October Issue News Briefs
National
Usher to Headline Super Bowl 58 Halftime Show
Usher, an R&B singer and dancer, will headline the 2024 Super Bowl Halftime show on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. While he hasn’t released a full album since 2016, he is performing next year’s half-time show, succeeding Rihanna in 2023. With 18 Hot 100 top-ten singles and nine Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles, Usher gained popularity after his debut album Usher, which was released in 1994. Other top selling albums of his include Confessions (2004), My Way (1997), and 8701 (2001). “I can't wait to bring the world a show unlike anything else they've seen from me before,” Usher said in a statement.
Global
Canadian House Speaker Steps Down
On Tuesday, September 26, Canadian House of Commons Speaker, Anthony Rota, resigned after inviting a Ukrainian veteran who fought in a Nazi military unit to Parliament, according to NPR. The veteran, Yaroslav Hunka, fought for the voluntary First Ukrainian Division. After Rota lead a standing ovation for Hunka in the House, fellow lawmakers called for Rota to step down after uncovering details that Hunka’s unit fought under Nazi command. Rota apologized for the pain he caused to “individuals and communities, including the Jewish community in Canada and around the world,” and he accepts “full responsibility” for his actions. Currently, Parliament is looking to fill the speaker position, according to NPR.
Local
St. Joe’s Drama Club Takes on Oklahoma!
On November 10, the drama club will perform the musical Oklahoma! for opening night at 7pm in the St. Joseph High School’s auditorium. Oklahoma!, written collaboratively by Rodgers and Hammerstein, is a coming of age musical, centering a love triangle with cowboys and farmers in 1960 Oklahoma. The lead characters--Laurey, Curly, Aunt Eller, Ado Annie, Will, and Jud--will be played by St. Joe’s Zoey Owens, Seth Martin, Leiah Seawood, Rose Lawrence and Clara Berry in split casting, Braden Miesse, and Aaron Conley, respectively. The club will also perform on November 11 at 2pm and 7pm.