Our Native Daughters bring Black women's voices to forefront
This image released by Smithsonian Channel shows, from left, Rhiannon Giddens, Allison Russell, Leyla McCalla and Amythyst Kiah, of Our Native Daughters, near Parks, La., on Jan. 29, 2018. The group will appear in the documentary "Reclaiming History: Our Native Daughters" premiering Monday on Smithsonian Channel. (Terri Fensel/Smithsonian Channel via AP)NASHVILLE, Tenn. โ Playing a banjo as a Black female artist is a form of activism for the four members of Our Native Daughters. Why does someone assume if youโre Black, you must be doing urban music, whatever that means?โ said Russell. โSongs of Our Native Daughtersโ which came out on the Smithsonian Folkways record label in 2019, focused on the stories of women during the transatlantic slave trade, but also the triumphs of Black women.
Broncos' A.J. Bouye suspended six games for PED violation
Denver Broncos cornerback A.J. โYeah, I was disappointed for him,โ Broncos coach Vic Fangio said about an hour after the league suspended Bouye. Missing the final four games of 2020 will cost Bouye $2.34 million. The suspension would hang over Bouye into 2021 when heโd have to sit out the first two regular-season games. Given the injuries and suspension at cornerback, Parks said he was getting a crash course in the Broncosโ 2020 playbook.
Zimbabwe elephants died from bacterial disease, say experts
Wildlife vets take samples from dead elephants found in Hwange National park, Zimbabwe, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020. (AP Photo)HARARE โ Parks authorities in Zimbabwe said Monday that the recent deaths of elephants have been caused by a bacterial disease that has previously affected elephants in Asia and other animals in southern Africa, although more tests will still be carried out. In recent years poachers in Zimbabwe have poisoned dozens of elephants with cyanide and then have taken their ivory tusks to sell them to illegal traders. Not enough information is known about the diseaseโs effect on local elephants to predict a long-term outcome, he said. โYes they die, but honestly this is just nothing, a drop in the ocean because we have over 84,000 elephants in Zimbabwe, which is overpopulation already,โ he said.
Seoul mayor reported missing, his phone off, search underway
SEOUL The mayor of South Korean capital Seoul has been reported missing and police are searching for him on Thursday. Police officers said they are looking for Mayor Park Won-soon at Seouls Sungbuk neighborhood where his mobile phone signal was last detected. But Yonhap news agency reported Parks daughter told police that her father left a will-like message before leaving their home earlier Thursday. Yonhap said officers, drones and police dogs have been mobilized for Park's search. A longtime civic activist and human rights lawyer, Park was elected as Seoul mayor in 2011 and became the citys first mayor to be voted into a third term in June last year.
Flagler County parks, sports fields to reopen
FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. Park activities will once again fill Flagler County parks as Florida enters Phase two of the States Safe. Step-by-Step.Flagler County officials announced Friday that its park activities will return on Saturday, June 6, with social distancing and other CDC guidance. People can use pavilions with social distancing as a walk-up amenity, but we arent renting them out just yet, said General Services Director Heidi Petito. However, it is recommended that face coverings be worn in close contact areas where social distancing is difficult to maintain. The timing of the parks opening coincides with the City of Palm Coasts schedule to reopen its parks facilities.
Blue Spring State Park back open to visitors
Blue Spring State Park in Volusia County announced on its Facebook page it is now back open to visitors as of May 8 with limited capacity. โOnce we reach capacity, we will not allow entry to any more visitors for the rest of the day.โThe parkโs spring run is open to water activities. Restrooms in the day use area are open to visitors but the campground and cabins will remain closed for now, park officials said. The park encourages visitors to continue to practice social distancing as they welcome visitors back. Effective Friday, May 8, Blue Spring State Park is open with limited capacity.