ORLANDO, Fla. – A riveting musical event is set to captivate audiences for a limited four-day run. This dramatic production features a stellar cast with national and regional tours to their credit, alongside Orlando’s creative talent and promising newcomers in musical theatre.
Under the direction of Broadway veteran Michael Jablonski, now a faculty member at UCF’s musical theatre program, the show delves into themes of family, mental health, grief, and the journey toward healing.
This acclaimed rock musical, honored with both a Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize, explores the trials faced by Diana Goodman and her family as they navigate the complexities of bipolar disorder while striving for equilibrium after experiencing loss.
Celebrated for its candid portrayal of resilience and the enduring effects of mental illness, the production marries its poignant narrative with an electrifying contemporary rock score crafted by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey.
Adding to the show’s appeal, it provides Resident Artist interns, who are pursuing their BFAs in musical theatre, with the invaluable experience of working alongside industry professionals.
Lyndi Floyd-Sweet is one of those interns. She plays Natalie in the show. She said she has learned so much through the program.
“Alongside being in Next to Normal, the interns assist and lead week-long youth theatre arts programs. Inspiring young artists is so rewarding,” said Floyd-Sweet.
“Going from Camp all day into rehearsal has not been easy, but the Interns have built such a special friendship. We all are incredibly supportive of each other, especially through the hard days.”
One of the professionals Floyd-Sweet is working with is Broadway’s Kim Sava.
“What makes this opportunity really special to me is getting to work with college-age students who are seriously considering doing this with their lives. This profession is so tough, and if I can give them any advice, encouragement, or help them in any way as they’re starting out, I absolutely will. I honestly wish we had a program like this when I was in college,” said Sava.
Most recently, she performed with the original Broadway cast of “Beetlejuice the Musical.” Before that, she toured with the cast of “Matilda the Musical.” In “Next to Normal,” Sava plays Diana.
“As an actor, this role has also pushed me in a way I haven’t experienced before. I’ve never played someone this vulnerable, and Diana asks you to go to some really raw places. It’s scary at times, but that’s also what makes it exciting. Those are the kinds of roles that remind me why I love doing this,” said Sava.
The program has become a launching pad for successful careers with performers starring in shows like “Hamilton,” “SIX,” “Kimberly Akimbo,” and “Lost Boys.”
“Next to Normal” runs August 6–9 in the Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater at Dr. Phillips Center.
The show has an age restriction of 13 and up.
Rush tickets are also available for students, teachers, first responders, and veterans. The limit is 2 per person with a valid ID, $25 per ticket. Click here for details.
Driver Mistakes Pedestrian for Bird, Leaving Teen Fatally Hit
Inset (left): Cynthia Martin (Itasca County Sheriff’s Office). Inset (right): Carter Haithcock (Rowe Funeral Home and Crematory). Background: Highway 169 in Mountain Iron, Minn. (Google Maps).
In a tragic turn of events in Minnesota, a 66-year-old woman struck and killed a 19-year-old man who, after a disagreement with his ex-girlfriend, found himself walking alone down the street.
Cynthia Martin has admitted to her role in the hit-and-run incident that led to the death of Carter Haithcock. Court documents, reviewed by Law & Crime, detail that on the evening of July 3, 2024, Haithcock was making his way along Highway 169. This followed a tense argument with a past romantic partner during a street dance in Nashwauk, Minnesota.
Coincidentally, Martin was dining with acquaintances at the Sawmill Saloon in Mountain Iron, Minnesota, on that same evening. After enjoying a meal, she headed back home along the very road where the incident took place.
Eyewitnesses confirm Haithcock’s presence at the Nashwauk street dance. Around 10:50 p.m., tensions flared during a confrontation with his former partner. Opting to leave on foot, Haithcock informed friends of his decision to head home. Throughout his walk, he made “numerous calls” to the woman involved in the disagreement, with the final call occurring at 11:15 p.m.
After pleading guilty on May 20, Martin was sentenced on Monday to 365 days in jail and five years of supervised probation. On July 3 of each year of probation, she will have to report to jail and spend all of July 4 behind bars before being released on the morning of July 5. Martin, the former chair of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party for Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District, will also have to complete 100 hours of community service.
The post Woman who plowed into 19-year-old pedestrian thought she hit ‘an owl or a turkey’ so she left the teen to die first appeared on Law & Crime.
The Challenge’ Delivers Drama-Fueled New Season with Sparks and Scandals Abounding
The Challenge: Cutthroat is set to deliver an electrifying mix of drama, fierce competition, and perhaps a few sizzling romances.
“Here’s a little insight for you. I’d have guessed that our Love Island alumni would ace the art of showmances, but they kind of let the ball drop, so we stepped up,” Johnny Bananas revealed to Us Weekly on Monday, August 3, while discussing the season’s spicy dynamics. “Let’s say some—or possibly one—enthusiastic veteran had to show them the ropes of Challenge romances. Big shoutout to Josh Goldstein, and Leo [Dionicio]!”
In the recently released official trailer for season 42, viewers are already buzzing with theories about potential romantic entanglements when a contestant is heard questioning, “Are we on Love Island or are we on The Challenge?”
Though fans will need to tune in to uncover who mixes romance with rivalry, Michele Fitzgerald hinted some of the cast were definitely open to the possibility.
If it were up to Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio, he’d remain a staple of The Challenge for as long as possible. “I have a deep love for The Challenge. Competing and pushing myself to the limit is in my blood,” shared Devenanzio, 43, in an exclusive chat with Us Weekly before the premiere of MTV’s The Challenge: Vets and New Threats on Wednesday, July 30. “Though sometimes, it just gets harder to…”
“I feel like all the new blood came in with little tiny bikinis and a want to wear them, so it was a matter of time before there would be a Love Island aspect,” she teased, revealing there was no shortage of temptation for some stars. “I think there were a lot of hot people willing to hang out with a lot of hot people. I think you’re gonna see a lot of hookups and no face tattoos this time for me, so that’s a win.”
Before falling in love with The Challenge star Devin Walker, Michele, 36, had a brief romantic showmance with Emanuel Neagu during The Challenge: Spies, Lies & Allies in 2021.
Former Love Island contestant Deb Chubb joked that she “fell in love with herself” while filming this season. At the same time, she wasn’t surprised to see some sparks fly in the group.
“When you’re in a villa with a lot of hot people, you kind of get Stockholm syndrome,” she explained. “You’re obviously gonna fall in love with someone.”
Johnny, 44, added, “I will say this was a very horny cast.”
Romance aside, this new season — streaming on Paramount+ — promises to bring plenty of twists and turns to the cast.
Twenty-four contestants will live in a beautiful Thailand villa and be divided into three teams chosen by three captains. The teams are permanent and the only way to take home a share of the $500,000 cash prize in the end is to cross the finish line together as a unit.
From Survivor to The Challenge, Michele Fitzgerald and Devin Walker found love. Fitzgerald, 34, confirmed the new couple’s romance during a Thursday, June 6, Instagram Story Q&A after getting asked about their status multiple times. “LOL FINEEEE to answer ALL of your questions, that’s my boyfriend,” she wrote, sharing a kissing photo with Walker, 35. […]
Strategy and performance are pushed to the limit in this merciless season hosted by TJ Lavin.
“I think in the past, it’s very regimented, like challenge, elimination, interview, challenge, elimination. This was so much more open,” Tori Deal told Us. “There was room to have fun. They wanted us to get along and to vibe. And actually, I feel like I had more fun this season than I’ve had since. Also, the team dynamic was helpful because it felt like you had a built-in group, obviously. I think there should be more fun — depending on how it’s edited.”
Watch all the fun unfold when Season 42 of MTV’s The Challenge: Cutthroat premieres on Paramount+ Wednesday, August 5. The season will premiere with two episodes, with each episode dropping weekly thereafter.
Martha Stewart Critiques Meghan Markle’s Newest Venture as a Homemaking Expert
Martha Stewart has opened up about Meghan Markle’s foray into the culinary realm, following her diverse career as both an actress and royalty.
“Recently, I had the chance to dine with Meghan Markle. We found ourselves seated at the same table during a dinner party in California,” Stewart shared with People. “She had just returned from a trip to the UK, where she visited the palace with Prince Harry and their children.”
Though Stewart admitted they didn’t converse extensively, she mentioned, “Our exchange was brief, just a few words—yet I knew cooking was a topic she touched upon.”
The 85-year-old cookbook author was queried about her thoughts on Markle venturing into her domain with the launch of her cooking show, “With Love, Meghan.”
Stewart remarked, “Transitioning from an actress to a princess, and then transforming again into a homemaking expert on television is undoubtedly challenging.”
“It doesn’t sort of follow. So go from there,” she added.
After Markle, 45, and the Duke of Sussex, 41, quit the royal family in 2020 and moved to the United States, they became involved in various projects.
Last April, the former “Suits” actress launched the lifestyle, cooking and hosting brand As Ever — just weeks after her lifestyle series, “With Love, Meghan,” premiered on Netflix.
Stewart was one of several people who appeared to take a dig at Markle’s new endeavors.
In July 2025, the “Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party” alum said she hopes the mom of two “knows what she’s talking about.”
“Authenticity, to me, is everything, and to be authentic and knowledgeable about your subject matter is extremely important,” Stewart told Yahoo Lifestyle at the time.
Stewart claimed she didn’t “mind” the idea of having successors and wished them all “good luck.”
Lions Running Back Faces Unexpected Injury During Training Camp Session
Lions running back Sione Vaki found himself in an unusual predicament this week as a bizarre injury sidelined him during training camp.
Dan Campbell, the team’s head coach, shared with the media on Tuesday that the third-year player suffered a broken nose and an eye injury after an unexpected accident during Monday’s practice, which will keep him off the field for a while.
“We’re optimistic about his recovery; his vision should return to normal soon,” Campbell assured. “He won’t be participating today, as we want him to rest and recuperate. We believe he’ll be fine, but he needs some time to heal right now.”
Campbell described the incident as “one of those rare occurrences,” noting the surprise of a hand managing to bypass the facemask. “It was truly unbelievable,” he added.
In his first two years, Vaki primarily contributed to special teams, but for his third season, he aims to prove himself as a valuable asset to the offensive lineup.
With Jahmyr Gibbs holding out for a new contract and not practicing, Vaki was seeing some first-team reps alongside Isiah Pacheco.
The Lions signed veteran running back Raheem Blackshear on Tuesday.
They also had three other running backs in for a tryout, the most prominent of which was former first-rounder Clyde Edwards-Helaire, alongside Hassan Haskins and Kylin James.
Pacheco, Jacob Saylors, Jabari Small, and Kye Robichaux are the other running backs at practice.
Pacheco had been the starter in camp with Gibbs not practicing, and Campbell mentioned Saylors and Small when discussing who could take on more reps and potentially earn a role in camp in the absence of Vaki.
Vaki, 25, was drafted by the Lions 132nd overall in the fourth round of the 2024 draft after two seasons at Utah.
Understanding the Complex Legacy of Perez Hilton: Influence and Controversy Unveiled
Perez Hilton, the once-dominant celebrity blogger, has ignited waves of concern across social media after a TikTok livestream seemingly showed him in distress and engaging in self-harm.
The 48-year-old was swiftly transported to a Miami hospital on Tuesday night, following an influx of urgent calls from worried fans who witnessed the alarming footage. According to the Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office, these viewers immediately reached out to the authorities, as reported by the Daily Mail.
While the Daily Mail has chosen not to release the disturbing clips, screenshots from the video suggest Hilton was visible in a dire state, appearing with blood stains and holding a knife.
This incident marks a sorrowful downturn for Hilton, who earlier this year committed to personal growth, aiming to revamp his contentious public persona after a period of introspection and a newfound spiritual awakening.
Back in March, Hilton disclosed a close brush with death due to a severe sepsis episode. He claimed that the medical scare was triggered by consuming flu medication without food, which unleashed a series of health complications.
He revealed that God presented himself to him during his near-death experience, exclusively telling the Daily Mail at the time that it had inspired him to reflect on his ‘very public mistakes’ that had brought him ‘great shame’.
Perez Hilton’s complicated legacy explained as fans fear for his health and wellbeing after he was hospitalised following a distressing knife livestream on TikTok
Hilton, real name Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr. made his name in the Noughties, starting a gossip blog under his professional title, Perez Hilton
Indeed a quick Google search of Hilton and the negative stories far outweigh the positives.
Hilton, real name Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr. made his name in the Noughties, starting a gossip blog under his professional title, Perez Hilton.
His site quickly became the go-to for all sources of celebrity gossip – yet in his pursuit to publish exclusives and sensational stories – Hilton confessed that he didn’t care who he hurt.
While he is credited with being a pioneer in the age of blogging, he polarised celebrities and readers, with Mila Kunis famously calling him the ‘first person that created ugly news, that literally just spread filth’.
She added: ‘It was just mean, and so it allowed people to be mean,’ saying, ‘the whole concept of trolling really didn’t exist’ prior to his blog.
Hilton – who is said to have a net worth of $20million as a result of his blog – rejected this charge, saying in response: ‘Did Mila Kunis never read Us Weekly or National Enquirer or Star magazine?
‘All of those existed before I ever did, and they did the exact same thing. Maybe I was the first to do it online, and therefore, I’m a pioneer!’
However, it soon became apparent that he had favourites and vendettas in celebrity circles.
Paris Hilton, who is said to have inspired his name, for example, never featured negatively on his site.
Meanwhile, it was open season for Britney Spears during her 2007 breakdown, with Hilton cashing in on merchandise mocking the mentally unwell star.
He famously branded the singer an ‘unfit mother’ and in the wake of Heath Ledger’s accidental overdose he sold T-shirts with Ledger’s face on and the words: ‘Why couldn’t it have been Britney?’
Hilton later apologised for his actions in the wake of the #FreeBritney movement, saying on GMB: ‘I regret a lot or most of what I said about Britney as I’m sure Piers [Morgan] would if he were here about things he’s said in the past.’
The blogger also claimed that he has grown over the years, adding: ‘Thankfully, hopefully, many of us get older and wiser.’
It soon became apparent that he had favourites and vendettas in celebrity circles. Paris Hilton, who is said to have inspired his name, for example, never featured negatively on his site (pictured with Paris and Lil’ Kim in 2006)
Hilton, who is openly gay, also received backlash for outing stars he claimed were closeted homosexuals.
When NSYNC member Lance Bass came out as gay in 2006 he claimed Hilton had ‘bullied’ him into the confession.
Bass told the Ricki Lake show in 2013 that he was frightened to come out in the Nineties because he feared it would have ‘completely ruined’ his boyband.
He explained: ‘Two years before I came out I was really bullied on the internet by bloggers, that’s when Perez Hilton just started and was just really malicious against me.
‘So, because of the bloggers like him hounding me, all the other magazines started calling me and saying, “Look, we know you’re gay, you can write the story with or without us, but we have to write it.”
‘I decided to go with People [magazine] and I think they did a great job. I had 24 hours to decide if I was going to come out or not, and within 24 hours it was on the stands.’
Hilton also stated that Matt Bomer, Neil Patrick Harris, Clay Aiken and Wentworth Miller were gay before they came out publicly.
Defending himself at the time, Hilton told Access Hollywood: ‘It upsets me that people think what I’m doing is a bad thing. I don’t think it’s a bad thing.
‘If you know something to be a fact, why not report it? Why is that still taboo?’
Hilton added that coming out in Hollywood is not necessarily a bad thing, citing Ellen DeGeneres and Rosie O’Donnell as examples, and continuing: ‘I know there is some controversy about outing people, but I also believe the only way we are gonna have change is with visibility.
‘And if I have to drag some people screaming out of the closet, then I will. I think that lots of celebrities have an archaic fear that being gay will hurt their career but look at Rosie. Look at Ellen.’
Yet Hilton had a change of heart in recent years, writing in his 2020 memoir, TMI: My Life in Scandal, that he regretted his actions.
‘I regret that I thought it was OK to out celebrities,’ Hilton wrote. ‘That is something I no longer believe.’
He explained that it was the backlash to his 2010 involvement in an LGBT campaign, It Gets Better, that enabled him to see the error of his ways.
‘The response I got truly shook me to my core,’ he told the BBC. ‘Almost every comment said, “You’re a hypocrite, you’re a bully, you’re part of the problem.”
‘I knew a lot of people didn’t like me before then, but I was living in my own little bubble.’
Hilton also received backlash for outing stars he claimed were closeted. When NSYNC’s Lance Bass (pictured) came out as gay in 2006 he claimed Hilton had ‘bullied’ him into the confession
Hilton also revealed that his ‘cruel’ stories came from a place of his own insecurities.
He explained: ‘I’d never put much thought into writing an autobiography before, because while I have this public persona of being extremely confident, I also am extremely filled with self-doubt, worry and insecurity.’
In his book, he reflected on his two-decade long career, penning: ‘I have a ton of regrets, particularly because I now see that I never needed to be so mean or cruel.
‘One of the many things I regret is that I hurt so many people by giving them nasty nicknames, and above all that I was unkind to the children of celebrities…
‘I reached a point in my private life where I started having these thoughts about changing. But I was paralysed by fear, that I would lose everything that I had worked very hard to achieve up until that point.
‘Over the last 10 years, it’s been this ongoing process of making constant changes, finding out what the line is, and making mistakes along the way. I’m not perfect, I’ve had slip-ups, even in the last 10 years.’
According to data by Celebrity Net Worth, Hilton was reportedly offered $50 million to sell the website during the absolute peak of its web traffic in the late 2000s, which he declined.
The site is still running and is a popular source of celebrity gossip to this day.
While Hilton was on a path of righting his wrongs he suffered a setback in March this year when he was hospitalised with sepsis.
Hilton – who is father to son Mario, 13, and daughters Mia, 11, and Mayte, eight, via surrogacy – also had to go under the knife after doctors discovered a dangerous blood clot in his leg.
After an ultrasound, it was revealed Hilton had a deep vein thrombosis, with the star saying: ‘I am so thankful to God that we caught this early because if that blood clot had gone to my lungs or my heart, it could have been real bad.’
Hilton had shared his past health crisis on social media, saying: ‘My stupidity landed me in the hospital for 21 days. It was the worst and best thing that’s ever happened to me.’
He was taken to the hospital after an ulcer left him unable to walk.
In March, Hilton nearly died after battling sepsis and told the Daily Mail at the time that it had inspired him to reflect on his ‘very public mistakes’ that had brought him ‘great shame’
The star said he had the flu for a week and took his medication but did not take the medication with food.
‘Because I have been taking all of this medication without food for a week, I developed an ulcer then a perforation and then Sepsis. People die of Sepsis.’
After he was discharged from hospital, Hilton laid bare his ‘very profound, very real experience’ of divine intervention during his hospitalisation.
He told the Daily Mail: ‘It was God presenting Himself to me, and then doing something that I could only describe as a miracle to heal me… I was still unwell, and then God did something.’
Hilton added that his professed exchange with the Almighty allowed him to change his mindset about his rollercoaster 22-year career.
He explained: ‘To have this experience with God and to know that God loves me, and God forgives me, it was very healing, because I then forgave myself.’
Hilton added that he still harbored guilt over ‘all of the mistakes – not even mistakes, they were awful decisions that I made’ in his ‘enfant terrible phase’ as a celebrity blogger, when he ‘knew what I was doing was wrong and I didn’t care’.
‘It’s like if you’re a drug addict, and you’re stealing from your parents’ money to buy drugs,’ he said.
‘You know what you’re doing is wrong, and you don’t care. You just want that hit. And that was truly what I was doing.’
For Hilton, the ‘most powerful drug’ was the ‘attention’ he garnered as an online gadfly,’ as he confessed, ‘I didn’t care who I hurt in the process’.
Yet he said now he intends to lead a ‘smaller, quieter, happier life’.
As a result, he no longer bothers to respond to ‘nasty comments’ on social media, opting instead to instantly block the people who post them.
‘Prior to my hospitalization, I used to think all attention was good attention,’ he said. ‘And while I acknowledge that that is still the case for a lot of people – like the Kardashians! – I am more interested in protecting my peace.’
Hilton – who is father to son Mario, 13, and daughters Mia, 11, and Mayte, eight, via surrogacy – vowed to lead a ‘smaller, quieter, happier life’ following his near-death experience
While Hilton had vowed to live a ‘quieter and happier’ life, he tragically made headlines again this week after his distressing knife livestream saw him rushed to hospital.
Hilton was alone at his home at the time the video was filmed, deputies have said.
The video has been taken down and Hilton’s account has since been suspended by TikTok.
Hilton’s condition now remains unclear. The Daily Mail has reached out to Hilton’s representatives for comment.
The blogger’s representatives, Golden Artists Entertainment Co-CEOs Dante Rusciolelli and Rebekah Kochan, told TMZ in a statement: ‘We are aware of the concerning content circulating online involving our client, Perez Hilton.
‘At this time, we have not been able to make direct contact with him, despite our ongoing efforts to reach him.
‘Our primary concern is Perez’s health and well-being, as well as the well-being of his family. Until we have confirmed information, we will not speculate or comment further.
‘We appreciate everyone’s concern and ask that his privacy be respected during this time.’
Fans and friends of the blogger have taken to social media to share their support for the star and send him well wishes, while everyone is hoping that he will pull through and be able to continue on his path of redemption.
If you or someone you know needs help in the US, please call or text the confidential 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on 988. There is also an online chat available at 988lifeline.org.
If you are in the UK, call Samaritans on 116 123 for free.
NT Aboriginal Police Officers Fight for Justice: Class Action Alleges Underpayment and Racism
WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this story includes the name of an Indigenous person who has passed away.
In 1998, Shawn Lewfatt, a former AFL player with Essendon, embarked on a new journey as an Aboriginal Community Police Officer in Darwin. He was driven by a passion to uplift his community and make a positive difference.
Fast forward to the present, Lewfatt admits he could not encourage his children to pursue a career with the Northern Territory Police Force today.
“I hold onto the hope that one day, I might feel empowered to guide young people towards such a path,” Lewfatt shared during an interview with SBS News.
Lewfatt is at the forefront of a significant class action lawsuit filed in the Federal Court. This case seeks to address allegations of racial discrimination and vilification that have allegedly affected Aboriginal Community Police Officers (ACPOS) for nearly 30 years within the Northern Territory Police.
“Our clients allege they were underpaid, provided fewer opportunities for career advancement and subjected to persistent racist conduct while serving communities across the NT,” Seb O’Meara of Gordon Legal, who is representing the ACPOs in the class action, told SBS News.
The class action, run on behalf of all present and former Aboriginal police officers in the NT Police, seeks to speed up reform following the 2019 police shooting of Kumanjayi Walker and the subsequent inquest, which shone the spotlight on systemic racism within the NT Police Force.
A spokesperson for the NTPF told SBS News they were aware of ongoing legal proceedings, and it would be inappropriate to comment further.
‘A foreigner in my hometown’
Despite growing up in Darwin, Lewfatt told SBS News that when he walked through the doors of the police station, he felt like a “foreigner in my hometown”.
“I felt immediately weird in the way they would speak about Aboriginal people, and it became clear to me that it was the norm.”
Lewfett, who remains on the Force on leave, alleged he witnessed “unlawful assaults on Indigenous people”, including one incident involving a non-Aboriginal police officer urinating into a wine cask belonging to an Aboriginal member of the public who had stashed it in a public toilet.
Lewfatt said that racism in the force is embedded in the culture, rather than in individuals.
“It’s the systematic racism where there are a lot of good people who may not be racist but do not call out racism either when they come across it.”
Lewfatt’s first complaint was made public in September 2024, when The Australian newspaper reported details of a complaint made by him and at least 20 serving Aboriginal police officers to the Australian Human Rights Commission alleging racial discrimination and unequal pay for Aboriginal Community Police Officers.
Then, the coronial inquest into Walker’s shooting by former territory constable Zachary Rolfe heard allegations of racist awards handed out to NT cops.
“I could hear something racist nearly every day,” Rolfe told the inquest in 2024.
The coronial inquest ultimately found that while there was a risk that Rolfe’s “racism” affected his interactions with Walker, he was not “motivated by racism”.
Reforms to NT policing
Since Walker’s shooting, NT Police have taken steps towards reform.
In July 2024, Arrernte woman Leanne Liddle was appointed Northern Territory Police executive director of cultural reform to address accusations of systemic racism in the force.
In August 2024, former NT police commissioner Michael Murphy apologised to First Nations people for 150 years of harm.
“This strategy is about confronting that reality,” he said.
Lewfatt’s complaint was in mediation before the Human Rights Commission until May this year, according to O’Meara at Gordon Legal.
Following unsuccessful mediation, the class action was lodged in the Federal Court on 17 July.
It’s understood the class action also alleges ACPOs earned lower pay and fewer workplace entitlements while performing similar work to constables.
“They feel that they had no choice other than to take the legal action that they’ve taken as a result of their concerns, because they feel strongly that internally their complaints really have gone nowhere,” O’Meara said.
“Our clients are hopeful that it sends a message to other Aboriginal Community Police Officers who are concerned that they have themselves been the victim of racial discrimination at some point in their careers, that they can step forward and participate in this class action.”
The first hearing will be held on 19 August.
Readers seeking support can ring Lifeline crisis support on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14, visit lifeline.org.au or find an Aboriginal Medical Service here. Resources for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders can be found at Headspace: Yarn Safe.
Kelly Ripa Absent on ‘Live with Kelly and Mark’; Déjà Vu Steps In as Co-Host with Mark Consuelos
During Wednesday’s episode of Live with Kelly and Mark, viewers were greeted by a familiar face as Mark Consuelos shared the spotlight. With Kelly Ripa temporarily out due to gum graft surgery, one of the show’s own, Déjà Vu, took a seat at the co-host desk.
Regularly known as the voice of the show, Déjà Vu joined Consuelos in steering the show, welcoming guests Chrissy Metz and Cristo Fernández. With Ripa on the mend, Déjà is part of an ensemble cast stepping in as guest co-hosts for the time being.
Although these episodes of Live are fresh on our screens, they were actually filmed prior to airing. According to inside sources, the production team is enjoying their usual summer hiatus. However, fans needn’t worry—the season continues with new episodes until it concludes on August 28. Awaiting announcement is the premiere of Live‘s forthcoming season.
This week’s guest co-host lineup has already featured Sarah Chalke and Jenna Dewan. Déjà, who previously shared her personal journey with Bell’s Palsy on the show, is no stranger to collaborating with both Ripa and Consuelos. As the week progresses, Michelle Buteau will join Consuelos on Thursday, followed by Carrie Coon wrapping up the week on Friday.
Additional guest appearances include Walt Willey and Patina Miller gracing Thursday’s episode. Closing a star-studded week, Emmy Rossum from the Furious franchise will make an appearance on Friday.
Live with Kelly and Mark airs on weekdays. Check out their website for your local listings.