Here’s a recap of the top stories from the week. Have a great weekend!
Happy Friday!
In Today’s Newsletter:
- May Day rallies demand workers first, billionaires last
- Fashionetta returns with scholarships, new format, 19 Pearls
- Why one school’s “dream team” is so rare
- Gun Buyback Focuses on Peace, Prevention, and Community Trust
- Two frontrunners exit, reshaping Jackson County executive race
💡 Black Trivia Question: Out of 8 U.S. presidents who argued cases before the Supreme Court, which one was part of a multi-cultural dream team that argued the first considerable and major civil rights case in U.S. history, where people of African descent were treated as human beings in a federal court rather than legal property?
A. Abraham Lincoln B. Richard Nixon C. John Q. Adams D. William H. Taft *See answer after “In Other News”*
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NATIONAL NEWS
1. May Day Protests Push Workers-First Agenda Across Kansas and Missouri
May Day protests return Friday with rallies in Wichita and Kansas City focused on workers’ rights, affordability, and taxing billionaires. Organizers say this movement is about building a better life for working families—not just protesting politics.
WICHITA NEWS
2. Fashionetta Returns With New Format, Continued Focus on Scholarships
Fashionetta returns to Wichita this weekend with 19 young women participating in the longtime scholarship program. While the format has changed, the focus on education and opportunity remains strong.
WICHITA NEWS
3. “The Dream Team”: How One Principal Built a Rare Group of Black Male Teachers
At one Wichita elementary school, a principal built what she calls her “dream team” — three Black men teaching 5th grade. It’s rare, intentional and making a difference in ways that go beyond the classroom.
WICHITA NEWS
4. Community-Led Gun Buyback Exceeds Expectations in North Wichita
A community-led gun buyback in North Wichita destroyed collected weapons while connecting residents to mental health resources and violence prevention support. Organizers say the goal was bigger than guns—it was about building trust and reducing violence.
MISSOURI STATE NEWS
5. Jackson County Executive Race Shifts After Two Frontrunners Withdraw
The race for Jackson County executive changed quickly after interim Executive Phil LeVota and Legislator DaRon McGee both withdrew. Their exits leave attorney Stacy Lake and Lee’s Summit Mayor Bill Baird as likely frontrunners in a race where the Democratic primary may decide the winner.
As Iran war hits key 60-day deadline, Congress and Trump face choices on next steps. President Trump is facing a key deadline in the war with Iran Friday under a decades-old law that limits the use of force without authorization from Congress. (CBS)
Tina Knowles adds a new chapter to her story. The mother of superstar entertainer Beyonce’ joins ABC News Live to discuss a new chapter she’s added to her published memoir. (ABC NEWS)
‘May Day Strong’ rallies taking place across US: Why are people protesting? (THE HILL)
💡Trivia Answer: C. John Quincy Adams. The 1841 Amistad Supreme Court ruling (7-1) declared that 53 Mende Africans, who took over a Spanish slave ship in 1839, were illegally kidnapped and not “property,” thus making them free people.
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