Española, New Mexico – Tensions flared during a protest the reinstallation of a statue honoring the controversial Spanish conqueror, Juan de Oñate, as a man was shot in Española, New Mexico. This incident has once again underscored the ongoing debate over the commemoration of historical figures with questionable pasts and the impact of their statues on communities.

Originally, local officials in Española had planned to re-erect the statue of Juan de Oñate, but those plans were abruptly canceled due to concerns about safety. However, even with the cancellation, protesters remained present, and the situation escalated into violence.

The alleged shooter, 23-year-old Ryan Martinez, is now in custody, facing serious charges after reportedly shooting an individual during the confrontation. The injured victim was swiftly transported to an Albuquerque hospital, though the extent of their injuries remains undisclosed as an ongoing police investigation delves into the incident.

Juan de Oñate’s statue had been removed in 2020, primarily due to his involvement in a tragic event in which numerous indigenous people lost their lives. His actions included the gruesome act of severing the feet of survivors and selling others into slavery. Subsequently, he faced legal consequences for the excessive force used and was banished from New Mexico. The statue’s restoration has since been a subject of intense controversy, reflecting the deep-seated emotions it stirs in the community.

Despite the controversy, county officials decided to relocate the statue to a new site in Española, prominently in front of a county building. The ceremony for the statue’s reinstallation was originally scheduled for Thursday but was postponed, citing safety concerns. Nevertheless, a group of protesters congregated at the site, unequivocally expressing their opposition to the statue’s return.

Video footage captured the moment preceding the shooting, where a brawl erupted among individuals, culminating in one man brandishing a firearm. The root cause of the altercation remains uncertain currently. An eyewitness reported that the alleged shooter fled the scene in a vehicle, with someone tailing him.

It is worth noting that the local sheriff had openly voiced his disagreement with the decision to relocate the statue, addressing county commissioners with a letter in which he argued that the timing was inappropriate. Two commissioners heeded his concerns and decided to halt the statue’s reinstallation on Thursday, recognizing the complex nature of the situation.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of how statues of controversial historical figures can polarize communities and ignite passionate debates about the symbols and narratives that shape our shared history. It raises questions about the role of public monuments in contemporary society and the delicate balance between preserving historical legacies and acknowledging the pain and trauma associated with them.

Española, New Mexico — A man was shot during a protest in Española, New Mexico, against the reinstallation of a statue honoring a controversial Spanish conqueror, Juan de Oñate. The protest turned violent, leading to an arrest.

Officials in Española planned to put the statue of Juan de Oñate back, but they canceled the event due to safety worries. However, protesters were still there, and a fight broke out.

A 23-year-old man, Ryan Martinez, is accused of shooting someone during this fight. He was arrested by the New Mexico State Police and now faces serious charges.

The injured man was taken to an Albuquerque hospital, but we don’t know how he’s doing. The police are looking into the shooting.

Juan de Oñate’s statue was removed in 2020 because he was involved in a terrible event where many indigenous people were killed. He also cut off the feet of some survivors and sold others as slaves. Later, he was found guilty of using too much force and was banned from New Mexico. People have strong feelings about his statue.

Despite the controversy, county officials decided to put the statue back in a new location in Española, in front of a county building.

The ceremony to put the statue back was supposed to happen on Thursday, but it was delayed because of safety concerns. Still, some protesters came to the site to show they didn’t want the statue reinstalled.

A video shows a fight before the shooting, and a man escapes from others and points a gun at them. We don’t know why the fight started.

A witness said the shooter drove away in a car, with someone following him.

The sheriff disagreed with moving the statue and wrote a letter to county commissioners, saying it wasn’t the right time to do it. He thanked two commissioners who decided to stop the statue’s installation on Thursday, recognizing the difficult situation.

This incident shows how statues of controversial figures can divide communities and spark debates about our history and its symbols

Yesterday at 5 p.m., a disturbing incident occurred as Richard Brunson, aged 50, reportedly discharged a .22-caliber handgun, resulting in a gunshot wound to his wife, Laurette Kenny Brunson, aged 38. This unfortunate event was triggered by a confrontation, initiated when Mrs. Brunson tossed a plate of wedding macaroni salad. The police were summoned to the scene, but Mr. Brunson had already fled, and his current whereabouts remain unknown. Mrs. Brunson received immediate medical attention and was expeditiously transported to St. Luke’s Hospital, where she is presently in stable condition, according to hospital authorities.

Let’s hear from Walter Corse, a neighbor, as he recalls the incident (sound byte). Additionally, Marilyn Corse, Walter’s mother, shares her perspective on the matter (sound byte).

LEWISTON, Maine – A devastating incident in Lewiston, Maine resulted in the loss of at least 22 lives and left numerous others injured due to two mass shootings. Authorities are urgently searching for the suspect responsible for the violence.

The Lewiston Police Department has identified Robert Card as a “person of interest” in the shootings. Card, aged 40, is considered “armed and dangerous,” and the public is urged to report any information about his whereabouts.

Robert Card is known to be a certified firearms instructor and a member of the US Army Reserve, but the motive behind the attacks remains unclear.

In response to the ongoing situation, the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office has recommended businesses in the area lock down or close their doors. Images of the suspected shooter and their vehicle have been shared on social media.

Lewiston, the second-largest city in Maine, is located about 36 miles north of Portland. Residents are advised to stay indoors, lock their doors, and call 911 if they see anything suspicious.

The shooting incidents occurred at Sparetime Recreation, a local bowling alley, and Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant. There were initially reports of a shooting at a Walmart Distribution Center, but this was later clarified to be incorrect.

The nearby city of Auburn also issued a shelter-in-place advisory, and the FBI’s Boston division is assisting local law enforcement.

Maine Governor Janet Mills is monitoring the situation closely and has urged residents to follow law enforcement guidance.

As the Lewiston community grapples with this tragedy, the nation watches and hopes for the swift capture of the suspect and answers to the many questions surrounding this shocking incident.

In a surprising case, Joran van der Sloot has confessed to killing Natalee Holloway, who disappeared in Aruba almost 20 years ago. This confession came with his admission of extorting and defrauding Holloway’s family. While this is a breakthrough, it also means we may never find Natalee’s body.

Natalee’s mother, Beth Holloway, called it the end of a long ordeal. She said, “It’s over. Joran van der Sloot is no longer the suspect; he’s the killer.” After all these years, Natalee’s case is finally solved.

Van der Sloot’s confession tells a gruesome story. He admitted to using a cinder block to kill Natalee on an Aruban beach after she rejected his advances. This has been a brutal and painful mystery for Natalee’s family, who had to wait for justice for nearly two decades.

The delay in getting justice raises questions about the legal system’s effectiveness. Many are now calling for changes to ensure that justice is faster in cases like this.

This case is a reminder of how legal systems can sometimes fail, and it’s time to make sure they work better. Although the confession can’t bring Natalee back, it’s a step toward ending this long and sad chapter for her family.

Good Conversation

October 8, 2023

I had a great conversation with Jessica Nyrongo about who the most influential person is in her life. When I asked her this question she did not hesitate to answer. She said the most influential person in her life is her mom. She stated “I would not be here if it wasn’t for her.”

Jessica is from Zambia and can speak over 14 languages. Thanks to her mom Jess was able to travel to different countries growing up. Jess was also able to attend a few different schools in different countries as well.

Jess really enjoys traveling and is so thankful to her mother for giving her the opportunity. Traveling to these different countries had taught Jess a lot of life lessons and put her in many different perspectives. She enjoyed getting to learn about different cultures and eating new dishes. She hopes in the future she will be able to give her children the same opportunity as she was.

New York City police are searching for a suspect seen on security video fatally stabbing Ryan Carson, 32, in Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood early Monday.

Carson, who worked for a nonprofit organization, was attacked while waiting for a bus with his girlfriend after attending a wedding. In the video, the assailant threatened Carson, who tried to flee but was tripped by a bench and then stabbed multiple times.

The suspect also threatened Carson’s girlfriend before fleeing the scene. Police are actively investigating, but no arrests have been made at this time.

Carson’s nonprofit employer, the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG), described him as an engaged and intelligent campaign organizer deeply committed to the causes he worked on.

The community is mourning the loss of Carson as the investigation into this tragic incident continues.

Thomas Ritchie Interview

October 3, 2023

October 3, 2023

Thomas Ritchie began his career in journalism and even started teaching news design and editing. He graduated from Yankton, South Dakota, and found his passion for writing and editing aligned well with marketing. Later, he transitioned to a different path in marketing and currently works for one of the largest trucking insurance companies.

Ritchie talked about how journalism has evolved over time. He stated that “journalism is not dead it’s a whole different animal” For example, in the past, he worked with a substantial team of around 72 people, today there are about 18. Despite these changes, he emphasized that “journalism is not dead” it has transformed into something different.

Ritchie really enjoys how different his days are. He appreciates that each day brings new challenges and opportunities. Interestingly, when he was a child, his dream job was to become a farmer, influenced by his grandpa.

Beyond his professional life, Ritchie enjoys various hobbies, including hockey, and cycling. 

Ritchie also talked about how journalism has become more advanced with fewer steps to publish news. He thinks artificial intelligence won’t replace journalism jobs but will help make them better.

In summary, Thomas Ritchie’s interview provides insight into his career, his passion for writing and editing, and his perspective on journalism’s evolution. He believes that while journalism has changed significantly, it remains an essential field.

Financial Report Summary

October 2, 2023

In their letter to shareholders, Target talks about their plan for the future. They originally aimed to steadily increase their revenue and profits. They did really well in 2022, making a lot of money despite some challenges. Now, they expect to make even more money because their business has grown a lot.

Target also found ways to save money by running their business more efficiently. They think they can save $2 to $3 billion in the future. This will help them grow and improve the experience for their customers.

In 2023, Target plans to keep supporting its team, improve its stores, and offer more products. They want to focus on digital growth, customer loyalty, media, and sustainability. They know there will be challenges, but they’re optimistic about their future.

Overall, Target is working hard to make more money, offer great products, and take care of its customers, team, and shareholders.