive director of curriculum and instruction at Carroll Independent School District in Southlake, made the comment Friday afternoon during a training session on which books teachers can have in classroom libraries.   A Carroll staff member secretly recorded the Friday training and shared the audio with NBC News — listen to it here.    Peddy referred to a new Texas law that requires teachers to present multiple perspectives when discussing "widely debated and currently controversial" issues. "And make sure that if you have a book on the Holocaust," Peddy said, "that you have one that has an opposing, that has other perspectives."   "How do you oppose the Holocaust?" one teacher said in response.    "Believe me," Peddy said. "That's come up."   The debate in Southlake over which books should be allowed in schools is part of a broader national movement led by parents opposed to lessons on racism, history and LGBTQ issues that some conservatives have falsely branded as critical race theory.   Read the full story here.  For more on this, NBC News has been following this story with the Southlake podcast. Friday's Top Stories Bill Clinton admitted to hospital with non-Covid infection "He is on the mend, in good spirits, and is incredibly thankful to the doctors, nurses, and staff providing him with excellent care," a spokesperson said. READ MORE Court again lets Texas continue banning most abortions The new decision by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals marks the third time since October that the restrictions have been allowed to stand.  READ MORE Biden administration plans to restart Trump's 'Remain in Mexico' policy at border in mid-November Biden had ended "Remain in Mexico," calling it inhumane because of the violence migrant asylum-seekers faced while waiting in Mexico for court dates. READ MORE OPINION A Capitol rioter admits to new felonies while in court. Prosecutors are loving it. A lot of the incriminating evidence in the cases against Jan. 6 participants has come from the rioters themselves — and keeps on coming, writes Danny Cevallos, MSNBC legal analyst. READ MORE Also in the News FDA advisory group recommends Moderna booster for emergency use Ex-FBI official Andrew McCabe, fired by Trump shortly before retirement, will get full pension Alex Murdaugh faces charges related to missing funds meant for housekeeper's estate Texas man who used Grindr to lure and rob gay men sentenced to 23 years in prison Myanmar bars Aung San Suu Kyi's lawyer from speaking about her case Editor's Pick 'Striketober' signals 'tremendous sacrifice' — but workers say it has been a long time coming After 19 months of balancing their health and safety working the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic, many low-wage workers have had enough. READ MORE Select Experts recommend getting a head start on holiday shopping this month and taking advantage of sales as retailers start stocking winter gear. One Fun Thing 'The most profound experience': William Shatner speaks after Blue Origin spaceflight More than 50 years after he debuted as Capt. James T. Kirk in the original series of "Star Trek," William Shatner boldly flew to the edge of space.   The 90-year-old actor launched Wednesday aboard a rocket and a capsule developed by Blue Origin, the private spaceflight company founded by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. The historic joyride made Shatner the oldest person to reach space.   "It was unbelievable," Shatner said shortly after emerging from the capsule. "I'm so filled with emotion."   Read more here.  Thanks for reading the Morning Rundown.    If you have any comments — likes, dislikes — send me an email at: patrick.smith@nbcuni.com. If you're a fan, please forward it to your family and friends. They can sign-up here.    Thanks, Patrick Smith     FOLLOW US     Want to receive NBC Breaking News and Special Alerts in your inbox? SIGN UP HERE Check out all of NBC Newsletters here.     Get the NBC News Mobile App   30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 View in browser | Unsubscribe | Manage Subscription | Contact | Privacy