Latest news with #AVoicefortheVoiceless
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Three deceased campers identified as death toll rises after devastating Texas flood
Three young girls were found dead after a devastating flood swept through Camp Mystic, an all-girls private Christian camp in Hunt, Texas. Anne Hunt confirmed to Fox News Digital that her daughter, Janie, was one of the campers killed in the flood. Additionally, A Voice for the Voiceless, a nonprofit that advocates for "the missing, voiceless and crime victims," identified Renee Smajstrla as the other deceased camper. A third camper has been confirmed to be deceased, however her family has asked that her name not be released. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said on Friday night that between 23 and 25 campers were missing. There were 750 attendees at the camp when the flood hit. On Saturday, Kerr County announced the flood killed 27 people, 18 of whom were adults and 9 were children. Texas Department Of Public Safety Closes Capitol Grounds Following 'Credible Threat' To Lawmakers Read On The Fox News App Families have lined up at reunification centers hoping to see their loved ones. According to the Kerr County Sheriff's Office, Ingram Elementary School in Ingram, Texas, and The Arcadia Live Theater in Kerrville, Texas, are being used as reunification centers. Camp Mystic, which had approximately 750 attendees, reportedly told parents that if they had not been contacted directly it meant that their child was accounted for. Ellen Toranzo told Fox News Digital that her daughter, Greta Toranzo, is one of the campers who went missing during the flood. Carrie Hanna also confirmed to Fox News Digital that her daughter, Hadley, is unaccounted for. Texas Driver Catches Dramatic Partial Overpass Collapse On Video Elinor Lester, 13, told the Associated Press she was evacuated with her cabinmates by helicopter after wading through floodwaters. Lester also said that the "camp was completely destroyed" in the disastrous flood. The outlet noted that Lester was housed on higher ground at the camp, known as Senior Hill. Younger campers, who can begin attending at age 8, are housed along the riverbanks and were the first to flood, according to the Associated Press. The National Guard was deployed in Texas to respond after heavy rain on Friday morning caused the Guadalupe River to rise nearly 30 feet in 45 minutes. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem later said that members of the U.S. Coast Guard were deployed to assist in evacuations. Helicopters and military vehicles were used for evacuations. As of Friday night, 237 people had been evacuated, including 167 by helicopter. Texas deployed more than 1,000 state responders and over 800 vehicles and equipment assets, according to Gov. Greg Abbott's office. The governor also declared an emergency for 15 counties, and his office said that more could be added to the list. "This is a time when we, as a state, need God more than ever," Abbott said in a statement. "The one thing I hear the most are the prayers that are being sent for those who are in harm's way." President Donald Trump told reporters on Friday that the floods were "shocking" and "a terrible thing." He also said the state would receive federal aid and that his administration was working with Abbott. "Our nation's heart breaks for the victims in Texas and their families. Just an incomprehensible tragedy," Vice President JD Vance wrote on X. "I hope everyone affected knows they're in the prayers of my family, and of millions of Americans." The vice president, a devout Catholic, also included the Eternal Rest Prayer in his post. The Kerr County Sheriff's Office is encouraging those with missing loved ones to call the Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767 for information. Fox News Digital's Landon Mion contributed to this article source: Three deceased campers identified as death toll rises after devastating Texas flood
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Yahoo
‘It's been hard to sleep': Family speaks on missing St. Pete teen as search goes statewide
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — A Florida Missing Child Alert has been issued for Allister Nasr as St. Petersburg police continue to search for the 17-year-old who was last seen near 62nd Avenue North. On Friday, Allister's family was knocking on doors and handing out flyers near where police said they found Allister's bike on Wednesday. 'They were a blessing': Good Samaritans rescue 2 children from Tampa house fire 'It definitely gives us the promise that he would be alive,' said Avicenne Nasr, Allister's brother. 'It's been hard to sleep for all of us. My dad is still sleeping downstairs waiting for Allister to hopefully return home.' Police said Allister was last seen on March 1 leaving his home near Bayou Grande Boulevard Northeast. He was carrying a black backpack that police said he later dropped off at a school nearby and switched to a red backpack. The founder of A Voice for the Voiceless, an organization spreading awareness of those who are missing, spoke about this detail in the case. 'Even if someone switches a backpack or does something like that, we don't know where they're going to and we don't know what's calling them to that place,' said Whitney Sich, the founder. On Friday, the family said police told them Allister was seen an hour later on surveillance at the Weedon Island guard gate. He was still wearing the red backpack and walking the bike. Avicenne described the note Allister left, saying it described an internal struggle. It made law enforcement consider Allister to be endangered and worried for his personal safety. 'Definitely with senior year, I believe that he, with the anticipation of going to college, waiting on those acceptance letters definitely stressed him out a lot,' Avicenne said. 'The note was overall very concerning. When I read it, I was a bit shaken. It was extremely in his mind.' Sich asks that everyone remain vigilant and keep an eye out for Allister. 'Obviously Allister needs help. He needs somebody to be there for him or help find him. I think that we all still need to be concerned and looking for him,' Sich said. The family wants to send a message to Allister saying they love and miss him. They are also asking people to check their dashcams and call St. Pete police if they find anything. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Dalai Lama offers his vision for Tibetan people after his death
Faith is an integral part of millions of Americans' daily lives. 'One Nation Under God' is committed to reflecting America's voices, values and communities covering stories of faith and religion, from the latest headlines to stories of hope. Subscribe here. (NewsNation) — In a new book, the Dalai Lama, Tibet's spiritual leader, is offering the first account of his tense negotiations with China's leaders and his efforts to preserve Tibet's culture, religion and language under Chinese rule. In 'A Voice for the Voiceless,' set to come out on March 11, reveals his 'framework for the future of Tibet.' Decline in Christianity among US adults slowing: Study 'The Tibetan people's right to govern their homeland cannot be indefinitely denied, nor can their aspiration for freedom be suppressed forever,' he writes. The Buddhist leader, 89, has lived in exile in India since the Chinese army's deadly crackdown on Tibetans in 1959. Today, China controls Tibet and is accused by human rights groups of grave human rights abuses in the country, including torture, cultural genocide and religious repressions. Now, almost 75 years after China's invasion, the Dalai Lama is reminding the world about Tibet's struggle for freedom. 'My hope is that this book … provides a framework for the future of Tibet after my death,' he writes. Dalai Lama's elder brother, who led rounds of talks with China, dies at 97 In 2011, the Dalai Lama stepped down as the political leader of Tibet's government in exile, which Beijing does not recognize. Official talks between China and the Dalai Lama's representatives have been frozen. As the spiritual leader ages, questions over his successor become more urgent. China insists that it will choose his successor, while the Dalai Lama says he will clarify the issue around the time of his 90th birthday in July. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
