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Yahoo
a day ago
- General
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‘River of Angels' memorial rises in Kerrville as flood victims remembered
A growing wall of flowers and photographs honoring the victims of last weekend's deadly floods has been taking shape in Kerrville over the last 72 hours — a powerful expression of collective grief as locals struggle to come to terms with the immense scale of the tragedy. While search and rescue operations continue and helicopters buzz overhead, this roadside memorial has become a solemn gathering point for reflection, remembrance and shared sorrow. The photographs put a face to each victim and the flowers represent their lives. A sign reading "River of Angels" pinned to the rail has given the memorial its unofficial title, a name that gently captures the weight of loss that has transpired here. Kerr County was hit the hardest, with at least 100 deaths and more than 160 still missing. Faith Brings Light To Devastated Texas Town After Deadly Flooding Disaster The memorial was started by Leo Soto, who traveled from Miami to lay the first flowers. His Wall of Hope non-profit has been erecting memorials since the Surfside condo building collapse in Miami in 2021. "It's a place that has become really special... I let the community know that this was taking place and within hours there were dozens and dozens of people helping us to attach the flowers surrounding the pictures of the victims," Soto said of the Kerrville memorial. Read On The Fox News App "Since then, people have been bringing teddy bears, children have been bringing drawings, people have been bringing balloons, they're bringing their own flowers. It's become a really powerful place for the community to begin to heal and to just spread some love in the air — in a place that badly needs it." The River of Angels sign, he added, was placed later by someone he doesn't know — a reflection of how the memorial has taken on a life of its own after Soto laid its foundations. The scene was at times overwhelming. In one particularly raw moment, a woman studying the photographs let out a sudden shriek. She had apparently recognized a face on the display but had not realized the person was among the deceased. Visibly shaken, she stumbled away from the fence, crouched down near the curb and made a call on her cell phone, tears streaming down her face that were etched in pain. Carolyn Miller, a longtime Texas resident, was overcome with emotion too as she spoke of her immense sorrow. "The grief, it's devastating, and not just now," Miller said. "It will be devastating for years. Some people may never be found. There's just so much debris, silt in the water, it's unbearable." "What's happened is absolutely heartbreaking to everyone here. I mean, the outpouring of support is unbelievable. I went out to find a place to help clean up — but there were so many volunteers already so I brought cleaning supplies. I brought flowers. And I've cried way too many tears." She said the resilience of Texans and people across the country has been unshakable. "Texas Strong. Hill Country Proud," Miller said. Some were too upset to speak. Anne Lowery, a lifelong Kerrville resident who experienced previous flooding disasters in the area, said nothing compares to last week's deluge of rain. "This is way worse than the 1987 flood. The amount of water — and just the people it wiped out. It's tragic," Lowery said. "It's just overwhelming sadness. I have a home and everything's okay in it. And when I get up and go to the kitchen and wash the dishes or something, I just feel like I did nothing. And it's like… I want to do something. I want to help." Lowery, like many others, spoke fondly of Kervillle Tivy coach Reece Zunker, who died along with his wife. Their two sons are reportedly still missing. "I knew the coach — he taught both my grandsons in soccer. Everybody loved him. His whole family." Police Say 'Sightseers' Hindering Texas Recovery Efforts As Teams Search For Victims In Debris Madison Boner, a local high school student, said Zunker helped her overcome her lack of confidence. "He was a great teacher. I had him for construction but he also taught robotics and soccer," Boner said. "He was super encouraging and nice. I was always real shy, so sometimes he would have to make me speak my mind." "Like he would say, 'Hey, can you tell the other students what to do today?' because he wanted me to find my voice. He wanted the best future for all of his students." Boner said Zunker was supposed to teach her for another three years but instead wouldn't make it to the new school year, like other victims. "These people… these are our community. Some kids are gonna go back to school and just have to sit there like, 'She's not here.' It's heartbreaking. This took people. You can't reverse it." For many, turning to faith brings some comfort. Bishop Julian Dobbs of the St. Michael and All Angels Church in Kerrville was at the memorial too and said his church has been offering prayer and presence to first responders and victims. He, along with Bishop Marc Steele, encouraged people to gather for worship and to find hope in the power of faith in tragedy. "How can you not look at those photographs and realize that every single human being — every life, young and old — is precious and sacred?" Dobbs said. "These were beautiful people, just living their lives, serving one another and in one moment, their lives were snuffed out. Their families changed forever." Dobbs said that one of his pastors was lucky to get out with his life as his rector was completely destroyed, while other members of the church had a family member who was killed. "There are still considerable numbers of people who are yet to be found, who are missing, so this community has changed forever," Dobbs said. "This is a time to gather around what is the focus of the Christian faith — the hope that Jesus brings us — gather to worship Him and receive the support of each other."Original article source: 'River of Angels' memorial rises in Kerrville as flood victims remembered
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Superman' director reveals reboot will tackle politics and kindness, tells 'jerks' to 'screw' off
Director James Gunn revealed that the upcoming "Superman" movie will be "about politics," saying that the iconic superhero is "an immigrant that came from other places." "Superman is the story of America," Gunn told The Sunday Times in a recent interview. "An immigrant that came from other places and populated the country, but for me, it is mostly a story that says basic human kindness is a value and is something we have lost." The character, first introduced in 1938, was born from the imagination of writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster in Cleveland, Ohio. In the comics, Superman is the sole survivor of the planet Krypton, sent to Earth by his parents as their world faced destruction. Five For Fighting Reimagines 'Superman' In Powerful Tribute To Israeli Hostages The film, set to hit theaters on July 11, will serve as a reboot of the 2013 film Man of Steel and is intended to launch a new cinematic universe for the DC franchise. Actor David Corenswet stars as the new Superman, with Rachel Brosnahan playing Lois Lane. When asked whether he considered how the movie's political themes might resonate differently across the country — from "blue state" New York, aka Metropolis, to Superman's rural roots in Kansas — Gunn acknowledged the contrast. Read On The Fox News App "Yes, it plays differently," he said. "It's about human kindness. And obviously, there will be jerks out there who are just not kind and will take it as offensive just because it is about kindness. But screw them." Actor Knocks 'Fantastic 4' Hero As 'Womanizing' Guy, Says His Portrayal In New Film Will Be Different While Gunn emphasized the film's political and moral undertones, he also noted its sense of fun and fantasy — mentioning a flying dog in a cape as part of the film's lighter elements. "Yes, it's about politics," he said. "But on another level, it's about morality. Do you never kill no matter what — which is what Superman believes — or do you have some balance, as Lois believes? It's really about their relationship and how differing moral perspectives can pull two people apart." Gunn did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for article source: 'Superman' director reveals reboot will tackle politics and kindness, tells 'jerks' to 'screw' off
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukrainian US ambassador, seen with head in hands during Oval Office meeting, is departing DC
Ukrainian ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova is departing Washington, D.C., according to Ukraine's foreign ministry. The move comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy looks to inject new blood into U.S.-Ukraine relations. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced the change on Wednesday in a broadcast on Ukrainian radio. "She is extremely effective and charismatic, but every diplomat has a rotation cycle," Sybiha said. Markarova made headlines for her reaction to President Donald Trump's disastrous meeting with Zelenskyy inside the Oval Office in late February. Markarova could be seen holding her head in despair as Trump and Vice President JD Vance needled Zelenskyy. Putin Rejects Trump's Vatican Push As Kremlin Accuses Him Of Being 'Emotional': Envoy Kellogg Markarova has also faced criticism from Republicans for being overly partisan in her dealings with Washington. House Speaker Mike Johnson called her out in September 2024 for hosting what he described as a campaign event for Democrats just weeks before the general elections. Read On The Fox News App The event saw Zelenskyy visit a munitions factory in Pennsylvania alongside Democratic politicians and officials. Johnson noted that no Republicans were invited to the event and demanded Zelenskyy fire Markarova. Johnson said the tour "purposely excluded" Republicans, calling it "election interference." "The facility was in a politically contested battleground state, was led by a top political surrogate for Kamala Harris and failed to include a single Republican because — on purpose — no Republicans were invited," Johnson wrote in a letter to Zelenskyy, noting the attendance of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. He said the "shortsighted and intentionally political move" prompted Republicans to "lose trust" in Markarova's ability to fairly and effectively serve as a diplomat. "She should be removed from her post immediately," Johnson article source: Ukrainian US ambassador, seen with head in hands during Oval Office meeting, is departing DC
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Michelle Obama frets young women are not allowed the unearned confidence young men have
Former First Lady Michelle Obama is tired of young women not being able to be as sure of themselves as young men are. During Wednesday's episode of her "IMO" podcast, which she co-hosts with her brother Craig Robinson, Obama spoke to "Seinfeld" and "Veep" star Julia Louis-Dreyfus about how she wishes younger women had the unbridled confidence that young men in their 30s have — arguing that when women finally start feeling good about themselves, they're older and less visible to society. "We're always hedging, you know, because in the back of our minds, we weren't raised with the certainty of maleness that, you know – kind of the confidence that young men in their 30s have, which they haven't earned. They just have it," she told the actress. "You know, we don't start feeling that and owning that until our 50s and 60s, at a time when we start to be treated as invisible in society," Obama added. Michelle Obama Says She 'Grew Up Grateful,' But Kids Today Are Less So The topic came up with Louis-Dreyfus mentioning how she has become friends with 87-year-old actress Jane Fonda in recent years and has marveled at her "extraordinary" life that isn't in the spotlight as much anymore. Read On The Fox News App "And I was so struck by the breadth of her life, the profundity – she's done so many different things. And it got me thinking about, wow, there's so many women out there that are older – I mean, at the time she was 85, I believe – that are older that have had these extraordinary lives, and we're not hearing from them." Obama suggested this was a societal issue, replying, "We've talked about this a lot, how women, as we age, we get pushed out of the picture." "Yeah, it's incredible," the "Seinfeld" actress replied. Obama Isn't Coming To Rescue Democrats In Desperate Need Of Leadership: Ny Times Columnist Obama went on to say, now that she's older, she finally feels sure of herself and confident in her wisdom — a mindset she said she couldn't experience when she was younger. "Now that I'm 60… this is really the first time in my life where I feel completely me, and I can absolutely embrace my wisdom," she said. "I mean, because I think we, as women, we spend most of our lives saying, 'Well, maybe I don't know what I'm talking about.' We qualify everything," "We apologize," Louis-Dreyfus interjected. "We apologize. We don't want to put our opinions on the table because maybe we're wrong," Obama continued. Click Here For More Coverage Of Media And Culture Since the start of her podcast with Robinson, Obama has remained largely apolitical, choosing to focus more on lifestyle topics and questions about family and personal relationships. In a May episode with pop star Beyoncé Knowles' mom, Tina Knowles, Obama urged parents to resist the urge to be friends with their kids as they're growing up. "And so many people are trying to be their kids' friends, and they think that that makes you closer," Obama said. "But let me tell you, I was not my children's friend. I love them deeply. There was respect. And, you know, for those of you trying to be friends with your kids, our kids love us just as much as adults. In fact, the relationship, I think, is even closer because now they've earned my friendship. Now we can be friends. Now, maybe you know something." In a late June episode with social psychologist and author Jonathan Haidt, Obama stressed the need for parents to limit their kids' time on smartphones and social media. "The bottom line is that we've got to get tougher. We've got to get more resilient for our kids. Because I know time and time again that a lot of parents do what's easy for them, you know, and not necessarily what's best for the kid," she article source: Michelle Obama frets young women are not allowed the unearned confidence young men have
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Biden doctor dodges questions in speedy House closed-door interview
Former White House physician Kevin O'Connor's closed-door interview with the House Oversight Committee ended after less than an hour on Wednesday morning, with the doctor giving investigators virtually no new insights. O'Connor pleaded the Fifth Amendment to multiple questions about his time with former President Joe Biden during his sit-down. It resulted in a hasty end to what could have been an hours-long deposition. "I'm going to read the first two questions that were asked. 'Were you ever told to lie about the president's health?' He pleaded the Fifth Amendment. He would not answer that question. The second question, 'Did you ever believe President Biden was unfit to execute his duty?'" House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., told reporters after the meeting. "Again, President Biden's White House physician pled the fifth. This is unprecedented, and I think that this adds more fuel to the fire that there was a cover-up." White House Waives Executive Privileges For Biden Doctor Kevin O'connor In Cover-up Probe The doctor's lawyers said O'Connor's refusal to answer questions on Fifth Amendment grounds was not an admission of guilt, but rather a response to what they saw as an unprecedented investigatory scope that could have violated the bounds of patient-physician privilege. Read On The Fox News App "This Committee has indicated to Dr. O'Connor and his attorneys that it does not intend to honor one of the most well-known privileges in our law - the physician patient privilege. Instead, the Committee has indicated that it will demand that Dr. O'Connor reveal, without any limitations, confidential information regarding his medical examinations, treatment, and care of President Biden," the attorney statement said. "Revealing confidential patient information would violate the most fundamental ethical duty of a physician, could result in revocation of Dr. O'Connor's medical license, and would subject Dr. O'Connor to potential civil liability. Dr. O'Connor will not violate his oath of confidentiality to any of his patients, including President Biden." The House Oversight Committee has been investigating whether Biden's former top aides covered up evidence of his mental and physical decline while in office. Biden's allies have denied such allegations. But Comer suggested to reporters that O'Connor's invocation of the Fifth Amendment could have been evidence to the contrary. "Most people invoke the fifth when they have criminal liability. And so that's what would appear on the surface here," he said. "We're going to continue to move forward. Obviously, I think his actions today speak loud and clear." But O'Connor's lawyers wrote in their statement, "We want to emphasize that asserting the Fifth Amendment privilege does not imply that Dr. O'Connor has committed any crime. In fact, to the contrary, as our Supreme Court has emphasized: 'One of the Fifth Amendment's basic functions is to protectinnocent men who otherwise might be ensnared by ambiguous circumstances.'" Meanwhile, Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, who made a surprise appearance at the interview and was the only lawmaker there, save for Comer, defended O'Connor's use of the Fifth Amendment. Biden Aides Pushes For Early Debate To Show Off Biden's 'Strength', Exposes Trump's 'Weakness,' Book Says "As someone who has served as a criminal defense attorney and actually been in courtrooms, it's kind of astounding to hear someone say, if you invoke the Fifth Amendment, that is only because you are guilty," Crockett said. She pointed out that the Trump administration had launched a contemporaneous criminal probe. "We have a constitutional right that anyone who may be under fire can invoke. And unfortunately, with this rogue DOJ, it has decided that it wants to run a contemporaneous investigation, criminal investigation, involving the doctor – I think he did what any good lawyer would advise him to do," Crockett said. O'Connor's lawyers have asked the committee to pause its investigation while the Department of Justice (DOJ) probe is underway. He and his legal team appeared to catch reporters by surprise with their hasty exit on Wednesday morning, roughly thirty minutes after entering. One of O'Connor's lawyers said they would be making "no comments to press" in response to a shouted question by Fox News Digital. Comer, for his part, insisted the investigation would go on. "This is something I think every American is concerned about. I think that the American people want to know the truth. We're going to continue this investigation. We'll move forward," Comer said. "We have several other witnesses that are going to come in for depositions and transcribed interviews. We will do everything in our ability to be transparent with the media and be transparent with the American people." The committee previously interviewed former Biden staff secretary Neera Tanden. Comer has summoned several other ex-White House aides to article source: Biden doctor dodges questions in speedy House closed-door interview
