Latest news with #Thunderbirds'
New York Post
10-06-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
LI school to dish out $23M to replace its ‘Thunderbirds' logo due to statewide ban — despite lawsuit to keep it
A school district on Long Island estimates it'll spend a ludicrous $23 million to erase its 'Thunderbirds' team name — as it's forced to comply with a state ban on Native American logos and imagery. Connetquot, whose baseball team recently won the Suffolk County championship, has been in quiet communication with the state of New York and expects to entirely phase out its longtime moniker by March of next year, according to documents obtained by The Post. 'The District has invested significant funds in larger-scale athletic costs at the high school and middle schools without the Thunderbirds name or imagery,' Superintendent Joseph Centamore wrote to Dave Frank, assistant commissioner of the state Department of Education. Advertisement 3 Connetquot High School is spending $23 million to phase out its Native American 'Thunderbirds' team name — despite suing for years to keep it. 'These costs included the replacement of turf fields, indoor gym floors and equipment, and other fixtures, as well as repainting projects throughout the schools totaling $23,620,000,' he said in the letter, dated May 6. Connetquot will also have to spend 'an additional $323,470.42' on 'scorers' tables, cheer equipment, wall pads, scoreboards, additional uniforms, and certain banners and signage.' Advertisement The district declined to comment. The Thunderbirds, which use no relevant imagery, shares its name with a Canadian Hockey League team based outside Seattle and an Air Force demonstration squadron that performs at Jones Beach. The district has been fighting in court since 2023 with fellow Native American-named districts on Long Island, including Massapequa, Wantagh and Wyandanch. Advertisement However, a chief justice dismissed the suit in March, but only Massapequa amended its complaint to keep the fight going. President Trump intervened in April, declaring 'LONG LIVE THE MASSAPEQUA CHIEFS!' and ordered Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to investigate the issue at a national level. Despite the presidential support, Centamore's recent letter requested an extension beyond the June 30 deadline set by the Board of Regents to comply with the state ban. He added that the school has been rebranding for the past five years and 'has completed at least 75% of the necessary work for compliance.' Advertisement The district was granted a year's extension last week. On paper, Wantagh is also backing off and allocated a staggering $418,000 'for the purpose of working on mascot-related projects,' according to a deadline extension request Superintendent John C. McNamara sent to Frank on April 24. 3 Wantagh High School is also rebranding as they have allocated $418,000 'for the purpose of working on mascot-related projects,' according to a deadline extension request from Superintendent John C. McNamara. Dennis A. Clark The true cost will be closer to $700,000 for Wantagh, which has 2,850 students from kindergarten through 12th grade, according to a representative. 'Simultaneously, the district remains committed to preserving our 'Warrior' name,' McNamara and his board wrote in a recent community letter after their 2026 extension was recently approved. 'The extension granted to our district is significant as it allows us more time not only for thoughtful implementation if needed, but also for the legal proceedings concerning our appeal to reach a resolution.' Chief concern The fight continues for Massapequa and its Chiefs team, with McMahon recently pledging federal intervention and calling the ban a civil rights issue because it singles out Native American culture. Advertisement Massapequa is expecting to have to pay roughly $1 million if it's forced to rebrand as part of the ban, which threatened schools by saying those who don't comply would face loss of state funding and other sanctions. The district's homegrown Harvard lawyer, one-time Chief Oliver Roberts, is now sending a letter to New York's Indigenous Mascot Advisory Group, demanding an extension for Massapequa. Roberts wrote that the state is 'compelled to extend its enforcement deadlines' on behalf of McMahon's federal findings that fall under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. 3 Massapequa High School continues to fight to keep their name as they would have to pay roughly $1 million if it were forced to rebrand as part of the ban. Heather Khalifa for the NY Post Advertisement 'The District cannot, under any circumstances, lawfully engage in discriminatory conduct against Indigenous individuals, groups, students, employees, or residents, 'he wrote. 'Nor can it erase or suppress Indigenous cultural identity at the direction of the Regents,' Roberts added, signing the letter, 'Once a Chief, always a Chief.' Frank responded last week to the federal government's discriminatory findings — and threat to involve the Justice Department — in a letter that suggests expanding the ban to all ethnic team names the state deems offensive. Advertisement 'That's their workaround … we've demonstrated that this regulation was not a good idea,' Massapequa School Board President Kerry Wachter told The Post at a 'Save The Chiefs' rally Saturday. 'Now you're wanting to put another unfunded mandate on top of all these districts who are just barely making it, just to not give Massapequa the win?'
Scottish Sun
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Thunderbirds & Doctor Who legend famed for being voice of the Daleks leaves behind eye-watering amount in will
EXCL LAST GIFT Thunderbirds & Doctor Who legend famed for being voice of the Daleks leaves behind eye-watering amount in will Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ACTOR David Graham - the voice of cockney chauffeur Parker in the Thunderbirds - left a £1.2million fortune in his will, probate documents reveal. Voice artist Graham, who died aged 99 last September, was familiar to millions as the voice of the Daleks on BBC's Doctor Who. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 8 Jamie Anderson, son of Thunderbirds creator Gerry Anderson, with David Graham Credit: X 8 David Graham with a Thunderbirds' Parker puppet Credit: Rex 8 Parker, from Thunderbirds Credit: Alamy 8 Graham played the widely-loved character Grandpa on Peppa Pig Credit: YouTube 8 Daleks are the most famous baddies on Doctor Who Credit: BBC He later wowed generations of children as Peppa Pig's lovable Grandpa, and as the Wise Old Elf in Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom. His will saw him leave an estate valued at £1,235,001 - most of which was passed on to his niece Elizabeth Rehfeld and nephew Jonathan Smit, who both live in the United States. He found fame as Lady Penelope's croaky-voiced driver Parker - a cult TV figure whose famous 'Yus, m'lady' expression is still a popular catchphrase. Parker, a reformed safecracker, drove his employer Lady Penelope around in a pink Rolls Royce in Thunderbirds and won immortality among the show's legions of fans. Read more Showbiz TRICKY ONE Desperate Millionaire player uses TWO lifelines on tough £8k Prince question Graham - born into a Jewish household in London in 1925 - provided voices for many other characters in all 32 episodes of the much repeated hit show, which first ran in the mid-1960s. The inspiration for the voice of Aloysius 'Nosey' Parker was said to have been a cockney waiter that served Graham and Thunderbirds creator Gerry Anderson at a pub lunch. Explaining how they based the character on him, Graham said in an interview: 'A lovely grey-haired old gentleman came over and said, 'Would you like to see the wine list, sir?' 'I looked at Gerry and Gerry looked at me. We kept him talking and it turned out that he had 'worked for 'is majesty at Windsor Castle'.' Graham provided the voices of up to seven different characters in the each of the episodes including that of Gordon Tracy, Kyrano - the Tracy family's loyal servant - and Brains. He provided some of the voices for the Daleks first appearances on Doctor Who although the words were electronically processed to give them their distinctive sound. David Tennant tells Doctor Who haters to 'f--k off' in hilarious new The Assembly trailer as he gets a grilling And, from 2004 onwards Graham won million of new fans as the voice behind Grandpa in the smash-hit cartoon series Peppa Pig. He gave Grandpa a jovial, faltering upper-class voice that helped give the character an upbeat but occasionally grumpy nature. And his distinctive tones came through as the Wise old Elf in magic-themed British animated series Ben and Holly. Graham, who served as an RAF radar mechanic during World War Two, later trained as an actor in New York after being invited to the city by his sister who had married an American GI. His time in the US helped him to pick up an American accent which proved useful in his later voice artist career on his return to the UK. He also provided the voice of Big Brother in the landmark TV advert, first screened during the 1984 US Superbowl, that introduced the world to the Apple Macintosh computer. Graham, who lived in Hampstead, north London also played on-screen roles in Coronation Street and Casualty as well as the scientist Professor Kerensky in Doctor Who. His will also stipulate donations to Prostate Cancer, The Medical Foundation for the Victims of Torture, the Actors Benevolent Fund, a north London hospice and two Jewish charities. And he left a small chunk of his fortune to a local friend, Christopher, or his wife. The probate document said: "I would like Christopher to know that this small gift is a token of my gratitude for his devoted friendship to me throughout my professional life. Man has no better friend." 8 David Graham in 2017 had the legendary role of voicing the Daleks on Doctor Who Credit: PA 8 Thunderbirds puppets Lady Penelope and Parker outside Planet Hollywood, central London Credit: Alamy
ABC News
05-05-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Super Netball Round-Up: Thunderbirds admit white lie, Giants wind back the clock and Swifts remain favourites
Four rounds into the Super Netball season and just one of the eight teams are still undefeated. The NSW Swifts have so far managed to live up to the favourites tag many pundits gave them since the signing of import Grace Nweke. They now sit eight points clear at the top of the ladder after their 71-63 victory over the Queensland Firebirds at Ken Rosewall Arena. Loading Twitter content In the Melbourne Derby, the Vixens continued their dominance over the Mavericks, 67-59. The Sunshine Coast Lightning and West Coast Fever clash in Perth was tipped to be the game of the round, and it absolutely delivered with a close contest and some late drama. The home team capitalised on an incorrect penalty set by Reilley Batcheldor and a missed super shot attempt from Cara Koenen to pinch the lead in the final minute, 68-66. But the game that took everyone by surprise was the Giants upset over reigning premiers the Adelaide Thunderbirds in Sydney, 64-63. The Giants were desperate to avoid equalling their worst-ever start to a season — none from four, set last year — as some of their veterans got back to their best. If you missed it, don't worry — we'll get you up to speed with our Super Netball Round-Up. Thunderbirds tell white lie There has been a bit of mystery surrounding the fitness of the Thunderbirds' Jamaican bookends, after Romelda Aiken-George (knee surgery) and Shamera Sterling-Humphrey (calf tendonitis) barely featured in the side's successful Team Girls Cup campaign. Sterling-Humphrey (left) is a vital cog in the Thunderbirds' defence. ( Getty: Kelly Defina ) The pre-season tournament was held in Adelaide and sent social media into overdrive when eagle-eyed fans spotted South African defender Sanmarie Visser chatting with club staff. Loading Instagram content Visser was a stand-out at the Nations Cup in February, where the Proteas faced England in the final. It was only a matter of time before a Super Netball club came calling. We just didn't expect it to be the Thunderbirds because as far as everyone knew, their defensive end — the best in the league — was ready to fire again in their quest for a three-peat. The arrival of Visser at the same time Sterling-Humphrey was injured indicated something was up. Instead, the Thunderbirds announced Visser as a temporary replacement for Aiken-George. People weren't buying it. Why would they sign a defender for a shooter? And why did they need another defender if the likes of premiership winners Latanya Wilson, Tilly Garrett, Hannah Petty, Taylah Williams and Sterling-Humphrey were all fit to play? Ahead of round one, Aiken-George was subjected to a last-minute fitness test that she passed. The club said she'd exceed expectations after surgery and that Visser would no longer be required. But instead of cutting ties, they elevated Visser to a training partner contract. Both Aiken-George and Stering-Humphrey played in the opening three rounds. Yet, the latter has looked off her game, admitting she felt ill because of her "accelerated heart rate". Aiken-George went from being in doubt to play this season after knee surgery to breaking the league's record appearances in round three with her 233rd game. ( Getty: Sarah Reed ) Then heading into round four, what felt like the worst kept secret in the league was revealed to be true when Teammate Tayla Williams told Fox Netball on Sunday that it was true Sterling-Humphrey did battle through calf tendonitis throughout the pre-season, but that it was also a convenient story. Meanwhile, head coach Tania Obst was left with the tough task of trying to keep up the club's white lie that Visser was ever signed to replace Aiken-George. Photo shows A player holding a ball preparing to throw. Two players go head to head on the side Star Adelaide Thunderbirds defender Shamera Sterling-Humphrey will miss the remainder of the national netball season as she prepares to welcome her first child. "We've known for a little while, I don't know how long that is, or what that timeline looks like, but yeah, you know, it was great that she was able to go for as long as she did and now, we give someone else an opportunity," Obst told Fox Netball. "I suppose it's funny how things happen, we had an opportunity with Romelda's knee clean-out to bring in someone for a temporary replacement player, then Sanmarie went on to be a training partner and is now replacing Shammy." It's obvious they were trying to protect their player. They should be commended for that. But now that we all know, why not just say that and drop the act? How very netball. As for Visser, we got a little taste of what she's capable of in the world's best league. Across 55 minutes, she tallied two intercepts, five deflections, one rebound and three pick-ups. Giants upset premiers We had to check the date several times during the Giants match against the Thunderbirds, because it felt like we had travelled back in time to 2021. Giants captain Jo Harten stands alongside NSW Swifts co-captain Paige Hadley at the 2021 Super Netball Grand Final captain's call. ( AAP: Russell Freeman ) That was the last year they were in the Super Netball grand final, back when their form was at its absolute best. The Giants of 2021 were hard to contain, they were zippy in attack and absolutely loved punishing teams with the two-point super shot. The following season they played finals. But since 2023, they've really dropped off the pace — finishing sixth and eighth — despite their line-up looking very similar. The longevity of England legend Jo Harten has been questioned, as the goal shooter's movement and overall effectiveness has waned since managing a dodgy knee. The tactics of head coach Julie Fitzgerald have also been a hot topic. Julie Fitzgerald is the longest serving coach in the national netball league. ( AAP: Bianca De Marchi ) In their opening three games this season, the Giants lost by smaller margins than last year. In 2024 it was a combined 41 goals, now just 26. Despite the improvement, they have once again been stuck at the bottom of the ladder. Nobody was tipping them to beat the Thunderbirds and yet, the way Harten used the angles of her body and a crafty hold to keep the ball out of Visser's reach, showed her experience counts. Hay also got the start in wing attack (18-year-old Hope White had been ill throughout the week) and played like her life depended on it, topping the goal assists stat for her team. Loading Instagram content The most consistent section of the court for the Giants has definitely been their defensive unit and Erin O'Brien did a great job getting under Aiken-George's skin. The 21-year-old unsettled the Thunderbirds target was a major reason why they won the match. So, are the Giants back? It's too soon to say. Let's see how they do against the Lightning, Swifts and Fever as we head towards the halfway point. Swifts remain favourites When the Swifts signed Grace Nweke, they instantly upped their chances of a premiership and four rounds into the season the New Zealand Silver Fern has well and truly settled in. New Zealand shooter Grace Nweke is on debut for the NSW Swifts. ( Supplied: NSW Swifts ) At 1.93m tall, Nweke gives the Swifts a strong target under the post. They only require two to three passes off the centre to get the ball into her hands. Throughout history, it's been unusual to see anyone but Jamaicans Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard or Aiken-George leading the goal stat and yet Newke sits top (202 goals at 94 per cent accuracy). Nweke had never combined with English goal attack Helen Housby before joining the Swifts, yet those two are proving to be a formidable combination. Housby leads the league for goal assists (78) and is third for super shots (14), showcasing her trust in her new shooting partner and her readiness to pick up the slack when Nweke is double tagged and unable to present to the ball. Housby is combining beautifully with her new shooting partner Nweke. ( AAP: Darren England ) Shooting at an average 92 per cent, the Swifts have scored a total 271 points. Which is 25 more than the next best team. The only thing standing in their way is a lack of consistency throughout the entire game and the last two rounds they've made a bad habit of starting slow. Against the Firebirds they lost the first quarter 18-15. Against the Thunderbirds, it was 18-11. Meanwhile, head coach Briony Akle believes the key difference from their sixth-place finish last season to now is the internal competition. The form of No.11 player Grace Whyte — a wing attack, goal attack swing — has kept several full-time contracted players out of contention. Sophie Fawns played a crucial role over the last two seasons for the Swifts but is yet to feature in 2025. ( AAP: James Gourley ) Whyte was ruled out late in round four with an ankle complaint, opening the door for Allie Smith. Meanwhile, Sophie Fawns is still yet to hit the court. "You've got to earn the right to be out there, that competition is what's keeping us ahead of the game in terms of fighting for a spot, knowing that you've got to turn up at every training session … It's a great headache for us," Akle said.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Wings Over Wayne' will be highlighted by Thunderbirds airshow
GOLDSBORO, N.C. (WNCT) — The 'Wings Over Wayne' festival is happening this weekend at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro. This event is the largest airshow in North Carolina and only happens once every two years. An estimated 200,000 people will be in attendance to watch the US Air Force 'Thunderbirds' perform, as well as food and many other activities. The airshow is always an impressive feat that takes many hours of practice. 'We fly twice a day, six times a week, and that's about how much it takes after four months just to get to a point where we can be certified to go out on the road,' Major Josh Burress said. 'during the show season, we're going to be constantly getting better and closer as the season goes on.' For more information, click on the video above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Thunderbirds to perform special weekend show at Cheyenne Frontier Days
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will perform a special weekend show at this year's Cheyenne Frontier Days. While they've typically performed midweek during Cheyenne Frontier Days, the Thunderbirds' F-16 fighter jet aerial demonstration team will headline the Wings over Warren Airshow during this year's Saturday showcase, from 11 a.m. to noon July 26, according to a Cheyenne Frontier Days news release. By moving the show to Saturday, the Thunderbirds are hoping for a larger crowd and more opportunities for pilots to interact with attendees at other events throughout Cheyenne Frontier Days, according to the news release. The Thunderbirds demonstration will be held at FE Warren Air Force Base, next to Frontier Park, in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and is free and open to the public. The airshow will feature a lineup of aircraft and skydivers, and attendees will be able to see a display of Blackhawk and Huey helicopters, according to the news release. The show is drive-in style, with all public access through Roundtop Road. Attendees must have a valid photo ID, and all vehicles are subject to security checks. This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Cheyenne Frontier Days to host Thunderbirds Saturday show in July 2025
