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Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Yahoo
Texas Teen on Life Support with Severe Injuries After Playing 'Senior Assassin' Weeks Before Graduation: Reports
A 17-year-old in Texas is fighting for his life after being severely injured while playing the "Senior Assassin" game weeks before his graduation, according to reports Isaac Leal was playing the game when he fell off the back of a Jeep and hit his head, his mother, Raquel Vazquez said, per NBC 5 DFW "We're going to keep fighting for my son," Vazquez insisted, according to CBS News TexasA 17-year-old in Texas is fighting for his life after suffering a severe head injury while playing the "Senior Assassin" game weeks before he was due to graduate, according to reports. Isaac Leal — who is a student and baseball player at South Grand Prairie High School — was playing the game when he fell off the back of a Jeep and hit his head, NBC 5 DFW reported, citing the teenager's mom, Raquel Vazquez. Arlington Police told the outlet the incident occurred on Sunday, April 20. "Senior Assassin" is a game that commonly involves high school seniors and their classmates pursuing each other with water guns, or sometimes Nerf guns, in a bid to be the winner, which is the last person who isn't sprayed, a previous article by ABC-owned station WPVI noted. CBS News Texas stated that participants have been using "a handful of mobile apps to track their targets." The outlet noted that Leal's classmates had been "armed with water guns" and chasing one another through the Arlington neighborhood. Vazquez said she would be remaining by her son's side while he fights for his life at Medical City Arlington. 'I have not been able to go home because I can't imagine going home without him," she told NBC 5 DFW. "They were playing 'Senior Assassin,' " she recalled. "He jumped on a young girl's Jeep as it was parked. The girl reversed and took off and drove for five minutes at a high speed to where he could not jump off. She hit a dip and that's where I was told, allegedly, he flew off the Jeep and hit his head." Vazquez said that the family is hoping Leal can be moved to "a different hospital for different care," per the publication, but she shared that wasn't possible at the moment as he was "too unstable." "We can't even roll him in the bed without his vitals reacting," she said. Security camera footage showed Leal standing on the back bumper of the Jeep, CBS News Texas noted, before he was ejected onto the pavement after the vehicle hit a dip in the road. "Everything was planned out, but plans changed overnight," Vazquez insisted, per the outlet. "Nothing matters but saving your kid's life." The Arlington Police Department told CBS News Texas that officers were first made aware of the incident on Saturday, May 3, when Leal's family "contacted us and officers responded to the hospital to speak with them." The family reportedly wants the police to conduct a criminal investigation, the outlet noted. "In reviewing calls for service from the date the incident occurred, April 20, we learned that EMS [Emergency Medical Services] responded to the accident site for what was described as an unconscious person. PD [Police Department], however, was never dispatched and we were not notified that Mr. Leal's injuries stemmed from a traffic incident until we spoke with his family this past weekend," Arlington Police Department said in a statement, per the outlet. Medical City Healthcare/Medical City Arlington said in a statement to CBS News Texas, "Our hearts go out to any family with a seriously ill loved one." "If, for any reason, a family requests treatment for their loved one at another facility, we try to facilitate a transfer. It is important to note that transfers are dependent on the patient's condition, whether they are stable enough to be transferred, as well as the receiving hospital's capacity and willingness to accept the patient," the statement added, referencing the family's wish to have Leal transferred, the outlet reported. "We're going to keep fighting for my son," Vazquez insisted, per CBS News Texas. "I don't know how to make it more clear." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "Senior Assassin" has been surrounded by controversy in the past, due to the fact that some of the water guns could be mistaken for real firearms, the outlet reported. South Grand Prairie High's principal told the senior class, "Students who engage in this activity on or around school grounds may face disciplinary action, including the loss of senior privileges," per CBS News Texas. Arlington Police Department, the principal at South Grand Prairie High School, and Medical City Arlington didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information. PEOPLE has also reached out to Raquel Vazquez but did not immediately hear back. Read the original article on People
Chicago Tribune
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Of Notoriety: Chicago ABC TV's Janet Davies to star in ‘Misery' at Dunes Theatre
In September 2022, I lamented missing a one-week performance run that was 'not to be missed.' I was with my editor and pals for our annual Labor Day getaway to Kalamazoo, Michigan, a celebrated holiday tradition of 15-plus years built around seeing summer stock theatre in nearby Augusta, Michigan, at The Barn Theatre. In operation for 78 years, the Barn Theatre's production in September 2022 was a production of the play adaptation of Stephen King's 'Misery,' with soap opera actress Kim Zimmer playing obsessed fan Annie Wilkes. Zimmer, 70, and a resident of Grand Rapids, Michigan, spent decades on the CBS soap opera 'Guiding Light.' A famed alum of Barn Theatre from her early career days, I did catch Zimmer in September 2011 playing Norma Desmond in 'Sunset Boulevard' at Barn Theatre. In May, I'll have my chance to once again see what's sure to be a not-to-be-missed new production of 'Misery' and at an even closer stage space. Dunes Summer Theatre, 288 Shady Oak Drive in Michigan City, a rustic and woodsy oasis of arts and culture established in 1941, is producing a new run of 'Misery' which will star Chicago TV news personality Janet Davies as Annie Wilkes opposite Kevin Giese as tortured novelist Paul Sheldon, who is help captive by 'his biggest fan.' The production, May 30 to June 15, is being directed by John Hancock, our noted filmmaker and Oscar-nominated movie director who hails from LaPorte and did the filming for his 1989 holiday classic 'Prancer' at his family's farm in LaPorte. Also in this 'Misery' cast are Jim Lampl and Emmie Reigel. Creative wiz Michael Lasswell is already hard at work on the set design, and of course, iconic stage talent Steve Scott is the artistic director at Dunes Summer Theatre. Davies was the TV entertainment reporter for Chicago's ABC 7 News for more than 30 years and the host of the award-winning '190 North' Chicago entertainment, dining and lifestyle TV series. A world-traveled, seasoned broadcast journalist and winner of 18 Emmy awards for producing, writing and reporting, Davies has covered the British Royal Family, reported live from the red carpets of the Oscars and the Primetime Emmy Awards, as well as the American Music Awards. In February 2021, Davies announced via social media she was parting ways with ABC-owned WLS Channel 7 after a 37-year history. As reported by media columnist Robert Feder, Davies had changed her status as a full-time employee to a freelance contracted TV personality with ABC-7 in 2013. She joined the Chicago television station in 1984, coming from her previous TV gig at WPVI, the ABC-owned affiliate in Philadelphia. In addition to her feature news segments on ABC-7 Chicago, Davies was also a frequent host and broadcast commentator for Chicago's biggest events like the annual parades for St. Patrick's Day, Columbus Day and Pride Day, as well as co-hosting count-down duties on New Year's Eve with sports broadcast colleague Mark Giangreco, the latter who also left ABC-7 Chicago in 2021. Davies now divides her time between her beloved Chicago, world travels and her home in Galien, Michigan. She is also the board chair of the tiny but mighty stage at The Acorn Theatre in quaint Three Oaks, Michigan. Billing and branding for the venue changed to The Acorn Center for the Performing Arts in 2015 when it became a non-profit 501 (c) (3). Previously, Davies served on the Children's Memorial (now Lurie Children's Hospital) Corporate Board of Directors. Davies was born in Richmond, Virginia, and raised in Fairfield, Ohio, before she earned a BA from Miami University in Ohio, majoring in communications and theater. Davies' 'Misery' co-star Giese is a graduate of Portage High School and trained at Second City in Chicago. He is familiar to audiences at both Dunes Summer Theatre and Memorial Opera House in Valparaiso. Stephen King's 1987 novel 'Misery' was adapted for the stage as a play by Simon Moore and William Goldman, the latter of whom wrote the screenplay for the 1990 film version starring Kathy Bates and James Caan. Actress Sharon Gless was the first to step into the stage shoes of stalker Annie Wilkes during a 1993 test-out of the script adaptation in London. It opened on Broadway in 2015 starring Laurie Metcalf as Annie and Bruce Willis as novelist Paul. Metcalf was nominated for the Best Actress in a Play Tony at the 70th Tony Awards telecast. Willis was having trouble remembering his lines and his use of an earpiece to aid with his lines to be fed was met with criticism in some reviews. Later, Willis' family acknowledged the actor was having memory and cognitive issues. The Dunes Summer Theatre run of 'Misery' directed by John Hancock and starring Janet Davies and Kevin Giese is May 30 to June 1,5 with tickets $30 to $35 and available at or call 219-879-7509.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Averi Harper Named Political Director For ABC News; Audrey Taylor Tapped As VP Of Talent Strategy
Averi Harper has been named political director for ABC News, with plans to relocate from New York to Washington, D.C. Harper will succeed Rick Klein, who was named Washington bureau chief last year. More from Deadline CBS Warns That FCC Action On '60 Minutes' Complaint Would Create "A Less Free World" Where Government Becomes "A Roving Censor" Donald Trump Appoints Fox News' Maria Bartiromo And Laura Ingraham To Kennedy Center Board FCC Chairman Sends Letter To Google CEO Over Network's Complaint That YouTube TV "Discriminates" Against Faith-Based Programming In her role, Harper will help lead political coverage and manage the political unit, as well as work with polling partners. Decision Desk operations and ABC-owned stations. She also will continue to provide analysis on and off the air. Harper has been deputy political director since 2021 and joined the network as a campaign reporter and producer in 2019. The network also named Audrey Taylor to vice president of talent strategy and development, having recently served as director of bureau planning and strategy in Washington, D.C. In her new role, she will lead the talent department, working with human resources, talent acquisition and business affairs. She has been with the network for 35 years, including as a breaking news and field producer. She will relocateto New York from Washington. ABC News President Almin Karamehmedovic said in a statement, 'I am incredibly proud of Averi and Audrey on these well-deserved promotions, both having demonstrated the highest level of dedication and commitment to ABC News' journalistic integrity. I know Audrey will use her keen intuition for spotting and developing the best talent, and Averi will contribute her deep experience when covering the most important political stories of our time.' Best of Deadline 'The Last Of Us' Season 2: Everything We Know So Far The Best 7 New Movies On Netflix In March 2025 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Seni Tienabeso Promoted To Vice President Of ABC News Live And Specialized Units
Seni Tienabeso has been promoted to vice president of ABC News Live and specialized units based in New York. Tienabeso will lead the network's 24/7 streaming channel and oversee ABC News' business, medical and climate units. He also will collaborate with ABC-owned stations. He will report to Almin Karamehmedovic, the president of the news division. More from Deadline Donald Trump Selects Radio And Podcast Host Dan Bongino As Deputy Director Of The FBI MSNBC To Drop Joy Reid From Primetime Lineup; 'The Weekend' Anchors And Jen Psaki Eyed For Nighttime Slots Kamala Harris Takes Swipes At Trump, Elon Musk At NAACP Image Awards; Decries "Shadows Gathering Over Our Democracy" Karamehmedovic said that Tienabeso 'is one of the most talented, hard working journalists in the industry who has a natural instinct for creative storytelling an impactful reporting.' Tienabeso previously was executive director of ABC News Live and, before that, EP of the streaming channel's primetime programming. That included creating the signature news program Prime with Linsey Davis. Tienabeso started at ABC News in 2007, and also served as senior producer on World News Tonight with David Muir. He has covered several presidential elections, the 2014 Israel-Hamas war, the Boston Marathon terrorist attack, the Haiti earthquake and the Chilean miner rescue. Best of Deadline Who Is The Mysterious Caller In 'The White Lotus' Season 3 Episode 2? 'The White Lotus' Season 3 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Arrive On Max? 'The White Lotus' Season 3: Everything We Know About The Cast, Premiere Date & More
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Seni Tienabeso Promoted To Vice President Of ABC News Live And Specialized Units
Seni Tienabeso has been promoted to vice president of ABC News Live and specialized units based in New York. Tienabeso will lead the network's 24/7 streaming channel and oversee ABC News' business, medical and climate units. He also will collaborate with ABC-owned stations. He will report to Almin Karamehmedovic, the president of the news division. More from Deadline Donald Trump Selects Radio And Podcast Host Dan Bongino As Deputy Director Of The FBI MSNBC To Drop Joy Reid From Primetime Lineup; 'The Weekend' Anchors And Jen Psaki Eyed For Nighttime Slots Kamala Harris Takes Swipes At Trump, Elon Musk At NAACP Image Awards; Decries "Shadows Gathering Over Our Democracy" Karamehmedovic said that Tienabeso 'is one of the most talented, hard working journalists in the industry who has a natural instinct for creative storytelling an impactful reporting.' Tienabeso previously was executive director of ABC News Live and, before that, EP of the streaming channel's primetime programming. That included creating the signature news program Prime with Linsey Davis. Tienabeso started at ABC News in 2007, and also served as senior producer on World News Tonight with David Muir. He has covered several presidential elections, the 2014 Israel-Hamas war, the Boston Marathon terrorist attack, the Haiti earthquake and the Chilean miner rescue. Best of Deadline Who Is The Mysterious Caller In 'The White Lotus' Season 3 Episode 2? 'The White Lotus' Season 3 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Arrive On Max? 'The White Lotus' Season 3: Everything We Know About The Cast, Premiere Date & More
