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A TikTok Jesus promises divine blessings and many worldly comforts

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:49:01 GMT

(The Conversation) - The TikTok profile Daily Believer (@believerdaily) has 70 videos with computer-generated Jesuses looking directly at the viewer, beseeching them to stop scrolling and watch the next minute’s worth of content.All these Jesuses are long-haired and bearded, recalling artist Warner Sallman’s ubiquitous 1940 painting “Head of Christ.” Some wear the crown of thorns, some look alarmingly like the actor Jared Leto. Nearly all promise a surprise or “good news soon” in exchange for the viewer liking, commenting “Amen” or sharing it with their friends and family. With this digital outreach, the Daily Believer has gained, as of Nov. 13, 2023, 813,200 followers and over 9.2 million likes.(Getty Images)As a scholar of religion in the U.S. and its intersection with popular culture, I have been studying the ways American Christians use media and popular culture to perform religious work and evangelical outreach for the past 13 years. I argue that this TikTok phenomenon, in...

Gophers defense remains shorthanded vs. No. 2 Ohio State

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:49:01 GMT

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Gophers defense will remain shorthanded against heavy favorite and second-ranked Ohio State on Saturday.Linebacker Maverick Baranowski is out, according to the U’s status report. The redshirt freshman sustained an apparent shoulder injury in the 49-30 loss to Purdue last week.And for a second straight week, Cody Lindenberg is listed as questionable against the Buckeyes. He didn’t warm up nor play with that same designation against the Boilermakers last week.On Saturday, there were early signs two hours before kickoff that Lindenberg was going to warm-up. Her had a black sleeve on his left leg.Without Baranowski and Lindenberg last week, Minnesota was forced to turn to true freshman Matt Kingsbury. When Kingsbury struggled, the U turned to Tyler Stolsky and Ryan Selig as the Boilermakers put up over 600 total yards and 350 rushing yards.Against the Buckeyes, Minnesota will also be without safety Aidan Gousby for a second straight game. The U’s other strong ...

Saratoga Springs hosts Test Drive a Bus Day

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:49:01 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Some school districts struggle to hire enough bus drivers, so Saratoga Springs City School District hosted another Test Drive a Bus Day on Saturday. The event featured food vendors, and Saratoga Springs police taught attendees how to install car seats properly. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! “This is just a wonderful opportunity that the transportation department provides for our community,” Michael Patton, Superintendent of Saratoga Springs City School District, said. “[And] for community members interested in learning more about test driving a school bus.”The superintendent is also working on his permit to learn how to drive a school bus. Scott Prehn joined within the last year because his children are older now. He also says becoming a bus driver was a way to give back to families who depend on it like he did."I remember when my kids were little; it would turn my world upside down to scramb...

Albany man charged following State Street bank robbery

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:49:01 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- An Albany man has been arrested in connection to a bank robbery, according to the Albany Police Department. Reginald Knox, 54, is facing multiple charges. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! On November 17 at 5:30 p.m., police say Knox entered TD Bank on State Street and allegedly passed a note to the teller stating that he had a gun, demanding that cash be withdrawn from the drawer. The teller then complied and Knox reportedly fled the bank with the money. Officers were able to locate Knox, and following a brief pursuit on foot near Green Street and South Ferry Street, police placed him into custody. No injuries were reported during the incident. Accused kidnapper pleads not guilty to nine charges Knox was charged with first-degree robbery and second-degree obstructing governmental administration. He was arraigned on November 18 at the Albany City Criminal Court and was remanded to the Albany County Jail.

Man charged in deadly Shaw neighborhood shooting deemed unfit for trial

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:49:01 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A man charged in a deadly shooting in St. Louis’ Shaw neighborhood last year was deemed unfit to stand trial during court proceedings Friday. Kyle Stone, 21, faces first-degree murder and armed criminal action charges in connection with the death of Christopher Brennan, 47 at the time of his death. The shooting happened on May 20, 2022 in the 4000 block of Flora Place. Docs: Accused Clayton killer pointed gun at cops in March, released on bond According to Missouri court records, a judge approved an order Friday that finds Stone incompetent to help in his defense. "The Court finds the defendant lacks the mental fitness to proceed in this cause and orders this present cause to be suspended," a St. Louis Circuit Court document from Friday reads. A judge had previously ordered a mental evaluation of Stone in July, and there had been several delays in prosecution leading up to Friday, per online Missouri court records. The court order means Stone will be transferred to a...

Missouri's voter ID law is back in court. Here's a look at what it does

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:49:01 GMT

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A trial for a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Missouri's new photo identification requirement for voters began Friday. Here is a look at the function of the law and why voting rights groups are suing:WHAT THE LAW DOESMissouri's GOP-led Legislature last year capped off a nearly two-decade-long push by Republicans and passed a law requiring voters to show photo identification to cast a regular ballot.People without a government-issued photo ID can cast provisional ballots to be counted if they return later that day with a photo ID or if election officials verify their signatures. The law requires the state to provide a free photo identification card to those lacking one to vote.LEGAL CHALLENGESThe Missouri League of Women Voters, NAACP and two voters sued to overturn the law last year, arguing the change makes casting ballots unconstitutionally difficult for some voters.Cole County Presiding Judge Jon Beetem, who also will hear arguments in the trial ...

Motorcyclist killed in hit-and-run crash on Speer in West Highland overnight

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:49:01 GMT

A motorcyclist died after a hit-and-run crash overnight Friday on Speer in West Highland in Denver.The crash happened at the intersection of Speer Boulevard and Grove Street, the Denver Police Department reported at 12:47 a.m. Saturday on X.#TRAFFIC: #DPD is investigating a fatal hit and run crash involving a motorist and a motorcyclist in the area of Speer and Grove. The motorcyclist was transported and later pronounced deceased at the hospital. Expect delays in the area. Alternate routes advised. #Denver pic.twitter.com/sclzaAQWbs— Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) November 18, 2023The motorcyclist was taken to a hospital and died.The driver of the other vehicle, a white SUV with front and back damage, did not stay at the scene, police said.Anyone with information can call Metro Denver CrimeStoppers at 720-913-7867.

Taylor Swift fan dies at Rio concert

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:49:01 GMT

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — A 23-year-old Taylor Swift fan died at the singer's Eras Tour concert in Rio de Janeiro Friday night, according to a statement from the show's organizers in Brazil. Both Swifties and politicians reacted to the news with outrage. While a cause of death for Ana Clara Benevides Machado has not been announced, fans complained they were not allowed to take water into Nilton Santos Olympic Stadium despite soaring temperatures.A group launched an online petition Saturday morning calling for a “Benevides Law” to “make water in events mandatory.” The petition garnered more than 150,000 signatures in just a few hours. Federal authorities announced that free water would be made available at all future concerts. In a handwritten note shared on her social media, Swift said she had a “shattered heart."“There’s very little information I have other than the fact that she was so incredibly beautiful and far too young,” the singer wrote of the young woman.Fans look up at the Chr...

Suspect arrested in connection with elderly woman’s murder in Huntington Beach 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:49:01 GMT

Authorities have announced that an arrest has been made in connection with the death of an elderly woman in Huntington Beach.According to a release from the Huntington Beach Police Department, officers responded to a home in the 6000 block of Tyndall Drive around 4:20 a.m. Friday morning. Officers contacted an adult woman at the residence upon arrival and once they made entry into the home, a they discovered a deceased elderly woman, authorities said. “The preliminary investigation indicated the adult female and elderly female were known to each other,” HBPD said.  Gunfire erupts during street takeover, 1 man killed The suspect was identified as Christine Lamphier, 48, of Huntington Beach. She was arrested and booked on one count of murder. The identity of the victim is not being released pending notification of next of kin. Anyone with information is asked to contact Huntington Beach Crimes Against Persons Detective Sergeant Anthony Pham at 714-878-5640....

Pac-12 survival: WSU, OSU on brink of competing as two-team conference after clarity comes from the NCAA

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:49:01 GMT

Washington State and Oregon State have cleared a key hurdle in their plans for next season and, barring an unexpected snag, will compete as a two-team conference even if their legal fight takes a turn for the worse.The schools recently received word from the NCAA that they have correctly interpreted the bylaws on conference membership requirements, opening a path for the Pac-12 to live on as the ‘Pac-2’ for the 2024-25 seasons, according to information gathered from multiple sources who requested anonymity.NCAA bylaw 20.02.9 requires conferences to have at least eight members for classification in the Football Bowl Subdivision, but the bylaw seems to allow for a two-year grace period:“A conference shall continue to be considered a Football Bowl Subdivision conference for two years following the date when it fails to satisfy the eight full Football Bowl Subdivision member requirement due to one or more of its member’s failure to comply with the bowl subdivision membership requi...