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Americans mark Juneteenth with parties, events, quiet reflection on end of slavery after Civil War

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:56 GMT

Detroit (AP) — Americans across the country this weekend celebrated Juneteenth, marking the relatively new national holiday with cookouts, parades and other gatherings as they commemorated the end of slavery after the Civil War. While many have treated the long holiday weekend as a reason for a party, others urged quiet reflection on America’s often violent and oppressive treatment of its Black citizens. And still others have remarked at the strangeness of celebrating a federal holiday marking the end of slavery in the nation while many Americans are trying to stop that history from being taught in public schools. “Is #Juneteenth the only federal holiday that some states have banned the teaching of its history and significance?” Author Michelle Duster asked on Twitter this weekend, referring to measures in Florida, Oklahoma and Alabama prohibiting an Advancement Placement African American studies course or the teaching of certain concepts of race and racism.Monday’s federal ho...

Quebec provincial police say man, 32, killed northeast of Montreal is homicide victim

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:56 GMT

MONTREAL — Quebec provincial police say they are investigating a homicide after a man was allegedly gunned down in his car in a city northeast of Montreal.Police say Noël Garcia-Frias, 32, was found Friday in Charlemagne.Repentigny police say they spotted a badly injured man on a street at around 10 p.m. in the small city in the Lanaudière region, about 25 kilometres northeast of Montreal, and took him to hospital where he died.Sgt. Camille Savoie says the victim was known to police and his death was initially classified as suspicious but it has been confirmed a homicide.Police said over the weekend that the injuries he sustained came from a firearm and that the victim was found in his vehicle.No arrests have been made and police did not have any other details on the case.This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 18, 2023.The Canadian Press

‘Deal with together’: Manitoba community prays for victims of bus crash

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:56 GMT

DAUPHIN, Man. — Residents of a city in western Manitoba sought solace at church services Sunday — lighting candles, wiping away tears and offering prayers —as they mourned 15 community members who died in a bus crash that also left 10 gravely injured.Father Brent Kuzyk of St. George’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Dauphin dedicated part of his liturgy to the victims of Thursday’s crash.A minibus was carrying a group of seniors from the community and surrounding area to a casino when it went into the path of an oncoming semi-trailer truck near the town of Carberry, some 190 kilometres away.Helen Kufley, 88, was among those on the bus who died, her son said in a message on the weekend. No names have officially been released.“It’s a tragedy everyone must deal with together,” Kuzyk said Sunday.“We shall meet the sadness, meet the devastation, meet the horror head-on and meet the questioning head-on, because there is no way to get around it. There is &#...

Gold Coast Art Fair draws people from around the world

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:56 GMT

CHICAGO — A Chicago summer tradition, the Gold Coast Art Fair, returned this weekend and attracted vendors and visitors from around the world.The Gold Coast Art Fair, which now calls Grant Park home, featured the work of more than 200 artists' paintings, sculptures and jewelry. 2-year-old giraffe ‘Asha’ makes debut at Brookfield Zoo Diversity, artists and buyers said, is what makes the fair so special.This year, admission fees benefited the Chicago Furniture Bank.Founded by a group of college students, the organization gives donated furniture to families transitioning from shelters.For every piece with a green ribbon that sold, 10% of the sale went to the furniture bank.People attending the fair also donated artwork from their own homes.

Real Housewives of Motown comes to Black Ensemble Theater

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:56 GMT

CHICAGO — It's inside the Black Ensemble Theater on North Clark in Uptown, where we find a new production with Motown roots. The Real Housewives of Motown is a reality TV take on the history behind some of the most prodigious sounds and stars of the classic era. Real Housewives of Motown coming to the Black Ensemble Theater There’s such a great energy you get from that music and we’ve seen so many shows, Michelle Renne Bester, the writer and director said. Bester said the behind-the-scenes look at the First Wives of Motown was needed. "We have the drama that comes with the real housewives franchise. We have the comedy we see, the family, the love, the sisterhood and amazing music," she said.The characters are based on the real people and stories from past interviews and artistic license. "I’ve just felt that these women, they’ve gone through so much and we already know the musical history behind their superstar husband. Let’s see what it was like for them," Bester said. "They've ...

Saints blast their way past Bats, end series with 12-5 victory

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:56 GMT

The St. Paul Saints homered for the 23rd straight game, all nine batters registered a hit at Louisville Slugger Field and the Saints closed their series against the Louisville Bats with a 12-5 victory Sunday afternoon in Louisville, Ky.Jose Miranda hit a two-run homer in the third, his second of the season, to give the Saints (40-28) a 4-3 lead that they wouldn’t relinquish. Mark Contreras added another two-run shot in the fourth, his seventh of the season, after Trevor Larnach was walked, extending the Saints’ lead to 6-3. Andrew Bechtold later hit an RBI single to up their lead to 7-3 and cap the five-run inning.Andrew Stevenson went 3 for 5 with an RBI for the Saints, while Miranda went 2 for 5 with two RBIs. Matt Wallner hit an RBI double in the fourth to give the Saints an 8-3 lead, and Contreras followed with an RBI groundout to extend their lead to 9-3. Wallner finished the day 1 for 3 with two RBIs, and Contreras went 1 for 4 with three RBIs.Nick Martini led off ...

Downtown St. Louis shooting: Slain teen identified, person of interest in custody

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:56 GMT

ST. LOUIS (AP) — An overnight shooting in a downtown St. Louis office building killed a 17-year-old and wounded nine other teenagers, the city's police commissioner said Sunday.St. Louis Metropolitan Police Commissioner Robert Tracy identified the victim who was killed as 17-year-old Makao Moore. A spokesman said a minor who had a handgun is in police custody as a person of interest.Tracy said victims ranging in age from 15 to 19 suffered gunshot wounds. Some were shot just once or grazed; others were hit multiple times.A 17-year-old girl was trampled as she fled, seriously injuring her spine, Tracy said. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News SIGN UP NOW Police believe teenagers were having a party in an office space on 14th Street and Washington Avenue ...

Jefferson County boy killed in UTV rollover crash

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:56 GMT

STE. GENEVIEVE COUNTY, Mo. - A young boy from Festus, Missouri, died Sunday afternoon after the utility vehicle he was riding on overturned along a rural road in Ste. Genevieve County.According to a report filed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash happened just after 12:15 p.m. in a field along the 10300 block of Avon Road, approximately nine miles east of Farmington. A 12-year-old boy was driving a 2009 Polaris Ranger when he attempted to make a U-turn, which caused the UTV to roll over.A 10-year-old passenger in the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene at 12:40 p.m. The 12-year-old was not injured.State troopers said neither child was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the incident.

Families say ‘thank you’ to dads on Father’s Day

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:56 GMT

ST. LOUIS – Sunday’s weather served as one more gift for dads to be grateful for this Father’s Day as parks around town serve as the backdrop this holiday, families spent time thanking dad in a variety of ways.In Forest Park, beautiful weather teed up a classic Father’s Day for families at the range.“It was nice, I did get to pick, so we decided here and then go to the Boathouse afterwards,” said Jim Rieger, who played golf with his family. “It’s the best. I love spending time with my family.”The love extending from the golf course to the tennis courts.“Well, I was dragged here, I didn’t want to be here, no just joking! Just getting out, get some exercise, have some fun,” Andy Barton said. 10 juveniles injured in downtown shooting, 1 killed “I’m extremely grateful. It’s sad, I got a son that lives out in Seattle, wish he was here,” Dave Barton said.No matter where you looked, families took advantage of the gift of sunshine.“Coming out, running, and having fun; connecting, moving o...

Man with cerebral palsy defies odds, celebrates birthday with art show and fundraiser

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:00:56 GMT

ST. LOUIS – Steven Conoyer has a lot of reasons to smile."Steven has loved to do art his whole life," Katherine Beasley, Steven’s mother, said. "He has two fantastic caregivers right now that are very artistic and very creative, and they do art every day.”Steven lives with cerebral palsy. Doctors told his mother that Steven wouldn't see his 13th birthday. On June 24, her son will celebrate his 39th birthday."He was a 28-week preemie, and so we were told very few years," she said.Beasley announced a birthday party for Steven on Facebook, and invited everyone to attend as long as they brought in a non-perishable item for the Cornerstone United Methodist Church Food Pantry. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News SIGN UP NOW "Well, this food pantry used to servi...