Columbus, OH

Illinois State

I can remember vividly watching the Democratic National Convention in July of 2004 and seeing Illinois state Sen. Barack Obama for the first time — well, I knew about him, but seeing him speak for the first time. The Democratic presidential nominee at the time pegged Obama to give the keynote. Many said, “Who?” But when he appeared and spoke, it was spellbinding.

After 20 years, and after tonight, Obama will no longer be the Democrats' top star

Obama never disappoints. He never sounds hollow or disconnected. In fact, he's all about connecting. He's never lost the sense that we can see beyond ourselves. That we can come together, regardless of our differences. He has never lost faith in us. That's why his message has never deviated from hope. He has so much hope in who we are as a people, and who we are as country. He's never lost his bond with us, and we've never lost our bond with him. And he's famously bonded with Harris because they are kindred spirits, and it's that connection that makes Michelle Obama's comment about hoping making a comeback ring true. Harris is the extension of the hope as a message that Obama has been delivering for the past 20 years. Harris ensures that hope continues and remains constant. Trump disrupted that hope. Biden started to revive it, and Harris will move it full steam ahead. Without hope there is no life, and life with hope is returning as an American ideal. - John Casey.

LIVE: Day 3 of the Democratic National Convention

Chicago, IL

CHICAGO — The Democratic National Convention reached a crescendo Tuesday evening at the United Center in Chicago. Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, former First Lady Michelle Obama, and former President Barack Obama each delivered stirring addresses that energized the audience and set the tone for the campaign’s final stretch.

‘Do something’: The Obamas urge action, Doug Emhoff shares love on DNC Night 2

CHICAGO — Hillary Clinton returned to the stage of the Democratic National Convention on Monday, eight years after accepting her party’s presidential nomination, to celebrate Vice President Kamala Harris’ candidacy and draw a direct line from history-making women, through Harris’ and Clinton’s own families, to the current moment.

Hillary Clinton connects 2024 to 2016 — and history

On Monday night at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia of California delivered a speech reflecting on the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic and his journey as an immigrant in the United States. Garcia, the first out gay immigrant to be elected to Congress, spoke to...

Gay Rep. Robert Garcia praises Kamala Harris's kindness in DNC speech

Los Angeles County, CA

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Herbie J Pilato

[Note: Unless otherwise indicated, the commentary and quotes in this article are from the author's interview with those mentioned.]. Elizabeth Montgomery was one of the most popular actors from the 1950s to her unfortunate passing from cancer in 1995. Before, during, and after her benchmark Emmy-nominated role as twitch-witch Samantha Stephens on TV's Bewitched (ABC, 1964-1972), Montgomery made over 200 additional appearances in other weekly shows, TV-movies, and feature films.

'Bewitched' Star Elizabeth Montgomery Received Death Threats for Protesting the Vietnam War

Actor Buddy Ebsen, who died at age 95 in 2003, found fame by starring in two of the most popular classic television shows in history: The Beverly Hillbillies (CBS, 1962 to 1971) and Barnaby Jones (CBS, 1973 to 1980). On the Hillbillies, he played former Tennessee country mountain-folk-turned-wealthy Beverly Hills resident Jed Clampett. On Barnaby Jones, he was one of TV's most senior, slyest, health-conscious detectives. Ebsen, however, almost became even more famous for a certain big-screen classic film in which he ultimately did not appear.

'Beverly Hillbillies" Actor Buddy Ebsen Was "Bitter" about not playing the Tin Man in 'Wizard of Oz'

Georgia State

Rachel Maddow is worried about the outcome of the presidential election — and it’s not because of any doubts about Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. No, she’s worried about Trump-supporting Republicans’ efforts to fail to certify the vote. In a New York Times column, Maddow notes that...

Rachel Maddow warns of the possibility of a stolen election this November

Virginia State

Kentucky Vibes.net

Disclaimer: This article was written with the help of A.I. software. On July 28, 2024, a TikTok video posted by Erica W., known as @tasteofmelanin on the platform, garnered significant attention after she exposed disturbing racist decorations in an Airbnb rental. The incident occurred in a rental property that Erica had booked, although the exact location remains unspecified. The video has since gone viral, prompting widespread concern and leading to the removal of the listing from Airbnb's platform.

Airbnb Listing Taken Down After Black Woman Finds Hanging Monkeys and Cotton Used As Decor

Beloved actress Nichelle Nichols, who died at 89 in 2022, found fame with her pioneering role as Communications Officer Lt. Nyota Uhura on TV's original Star Trek series (NBC, 1966-1969). She went on to play a groundbreaking role in several feature films and, as an African-American actress, became a beacon of dignity and diversity in Hollywood.

'Star Trek's' Nichelle Nichols Was Not Allowed To Play Secretary 'Peggy Fair' on TV's 'Mannix'

Colorado State

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David Heitz

A bill quietly introduced this spring in the Colorado legislature to decriminalize the possession of drug paraphernalia obtained by harm reductionists has become law. As low-key as the legislation was introduced, the bill was signed into law without fanfare June 6. It garnered little to no media attention.

Colorado legalizes needles, pipes for meth and crack if obtained by harm reduction group

Disclaimer: This article was written with the help of A.I. software. Meghan Markle's venture into the lifestyle space has not been met with universal acclaim, particularly from one well-known figure: Martha Stewart. Earlier this year, in March, Meghan unveiled her new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard. The brand immediately drew comparisons to other celebrity wellness empires, particularly that of culinary icon Martha Stewart. However, these comparisons have reportedly struck a nerve with Stewart, who finds them both "irritating and insulting."

Meghan Markle 'Insulted' Martha Stewart as She 'Won't Hesitate to Take Her Down

[Note: The quotes and commentary that appear in this article are from an interview the author conducted with David White in 1989.]. Actor David White, who died in 1991, found great success for his best-known and likable performance as the devious advertising executive Larry Tate on the classic TV sitcom,Bewitched (ABC, 1964-1972).

'Bewitched' Actor David White Forever Mourned the Tragic Pan Am/Lockerbie Death of His Son

[Note: Unless otherwise indicated, this article features commentary and quotes from an interview conducted by the author with those mentioned.]. Actor Paul Lynde, who died in 1982 from a heart attack, left an indelible mark in movies and television. He was best known on the small screen for his performance as Elizabeth Montgomery's wise-cracking warlock Uncle Arthur on TV's Bewitched (ABC, 1964-1972), and as the celebrity "center square" on the original Hollywood Squaresgame show (NBC/syndicated, 1995-1980).

Sister to Actor Paul Lynde ('Bewitched' & 'Hollywood Squares')  Recalled His Comic Genius in 1988

Florida State

Uncovering Florida

Most people are guilty of doing it at least once in their lives, many people do it by accident, some do it because they find it fun, and others do it for reasons like honoring loved ones. Regardless of the situation, just about everyone has released a balloon. The difference is that intentionally releasing balloons is now illegal by House Bill 321’s standards.

Law Signed By DeSantis Makes It Illegal To Release Balloons In Florida

A transgender woman won the Democratic nomination for a Florida House seat on Tuesday night. Ashley Brundage, the founder and president of Empowering Differences. She won more than 81 percent of the vote in Florida House District 65’s Democratic Primary, which means she will now advance to face incumbent Republican Florida Rep. Karen Gonzalez Pittman in November. There, she will have a fighting chance in a district where a majority of voters favored President Joe Biden in 2020 over Republican former President Donald Trump. The district swung red in 2022 as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis won a landslide re-election and enacted an anti-LGBTQ agenda.

A transgender woman wins Democratic primary for Florida House seat, and aims to make history

In 2007, when I was media relations director for Sears and Kmart, my team and I ran the Kmart-sponsored green room at the Daytime Emmys in Hollywood. I greeted all the celebrities as they came in, and when Phil Donahue entered, I said, “Hi, Phil, I’m John Casey with Kmart,” and without missing a beat he replied, “Of course you are!”

Phil Donahue, an unsung LGBTQ+ ally, who talked about being gay — and AIDS — when no one else would

With hurricane season posing a consistent threat six months out of the year, who would not like a little help getting their home ready for the harsh weather to come? Senate Bill 7028: My Safe Florida Home Program, approved by Governor DeSantis on April 24, 2024, and effective as of July 1, appropriates a one-time total of $200 million from 2024 to 2025 for the purpose of funding hurricane mitigation grants and inspections, as well as outreach and administration costs, to support homeowners in Florida.

DeSantis Signs New Bill Giving $200 Million To Homeowners

Washington, DC

A gay couple is speaking out about the horrific attack they endured at a Shake Shack after employees reportedly saw them kissing. Christian Dingus, 28, and his partner were at a branch of the restaurant in Washington, D.C., with their friends late Saturday when their innocent display of affection sparked a physical confrontation. Dingus told NBC that he and his partner "briefly began to kiss" as they waited for their food when a worker accosted them.

Gay couple severely beaten by Shake Shack employees after kissing, video appears to show

Anti-LGBTQ+ laws in schools are seemingly "negatively impacting the mental health of LGBTQ+ students," a new survey from the Trevor Project has found. The survey, of 18,000 LGBTQ+ youth ages 13 to 24 in the United States, found that attending schools with anti-LGBTQ+ policies was associated with "poorer mental health and higher suicide risk" among LGBTQ+ youth. Of those enrolled in school, nearly a third (29 percent) reported attending a school with at least one anti-LGBTQ+ policy. Queer youth ages 13 to 17 reported higher rates of attending a school with at least one anti-LGBTQ+ policy (43 percent), compared to those ages 18 to 24 (16 percent).

Anti-LGBTQ+ laws linked to higher rates of suicidal ideation in queer students: report

NewsBreak

Five things to look out for at night 2 of the Democratic convention

Is everyone else tired and dragging today after last night’s historic, albeit very late, convention? It’s only day 2, but exhausted or not, you have to...

Five things to look out for at night 2 of the Democratic convention

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