Capitol Police stopped a children's choir from singing the national anthem. Why?

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:19:35 GMT

Capitol Police stopped a children's choir from singing the national anthem. Why? Video of a children’s choir singing the national anthem in the U.S. Capitol, only to be unceremoniously cut off by police, spread across social media on Friday.Capitol Police say singers from Rushingbrook Children’s Choir from Greenville, South Carolina, were stopped May 26 because of a miscommunication. Musical performances in the hallowed seat of Congress require permission, and police said officers had been unaware that the choir had approval from the House speaker. Capitol Police denied choir leaders' claims that the performance was stopped because it might be found offensive.Choir director David Rasbach and Micah Rea, a choir leader who helped organize the trip, told The Associated Press that they worked with the offices of Reps. William Timmons, Joe Wilson and Russell Fry, all Republicans from South Carolina, to get permission for the performance. They said they were informed the visit was approved by the office of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.After stopping by Wilson...

Missouri doctor's death being investigated as homicide, family says

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:19:35 GMT

Missouri doctor's death being investigated as homicide, family says (NewsNation) — Nine days after seemingly vanishing, Dr. John Forsyth's body was found in Benton County, Arkansas, with a gunshot wound. His brother said the death is being investigated as a homicide. “He had no guns,” his brother, Richard Forsyth, said. “I talked to him about that. He didn’t want to have a gun.”Missouri law enforcement is still investigating how John Forsyth went missing in the first place, Nexstar's KOLR reports. Police: ‘Alarming number’ of kids missing in Cleveland area KOLR reached out to the Benton County Sheriff's Office, but the agency said they are not releasing details about the investigation at this time. Benton County Coroner Daniel Oxford said the Arkansas State Crime Lab is facing a backlog. The lab estimates autopsy results will take about 60 days, but Oxford said he’s still waiting on results sent to the lab in January and February.Authorities have not said whether they believe Forsyth was killed or took his own life. Initially, when Forsyth’s empt...

Chicago-born Afro-soul artist drops second extended play

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:19:35 GMT

Chicago-born Afro-soul artist drops second extended play Chicago-born Afro-soul artist, Nola Ade, dropped her second EP, extended play, ad joined WGN Weekend Morning News to talk more about the cultural influences in her music being a Nigerian-American woman.Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.

Queerbomb returns for its annual Austin event

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:19:35 GMT

Queerbomb returns for its annual Austin event AUSTIN (KXAN) — LGBTQ+ community members and allies gathered in Austin Saturday to participate in the 2023 Queerbomb event.Queerbomb is an inclusive rally and march created by and for Austin’s queer community that has put on LGBTQ+ events in Austin since 2010.Saturday night attendees marched and partied on Sixth Street in celebration of Pride Month.People attend the 2023 Queerbomb event in Austin (KXAN photo/Jake Sykes)People attend the 2023 Queerbomb event in Austin (KXAN photo/Jake Sykes)People attend the 2023 Queerbomb event in Austin (KXAN photo/Jake Sykes)People attend the 2023 Queerbomb event in Austin (KXAN photo/Jake Sykes)People attend the 2023 Queerbomb event in Austin (KXAN photo/Jake Sykes)Attendees were encouraged to dress up and bring everything they could to represent themselves in the procession.The organization said it hosts pride events on the first Saturday of June every year. Throughout the rest of the year, Queerbomb said it holds fundraising events within the c...

The need for Green Chemistry

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:19:35 GMT

The need for Green Chemistry AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Dr. David Soane is the Founder and CEO of Transform Materials. The company is "a sustainable chemical company that uses microwave plasma technology to convert natural gas into acetylene and hydrogen".He spoke with Rich Segal about Green Chemistry and its importance. He is concerned about the environment saying that there needs to be a change in how we make chemicals.He began by stating that Green Chemistry is the way of the future. He says that as the world's population continues to increase there becomes a need to find a way and to have the willpower to make chemicals in a sustainable way. Dr. Soane feels that cutting-edge technology and using plant-derived materials will assist in helping the environment in the creation of these chemicals.We know that plastics are one of the biggest concerns when thinking about saving the environment. Dr. Soane says one of the goals is to make single-use plastic obsolete.

David Brooks: Let’s smash the college admissions process

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:19:35 GMT

David Brooks: Let’s smash the college admissions process Within days or weeks, the Supreme Court is going to render a decision on the future of affirmative action in higher ed. If things go as expected, conservatives will be cheering as these policies are struck down — and progressives will be wailing.But maybe we can all take this moment to reimagine the college admissions process itself, which has morphed into one of the truly destructive institutions in American society.The modern college admissions era was launched over half a century ago with the best of intentions — to turn finishing schools for the Protestant establishment into talent factories for all comers. But in the end, the elite universities merely exchanged one privileged elite for another. Today, you don’t need bloodlines stretching back to the Mayflower to have a decent shot at getting into an elite school, but you do need to be born into a family with the resources to make lavish investments in your early education.In 2017, research led by Raj Chetty found that students ...

Two Albany men arrested on gun and drug charges

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:19:35 GMT

Two Albany men arrested on gun and drug charges ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Two Albany men have been arrested for possession of drugs and a weapon, according to police. Taliem Smalls, 35, and Dario Lewis, 31, are facing multiple charges. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! On June 3, police on patrol in Albany conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with three occupants in the area of Lark Street and Sheridan Avenue for vehicle and traffic violations. While speaking to the driver, identified as Smalls, police noticed a handgun underneath the driver's seat. Smalls was taken into custody after a short struggle, while the front passenger fled on foot. The rear passenger, identified as Lewis, was taken into custody without incident. Woman missing from Troy found safe by police A loaded 9mm handgun was recovered from within the vehicle. Smalls was also in possession of around 4 grams of crack-cocaine, and Lewis was found to be in possession of a digital scale containing a quantity...

Capital Region Heart Walk and Run raises over $430,000

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:19:35 GMT

Capital Region Heart Walk and Run raises over $430,000 ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — On Sunday, the American Heart Association hosted the Capital Region Heart Walk and Run to help spread awareness. The event featured hands-on CPR training, blood pressure screenings, and first-hand accounts from people affected by heart disease.“We get to live out our mission today,” Kaweeda Adams, Board Chair of Capital Region American Heart Association, said, “Which is building healthier lives to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, cardiovascular disease, and strokes.” Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Over 1500 people attended the event to run and walk in honor of those who have struggled or continue living with a form of cardiovascular disease. Organizers say a part of spreading awareness is sharing that it can happen at any age.Jen Duncan’s daughter Emma, is this year’s, Heart Hero. She said her pregnancy with Emma was normal.“Shortly after she was born, the doctors told me she had a heart murmur...

Directors Guild of America reaches tentative agreement with studios, streaming services; avoids strike 

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:19:35 GMT

Directors Guild of America reaches tentative agreement with studios, streaming services; avoids strike  The Directors Guild of America reached a tentative deal with Hollywood studios late Saturday night. The three-year agreement is between the DGA, Hollywood studios and top streaming companies. Directors were pushing for streaming residual payments based on how many subscribers were streaming their show from around the world. Also included in the deal are wage and benefit bumps as well as an agreement on the use of artificial intelligence.  Thousands gather for writers strike rally in downtown Los Angeles “This deal recognizes the future of our industry is global and respects the unique and essential role of directors and their teams,” a statement from the DGA said. “As new technology brings about major change, this deal ensures that...the DGA’s 19,000 members can share in the success we all create together.” The tentative agreement will be submitted to the Guild’s national board for approval at a special meeting that will be held on Tuesday. Contract negotiation...

USA Basketball: Bay Area high school star earns spot on national team

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:19:35 GMT

USA Basketball: Bay Area high school star earns spot on national team Archbishop Mitty’s basketball prodigy closed out her unprecedented freshman year with one more honor.McKenna Woliczko, the 6-2 forward with great athleticism and elite scoring ability around the rim, earned a spot on the USA under-16 national team after tryouts in Colorado Springs.“I’m excited to be selected for the U-16 national team,” Woliczko told the Bay Area News Group via text on Sunday morning. “And we are all ready to win it all!!Woliczko and 11 others will represent the country from June 13-19 in Merida, Mexico at the FIBA Women’s U16 Americas Championship.“I am super grateful for this experience,” Woliczko said. “I’m glad I’ve been able to play and compete with the best player in the country and get taught by some of the best coaches in the country!”Woliczko started the trials as one of 55 participants, which was eventually pared down to 22, and then to the dozen who will compete in Group A with Puerto Rico, Colom...