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Parkway Playhouse Honors Community With Faces of Our Town Project

Published

1 month ago

May 9, 2025

“We all know that something is eternal. And it ain’t houses and it ain’t names, and it ain’t earth, and it ain’t even the stars”, Thornton Wilder says in his classic American play Our Town, “everybody knows in their bones that something is eternal, and that something has to do with human beings. All the greatest people ever lived have been telling us that for five thousand years, and yet you’d be surprised how people are always losing hold of it. There’s something way down deep that’s eternal about every human being.”

Parkway Playhouse’s upcoming production of Our Town is a testament to the special human beings who live here in Burnsville and in WNC. As the area recovers from the Hurricane Helene disaster, this production explores community, resilience, and the wonder of the everyday. Having seen how people came together, the theater put out a call to the community for folks to nominate someone who they thought embodied the spirit of community here in OUR town. Here’s what they said!

Amy Fitzgerald Buchanan: “In the early days after Hurricane Helene, Amy worked effectively and without pause to create a helicopter landing space where there wasn’t room for one. She organized brilliantly and tirelessly, along with her husband Thomas Buchanan, to find and assist those neighbors who could not hike out or be bumped out on ATVs. She used her voice and her power to rescue and to reassure those around her. In the weeks that followed, she didn’t let up in communicating in all directions and in advocating for her community. Many, many people owe her so much, and are not even aware of her labor, day after long day.”

“Amy coordinated all the helicopter rescues at Cattail, and she and Thomas checked on all the houses. She worked tirelessly from Day 1 of the hurricane to get nearly 100 people out of the completely cut-off Cattail Creek Community, where there was no food, no power, and no drinkable water for many days.”

Pana Columbus: “Pana Columbus is an inspiring member of our community. Over the past few years, she has developed THRIVE Appalachia, which engages youth in fun and creative entrepreneurial opportunities in Yancey County and beyond. She is an incredibly enthusiastic person who is always open to the possibilities of new ideas.”

Caryl Cullom: “Carol has turned 90 and is now living in Winston-Salem due to the hurricane. She was a wonderful fundraiser for the Playhouse in the early 2000’s and we grew up as a family going to all of the plays. She misses Burnsville so much, and I know she misses being a part of the Playhouse activities.”

Bruce Chuvala: “Bruce has been my mentor and friend at Parkway Playhouse for 27 wonderful years of theater. When I started at Parkway as a 15-year-old, he was a joy to be around then, and I still relish time spent with him today. He is knowledgeable about all things scenic design and building, tells the most interesting stories about his “former” life, and is the most genuinely kind human I’ve ever known. To know him is to love him.”

Elaine McAlister Dellinger: “Elaine McAlister Dellinger, historian, has written extensively about Yancey County and Lost Cove. She is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and her family has been here for eight generations. Elaine worked for the Health Department for many years. She creates beautiful historical period clothing and has been a force of good for historical groups in town, including the Center for Pioneer Life. She and her husband, Charles Dellinger, have been wonderful neighbors and friends to all who know them.”

Erica Griffith-Edwards: “Ms. Erica has been in Yancy County all her life. She has worked diligently to help and save the children in Burnsville while being a Social worker and currently working with the Guardian ad Litem program. Erica is a heartfelt professional who cares about Burnsville and Yancey County as a whole. She gave numerous hours helping after the hurricane at her own expense and family time. Erica knows perhaps almost everyone in Burnsville and would give the shirt off her back if they needed it, truly. In my 62 years, I have not met anyone so dedicated to their hometown and child as Erica.”

Ralph Hammond: “If you’re looking for a place to spend the afternoon engaged in a fascinating conversation, look no further than Hammond’s Antiques on West Main Street, where you will find Ralph Hammond, a twinkle-eyed gentleman who carries around a ton of tales to share about almost everything, especially things related to vintage furniture, his years as an ATE agent, or his teaching career. He also may share a few trade secrets about pinochle or poker if you get him on a good day.”

“He embodies community and history; he’s Mr. Burnsville!”

Steve Harrison: “When Hurricane Helene hit, Steve Harrison sprang into action. He cleared culverts and repaired roads all along Blue Grass Lane and White Oak Road. He and his wife, Alicia, checked on the neighbors, and Steve worked tirelessly to clear and repair driveways so that everyone could get going as soon as possible. He took good care of his family, his friends, and his neighbors, all while figuring out how to keep the family business, Heritage Finance, going. Through the years, Steve’s leadership of Heritage Finance has included being supportive of many civic and nonprofit endeavors. His wife, Alicia, homeschools their children, Gracelyn and David. Steve made sure that his mother, Patsy, was safe with her daughter and son-in-law, Tammy and Randy Sellers, before he turned his attention to keeping the business going through the challenging flood and its aftermath. Steve and Alicia Harrison are true heroes, but they never call any attention to themselves.”

John Hughes and JoJo: “John Hughes plants corn now in a field where he used to hoe tobacco as a youth. His dog, Jojo, is the official greeter for the Center for Pioneer Life, making everyone feel welcome. John has taken many people fishing in the streams and rivers in the area, and he delights in helping people find their own bliss. He has deep roots in this area, and he and his family have attended Shoal Creek Baptist Church for many a year. After the big flood, John was instrumental in organizing a giveaway of more than 200 pumpkins to help children celebrate the turn of the season and a happy Halloween. By hybridization with heritage seeds, he’s created squash and pumpkins no one else ever grew. He was a leader for the interns, Isaiah Waycaster and Katie Duncan, and he enjoys teaching others.”

Jenny Martin: “Jenny is an incredible part of the WNC family. During the hurricane, she personally checked on students and their families, delivered meals, washed laundry, passed out supplies, and selflessly provided for the community. Students from years past often share the impact she had on their lives as a teacher, and her work at Parkway Playhouse is the reason they’re celebrating their 78th season this year.”

Schell McCall: “Schell deserves to be recognized for the months of service she devoted, twice-daily meetings for months after Helene hit. She provided an invaluable contribution to Yancey County in our direst hours of need.”

Mari Ohta: “Mari is a beautiful person, an amazing childhood educator, and a generous member of our community. She instills in young children a love of nature, seasons, music, and generosity through her work at an outdoor nature preschool and at AMY Library’s Play and Learn. After the Hurricane, she quickly reopened her preschool to help provide a sense of normalcy and connection to young children.”

Mark “Bubba” Presnell: “Bubba is a true Yancey County native whose heart has always belonged to this community. A lifelong supporter of the Mountain Heritage Cougars, he is more than just a fan—he is a pillar of support for the team and the town. For nearly 12 years, he owned and operated Bubba’s Good Eats, a beloved local restaurant filled with Mountain Heritage memorabilia that served as a gathering place for friends, families, and fans alike.

But Bubba’s impact extended far beyond serving great food. His restaurant became a place where community and generosity thrived. Every Friday during football season, he made it his mission to feed the entire Mountain Heritage football team, ensuring that no player went without a good meal before taking the field. His dedication to the young people of Yancey County didn’t stop there—he regularly supported school fundraisers, youth sports, and community events, always finding ways to give back.

Though Bubba has since passed the torch of ownership, Bubba’s Good Eats remains a staple in the community, continuing the traditions he built. His legacy of service, kindness, and unwavering love for Yancey County lives on—not just in the restaurant, but in the hearts of those he has helped over the years. Whether cheering on the Cougars from the stands or lending a hand to those in need, Bubba embodies the very best of Yancey County. He is more than deserving to be recognized as one of the Faces of Our Town.”

Sarah and Hannah Presnell: “Sarah and Hannah Presnell are two sisters who’ve come back to Yancey County after college to bring their knowledge home. They love their parents, Bubba and Tamara Presnell, and their beloved Nanny, Jane Presnell. Sarah graduated with a master’s degree from the University College of London, one of the most prestigious universities in the world for museum studies, and came back home to lead the Center for Pioneer Life. Hannah joined the Center after her college career, and in her first month on the job, she increased traffic to the website by 900%. They are brilliant, kind-hearted women, using their incredible skills to bring joy to their community while sharing the historical legacy of the region.”

Our Town kicks off Parkway Playhouse’s 78th Mainstage Season and will be showing May 23rd-June 1st. Directed by Erika Tyner, this moving show explores the simple beauty and profound meaning of everyday life in the fictional town of Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire, between 1901 and 1913. Through the eyes of the Stage Manager, the play follows the lives of two families, the Webbs and the Gibbs, as they experience birth, marriage, and death. The play’s minimalist staging and focus on the ordinary, rather than the extraordinary, highlight the importance of appreciating the small moments and the connections that bind us together. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.parkwayplayhouse.com/tickets or by calling 828-682-4285.

Parkway Playhouse is a professional theater company located at 202 Green Mountain Drive, Burnsville, North Carolina 28714. The oldest continually operating summer theater in North Carolina, they are celebrating their 78th season this year. Parkway Playhouse offers something for everyone including shows, classes, community events, and more! To find out more about Parkway Playhouse, please visit their website at www.parkwayplayhouse.com, or check out their Facebook or Instagram pages.

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In ‘Youth Group’ comic, evangelical kids sing silly songs about Jesus, fight demons | News, Sports, Jobs

This image provided by First Second Books in June 2025, shows the cover of “Youth Group,” a graphic novel by Jordan Morris, illustrated by Bowen McCurdy. (Courtesy First Second Books/Macmillan Publishers via AP) This image provided by First Second Books in June 2025, shows an excerpt from “Youth Group,” a graphic novel by Jordan Morris, […]

Published

50 minutes ago

June 12, 2025

Your Sports Nation

: This image provided by First Second Books in June 2025, shows the cover of “Youth Group,” a graphic novel by Jordan Morris, illustrated by Bowen McCurdy. (Courtesy First Second Books/Macmillan Publishers via AP)

: This image provided by First Second Books in June 2025, shows an excerpt from “Youth Group,” a graphic novel by Jordan Morris, illustrated by Bowen McCurdy. (Courtesy First Second Books/Macmillan Publishers via AP)

(RNS) — When he was a teenager in the 1990s, Jordan Morris was always up for a bit of mischief — as long as it didn’t involve sex or drugs, two things he was sure would kill him.

So he went to a megachurch youth group, which promised teenage shenanigans without much danger. The “sanitized mischief,” as he describes it, was perfect for Morris, who grew up as a nerdy, nervous kid.

“Youth group was great for me,” Morris said. “We can put on a show, we can sing little songs, we can do little skits. We can toilet paper the pastor’s house and clean it up later. And I just don’t have to worry that someone is going to try and pressure me into something that I’m scared of.”

Now a Los Angeles-based comedy writer and podcaster, Morris has fond memories of his time in youth group. Those memories — and his love for horror movies like “The Exorcist” — inspired him to write “Youth Group,” a graphic novel about church teens who fight demons while singing silly songs about Jesus.

Think “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” — the 1990s hit movie and later television series — goes to church.

This image provided by First Second Books in June 2025, shows an excerpt from “Youth Group,” a graphic novel by Jordan Morris, illustrated by Bowen McCurdy. (Courtesy First Second Books/Macmillan Publishers via AP)

“I thought it would be a fun challenge,” Morris, whose previous graphic novel, “Bubble,” was nominated for an Eisner Award, told Religion News Service in an interview earlier this year. “Can we do one of those religious horror stories, but make it kind of funny?”

Morris also said he’d rarely seen stories set in the kind of youth group he’d grown up in.

“I’ve just never seen that little world written about in a way that I thought was like, accurate or, like, that got what it was about,” he said.

Published last year by New York-based First Second Books, “Youth Group” tells the story of Kay Radford, a theater kid who winds up joining the Stone Mission megachurch youth group after her parents split up. Her mom is a true believer but lonely. Kay is more skeptical but lonely as well and angry at her dad.

“Church might help with all this,” Kay’s mom tells her early on. “I think we both could use some community.”

At the youth group, Kay is met by youth leader Meg Parks, a kind but sometimes over-the-top youth leader in pink; a bearded, hippy pastor who turns the “Pina Colada song” — the Rupert Holmes hit “Escape” — into a metaphor for spiritual seeking; and a band that churns out parodies like “I Saw the Christ” sung to the melody of Ace of Base’s “The Sign.”

Though fictional, the songs fit the kind of pop culture reference — sometimes known as a “Jesus juke” — that youth groups can be known for.

“I always think there’s something funny about that move, where you take a secular piece of entertainment, like a song that’s in the zeitgeist, or a popular movie and try and give the hidden religious message,” Morris said.

Kay eventually discovers the youth pastor and some of the older Stone Mission kids also fight demons. That fight becomes personal after one of the demons goes after her dad, and Kay decides to join the battle. Along the way, the Stone Mission kids team up with youth groups from other faiths — Temple Beth Israel, Immaculate Heart parish and the Polaris Coven — to fight off a demon invasion with the help of some training by an order of nuns.

Morris said he and illustrator Bowen McCurdy wanted to tell a story that was more than just satire. And while he no longer embraces the faith of his youth, Morris still sees value in the lessons he learned, like the importance of loving your neighbor.

“We wanted to tell a story of people from a lot of different religions coming together with a common goal,” he said.

Matthew Cressler, a religion scholar and creator of the webcomic series “Bad Catholics, Good Trouble,” said comics with evangelical or denominational settings like “Youth Group” are uncommon. Religion in comics, he said, is often seen as “a marker of difference”: for example, Kamala Khan, the Muslim-American hero known as Ms. Marvel, or Matt Murdock, better known as Daredevil, who is Irish-Catholic. In the 1960s, when Daredevil was created, Catholics were still seen as outsiders to the American mainstream, and many of the most popular heroes, like Batman, were seen as Mainline Protestants.

While there were comics for evangelicals, they were often evangelistic, like the controversial Jack Chick tracts or the Christianized adventures of Archie and his friends, published by Spire Comics starting in the 1970s. And evangelicals have often downplayed the kind of sacramental imagery and architecture found in mainline or Catholic settings and try to avoid the kind of visuals needed for comics, said Cressler.

Matthew Brake, founder and editor of online publication Pop Culture and Theology, said non-denominational churches often have a “let’s go to the mall aesthetic” and lack the visual clout of Catholicism.

“Nondenominational churches are sort of a cultural underdog,” he said.

That may change, Brake said, as creators like Morris, who grew up in non-denominational settings, come of age. And those settings often contain surprises. Although they are most known for things like worship music and purity culture, megachurches also provide space to talk about things like social justice.

Still, he wonders if many nondenominational Christians would be the kinds of fans that would enjoy a book like “Youth Group” or “Preacher,” a late-1990s comic about an evangelical pastor who ends up possessed by a supernatural being.

David Canham, who reviews comics for the secular pop-culture website AIPT — short for “Adventures in Poor Taste” — had mixed feelings about “Youth Group.”

“First off, there’s plenty of ’90s nostalgia — a good-natured tongue-in-cheek look back at many of the silly and absurd things about ’90s culture, with a focus on evangelical Christian culture,” he wrote when the book came out. “‘Youth Group’ delivers on this point.”

But the book’s take on pluralism — the idea that all religion is on the same side — turned him off as an evangelical Christian. “I don’t want to recommend a book that promotes a worldview that so strongly disagrees with my own beliefs,” he wrote.

At first, Morris said he was worried the book might offend Christians and atheists alike. Some evangelicals might feel the book mocks their faith, while atheists might think the book overlooks the shortcomings of religious groups.

Both those criticisms would be fair, he said. Religious groups get a lot of things wrong, and yet churches and other faith groups remain important to their members. Morris said he tried to walk a fine line of gently poking fun at faith while showing why it still has an impact on people’s lives, and how the friendships made in youth groups may long endure.

“I didn’t want the humor to be like, church is stupid, or say, ‘look at this dumb church stuff,’” he said. “I wanted it to be funny and familiar.”

Morris said he wanted to capture the mixed feelings people have about the faiths in which they grew up. While he appreciated Bible teachings like caring for the needy, some of the politics and social messages, especially about LGBTQ+ folks, were a turnoff, he said.

Religion, he said, is complicated.

“There are a lot of wonderful memories, and there’s a lot of stuff that gives me the ick,” he said. “I hope that’s in the book. I hope you can see how a religious upbringing can be upsetting and wonderful — comforting but also makes you mad.”

***

This content is written and produced by Religion News Service and distributed by The Associated Press. RNS and AP partner on some religion news content. RNS is solely responsible for this story.

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Dallas approves Atlético Dallas Cotton Bowl deal

The agreement upset FC Dallas, which currently operates a soccer facility that will now be leased by Atlético Dallas. DALLAS — Dallas City Council unanimously approved an incentive deal for a new professional soccer team to play games at the Cotton Bowl Wednesday, despite objections against part of the proposal from the man who helped […]

Published

1 hour ago

June 12, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The agreement upset FC Dallas, which currently operates a soccer facility that will now be leased by Atlético Dallas.

DALLAS — Dallas City Council unanimously approved an incentive deal for a new professional soccer team to play games at the Cotton Bowl Wednesday, despite objections against part of the proposal from the man who helped bring the World Cup to Dallas.

Atlético Dallas, a United Soccer League (USL) team based in Garland, will play its home matches at the iconic 92,000-seat stadium in Fair Park for the 2027, 2028 and 2029 seasons.

But its rental of the city-owned MoneyGram Soccer Park in Northwest Dallas as part of the deal led to dissent from FC Dallas, the park’s current operator. Members of the club’s management told City Council they felt blindsided by the city’s termination of their contract three years before it was set to expire.

“We have programmed MoneyGram Soccer Park to be one of the finest soccer parks in the world,” said FC Dallas President Dan Hunt in remarks to the City Council. In addition to his role at FC Dallas, Hunt serves as one of the co-chairs of the North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee Board.

“I hope we don’t live in a world where ‘I don’t care what you did for me yesterday because it’s today’ and this is kind of how this is feeling right now,” Hunt later added in an interview.

Dallas Park and Recreation Director John Jenkins said his staff asked FC Dallas to renegotiate the terms of their deal to pay for expenses like utilities at the park and guarantee a minimum annual revenue, but they declined.

“You didn’t think was this city, this council, this park board, and my staff were going to go out to find another viable option because you thought we wouldn’t have it in us?” Jenkins said of FC Dallas. “They have been a good partner, I will admit that. But they did not meet my requirements.”

FC Dallas said it did not know there was another bidder interested in the MoneyGram contract and has since submitted a revised lease proposal, which Jenkins said still did not measure up to the Atlético deal.

As part of the incentive for Atlético, one of the City’s obligations would be to purchase 2,500 tickets at $20 each for 20 games from the team as part of the Mayor’s Youth Sports Ticket Program.

The team will pay Fair Park $12,500 per game and at least $1 per ticket sold and will also pay at least $100,000 per year to rent MoneyGram Park.

“This is a huge win for our city, this is a huge win for South Dallas and this is a huge win for West Dallas,” said Council member Adam Bazaldua. “Business is business and we have to leave feelings aside.”

Hunt said he was “disappointed” in the outcome of the vote. He said it was too soon to determine whether FC Dallas would take legal action, but a lawyer representing the team told Council members that the team had filed a “protest” to its contract termination.

Atlético Dallas said it has entered into a professional services partnership with Pioneer Sports & Entertainment LLC, a national leader in soccer operations, though Pioneer Sports is not mentioned anywhere in the resolution.

“Their proven success in facility management will ensure high-quality programming and continuity for existing users,” Atlético Dallas officials said of Pioneer Sports & Entertainment LLC.

Atlético Dallas is also in talks with the City of Garland on a potential $70 million training facility, headquarters and youth soccer complex located on 65 acres at the intersection of President George Bush Turnpike and Holford Road.

Atlético Dallas said “training facilities will be in Garland at Holford Road and President George Bush Turnpike” and “together, these two cities will help usher in a new era of professional soccer to Dallas County.”

The Garland City Council will vote to finalize that agreement on June 17, Atlético Dallas officials said.

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Loved ones mourn father of 2 killed while jogging near Shenandoah Park in gruesome chain-reaction wreck – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports

MIAMI (WSVN) – A devastated family is mourning the loss of a father of two who, police said, was killed in a grisly chain-reaction crash in the Shenandoah section of Miami. Speaking with 7News over the phone from California on Wednesday, Richard Loretta, described his son, 50-year-old Andrew Loretta, as a devoted husband and father. […]

Published

2 hours ago

June 12, 2025

Your Sports Nation

MIAMI (WSVN) – A devastated family is mourning the loss of a father of two who, police said, was killed in a grisly chain-reaction crash in the Shenandoah section of Miami.

Speaking with 7News over the phone from California on Wednesday, Richard Loretta, described his son, 50-year-old Andrew Loretta, as a devoted husband and father.

“Andy was thoughtful, kind, hardworking, more than carried his own weight when it comes to getting things done around the house, as well as within our large family,” he said.

According to City of Miami Police, the crash took place at the intersection of Southwest 21st Avenue and 19th Street, just after 6:50 p.m. on Tuesday.

New cellphone video captured the horrific moments that followed what police described as a hit-and-run wreck outside Shenandoah Park.

Witnesses said the force of the impact sent the victim airborne.

“The accident was so gruesome that he had lost his leg,” said area resident Marcos Mere.

The crash took place while children were taking part in a youth sports program steps away in the park.

“Mary, keep the kids behind, please,” a woman is heard saying in the cellphone video.

Andrew’s family posted about their heartbreaking loss. A Facebook post reads in part:

“Our youngest son Andy, our baby, tragically passed away yesterday after being struck by a vehicle while jogging in Miami. His wonderful wife Michelle and beautiful children Lili and Lucas are heartbroken.”

Loved ones described Andrew as a family-oriented lover of sports who had strong bonds with his siblings and parents.

Mere, who lives blocks away from the park, said he heard a deafening noise.

“I heard the bang, a real loud bang,” said a witness.

“I have a traffic accident with multiple patients,” a 911 dispatcher said in radio transmissions.

“To me, it didn’t sound like an accident; it sounded like maybe a bomb or something, it was so loud,” said Mere.

A 7News crew arrived shortly after the crash and met Mere, who said he ran out of his home to discover Loretta’s body.

A Tesla camera caught the chilling moment. The force of the impact was so strong that Loretta flew several feet off the ground.

Mere gasped when 7News showed him the video from the Tesla.

“I got a [better] idea. It makes it even more gruesome,” he said.

Richard described the moment when he received the news of his son’s death.

“My wife and I were watching a baseball game, and we got a call from our other son, who had heard from Andy’s now widow,” he said.

Investigators identified the driver responsible for the crash as 36-year-old Andres Fiallo Estupinan.

After the suspect struck Loretta, police said, he hit a parked unoccupied car. The force from that impact caused the latter vehicle to hit an ice cream truck that had a driver inside.

Although he was injured, detectives said, Fiallo Estupinan got out of his car and ran off, but he was tackled by witnesses at Shenandoah Park

7News captured the suspect handcuffed to his gurney as paramedics wheeled him inside Ryder Trauma Center. Police said he’s in their custody, and his next stop is the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in West Miami-Dade.

Rescue crews also transported the woman who was behind the wheel of the ice cream truck when Fiallo Estupinan’s vehicle plowed into it.

The cellphone video captured the woman moments after the crash, still sitting in the truck.

Her son, Juan Lugo, told 7News he was waiting to learn more about his mother’s condition.

Meanwhile, Loretta’s loved ones continue to grieve. Their Facebook post reads in part:

“It’s impossible to put into words the impact of this loss … please cherish your loved ones.”

“He’s going to be sorely missed, because we have a very unified family,” said Richard.

As of Wednesday night, police have not provided an update about the conditions of Fiallo Estupinan and the ice cream truck driver, as they continue to investigate.

A family friend has created a GoFundMe on the behalf of Andy’s wife, Michelle, to support their two children Lili and Lucas’s college education, if you would like to donate, click here.

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LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson gets brutally honest on Angel Reese relationship: ‘We’re not friends’

The post LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson gets brutally honest on Angel Reese relationship: ‘We’re not friends’ appeared first on ClutchPoints. Flau’jae Johnson recently acknowledged she no longer has a close relationship with former LSU women’s basketball teammate Angel Reese, saying the two are “not friends,” though she still supports Reese’s success in the WNBA with the […]

Published

3 hours ago

June 12, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The post LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson gets brutally honest on Angel Reese relationship: ‘We’re not friends’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Flau’jae Johnson recently acknowledged she no longer has a close relationship with former LSU women’s basketball teammate Angel Reese, saying the two are “not friends,” though she still supports Reese’s success in the WNBA with the Chicago Sky.

“We’re not friends but that bond that we had and that thing we did together, win a national championship, you can never take that away from us,” Johnson said, as reported by Griffin McVeigh of On3. “Sometimes, stuff happens. You wish it don’t happen but it do. You just got to grow. I support her in everything she do, she’s killing it in the WNBA. I’ll be on social media clowning the folks trying to talk down on her. I’m just proud of her. But you know, stuff happens.”

Johnson shared that behind-the-scenes tensions contributed to the distance.

“It was a lot of media, it was a lot of locker room stuff,” she said, as reported by Rashad Milligan of The Times-Picayune/Nola.com.“Stuff that goes on behind the scenes, but you know, it happens.”

Reese, who was drafted No. 7 by the Chicago Sky in the 2024 WNBA Draft, echoed a similar sentiment back in September on her own podcast, saying, “We aren’t as close as we used to be. There are no hard feelings or anything… It happens.”

The two stars were central to the Tigers’ first national championship in 2023 under LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey , going on a media tour and appearing on the cover of SLAM Magazine together. Johnson now enters her senior year at LSU.

Despite the shift in their relationship, Johnson continues to support her former teammate publicly and said she’s proud of Reese’s professional accomplishments.

Johnson had a busy weekend of her own, releasing a new single, coaching at a youth basketball event, and attending the BET Awards, where she was nominated for Sportswoman of the Year — an award Reese ultimately won for a third straight year.

Related: John Calipari gets 100% real on ‘expectation’ that comes with lucrative NIL numbers

Related: Fans debate possible NBA-like change in college hoops

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FOX Sports Celebrates One Year to Go Until FIFA World Cup 26™

FIFA WORLD CUP 26™: ONE YEAR TO GO Show Live on FOX Friday, June 13 From South Beach Features Musical Performances FIFA World Cup 26™ One Year to Go Announcement Tease Debuts Today (WATCH HERE) Soccer Legends Serve Free Ice Cream from FIFA, FOX Sports Branded Trucks in New York City and Los Angeles Countdown […]

Published

4 hours ago

June 12, 2025

Your Sports Nation

FIFA WORLD CUP 26™: ONE YEAR TO GO Show Live on FOX Friday, June 13 From South Beach Features Musical Performances

FIFA World Cup 26™ One Year to Go Announcement Tease Debuts Today (WATCH HERE)

Soccer Legends Serve Free Ice Cream from FIFA, FOX Sports Branded Trucks in New York City and Los Angeles

Countdown Creative Takes Over New York’s Times Square ‘Godzilla’ Screen

Special Episode of ‘Alexi Lalas’ State of the Union’ Podcast

SCORES Network, FOX Sports Team to Support Youth Development Through Soccer

FOX Sports Teams with Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles for Festivities

LOS ANGELES – FOX Sports, America’s English-language home of the FIFA World Cup 26™, today celebrates the milestone one-year-to-go mark until the tournament’s awaited start next summer across North America with company-wide initiatives and coast-to-coast fun in honor of the special day.

“We couldn’t be more excited for FOX Sports to present the single biggest sporting event in history taking place in our own backyard next summer with the FIFA World Cup 26™,” said FOX Sports CEO and Executive Producer, Eric Shanks. “With one year to go, this will be our largest production ever on a massive scale and we look forward to showcasing the greatest teams in soccer and all of their captivating storylines with this highly anticipated global tournament.”

To celebrate the countdown to the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 26™, which kicks off on Thursday, June 11, 2026, FOX Sports is activating around the world’s greatest sporting event in anticipation of the year ahead.

FOX Sports’ FIFA World Cup 26 One Year to Go highlights:

FIFA WORLD CUP 26™: ONE YEAR TO GO Special on FOX

FOX Sports broadcasters Charissa Thompson, Alexi Lalas, Stu Holden and Tom Rinaldi host a star-studded soccer celebration live from Miami’s famed South Beach on Friday, June 13. Coverage begins Friday in primetime at 8:00 PM ET / 8:00 PM PT on FOX.

Show highlights include interviews with FIFA dignitaries, an exclusive interview with Rinaldi and USMNT Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino, musical performances and much more.

FIRST THINGS FIRST on FS1 with Nick Wright, Chris Broussard and Kevin Wildes will originate live from South Beach earlier in the day starting at 3:00 PM ET.

On-Air Takeover

FOX Sports introduces an all-new FIFA World Cup 26™ one year to go announcement promo today that will air across FOX Sports networks, FOX affiliates, FOX Sports’ digital and social platforms, FOX News and FOX broadcast (WATCH HERE). Viewers will also see a special FIFA World Cup 26™ bug appearing on-screen throughout the day on FOX Sports networks.

Additionally, FOX Sports will roll out FIFA World Cup 26™ one year to go creative on New York’s Times Square Godzilla Board. Located between 45^th and 46^th Streets in Manhattan, it is considered the largest and most impactful digital screen in the world with the Godzilla screen reaching a top height of 43 feet tall.

Ice Cream Trucks in New York City and Los Angeles

Soccer fans in New York City will want to keep an eye out for the FOX Sports, FIFA World Cup branded ice cream truck parked at the FOX Square (48^th and 6^th) that will feature free ice cream, while supplies last, served by FOX Sports analysts and National Soccer Hall of Famers Alexi Lalas and Carli Lloyd starting at 11 AM ET.

In Los Angeles, soccer fans are in for a treat as FOX Sports broadcasters Stu Holden, Rob Stone and John Strong serve free ice cream, while supplies last, from the FOX Sports, FIFA World CupÔ branded ice cream truck scheduled to appear at the iconic Venice Beach Boardwalk (at Windward Ave) from 2:30 PM – 6:00 PM PT.

Alexi Lalas’ State of the Union Podcast

National Soccer Hall of Famer and FOX Sports’ lead soccer studio analyst Alexi Lalas debuts a special episode of his popular podcast “State of the Union” featuring Rob Stone.

SCORES NETWORK

FOX Sports is teaming up with non-profit partner SCORES Network and its chapters in Los Angeles and New York City to advance the organizations’ efforts to support whole child development through the teamwork of soccer, the creativity of poetry and the compassion of service-learning. Employees in Los Angeles and New York will participate in the organizations’ annual corporate soccer tournament, SCORES Cup, fundraising to make a lasting impact for the soccer-based youth development programming.

Youth from New York SCORES joined Alexi Lalas and Carli Lloyd on FOX & Friends between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM ET, celebrating the power of soccer for positive social change and the celebration of being one year out from the FIFA World Cup.

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF METRO LOS ANGELES

In Los Angeles, FOX Sports is teaming with Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles to include youth from across the region to participate in the milestone festivities alongside Stu Holden, John Strong and Rob Stone. Through the organization’s Sports and Recreation program, Club kids participate in a variety of activities developing physical fitness, coordination and sportsmanship.

About FIFA World Cup 26

From Thursday, June 11, 2026 to Sunday, July 19, 2026, FOX Sports presents the biggest ever edition of the world’s great sporting event with 48 teams and 104 matches being played across North America in the FIFA World Cup 26™.

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Rec Sports

FIBA Next Gen Hoops Invitational marks important step in developing youth basketball | About FIBA

VILNIUS (Lithuania) – As emphasized by FIBA’s Strategic Objective to Develop Youth Basketball, a series of innovative programs are continuing to provide the young players with precious international experience. Through the collaboration of FIBA’s Regional Offices in Europe and the Americas, a new event took place in June 2025, as FIBA Next Gen Hoops Invitational […]

Published

4 hours ago

June 12, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Through the collaboration of FIBA’s Regional Offices in Europe and the Americas, a new event took place in June 2025, as FIBA Next Gen Hoops Invitational saw Rytas Vilnius take on The Grind Session select team in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Rytas Vilnius hosted the event as two-time Youth Basketball Champions League winners, including most recently, in Manisa, Türkiye in April 2025.

That was the third edition of the Youth BCL, with the level of competition growing with each passing year, and some of the players from the first two seasons already getting a taste of action on senior level, in the Basketball Champions League in Europe.

The Grind Session select team was put together with some of the most intriguing prospects from the United States, high school players who spent the season playing The Grind Session circuit, the first-ever winter circuit for elite high school players in the Americas, with nearly 3,000 participants.

The Grind Session is one of the most prestigious programs in the Americas. The list of alumni includes the current NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and global stars such as Jayson Tatum, Jamal Murray, Paolo Banchero and LaMelo Ball.

Getting Rytas Vilnius and the Grind Session on the same court was in line with FIBA’s significant contributions to supporting and organizing youth club competitions, which provide a competitive environment for young players outside of national teams. The aforementioned Youth BCL, which Rytas Vilnius had won in April, is a perfect example of such competition.

At the same time, FIBA’s Youth Development Program in the Americas has a goal to nurture young talent and expand access to basketball across the region, which led to a partnership with the Grind Session circuit.

With those two incentives combined, the birth of the FIBA Next Gen Hoops Invitational seemed like a logical step in the right direction.

Across two games in Lithuania played on June 4 and June 5, Rytas Vilnius picked up a pair of wins over The Grind Session (107-84; 103-83), adding more silverware to their cabinets dedicated to youth basketball. For more information, click here.

With positive feedback from the players, coaches, and staff members, the first edition of the FIBA Next Gen Hoops Invitational was a successful one, providing motivation to make this an annual event.

FIBA

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