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In Minnesota Opera’s sold-out premiere of ‘The Song Poet,’ Hmong American story is told

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:34 GMT

For the Minnesota Opera’s 50th world premiere in 60 years, the company presents the first opera in its history where the composer and librettist have been women. The production is made in collaboration with Theater Mu with stage direction by Rick Shiomi.St. Paul writer Kao Kalia Yang wrote the book “The Song Poet” about her father, Bee Yang. Its title comes from the Hmong Song Poet tradition. Bee Yang would wander from village to village, collecting stories and turning them into song.Bee Yang’s story, which Kao Kalia Yang has adapted into a libretto for the Minnesota Opera’s production, follows Bee Yang (played by Huiyin Tan as the young Bee and Museop Kim as the adult Bee) throughout his life. He falls in love with Yang’s mother, Chue Moua (Corissa Bussian), experiences America’s Secret War in Laos during the Vietnam War, lives in a refugee camp, moves to the United States and, finally, returns to visit Laos.Two singers playing Bee Yang at different ages. Huiyin Tan, who was seen e...

Police: Body found in abandoned Troy house

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:34 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Troy Police are investigating after a body was found on the 300-block of 8th Street. Police said the body of an adult male was found in an abandoned house Friday night. Get all of the latest news, weather, sports, and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The body has been identified, but that information was not released Friday. Police do not believe suspicious activity is related to the incident.

Colorado immigrant father wins 16-year battle for legal residency

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:34 GMT

For 16 years, Jorge Zaldivar Mendieta’s kids couldn’t relax.Their dad was either away from them in Mexico and fighting to get back to them in Colorado, or they were together but didn’t know when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement might detain him.His daughter Josefyna, 27, choked back tears as she recalled trying to figure out where she could hide her dad if ICE showed up. Twelve-year-old Francysco, with tears streaming down his face, talked about how sad and angry he was when his father was taken into custody during his last ICE check in.But with beaming faces Friday afternoon, the Zaldivar family announced in a news conference a long awaited victory: Jorge won his immigration case and had become a permanent legal resident of the United States. Jorge thanked his family, attorneys, community and various faith and nonprofit groups that worked to support him. Much of that has been attributed to his wife Christina who has advocated for Jorge and other immigrants...

Deputies exchange gunfire with barricaded suspect in Valinda

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:34 GMT

Deputies are engaged in a standoff in the San Gabriel Valley where a suspect is barricaded inside a home and firing shots at law enforcement, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.Deputies were responding to a call of an assault with a deadly weapon in the 16900 block of Wing Lane in Valinda around 2:30 p.m. when they came under fire, officials said.Deputies returned fire, but as of 4:50 p.m., no one had been wounded.Deputies responded to a call of an assault with a deadly weapon in the 16900 block of Wing Lane in Valinda around 2:30 p.m. when they came under fire, officials said. March 10, 2023 (Key News)Deputies responded to a call of an assault with a deadly weapon in the 16900 block of Wing Lane in Valinda around 2:30 p.m. when they came under fire, officials said. A female victim was transported to a local hospital with an undisclosed injury. The Sheriff’s Department says she was not shot.Crisis negotiators are trying to convince the suspect, described only ...

From the brink of extinction, the California condor is making a comeback

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:34 GMT

At the Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge, about 35 miles southwest of Bakersfield, an amazing recovery story is underway. The California condor, which was once speeding toward extinction, is making a comeback.“We are seeing condors breeding in the wild and pairing up, and finding their own food, and doing everything that they need to do to be successful,” said Nicole Weprin, a Wildlife Biologist with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.The USFWS-led California Condor Recovery Program has been working with partners at the San Diego Zoo, Los Angeles Zoo and elsewhere to try to increase the California condor population.It hasn’t been easy. In the 1980s, there were only about two dozen California condors known to be left in the entire world.  To try and save the species, a decision was made to try and capture all the remaining California condors in the wild and put them into a captive breeding program.  In 1987, the last known California condor living in the wil...

Storm threatens to flood San Bernardino County mountain communities, residents urged to prepare

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:34 GMT

Federal help from FEMA was approved Friday for 34 storm-ravaged California counties including Los Angeles and San Bernardino.An impending round of heavy rainfall is raising fears over dangerous flooding. The storm threatens to bring more damage to communities already struggling in the aftermath of a historic winter storm just weeks earlier.Residents are urged to take precautions as warmer temps will result in a ton of snowmelt, exacerbating flooding concerns.Officials are advising locals to fill up sandbags to protect their homes. A limited supply of free sandbags will be available at San Bernardino County fire stations. Those interested will need to bring their own shovel to fill the sandbags.However, officials say, “Homeowners should not depend on this supply and ideally should plan to purchase bags from home improvement and hardware stores. Purchase sandbags early and make them a part of your emergency supplies so they will be available when you need them.”Orange County Fire Auth...

After wild escape, ‘cocaine cat’ will live at Cincinnati Zoo

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:34 GMT

By Beatrice Dupuy | Associated PressAn African serval cat that was found with cocaine in its system after an escape at a traffic stop now calls the Cincinnati Zoo home, much to the delight of social media users still amused by the recent release of the movie “Cocaine Bear.”The wild cat’s story has trended online, where users relished in the absurdity of the horror comedy, which riffs off the true story of a 175-pound black bear that was found dead near a duffle bag and some $2 million worth of cocaine. Social media users have predictably dubbed the serval “cocaine cat.”The slender feline made its escape after its owner was pulled over by police on Jan. 28, according to local animal control officials. It leapt from the car into a tree.Ray Anderson of Cincinnati Animal CARE said that local animal control, Hamilton County Dog Wardens, were called around 2 a.m. in the residential Oakley neighborhood.In Ohio, it is illegal to own the animals, which can weigh...

History achieved: Oakland High boys win first state basketball championship

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:34 GMT

SACRAMENTO – The day began with a message from one of Oakland High’s all-time greats, a video clip to tell the players how much he loved them and to remind them what they represent.“Y’all know where we come from and y’all know what it means for the town,” Portland Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard said.A few hours later, Lillard’s former school ran through Buena-Ventura with an array of steals, blocks and far superior play at Golden 1 Center to capture the program’s first state boys basketball championship, 59-43.DAME’S VIDEO: Former Oakland star Damian Lillard sends message to teamThe Division III crown was sealed when Oakland, leading by 10 at halftime, blitzed the Southern California regional champion with a huge run to start the third quarter.Two minutes into the second half, the Wildcats led 33-13.From there, the only unknown was how decisive the outcome would be as Money Williams, Anthony Lacy and the rest of the Wildcats took complete command.Oakland never trailed ...

3 women drove into Mexico from Texas and disappeared

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:34 GMT

Associated PressPEÑITAS, Texas — Two sisters from Texas and a friend are missing in Mexico after they crossed the border last month to sell clothes at a flea market, U.S. authorities said Friday.The abduction of four Americans in Mexico that was caught on video last week received an avalanche of attention and was resolved in a matter of days. But the fate of the three women, who haven’t been heard from in about two weeks, remains a mystery and has garnered relatively little publicity.The FBI said Friday it is aware that two sisters from Peñitas, a small border city in Texas near McAllen, and their friend have gone missing. Peñitas Police Chief Roel Bermea said their families have been in touch with Mexican authorities, who are investigating their disappearance.Beyond that, officials in the U.S. and Mexico haven’t said much about their pursuit of Maritza Trinidad Perez Rios, 47; Marina Perez Rios, 48; and their friend, Dora Alicia Cervantes Saenz, 53.The episode stands in...

Jesús Alou, part of Giants’ historic all-sibling outfield and World Series champ with Oakland A’s, dies at 80

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:34 GMT

Jesús Alou, who left his mark with the Giants and the As and as a member of one of baseball’s most famous families, died on Friday. Alou would have turned 81 later this month.Alou helped make history with the Giants on Sept. 15, 1963 when he and older brothers Felipe and Matty appeared together in the same outfield. The brothers never started in the same game — Felipe was the Giants’ regular right fielder, Matty was primarily a defensive replacement, and Jesús, the youngest of the trio, was a 21-year-old call-up who wasn’t going to crack an outfield that had Willie Mays in center field and Willie McCovey in left.PHOENIX, ARIZONA – MARCH 17: San Francisco Giants outfielder Jesus Alou poses with his baseball on March 27, 1965 at the Phoenix Municipal Stadium in Arizona. (Tommy McDonough/Oakland Tribune) The Dominican Republic-born Alous were in the outfield together in the late innings of two more games, and played in the same game eight times in all...