Tag Archives: responsibility

culture, economy, entertainment, media, politics

Why Was Melissa Barrera From ‘Scream 7’? Here’s the Reason She Got Axed & Her Response

Leave a comment

**Scream 7 Release Set for February 2026 Amid Controversy Surrounding Melissa Barrera’s Departure**

The highly anticipated *Scream 7* is finally slated for theatrical release in February 2026, arriving more than two years after the unexpected firing of Melissa Barrera from the project. When news of her exit broke, horror fans were shocked, with some vowing to boycott the upcoming installment. However, with original final girl Neve Campbell and fan favorites like Matthew Lillard returning to the franchise, many remain excited to see Ghostface unleash terror once again.

**Melissa Barrera’s Role in the Scream Franchise**

Melissa Barrera has appeared in two *Scream* films: 2022’s *Scream* and 2023’s *Scream VI*, portraying Samantha “Sam” Carpenter. Her character quickly became a fan favorite, making her sudden removal from *Scream 7* all the more surprising.

**Why Was Melissa Barrera Fired From Scream 7?**

Spyglass Media reportedly fired Melissa Barrera due to her public comments regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict. In one of her Instagram Stories, Melissa wrote:

*“Gaza is currently being treated like a concentration camp. Cornering everyone together, with nowhere to go, no electricity, no water. People have learnt nothing from our histories. And just like our histories, people are still silently watching it all happen. THIS IS GENOCIDE & ETHNIC CLEANSING.”*

Following the backlash, Spyglass Media released an official statement to *Variety* through a spokesperson:

*“Spyglass’ stance is unequivocally clear: We have zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form, including false references to genocide, ethnic cleansing, Holocaust distortion, or anything that flagrantly crosses the line into hate speech.”*

**Director Christopher Landon Clarifies He Did Not Fire Melissa**

Contrary to some rumors, original *Scream 7* director Christopher Landon was not responsible for Melissa’s firing. Addressing the situation on social media, Landon tweeted:

*“This is my statement: Everything sucks. Stop yelling. This was not my decision to make.”*

**Melissa Barrera’s Response to Her Firing**

Melissa addressed the controversy and her dismissal in a heartfelt message, beginning with:

*“First and foremost, I condemn Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. I condemn hate and prejudice of any kind against any group of people.”*

She continued:

*“As a Latina, a proud Mexicana, I feel the responsibility of having a platform that allows me the privilege of being heard, and therefore, I have tried to use it to raise awareness about issues I care about and to lend my voice to those in need.”*

Melissa also emphasized the importance of human rights for all:

*“Every person on this earth regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or socio-economic status deserves equal human rights, dignity and, of course, freedom.”*

She added:

*“I believe a group of people are NOT their leadership, and that no governing body should be above criticism. I pray day and night for no more deaths, for no more violence, and for peaceful co-existence. I will continue to speak out for those that need it most and continue to advocate for peace and safety, for human rights and freedom. Silence is not an option for me.”*

**Why Is Jenna Ortega Not in Scream 7?**

Initial reports suggested Jenna Ortega left *Scream 7* due to scheduling conflicts with other projects, such as *Wednesday*. However, in an April 2025 interview with *The Cut*, Jenna clarified:

*“It had nothing to do with pay or scheduling. The Melissa stuff was happening, and it was all kind of falling apart.”*

She further explained that multiple key figures had exited the film:

*“Not only did filmmaker Christopher exit the film, but directors Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin also left after I stepped down.”*

Jenna summed up her decision by saying:

*“If Scream VII wasn’t going to be with that team of directors and those people I fell in love with, then it didn’t seem like the right move for me in my career at the time.”*

—

The *Scream* franchise is undoubtedly navigating a turbulent chapter, but with iconic faces returning and fans eagerly awaiting its release, February 2026 promises an intense and thrilling comeback for Ghostface.
https://hollywoodlife.com/feature/why-was-melissa-barrera-fired-scream-7-5483207/

general

Mayor Woodfin: Birmingham Has ‘Moral Obligation’ to Assist Those Who Lose SNAP Benefits

Leave a comment

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times

As part of an extensive plan to assist elders, children, and families, Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin on Thursday asked the City Council to commit $1 million to support households at risk of losing November SNAP benefits due to the federal government shutdown.

Woodfin spoke during a City Hall press conference, flanked by City Councilors including President Wardine Alexander; Drew Langloh, President of the United Way of Central Alabama; faith leaders; non-profit executives; and others.

“We are taking immediate action because we have a moral obligation to take care of the general welfare of our residents,” Woodfin said. “Our focus is on getting help directly to the people who need it most—whatever it takes to keep folks fed and families whole.”

Nearly 23,000 Birmingham households—one in four—rely on SNAP to keep food on the table, Woodfin noted. “On Nov. 1, those families could wake up with nothing because Washington shut the government down.”

Unless the federal government shutdown is ended, benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will cease. SNAP is the nation’s largest anti-hunger program, serving nearly 42 million people nationwide.

The mayor’s comprehensive three-part plan to help families that could lose benefits includes:

1. **Securing Funding:** Mayor Woodfin will ask the council on Tuesday to commit $1 million to provide supplemental nutrition assistance for the month of November, aiming to replace at least a portion of lost benefits for Birmingham households affected by the shutdown.

2. **Community Food Drive:** Launching a food drive from Monday, Nov. 3, through Thursday, Nov. 6, at Christian Service Mission, 3600 3rd Ave. South. Drop-off hours will be 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

3. **Connecting Residents to Services:** Coordinating with local partners to serve as an information hub, helping residents access additional wraparound services and assistance programs during this period.

Residents can monitor updates at [birminghamal.gov/bhamready](https://www.birminghamal.gov/bhamready).

“At its core, we all believe the role of the government is simple: to protect and care for its people,” said Council President Wardine Alexander. “When federal leadership cannot ensure these programs are fully funded, it falls on us at the local level to take up that responsibility.”

Tracy Hipps, Executive Director of Christian Service Mission, emphasized community involvement. “The greatest commandment that we can live out is to love our neighbor,” he said. “If you have a neighbor in need, help them. Don’t wait on the city, don’t wait on anybody else—you help them. That’s our responsibility. Live out the gospel every day.”

Individuals and organizations interested in supporting the response effort are encouraged to email **BHAMready@birminghamal.gov**. Messages should include the sender’s name, organization, phone number, and any commitments or questions. City staff will respond promptly.

For more information and updates regarding this initiative, visit [www.birminghamal.gov/bhamready](https://www.birminghamal.gov/bhamready). For up-to-the-minute non-emergency updates, text **BHAMREADY** to **38276**.
https://www.birminghamtimes.com/2025/10/woodfin-birmingham-has-moral-obligation-to-assist-those-who-lose-snap-benefits/

general

Illuminated Abarth Sign at No Reserve

Leave a comment

**Exchange Rates**

You are bidding for this item in USD. This means that if you have the winning bid, you will need to make your payment to the seller in USD. It is your responsibility to check the current conversion rate. Please note that exchange rates may fluctuate between now and the payment due date after the end of the auction.

**Taxation**

If you are the highest bidder, you will also need to pay the seller any applicable taxes or VAT. Your bid may not be inclusive of these amounts. Relevant details are included in the listing, so please ensure you have read and understood this information before placing your bid.

Additionally, if you need to import the vehicle to your country, you may be responsible for any import-related taxes.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/illuminated-abarth-sign-2/

basketball, sports

Lakers Coach Gives Key Austin Reaves Injury Update

Leave a comment

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves is dealing with ankle discomfort but is expected to play Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, coach JJ Redick told reporters after Thursday’s practice.

“I know Austin and I expect him to play,” Redick said, per Lakers insider Jovan Buha. Reaves was a modified participant in the Lakers’ practice after he shone in their season-opening 119-109 loss to the Golden State Warriors.

The Lakers guard put up 26 points on 9-of-16 shooting, along with nine assists and five rebounds, showing his growing confidence and importance to the team’s offense. Despite the ankle discomfort, Reaves has a knack for playing through pain.

In one of their preseason matches against the Warriors, Reaves survived an injury scare after he collided with Golden State guard Brandin Podziemski.

“[Reaves] got kneed in the posterior anterior calf or somewhere around there,” Redick said at the time. “I think he just took a knee to his lower leg muscle. I think he’s fine.”

In the season opener, the Lakers — behind Luka Dončić and Reaves — were competitive despite missing LeBron James, who is still recovering from sciatica, until the third quarter.

### Reaves Addresses Lakers’ Ongoing Third-Quarter Struggles

Even after his strong performance, Reaves expressed frustration with a familiar issue: the Lakers’ inability to maintain intensity after halftime.

“We’ve just been bad in the third quarter,” Reaves said after the loss. “Last couple of years for sure, but I think ever since I’ve been here, we’ve had a problem with the third quarter. So, we’ve got to figure out a way to come out with a little more energy.”

Redick addressed the same concern postgame, challenging his players to take responsibility. Reaves agreed.

“That’s on us players, not the coaches,” Reaves said. “They come in here and give us the answers to the test, and we just didn’t come out and execute. We have to be better.”

The Lakers will have a chance to respond Friday in a playoff rematch against the Timberwolves — the team that eliminated them in five games in last season’s first round.

### Contract Year Adds High Stakes to Reaves’ Season

Reaves, 27, entered the season with more than just on-court motivation. He’s playing the final guaranteed year of his four-year, $54 million contract, which includes a $14.8 million player option for next season — one he is widely expected to decline.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst recently reported there is “a 0.0% chance” Reaves signs an extension and a “99.9% chance” he opts out of his deal next summer.

“Reaves has one of the best value contracts in the NBA,” Windhorst wrote, explaining that current extension rules cap his raise at 140% of his existing salary, or roughly $89 million over four years — far below his expected market value.

The Lakers have full Bird rights on Reaves, meaning they can offer him any salary up to the max to retain him, but competition is looming.

### Reaves Drawing Interest From Multiple Teams

According to The Athletic’s Dan Woike on The Zach Lowe Show podcast, Reaves is already drawing interest from rival teams preparing “lucrative offers” potentially exceeding $40 million per year.

According to ESPN front office insider Bobby Marks, there will be about 10 teams projected to have significant cap space next summer.

“If he has a good year, he could be a fringe All-Star candidate for sure,” Lowe said. “And honestly, the max is not out of the question.”

Woike added that with the expected cap spike, Reaves’ maximum salary offer from another team could start around $42 million per year.

“It’s him and Trae Young — those are the free agents everyone’s watching,” Woike said.

### Rising Star With Higher Stakes Ahead

Reaves’ rise from undrafted rookie to potential nine-figure free agent has made him one of the NBA’s most intriguing stories entering the 2025 season.

His mix of shooting, playmaking, and poise has made him a cornerstone of Redick’s new system and a priority for the Lakers to keep long-term.

For now, Reaves’ focus remains on the floor. Despite the ankle discomfort, he’s expected to suit up Friday, continuing to prove his value on both ends.

If his early-season form continues, Reaves won’t just be one of the Lakers’ most important players — he could be one of the NBA’s most expensive free agents by next summer.
https://heavy.com/sports/nba/los-angeles-lakers/reaves-injury-update-2/

architecture, community, education, local government, schools

Alumni, community fight to preserve Ligon school ahead of $141M renovation: ‘Part of our legacy’

Leave a comment

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Several Ligon alumni are currently fighting to preserve this historically Black school. They say students not only earned diplomas there but also learned trades that helped build up the Capitol City.

Bruce Kennedy attended Ligon 54 years ago. “I left in our senior year during the integration,” he said. The lifelong Raleigh resident was part of the last high school class to attend Ligon before it was integrated and converted into a middle school. Kennedy was then sent to Sanderson High to graduate.

“I hated it,” Kennedy admitted. “I wanted to graduate from there (Ligon) all my life because all my parents, everyone in our family, had graduated from there.”

Now, decades later, the school is facing another major change. Ligon is scheduled for a $141 million renovation. However, there have also been discussions about potentially demolishing the building and rebuilding.

The school’s future sparked a tense exchange at last week’s Wake County School Board meeting. Board Member Toshiba Rice expressed frustration, saying, “It is disrespectful that I don’t know, to be honest. It is disrespectful to the people that I serve,” during the October 14th meeting. She pressed for an update on the renovation plans.

Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor explained that an architect was selected some time ago and that he plans to hold conversations with community members about the next steps for the project.

“We want to do our due diligence to make sure we talk to the public,” said Taylor. “If there is going to be a change or a recommendation, it is my responsibility to make sure I go and talk to them.”

Alumnus Daniel Coleman supports moving forward with the renovation, emphasizing that Ligon represents more than just a school.

“This symbolizes what Wake County is today,” Coleman said. “Everybody came out here. A lot of kids couldn’t get jobs anyplace else. So they were trained. They were plumbers or brick masons. It filled a whole gamut of educational needs for the community.”

For Kennedy, preserving the building is about honoring a legacy.

“It’s part of our legacy,” he said.
https://abc11.com/post/ligon-magnet-school-alumni-fight-preserve-historically-black-raleigh/18045599/

general

Shrapnel hit police vehicle during Marine Corps demonstration at SoCal’s Camp Pendleton: department

Leave a comment

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — Metal shrapnel from explosive ordnance fired during the U.S. Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary celebration at Camp Pendleton on Saturday struck a California Highway Patrol (CHP) vehicle, according to an internal agency report.

The celebration included a military exercise using live artillery fire, which led to intermittent closures of a 17-mile stretch of the 5 Freeway in both directions for about four hours, leaving drivers stranded for extended periods.

Around 1:46 p.m., an explosive ordnance fired over the freeway prematurely detonated overhead from White’s Beach, located roughly three-quarters of a mile south of Las Pulgas Road. The shrapnel from the explosion hit and damaged a CHP patrol vehicle as officers were assisting with the traffic closure. Additionally, shrapnel reportedly struck a CHP motorcycle, although it was not damaged.

“This was an unusual and concerning situation,” said CHP Border Division Chief Tony Coronado. “It is highly uncommon for any live-fire or explosive training activity to occur over an active freeway. As a Marine myself, I have tremendous respect for our military partners, but my foremost responsibility is ensuring the safety of the people of California and the officers who protect them.”

No injuries were reported. CHP officers immediately notified the Marine Corps, which subsequently canceled further fire of ordnance over the freeway.

The CHP has filed an internal report on the incident, recommending an additional after-action review focused on the planning, communication, and coordination between federal, state, and local government agencies involved in the event on Saturday, October 18. The goal is to strengthen protocols for future demonstrations and training exercises near public roadways, according to an official CHP statement.

In response, Governor Gavin Newsom posted on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “We love our Marines and owe a debt of gratitude to Camp Pendleton, but next time, the Vice President and the White House shouldn’t be so reckless with people’s lives for their vanity projects.”

The state was asked on Friday to place signage along the freeway warning, “Overhead fire in progress,” according to a statement from Newsom’s office. Early Saturday morning, the federal government informed the state that live-fire activities were scheduled for Saturday afternoon.

While the Marines indicated they would not need to shut down the freeway during live firing from Navy ships onto land, CHP chose to halt traffic as a precaution. This measure aimed to prevent potential injuries or distractions to drivers caused by the live-fire exercises.

The incident highlights the complexity and risks involved in conducting military demonstrations near active public roadways, underscoring the necessity for improved coordination and safety protocols in future events.
https://abc7news.com/post/shrapnel-hit-chp-vehicle-during-marine-corps-camp-pendleton-live-fire-event-vp-jd-vance-attendance-department-says/18040928/

general

1964 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible L75 327/300 4-Speed

Leave a comment

**Exchange Rates**

You are bidding for this item in USD. This means that if you have the winning bid, you will need to make your payment to the seller in USD. It is your responsibility to check the conversion rate before placing your bid.

Please note that exchange rates may fluctuate between now and the payment due date, which is after the end of the auction. Be sure to take any potential changes into account.

—

**Taxation**

If you are the highest bidder, you will also need to pay the seller any applicable taxes or VAT. Your bid amount may not include these additional charges.

All relevant tax details are included in the listing, so please ensure you have read and understood this information before placing your bid.

Additionally, if you need to import the vehicle into your country, you may be responsible for any import-related taxes or fees.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1964-chevrolet-corvette-305/

general

2006 Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet 6-Speed

Leave a comment

**Exchange Rates**

You are bidding for this item in USD. This means that if you have the winning bid, you will need to make your payment to the seller in USD. It is your responsibility to check the conversion rate before placing your bid. Please note that exchange rates may fluctuate between now and the due date of your payment after the end of the auction.

**Taxation**

If you are the highest bidder, you will also need to pay the seller any applicable taxes or VAT. Your bid may not be inclusive of these amounts. Relevant details regarding taxes are included in the listing, so please ensure you have read and understood this information before placing your bid.

Additionally, if you need to import the vehicle to your country, you may be responsible for any import-related taxes. Be sure to factor these potential costs into your total purchase amount.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2006-porsche-911-carrera-s-cabriolet-118/

general

Channel Surfing Nostalgia Machine

Leave a comment

As any generation grows older, they tend to look back fondly on their formative years—times filled with less responsibility and more wonder. Even when things have objectively improved, there is often a nostalgic fondness for the past. This sentiment is especially true when it comes to cable television. Despite the constant presence of ads and the lack of on-demand content, many feel that something was lost in the transition to today’s modern streaming ecosystem.

[Ricardo] has captured the best parts of this golden era of cable TV with a small channel-surfing television project. His creation aims to preserve the enjoyable aspects of traditional cable while leaving behind elements we no longer miss. For example, the familiar experience of channel surfing is retained through the use of a rotary encoder that mimics the antique television channel selector knob.

However, dealing with any telecommunications company—even internet providers—is completely avoided. Instead, this is a fully offline device, allowing users to curate their own channels and programming through a Flask application. [Ricardo]’s build even includes his personal collection of commercials from Argentina, adding an authentic touch to the experience.

This project is a wonderful reminder of the simpler, more tactile era of television, blending nostalgia with modern DIY innovation.
https://hackaday.com/2025/10/17/channel-surfing-nostalgia-machine/

general

1957 Volkswagen Beetle Deluxe

Leave a comment

**Exchange Rates**
You are bidding for this item in USD. This means that if you have the winning bid, you will need to make your payment to the seller in USD. It is your responsibility to check the conversion rate, as exchange rates may fluctuate between now and the due date of your payment after the end of the auction.

**Taxation**
If you are the highest bidder, you will also need to pay the seller any applicable taxes or VAT. Your bid may not include these amounts. Relevant details are included in the listing, so please ensure you have read and understood this information before placing your bid.

Please note, if you need to import the vehicle to your country, you may be responsible for import-related taxes.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1957-volkswagen-beetle-73/