Latest news with #Whitehurst
Chicago Tribune
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Review: In Lifeline Theatre's ‘War of the Worlds,' comedy wins out over human drama
Lifeline Theatre's new adaptation of the 1898 H.G. Wells novel 'The War of the Worlds' has many of the hallmarks of a campy sci-fi B movie: cheesy dialogue, exaggerated stock characters and visuals with the low-budget charm of mid-aughts 'Doctor Who.' With these bold stylistic choices by adapter John Hildreth and director Heather Currie, the play satirizes contemporary American society in an unconventional take on the science fiction classic. While Lifeline's version has its entertaining moments, the comedic approach comes at the expense of the story's human drama. Hildreth's loose adaptation changes the setting from southern England to northern Illinois, name-checking a litany of familiar cities, suburbs and rural townships throughout the play. The scientists who first discovered unusual activity happening on Mars work at 'the renowned Illinois Technological Institute, outside of Skokie, Illinois,' a fictional locale that is repeatedly introduced with the exact same wording until it becomes a mantra of sorts. This setting makes sense for a Chicago production, more so than English towns such as Woking and Weybridge, but the hyperlocal references sometimes feel a bit too cute. Professor Wittington (Mark Mendelsohn) narrates much of the action, and the dialogue is interspersed with clips of fictional TV news broadcasts — a nod to the format of Orson Welles' infamous 1938 radio adaptation, which reportedly convinced some listeners that aliens were actually attacking the United States. The professor and a small crew of scientists from the Institute, including an artificially intelligent humanoid called Assistant Professor Whitehurst (Amanda Link), investigate a series of strange explosions on the surface of Mars. Months later, the mystery is solved when cylindrical space capsules begin to crash on Earth, letting loose an army of giant metallic tripods wielding weapons that blast deadly heat rays. With Illinois at the epicenter of a national and potentially global crisis, the play satirizes a range of all-American ideologues: conspiracy theorists, doomsday preachers, isolationists and jingoistic military types. Even J.B. Pritzker gets a sendup with Anthony Kayer's performance as the fictional governor of Illinois. Reading 'The War of the Worlds' as a satire is not a novel interpretation; Wells himself acknowledged that the book's anti-imperial themes were inspired by the brutality of European colonialism. But at Lifeline, the comedic tone is dialed up so high that the social commentary loses some of its bite. The production team augments the cast's over-the-top performances with floor-to-ceiling tentacles (set designer Lindsay Mummert), bursts of green light from the heat rays (lighting designer Sarah Riffle) and warbling sound effects that evoke a 1950s sci-fi film (sound designer Joe Griffin). The onstage violence is occasionally macabre but never gruesome; when Whitehurst, the android, loses both arms in battle, their silver-tipped severed limbs go flying (props designer Jenny Pinson), but none of the human characters shed visible blood. Later, during the dissection of a captured Martian, the creature's blue and orange color scheme mimics the Illini jacket that the governor previously appeared in (costume designer Aly Amidei). What gets lost in this inventive production are the human relationships that could give it more heart. For most of the play, Professor Wittington thinks that his wife, Dr. Wittington (Jocelyn Maher), has been killed by the Martians, but this emotional arc is overshadowed by the narrative weight his character bears. Since Lifeline can't recreate an alien invasion onstage any more realistically than Shakespeare could cram armies into his 'wooden O,' audience members must exercise their imaginations to picture the battles that Professor Wittington describes. There's little room for character development amid the action sequences, so the play doesn't have much of an emotional impact despite its high stakes for humankind. The inhabitants of Earth never get answers to the question of what they've done to deserve this catastrophe, but the play points the finger back at humanity by claiming that war is our greatest export and that the militaristic Martians offer a glimpse into our collective future. Toward the end, Whitehurst has a crisis of faith, revealing that the scientists have programmed the android with some sense of belief in god and an afterlife. It's a strange interlude that hints at the often-fraught relationship between science and religion. While hardcore sci-fi fans may be disappointed by this 'War of the Worlds,' those who appreciate the genre's more irreverent side will likely enjoy it. Lifeline never shies away from scaling epic stories to fit onto its small stage, and the company's gutsy creativity is evident in this latest world 'War of the Worlds' (2.5 stars) When: Through July 13 Where: Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave. Running time: 1 hour, 35 minutes Tickets: $20-$45 at 773-761-4477 and
Los Angeles Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Federal trade court blocks Trump from imposing sweeping tariffs under emergency powers law
WASHINGTON — A federal trade court on Wednesday blocked President Trump from imposing sweeping tariffs on imports under an emergency-powers law. The ruling from a three-judge panel came after several lawsuits arguing Trump has exceeded his authority, left U.S. trade policy dependent on his whims and unleashed economic chaos. At least seven lawsuits are challenging the levies, the centerpiece of Trump's trade policy. Tariffs must typically be approved by Congress, but Trump has says he has the power to act because the country's trade deficits amount to a national emergency. He imposed tariffs on most of the countries in the world at one point, sending markets reeling. The plaintiffs argue that the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not authorize the use of tariffs. Even if it did, they say, the trade deficit does not meet the law's requirement that an emergency be triggered only by an 'unusual and extraordinary threat.' The U.S. has run a trade deficit with the rest of the world for 49 consecutive years. Whitehurst writes for the Associated Press.
Scottish Sun
23-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Infamous sex-crazed English teacher Laura Whitehurst who gave birth to student's baby accused of abusing ANOTHER child
Her high school was a hunting ground for paedo teachers - with over 20 accused of sexual misconduct with students PERV TEACHER Infamous sex-crazed English teacher Laura Whitehurst who gave birth to student's baby accused of abusing ANOTHER child Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A SEX-obsessed school teacher who gave birth to a student's baby after abusing him has been accused of even more depraved abuse. Laura Whitehurst was convicted in 2013 for having sex with three of her pupils, and now a fourth has come forward. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Laura Whitehurst has been accused of abusing a fourth student Credit: Citrus Valley High School 5 Whitehurst pleaded guilty to abusing three of her students in 2013 Credit: AP:Associated Press 5 She worked at Citrus Valley High School for three years, where one of her victims fathered her child Credit: Google Whitehurst preyed on her victims while teaching at Redlands High School and Citrus Valley High School in California between 2006 and 2013. The fresh allegations accuse her of sexual battery against another unnamed male student in 2007 and 2008, who was 16 at the time. The former student alleges Whitehurst sexually abused him inside a Redlands classroom as well as off campus. The suit, seen by Mercury News, also makes allegations of negligent hiring and intentional infliction of emotional distress against the school's former principle and the school's district. Whitehurst was first arrested and charged with 41 counts of sex and oral copulation with a minor in 2013. Complaints were lodged about the teacher molesting minors from 2006 and continued up to the time of her arrest, according to police reports. In the June of 2013, Whitehurst gave birth to a daughter - shockingly fathered by one of the students when she abused him. She pleaded guilty to unlawful sex with three former students and served six months in jail for her crimes, and remains a registered sex offender. The new suit says that school officials, including a former principal, Christina Rivera, knew about the allegations against Whitehurst but failed to stop or report the abuse. Morgan Stewart, a partner with Manly, Stewart & Finaldi who filed the suit, said: "There is a good reason why Redlands Unified School District is the national poster child for sexual abuse of students. Moment 'Teacher of the Year' weeps as she pleads guilty to abusing pupils "More than 20 teachers and administrators in RUSD have been accused of inappropriate sexual behavior with their students over the last ten years. "The district has spent millions on civil lawsuit settlements, and two students have committed suicide." Whitehurst is said to have invited students between the ages of 14 and 18 into her classroom, where she would steer the conversation towards sex. She would then have intercourse with the students in her classroom as well as at her home, according to lawsuits against her. 5 A fourth alleged victim has come forward Credit: Redlands Police Department 5 Whitehurst's career began at Redlands High School, with complaints of molesting from the very start Credit: Google The father of Whitehurst's child to sued his former teacher and Redlands School District in 2014, and received a $6million settlement. He claimed Whitehurst had stalked him and told him she was unable to get pregnant. He alleged that Redland officials knew about the relationship but failed to warn his family. The district agreed to pay a further $2.25million in 2023 to settle a lawsuit from another former student who claimed to have been abused by Whitehurst. The teacher admitted to police in 2013 that she had sex with this teen 10 to 15 times, according to a police report. Whitehurst graduated from Redlands in 2003, and began her career as an English teacher there in 2006. She was laid off due to budget cuts in 2009, but began teaching at Citrus Valley in 2010. In June 2013 she gave birth to a 17-year-old student's child, and when the victim's mother found discovered this she called the police. In light of the fresh allegations, Redlands Unified School District said: 'The safety and well-being of every student in Redlands Unified School District is our highest priority. 'We are aware of the recently filed lawsuit regarding a case from 2013 and take these allegations very seriously. "While we cannot comment on pending litigation or the specific claims being made, we remain committed to fostering a safe, supportive, and respectful environment for all students.'
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
Former police officer sentenced for harassing ex
A former police officer has been sentenced to a community order for harassing his ex-partner and breaking the terms of a restraining order. Paul Whitehurst, 54, who served as a detective sergeant in the Warwickshire Police force had previously been sentenced to 18 weeks in jail after admitting attacking her. The court at the time heard Holly - not her real name - had felt imprisoned in her own home. After breaking the terms of the restraining order banning him from contacting her, Whitehurst was given an 18-month community order with probation at Mold Magistrates' Court on Friday. Whitehurst was ordered not to contact his ex-partner or her family directly, via social media or a third party, but 16 days later searched for her online. At the sentencing hearing, the prosecution read out a victim impact statement written by Holly. "I feel like I'm reliving the trauma he's put me through over and over again," she said. "The sheer anxiety and stress is unimaginable." At his trial in Mold last month, the court heard Whitehurst, from Holywell in Flintshire, accessed Holly's LinkedIn profile. She gave evidence and said that she had received a notification that her ex-partner had clicked on to her profile and that of her boss. Holly had started a new job, and her profile detailed the company she worked for and in which areas she would be working. "I'm living in constant fear of Paul turning up at work or home address", she says in her victim statement. "It's not only affected me emotionally but ruined my work life. I've had to disclose my whole past to my boss". "I was absolutely horrified and petrified," Holly told the court in April. "Paul Whitehurst went to prison for assaulting me. The thought that he'd come out of prison and was still infatuated with me was terrifying. "There's a restraining order stopping him from going to where I live but what is there to stop him coming to where I work." "I now have to have colleagues walk with me through the car park and to the station." Whitehurst told the court he had been checking that the jobs he was looking to apply for were not in the same business park as Holly. "If I'd wanted to message her I'd have messaged her," he said. "I was being diligent by checking where she worked." Mr Whitehurst, appearing in the docks for his sentencing on Friday said he had had no intentions of breaching the restraining order. "There's nothing malicious about looking at her Linkedin", he said. As part of his community order, Whitehurst is required to complete 26 court accredited programmes with probation,180 hours of unpaid work and 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days. He is also required to pay £650 to the prosecution and a £114 victim surcharge. Warwickshire Police Crime and Commissioner said the force did not so far have grounds to make an application to force Whitehurst to forfeit his pension. Holly is not the only woman to report being harassed by Whitehurst. 'I felt a prisoner at hands of my police abuser' Charlotte Smith had previously complained to Warwickshire Police about Whitehurst's behaviour. She said she was stalked and harassed by him over a two-and-a-half-year period after ending their brief relationship in 2021, but was told there was not enough evidence to charge him. Ms Smith said she had more than 30 videos recorded of Whitehurst being outside her house. "He would literally appear out of nowhere. It would feel like somebody was watching me," she said. "He felt like he was above the law and he felt like he could do whatever he wanted to do." Warwickshire Police held a gross misconduct hearing into the former officer's behaviour in May 2024 which found he would have been dismissed had he not retired a month earlier. The force has not commented following the latest sentencing. HM Courts & Tribunals Service Police officer attacked and 'gaslit' ex-girlfriend 'I felt a prisoner at hands of my police abuser' Police officer admits assaulting woman four times
Daily Mirror
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Vinnie Jones confronted by 'football's hardest man' who sent seven-word message
Carlton Palmer also opened up on his own run-in with Billy Whitehurst during a West Brom clash with Sunderland, where he was told he had "more balls than sense" Billy Whitehurst, a prominent footballer in the 80s and 90s, once left Vinnie Jones speechless by asking, "What are you going to f****** do about it?" after an alleged car crash. Well-known for his aggressive style of play, Whitehurst was often referred to as the 'hardest man in football' due to his no-prisoners attitude on the pitch. His career saw him playing for teams like Hull City, Newcastle United, Sunderland and Sheffield United, where his six-foot stature made him a formidable opponent. One player who had a memorable encounter with Whitehurst was Carlton Palmer, who was at West Brom when he faced off against Whitehurst at Sunderland. Speaking on the Under the Cosh podcast, Palmer shared his admiration for Whitehurst and how standing up to him earned his respect. Palmer recalled: "I'll tell you a story about Billy, I f****** love that boy to death. I just got in the first team at West Brom, we've got to play Sunderland. Guess who's up front? Billy f****** Whitehurst. "Who do you not want to play against ever? Billy Whitehurst, John Fashanu and Mick Harford. Three players straight off the top of your head you don't want to fucking play against. So I'm thinking, 'How am I going to approach this one with Billy?' "I'm centre-half, how am I going to approach this one? Well, fire with fire. So I went, 'F*** it,' I'm just going to have to go toe-to-toe with him. He's f****** elbowing me and all that. "Half-time, I'm walking off, and he said to me, 'You know something, son? You've got more balls than sense.' That's what he said to me! And then we became mates, I f****** love him, Bill." Palmer added: "Then he tells me the story about when Vinnie [Jones] came to the club because Vinnie thought he was a f****** hard man. I love Vinnie to death as well, another great lad, Vinnie. Vinnie was coming in, so Billy's got this old f****** car. "Vinnie's turned up in a 7 Series, brand new BMW. Billy drives straight into the side of it with his old car. He walks in there and he said to Vinnie, 'Somebody's just f****** driven straight into the side of your car.' He said, 'Which c*** done that?', and he said 'Me, what are you going to f****** do about it?' That's f****** Billy for you." Whitehurst has since settled down post-retirement, training greyhounds and running several public houses in South Yorkshire. But nobody could quite forget the staggering force he was up front in football - certainly not Palmer or Jones.
