Four dolphins were found dead on a Mississippi beach over the weekend, according to a Facebook post by the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS).
The dolphins, identified as Pantropical Spotted Dolphins, died after becoming stranded in the sand on Petit Bois Island.
The species is rarely seen in Mississippi waters and usually inhabits deeper waters, so IMMS found it surprising to find four together on one of the barrier islands.
UNITED NATIONS ADOPTS LANDMARK TREATY TO SAFEGUARD MARINE LIFE
The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS) reported four dolphins were discovered stranded on the beach over the weekend.(The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS))
The staff responded quickly and collected photographs and tissue samples before transporting the animals for further analysis by the veterinary team at Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
The team is working to determine the dolphins’ cause of death.
WHITE HOUSE REPORTEDLY IGNORED WARNING ABOUT WIND PROJECTS HARMING MARINE LIFE | FOX NEWS VIDEO
The dolphins, identified as Pantropical Spotted Dolphins, are rarely seen off the Mississippi coast due to the depth of the water.(The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS))
IMMS thanked the quick-thinking person who discovered the dolphins on the beach.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“We are grateful to the individual who reported the dolphins to us. If you ever come across a stranded dolphin or sea turtle, please call our Stranding Hotline at 1-888-SOS-DOLPHIN (1-888-767-3657),” the post read.
Keeping with the giving season, some police officers continue a tradition pulling over drivers and handing them a surprise Thanksgiving food staple in lieu of a traffic ticket.
This year, the Fulton Police Department in Fulton, Illinois, is hosting its Operation Turkey Stop program.
The operation began in 2021 as a way for the police department to foster a good working relationship with the community.
ARIZONA GRANDMA AND STRANGER SHE MISTAKENLY TEXTED IN 2016 WILL CELEBRATE 9TH THANKSGIVING TOGETHER
“We all know that the holidays are a special time of the year, and we wanted to be able to reach out to the public and try to help them enjoy the holidays just a little bit more,” Sgt. Dwayne Hamilton of the Fulton Police Department told Fox News Digital via email.
Police departments in Fulton, Illinois, (pictured here), and McAllen, Texas, host annual Thanksgiving events giving out turkeys instead of handing out traffic tickets.(The Fulton Police Department)
Officers are on the lookout for everyday traffic violations, then initiate traffic stops. But instead of issuing fines or punishments, drivers are given a turkey.
For more Lifestyle articles, visit foxnews.com/lifestyle
“It usually takes everyone by surprise. Everyone has been very grateful, and there are some who even stated that they weren’t sure how they were going to have food for the holidays, which makes that even more special and rewarding for us, knowing that we were able to pay it forward,” said Hamilton.
The Fulton Police Department gets its turkeys from the local Hy-Vee grocery store.
The Fulton Police Department hosts its annual Operation Turkey Stop program, issuing turkeys instead of traffic violation tickets.(The Fulton Police Department)
And Illinois isn’t the only state where law enforcement passes out turkeys in lieu of traffic violations.
Last year, the McAllen Police Department in McAllen, Texas, hosted its Ticket or Turkey event.
On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, officers handed out turkeys instead of tickets.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
“Crime Stoppers is a valued tool for the police department but, during the holidays, it’s about showing our thanks to our community. McAllen Crime Stoppers is a citizen group that volunteers to raise funds to pay citizens for information or tips anonymously,” Chief Victor Rodriguez said in a press release.
Some police stations provide turkeys to families who do not have the resources to purchase big birds this year.(The Fulton Police Department)
In the release, Rudy Placencia added, “We would like to thank our community for helping us provide a turkey dinner for families. We have learned throughout the year most of these families would not enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal if McAllen Crime Stoppers didn’t raise funds.”
This year, the McAllen Crime Stoppers Board raised money for 250 families with “modest means” for its Turkey Meal Giveaway.
“The McAllen Crime Stoppers Thanksgiving Meal Drive is a heartfelt tradition that brings our community together to support those in need,” said Vanessa Camacho, McAllen Crime Stoppers board president.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Other departments around the country have been providing the Thanksgiving dinner centerpiece for community members over the years.
In 2022, the Jackson Police Department in Michigan handed out free turkeys to hundreds of people. The officers ran out of birds in under an hour, Fox News Digital reported.
The year before that, the Mesa Police Department in Mesa, Arizona, gave turkeys to people who thought they were being pulled over for a violation, Fox 10 Pheonix reported.
Plus special access to select articles and other premium content with your account – free of charge.
By entering your email and pushing continue, you are agreeing to Fox News’ Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, which includes our Notice of Financial Incentive.
Please enter a valid email address.
As the holiday season begins, residents of western North Carolina who lost everything during Hurricane Helene want their fellow Americans to keep them in mind.
Some people in hard-hit areas like Swannanoa and Burnsville, or in hard-to-reach places nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, are still living in tents or RVs where their homes once stood.
“We’ve been delivering campers,” Robert Pearson, a member of the Louisiana-based rescue organization Cajun Navy 2016, told Fox News Digital. “We delivered one just an hour before we’re doing this interview, and we’ve got two more we’re going to deliver this afternoon. But people have been donating campers to us, and we’ve been doing whatever we can to try to help. We have a list of people that need help.”
Cajun Navy 2016 is a group of civilian volunteers that formed after Hurricane Katrina to help those in need during and after disasters. They have had volunteers on the ground, including Pearson, since Sept. 27, the day Helene struck the North Carolina mountains.
WATCH: PEOPLE LIVE IN TENTS IN NC 2 MONTHS AFTER HELENE
“When we first got here, it was just utter chaos. There was a complete infrastructure failure. There were no phones, no electric, no water,” Pearson said. “And I’ll be honest with you, nobody knew what to do. We had wound up in a little town called Clyde, and they had their fire department destroyed. Like, just one whole section of town just had gotten wiped out there. And we stayed there.”
HURRICANE HELENE FORCES NORTH CAROLINA RESIDENTS TO SLEEP IN TENTS WHERE HOMES ONCE STOOD
The town of Montreat offered Cajun Navy 2016 a building to house 30 beds, and when volunteers filled all 30 beds, Montreat gave them another building for more beds, Pearson said.
Dara Cody and her neighbor are sleeping in tents where their homes once stood in picturesque yards on the banks of the Swannanoa River in North Carolina.(Fox News Digital/File)
People are still without cars, heating or internet in some places.
RETIRED NORTH CAROLINA POLICE OFFICER DELIVERS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN SUPPLIES, FOOD TO HELENE SURVIVORS
“Just looking at it in person [versus] seeing the pictures, it’s just hard to imagine how bad it is. … I went through Katrina, and this is Katrina-like to me,” Pearson said. “The damage is every bit as bad. It’s just different because it’s in the mountains, 100 yards this way, everything’s fine. But 20 miles down this river, it’s just utter chaos.”
An aerial view of destroyed and damaged buildings in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene flooding on Oct. 8 in Bat Cave, N.C.(Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Some can’t rebuild due to government regulations; others can rebuild but don’t have the money. Some are still without vehicles, and others have not found new work after losing their jobs. Bridges across towns and counties were destroyed and will take time to replace.
Pearson recalled delivering a camper to one family after their house was damaged by about 18 inches of flooding during Helene.
NC FAMILY THAT LOST 11 IN HURRICANE HELENE MUDSLIDES SAYS COMMUNITY SACRIFICED ‘LIFE AND LIMB’ TO SAVE EACH OTHER
Cajun Navy 2016 has been delivering donated campers to those who need housing in Western North Carolina.(Cajun Navy 2016)
“So, definitely salvageable. Everything could be fixed. But they got this big sticker on the door that says the house has to be razed,” Pearson said. “So … there was a mortgage on the house. It’s not covered by homeowner’s insurance because the river took it out. They didn’t have flood insurance because it wasn’t a flood zone. … They owe a mortgage. They don’t have a house they can live in. What are they going to do? I don’t have an answer for that.”
Pearson delivered another camper to a family of five, including three children, who lost their house in a mudslide.
“I don’t think they had insurance. This was a 200-year-old home that had been handed down to the family for years and years. They’re just not well-off people, but great people. And they’re running off of generators because they don’t have a house to hook [a] power pole to,” Pearson said.
PUPPIES RESCUED FROM HURRICANE HELENE TO BE REHOMED WITH MILITARY MEMBERS, FIRST RESPONDERS
People collect donated items at a shuttered gas station along the Swannanoa River in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on Oct. 7 in Swannanoa, N.C.(Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Counties that were dependent on the fall tourism season lost millions of dollars in revenue. Buncombe County officials are estimating a 70% loss in revenue for businesses reliant on tourism and hospitality in the final quarter of 2024, according to WFAE.
Volunteer organizations like Samaritan’s Purse, as well as churches and ministries from across the United States, still have boots on the ground in various towns around western North Carolina. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) also has employees still deployed in the area.
FEMA recently came under fire after former supervisor Marn’i Washington instructed the agency’s relief workers to avoid reaching out to homeowners in Florida who had Trump signs displayed outside their homes after Hurricane Milton, which struck the U.S. about two weeks after Helene. Washington appeared on “Fox News @ Night” on Nov. 14 and said she was “simply executing” orders from her superiors to avoid political encounters that could be hostile.
FEMA did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital when asked to comment for this story.
FORMER FEMA OFFICIALS SAYS SHE’S BEING SCAPEGOATED:
In North Carolina, FEMA has so far approved “$722 million to support survivors with housing repairs, personal property replacement and other essential recovery efforts” and $1.1 billion for debris removal and other emergency protective services, according to a press release from the agency. FEMA has also deployed more than 4,800 personnel to the affected areas.
Americans from across the country have been donating everything from RVs to cars to tree-cutting and roof repair services to those in need. But what western North Carolina needs most now is money, according to those in the area.
HURRICANE EFFECTS POSE ‘TREMENDOUS’ HEALTH HAZARDS FOR AMERICANS, DOCTOR WARNS
Some people in hard-hit areas like Swannanoa and Burnsville, or in hard-to-reach places nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, are still living in tents or RVs where their homes once stood.(Cajun Navy 2016)
Coree Loffink, a resident of Bakersville, told Fox News Digital that locals are struggling to get their day-to-day necessities because some large grocery stores are still closed and certain roads remain inaccessible.
“A lot of people are still living out of campers or looking for campers to live out of because they’re … living out of their cars or living in neighbors’ houses,” Loffink said. “But yesterday is going to be our last day of warm weather after this. … The high next week on Tuesday is 28 degrees, the low is like 14. So it is going to be a struggle for having heating sources out here.”
Even two months after Helene, while many roads and properties look better than they did after Sept. 27, “there’s still so much struggle and so much personal struggle and individual struggle from family to family,” Loffink said.
HURRICANE HELENE: ‘BACKBONE OF AMERICA’ HELPING FARMERS ACROSS SOUTHEAST WHO LOST BILLIONS IN CROPS, LAND
Mekenzie Craig brushes mud off a photo from her wedding that survived the mudslide that killed her in-laws on Sept. 27.(Adam Eugene Willis for Fox News Digital)
“It’s going to be a problem here for at least a few years for rebuilding, you know, creating jobs, just people trying to figure out their lives.” she said. “Do they want to stay? Do they want to go? If they stay, they have to try and rebuild. It’s just there’s a lot of complicated and stressful things that have popped up since the hurricane for families here.”
Loffink said it’s been hard to drive by the same destruction every day that cost some people their lives.
“A lot of people still say they cry every day, whether it be for a loved one, a missing pet, seeing your family home destroyed.”
— Coree Loffink
“There’s people out here who just cry every day because it’s so upsetting,” Loffink said. “I mean, you drive down Green Mountain and you see all the destruction out there. … There are some houses, and they got completely washed away in the Green River, and there’s a cross there. Those families did not make it, and it’s really unfortunate, but they had nowhere to go. And you still [are] going to see that stuff every day when you’re driving around.”
NORTH CAROLINA MAN SLEEPING IN TENT AFTER HURRICANE HELENE HAD TO REBURY FATHER’S CASKET ON PROPERTY
Amid the destroyed homes, mangled cars and spray-painted orange “X” symbols on trees and rocks where authorities located bodies days after Helene came through, leaves are starting to turn vibrant colors.(Adam Eugene Willis for Fox News Digital)
Volunteers are organizing hot Thanksgiving meals or delivering boxes of Thanksgiving food directly to people to cook themselves at home.
An Asheville-based charity called Chances for Children Carolinas, which was created by a group of children as a Destination Imagination Club service project to help other children receive scholarships for extracurricular activities, partnered with Grateful Village to host a holiday fundraiser for Helene survivors.
Volunteers with Chances for Children Carolinas organized a holiday pop-up store with donated giftable items that locals could purchase with vouchers, and 100% of the proceeds go directly back to families in need in western North Carolina.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Founder Mary Hudson Harrelson and her mother, Anna Harrelson, said they wanted to create a way for people who lost everything to purchase gifts with dignity rather than collect free donations. Harrelson described the people of western North Carolina as resilient and said even those who have lost homes and vehicles are still volunteering to help their neighbors.
Chances for Children Carolinas is collecting monetary donations through its website, chancesforchildrencarolinas.com, which they put directly into the hands of those in need who apply for assistance.
Luann de Lesseps, also known as the Countess Luann, is coming to Atlanta for two cabaret shows on Dec. 2 and 3 (Photo by Mike Ruiz).
Luann de Lesseps – or the Countess Luann, as fans of “The Real Housewives of New York” might know her – never thought cabaret would become her main gig.
De Lesseps started doing cabaret almost seven years ago, and on Dec. 2 and 3, she is bringing her show, “A Very Countess Christmas,” to City Winery in Atlanta. The show promises plenty of music, mischief, laughter, and holiday cheer.
Since leaving “The Real Housewives of New York, de Lesseps has stayed busy. She has a new single out called “Marry F Kill,” and recently wrapped up filming a new Bravo dating show, “Love Hotel.” Ahead of the show, Rough Draft Atlanta talked with de Lesseps about the show, her thoughts on the new cast of “The Real Housewives of New York,” and her new Christmas song featuring friend and “Housewives” cast mate Sonja Morgan.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
You’ve been doing a cabaret show since 2018. Did you still think you would be doing this six years later? Can you talk about how the show and your performance style has evolved over the years?
Luann de Lesseps: You know, when I first started … it was because a friend of mine said, listen – you love to sing for your friends, you love to tell jokes, and you love to entertain. So you should be doing cabaret. I started, really, with variety in mind. I grew up on Carol Burnett, so she’s always been my inspiration. I love variety shows. I loved the “Cher” show. So it started, really, as a variety show, and it had a lot of huge stars in it. I had Rachel Dratch from “Saturday Night Live.” I’ve had Bridget Everett [from “Somebody Somewhere”], who’s a big star now. Lance Bass has been in my show. I’ve had amazing talent in my show. Then, you know, as I progressed I just realized that really, the people just came to see me [laughs]. So it morphed into Countess Cabaret, and then many iterations after that.
But to answer your question, no. I did not expect it to become what it has become. The proof is in my shows that are selling out everywhere. Because I put on a great show. Most people don’t realize that, because with the “Housewives” you don’t really see all that, because of music rights, etc. So they’re always showing the drama around my cabaret, but they’re never showing what I really do. So when people come, they’re like – oh my god! This is a great show.
I work really hard at it. My director is Richard Jay-Alexander, who has directed Kristin Chenoweth, Barbra Streisand, to name a few. I get to work with such icons, but it’s really my music that I love and pick. It’s like a big sing-along. People are engaged, people are having a great time, because they’re immersed into the show. I play games with them – we’re going to play Marry, F, Kill, that’s for sure. I just wrote a new holiday song, called, “Sonja Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” which is hysterical. So I take Christmas and I kind of turn it on its head and I make it my own.
That’s what cabaret is about. You know, people often wonder, what is cabaret? It’s the personal stories that lend to the music. And a lot of music you guys know, because I’ve been singing it on the show, and I even have my own Christmas songs besides the ones that I cover and “What Do I Want for Christmas?”, written by Bruce Roberts, who wrote for Whitney Houston and all the biggies. I love that song.
I take you on a pop culture journey, cabaret, comedy, and fashion show. Because I’ll be wearing Jovani!
Of course, I wouldn’t expect anything less. It’s funny you mention the thing about music rights. I didn’t even think about that, but of course that would cut out some of the musical bits.
De Lesseps: Totally. The only thing you got to see a part of was maybe “Money Can’t Buy You Class.” And you know I’m gonna be singing “Money!”
I hope so.
De Lessep: Of course, of course! I often say, people drive in in a Toyota and they drive out in a Rolls Royce. We put on a great show. People are immersed. The audience is just amazing, because they know a part of who I am, but then they get to see another side of who I am, which is the cabaret performer. I just love it, and people can see that. You love something or you don’t, you know? And I just enjoy myself. I love the fans. I love going out and playing Europe, as well. I did a number of shows over in Europe, and I’m going back in February because they were so successful. I’m thrilled that the show has gotten to where it is, and I’ve grown so much vocally and creatively in terms of putting together the show and writing the comedy. I’ve been writing new notes for the shows coming up – I had to include Andy Cohen in there somewhere, so that’s what I did.
I love the creative part, and I just enjoy it. I really do. People are like, aren’t you tired of touring? I’m like, no! I love it. And I travel with six boys – I’ve got my three gay boys and my three straight boys, and the band. It’s like the Brady Bunch. We have the best time on the road.
You mentioned working with Richard Jay-Alexander, and also Brian Nash. As you said, they’ve worked with a ton of famous names – what has that collaboration aspect been like for you? What is that relationship like?
De Lesseps: Well, it really goes like this. I really pick the music that I love, and then we work together on – you know, maybe I do a cover, and then they’ll help me in personalizing what that cover is for me. Because sometimes they see things that I don’t, you know what I mean? For example, I sing “What’s Love Got To Do With It?” Tina Turner, right? And my director goes, at the very end Luann – you do your pose, and you point up to the sky, and you say, “TINA!” He’s a director, right? He creates those magical moments you see that I wouldn’t necessarily think of.
But really, what I sing is really mine. For example, I [told] them I want to sing, for the holidays, “Lay Down Sally,” from Eric Clapton. They were like, what? What does that have to do with the holidays? Well now it’s, “Lay Down Santa.” You know, I like to take Christmas music, turn it on its head.
Do you have a favorite moment from the show? Can you tease anything?
De Lesseps: I can’t wait for the fans to see the video package I put together for “Sonja Got Run Over by a Reindeer.” I die of laughter every time I look at it. It’s all the clips from all the holiday parties we’ve had on “Housewives,” and it is hysterical. I can’t wait for the fans to see that and hear this new song. And guess what? I’m gonna have the words on the screen, so they’re gonna sing along with me. It’s a big party. It’s a sing along. It’s a great time. People are going to have the best time of the show.
And everyone should know that melody.
De Lesseps: Of course! Who doesn’t know [singing], “Sonja got run over by a reindeer, coming back from Blue Stone Christmas Eve. You can say there’s no such thing as Santa, but as for me and all the OGs, we believe.” There’s a tease for you! [laughs]
I want to talk about “Marry F Kill” just a little bit. Where did the idea for the song come from and how did you come up with the music video?
De Lesseps: Every show I was doing for my cabaret, I was doing Q&A with the audience. Every single Q&A, I got a, “Countess – Marry, F, Kill?” Now, I didn’t even know what Marry, F, Kill was until I started doing cabaret, because, believe it or not, we never played it on “Housewives.” Which is so weird to me, that we never played it on the show, because a lot of girls love to play Marry, F, Kill. So anyway, show after show, I would be playing Marry, F, Kill with the fans. I was like, wait a second – this is my next song. Actually, the game is F, Marry, Kill. But what I did was took it, because it sounds better lyrically, and made it Marry, F, Kill. So the creative was really my fans, that’s how I came up with the idea.
You’ve got a new “Housewives” dating show spin-off in the works. Can you talk a little bit about that?
De Lesseps: I can’t say too much. It’s the first dating show for Bravo. It’s out there – I go with a couple of Housewives, and we go to a “Love Hotel.” We already filmed it. It’s coming out in 2025 next spring. I’m excited for the fans to see me dating [laughs]. You know, because I’m always in trouble with a boy on the show. I had a great time shooting that show, and I think the fans are really gonna love it.
Do you have any thoughts on the new New York Housewives? I haven’t been keeping up too much, but a lot of my friends have, and I think the one thing they’ve pointed out is that it seems like the OGs had a lot of history – there were actual friendships and relationships there – and that’s kind of missing from this one.
De Lesseps: I agree. I think that our show was so successful because it was real. It was real friendships. We know where all the skeletons are buried about each other, do you know what I mean? There’s a long history there, and I think that makes a big difference when it comes to these “Housewives” franchises. [The new cast are] all lovely, and they’re all successful in their own right, but you know, it’s not the same thing. They’re not us. It was a time in our lives, and you know, we just had a lot going on, independently of each other, while knowing each other at the same time.
Listen, I only wish them the best. I’ve got so many other projects coming up with cabaret, “Love Hotel” coming out, I’m in talks with other projects. But we’ll see! You never know what’s gonna happen, right? Watch what happens, like Andy says.
A California man who was reported missing in 1999 is finally reuniting with his family after his sister recognized his picture printed in a USA Today article in April of this year, the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office announced on Facebook.
LCSO received a call from the woman who told sheriff’s deputy Derek Kennemore she had been sent the article and believed the man in the article was her brother, who had not been heard from since his disappearance 25 years ago.
A GoFundMe allegedly set up by the man’s sister explains that the family had been looking for him since August 1999, when he disappeared without a trace.
“My name is Marcie. My little brother, Tommy, had been missing since August of 1999. He just VANISHED with no trace. Not even his vehicle was ever located,” Marcella (Marcie) Nasseri wrote.
SEARCH FOR MISSING OREGON HIKER AND HER DOGS SUSPENDED OVER ‘WEATHER CONDITIONS, LIKELIHOOD OF SURVIVABILITY’
A California man who was reported missing over 20 years ago is finally reuniting with his family after his picture was recognized in a USA Today article this year, the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office announced on Facebook.(GoFundMe)
Nasseri requested assistance from Kennemore to identify the man, who had been admitted to a hospital in the Los Angeles area, according to the sheriff’s office.
When Kennemore reached out, he learned the man had been transferred to another hospital in July.
The man, who is nonverbal, was later confirmed to be Nasseri’s brother after a detective with the Los Angeles Police Department’s Missing Persons Unit was able to get his fingerprint.
The missing man’s sister learned he was in Los Angeles-area hospital.(FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
Nasseri was ecstatic to have made the discovery, saying that all along she had pursued “unidentified remains.”
“On 11-22-2024, I pursued a lead of a live person. This person’s picture was published in USA News, asking the public if anyone could identify the man in the picture, who was found sitting on a curb in South LA. Long story short, through fingerprints, a match was made! All this time I had been looking for unidentified remains. I was delighted to find him alive!,” according to the GoFundMe.
She goes on to explain that she is very far away from her brother’s location and is looking for any assistance to aid him until a medical transfer is possible as he is learning to do everyday things again.
“I am 600 miles away in Lassen County. He is in Lynwood, California. I have initiated a possible medical transfer to a facility in Lassen County. All we know is that he just learned to walk, he can eat regular food, and he is non-verbal. I do not have money for things we need. I am mailing him used men’s clothing, a set of pencils, and a scratch pad because he loved to draw. This is all I can send for now,” she wrote in the fundraiser.
TEXAS MAN ARRESTED AFTER REMAINS OF MISSING WOMAN FOUND; PAIR’S SON LOCATED UNHARMED
The Lassen County Sheriff’s Office commended Deputy Kennemore and the LAPD for their assistance in identifying the missing man and closing out the decades-old case.(Lassen County Sheriff’s Office Facebook)
The LCSO thanked Kennemore for his diligence in identifying the man and helping close the case.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“The Lassen County Sheriff’s Office would like to commend Deputy Kennemore on his tenacity with this case. We would also like to thank the Los [Angeles] Police Department for their assistance in identifying the missing man and closing out this 25 year old case,” the sheriff’s office said.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Marcie Nasseri for further comment.
The Jonesboro High Majestic Marching Cardinals practice for their performance at the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Credit: Caio Jardim/GPB News
On Thursday morning, millions will tune in for a holiday tradition: the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Among the colorful floats and bands making their way down the streets of New York City is a first-timer — the Jonesboro High School Majestic Marching Cardinals.
The metro Atlanta band is the only one from Georgia, and just one of 10 bands performing in this year’s parade. The weeklong journey to New York was preceded by months of preparation and community fundraising to send 115 band members on the trip up North.
The band will march for just over 2 miles while playing half a dozen songs, ranging from Christmas classics to Kendrick Lamar.
Band director Lynel Goodwin has every confidence that his kids will crush this opportunity.
“I can sit back and pretty much relax knowing that they’re going to give their absolute best because the kids always show up when it’s time to show out,” he said.
On the final day of practice before the band hits the road, Goodwin reminds his students of the significance of their performance.
“You are representing more than everybody in this room,” he said. “There are people who are looking forward to seeing you across the country, people who look like you, and I do feel like you represent them. I don’t remember a time when a school like us went to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.”
Kofi Martin, junior and mellophone player, is looking forward to representing their style of marching band on a national stage.
“I really don’t see a lot of people like me on national television, you know, like marching bands that play how we play,” he said. “I usually see a lot of corps-style bands, so seeing an HBCU-style show going on national television broadcasting for millions of people, that’s nice to know.”
N’dia Williams, a junior and trombone section leader, believes the most difficult part of preparation will be adjusting to the cold weather in New York. She’s never been up North, and the weather changes the way that instruments sound.
But she’s excited to represent Atlanta nationally, and confident the band is prepared to overcome every obstacle because they are, as she says, “true to this, not new to this.”
“I just hope they see all the hard work that we put in because you don’t see a lot of people that look like me, you know, up there, especially a high school band,” Williams said. “And it just feels good to put our county, our city, like, on a map like that.”
Senior Allison Maxwell, who plays the piccolo, says to stay calm under pressure, she puts her best foot forward by remembering her responsibility to everyone watching.
“You think about the audience,” she said. “You think, they don’t deserve a bad performance just because you’re not in the right mindset. You have to give your best always, because you never know what somebody else is going through.”
Goodwin has been dedicated to creating transformative experiences like these for his students. He believes the opportunities help to expand the scope of their ambitions.
“It most definitely shapes their future aspirations because, No. 1, a lot of these students — myself included — never thought the band would get them to some of these platforms,” Goodwin said. “That lets you know that there are really no limits to the things that you can do if you really work for it, and you really dedicate yourself to the craft.”
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade is just one of many highlights for the band. The Majestic Marching Cardinals have attended the White House Easter Egg Roll and appeared in a Super Bowl commercial with Atlanta native and pop star Usher.
Their next major appearance will be international. In 2026, they’re headed across the pond, where they’re set to perform in London’s New Year’s Day Parade.
Nov. 27 — Hi – Cathy Cobbs here – I lead Rough Draft’s coverage of Dunwoody, and for those I haven’t met, here’s a little history about me:
I have reported about Dunwoody on and off for the past 15 years. After raising kids here, I left for a bit (okay, nine years), and when it was time to move on to the next adventure, I returned to the place where I had so many great memories, ready to make more. And Dunwoody has not disappointed.
Of the thousands of stories I have covered over the years, most of my favorites come from within the 13 square miles of this city.
I have had a front-row seat to some of Dunwoody’s most important news events – like the evolution of a sleepy outpost to an Atlanta suburb into the city of Dunwoody, the sudden closure of businesses that have had significant consequences for its patrons and employees (here and here), drug overdose deaths that cut short bright lives, and so many more.
I also write what I call the “right-up-my alley” stories – several of which have, weirdly, involved a rogue goat, as well as law-abiding goats.
We still publish the premier print product for Dunwoody, but as news consumption habits have changed, Rough Draft Atlanta has become digital-first, providing more content than ever via our website and newsletters like this one.
But what hasn’t changed is our devotion to hyperlocal coverage. This new newsletter, “Cathy Cobbs on Dunwoody,” will be published every Wednesday at noon.
It will contain a wrap-up of Dunwoody’s important, people- and business-focused, and off-beat stories that make this city what it is — a work in progress as it evolves into a viable, dynamic force in metro Atlanta.
We want you to join this journey, and we need your help. Send story ideas and feedback to me via email. I hope you enjoy this first of many Wednesday editions of our Rough Draft Dunwoody newsletter.
Thanks for your support – and onto this week’s wrap-up! Cathy
Photo courtesy City of Dunwoody
They are selling the dogs, they are selling the cats!
At Monday’s Dunwoody City Council meeting, the panel discussed on first reading a text amendment that would prohibit sales of domestic animals, including dogs, cats and rabbits in unauthorized areas (think unlicensed breeding facilities, on the side of the road, or out of a car).
Similar legislation has been passed in other jurisdictions like Roswell, fueling the fear that these vendors will move to Dunwoody, where there aren’t any restrictions in place.
Read about the meeting here and other Dunwoody City Council deliberations.
A guide to holiday traditions at Lake Oconee
SPONSORED BY VISIT LAKE OCONEE
As the holiday season approaches, Lake Oconee transforms into a magical winter wonderland filled with festive traditions, cozy experiences, and unforgettable moments. Whether you’re seeking Christmas nostalgia at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee; shopping for unique gifts at local boutiques; or indulging in seasonal dining, Lake Oconee offers the perfect holiday retreat. From community events and tree lightings to lakeside s’mores and cozy cups of hot chocolate, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Find your reason to linger longer this holiday season at Lake Oconee.
Photo by Cathy Cobbs
Suddenly everyone has an opinion
The Dunwoody community has been discussing way-finding signage since shortly after its incorporation more than 15 years ago. There have been community meetings, various concepts introduced and discussed during city council meetings, and many opportunities for citizens to tell government officials about how they want people to know they have arrived to their city. You can read about the history of the program here.
Fast forward to last weekend when one of the larger signs was erected at the corner of Chamblee Dunwoody Road near the I-285 exit. Suddenly social media was buzzing with opinions about the location, the construction materials, the chosen font and the $1 million price tag for the program.
To be fair, the Georgetown sign does make quite a statement in an area basically known as a pretty good place to gas up your tank, get your car washed and eat a McMuffin. And the sign installation isn’t complete – there will be lots of landscaping that will soften the emphatic statement that you are now in Dunwoody.
For people who want to get a jump on complaining even more, here’s the final signage package and a map that shows the 14 other areas where the signs will be installed.
Read more about it and see the already-installed signs here.
Photo by Dunwoody Nature Center
Big changes for the Dunwoody Nature Center
I’ve always been a fan of this little 22-acre hidden gem on Roberts Drive in Dunwoody that has so many components to it – health, education and entertainment. There are trails, playgrounds, streams, bee hives, and a beautiful treehouse pavilion (available for rent at a reasonable price).
Back in the day, I was part of an effort at Austin’s Elementary’s first-ever Dunwoody Dash 5k to raise funds for large treehouse overlooking the wetlands. Every time I walk by there, I’m proud to see it still around, and to observe continued improvements at the park.
DNC is embarking on a large-scale $1.72 million restoration and building project that will see, among other features, the construction of a new boardwalk.
Read all about it here.
Photo by Dunwoody Parks & Recreation
Getting into the spirit (if you must)
People think I’m a Grinch because I don’t want to hear Christmas music being played the day after Halloween. I also don’t really want to hear Mariah Carey sing “that song” any time before Thanksgiving (or actually, any time before the end of my life).
However, I guess it’s now time to think about the holidays, and with that enthusiastic, life-affirming declaration, here’s a few events around the area to help you get in the holiday spirit.
1. On Dec. 1 from 4-8 p.m., the Dunwoody Parks and Recreation Department will celebrate its annual Holiday Lights celebration at Brook Run Park for the fifth year.
Fact – with more than 100,000 lights and and a different theme every year, this is an event worth attending even for this grinch. The Arctic Safari theme this year will feature a safari-style vehicle and train, a Mega Tree, illuminated faux igloo geo-domes, Arctic animal ice shapes, and a penguin glow area.
Dunwoody’s Mayor Lynn Deutsch and City Council members will flip the switch on the lights at 6 p.m.
2. Spruill Center’s Holiday Fair, 4681 Ashford Dunwoody Road, is also worth a trip (or two) for unique holiday gifts, with more than 90 artists’ works for sale at very reasonable prices.
Plus, on Dec. 7, the Spruill Gallery Garden will host an afternoon winter story and craft experience from 2-4 p.m. This free event provides an opportunity for family-friendly entertainment while parents shop the holiday fair.
Visit the gallery’s website to see some of the unique offerings at this year’s fair.
3. Here’s something for people who want to experience the holiday in a condensed format – Stage Door Theatre’s production of “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and then some!).”
It’s described as such: “Instead of performing Charles Dickens’ beloved holiday classic for the umpteenth time, three actors decide to perform every Christmas story ever told – plus Christmas traditions from around the world, seasonal icons from ancient times to topical pop-culture, and every carol ever sung.”
Stage Door Theatre is a community treasure with a level of talent that meets or exceeds some Broadway plays I’ve seen, and there’s not a bad seat in the place. The play runs from Dec. 7 to Dec. 22.
Tickets are on sale here.
And one final thought . . .
Keep these suggestions in mind as you tiptoe through the many possible landmines at your Thanksgiving get-together.
Black Friday deals are everywhere right now, and many of the major streaming services will probably announce special promotions to entice new customers soon, too.
If you’re thinking about “cutting the cord,” or switching from a traditional cable provider to a streaming service, this might be a good time to try it.
“The deals that will be coming out will be attractive to new subscribers and most likely will be basic plans with ads,” Chad Gammon, an Iowa-based certified financial planner, said in an email interview.
While some streaming services might also offer deals on plans without ads, Gammon, who owns Custom Fit Financial, said they’ll come at a higher cost. So keep an eye out for the deals, but make sure you look at the terms and conditions, too.
Black Friday streaming deal trends
Some streaming services have already started offering Black Friday deals.
ESPN+ is running a promotion offering 12 months for the price of nine, as long as subscribers choose the annual plan. That deal is good through Dec. 2.
Peacock is offering new paid subscribers a year of Peacock for $19.99, or $1.99 a month for six months with a code at checkout. The code is valid through Dec. 2.
Hulu is offering new and eligible returning subscribers Hulu (with ads) for 99 cents per month for a year. A bundle of Hulu and Disney+ (both with ads) is $2.99 per month for a year. The deal ends Dec. 2.
Last year’s Black Friday deals can also be a good indication of what’s to come.
“More often than not, bundles like Disney+/Hulu/ESPN+ tend to give the most value if your household uses multiple platforms,” Clay Cary, a senior trends analyst at CouponFollow, said in a prepared statement.
We contacted these services about their Black Friday plans. Disney+ said there are no deals to announce quite yet.
Are Black Friday streaming deals worth it?
While you’re waiting for the deals to drop, consider the different streaming plans, your budget, and whether one service can give you all the programming you want.
Streaming services present themselves as cheaper alternatives to cable companies with long contracts, poor service, lots of commercials and expensive monthly contracts. But do they make good on that promise?
You’ll need to look at the details
You might think you’re scoring a great streaming service deal only to realize it’s for the version with ads. Pay attention to other details, too. A streaming service might offer a seasonal deal, but on a plan that limits the number of devices that can stream at once, and video quality can vary.
Crackdowns on password sharing have also hit the streaming world hard and frustrated many consumers — and the alternatives aren’t great.
“Paid-sharing options, like Netflix’s, haven’t been popular because they feel like an extra charge without added value,” Cary said. “For budget-conscious viewers, these changes could push them toward free ad-supported services instead.”
You’ll still need to pay for internet
If you were hoping to cut ties with your cable provider, you might have to think twice. You’ll still need the internet to use your streaming service. Many households bundle cable and internet costs, so if you cut cable, you will need to get a price for an internet-only plan.
If multiple people in your household are streaming at once, you might find your old internet speed isn’t cutting it. A boost in internet speed will cost more, so you’ll need to adjust your budget accordingly.
You might need to subscribe to multiple services
If you’re a sports fan with kids in the house and a spouse who likes shows from premium channels, you might have to sign up for three different streaming services to get all the content you want.
Signing up for multiple streaming services can get pricey and can also be a real headache.
Gammon described this as “subscription fatigue,” where people subscribe to multiple services and end up not using them because they can’t find which programs are on which streaming service.
To stay within your budget, Cary said consumers should focus “on platforms that align with what you actually watch rather than trying to subscribe to everything.”
Expect a price increase later
The excitement of scoring a cheap deal won’t last forever.
“When promotional deals lapse, prices can spiral upward alarmingly, doubling in some cases,” Cary said.
“To avoid such surprises, set a reminder before the discounted rate expires to review your subscription,” he said.
Check existing memberships for free subscriptions
Before signing up, ask yourself: How do streaming services fit into my budget? In a 50/30/20 budget, streaming services fit squarely into the 30% wants category, alongside travel, entertainment and dining out.
If your budget is tight, check your current memberships, because some major retailers offer significant discounts or free subscriptions on streaming services. For example:
Walmart+ members get access to the Paramount+ Essentials plan as a benefit.
Grocery chain Kroger offers Boost members the option to get Disney+ Basic (with ads), Hulu (with ads) or ESPN+ for free as part of their yearly fee.
Verizon offers Verizon Home Internet users free subscriptions to Netflix Standard (with ads) and Max (with ads) for a year, and then $10 per month after that. That’s a savings of $203 in the first year.
While most of these offers are for base-level plans with ads, tapping into existing benefits is a low-stakes way to try out one of these platforms.
WELLESLEY, MASS. (WHDH) – A man was hospitalized after he received an electrical shock while hanging holiday lights in Wellesley Wednesday morning, police said.
At around 10 a.m., emergency crews responded to Falmouth Circle after a contractor, hired by a resident to install lights on a tree, received a life-threatening shock and was not breathing, according to the Wellesley Police Department.
The 911 caller said the man was unconscious and appeared to be having a seizure, police said. The dispatcher instructed the caller to perform CPR until first responders arrived.
When police officers and firefighters arrived, they hooked the man up to a defibrillator and continued CPR, as he appeared to be in sudden cardiac arrest, according to police.
The man regained a pulse and was taken to Newton Wellesley Hospital, before he was transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital, police said.
Investigators determined the large pole the man was using to string the holiday lights may have come into contact with an electrical line on top of the utility pole, causing the electrocution, the police department said.
“It was a power wash company, some young guys who were just trying to make some extra money for the holidays, hang up some Christmas lights around a pretty tall evergreen tree,” said Wellesley Police Officer Michael Pino, who was among the first to respond to the scene.
“Happened to be a little too close to the primary wire on the telephone pole, and that’s where we believe the electricity came down the metal pole,” he continued.
The incident remains under investigation by police, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the Wellesley Municipal Light Plant.
“When you see something like this, especially around the holidays, it kind of really hits home thinking how quickly something can go from good to bad, and we hope he does pull through,” said Officer Tim Gover.
This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.
(Copyright (c) 2024 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
Join our Newsletter for the latest news right to your inbox
