Latest news with #Freeburg
CBS News
19-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
2 bills aimed at banning offensive, discriminatory mascots at Illinois schools stalls in State Senate
Two bills aimed at mascots in Illinois high schools have temporarily stalled in the state's senate, but lawmakers say the legislation likely isn't going away anytime soon. One of those bills includes to ban the use of Native American mascots and imagery while the other wants to ban the use of discriminatory disability mascots. Some state house lawmakers expressed concerns over cost to local school districts, like downstate Freeburg. According to the high school's website, its athletic teen has been as the "Mighty Midgets" since the 1930's. "The team is named because of history. because of what went on there and so that's honoring them," Rep. Charlie Meier said "You could be playing another individual at another school who has dwarfism and imagine what that student feels when you are chanting your mascot," Co-director of Mascot's Matter Shelby Holloway said. an extension has been requested for the bill banning the use of discriminatory disability mascots... in hopes to assign it to committee before the end of session.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
It was hard to say goodbye to his buddy
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — April 30th, 2025, marks the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon that officially ended the Vietnam War; one of the bloodiest wars in American history. Over 58 thousand US service members lost their lives in this week, our parent company, Nexstar TV and all of its stations across the country are airing war stories about Vietnam Veterans, thanking them for their service, sacrifice, and bravery. A lot of people probably don't know this, but canines played a big role in the war. Maude and prison decisions feed 2026 governor race We met one of the dog handlers who says he probably wouldn't be here today if not for his four-legged friend. When they say a dog is a man's best friend… 'Most people didn't even know they were there,' Vietnam War dog handler Russ Freeburg said. …that's an understatement when it comes to the Vietnam War. Russ Freeburg of Garvin, Minnesota, was a Sentry Dog Handler at Da Nang Air Base from July of 1967 to July of 1968. As a security policeman, Freeburg was assigned Prince, a nine-year-old German Shepherd. Prince and Freeburg became the best of friends. He even still has copies of Prince's military dog records, whose serial number was 025E. Freeburg has a vest depicting his unit and his love for Prince. 'Just my best buddy, you spend every night all year out on the perimeter, you know keeping the perimeter secure,' Freeburg said. Over 4,000 dogs were used in the war for their keen senses of smell and hearing. Freeburg says the dogs are credited with saving thousands of lives. 'Especially the scout dogs, if Charlie was set up for an ambush and our Marines were walking into it, the scout dogs could pick that up quick,' Freeburg said. When Freeburg's year-long tour in Vietnam was up and it was time for him to go home, he couldn't bring his buddy back with him. 'That's hard, yeah, one of the pictures shows the last day. He said goodbye to him. I was down on one knee, shaking his paw and he's looking up at me and that's tough,' Freeburg said. 'You're one, you are with him every night, and I think he was probably saying 'you know Russ, we made a good team while we were here, we helped keep the perimeter secure, so you go home and be with your family and I'll stay here and do what I do.' When the war was over, the Department of Defense classified the dogs as equipment, and most were left behind and were euthanized, including Freeburg's buddy, Prince. 'I still miss him, you know, I always will,' Freeburg said. When Freeburg returned home to Minnesota, he got himself another dog; a German Shepherd, like Prince, only he named this one Lucky. Freeburg would also like to see a statue made of a dog handler and his dog and placed next to the Vietnam Memorial in Pierre. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Illinois schools may be forced to change mascots under proposed law
The Brief A proposed Illinois law would prohibit public schools from using mascots with derogatory names for people with disabilities. Freeburg High School's mascot, the "Midgets," has drawn criticism from disability rights activists. The school has resisted past calls to change the mascot, but the new legislation could force a change by 2028. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - A new bill introduced in the Illinois legislature could require schools across the state to change mascots that reference disabilities in a derogatory way. The proposal comes as Freeburg High School, located about 25 miles from St. Louis, faces renewed criticism over its mascot, the "Midgets." What we know The activist group Mascots Matter filed a complaint in January with the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, arguing that Freeburg's mascot violates federal anti-discrimination laws and offends people with dwarfism. The school prominently features the mascot's name and cartoonish imagery on buildings, its website, and social media. In response to the complaint, a Democratic lawmaker from Rockford introduced a bill that would ban public schools from using mascots that include derogatory terms for people with disabilities. The backstory This is not the first time Freeburg High School has faced pressure to retire its mascot. In 2014, the national organization Little People of America urged the school board to change the name, calling it derogatory, objectifying, and dehumanizing. However, the school ultimately kept the mascot after strong community support for its tradition. What's next The proposed legislation will now move through the Illinois General Assembly. If passed, the law would give schools, including Freeburg, until 2028 to phase out old logos, uniforms, and other materials.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Below Deck' cameraman who saved cast member's life was comatose after 2 strokes
NEW YORK — Heroic 'Below Deck' cameraman Brent Freeburg, who previously saved the life of cast member Ashton Pienaar, was comatose earlier this month after suffering two strokes earlier this month and remains hospitalized. Freeburg's family shared this week in a GoFundMe, which has thus far raised nearly $59,000 of a $500,000 goal, that they are '12 days through a nightmare' after he suffered two strokes and a subdural hematoma on Feb. 15. The New York state native, who grew up in the Adirondacks, experienced the medical emergency while outside of Los Angeles. His family is trying to raise funds to transport him to a hospital near them on the East Coast. Freeburg's family highlighted the moment he saved deckhand Ashton Pienaar's life in 2018, during the sixth season of the Bravo hit. 'Brent had no passion to be on camera, but quickly found his way to the forefront during one pivotal and life changing moment. Ashton was quickly whisked away to sea trapped, and drowning,' reads the GoFundMe. 'Brent made the decision to break the dreaded fourth wall and quickly went from spectator to hero. Brentrick, as we lovingly call him, however, was always our hero.' 'It's a tough thing to process when someone who's given you so much is now facing their own battle,' Pienaar wrote on Instagram earlier this week. 'If you have a moment, please keep him in your thoughts. Wishing him strength, healing, and a full recovery.' As of Thursday, though still on antibiotics, a sedative and pain medication, Freeburg is experiencing a fluctuating fever but managed to 'move his toes and squeeze his hand on command. … And yesterday's CAT scan showed no changes… which is good news too. Small steps,' his mom, Cheri, said in an update shared by a cousin via Instagram. Though Freeburg is no longer comatose and has been able to breathe on his own in recent days, doctors previously kept him on a breathing tube 'as a precaution,' according to hospitalization updates Cheri previously shared on GoFundMe. Last Friday, Freeburg underwent a middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization, meant to reduce the source of the brain's bleeding. Cheri wrote that he was 'stable, and vitals are all good' the following day, though he was back on the breathing tube and 'still asleep.' Freeburg had a fever for much of Tuesday — the last day his mom shared updates — prompting doctors to run multiple tests to determine whether he has an infection. He will subsequently move to a rehab facility.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Below Deck cameraman who saved cast member's life in coma after two strokes and subdural hematoma
Hero cameraman Brent Freeburg, who saved the life of Below Deck star Ashton Pienaar in 2018, is in a coma after experiencing two strokes and a subdural hematoma. A GoFundMe page was created for Brent Freeburg by his family, with his mother Cheri explaining that her son was admitted to the hospital for emergency surgery on February 15. 'Prayers needed please. My son Brent was admitted to the hospital last night and had emergency surgery because he has a subdural hematoma,' she wrote. 'The operation went OK. He is in a coma right now and has a breathing tube. I don't know the backstory but I'm praying for healing and a complete recovery.' A subdural hematoma is a type of brain bleed that typically occurs after a head injury, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The family is asking for donations to continue Freeburg's medical care as he currently does not have health insurance and they are looking to transfer him from his current hospital outside of Los Angeles to the East Coast where most of his family is located. 'Without medical insurance currently, we are asking for your help,' the page's description read. 'Please spread the word so Brent, our cameraman, our hero, can be at home with his family by his side.' They have a goal of $500,000 and have received over $60,000 as of Friday afternoon. Freeburg, who has worked on numerous reality shows, previously made headlines when he rescued Ashton Pienaar during a 2018 episode of Below Deck. The deckhand was pulled overboard when a tow line wrapped around his ankle. Freeburg quickly helped get the line loose so Pienaar's leg could be freed and he could swim to safety. Pienaar shared a post on Instagram on Tuesday to wish his best to Freeburg's family. 'Some people leave an impact on your life that you can never repay. Brent is one of those people for me,' he captioned the post. 'I just heard that he's suffered a stroke, and it's a tough thing to process when someone who's given you so much is now facing their own battle. If you have a moment, please keep him in your thoughts. Wishing him strength, healing, and a full recovery.' The cameraman's cousin recently provided an update on Freeburg's health in an Instagram post on Thursday. His caption stated that Freeburg is on various medications, including one for pain and a sedative. He was also able to move his toes on command. His cousin also thanked those who have already contributed to the GoFundMe and clarified exactly what the money would be going toward. 'For now the goal is to raise enough funds to use a Medical Air Ambulance when he is ready to move to the east coast. They are extremely expensive. The quotes have ranged from $60k to $100k per flight,' he wrote. 'The rest of the funds will be to ensure he is able to receive the care he needs for his stroke recovery and necessary expenses of rehabilitation.'
