History of the Essence Festival of Culture
A behind-the-scenes look at the history of Essence Festival and its theme for this year: “It’s the Black Joy for Me.”
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ABC NewsThe worst isn't over as flooding is set to continue through the weekend in Brazil
Large parts of the southern state will see close to 4 inches of rain this weekend, according to INMET, the National Meteorology Institute. At least 113 people had died as of Friday morning, according to Rio Grande do Sul Gov. Eduardo Leite, while hundreds of neighborhoods have been devastated and destroyed in the weeklong flooding. There are also 146 people missing, 69,617 people in shelters and more than 330,000 people displaced by the flooding, Leite said.
- ABC News
Barron Trump declines Florida GOP delegate position due to 'prior commitments'
Former President Donald Trump's youngest child, Barron Trump, is declining an opportunity to serve as Florida's GOP at-large delegate to the Republican National Convention due to "prior commitments," former first lady Melania Trump's office confirmed to ABC News. "While Barron is honored to have been chosen as a delegate by the Florida Republican Party, he regretfully declines to participate due to prior commitments," the Office of Melania Trump wrote in a statement to ABC News.
- ABC News
Maryland primary to set up unexpectedly tight Senate race
Maryland's Democratic Senate primary is careening toward a bitter finish as voters decide who to nominate in an unexpectedly competitive race in the deep blue bastion. Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and Rep. David Trone are the two main contenders in a primary that has sparked debates over everything from money in politics to electability to Democrats' commitment to diversity to Senate control. Trone, the wealthy founder of Total Wine & More and congressman in his third term, has dumped more than $50 million of his own money into the race, has racked up endorsements from congressional colleagues and has insinuated that Alsobrooks isn't ready for the major leagues of federal politics.
- ABC News
Biden admin doesn't have 'complete information' to verify whether Israel used US arms to violate international law in Gaza
The Departments of State and Defense on Friday said they could not compile enough evidence to prove that Israel used American arms in violation of international humanitarian law, according to a new report ordered by President Joe Biden. The report was mandated by National Security Memorandum 20 to examine the use of U.S.-supplied arms in active conflict zones. "We do not have complete information to verify whether US defense articles covered under NSM-20 were specifically used in actions that have been alleged as violations of [international humanitarian law] or international human rights law during the period of the report," the report said.
- Good Morning America
At least 125 tornadoes reported across the country since Monday
There have been at least 125 reported tornadoes in 22 states since Monday, as the severe weather outbreak continued Friday in parts of the South. There were at least five reported tornadoes Thursday across Iowa, Missouri, Georgia and Mississippi. A tornado warning was issued in Tallahassee in Leon County on Friday morning, with "multiple circulations and radar-confirmed tornadoes," according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
- ABC News
Calls to poison centers for fentanyl exposure in kids increased nearly 54-fold since 2016
Calls to poison centers for illicit fentanyl exposures in kids under 6 years old increased from 10 cases in 2016 to 539 in 2023, according to a press release from America's Poison Centers. The figures come on the heels of a new study showing that over 321,000 children lost a parent due to drug overdose from 2011-2021. "It is imperative that the community provides resources to end the fentanyl epidemic and that people who use illicit drugs secure them from children by using opaque child-resistant lockable containers," said Dr. Robert Hendrickson, medical director of the Oregon Poison Center and professor of emergency medicine at the OHSU School of Medicine, in a press release.
- Good Morning America
Woman to celebrate Mother's Day for 1st time after welcoming baby via surrogacy
A former Broadway performer-turned-nonprofit founder and yoga teacher is getting ready to celebrate her first Mother's Day after surviving an uncertain breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, and embarking on a surrogacy journey. Sarrah Strimel Bentley, who first shared her breast cancer and fertility journey on "Good Morning America" and "GMA3" in October, said she is "incredibly grateful" to fulfill her longtime dream of becoming a mom. "And so I just prayed and I put all of my faith that this Mother's Day, I would be holding [my son] Chance."
- ABC News
3 big takeaways from Day 15 of Trump's hush money trial
Before that, Friday started with the conclusion of the cross-examination of former White House aide Madeline Westerhout, who spoke glowingly of the former president and said she felt he was hurt by hush money revelations due to concerns for his family. Trump is on trial for allegedly falsifying business records to hide the reimbursement of a hush money payment his then-attorney Michael Cohen made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in order to boost his electoral prospects in the 2016 presidential election.
- Good Morning America
Justin Bieber's mom congratulates him and Hailey following pregnancy news
Justin Bieber's mom, Pattie Mallette, is excited to become a grandmother. In a sweet video she shared on Instagram Thursday following Justin and Hailey Bieber's pregnancy news, the author told the couple that they're going to be "the best parents ever." Justin and Hailey Bieber, who tied the knot in 2018, announced on Thursday that they are going to be parents.
- Good Morning America
Americans will need Real ID to travel in 2025: Here are the requirements
The United States is less than a year out from the Department of Homeland Security's federal requirement for Real ID for domestic flights and entering federal facilities, and to help you get ahead -- and avoid a dreaded hourslong wait at the DMV -- "Good Morning America" has gathered all the essential details you need to ensure your identification is up to date. What is a Real ID? The U.S. Department of Homeland Security previously delayed the implementation of Real ID several times over the past few years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Good Morning America
Looking back on Justin and Hailey Bieber's relationship as they announce pregnancy
Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber are embarking on a new chapter together: parenthood. Hailey Bieber, 27, shared a series of photos and a video and tagged Justin Bieber in the caption, while Justin Bieber, 30, did the same and tagged his wife. As they prepare to welcome their new bundle of joy, we're taking a look back at their romantic love story and how Hailey Bieber became "one less lonely girl."
- ABC News
Northern lights could be seen as far south as Alabama this weekend: NOAA
Americans across the country may get a chance to see the northern lights this weekend. A series of solar flares and "explosions" from the sun may lead to geomagnetic storms that "can also trigger spectacular displays of aurora on Earth" from Friday evening through the weekend, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center said on Thursday. Because the geomagnetic storms are severe, Americans in many of the northern states and some in the lower Midwest will likely see the aurora borealis.
- Good Morning America
Here are the most popular baby names of 2023
The Social Security Administration has officially released the most popular baby names of 2023. For the fifth consecutive year, Olivia and Liam have secured top spots for girls and boys, respectively. Beyond the consistent dominance of Olivia and Liam, the SSA also highlighted significant shifts in naming trends.
- ABC News
Oakland airport name change moves forward amid legal challenge from San Francisco
Officials in Oakland, California, approved modifying the name of the city's airport to include "San Francisco," despite a federal trademark lawsuit from the city of San Francisco, while also filing their own lawsuit against the neighboring city over the name-change dispute. The Oakland Board of Port Commissioners unanimously voted Thursday to rename Metropolitan Oakland International Airport to San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport.
- Good Morning America
'GMA' surprises mom of 4 and fire chief for 25th 'Breakfast in Bed' celebration
For 25 years, "Good Morning America" has been surprising moms across the country with a special "Breakfast in Bed" celebration. This May, "GMA" is honoring Shelly Carter, a mom of four and assistant fire chief at Hamden Fire Department in Hamden, Connecticut. Carter has been a trailblazer for over two decades and in 2023, was sworn in as the first Black female fire chief in New England.
- Good Morning America
Former Miss USA 2023 alleges toxic work environment in resignation letter
Former Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt alleged in an eight-page resignation letter obtained by ABC News on Friday that the Miss USA Organization cultivated a toxic work environment that led to her decision to step down. Voigt resigned her title Monday, citing mental health. "There is a toxic work environment within the Miss USA organization that, at best, is poor management and, at worst, is bullying and harassment," Voigt wrote in the letter, in part.
- ABC News
2 skiers dead in Utah avalanche; 1 digs himself out: Police
Two skiers were killed and a third was hospitalized following an avalanche on Utah's Lone Peak Thursday, according to the Unified Police Department of Salt Lake City. The skiers were believed to have been buried by an avalanche in the backcountry, according to police. The deceased victims were described as two men, ages 32 and 23 years old, Sgt. Aymee Race told reporters.
- ABC News
Steve Bannon's contempt of Congress conviction upheld by appeals court
A federal appeals court upheld the criminal conviction of ex-Donald Trump adviser Steve Bannon for defying a subpoena from the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Bannon was sentenced to four months in prison for contempt in October 2022, but U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols agreed to postpone the jail term while Bannon appealed the decision. "We conclude that none of the information sought in the trial subpoenas was relevant to the elements of the contempt offense, nor to any affirmative defense Bannon was entitled to present at trial," the three-judge panel of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals said in its opinion Friday.
- Good Morning America
Post Malone and Morgan Wallen release new single, 'I Had Some Help'
Post Malone and Morgan Wallen have released their highly anticipated new collaboration, "I Had Some Help." The new single and its accompanying music video arrived Friday. Watch the official music video for "I Had Some Help" here.
- Good Morning America
The Beatles' classic song 'Let It Be' gets new music video: Watch here
There's now a new music video for The Beatles' hit song "Let It Be." The video, which debuted Friday, features clips from the restored 1970 "Let It Be" film from director Michael Lindsay-Hogg showing the four band members -- John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr -- performing the song in the studio. Footage of the Fab Four has been restored from the original 16mm negative by Peter Jackson's Park Road Post Production.