Latest news with #JasonCarter
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
State Rep. Derrick Jackson to join governor's race this week
Georgia state Rep. Derrick Jackson is set to join the governor's race this week. He said he will officially launch his 2026 campaign on Friday at Liberty Plaza at the Georgia State Capitol. Jackson has served in the Georgia General Assembly representing District 68 since 2017. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] He cites as his qualifications '22 years of selfless service in the military, 10 years of strategic leadership in corporate America, and his current impactful fifth term as State Representative. His 42 years of proven leadership are a testament to his extraordinary capabilities.' Jackson's Democratic primary bid follows his unsuccessful candidacy for lieutenant governor in 2022. He came in sixth in the Democratic primary, the Associated Press reports. RELATED STORIES: We now have 4 candidates running to be Georgia's next governor Jason Carter rules out running for GA governor as wife Kate battles brain cancer Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr plans to run for governor Jackson joins three other Democratic primary candidates: Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Georgia state Sen. Jason Esteves and Atlanta pastor Olu Brown. Prominent Democrat Jason Carter, former President Jimmy Carter's grandson, has chosen not to run for governor because his wife is being treated for brain cancer. A second prominent Democrat, Stacey Abrams, hasn't made her plans known yet, the Associated Press said. Republican incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp cannot run for governor again because of term limits. On the Republican side, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr is running for governor. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Yahoo
Baaaaad goat on the run in Gwinnett County
Duluth police are searching for a fugitive who's on the run yet again, and he's goat to be caught. They say they received several calls about a goat trotting down Peachtree Industrial Blvd. earlier on Tuesday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Officers tried to corral the hoofed escapee along Albion Farm Road, but it hopped a few fences and darted off into some backyards. Police say it's the same goat that was spotted in Suwanee recently. Animal Control and police are hoping to shout, 'Goatcha!' soon, so give them a call if you see the goat. TRENDING STORIES: Convicted killer mistakenly released in Clayton County coming back to GA after his recapture GA couple sentenced for padlocking fridge, allowing son to molest half-sister in exchange for food Jason Carter rules out running for GA governor as wife Kate battles brain cancer [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Jason Carter rules out 2026 bid for governor as wife battles brain cancer
The Brief Jason Carter, grandson of former President Jimmy Carter, says he will not seek office in 2026 due to his wife Kate's diagnosis of glioblastoma. Kate Carter, a teacher and entrepreneur, is undergoing treatment for the aggressive brain cancer; the couple has two teenage sons. Jason Carter, a former state senator and 2014 gubernatorial candidate, now leads The Carter Center and practices law in Atlanta. ATLANTA - Former Georgia state Sen. Jason Carter said he has no plans to seek the 2026 nomination because of his wife's cancer diagnosis. "For all intents and purposes, I can't imagine making a decision to run because it's the wrong time for my family," Carter, 49, told The Associated Press on Monday. What we know Carter also told The Associated Press that he is "not going to endorse anybody," but that he was "very excited" that Sen. Jason Esteves has announced that he is in the running for governor in 2026. RELATED: Sen. Jason Esteves announces campaign for governor of Georgia Katharine "Kate" Lewis Carter has glioblastoma, a highly malignant and aggressive form of brain cancer. Treatment typically involves surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible, followed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Jason Carter did not reveal any additional details about his wife's condition. Jason Carter is the grandson of former President Jimmy Carter, who died at the age of 100 on Dec. 29, 2024, and first lady Rosalynn Carter, who passed away on Nov. 19, 2023, at the age of 96. Carter, who served in the Georgia State Senate from 2010 to 2015, was the Democratic Party nominee for governor in Georgia in 2014. He lost to incumbent Nathan Deal by 7.9%, receiving 44% of the vote. In November 2015, Jason became Chair of the Board of Trustees of The Carter Center, the nonprofit organization founded in 1982 by his grandparents to fight for human rights and the alleviation of human suffering, prevent and resolve conflicts, improve health care, and enhance freedom and democracy. He had previously served on the board since 2009. Jason is also a lawyer and has represented clients in high-stakes trial and appellate business litigation, including breach of contract, class actions, business torts, and other complex commercial cases, according to Bondurant Mixson & Elmore. He has received numerous awards for his legal work and community service. He also wrote a book published by National Geographic titled Power Lines, which detailed the racial divides he experienced in South Africa while serving in the Peace Corps. Kate Carter is a high school teacher and former journalist with the Athens Banner-Herald. She also launched a nutmilk brand, Treehouse Naturals, with a friend in 2016. The couple has two teenage sons. What they're saying Before his announcement about his decision not to run, Jason Carter had been mentioned as a centrist candidate with high name identification who could run as a bridge between the Democrats' base and voters who might be up for grabs if President Donald Trump's popularity and the Republican brand take a dip heading into 2026, according to The Associated Press.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Maine's federal workforce roiled by Trump administration policies
Feb. 25—Workers at the Togus Veterans Administration Medical Center in Augusta have been fired, a hiring freeze was lifted at Acadia National Park and a job fair at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard has been canceled. It's all part of the latest — and sometimes contradictory — federal workforce shifts brought on by Trump administration policies to cut the size of government. Probationary employees at the Togus VA Medical Center were fired by email Monday night for allegedly "poor performance" without warning, the Maine AFL-CIO said Tuesday. It's not clear how many workers were fired. Probationary workers are those with two or fewer years on the job, but the label can also include more experienced workers who recently moved to a new agency or position. A "small number" of probationary staff in Maine were terminated this month, VA Maine spokesperson Jason Carter said in an email Tuesday night. He did not provide a more precise number when asked. "This decision will have no negative effect on Veteran health care, benefits or other services," Carter said. "We cannot discuss specific personnel matters due to privacy concerns." Affected workers were locked out of their emails Tuesday morning, the AFL-CIO said. Matt Schlobohm, executive director of the Maine AFL-CIO, said veterans were among the "arbitrarily fired" workers. He said he was informed of job cuts by the American Federation of Government Employees, a union that represents federal workers and is a member of the state labor federation. "The impacted VA employees whom we've spoken to have served our country honorably and took great pride in their work supporting other veterans. These firings will hurt Maine veterans and undermine the services they rely on," Schlobohm said in a written statement. Sen. Angus King, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, said in a statement on social media Tuesday that the cuts are "dangerous" to veterans. "If you can't get someone to answer the phone then that's an obstacle to the care, services and benefits our veterans earned and deserve," he said. The Maine VA reiterated on social media that it's maintaining its efforts to fill "mission-critical roles," including nurses, doctors and police officers. Dozens of open job postings were listed on the agency's website Tuesday afternoon. The Department of Veterans Affairs announced that more than 1,400 employees nationally were dismissed. Those fired were in non-mission-critical roles, the agency said. Nearly 40,000 probationary employees are considered mission-critical, the agency said. The jobs are exempt from the federal hiring freeze. The cuts were expected to save the department $83 million per year nationally, it said. Doug Collins, secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, said in a statement that the firings would not hurt VA health care or benefits. Meanwhile, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said Interior Secretary Doug Burgum informed her that he has "secured an exception" to a hiring freeze at Acadia that will allow seasonal workers to begin their jobs. The Trump administration last month imposed a three-month hiring freeze delaying the filling of 120 seasonal positions at the popular park. In response to conversations with officials from Friends of Acadia, a conservation organization, and the National Parks Conservation Association, Collins said she discussed with Burgum the "problems that the department's hiring freeze creates for Acadia" because it would not be able to hire seasonal employees needed to collect entrance fees, maintain trails and provide first responder services. About 11,000 federal workers are employed in Maine. The Portsmouth Navy Shipyard announced on social media that a March 4 hiring event has been canceled. "As we seek to understand and prioritize resources, a temporary recruiting and hiring pause has been implemented for Portsmouth Naval Shipyard," it said. A spokeswoman for the shipyard did not immediately respond to an email seeking details about the hiring event or its cancelation. Collins and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., have said the Portsmouth shipyard needs to hire 550 workers a year to meet Navy demand. It remains unclear whether any shipyard workers accepted buyouts this month as part of a related effort to reduce the federal workforce. Copy the Story Link
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
All the comic book, anime, and geek culture conventions happening in Minnesota in 2025
Minnesota is home to dozens of comic book, gaming, and other pop culture conventions every year. The list of events is gigantic, showcasing a diverse and encompassing community of gamers, artists, and fans that host everything from intimate gatherings with niche interests to massive events with alluring guests. Here are (nearly all) the conventions taking place in 2025 where you can stroll through markets, meet people with similar interests, and otherwise embrace your interets with others in the community. When/Where: Feb. 15–16 at Crown Plaza Minneapolis West in PlymouthWhat it is: A long-running tabletop gaming convention with activities and an impressive list of gaming $60 at the door When/Where: Feb. 28–Mar. 2 at DoubleTree by Hilton in BloomingtonWhat it is: It bills itself as the first-ever sports romance convention, featuring authors of, well, sports romance books. The event features panels, signing opportunities, and plenty of vendors. Cost: $50–$275 When/Where: March 2 at Eagan Community Center in EaganWhat it is: The Pokémon-themed convention features contests, retro Pokémon games, anime, vendors, and more. Masks are $25 pre-registration/$30 at the door When/Where: Mar. 7–9 at Hilton Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport in BloomingtonWhat it is: A fan-run convention focused on science-fiction and fantasy, anime, art, cosplay, and more. This year's guest of honor will be Jason Carter, who played Marcus Cole on Babylon $70 weekend pass/$30-$45 single-day pass When/Where: March 14–16 at the Minneapolis Convention Center in MinneapolisWhat it is: A life-size journey through the world of dinosaurs, Jurassic Quest features animatronic dinosaurs that move around as visitors move through the prehistoric landscape. Cost: $30–$94 When/Where: March 22–23 at the Minneapolis Convention Center in MinneapolisWhat it is: It's a market of curated, handmade, and geek-themed wares. It's for "nerds who make things," as the Expo puts TBD When/Where: Mar. 28–30 at Hyatt Regency Hotel in MinneapolisWhat it is: The state's longest-running anime convention has been around for more than two decades, celebrating anime and manga fandom. Cost: $70 until Mar. 1/$75 at the door When/Where: April 11–13 at Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West in PlymouthWhat it is: A gaming convention focused on video games, video game music, and the chance to see gamers do speedruns for charity. It bills itself as part convention and part music festival with live performances from Glitch Kibbitz, 8-bit & the Single Players, Steel Samurai, Kirby's Dream Band, and moreCost: $78 weekend pass/$37–$47 single-day passes When/Where: April 12-13 at Graham Arena in RochesterWhat it is: The convention features more than 80 vendors with comics, collectibles, art, cosplay, and more. It'll also have guests like David Howard Thornton (Art the Clown from Terrifier), Tracy Lynn-Cruz, Ming Chen, William Ragsdale, and $27.72 weekend pass/$12.16–$17.35 single-day passes When/Where: April 12–13 at Eagan Civic Arena in EaganWhat it is: A tour LEGO fan event with LEGO masters, vendors, and $15 advance/$20 at the door When/Where: April 18–20 at DoubleTree by Hilton in BloomingtonWhat it is: Minicon 58 is a broad sci-fi convention that offers diverse programming amid its readings, author and artist signings, film screenings, cosplay, and other $65 until Mar. 25, $90 at the door/$30 students at the door/$20 kids 6 to 12 at the door/free for kids under 5 When/Where: April 26 at Boom Island Brewing in MinnetonkaWhat it is: Boom Island is hosting an all-day party for retro game lovers. It'll have retro consoles (free to play), Nintendo-themed event beers, a Nintendo-themed DJ set, vendors, and revelers dressed for the occasion. Cost: Free When/Where: May 2–4 at Gamezenter in RosevilleWhat it is: A gaming convention focused on "Marvel Champions."Cost: Sold out When/Where: May 16–18 at Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West in PlymouthWhat it is: It's a broad fan convention that celebrates sci-fi, fantasy, anime, horror, and the paranormal. Cost: $50 through May 1 When/Where: June 6–8 at Brickmania Toyworks in MinneapolisWhat it is: A gathering of LEGO enthusiasts with a focus on models of historical and military-related scenes and $90–$94 weekend pass/$15 public exhibition ticket When/Where: June 7 at MN State Fairgrounds Education Building in Falcon HeightsWhat it is: A one-day version of the MNCBA's fall convention. It features comic book vendors, artists, a kids crafts area, and more. Cost: $10/kids nine and under are free When/Where: June 13–15 at DoubleTree by Hilton in MinneapolisWhat it is: A small "conversational convention" about fantasy fiction. Cost: Registration is not yet open When/Where: June 20–22 at Charles Thompson Hall Deaf Club in St. PaulWhat it is: A convention for gamers who speak ASL (American Sign Language) with board games, card games, and role-playing games. Cost: $40 When/Where: June 28–29 at Minneapolis Marriott West in MinneapolisWhat it is: It's a two-day festival celebrating books and authors across genres. Cost: $80–$212 When/Where: July 3–6 at Hyatt Regency Hotel in MinneapolisWhat it is: An annual convention for fans across the sci-fi and fantasy landscape. Cost: $115 weekend pass through May 31 and $135 afterwards/$55–$75 day pass When/Where: July 12–13 at the Minneapolis Club (redubbed the Xavier Institute for the weekend) in MinneapolisWhat it is: An immersive two-day convention focused on the X-Men universe. There are cosplay contests, vendors, and guests that include Tyler Mane, who played Sabretooth in X-Men (2000) and Deadpool and Wolverine (2024). Comic book writer Gail Simone will also be among this year's guests. Cost: $95 (plus fees) general admission/$10 for kids 12 and under/$100 "afterparty in the mansion" tickets/$375 VIP Where/Where: July 12–13 at the Iron Trail Motors Event Center in VirginiaWhat it is: A celebration of fandoms, "from comics to videogames, movies to manga."Cost: $20–$25 weekend pass/ $15 single-day pass When/Where: Aug. 16–17 at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center in DuluthWhat it is: Excalibur Con is a pop culture and tabletop gaming convention with an expansive focus that includes sci-fi, fantasy, gaming, anime, and other nostalgic fandoms. It touts vendors, artists, cosplay contests, and gaming tournaments (including "Magic the Gathering," "Warhammer," and "Kings of War"). Guests include Leilani Shiu (The Mandalorian) and Cheryl Chase (Rugrats).Cost: $40 early-bird weekend pass/$20–$30 early-bird single-day passes/tournaments cost extra When/Where: Aug. 22–24 at DoubleTree in BloomingtonWhat it is: It bills itself as the state's largest gaming and esports convention. It features a massive arcade of current and classic arcade and pinball machines, gaming tournaments, artists and vendors, panels, a cosplay show, and more. Tournaments include "DanceDance Revolution," "Campcom vs. SNK 2," "Super Smash Bros.," and "Mortal Kombat 1."Cost: $60 weekend pass/$30 for kids 7–13 When/Where: Aug. 29–31 at The Heritage Center in Brooklyn CenterWhat it is: It's an X-Files fan festival with appearances from actors who appeared in the series, including Mitch Pileggi who played Assistant Director Walter $125 weekend pass/$65 day pass When/Where: Sept. 5–7 at Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West in PlymouthWhat it is: Diversicon, run by SF Minnesota, is a con dedicated to diverse speculative fiction. Guests of honor this year include Lyda Morehouse and Naomi $30 until March 15/$45 for adults through July 31/$55 for adults/$30 for students When/Where: Sept. 5–7 at the Hyatt Regency in Downtown MinneapolisWhat it is: It's an annual furry fandom event with parties, dance competitions, art, and other 2024 prices — $60 in advance/$75 at the event When/Where: Sept. 12–14 at Crowne Plaza West Hotel & Conference Center in PlymouthWhat it is: The horror-centric festival spans mediums, celebrating horror in film, TV, anime, comics, and anywhere else the macabre is found. It features celebrity guests, film screenings, and vendors with toys, comics, props, art, and more. Guests in 2025 include Christian Serratos, Callan McAuliffe, and Khary Payton from The Walking Dead; CJ Graham (Friday the 13th movies); Bill Moseley (Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2); and $70 weekend pass/$20–$40 single-day passes When/Where: Sept. 26–28 at the Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West in PlymouthWhat it is: The three-day gaming convention focuses on "Pathfinder" and "Starfinder Society."Cost: 2024 price — $30 When/Where: September 26–28 at TBDWhat it is: The LAN party is a family-friendly, weekend-long PC and console gaming event. It's a bring-your-own computer/console situation, though. Details are not available for this fall's event, but previous ones have included tournaments around games like Mortal Kombat, Golf with Your Friends, Mario Kart, and other 2024 prices — $45–$60 When/Where: Oct. 3–5 at Crowne Plaza Suites MSP Airport/Mall of America in BloomingtonWhat it is: An annual convention that broadly touches on sci-fi, fantasy, horror, comics, and games, but with a focus on LGBTQ+ fans and friends. Cost: Registration not yet available When/Where: Oct. 10–12 at the DoubleTree Hotel in MinneapolisWhat it is: The third annual convention honors the late Dave Arneson, co-creator of "Dungeons & Dragons," with a weekend full of board games, role-playing games, and $40–$50 three-day pass/$10–$30 single-day passes When/Where: Oct. 11–12 at the MN State Fairgrounds in Falcon HeightsWhat it is: One of Minnesota's largest comic book conventions, featuring guest creators, vendors, and a broad celebration of comics. Lots more details will be released in the coming 2024 prices — $15 for the weekend/free for kids nine and under When/Where: Oct. 17–19 at Crowne Plaza West Hotel & Conference Center in PlymouthWhat it is: A celebration of all things anime with game rooms, cosplay, vendors, and $40 standard/$115 patron/VIP When/Where: Oct. 18–19 at Public Functionary in MinneapolisWhat it is: After a year away, ConFluence is back. It's a two-day event celebrating art, sci-fi, fantasy, and futurism, centered on content by and for Black people, Indigenous people, and other BIPOC $40 weekend pass (early bird price)/$25 single day pass (early bird price) When/Where: Nov. 7–10 at the Minneapolis Convention Center in MinneapolisWhat it is: A classic convention for "all things nerdy," featuring an artist alley, vendors, cosplay, and celebrity panels. This year's guest list won't be announced for a while yet, but last year guests included Hayden Christensen and Ian McDiarmid, Lou Diamond Phillips, and three stars from Boy Meets World. Cost: 2024 prices — $55–$70 weekend pass/$25–$50 single-day passes
