Music and Movies

By Samuel Moser Designer Virgil Abloh died Sunday in Chicago after losing a two-year battle to cancer, according to The New York Times and Complex . Abloh was the artistic director of Louis Vuitton Men’s Wear and the founder of Off-White, according to The New York Times.  The fashion industry respected Abloh for his unique ability to bridge the gap between hype-beast culture and luxury fashion, according to The New York Times.  He collaborated with brands spanning from Nike to Evian, according to The New York Times.  Hip-hop fans remember Abloh for teaming up with artists such as Kanye West, Tyler the Creator, A$AP Rocky, and many others, according to Complex. His identity never boxed him in as simply a designer as he was more of a “maker” in general, according to The New York Times. According to his wife, he believed, “in the power of art to inspire future generations,” according to The New York Times.

By Samuel Moser Two former government officials said on Wednesday that former President Donald Trump tested positive for COVID-19 three days before his debate against President Joe Biden on September 29, 2020, according to The New York Times and The Guardian . Trump justified participating in the debate with a negative result that he received from a different testing kit shortly after getting the positive test, according to The Guardian.  The day after he tested positive, Trump was talking to reporters without a mask, and he attended an event for military families, according to The New York Times. The former Chief of Staff, Mark Meadows, brought this incident to the country’s attention after publishing his knowledge of the positive test in his book, “The Chief’s Chief,” according to The Guardian. Although he tested positive on September 26, 2020, the press informed the public about his result six days later, according to The New York Times.

By Samuel Moser My feature story got off to a slow start, but I couldn’t be more excited about the direction that it’s heading. It took awhile to come up with a topic specific enough to cover, and it seemed like I wouldn’t be able to find an interview. However, after emailing roughly five people, I finally got a response from one of the park board commissioners at large. She agreed to do an interview, and gave me very helpful responses. Also, she invited me to attend a park board meeting which led me to amazing insight on the situation and amazing connections to interview.  Luckily, all of my setbacks came early on, and I feel like I will be prepared to write the story very soon.  So far, I have learned the importance of perseverance while looking for sources. I now know that it just takes one connection to open up amazing opportunities for a story.  As for next week, I plan to conduct my final interview with either Superintendent Al Bangoura or a North Minneapolis commun...

  By Samuel Moser The Latin Grammy’s named Cuban protest song “Patria y Vida” song of the year on Thursday, according to The New York Times and Reuters . The song inspires people to protest on the streets to demand an end to political oppression and economic misery in Cuba, according to the New York Times. Cuban rappers Yotuel Romero, Descemer Bueno, Maykel Osorbo and Eliecer “el Funky” Márquez Duany wrote the song alongside the reggaeton group Gente de Zona, according to the New York Times. The song’s title translates to “Homeland and Life.” This is the antithesis of “Homeland and Death” which Fidel Castro often ended his speeches with, according to The New York Times.  The song has directly sparked many movements in Cuba. This accomplishes exactly what the artists intended, according to The New York Times. According to Reuters, Bueno said, “This is for my country, for my freedom of expression, and for the freedom of the Cubans.”

By Samuel Moser Auctioneers sold one of Frida Kahlo’s self-portrait paintings Tuesday for $34.9 million, according to The New York Times and NBC News . The art piece is titled “Diego and I,” and it is the most valuable work of Latin American art ever to be sold at auction, according to NPR . The self-portrait is representative of her fragile marriage with Mexican artist Diego Rivera, according to NBC News. Auctioneers sold one of Rivera’s pieces for roughly $10.75 million (inflation adjusted) years ago. Ironically, that work held the title for most expensive Latin American artwork before Kahlo’s was sold, according to The New York Times. Kahlo is known for raw and emotional intensity in her artwork, according to The New York Times.  The buyer of the piece is the founder of a museum in Buenos Aires. He intends to keep the portrait for his private collection, according to The New York Times.

By Samuel Moser Jacob Frey won his second term as mayor of Minneapolis Tuesday, Nov. 2 during one of the most anticipated city elections across the world, according to The New York Times and MPR News . The city chose to favor Frey once again despite going through a major political event in relation to the killing of George Floyd in 2020 that drew eyes to the city and election, according to The New York Times. Frey opposed complete abolition of the police force, and he favored more of an incremental approach to improving law enforcement. His stance recognizes the need for change, but does not approve of such drastic measures, according to The New York Times. The city recognized the importance of this election, and their voter turnout proved it. 53.9% of registered voters cast their ballots in 2021 which is the highest rate out of the last 40 years in Minneapolis, according to MPR News.  The turnout shows that people valued this year’s election because they value their safety. It wa...