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Tracing Memorial Day’s history and tradition

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:16:00 GMT

NORFOLK, Va. — Memorial Day is supposed to be about mourning the nation’s fallen service members, but it’s come to anchor the unofficial start of summer and a long weekend of discounts on anything from mattresses to lawn mowers.For Manuel Castañeda Jr., 58, the day will be a quiet one in Durand, Illinois, outside Rockford. He lost his father, a U.S. Marine who served in Vietnam, in an accident in California while training other Marines in 1966.“Memorial Day is very personal,” said Castañeda, who also served in the Marines and Army National Guard, from which he knew men who died in combat. “It isn’t just the specials. It isn’t just the barbecue.” THE OFFICIAL PURPOSE OF MEMORIAL DAYIt’s a day of reflection and remembrance of those who died while serving in the U.S. military, according to the Congressional Research Service. The holiday is observed in part by the National Moment of Remembrance, which encourages all Americans to paus...

5 unique burger creations in San Diego: National Hamburger Day

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:16:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- The handheld sandwich American's love -- the hamburger -- is so iconic that it's recognized annually on May 28. On National Hamburger Day, patty-filled buns with ketchup, mustard, onions and toppings galore will be devoured by burger-lovers nationwide. This is the most searched dog breed in San Diego, according to a study For those celebrating the mouth-watering occasion in San Diego and want to take a bite out of something more outlandish, here are five unique patty creations waiting to be enjoyed at local burger joints in the region. Spicy AF Burger at Smash & DashWith marinated serrano peppers, grilled onions, smoky habanero burger sauce and American cheese, this smoking hot double-patty burger can be found ordered for take out or delivery. Smash & Dash is located in the College Area at 6334 El Cajon Blvd. Aztec Food Hub.A Spicy AF Burger at Smash & Dash. (Photo: Smash & Dash)Pig Burger at Flying Pig Pub & KitchenStaying true to it's creators, ...

South Carolina group to ask Supreme Court to rename landmark school desegregation case

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:16:00 GMT

SUMMERTON, S.C. (AP) — Civil rights leaders in South Carolina plan to petition the U.S. Supreme Court to rename the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision that outlawed segregation of pubic schools across the country.Over the next three months, a group representing past plaintiffs and their descendants plans to file paperwork asking the high court to reorder the set of five 1954 cases that led to the Brown ruling, The Post and Courier reports. The group, which has teamed up with a lawyer in Camden, South Carolina, wants to replace Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka with a South Carolina case that was filed earlier but is lesser known. Briggs v. Elliott is a South Carolina case named after Harry Briggs, one of 20 parents who brought a lawsuit against Clarendon County School Board President R.W. Elliott. The group sees the name change as a way to restore South Carolina as the cradle of the movement to desegregate public education.“Everyone else lays down and says you can’t d...

‘The Little Mermaid’ makes box office splash with $95.5 million opening

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:16:00 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — “ The Little Mermaid ” made moviegoers want to be under the sea on Memorial Day weekend. Disney’s live-action remake of its 1989 animated classic easily outswam the competition, bringing in $95.5 million on 4,320 screens in North America, according to studio estimates Sunday. And Disney estimates the film starring Halle Bailey as the titular mermaid Ariel and Melissa McCarthy as her sea witch nemesis Ursula will reach $117.5 million by the time the holiday is over. It ranks as the fifth biggest Memorial Day weekend opening ever. It displaces “Fast X” in the top spot. The 10th installment in the “Fast and Furious” franchise starring Vin Diesel has lagged behind more recent releases in the series, bringing in $23 million domestically for a two-week total of $108 million for Universal Pictures. In its fourth weekend, Disney and Marvel’s “ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 ” made an estimated $20 million in North America to take third place. It’s now ma...

Turkey’s Erdogan declares victory in presidential runoff, extends rule into 3rd decade

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:16:00 GMT

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan won reelection Sunday, according to unofficial results, in a victory that extends his increasingly authoritarian rule into a third decade as the country reels from high inflation and the aftermath of an earthquake that leveled entire cities.A third term gives Erdogan an even stronger hand domestically and internationally, and the election results will have implications far beyond Ankara. Turkey stands at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, and it plays a key role in NATO.With nearly 99% of ballot boxes opened, results from competing news agencies showed Erdogan with 52% of the vote, compared with 48% for his challenger, Kemal Kilicdaroglu.In his first comments since the polls closed, Erdogan thanked the nation for entrusting him with the presidency for five more years.“We hope to be worthy of your trust, as we have been for 21 years,” he told supporters on a campaign bus outside his home in Istanbul. He ridiculed his challen...

Debt ceiling agreement gets thumbs up from biz groups, jeers from some on political right

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:16:00 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The reviews are starting to come in as details emerge about the debt ceiling agreement reached by President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.Already, some lawmakers are criticizing the deal as not doing enough to tackle the nation’s debt, while others worry it’s too austere and will harm many low-income Americans.The legislation will likely need support from a significant number of lawmakers from both parties to clear the closely divided House and gain the 60 votes necessary to advance in the Senate. Final text of the agreement is expected Sunday. Many lawmakers say they are withholding judgment until they see the final details.A look at how the agreement is going over so far:EARLY CONCERNSSome of the earliest objections are coming from the most conservative members of Congress, particularly members of the hardline House Freedom Caucus that often clashes with GOP leadership.“I think it’s a disaster!” tweeted Matt Rosendale, R-Mont.“Fake ...

Motorcyclist killed after collision in city’s east end

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:16:00 GMT

A motorcyclist is dead following a crash in the city’s east end on Sunday afternoon.Police say they were called to the area of Markham Road and Lawrence Avenue East around 1:30 p.m. for reports of a crash involving a motorcycle and another vehicle. Paramedics transported the motorcyclist to a trauma centre where he was later pronounced dead. It’s unknown at this time if the driver of the of the vehicle remained at the scene. Paramedics tell CityNews they only treated one person at the scene of the crash.

‘Precious’ musical instruments removed from Monastère du Bon-Pasteur after fire

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:16:00 GMT

A pair of valuable musical instruments have been removed from a Montreal heritage building that caught fire last week, raising hopes that they can be saved to play again.Simon Blanchet, program director at the Chapelle du Bon-Pasteur, says a Fazioli concert grand piano and a 1772 Kirckman harpsichord were both removed on Saturday from the concert venue inside the chapel of the 19th century former monastery.He said both instruments sustained some moisture damage and will have to dry out before they can be fully assessed.RELATED: Firefighters put out Monastère du Bon-Pasteur fire more than 24 hours after it ignitedBut he said both were protected by covers and he’s hopeful technicians will be able to restore them.Blanchet said the instruments’ survival is a small bright light in a devastating week that has seen Montreal musicians lose one of their most important concert venues.The blaze broke out Thursday at the 19th century building, which also includes a residence for sen...

Search for American teen missing in the Bahamas called off

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:16:00 GMT

BATON ROUGE, La. (WVLA) — The U.S. Coast Guard has called off the search for an American teenager who went missing during a boat trip in the Bahamas last week.Cameron Robbins, 18, a recent high school graduate from Louisiana, went missing Wednesday evening, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. The Royal Bahamas Defence Force reported that around 11:30 p.m. that night, Robbins fell overboard off the Blackbeard's Revenge sunset cruise ship near Nassau, according to the Coast Guard news release.Robbins had been on a trip to Atlantis with graduates from several other schools. It was not a school-organized trip. No graduation: 8th graders turned away from ceremony; parents furious Aircrews from the U.S. and the Bahamas searched more than 325 square miles near where the teen went missing.After multiple days of search, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force called off the search for Robbins "pending further developments," Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Spado, the Coast Guard liaison officer to the B...

List: What's open on Memorial Day?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:16:00 GMT

(NEXSTAR) - While banks, post offices, and most offices will be closed for Memorial Day, many restaurants and stores will still be open on Monday, May 29. There are, of course, some exceptions. Despite its Memorial Day sales, Costco, for example, will be closed.Some other stores may have limited hours. That includes ALDI, which will close its stores at 6 p.m. local time on Memorial Day. Sam's Club will close at 6 p.m. for both Plus and Club members. These businesses will be open for normal hours on Memorial Day:Big LotsBJ's WholesaleDollar GeneralHome DepotIKEAKrogerLowe'sSproutsTargetTrader Joe'sWalgreensWalmartWhole FoodsWhile CVS and Wegmans stores will be open, pharmacy hours may vary by location. It's best to call ahead to confirm whether your location is open on Monday. Walgreens lists that its stores will be open for the holiday, but its pharmacies will be closed Monday. Hobby Lobby doesn’t use barcodes: Here’s their explanation Looking for a quick bite? Most fast-food res...