Latest news with #RickTaylor
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Are you from California?' Political advisor said he was detained at airport after confirming he's from L.A.
Veteran Los Angeles political consultant Rick Taylor said he was pulled aside by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents while returning from a trip abroad, asked if he was from California and then separated from his family and put in a holding room with several Latino travelers for nearly an hour. 'I know how the system works and have pretty good connections and I was still freaking out,' said Taylor, 71. 'I could only imagine how I would be feeling if I didn't understand the language and I didn't know anyone.' Taylor said he was at a loss to explain why he was singled out for extra questioning, but he speculated that perhaps it was because of the Obama-Biden T-shirt packed in his suitcase. Taylor was returning from a weeklong vacation in Turks and Caicos with his wife and daughter, who were in a separate customs line, when a CBP agent asked, "Are you from California?" He said he answered, 'Yeah, I live in Los Angeles.' The man who ran campaigns for L.A.'s last Republican mayor and for current Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla when he was a budding Los Angeles City Council candidate in the 1990s found himself escorted to a waiting room and separated from his family. There, Taylor said he waited 45 minutes without being released, alleging he was unjustly marked for detention and intimidated by CBP agents. 'I have no idea why I was targeted,' said Taylor, a consultant with the campaign to reelect L.A. City Councilwoman Traci Park. 'They don't talk to you. They don't give you a reason. You're just left confused, angry and worried.' The story was first reported by Westside Current. Read more: Most nabbed in L.A. raids were men with no criminal conviction, picked up off the street Former Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky said the incident brought to mind Sen. Alex Padilla, who was arrested and handcuffed June 12 while trying to ask a question during a Los Angeles press conference by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. 'My former chief of staff and political consultant, Rick Taylor, was detained at Miami International Airport by federal authorities after returning from an international vacation,' he said in an email. 'As Senator Alex Padilla said a couple of weeks ago, 'if it could happen to me, it could happen to anyone.' This Federal government operation is OUT OF CONTROL! Where will it end?!' A representative from the Customs and Border Protection in Florida said an inquiry made by the Los Angeles Times and received late Friday afternoon will likely be answered next week. 'If Mr. Taylor feels the need to, he is more than welcome to file a complaint online on our website and someone will reach out to him to try and get to the bottom of things,' CBP Public Affairs Specialist Alan Regalado said in an email. Taylor, a partner at Dakota Communications, a strategic communications and marketing firm, said he was more concerned about traveling and returning to the U.S. with his wife, a U.S. citizen and native of Vietnam. He said he reached out to a Trump administration member before leaving on vacation, asking if he could contact that individual in case his wife was detained. Read more: ICE arrests at L.A. courthouse met with alarm: 'Absolutely blindsided' The family flew American Airlines and landed in Miami on June 20, where he planned to visit friends before returning to Los Angeles on Tuesday. In a twist, Taylor's wife and daughter, both Global Entry cardholders, breezed through security while Taylor, who does not have Global Entry, was detained, he said. He said after the agent confirmed he was a Los Angeles resident, he placed a small orange tag on his passport and was told to follow a green line. That led him to another agent and his eventual holding room. Taylor described '95% of the population' inside the room as Latino and largely Spanish-speaking. 'I was one of three white dudes in the room,' he said. 'I just kept wondering, 'What I am doing here?'' Read more: ICE seizes 6-year-old with cancer outside L.A. court. His mom is fighting for his release He said the lack of communication was 'very intimidating,' though he was allowed to keep his phone and did send text message updates to his family. 'I have traveled a fair amount internationally and have never been pulled aside,' he said. About 45 minutes into his holding, Taylor said an agent asked him to collect his luggage and hand it over for inspection. He said he was released shortly after. 'The agents have succeeded in making me reassess travel,' Taylor said. 'I would tell others to really think twice about traveling internationally while you have this administration in charge.' Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Serengeti Springs at Hattiesburg Zoo offers new amenities
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WHLT) – Serengeti Springs at the Hattiesburg Zoo is gearing up for its second season. The water park is set to reopen on Memorial Day Weekend. This year, the park is focusing on expansion to better accommodate growing crowds. New cabanas and upgraded VIP premium cabanas are being added, offering guests more shade and comfort. Experience Twilight Nights at Hattiesburg Zoo this summer To keep families entertained during storms, the park will now offer indoor games and activities for kids. The park will also host several family and teen nights throughout the season. 'Our goal this year is to try to avoid turning anybody away,' said Rick Taylor, executive director of the Hattiesburg Convention Commission. Day passes will cost $23 to $35. Season passes are also on sale for $139. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hattiesburg Zoo marks 75 years with year-long wildlife festivities
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WHLT) – The Hattiesburg Zoo will kick off its 75th anniversary on Saturday, April 26. The year-long celebration will include a full slate of activities. The Kamper Park Zoo opened on Easter Sunday in 1950. Throughout the past 75 years, the zoo has experienced a vast array of milestones and transformations during that time, including its name. Hattiesburg Zoo launches youth volunteer program 'The arrival of this 75-year milestone is truly special for the Hattiesburg Zoo,' said Rick Taylor, executive director of the Hattiesburg Convention Commission. 'We are very proud of what the Hattiesburg Zoo has become and how we have been able to grow it into one of the Southeast's premier family attractions. The Hattiesburg Zoo provides guests opportunities to explore the wild, and embrace the wonder in this extraordinary place.' 9:45 a.m. Unveiling of the timeline highlighting moments in the Zoo's 75 years of operation. Unveiling of the 75th Anniversary Zoo stories and photos webpage Viewing of the Hattiesburg Zoo's EXPLORE THE WILD, EMBRACE THE WONDER! 75th Anniversary Commercial Presentation of a very special guest. Cutting of the ribbon for the new Flamingo Habitat 10:30 a.m. Birthday Cake Enrichment for Colobus Monkey, Mojo (Africa) 11:00 a.m. Giraffe Feeding (tickets for purchase, available on first-come, first served basis at Zawadi Market under the Giraffe Pavilion) 12:00 p.m. Birthday Cake Enrichment for Hyena, Pili (Africa) 1:00 p.m. Mini Birthday Cupcakes at the front of the Asbury Discovery Center (500 available) 1:30 p.m. Singing of the Happy Birthday song, Ribbon Cutting at Tiger Training and Tiger Training Demonstration 2:00 p.m. Birthday Cake Enrichment for Giraffe, Alberta (Bertie) All Day Face Painters – Lakeview Pavilion Splash Pad Party with the addition of large animal printed beach balls Roaming Animal Experiences (throughout the zoo) Create your own Birthday Hat at Flamingo Pavilion Birthday cake flavored Snow Cones (available for purchase) 75th Anniversary photo props at the new Hattiesburg Zoo photo-op sign (In front of the Splash Pad) Jump Houses Ropes Course Adventure Mining Exhibit Bug Hub Playground Earth Day Activities (All Day) Seed bombs – (Prairie Dog Plaza) Guests will combine MS Milkweed with a combination of soil and clay to take home and plant. Seed bombs are a great way to casually plant seed in the fall or early spring. Milkweed seed is a low-maintenance perennial that is a 'must-have' for any pollinator garden. Educational Carts located around the zoo will have opportunities for guests to learn about various facets of science related to animals at the zoo. Crosby Arboretum Staff (Prairie Dog Plaza) – native plants Hattiesburg Zoo adds new residents: A skunk and a kinkajou Second Saturday Celebrations will take place on the following dates with a different theme each month: 2025 May 10 – Zoo Tunes June 14 – Wild Wonders Scavenger Hunt July 12 – Christmas in July August 9 – Wildlife Dance Party September 13 – Wellness in the Wild October 11 – Into the Wild Costume Parade and Contest November 8 – Kookaburra Karaoke and Zoo Idol December 13 – Lights of the Wild with Saint Nicholas 2026 January 10 – Wild Wisdom Trivia & Bingo Bongo February 14 – Love in the Wild March 14 – Animal Art Extravaganza April 11 – Birthday Blowout! Hattiesburg Zoo will become cashless venue, increase admission prices The Hattiesburg Zoo's 75th Anniversary Kick Off and Second Saturday Celebrations are regular zoo admission prices, and annual passes do apply. Guests are encouraged to purchase online tickets in advance. Online ticket sales end at 9:00 a.m. for same-day entry. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
