Latest news with #TogetherWeThrive
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hundreds of protesters turn out to rally for Constitution, democracy in Jackson on April 19
A group of several hundred protesters gathered on the south lawn of the Mississippi State Capitol Building on Saturday, April 19, to express their opposition to various federal policies and executive orders initiated by U.S. President Donald J. Trump. Billed as the 'Together We Thrive' rally, the event was organized by the Mississippi chapter of the 50501 movement, the name of which stands for '50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement." Jackson's 50501 event was one of hundreds scheduled the same day throughout the United States. It marked the fourth such protest in Jackson since Trump took office, and organizer April Rowland said the crowd has rapidly grown from roughly 40 protesters who showed up for the first one on Feb. 5. 'Today we had 400-plus attend, which is more than we expected with the holiday weekend,' Rowland said. The rally featured several speakers, including Waikinya Clanton, Mississippi Director of the Southern Poverty Law Center; Terry Rogers, a former candidate for Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and the student government president of Tougaloo College; and Paula Merchant, a 26-year U.S. Army veteran and educator. While 50501 is associated nationally with a variety of political causes, including the reinstatement of federal DEI initiatives and the protection of LGBTQ and minority rights, it was the issue of immigrant rights and due process that took much of Saturday's center stage in Jackson. Merchant, who was born in Mexico, said she came to the U.S. as a child not knowing the country's language or customs. 'But work hard I did, and I was able to become a naturalized citizen. I was given my right to stand before a judge. Undocumented does not mean illegal. I went from being undocumented to being decorated,' Merchant said, noting her involvement in four different combat deployments in the U.S. Army. Cuts to social programs initiated by Elon Musk and DOGE (the Department of Government Efficiency) was another much discussed topic. More protests: Have protests against President Trump, Elon Musk at the Mississippi Capitol gained momentum? 'The matter of democracy is paramount," Clanton said. "Mississippi can't be open for business without healthy, well-educated people.' She described the federal funding being targeted by DOGE as 'critical' in a state such as Mississippi. Rogers, who led the crowd in a chant of 'No Justice, No Peace,' noted that the American Revolution had begun 250 years ago in Boston and said it was good to be standing among 'the same type of freedom-loving people in Mississippi.' He defended DEI initiatives as simply giving everyone a fair chance to succeed, praised the marathon 25-hour speech begun on March 31 by New Jersey U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, and said 'Elon Musk has got to go.' Another speaker, Bill Gray, criticized the Trump administration for trying to circumvent the nation's separation of powers as outlined in the Constitution. 'The executive branch does not have control over everything,' he said. About 40 minutes into the event, attendees also marched around the entire perimeter of the capitol grounds. Many people were eager to share their reasons for being at Saturday's rally. Dr. Scott Crawford, a former clinical psychologist, who is mobility impaired and arrived via a JTRAN bus, said, 'We have seen a dramatic rollback of civil and human rights.' In particular he pointed to 'a lack of due process' regarding recent deportations to an El Salvador prison without adjudication hearings by the federal courts. 'That is unconstitutional,' Crawford said. Another protest: "Trump and Musk have got to go": Anti-Trump protest at MS State Capitol J. J. Russum of Vicksburg, an Army veteran who served as a military police corporal in the 1990s, said, 'If everyone keeps being quiet you're going to wake up one day and it will be too late.' He criticized federal officials for 'screaming patriotism' on one hand then trying to eliminate veteran benefits on the other. Laura Tedder of Raymond said, 'If you're not alarmed you're not paying attention.' In particular she pointed to the Trump administration's recent resistance to federal court rulings on deportations, which she called 'a direct assault on the rule of law.' Steve Scott of Canton said he has 'always been proud to be an American' but less so in the current political environment. He predicted historians will be writing about this time in American history 'for 100 years.' Jan Watson of Madison said she has friends now afraid of being persecuted. 'It gives us pause about even coming to a protest," Watson said. "You don't know what this unpredictable administration will do.' Jim Lightsey of Wesson took a more ecumenical approach. 'Freedom for those we love — everyone,' his sign stated quoting a Biblical passage from the book of Luke. 'Everyone is our neighbor,' said the retired Copiah-Lincoln Community College professor. Saturday's rally remained peaceful and was notably absent of counter protesters who have shown up at previous rallies, often with bullhorns in hand. Organizer Pam Johnson thanked the Capitol Police for their role in maintaining the peace and praised several attendees holding American flags. 'Today we are building a community,' Johnson said, challenging everyone to 'go out and make a difference.' The 50501 group began in late January on Reddit and quickly spread to other social media platforms. The Mississippi chapter on Facebook currently counts about 612 members with nearly 100 new members who have joined within the past week. The next event by 50501 Mississippi has been set for noon on Thursday, May 1, at the Mississippi State Capitol Building. Under the banner of 'May Day Strong,' the rally's theme will be to 'Stop the Billionaire Takeover' and will include a best sign competition. The Mississippi State Capitol Building is located at 400 High Street in downtown Jackson. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: 505501 protest in Jackson, MS draws hundreds in peaceful event
BBC News
10-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
King Charles and Catherine return to Commonwealth Day service
King Charles III and Catherine, Princess of Wales have attended the annual Commonwealth Day service, a year after both were forced to cancel because they were receiving cancer event at Westminster Abbey on Monday celebrated the Commonwealth's "powerful influence for good in the world".Queen Camilla, the Prince of Wales and the Princess Royal also attended, along with Prime Minister Sir Keir King's appearance at the service was his first in two years, while Catherine was absent last year as she was undergoing chemotherapy, which she has since completed. Ahead of commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two, the King paid tribute to the "sacrifice and selflessness" of Commonwealth also said restoring the "disrupted harmony of our entire planet" is the most "important" task facing an address included in a booklet given to the congregation, the King wrote: "More than one and-a-half million men and women who served during the war came from across the Commonwealth to support the United Kingdom and its allies. "On this special anniversary, we remember with particular pride and everlasting gratitude the untold sacrifice and selflessness of so many from around our family of nations who gave their lives in that dreadful conflict."The theme of this year's Commonwealth Day is Together We Thrive, which celebrates the "enduring spirit of the Commonwealth family".During his bidding, the Dean of Westminster said: "As different peoples we rejoice in this opportunity to reflect, in mutual respect, on our shared dignity and commitment to the service of others. "We celebrate the love and affection that binds us in unity and gives us resilience and strength."Among the performers at the service were Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa, a Hindu Scottish pipe band, and musicians, acrobats and singers from the Masai Cultural Arts Braimah Kanneh-Mason and his sister Jeneba on piano also played during the from the anti-monarchy group Republic held up placards reading "not my King" and "down with the Crown" as they gathered outside the abbey ahead of the service.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Randolph County staff starts to receive RIF notices after failed consolidations
ELKINS, (WBOY) — Staff across Randolph County began receiving Reduction in Force (RIF) notices on Monday, as the county is desperately attempting to ensure that it can achieve a balanced budget after two proposed consolidations fell through in January. Although RIF and transfer notices are typical this time of year, it did start later this year. Due to the uncertainty of federal and state funding, it is still the only time where these changes can be done, according to Randolph County Schools Superintendent, Shawn Dilly. But this year is different with the threat of a state takeover if the budget is not balanced and not knowing what kind of federal and state grants will be received, if any. 'And with those uncertainties, we have to assume the worst case scenario and some case—in some situations and try to take actions on those and once we get confirmation. My hope is in the next few weeks, we'll have confirmations around some of these funding streams and therefore we can rescind those initial notices so that folks can be reassured that they have a position for next year,' Dilly said. Although there was a delay in sending out RIF and transfer notices, Dilly said the goal is to assess all the final staffing needs after resignations and retirements that have already started to come in. Together We Thrive unveils water filtration system in Pennsboro No exact number of positions to be cut was given by Dilly, as he said he will be announcing that at a later point. However, he said that 'we will have quite a few, I don't want to give out the full number just yet but it's going to be pretty substantial this year.' Previously, 12 News has reported on 32 positions being cut, and although that still remains the case, there are about 50 other federally or state-funded positions that may be cut if the county doesn't receive funding for them. However, there is a chance of that decision getting rescinded as well if funding comes through. 'This is one of those direct impacts of the uncertainty around the U.S. Department of Education,' Dilly said. Dilly added that Randolph County Schools has tried to get some reassurances about the funding, nothing is set in stone yet. 'We also haven't seen those budgets and what that actual dollar amount will be, and so I can't assume that I'm going to have funding, for example, 13 Title I roles or not. We may only get half of that so I can't assume that until I actually have those numbers and then I can rescind the actions based on that particular outcome,' Dilly said. Dilly also added in the meeting he's been in contact with state senator Robbie Morris and delegate Jonathan Kyle on recent bills presented in the state house and state senate during this year's legislative session, giving the representatives feedback on how certain bills could affect districts like Randolph. 'Like the Senate Bill 199 and the sort of equivalent house bill basically is an unfunded mandate for an ALC [Active Learning Classroom] program for elementary schools. I don't necessarily have the resources, because obviously with the situation we're currently in. And so part of what we want to try and make sure they're aware of is even though we're supportive of the bill we need some funding to come with it so that we can support those staffing requirements,' Dilly said. During his presentation to the board, Dilly also broke down all the positions that are required by law across schools. As part of this, there are estimated to be cuts to nearly 20 central office positions—lower than some community members have claimed it to be. Some of these positions are also being looked at to cut. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Together We Thrive unveils water filtration system in Pennsboro
PENNSBORO, (WBOY) — After elevated levels of arsenic and lead were found during testing of some water in Ritchie County in 2024, a new water filtration system has been unofficially installed. Both Pennsboro and Ellenboro previously discovered that several residents living outside city limits rely on wells contaminated with arsenic, lead and other harmful substances affecting their drinking water. City officials said that they have been actively working to secure funding for a public water expansion project to address this issue. 'We were told by the state of West Virginia in the last administration that the funding was there and that we would receive it, and then at the end of the year we didn't get it,' Pennsboro Mayor Robert Riggs said. 'We are trying to check all avenues of funding through the state and federal level to get these people safe drinking water. Together We Thrive—a California-based nonprofit run by the same company that donated 14,000 bottles of water to Richie County in 2024—has now donated a state-of-the-art water purification system to the City of Pennsboro. Pennsboro city officials said that the water filtration system installed by Together We Thrive at the city building provides filtered water not only to residents of Ritchie County but also to those in surrounding counties experiencing water issues. 'What is happening right here in this town is that with the plumbing, it's disintegrating, and so some of the stuff that is in the pipes is actually getting into the water. Also, when pipes start to break down or if the pH balance changes, there is a film that grows on the inside of a pipe and when the pH changes, that starts to break down too, so that will also get in the water,' Together We Thrive Executive Director Lindsay Chambers said. FirstEnergy plans to decommission, replace Monongalia and Harrison powerplants The testing was conducted after residents of Highland-Hebron brought their concerns to the mayors of Ellenboro and Pennsboro, highlighting their lack of sufficient water and their request to be included in a water expansion project along WV Route 74. Ritchie County officials stated that the estimated cost for the expansion project, which will impact both Pennsboro and Ellenboro, is $7.1 million. 'We did secure some funding last year, and we added about 29 customers that needed water for arsenic and lead reasons, and we are in the process of doing another small extension that ties into that,' Riggs added. 'That is going to add another 14 customers, and then this line here which will add a total of about 95 customers ties also the Pennsboro water supply in with Ellenboro, the neighboring town, and gives us a loop so that we can have continuous water if one side or the other goes down.' Pennsboro officials have stated that the city is already managing over $20 million in grant-funded water and sewer projects, providing a pathway to eventually secure the necessary funds for this expansion project. 'The contamination problem is various things. Personally, methane gas and arsenic and, you know, we had no idea how bad our water was until we had it tested to get a filtration system put on it and then we found out we had methane gas and it could not be filtered,' Highland-Hebron resident Beverly Haynes said. 'We knew it was bad, but we didn't know we had the arsenic problems. I personally knew I had a methane problem.' Project Manager with The Thrasher Group, Steve Haynes said that the project will be completed in multiple phases. Due to its estimated cost of approximately $8 million, efforts have been made to develop it as a large-scale project. 'We're trying to break this project down into multiple smaller projects that are more feasible to get funded. So, right now, we've got this broken into four projects, one on the Ellenboro side, and then basically breaking it down into three projects on the Pennsboro side.' The Thrasher Group is also working with both cities on a multi-phase project to develop solutions for delivering clean drinking water to the areas impacted by contamination. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
