Minnesota flies new state flag atop the Capitol for the first time on Saturday
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota officially unfurled its new state flag atop its Capitol for the first time Saturday, Inauguration Day. The new flag and accompanying national emblem were adopted to replace an older design that Native Americans argued reminded them of painful memories of conquest and exile. The new symbol replaces the state’s old state seal, which depicts Native Americans riding off into the sunset while white settlers hold rifles and plow fields. Seals were an important feature of old flags. That’s why there was pressure to change both.
Dog Show 101: A look at the Westminster Kennel Club
NEW YORK (AP) – For casual viewers, competing in the Westminster Kennel Club dog show is as easy as getting a dog, grooming it, and taking it around the ring. You may see it. But it takes a lot more to participate and exhibit at the most prestigious canine event in the United States. The 148th annual show is scheduled to open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on Saturday. More than 2,500 dogs from 210 breeds and breeds registered to compete for the best in show trophy, which will be awarded on Tuesday night. They include large and small varieties, rare varieties, and familiar varieties. This year’s event comes as the U.S. dog show industry faces a reckoning over child abuse charges against a judge.
Billy Graham statue at U.S. Capitol to be unveiled next week
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) – A statue of the late Rev. Billy Graham, who represents North Carolina and will be installed inside the U.S. Capitol, will be unveiled at a ceremony next week. The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association announced Thursday’s unveiling ceremony in Washington will be attended by House Speaker Mike Johnson, other members of Congress and the Charlotte-born evangelist’s family. In 2015, the North Carolina General Assembly finally approved a bill asking a legislative committee to approve the display of Graham’s portrait. Mr. Graham passed away in 2018 at the age of 99. There are two statues of him in each state. Graham’s statue will replace the early 20th century statue of Governor Charles Aycock.
Sam Rubin, popular LA Entertainment anchor and interviewer, dies at age 64
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Entertainment broadcaster Sam Rubin has died at the age of 64. Los Angeles news station KTLA announced in a statement that the beloved anchor and reporter passed away on Friday. The cause was not disclosed. Rubin had been with the station since 1991 and was on a first-name basis with some of Hollywood’s top stars. He conducted illuminating live interviews with actors and musicians from behind the anchor desk and was a mainstay at premiere red carpets and movie junkets. His last interview was with Jane Seymour on Thursday. She joined Tom Hanks, Viola Davis, Ben Stiller, Kiefer Sutherland, Octavia Spencer and other Hollywood luminaries to pay tribute to Rubin on social media.
Teen and Miss USA resign from title citing mental health and personal values
The Miss USA and Miss Teen USA winners declined their titles within days of each other. Their decisions this week put a spotlight on the Miss Universe organization, which runs both pageants. Noelia Voigt has given up on the Miss USA crown, citing her mental health. Miss Teen USA Umasofia Srivastava said her personal values ​​are no longer completely aligned with the direction of her organization. Her resignation marks the first time in 72 years that the pageant group has been without a title holder. The resignation has prompted calls for greater transparency from Miss USA and its parent organization. Both have faced controversy in the past.
Here’s what you need to know about conservatorships and how Brian Wilson’s case evolved
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A judge has ordered Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson to undergo personal and medical sanctions after a doctor reported that he suffered from a severe neurocognitive disorder. He was placed under a court conservatorship to oversee his conduct. A Los Angeles judge on Thursday appointed two of Wilson’s longtime attorneys as guardians. No serious objections were raised. Wilson, 81, is the latest celebrity involved in a conservatorship case. Pop superstar Britney Spears has been placed under a controversial conservatorship until 2021, ending nearly 14 years of surveillance. Mr. Wilson’s case is a classic use of conservatorship. Guardianships are often established for older adults who are experiencing irreversible mental decline.
Flavor Flav is the official promoter of the U.S. women’s water polo team at the Paris Olympics.
Flavor Fluff believes in the hype surrounding the three-time Olympic champion U.S. women’s water polo team, and now he’s helping the team win another gold medal. The watch-wearing rap icon is the team’s sponsor and will serve as the team’s promoter at the Paris Games. Team captain Maggie Stephens took to social media to ask for more help, and she came to Flav’s attention. Members of Public Enemy are in the process of signing a deal to sponsor USA Water Polo and become the official hype man for the program, which will garner even more attention.
Liam and Olivia remain the most popular baby names in the US, Mateo makes first appearance on list
WASHINGTON (AP) – Liam and Olivia have topped the list of U.S. baby names for newborn boys and girls for the fifth year in a row, according to the Social Security Administration. And for the first time, Mateo has made it into the top 10 baby names. The bureau tracks the names given to girls and boys in each state each year, dating back to 1880. According to the latest data from the Social Security Administration, 3.58 million babies will be born in the United States in 2023. This is a slight decrease from last year’s 3.66 million people. This represents an overall decline in America’s birth rate.
Djokovic says ‘I’m fine’ after being hit in the head with a water bottle
ROME (AP) — Novak Djokovic needed medical attention after accidentally hitting his head with a water bottle after winning the Italian Open. As a man leaned over the railing to give Djokovic a note to sign, an aluminum water bottle fell from his backpack and hit the top-ranked player on the top of his head. Organizers said Djokovic suffered a bump on his head and was examined by a doctor. The incident occurred shortly after Djokovic defeated French qualifier Corentin Moutet 6-3, 6-1 in his first match.
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