Macklemore has signaled that being removed as an opening act on Ed Sheeran’s tour will not deter his outspoken support for Palestine, following his public “free Palestine” remarks.

The 43-year-old musician said Wednesday that he plans to give $1 million in earnings from the Sheeran tour to organizations providing aid to Palestinians.

The rapper, whose legal name is Benjamin Haggerty, also renewed his criticism of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. Macklemore has alleged that Kraft worked with other stadium owners to have him excluded from Sheeran’s tour, and he urged the billionaire to match the $1 million contribution.

The tactic appears to have been successful, as shortly after Macklemore announced his donation on Instagram, the billionaire shared a statement on X announcing that he planned to match a $2 million donation from Sheeran.

The Daily Mail contacted representatives for both Macklemore and Kraft for comment, but had not received a response at the time of publication.

The announcement follows a wave of backlash aimed at Sheeran after Macklemore’s departure. Fans reportedly unfollowed the singer across social media, while each of the tour’s remaining scheduled opening performers pulled out.

In his post, Macklemore named six groups that will receive funding: Anera, Gaza Soup Kitchen, HEAL Palestine, Medical Aid for Palestinians, the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF), and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East’s U.S. arm, UNRWA USA.

“With everything that has happened over the last 48 hours, I want to bring the conversation back to where it belongs: to the Palestinian people who are still being killed, still living under military occupation, and still fighting for their freedom,” Macklemore wrote in his Instagram statement.

‘I will be donating the entire $1 million of my net earnings from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour to six organizations working directly to support the Palestinian people,’ he continued. ‘And I invite Robert Kraft to match my donation.

‘Whatever we disagree about, perhaps we can agree on this: Palestinian lives are worth protecting,’ Macklemore stated. ‘A Palestinian life is no less valuable than any other life on this earth.’

Macklemore then tried to move the focus away from his professional setbacks to the people he hoped to help.

‘That is what this has always been about. Not me. Not a tour. Not the headlines or the controversy,’ he continued. It is about Palestinians’ right to freedom, dignity and safety in their homeland.’

He added that Palestinians living amid the destruction wrought by Israeli forces faced far greater setbacks and dangers than himself. 

‘I want to center the parents carrying their children into hospitals without the basic resources to treat them, and the physicians, paramedics, journalists and aid workers who keep going back in,’ Macklemore said. ‘I want to center the organizers and activists who have paid real costs for standing with Palestine. Their risk is of a far different order than mine.’

‘Just yesterday, 15-year-old Muhammad al Zinati was killed in an Israeli strike while rushing to help aid worker Sherif Lubbad, who had already been injured,’ the performer wrote. ‘He was a child. Both were murdered. Both should be alive.’ 

Macklemore added that countless more Palestinians’ names might never be remembered, as their families may have been wiped out.

The Same Love rapper admitted that ‘Writing a check is one of the least costly forms of solidarity available to me.

‘I am doing it because I can, and because these organizations are doing the work while much of the world debates it.’ 

But he went on to caution that ‘aid alone’ could not solve the crisis affecting Palestinians.

‘This is a manmade injustice, and I believe it requires immediate political change. Palestinians have lived for decades without basic rights and should not have to wait another day to be free,’ Macklemore wrote. ‘That is where my focus will remain. I will continue to stand with the Palestinian people and their fight for liberation.’

He then warned his fans: ‘When the news cycle moves on, which it will, don’t move with it.’ 

Macklemore concluded his post by simply stating: ‘Free Palestine.’

In just a few hours, Macklemore’s donation announcement on Instagram had garnered more than 1.8 million likes. 

The comments were overwhelmingly positive, with one fan writing, ‘This will go down in history and your grandchildren will remember this.’

‘You are the greatest hero,’ another Instagram user wrote, while one poster mused: ‘Imagine if our politicians had this integrity.’ 

One fan wrote, ‘This is what a TRUE artist is [heart]. Power to the People,’ while others shared their ‘Respect.’ 

‘You’re a superhero @Macklemore. Free Palestine,’ wrote another adoring fan. 

Shortly after the rapper announced his donation and urged Robert Kraft to match it, the New England Patriots owner shared a statement in which he vowed to donate $2 million, though he was more vague about where the money would be going.

Kraft also claimed that his plans to make the donation were not motivated by Macklemore’s statement, but were instead spurred on by a call from Sheeran. 

Macklemore and Kraft announced their donations just a day after Sheeran’s opening acts on his tour all dropped out in protest over Macklemore being removed from the live dates.

The rapper was due to open for Sheeran at eight of the remaining ten shows on his tour in America, which continues on Friday in Philadelphia, but on Tuesday it was announced that he had been dropped. 

The American rapper had faced a boycott petition to remove him after he delivered a politically motivated speech in support of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank during his performances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4 and 5. 

Sheeran has now lost his remaining support acts – Billie Eilish’s brother and music partner Finneas, his close friend Myles Smith, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham and Beoga – who have all put out separate statements announcing that they will not continue with their dates on the LOOP Tour.

Responding with an Instagram statement after the news he had been dropped, Macklemore claimed that Sheeran told him billionaire Robert Kraft, whose company owns the Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts where Sheeran is set to play later this month, orchestrated the move after ‘rallying stadium owners and issuing an ultimatum.’

Later that day, Sheeran, 35, addressed the 43-year-old rapper being removed from the tour with his own statement, which said that Macklemore’s speech had upset the owners of venues they were set to play while reminding fans he will never personally take a publicly political stance. 

Finneas wrote: ‘Artists must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed. I have decided to withdraw from my upcoming tour dates with Ed Sheeran. I stand with Palestine and its people.’

And Irish singer Rowe took a strong stance as he wrote: ‘Ed has been a friend to me and has changed my life. I could never thank him enough for this.

‘But as Irish people, we know all too well about genocide, forced famine and violent occupation.’

The Hey Ma hitmaker continued by saying he ‘cannot stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up.’

The third support act who pulled out was the group Lukas Graham who wrote: ‘We should be able to speak about war, about civilians being killed, about children who deserve to grow up. Wherever they live. Whatever flag flies over them.’

Lukas Graham said that their upbringing in a small Danish community made it so speaking your mind was part of everyday life and having more money did not invalidate one’s opinions.

The group concluded by saying: ‘I love Ed, and I’m grateful for everything we’ve shared. That hasn’t changed. But I can’t put these words out into the world and carry on with this tour as things stand.

‘I’m sorry we won’t be there. This is a difficult decision but it’s one I need to stand by.’

Irish band Beoga, who actually join Sheeran during Galway Girl on stage, also revealed that they are removing themselves from the tour.

They wrote: ‘We have been friends with Ed for over 10 years now and will continue to be.

‘Playing to those crowds every night is the stuff of dreams but to play in venues that silence anyone advocating for a Free Palestine is simply not an option for us.’

Beoga also showed their solidarity for Macklemore as they echoed his sentiments by writing: ‘The whole episode is once again serving to distract from the real issue, over 1000 Palestinians have been killed since the most recent so-called ceasefire.’

Sheeran’s friend Myles Smith, who previously supported him on his 2025 tour,  released a statement on Wednesday morning, telling fans: ‘For everyone asking me to drop out of Ed’s tour, let’s get something straight: I’m not on that tour anymore.’

Whilst Smith confirmed he had dropped out he went on to voice his support for Sheeran, insisting ‘Ed it not the victim here. Palestinians are. But let’s not get confused: Ed it also not the perpetrator.’

‘I need to be very clear about Ed. He is my friend. Not an industry friend. A real one. And there is no pressure, no trend, no headline and no comment section that will make me turn on him or hang him out to dry.’

‘Supporting Palestinian life, safety and freedom does not require me to betray someone I know to be a good human being. It requires me to keep the focus where it belongs: on the people suffering, and on the people with the power to stop it.’ 

Smith highlighted his background ‘working in a home with Holocaust survivors, spending time with the Jewish community and hearing stories of bravery, survival, loss and humanity from people who had lived through things most of us only read about.

‘I’ve also spent my life around Muslim friends and families, spend time in mosques, celebrated Eid throughout my youth and grown up in Luton: a working-class, proudly multicultural, predominantly ethnic minority town where Island and Muslim culture were part of the beauty and fabric of everyday life.’

‘Neither of those experiences taught me to sit on the fence. They taught me to be human.’

He ended his lengthy statement by saying: ‘My career has been my dream since I was a little boy, and I know I’m still on that journey. But if it means risking parts of that dream to bring awareness, compassion and rationale to this subject, then so be it.

‘I cannot live in a world where children are not even allowed to have dreams because of the terrifying world they were born into.’ 

The Daily Mail has reached out to Sheeran’s representatives for comment on the acts resigning from the tour and has yet to hear back.

It remains uncertain how the LOOP Tour will proceed with zero openers scheduled and 18 dates still set through the end of the year.  

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Sheeran broke his silence on Macklemore on Tuesday. The singer, who is a father of two, said that his audience is often young people ‘from different backgrounds,’ who do not expect his shows to be a political forum.

Sheeran assured his followers that Macklemore’s removal would not affect his tour, as he told them ‘I would never let down the fans who had made plans’.

In his reaction, which came two days after Macklemore’s own statement, he said: ‘I am appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine. 

‘The suffering and pain caused on both sides is a human tragedy. There are too many wars across the world causing immeasurable pain, none of which should be tolerated.

‘Macklemore asked to join my tour last year and I agreed, because I respect him as an artist. As with all my support acts, I agree that they play a setlist of their choosing.

‘After Macklemore’s performances at my New Jersey shows, venues on my upcoming tour dates communicated that they would pull the shows if he was still supporting.’ 

Sheeran continued by explaining that he had tried to find a resolution so that Macklemore could remain on his tour but he was not able to.

He said: ‘I was informed that this stance was based on how Macklemore conveyed part of his message during his performance, rather than on everything that was said. I spoke with the venues at length all week to try and build a bridge.

‘One of those people was Robert Kraft. I was also involved in direct talks with promoters along with activists on both sides to try and find a mutual resolution for all, but the venue’s and promoter’s decision was final.

‘Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine. Macklemore’s contract for the tour was with the promoter, not me.’

Sheeran then explained that there would be no alterations to the tour he has planned because he would never let his fans and crew down.

He said: ‘I would never let down the fans who had made plans, nor would I abandon the touring crew and the other support acts and musicians who rely on me for work and to make a living.

‘I have always used my platform and music to bring people from all backgrounds and cultures together and this won’t ever change. Those who have been to one of my shows will know that they are about unity, joy, escapism, love, and a place for everyone to feel welcome.

‘I am not complicit. I have my personal views on this devastating conflict. Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn’t mean I don’t have them, and it doesn’t mean I don’t care. Nor does it mean I don’t support causes in my own, personal way.

‘There is a reason I do not use my professional platform for politics – my audience includes young people, often children, of all backgrounds. Those who come to my shows do not expect a political forum. 

‘I respect Macklemore’s strength of purpose to stand up and shout for what he believes. However, there is room for multiple approaches to the same end: peace. I choose to use my fame and platform to be a place of safety and sanctuary, to maintain diplomacy and keep conversations open, not closed. If we only focus on shouting the loudest, nothing will ever change.

‘There are different approaches to being an advocate for change. I have spent this week trying to build bridges, to find a solution and unfortunately, was unable to do so. I know who I am, both as a person and as an artist, and those who know my heart know my values too.’

Sheeran captioned his post: ‘It’s important I set out some facts’. 

In a statement on Instagram, Macklemore claimed that his long-term friend Sheeran had told him that Robert Kraft personally called the singer to inform him that the rapper would not be allowed to perform at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts.

Kraft is the billionaire CEO of the Kraft Group, which owns the Gillette Stadium along with NFL team the New England Patriots. 

He wrote that ‘Ed also told me that Kraft had rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave him an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues.’

In his 1,000 word statement the rapper went on to say that he did not blame Sheeran personally, writing that his friend was put in a ‘f***ed up position.’

‘He told me that the words “Free Palestine” and the image of the Palestinian flag were hurtful to a lot of people he spoke with,’ Macklemore continued. 

‘I told him that if those words were more offensive than tens of thousands of Palestinian children being killed by Israel, then there was a fundamental disconnect between where those people stood and where I stood. But he couldn’t get past his public facing, “I don’t take sides.” And I get why people don’t.’

‘Taking a side can cost you,’ Macklemore added. ‘Money, brand deals, sponsorships, festivals, private shows, relationships and access. I’ve lost all of those things. But there is no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed.’

He noted that the pair had had ‘some difficult conversations this past week’ and he hoped that ‘this isn’t the end of my relationship with Ed. Thirteen years of friendship doesn’t disappear because of one painful disagreement.’

Kraft has defended his decision to block Macklemore from performing, saying the rapper ‘crossed a line.’

‘Gillette Stadium has a longstanding commitment to providing a welcoming environment for all guests and ensuring that events held at our venue do not provide a platform for hate speech,’ Kraft said in a statement.

‘Based on Macklemore’s recent actions, material shared from the stage during Ed Sheeran’s shows in New Jersey, and a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community, we determined that his participation in the September 25 and 26 concerts at Gillette Stadium would cross that line.’

The promoter for the American side of Sheeran’s LOOP Tour, Messina Touring Group, said in a statement that they were told by venues of future dates on the tour that ‘they will not allow a concert to take place with Macklemore on the lineup.’

‘Which would result in the cancellation of the tour and impact hundreds of thousands of fans,” a spokesperson continued to Rolling Stone. ‘After discussions with stakeholders, Macklemore will not be performing on the remaining support dates.’  

As seen in fan-taken footage from his September 5 performance in New Jersey, Macklemore wore a keffiyeh at one point during his set and also performed his 2024 song Hind’s Hall with footage of Gaza on the massive screen behind him.

In the lyrics for Hind’s Hall, the rapper criticises actions in Gaza. Proceeds from the song go toward humanitarian efforts from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. 

The full video from the performance shows Macklemore standing on stage and addressing the crowd. 

‘One of the reasons why I wanted to come on this tour was because I wanted to stand up here on stages in stadiums across America and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: Free Palestine. I said, Free Palestine!’ he told the attendees.

‘I want those words to be loud and clear so that people from Gaza, all the way to the occupied West Bank know that we have not forgotten them.’

He then introduced Hind’s Hall, stating that it ‘was inspired by the bravery of Columbia University students who led an encampment movement that mobilized the entire world. Opened up hearts, myself included.’

‘So thank you to those students that risked their diplomas, that risked their tuition, that risked their scholarships, that stood up and said, “No.” CUAD students, Students for Justice in Palestine, and Jewish Voice for Peace. Thank you guys.’

He addressed the Jewish community, stating: ‘To all of my Jewish brothers and sisters: Criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is a criticism of you.’

‘My message is for peace. Love. For all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect, and equality. So I say free Palestine. I say free Lebanon. I say free Cuba. I say free Congo, free Sudan, free all people in America living in fear over this terrorist organization ICE. None of us will be free until we are all free.’ 

Macklemore went on to post a video of his speech on social media with the caption: ‘Wanting all humans to be treated equal should never be controversial.’ 

The singer Pink weighed in on the controversy, reposting an Instagram Story from StopAntisemitism, which slammed Macklemore’s performance.

The caption on the post read: ‘Awful – Jewish fans bought tickets to see Ed Sheeran sing last night in NJ, not to be ambushed by Macklemore’s anti-Israel propaganda.

‘Instead, Macklemore walked onstage in a keffiyeh, shouted “Free Palestine,” accused Israel of a false “genocide,” and turned a mainstream event into a political nightmare against the Jewish state. Concert-goers are owed apologies and refunds.’

In response, Macklemore appeared to double down on his comments last week, as he posted a clip of his speech from MetLife Stadium with the caption: ‘Wanting all humans to be treated equal should never be controversial.’

Pink did not add any additional commentary aside from re-sharing the post.

In 2014, Macklemore issued an apology after wearing a disguise on stage in Seattle that many condemned as an anti-Semitic Jewish caricature.

In his apology after the Jewish caricature controversy, he said: ‘There is no worse feeling than being misunderstood, especially when people are hurt or offended… I respect all cultures and all people. 

‘I would never intentionally put down anybody for the fabric that makes them who they are. I love human beings, love originality, and… happen to love a weird outfit from time to time.’Macklemore added that he never thought he looked Jewish. ‘Some people there thought I looked like Ringo, some Abe Lincoln. If anything, I thought I looked like Humpty Hump with a bowl cut,’ he said.

A Disney World getaway took an unexpected turn in Florida after a lightning strike reportedly knocked out a monorail’s electrical system, leaving a train full of passengers stranded.

Severe storms swept through the Walt Disney World Resort over the weekend, disrupting operations at the popular theme park. Passengers said a lightning strike caused the monorail system to lose power, trapping riders aboard the train.

The weather-related breakdown upended visitors’ plans, with riders reporting that they were stuck inside the monorail for about 90 minutes.

The incident came as Florida faced a soggy weekend marked by thunderstorms, with additional rain and stormy conditions forecast throughout the week.

As the delay continued, the heat and humidity inside the stalled train became increasingly difficult for passengers. Riders attempted to open windows while waiting for help during what they described as a stressful and frightening ordeal.

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“We were there for one and a half hours and during that time, the driver talked us through how to take out the window,” Tanya Lee told Storyful News.

Power was ultimately restored, and the monorail was towed to the nearest station, allowing passengers to disembark safely.

“Everyone was in good spirits, as there is not much you can do at that point,” Lee said.

Storyful News reported that Disney guest relations provided affected riders with $50 gift cards and Lightning Lane passes, which allow guests to bypass some of the resort’s longer attraction lines.

FOX Weather said it contacted Disney World for additional details but had not received a response.

The Tunnel to Towers Steel Across America Tour wrapped up its journey of more than 38 stops this week with a final appearance at MetLife Stadium during a New York Giants game.

At the center of the cross-country tribute was a 21-foot beam taken from the World Trade Center’s South Tower. Launched in May, the tour traveled from the East Coast across the United States before returning to the New York City region ahead of Sunday’s closing event, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

The 16,900-pound section of steel was pulled from Ground Zero in the days after the attacks by first responders who raced to the scene. It has become a powerful memorial to the nearly 3,000 civilians, firefighters, police officers, emergency personnel and military service members killed on 9/11.

“For the past four months, communities across the country have welcomed this sacred piece of American history with incredible emotion,” Tunnel to Towers Chairman and CEO Frank Siller said in a press release. “Watching people stand in front of that steel, hugging it, praying over it, weeping, reminds me every single day of why we do this work.”

One of the tour’s August events, held in Indianapolis, featured a color guard, a pipes and drums procession, the national anthem performed by the Voices of the Indianapolis Fire Department, and an invocation from Indianapolis Fire Department Chaplain Mike Gatliff.

Indianapolis Fire Division Chief Tom Neal and Timothy Winslow, a retired major general who serves as executive director of the Indiana War Memorial and Museum, also spoke about the enduring ties among the city’s first responders, veterans and the legacy of 9/11.

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“Bringing this steel to Indianapolis, and to a museum that has stood for over a century as a tribute to American sacrifice, is deeply moving,” FDNY Lt. Jack Kielty, a Tunnel to Towers board member, said. “Indiana veterans and first responders understand what it means to serve.”

The event also highlighted Indiana’s own connection to the attacks. Nine Hoosiers died on Sept. 11, while Indianapolis Task Force One sent rescuers to Ground Zero. Six members of the team later died from illnesses linked to their work in the toxic environment, according to the Indiana War Memorial.

Scott Nokes, a Marine Corps veteran and Tunnel to Towers recipient, spoke to attendees about the significance of allowing people to see the steel in person.

“Out of the 2,977 lives that were lost, there’s over 1,000 bodies that were never recovered specifically from Ground Zero in New York,” Nokes said. “Their souls are in that steel, and if you touch it, you feel it.”

On the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Frank Siller and his family honored his late brother Stephen Siller — a heroic 34-year-old husband, father and firefighter who, after hearing about the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attack, loaded himself down with gear, and traversed through the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel on foot heading to the Twin Towers, and ultimately giving his life — by retracing the man’s steps.

“This morning’s walk through the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel was part of the conclusion of Steel Across America, a journey that began four-and-a-half months ago and carried a 21-foot, 16,900-pound World Trade Center steel beam more than 10,500 miles through nearly 40 stops across the country and back, stopping in more than 21 states,” a statement from Tunnel to Towers said. “For over four months, the steel has been a gathering place for communities to remember the events of September 11th, to honor first responders and veterans, and to ensure that a new generation understands the significance of what happened 25 years ago.”

Randy Pedersen, the beloved bowling commentator and 13-time PBA Tour title winner, has died at the age of 64.

A towering presence in professional bowling, Pedersen ranked among the sport’s elite during a remarkable run from 1986 through 1995. His career highlight came in 1986, when he captured the PBA National Championship — the lone major title of his playing career.

The North Carolina-born star later became the 24th player in PBA history to surpass $1 million in career earnings. He reached that milestone after claiming his final tour victory, the 2002 Pepsi Open, at 40 years old, before embarking on an equally recognizable broadcasting career.

Pedersen joined ESPN’s PBA coverage in 2001 and quickly became a favorite among fans. He stayed with the network until ESPN’s bowling agreement concluded in 2018, then followed the tour to Fox Sports in 2019. He also worked as an analyst during PBA broadcasts on CBS Sports Network.

After Fox’s PBA broadcast partnership ended in 2025 and the league shifted its television coverage to The CW and CBS, current PBA competitor Kyle Sherman took over Pedersen’s analyst position.

Known for his sharp humor, memorable sayings and unmistakable energy, Pedersen helped bring professional bowling to a wider TV audience while making the sport accessible to casual viewers.

Explaining his approach to broadcasting, Pedersen once said: ‘I want to convey to the viewing public that they are watching the best bowlers in the world. It’s my job to explain what makes them that good, as well as provide other information that ‘Johnny 150 average’ doesn’t already know.’

He added: ‘One thing I learned is if you can bring enthusiasm to the table, sometimes it doesn’t really matter what is coming out of your mouth. The viewing audience senses the enthusiasm.’

Pedersen was elected to the PBA Hall of Fame in October 2010, and the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Hall of Fame in November 2024. 

Tributes have poured in after news of his passing broke. His cause of death has not yet been confirmed.  

Bowling writer Lucas Wiseman wrote on X: ‘RIP in an absolute legend in our sport. It was an honor to know him and spend time with him. Randy Pedersen, you will be missed by many.’ 

Storm Bowling wrote on Facebook: ‘The Storm family is deeply saddened by the passing of our longtime teammate and friend, Randy Pedersen.

‘Randy’s impact on bowling reached far beyond his accomplishments as a Hall of Fame competitor. Through his unmistakable personality, passion, humor, and years as one of the sport’s most recognizable voices, Randy helped bring bowling to life for generations of fans.

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‘For us, though, Randy was much more than a champion or broadcaster. He was a teammate, a friend, and part of the Storm family.

‘We are incredibly grateful for the years, memories, laughs, and moments we were fortunate enough to share with him.

‘Our thoughts are with Randy’s family, friends, and the entire bowling community. We will miss you, Randy.’

Bowling Life EU wrote: ‘For decades, Randy gave fans reasons to keep watching bowling on TV, first through his own performances and later from the ESPN and FOX Sports commentary booth.

‘He knew what it felt like to stand on the approach with a title on the line, and he brought that understanding to every broadcast. His humour, honesty and love for bowling helped a generation of viewers feel closer to the game and the people playing it.’

The sport has already been hit by recent tragedy, losing one of its top players ‘suddenly’ just a few weeks ago on July 31. 

Eight-time PBA Tour winner Jakob Butturff died aged 32 leaving friends and rivals heartbroken.

Another user online wrote: ‘First Butters and now Randy… this doesn’t even feel real… he was THE voice of this sport.’ 

PBA commissioner Tom Clark said when announcing Butturrf’s death: ‘Jakob was one of the most unique players in PBA history.

‘Fans marveled at his delivery, as he rode a wave of strikes into becoming a top player in the sport, capable of winning at any time, in any event. Jakob was kind, he was respectful, and he was a champion. 

‘He will never be forgotten. Our hearts are with all Butters touched on his one-of-a-kind journey.’

CHICAGO (WLS) — A grassroots push against Flock automated license plate reader cameras and other surveillance tools is gaining momentum in Northwest Indiana. The debate intensified after one community voted to terminate its agreement with the company in the wake of an investigation into alleged police officer misuse.

Augusta Guffroy, who founded DeFlock Lake County, is among the activists calling for the removal of the cameras.

“I’m afraid that we are building an infrastructure for a police state,” Guffroy said.

“We are paying to be surveilled on, and I have a problem with that. Where’s the consent? Our tax dollars are paying for these cameras,” she said.

Guffroy said simply switching to another automated license plate reader platform would not address her concerns.

“We want them gone completely. And we do not want them replaced with another ALPR,” she said.

She contends that the expanding network of automated license plate reader cameras threatens personal privacy. Flock’s technology can share vehicle data with hundreds of police departments in Illinois and, potentially, agencies elsewhere in the country.

When asked whether Flock cameras make her feel safer in Illinois, Guffroy said they do not. “Not at all. I do not feel safer with flock cameras. Now, I think that they’re tools of intimidation. I don’t know who’s on the other side of that camera.”

Privacy questions have also been fueled by the website haveibeenflocked.com, which notifies users whether a license plate has been stored in the Flock system.

Police departments that use the technology argue that local safeguards are in place to prevent abuse. They also maintain that Flock cameras and other license plate reader systems remain critical tools in criminal investigations and efforts to solve crime.

But, previous I-Team reporting found at least a dozen officers across the Chicago area accused of misusing Flock camera technology capable of tracking a person’s location in real time.

According to that reporting, at least two agencies have forwarded cases involving alleged misuse of Flock Safety license plate reader technology to county prosecutors for review of possible criminal charges.

One of those cases involved former Prairie Grove police officer William Copp, who was arrested and charged with official misconduct after searching the Flock system for his ex-partner’s vehicle more than 100 times, according to the Prairie Grove police chief.

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Opposition to the technology has also emerged in Woodstock, Illinois, where residents have raised concerns about cameras installed around the city’s historic downtown square.

Francis said policies alone cannot prevent misuse.

“There’s really no amount of policy that can stop, anybody from misusing this,” he said.

In Chesterton, Indiana, the Town Council voted unanimously this week to terminate its contract with Flock after a misuse investigation involving one of its officers.

Council President Erin Collins said the company’s auditing system made oversight difficult.

“Because of Flack’s limitations in their auditing system, they really they made it very difficult for municipalities and for police departments to monitor the the behavior that’s going on in the searches that are being made,” Collins said.

Collins said community advocacy played a role in bringing attention to the issue.

“I appreciate any kind of community activism. I know that sometimes it can seem, like it’s disruptive, but I also think that people have a right to have their voice heard, especially within their local government,” she said.

The I-Team has repeatedly requested an interview with Flock’s CEO but was told he was unavailable. In previous reporting, a company spokesperson said the product now includes enhanced guardrails designed to protect against misuse.

The Woodstock Police Department said it does not monitor individuals and uses the technology solely to solve crimes. The department recently implemented a policy governing its use.

CINCINNATI –– Amid the Dodgers’ recent struggles, the core of their starting rotation had remained remarkably healthy.

That changed, at least potentially, on Wednesday night.

Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell exited his start against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park after only one inning and 19 pitches.

The reason for Snell’s early departure was not immediately known, nor was the severity of any potential injury.

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Any issue involving Snell would represent a major concern for the Dodgers, whose hopes of winning a third straight World Series have hinged largely on a formidable starting staff featuring Snell, Tarik Skubal, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow.

Notably, Wednesday marked the first time this season that Snell had started on four days’ rest.