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Fox News
03-06-2025
- General
- Fox News
Archaeologist uncovers 'compelling evidence' of true location where Jesus turned water into wine
A historian believes he's found the location of Jesus Christ's first miracle – and has newfound evidence to back it up. Scripture gives limited details about Jesus' first miracle, which is said to have taken place at Cana. The Gospel of John states that Jesus turned water into wine during a wedding in the village. "Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons," the gospel states. "Jesus said to the servants, 'Fill the jars with water,' so they filled them to the brim." The passage continues, "Then he told them, 'Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.' They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine." The prevailing theory states that Kafr Kanna, an Israeli town in the Galilee, was the true location of Cana. Pilgrims have long venerated the site, according to the Catholic Encyclopedia of 1914. But historian Tom McCollough says that Cana was actually located five miles north of Kafr Kanna. The site, called Khirbet Qana, was a Jewish village from 323 B.C. to 324 A.D. McCollough taught religion and history at Centre College until his retirement in 2017. He told Pen News that Khirbet Qana presents the most compelling evidence so far. "[No other village] has the ensemble of evidence that makes such a persuasive case for Khirbet Qana," he said. The main piece of evidence is a series of tunnels used by Christians — marked with various crosses and references to Christ, which date back over 1,500 years. "We have uncovered a large Christian veneration cave complex that was used by Christian pilgrims who came to venerate the water-to-wine miracle," McCollough said. "This complex was used beginning in the late fifth or early sixth century and continued to be used by pilgrims into the 12th-century Crusader period." During his excavation, McCollough also uncovered an altar and a shelf with a stone vessel. "Our excavations have shown that this was a thriving Jewish village located in the heart of much of Jesus' life and ministry." He noted that there was space for five additional jars — consistent with the biblical account of six stone jars. On the walls of the complex, his team of excavators also uncovered references to Kyrie Iesou, a Koine Greek phrase meaning Lord Jesus. "The pilgrim texts we have from this period that describe what pilgrims did and saw when they came to Cana of Galilee match very closely what we have exposed as the veneration complex," he said. Speaking to Pen News, McCollough also used the work of Flavius Josephus, a first-century Jewish historian, to back up his argument. "His references to Cana align geographically with the location of Khirbet Qana and align logically with his movements," he said. "The reference to Cana in Josephus, the New Testament and in the rabbinic texts would argue the village was a Jewish village, near the Sea of Galilee and in the region of lower Galilee." He added, "Khirbet Qana fulfills all of these criteria." McCollough also argued that Kafr Kanna wasn't recognized as a pilgrimage site for Cana until the 18th century, which disputes the Catholic narrative about the site. "At this point, the Franciscans were managing Christian pilgrimage and facilitating easy passage rather than historical accuracy," he claimed. All in all, McCollough believes his excavations could bolster the case for the historicity of the Bible, and that his findings "warrant at least a reconsideration of the historical value of John's references to Cana and Jesus." "Our excavations have shown that this was in fact a thriving Jewish village located in the heart of much of Jesus' life and ministry," he said. McCollough added, "For the Gospel of John, Cana [was] in some ways Jesus' safe place or operational center. It is a place he and his disciples return to when they encounter resistance in Judea." The most recent research comes as archaeologists across the world work on uncovering sites from the Bible. In March, an archaeologist working at Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre spoke with Fox News Digital about finding proof of an ancient garden at the site, consistent with scripture. Earlier this year, a group of Israeli archaeologists uncovered evidence of a biblical battle at the city of Megiddo in northern Israel.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jackson voters head to polls June 3 to choose next mayor. Here's who is on the ballot
In just a few days, voters in Jackson will return to the polls to elect the city's next mayor, closing out a months-long campaign that began earlier this year. The June 3 general election will be the final step after a series of primaries and runoffs that narrowed the field from the original 20 candidates who qualified. Unlike previous elections, this one will be decided by whoever gets the most votes — there will be no runoff. Incumbent Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, who was pursuing a third term, was indicted on federal charges late last year but qualified to run in January, advancing to the Democratic runoff in April. Ultimately, Mississippi Sen. John Horhn, D-Jackson, secured a decisive victory in that runoff, positioning himself as the frontrunner for the June election. Below is a look at the candidates who will be on the ballot on June 3, as well as their recent campaign finance reports, which were due Tuesday, May 27. Information on candidates is derived from candidate questionnaires and interviews during the run-up to the election. John Horhn, 70, a longtime Mississippi State Senator representing District 26 since 1993, is the clear front-runner in Jackson's mayoral race. Horhn has run for mayor three times previously, including recent campaigns in 2014 and 2017, but has yet to win. With decades of political experience and deep ties to Jackson, he is widely expected to win the upcoming June 3 election and lead the city. Horhn studied English literature and dramatic arts at Centre College in Kentucky and pursued further education in community leadership at Jackson State University and Duke University. He is married to Lydia and has two children. Horhn's campaign centers on reversing Jackson's decades-long population decline, which has seen about 60,000 people leave since 1980. He argues that improving basic services, such as streets, safety, water and infrastructure, is key to making the city a place where people want to live, work and invest. His legislative career includes helping bring millions in state and federal resources to Jackson, a track record he pledges to continue as mayor. Horhn stresses the need to eliminate bureaucratic roadblocks to repairing streets and removing abandoned properties. Horhn also emphasizes healing the fractured relationship between city and state leadership to ensure better management of city assets and avoid future state takeover attempts. Horhn said his approach is grounded in collaboration and accountability. He promotes building trust with residents and local leaders alike. He acknowledges that the city and council must move past personal conflicts to foster a team-building culture at City Hall focused on Jackson's best interests. Horhn's experienced, pragmatic message and broad support have positioned him as the candidate most likely to become Jackson's next mayor. According to his latest submitted campaign finance report, Horhn raised $116,586 between April 15 and May 27. During that same time period, Horhn spent $93,277.88. His report shows him with $23.308.12 on hand. In total, Horhn has raised $350,030 this election and has spent $196,173.47, according to the report. Horhn received a $5,000 donation, the largest in the report, this period from four donors: the Hern Law Firm, Landfair Solutions LLC, Brian Johnson and Billy Wayne Long. He also received a $2,500 donation from a political action committee called Capitol Resources Political Action Committee, which is associated with the local lobbying firm Capitol Resources LLC. Kenneth 'Kenny' Gee, the lone Republican in Jackson's mayoral election, has been largely absent from public campaigning in recent weeks. Despite that, he remains on the ballot for the June 3 election. Gee, 38, is a former law enforcement officer and a graduate of Bailey Magnet High School. He is currently enrolled at Rasmussen University and is the father of twin sons. He has not previously held elected office. In earlier public statements, Gee said he is running to help Jackson reach its 'incredible potential,' with a focus on public safety, infrastructure and community well-being. His platform emphasizes investing in law enforcement, expanding youth mentorship and mental health programs, and revitalizing public spaces. He also voiced support for affordable housing and sustainable development. To address state-city tensions, Gee proposed forming a City-State Relations Task Force to build trust and improve cooperation on shared goals such as infrastructure and economic growth. Gee outlined a collaborative approach with the City Council, stressing data-driven policies and open dialogue. While he has not been actively campaigning, his name will appear on the ballot, and any votes cast for him will count. Gee did not submit a campaign finance report on May 27. Rodney DePriest, a former Clinton alderman and longtime Jackson resident, is running for mayor with a campaign focused on tackling violent crime and rebuilding the city's infrastructure. DePriest, 58, has lived in Jackson for more than 30 years. He's a Mississippi College graduate and previously worked in construction and banking. He served two terms on the Clinton Board of Aldermen in the 1990s. He said his run for office is driven by faith. At the center of his campaign is a group violence-intervention strategy. The goal is to bring police, faith leaders, community groups and residents together to directly engage with those responsible for most of the city's gun violence. Offenders would be warned of consequences but offered help — job training, education and social services — if they want to change. "Better Together" is DePriest's campaign slogan. His second major priority is infrastructure. He wants to work closely with JXN Water and push for a long-term plan to improve roads and traffic flow. He proposes using a pavement management system to guide repairs and maximize use of state and local funds. DePriest also says Jackson needs to improve its relationship with state leaders and, if elected, he said he'll bring a collaborative mindset to City Hall. According to his latest campaign finance report, DePriest raised $89,325 this election, spending $72,349. The report says he has $16,976 on hand. DePriest's largest donor is a Clinton-based company called HiJack LLC, an equipment rental company, according to the report. HiJack donated $10,000. DePriest also received a $6,000 donation from property management company MDMW Investments, which is based in Raymond. Multiple other businesses also donated $5,000 to DePriest's campaign. Zach Servis, a 27-year-old musician, minister and entertainment professional, is running for mayor of Jackson with a platform centered on transparency in government, public safety and city services. Though he has no prior experience in elected office, Servis said he is ready to lead with bold ideas aimed at restoring trust in city leadership. His plan starts with what he calls the 'three A's': accessibility, accountability and affordability. To improve safety, he wants to increase the Jackson Police Department's officer count to 400 and expand youth intervention programs. He also supports paving roads with longer-lasting cement, addressing potholes promptly, and syncing infrastructure repairs with JXN Water to avoid repeated street work. On government access, Servis proposes moving city council meetings to the evening, responding to residents within 24 hours, and launching a city app that would let people directly message departments. He also wants to create a public dashboard showing spending, project timelines, and performance evaluations for city staff. Servis said tackling corruption is the city's most urgent issue. He plans to bring audits up to date, launch a forensic audit of every department and make all contracts and budget records publicly available. He also wants to use AI tools to flag irregularities in city operations and record most city meetings for transparency. To repair Jackson's strained relationship with the state, Servis said the city must demonstrate fiscal responsibility and offer clear plans for managing its own assets. While opposing state takeovers, he said Jackson should collaborate with state officials on shared goals. Servis plans to meet regularly with city council members, involve them in planning before proposals reach the agenda and ensure high-quality presentations that inspire confidence and cooperation. His aim is to create a more open and responsive city government. According to his recently submitted campaign finance report, Servis has received $2,290 in contributions, while spending $1,585. His reports shows $705 on hand. A majority of Servis' campaign funds have gone towards purchasing yard signs and videography, according to the report. Lillie Stewart-Robinson, a Jackson native, ordained minister and author, is running for mayor with a campaign centered on collaboration and inclusiveness. A graduate of Lanier High School, Jackson State University and New Foundation Seminary, Stewart-Robinson has not held elected office but said it's time for change in city leadership. Her priorities include tackling youth crime, repairing infrastructure, revitalizing parks, boosting economic development and improving education. She wants to bring together a diverse group of voices — city officials, department heads, students, neighborhood leaders and state representatives — to develop strategies that address the city's most pressing challenges. Stewart-Robinson emphasizes building strong relationships, especially between the city and state. She believes open communication and mutual respect are key to resolving conflicts and securing support for Jackson. She also wants to work closely with the city council, inviting them and other stakeholders into ongoing conversations about how to improve city services and quality of life for residents. Her campaign is built on the idea that lasting solutions require everyone at the table, working together with a shared commitment to making Jackson a better, more inclusive city for all. According to her recently filed campaign finance report, Stewart-Robinson has raised $1,391. The report only shows her contributions, she does not list what she has spent campaign funds on or how much cash she has on hand. Stewart-Robinson's contributors include two donations of $65 and $50 from two individuals, as well as a $500 donation from a Carolyn Wilks. The contributions also show Stewart-Robinson gave a loan to herself for $776.40. Although still listed on the ballot, conservative radio host Kim Wade is now urging his supporters to vote for fellow candidate Rodney DePriest in the June 3 general election. Wade, known for the radio program "The Kim Wade Show," initially entered the race to challenge what he called 'mediocrity' and mismanagement in city leadership. He framed his campaign around restoring integrity and stewardship in Jackson's government, promising to stabilize city operations and improve long-term planning. Wade's platform focused heavily on raising property values and investing in education. He argued that improving schools — whether public, private or charter — would help attract new investment and development, much like large economic projects in other cities. He was critical of past mayors' handling of state-city relations, saying his administration would avoid state takeovers. To him, the root of many of Jackson's problems is a failure in leadership and basic governance. Wade did not submit a campaign finance report. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Who is running for mayor of Jackson MS on June 3 2025?
Daily Mail
12-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Florida scientists work out what causes the majority of alligators to attack humans
In groundbreaking new research, scientists in Florida determined that almost all alligator attacks were actually due to risky behavior from humans. Researchers at both the University of Florida and Centre College in Kentucky published the first-ever study into what humans were doing immediately before an encounter with an alligator. The experts found that 96 per cent of recorded reptile 'attacks' occurred immediately after a human had engaged in 'risky' behavior, and published the findings in the Human-Wildlife Interactions journal where, in April, they announced beast bites were preventable. The study's lead and professor at Centre College Mark Teshera said the findings show that alligator 'attacks' aren't actually attacks at all. He said: 'It was important to create a ranking system for risky human behaviors because it showed that the overwhelming majority of bites stemmed from some level of humans engaging in risky behavior in places where alligators live. 'Therefore, we should not call these encounters "attacks". The professor added that the motivation for the study was to determine if the beasts were misrepresented. Scientists concluded that humans shoulder a majority of the blame for alligator bites, and the predators don't typically go looking to attack people. Professor Frank Mazzotti said: 'The takeaway lesson from this study is that many bites can be prevented if humans are aware of their surroundings and minimize risky behaviors, such as walking small pets near bodies of water or swimming where alligators are known to be present.' Scientists believe that alligators won't go looking for conflict but will respond if presented with an 'attractive stimulus', which could be something that would spook them like splashing, swimming, or just as a presence in their natural habitat. When researchers specifically looked at fatal bites, they found humans were often engaging in high-risk behavior beforehand. This can be defined as deliberately entering the alligator's habitat. Humans who simply walked near the water or the alligator's habitat on land were rarely bitten. Mazzotti said the findings could help protect the reptiles from being euthanized by authorities if they were to bite a human. Typically, when an attack occurs, authorities will attempt to identify the alligator, capture it, and euthanize them. If humans are conscious of not disturbing the creatures, they're less likely to get attacked, and the alligators won't be senselessly killed.
Daily Mail
09-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Florida scientists work out what's behind 96% of alligator attacks on humans
In groundbreaking new research, Florida scientists determined that almost all alligator attacks were caused by risky behavior from humans. Researchers at the University of Florida and Centre College in Kentucky published the first-ever research studying what humans were doing immediately before an alligator encounter. They found that a whopping 96 percent of recorded 'alligator attacks' occurred right after humans were engaging in 'risky' behavior. Researchers published the study in the Human-Wildlife Interactions journal and announced in April that alligator bites are preventable. Mark Teshera, the study's lead and a biology professor at Centre College, said the findings show that alligator 'attacks' aren't actually attacks at all. 'It was important to create a ranking system for risky human behaviors because it showed that the overwhelming majority of bites stemmed from some level of humans engaging in risky behavior in places where alligators live,' Teshera said. 'Therefore, we should not call these encounters 'attacks.'' Teshera added that the motivation for the study was to determine if alligators were misrepresented. Scientists concluded that humans shoulder a majority of the blame for alligator bites, and the predators don't typically go looking to attack people. 'The takeaway lesson from this study is that many bites can be prevented if humans are aware of their surroundings and minimize risky behaviors such as walking small pets near bodies of water or swimming where alligators are known to be present,' Professor of Wildlife Ecology Frank Mazzotti said. Scientists believe that alligators won't go looking for conflict but will respond if presented with an 'attractive stimulus.' The stimulus can be something that would spook the alligator, including splashing, swimming, or a presence in their natural habitat. When researchers specifically looked at fatal bites, they found humans were often engaging in high-risk behavior beforehand. This can be defined as deliberately entering the alligator's habitat. Humans who simply walked near the water or the alligator's habitat on land were rarely bitten. Mazzotti said the findings could help protect alligators from being euthanized by authorities for biting a human. Typically, when an attack occurs, authorities will attempt to identify the alligator, capture it, and euthanize them. Although alligator attacks are rare, a Florida woman named Rachel Thompson was bitten last July while swimming in Hillsborough River If humans are conscious of not disturbing the creatures, they're less likely to get attacked, and the alligators won't be senselessly killed. The information is particularly useful as Floridians prepare for alligator season, which runs from April to June. The spring is when alligators mate, and they're more active, which can lead to an increase in human interactions. Researchers advise Floridians to be aware of alligator habitats and avoid swimming in the area. Last July, a woman named Rachel Thompson was swimming in Hillsborough River when she was bitten by an alligator. The alligator bit her leg as she attempted to escape by throwing a rock and punching it. Thompson miraculously pried the alligator's mouth open, and her son helped her escape. Another woman was recently attacked while she paddled in a canoe near the mouth of Tiger Creek.
Fox News
09-05-2025
- Health
- Fox News
What causes nearly every alligator attack on humans? Study says it's our fault
Have Floridians finally figured out what causes most alligator attacks? A group of researchers from the Sunshine State say yes. A recent study from the University of Florida delved into the topic and found there was one reason that caused 96% of alligator bites. With help from experts from Centre College in Kentucky, the team recently published their results in the journal Human – Wildlife Interactions. "[This] research is the first to develop a ranking system that categorizes human actions immediately before an alligator encounter," the University of Florida said in a statement. So what causes alligator bites? Most of the time, the study says, it's the fault of humans. "Researchers found that in 96% of recorded incidents, some form of human inattention or risk-taking preceded the attack," the university's statement said. "The findings show how alligator bites are not random; they're preventable." The study went as far back as the 1730s to reach its conclusion. The research team analyzed nearly 300 years' worth of records, from 1734 to 2021, on human-alligator interactions using the CrocBITE database. "The team then augmented that information with internet searches, literature review and communications with wildlife agencies," the statement added. "Each case was classified by the level of human behavior risk: no risk, low, moderate or high." Most bites "occurred following moderate-risk behaviors, such as swimming or wading in areas known to be inhabited by alligators," the release noted. "The highest proportion of fatal bites occurred after high-risk behaviors, such as deliberately entering alligator-inhabited waters," the press release noted. "In contrast, low and no-risk behaviors, like walking near water or simply being present on land, rarely resulted in attacks." In a statement, Centre College professor Mark Teshera said that creating a ranking system was important "because it showed that the overwhelming majority of bites stemmed from some level of humans engaging in risky behavior in places where alligators live." "Therefore, we should not call these encounters 'attacks,'" he added. University of Florida professor Frank Mazzotti said the study's takeaway is that many unfortunate alligator interactions can be avoided. He urged the public to have situational awareness around wildlife. "Many bites can be prevented if humans are aware of their surroundings and minimize risky behaviors such as walking small pets near bodies of water or swimming where alligators are known to be present," he said. Mazzotti added, "Ultimately, the study underscores that situational awareness and informed choices, especially during recreational activities in alligator country, can help protect both people and wildlife."
