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Theater review: Penumbra brings well-tuned cast and atmosphere to ‘What I Learned in Paris’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

What happens when a really good playwright decides to write a rom-com, a love story where mistakes and misunderstandings send things swirling into silliness? Pearl Cleage did so in 2012 with “What I Learned in Paris,” and Penumbra Theatre’s eminently enjoyable season-closing production is quite a contrast in tone to her “Blues for an Alabama Sky,” which recently closed at the Guthrie.This romantic comedy is full of witty banter and one of those twist-filled plots ideal for a breezy viewing experience, popcorn optional. Yet Cleage isn’t one to bring only empty calories to your night at the theater, as she always has interesting things to say about being Black in America, often setting her plays at very interesting historical moments.“What I Learned in Paris” drops us into 1973 Atlanta on election night as the city’s just voted in its first Black mayor, Maynard Jackson. Cleage skillfully introduces us to a group of people close to his campaign who harbor ambitions, secrets and a desir...

Gophers spring football game features explosive plays, late drama

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

The Gophers’ spring football game Saturday produced last-second drama for a second straight year.After a field-goal contest ended the 2022 edition, Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck had the maroon and gold teams each attempt a two-point conversion to break a 34-34 tie in an ad hoc overtime.For the maroon squad, quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis and receiver Elijah Spencer couldn’t connect on a jump ball in the corner of the end zone. But  gold side running back Zach Evans overpowered two tacklers for the winning points in a 36-34 victory.Before the TD, Evans had two explosive runs where he juked past a safety. The redshirt freshman finished with 110 yards on 13 carries and two touchdowns, according to unofficial stats from Big Ten Network.“Zach Evans had a heck of day,” Fleck said. “It’s good to have him back healthy and doing some good things. … Instead of just getting tackled for a gain of 12, you saw it, if you make the third-level miss, now it’s a huge run for 70 yards.”Receiver...

Nearly 4,500 pay respects to fallen sheriff’s deputy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

GLENWOOD, Minn. — A sharp, north wind blew as an estimated 4,500 people stood silent outside the Minnewaska Area High School outside of Glenwood, Minn., shortly after noon Saturday.An estimated 4,500 people pay respects during the funeral of Pope County Sheriff’s Deputy Josh Owen on April 22, 2023. (Courtesy of Minnesota Department of Public Safety)The vast majority were in the uniforms of law enforcement agencies from across the state and beyond, all standing at attention. A military salute was fired. Taps was played. A plane flew over unleashing a trail of smoke. Bagpipes played. The flag that draped her husband’s casket was presented to Shannon Owen.And with that, those who had joined to celebrate the life of Joshua Anthony Owen drove into Glenwood as part of a miles-long procession of law enforcement vehicles. And there, even more people waited. Hundreds of people, some holding flags and signs, stood silent in the cold wind on Minnesota Avenue.“A hero” is the straightforwa...

12 Years Later: Remembering the St. Louis area's Good Friday tornado

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

BRIDGETON, Mo. - Twelve years have passed since an EF-4 tornado slammed the St. Louis area, remembered by many locally as the Good Friday tornado. On April 22, 2011, one of the most powerful twisters in recent St. Louis area history traveled 22 miles at speeds up to 160 mph. It caused more than $25 million in damages to several north county municipalities, including parts of Berkeley, Bridgeton and Maryland Heights. Top Story: St. Louis police chief’s comment about prosecution crisis may surprise you Five people were injured from tornado impacts, but fortunately no one died from the intense storm system. According to the National Weather Service, around 250 homes were heavily damaged or destroyed, while around 140 buildings suffered large or total losses. The Good Friday Tornado busted numerous windows and blew off a large section of its roof. A report released by NOAA and the National Weather Service many years ago raised serious questions about what happened at the airport in th...

Gateway Arch hosts fee-free day to ring in National Park Week

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The Gateway Arch National Park is always a great place to visit, but it was extra special for visitors Saturday. Despite chillier temperatures and overcast skies, Gateway Arch National Park hosted its second of five fee-free days at the Arch. The fee-free days allow families to take a ride to the top of the Gateway Arch, and also see a documentary on its construction, entirely for free. Top Story: St. Louis police chief’s comment about prosecution crisis may surprise you Saturday's special deals were also part of the first day of National Park Week. The theme for the week is "Your Park Story." Visitors had a chance to learn about the Arch, their partnership with the National Park Service, and 200 years of history in its museum.National Park Week runs through April 30. For more information on the National Park Week observations, click here. The Arch will also host fee-free days on the following days:Friday, August 4th: Great American Outdoors DaySaturday, September 23rd...

Electricians help low-income, St. Louis-area homeowners in repair blitz

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Many local electricians spent their Saturday helping low-income families around the St. Louis area make potentially life-saving repairs.IEBW Local 1 electricians and contractors made improvements and repairs at 17 homes in St. Louis City and St. Louis County. The effort comes as part of a repair blitz in partnership with St. Louis nonprofit "Rebuilding Together." Top Story: St. Louis police chief’s comment about prosecution crisis may surprise you Since 2003, volunteers have donated more than $2 million in labor and materials, while repairing around 600 homes.According to the National Fire Protection Association, there are more than 46,000 home fires each year caused by electrical hazards. The repairs from Saturday are meant to reduce such risks.

“Everything I wanted”: Community shows up for UNC spring football; gold beats blue, 30-21

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

University of Northern Colorado coach Ed Lamb made few promises when he was hired. The ones he made focused primarily on one thing: community.He made that evident on Saturday afternoon after the spring game, shaking hands and making introductions with supporters of the program. Some traveled from out of town to get a look at the new Bears squad.Other families, friends, alumni and general fans stood on the turf. They took photos, laughed and hugged, and several players ran around alongside children in attendance.When it came to the alumni, building those connections was imperative. Lamb invited UNC Hall of Famers John Zurbrigen and Tom Beck to coach each team, while also taking time before kickoff to meet with program graduates.Many of those same former players took time to speak with guys on the current roster after the game.That’s exactly what Lamb hoped for when he invited alumni to join the weekend festivities.“It’s everything I wanted. I’m looking around right now, and I see alu...

Woman killed by hit-and-run driver attempting to escape officers in Anaheim, suspect arrested

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

A driver was arrested after he allegedly struck and killed a woman in Anaheim as he was fleeing a police car from nearby Placentia, officials said. The woman was struck at about 1:10 a.m. in the 700 block of East Street in Anaheim, according to Jon McClintock of the Anaheim Police Department. Investigators said the victim, a woman in her 40s, was hit by a vehicle whose driver was trying to flee the Placentia Police Department. Police spotted the stolen vehicle as the driver turned onto East Street and began driving the wrong way. At one point, the driver lost control and collided with several fences before striking the female pedestrian as he was speeding.The woman was later declared dead at a local hospital, while the driver fled on foot after the crash, McClintock said. Footage from the scene shows a white BMW X5 crashed into a fence around a home, with the front half of the vehicle coming to rest in the house's front yard and the back half of the SUV remaining on the sidewalk.At ...

Michael Amadio scores in 2nd OT, Golden Knights top Jets 5-4

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Michael Amadio scored at 3:40 of the second overtime Saturday to give the Vegas Golden Knights a 5-4 victory over the Winnipeg Jets and a 2-1 lead in the first-round series.Dylan Sandberg’s clearing attempt for Winnipeg from the back boards, deflected off Vegas forward Ivan Barbashev’s skate to Amadio for a one-timer that went into the top right corner — going between goalie Connor Hellebuyck’s head and glove.Adam Lowry tied it for Winnipeg with 21.9 seconds left in regulation, beating goalie Laurent Brossoit of a rebound to cap a three-goal, third-period comeback.Nino Niederreiter scored at 2:04 of the third and Mark Scheifele connected on a power play with 5:52 left to cut it to 4-3.Jack Eichel had two power-play goals and added an assist for Vegas. Chandler Stephenson had a goal and an assist, and Keegan Kolesar also scored. Brossoit, who spent three seasons with the Jets, made 30 saves.Kyle Connor had a goal and an assist for Winnipeg,...

Dodgers rebound from 13-0 loss with 9-4 win over Cubs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:00 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — James Outman and Max Muncy each homered twice as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Chicago Cubs 9-4 on Saturday. Muncy hit a two-run homer in the seventh against Mark Leiter Jr. and a solo drive in the ninth off Brad Boxberger, tying the New York Mets’ Pete Alonso for the major league lead with 10 home runs. Muncy has homered nine times in the last 12 games.“Every guy is important, but Max is always in the middle of things, so when he is going well it seems like we put up good numbers,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. Outman was 4 for 5 with four RBIs, hitting a solo shot in the second off Hayden Wesneski (1-1) and a two-run homer in the ninth against Boxberger. Outman leads rookies with a .314 batting average, seven homers and 19 RBIs and 1.121 OPS.. “James has carried us a lot. He’s gotten some big hits obviously. It’s just an opportunity that presented itself essentially the last couple of days of spring training and he’s taken advantage of it, ...