Latest news with #RoyalSonesta
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘We are a whisper away from Jim Crow,' says Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison speaks to States Newsroom leaders and reporters Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at the Royal Sonesta in downtown Minneapolis. Photo by Nicole Neri | Minnesota Reformer When President Donald Trump's performance in the polls in 2024 signaled a possible re-election, Keith Ellison and fellow Democratic attorneys general read Project 2025 and started getting ready, especially when Trump hired the key author of the planning document after his election. They divided the documents into sections and marshaled their staff lawyers to be ready with lawsuits. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX So when Russell Vought and the Office of Management and Budget froze the distribution of certain federal funds — as outlined in Project 2025 — Ellison and other the Democratic AGs were ready. They sued over the funding freeze the next day. 'They were not hiding the ball,' Ellison said in a wide-ranging interview with States Newsroom in Minneapolis Wednesday. Ellison and his colleagues have engaged in more than two dozen lawsuits against Trump administration actions in the first five months of the president's second term. The AGs have sued over cuts to federal agencies, tariffs, DOGE's access to government data, attempts to end birthright citizenship, and more. They've also toured blue states to tout their accomplishments and listen to voters' concerns. The stakes are high, Ellison said: the fate of multi-racial democracy. Ellison, who served for a dozen years in Congress representing Minnesota's Minneapolis-based 5th District, said the states are a sovereign bulwark against federal power grabs. The Democratic attorneys general are not only fighting a Republican-controlled executive branch, but also a conservative majority on the U.S Supreme Court. In Ellison's view, recent decisions by the Roberts court — particularly in 303 Creative v. Elenis, in which the court ruled that a business owner could not be obligated to serve a gay couple — signify that the country is moving towards legal segregation. 'We are a whisper away from Jim Crow,' Ellison said. Still, Ellison was upbeat, celebrating the AGs string of victories and predicting that even conservative Supreme Court justices will resist the Trump administration's attack on the rule of law and the institution of the court itself. The Democratic AGs may benefit from a weakened Department of Justice under Trump, Ellison said. The agency that defends the federal government in court is hemorrhaging longtime staff attorneys, through both firings and resignations. Ellison emphasized that many of the policies enacted by Trump in his first months in office would be legal if they were passed by Congress. Instead, the president is running the country through 'edict' and 'proclamation,' Ellison said. 'Our democracy is not perfect,' Ellison said, 'but you will absolutely miss it when it's gone, and Trump has given you a glimpse of that.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Minnesota Reformer is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Minnesota Reformer maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor J. Patrick Coolican for questions: info@
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison: ‘We are a whisper away from Jim Crow'
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison speaks to States Newsroom leaders and reporters Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at the Royal Sonesta in downtown Minneapolis. When President Donald Trump's performance in the polls in 2024 signaled a possible re-election, Keith Ellison and fellow Democratic attorneys general read Project 2025 and started getting ready, especially when Trump hired the key author of the planning document after his election. They divided the documents into sections and marshaled their staff lawyers to be ready with lawsuits. So when Russell Vought and the Office of Management and Budget and froze the distribution of certain federal funds — as outlined in Project 2025 — Ellison and other the Democratic AGs were ready. They sued over the funding freeze the next day. 'They were not hiding the ball,' Ellison said in a wide-ranging interview with States Newsroom in Minneapolis Wednesday. Ellison and his colleagues have engaged in more than two dozen lawsuits against Trump administration actions in the first five months of the president's second term. The AGs have sued over cuts to federal agencies, tariffs, DOGE's access to government data, attempts to end birthright citizenship, and more. They've also toured blue states to tout their accomplishments and listen to voters' concerns. The stakes are high, Ellison said: the fate of multi-racial democracy. Ellison, who served for a dozen years in Congress representing Minnesota's Minneapolis-based 5th District, said the states are a sovereign bulwark against federal power grabs. The Democratic attorneys general are not only fighting a Republican-controlled executive branch, but also a conservative majority on the U.S Supreme Court. In Ellison's view, recent decisions by the Roberts court — particularly in 303 Creative v. Elenis, in which the court ruled that a business owner could not be obligated to serve a gay couple — signify that the country is moving towards legal segregation. 'We are a whisper away from Jim Crow,' Ellison said. Still, Ellison was upbeat, celebrating the AGs string of victories and predicting that even conservative Supreme Court justices will resist the Trump administration's attack on the rule of law and the institution of the court itself. The Democratic AGs may benefit from a weakened Department of Justice under Trump, Ellison said. The agency that defends the federal government in court is hemorrhaging longtime staff attorneys, through both firings and resignations. Ellison emphasized that many of the policies enacted by Trump in his first months in office would be legal if they were passed by Congress. Instead, the president is running the country through 'edict' and 'proclamation,' Ellison said. 'Our democracy is not perfect,' Ellison said, 'but you will absolutely miss it when it's gone, and Trump has given you a glimpse of that.'
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Charley Crockett and Noeline Hofmann Honor Texas at The Stephen F. Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel's ‘Musicians on Musicians' Event
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways Rolling Stone and Sonesta International Hotels kicked off the first stop of their much-anticipated 2025 'Musicians on Musicians' tour in Austin, TX this past March. The city, which is famously known as the live music capital of the world, proved to be the perfect starting point for this exclusive series of events, which pairs conversation and concerts with some of today's top artists. Sonesta Travel Pass guests convened at the iconic Stephen F. Austin Royal Sonesta hotel, located smack-dab in the downtown area. As they ascended the hotel's elegant front-entrance staircase, they were greeted by an inviting room, complete with open bars, numerous hors d'oeuvres, and incredible company. Both friends and strangers alike gathered around a photo op, sporting cowboy hats and sipping Texas-themed cocktails. Others mingled on the hotel's gorgeous balcony, watching the bustling Congress Street foot traffic, and capturing vibrant sunset photos of the Texas State Capitol. More from Rolling Stone The floor soon flooded with invitees, who promptly took their seats, eager to hear an intimate discussion between Rolling Stone's senior music editor Joseph Hudak, Grammy-nominated artist Charley Crockett, and Country sensation Noeline Hofmann. Both artists, through possessing different sounds, have carved important lanes in the Country music space over the last several years. The two, who are embarking on a tour later in the year, spoke about their careers, musical influences and deep love for Texas. A sense of place has been a huge factor within the storytelling of both Crockett and Hofmann's songs. The duo discussed the importance of time and location within their songwriting, comparing Crockett's Texan roots to Hofmann's Canadian upbringing. Currently an Austin resident, Crockett reminisced about his time busking under the Texas sun, including out on Congress St. in front of the Stephen F. Austin Royal Sonesta hotel, attempting to get his music career off the ground. Crockett recognized this same spirit in Hofmann, and took on her first ever tour in 2024, which turned the page of an incredible new chapter for the young artist. 'It was a complete 180,' Hofmann admits to Rolling Stone. 'The first step I took on that stage was the first real action, and it's been hair straight back ever since.' Afterward, Hofmann took the stage. Illuminated by the ballroom's chandelier lights, she played a beautiful set consisting of originals and even covers by legendary artists like Johnny Cash and Luke Bell. Her words echoed through the room, as guests were delighted by her soul-touching lyricism. 'Thank you so much to Charley, Rolling Stone and Sonesta hotels,' Hoffman concluded, closing her set with her hit song, 'Purple Gas.' The night was far from over, however. Guests re-upped on cocktails while they waited for Crockett to bless the stage, with his old-school vintage sound. Earlier in the evening, Crockett boasted about his relation to Texas hero, Davy Crockett, so the bar was set high for the group of 'lone star' locals, longing to hear Crockett's voice just feet away. When Crockett's voice finally crooned through the room, cowboy hats bobbed to tracks from his new record, Lonesome Drifter. Charley shared stories of his history in Austin, and tidbits about the meaning behind each song, often rooted in his deep Texan identity. The night acted as a double celebration of sorts for both Crockett's debut release with Island Records, as well as his 41st birthday. Guests took videos of the performance on their phone, while an excited fan in a Charley Crockett tour t-shirt held up a phone with 'Happy Birthday' written in bold text. Crockett played a number of new tracks, until eventually closing his set, with a gracious send off to the 'Musicians on Musicians' event. 'I'd like to thank Royal Sonesta,' Crockett stated. 'I love this old hotel!' This was the first of many 'Musicians on Musicians' events this year, hosted by Sonesta International Hotels. Sonesta Travel Pass guests will continue to receive these exclusive opportunities to join their favorite artists in several other cities, throughout the country. Stay tuned for more updates! { pmcCnx({ settings: { plugins: { pmcAtlasMG: { iabPlcmt: 1, }, pmcCnx: { singleAutoPlay: 'auto' } } }, playerId: "ac5f547a-22e1-4877-8050-448c6e0f365c", mediaId: "608574f6-69fd-4906-884e-c4ff4008664c", }).render("connatix_player_608574f6-69fd-4906-884e-c4ff4008664c_3"); }); Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Axios
03-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
What it's like to participate in Greasing of the Poles
Every once in a while, an opportunity comes along to do something totally off-the-wall, and I always try to say yes. So, when the Royal Sonesta team asked if I'd be up to participate in its annual Greasing of the Poles, I jumped in with both feet. Why it matters: Life is too short. Get greasy. Catch up quick: The Bourbon Street hotel started greasing its poles 55 years ago to keep overeager Mardi Gras revelers from climbing up onto its balconies. Over time, the tradition became competition. The hotel now taps four local celebrities to compete in greasing. It's mostly about bragging rights but also comes with a nice, engraved bottle of Champagne. This year's competitors included me, plus Fleurty Girl founder Lauren Haydel, food influencer Evelyn Bories and bounce king HaSizzle. What you asked: In the run-up to the big day last Friday, the No. 1 question I got asked was "How did they pick you?" The short answer? I asked. As a longtime friend of mine says, "Don't ever be afraid to ask." So, early last fall, I sent a note to the Royal Sonesta inquiring how people get chosen to compete. The answer, more or less, was an invitation. On the big day, I invited my best friend and my sister along to help me in my performance, which included a brief song and dance before the greasing began. We picked Britney Spears' "Gimme More," which we paired with newspaper/alligator themed-costumes and strutted our stuff. At greasing time, each of us competitors climbed a ladder held stable by a 610 Stomper and a Merry Antoinette. We got a branded vat of Vaseline, and we were off. Zoom in: It's stunning how a 2-minute performance can feel both very long and incredibly short. I laughed, I danced, I shimmied, I shook, I rubbed a stuffed alligator tail on a Vaseline-covered iron pole and then I laughed some more. In the end, Haydel was declared the 2025 Greasing of the Poles champion. 😏 She's an Axios New Orleans reader, too; I wouldn't want to lose to anyone else. And I did get my own bottle that named me the "People's Choice" winner. It wasn't announced on stage, but who cares?! I'll take it! The bottom line: This is your reminder. Sometimes, you just gotta go for it. Go deeper: Watch a replay of Greasing of the Poles.
Axios
03-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
How to watch Greasing of the Poles 2025
👋 Chelsea here. My Mardi Gras miracle starts at 10am today, and you can be there. What's happening: The Royal Sonesta asked me to be one of four contestants for Greasing of the Poles. Between the lines: I'm nervous. Are you nervous? Because I'm definitely nervous. Catch up quick: The Bourbon Street hotel started greasing its poles 55 years ago to keep overeager Mardi Gras revelers from climbing up onto its balconies. But over time, they've turned the tradition into competition. I'll be greasing alongside Fleurty Girl founder Lauren Haydel, food influencer Evelyn Bories and bounce king HaSizzle. One of us will walk away the 2025 Greasing champion. No pressure! What's next: See you there?
