At least 13 dead in Texas as devastating floods slam Hill Country, officials say | FROUSA Media

At least 13 deaths were reported Friday as devastating flash floods slammed Texas’ Hill Country with water rescues taking place along the Guadalupe River, officials said.

“Within 45 minutes, the Guadalupe River rose 26 feet and it was a destructive flood — taking property and sadly lives,” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said during a news conference Friday afternoon, adding that they got 12 inches or more of rain per hour.

The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office said during a news briefing that 13 people have died in the flooding. Patrick said about six to 10 bodies have been found, and that the situation is fluid and ongoing. He said he expects the fatality count to rise.

Damaged vehicles and debris are seen roped off near the banks of the Guadalupe River after flooding in Ingram, Texas, Friday, July 4, 2025.

Michel Fortier/The San Antonio Express-News via AP

A raging Guadalupe River leaves fallen trees and debris in its wake, Friday, July 4, 2025, in Kerrville, Texas.

Eric Gay / AP

There are hundreds of people on the ground from various units helping with search and rescue operations, Patrick said, including swimmers in the water, 12 drones and 14 helicopters.

Texas issued flash flood emergencies in five counties in West Texas on Friday as Hill Country continues to be slammed by severe rain and flooding. Between 5 and 11 inches of rain have fallen in northwestern Bandera County, Central Kerr County, Northeastern Tom Green County, East Central Kerr County and West Central Kendall County, according to the National Weather Service.

A helicopter flies over the Guadalupe River after a flash flood swept through the area, Friday, July 4, 2025, in Kerrville, Texas.

Eric Gay / AP

About 20 unaccounted for at Camp Mystic

Patrick addressed parents of children at Camp Mystic, where there were about 750 children at summer camp when the floods hit. The lieutenant governor, who is acting as governor while Gov. Greg Abbott is on vacation, said around 20 children were unaccounted for on Friday. He said they are praying for all those missing “to be found alive.”

“If they are alive and safe, we will find them and bring them home to you,” Patrick said.

Extreme Weather Texas — Families line up at a reunification center after flash flooding it the area, Friday, July 4, 2025, in Ingram, Texas.

Eric Gay / AP

The camp said in a statement, read by Patrick, that there has been a “catastrophic level” of flooding. He told parents watching the news conference that if they have not been contacted, their child is accounted for at this time.

Patrick said Camp Mystic is an all-girls summer camp in the area that has several camps with thousands of children attending for the summer. The camp said they have no power, no water and no Wi-Fi , adding that “the highway has washed away, so we are struggling to get more help.”

Severe Weather Texas — A flood gauge marks the height of water flowing over a farm-to-market road near Kerrville, Texas, on Friday, July 4, 2025.

Eric Gay / AP

Earlier Friday, the city of Kerrville, Texas, said in a social media post, “Search and recovery efforts are ongoing and will increase as the waters recede.”

Water rescues continue along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, with a number of local and regional emergency service organizations taking part, the city said. The Guadalupe River at Hunt reached its second-highest height on record, higher than the famous 1987 flood, the city said, citing the National Weather Service.

APTOPIX Extreme Weather Texas — A man surveys damage left by a raging Guadalupe River, Friday, July 4, 2025, in Kerrville, Texas.

Eric Gay / AP

Sen. Ted Cruz said in a statement posted to social media, “Please pray right now for everyone in the Hill Country, especially Camp Mystic.” He said multiple helicopters are performing search and rescue, and added that he’s spoken with Gov. Abbott, Lt. Gov Patrick, the head of the Texas Division of Emergency Management and President Trump.

“President Trump committed ANYTHING Texas needs,” Cruz said.

Abbott said the state has mobilized resources to assist those dealing with the floods.

“Texas is providing all necessary resources to Kerrville, Ingram, Hunt and the entire Texas Hill Country dealing with these devastating floods,” Abbott said Friday in a statement. “The State of Texas today has mobilized additional resources in addition to the resources sent in preparation for the storms. I urge Texans to heed guidance from state and local officials and monitor local forecasts to avoid driving into flooded areas.”

Cara Tabachnick

Cara Tabachnick is a news editor at CBSNews.com. Cara began her career on the crime beat at Newsday. She has written for Marie Claire, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal. She reports on justice and human rights issues. Contact her at cara.tabachnick@cbsinteractive.com

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Demolition of Key Bridge’s remaining structure set to begin in July

By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com

The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) announced on June 26 that demolition of the remaining structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge is expected to begin on or around July 7, depending on the weather conditions. This is a part of the larger effort to rebuild the bridge and have it finished and fully reopened by fall 2028.

Demolition of the remaining Key Bridge structures begin in July as part of a major rebuild effort. Nearby communities seek continued involvement and safeguards against environmental and noise impacts. Photo Credit: (AFRO Photo / James Fields)

According to MDTA, demolition is expected to take several months and will involve the use of heavy machinery to dismantle the remaining structure of the bridge.

“The process will begin with removal of bridge deck over the river, followed by demolition of sections over Hawkins Point and then Sollers Point,” said MDTA via the news release on June 26. “This phase of work focuses on removing portions of the existing structure that interfere with the alignment of the new bridge. Controlled detonations will not be used during this phase of demolition.”

What nearby communities can expect:

Active tug and barge operations on the river, with heavy equipment and trucks visible on the existing bridge structure.
Barges will serve as protective shielding during demolition and must be avoided by waterway users.
Machinery may include excavators, concrete saws, vacuums, cranes and trucks.
An on-site concrete crusher will recycle materials for haul roads and staging areas, reducing truck trips and cost.
Noise typical of large construction projects from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Buoys will mark a safety zone, no entry area around active work areas.

MDTA assured that as demolition activities proceed through the summer, they will remain in conversation with local communities to ensure limited interruptions, safe conditions and transparency.

Those protective measures include installing noise and vibration monitoring equipment in nearby communities to capture data before the start of demolition and upcoming construction activities, installing waterway notices to make known speed restrictions and safety zones, and timely updates and advance notices for any work that may impact nearby communities or roads.

Pre-construction work began on Jan. 8 to support the rebuilding of the Key Bridge, which included geotechnical investigations, surveys and mapping and property inspections.

Gloria Nelson, president of the Turner Station Conservation Teams, has repeatedly expressed how MDTA and partnering agencies are consistent with keeping the community informed and addressing concerns regarding the demolition.

“The home inspections have occurred,” said Nelson in an interview with the AFRO in March. “The Francis Scott Key Bridge Rebuild Team has been intentional and transparent. If we have issues and concerns they’re open to listen and try to meet our needs. Any additional explanation we may need they provide. They are at our food distribution sites, community meetings trying to get information out to the public.”

Turner Station is a historic Black neighborhood in Dundalk, Md., which at one time had 10,000 residents and all of the resources they needed to succeed, such as convenience stores, a theater and schools.

Throughout this rebuilding process, Nelson hopes the community will continue to have “a seat at the table” regarding how their community is impacted by the absence of the Key Bridge and other compounding issues the community has been working to resolve over the years.

“When the bridge goes back up we want the state to have to do air monitoring,” said Nelson. “A portion of I-695 stretches over the community. We’re talking about some kind of wall barrier to help deflate the truck traffic, because it is very noisy.”

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Trump signs ‘big, beautiful’ bill on US Independence Day

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference at the NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands June 25, 2025. REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw

WASHINGTON, United States – US President Donald Trump signed his flagship tax and spending bill into law Friday, capping a pomp-laden White House Independence Day ceremony featuring a stealth bomber fly-by.

“America is winning, winning, winning like never before,” Trump said at the event where he signed the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” flanked by Republican lawmakers.

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The party fell into line and pushed the bill through a reluctant Congress on Thursday, in time for Trump to sign the bill as he had hoped on the Fourth of July holiday marking America’s 249th birthday.

Two B-2 bombers of the type that recently struck Iranian nuclear sites roared over the White House at the start of the ceremony, accompanied by fighter jets on their wingtips.

Pilots who carried out the bombing on Iran were among those invited to the White House event.

The passage of the unpopular bill caps two weeks of significant wins for Trump, including an Iran-Israel ceasefire that was sealed after what he called the “flawless” US air strikes on Iran.

Ever the showman, Trump melded his various victory laps into one piece of political theater at the ceremony marking 249 years of independence from Britain.

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The sprawling mega-bill honors many of Trump’s campaign promises: extending tax cuts from his first term, boosting military spending and providing massive new funding for Trump’s migrant deportation drive.

Trump glossed over deep concerns from his own party and voters that it will balloon the national debt, while simultaneously gutting health and welfare support.

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“The largest spending cut,” Trump said with First Lady Melania Trump at his side, “and yet you won’t even notice it.”

Republican misgivings

Trump forced through the “big beautiful bill” despite deep misgivings in the Republican Party — and the vocal opposition of his billionaire former ally, Elon Musk.

It squeezed past a final vote in the House of Representatives 218-214 after Republican Speaker Mike Johnson worked through the night to corral the final group of dissenters.

Trump thanked Johnson at the White House event.

The legislation is the latest in a series of big wins for Trump that also included a Supreme Court ruling last week that curbed lone federal judges from blocking his policies, and a NATO deal to increase spending.

But the bill is expected to pile an extra $3.4 trillion over a decade onto the US deficit.

At the same time it will shrink the federal food assistance program and force through the largest cuts to the Medicaid health insurance scheme for low-income Americans since its 1960s launch.

READ: Trump says likely to start informing countries of US tariffs Friday

Up to 17 million people could lose their insurance coverage under the bill, according to some estimates. Scores of rural hospitals are expected to close as a result.

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Democrats hope public opposition to the bill will help them flip the House in the 2026 midterm election, pointing to data showing that it represents a huge redistribution of wealth from the poorest Americans to the richest. /jpv

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After quitting corporate jobs, this duo claims they pioneered halal fine dining in S’pore

If you enjoy barbecue, you’ve probably heard of The Social Outcast—a name that’s also made big waves in the halal food scene.

Founded by Aminurrashid Hasnordin (better known as Chef Mint), a former lecturer, and his wife Noelle Chua, who previously worked in finance, the brand started as a modest hawker stall six years ago and has since grown into a cult favourite.

The duo proudly claim to have pioneered the elevation of halal cuisine in Singapore, challenging conventional expectations of what halal dining can be.

From the ground up

The idea to start up The Social Outcast came when Chef Mint took a sabbatical from his five-year career at SMRT Institute—like many who have experienced a mid-life reckoning, he walked away from job security to pursue his true passion: cooking.

Chef Mint’s interest in cooking began as a young sous chef to his grandmother. At family dinners, he would help chop ingredients and learn to estimate the right amounts for each dish. Before stepping into the corporate world, he also worked various F&B jobs and even bartended part-time.

Image Credit: The Social Outcast

Together with Noelle’s support, the duo opened their first stall in 2019 in a Tampines coffee shop. While Chef Mint manned the kitchen, Noelle took charge of customer service, marketing, and finances, handling the business side of the brand.

At the stall, burgers were the star of their menu.

Why burgers? Well, according to Chef Mint, they were easier to master for those without formal culinary training.

But they didn’t want to serve just any burger; the duo aimed to elevate their offerings and stand out from the competition—hence, they introduced gourmet American-style creations as their flagship offering.

Think smoked dried chipotle and guacamole beef burgers, and 400-day grain-fed Australian wagyu burgers. Equipped with an oven imported from Spain, The Social Outcast grilled their buns and patties over hickory and charcoal, infusing each bite with a rich, smoky depth.

However, bringing this concept to a hawker stall didn’t come cheap, hence, most of their offerings came with a higher price tag as compared to other typical hawker stall meals. Despite this, the business consistently attracted crowds and often sold out during weekend preparations.

Demand eventually led them to expand into a larger space in Simpang Bedok Marketplace a year later, where Chef Mint began pushing the boundaries of his self-taught culinary skills, particularly in barbecued meats.

Drawing inspiration from his travels, he also blends native flavours from Indonesia, Africa, and Japan, reinterpreting traditional recipes with his own creative twist.

At its Bedok hawker stall, The Social Otucast rolled out a more experimental menu, featuring dishes such as smoked oxtail and burnt kimchi risotto, as well as tom yum porridge.

Steady growth & a sudden closure

Since then, the business has seen steady growth, prompting the duo to transition from hawker stalls to a more upscale dining experience.

Their next move took them to the Singapore Turf Club’s Grandstand, where they introduced an expanded menu that was refreshed every five to six months.

However, after the government announced plans to reclaim the Turf Club land, The Social Outcast had to relocate once again. In May 2023, they launched their most ambitious concept yet: a hidden omakase-style speakeasy tucked behind Madman & Co—a Mexican grocer that they also opened at the same time.

This was when Chef Mint and Noelle truly doubled down on halal fine dining.

Instead of offering a fixed menu, diners are invited to choose from themed experiences, such as wagyu or woodfire, while the team curates the meal based on the chosen theme.

After two years at Katong, though—Chef Mint and Noelle abruptly announced the restaurant’s closure in May 2025.

According to the duo, the instability of the current F&B scene and the increasingly harsh environment for individual operators made businesses like theirs unsustainable.

Chef Mint pointed out that the number of F&B closures has been rising over the years, with an average of 307 closures per month this year, up from 254 per month in 2024 and around 230 a month in 2023 and 2022.

Pushing on

Running a premium F&B business in Singapore is no easy feat. Labour, in particular, remains one of the biggest pain points.

To hire a foreign staff member on an S Pass, employers must have employed nine local employees. Chef Mint feels that this is an unsustainable ratio for many businesses, especially in the service sector, as few Singaporeans are keen on working in the industry long-term.

Rental costs have also been a persistent bane, adding further pressure to an already demanding industry.

Given these pressing issues, Chef Mint is not optimistic about the market in the coming years. He doesn’t foresee returning to the traditional brick-and-mortar business model.

“It used to be 10, 15, 20 years [for an F&B establishment to last]. Today, the turnover is three, five years.”

But that doesn’t mean Chef Mint and Noelle are slowing down. Instead, they’ve shifted gears once again, adapting to Singapore’s increasingly difficult F&B landscape.

Recognising a steady appetite for personalised dining experiences, the duo has moved into hosting experiential pop-ups—appearing at major events like Sentosa GrillFest, the HSBC Women’s World Championship, and LIV Golf.

At one beach event, Chef Mint even smoked a whole lamb in a traditional Hawaiian Imu pit, wrapped in banana leaves and slow-cooked in sand.

These pop-ups, as he shared in a radio interview with ONE FM 91.3, are far more manageable than running a full-fledged restaurant.

The duo’s next pop-up is an experiential dining series on July 12, an event that’s already sold out two previous runs and is currently still open for bookings.

It seems demand for The Social Outcast is still going strong, and perhaps it all boils down to their simple yet effective philosophy:

To serve “good food that happens to be halal—not just halal food.”

Find out more about The Social Outcast here.
Read other articles we’ve written on Singaporean startups here.

Featured Image Credit: The Social Outcast

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Texas flooding: Search and rescue efforts underway in Hill Country

KERR COUNTY, Texas – “Catastrophic” flooding in Kerr County killed at least 24 people on Friday.

The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office said several others are still missing.

Search and rescue efforts underway

What they’re saying:

Lt. Governor Dan Patrick held a press conference Friday with updates on the search and rescue mission for the almost two dozen people missing.

“On a day which is usually for celebration, it’s a very tough day in Texas,” said Patrick.

As floodwaters swept through children’s camps, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick made a promise to scared families.

“We will do everything humanely possible, 24/7, looking at every tree, turning over every rock, whatever it takes if your child is one of those truly missing and not just out of touch to find your daughter,” said Patrick.

Multiple girls are unaccounted for at nearby Camp Mystic. Families and friends are posting them to social media.

“It’s a tragic event,” said Texas DPS Director Freeman Martin. “It’s going to be a mass casualty event. We know that. We prepared, we moved resources into the area.”

State officials confirm there were 14 helicopters in the air, 12 drones, and more than 500 boots on the ground.

“Many roads are impassible, major roads, minor roads, and once we’re able to get some of those roads clear when the rain stops, then we have ten buses ready to go in and pick up the kids,” said Patrick.

More than two dozen roads in the area are shut down.

What’s next:

At the end of the press conference, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick made one final request.

“You know, we always say in these situations, thoughts and prayers,” said Patrick. “I’m asking the people of Texas to do some serious praying this afternoon. On your knees, kind of praying.”

Patrick said he’s requested the Army Corps of Engineers to look at the dam on Lake Buchanan. They believe it is safe.

He also said he’s been in contact with President Trump and the White House staff, who have offered whatever support Texas needs.

Guadalupe River flooding

Dig deeper:

State officials said the Guadalupe River rose more than 26 feet in 45 minutes.

“We don’t need people just showing up,” said Martin. “This is a very coordinated response. Stay away from the area if you can; stay home with your families.”

Other counties, like Comal, are warning drivers that the Guadalupe River will rise to “dangerous levels” overnight, possibly higher than the bridge at Highway 281.

“We’re concerned about San Saba down, so there will be more notifications coming out,” said Martin. “If you’re asked to evacuate, please evacuate.”

Where are the emergency shelters?

Kerr County

Comfort High SchoolFunction: Primary shelter and reunification centerLocation: 201 Hwy 87, Comfort, TXStatus: Open — accepting evacuees from Hunt, Center Point, and Comfort
First United Methodist Church – KerrvilleFunction: Overnight shelter and distribution siteLocation: 321 Thompson Dr, Kerrville, TXStatus: Open — serving evacuees from the upper Guadalupe River valley
Walmart Parking Lot – Kerrville (Hwy 27)Function: Staging zone for EMS and public reunificationLocation: 1216 Junction Hwy, Kerrville, TXStatus: Open — functioning as a mobile command and rendezvous point

Llano County

First Baptist Church – KingslandFunction: Shelter and medical triage pointLocation: 3435 RR 1431, Kingsland, TXStatus: Open — supporting evacuees from Kingsland and Llano River region
Lakeshore Library Parking Lot (Kingsland)Function: Temporary staging for Coast Guard & TX Search and RescueLocation: 7346 RR 261, Kingsland, TXStatus: Restricted — EMS/military use only

San Angelo / Tom Green County

PaulAnn Church – San AngeloFunction: Full-service shelter, food/water station, and reunification pointLocation: 2531 Smith Blvd, San Angelo, TXStatus: Open — housing families displaced by Concho River flooding
Tom Green County 4-H / AgriLife CenterFunction: Large-animal staging and multi-agency logistics hubLocation: 113 W. Beauregard Ave, San Angelo, TXStatus: Open — not accepting public evacuees

Guadalupe / Comal Counties

Community Bible Church – SchertzFunction: Overflow shelter for I-35 corridor flood victimsLocation: 1735 N Loop 1604 E, San Antonio, TX (serving Schertz area)Status: Open — limited capacity as of last report

Gillespie / Blanco Counties (Support only)

Fredericksburg High School (PREP)Function: Standby support shelterLocation: 1107 Hwy 16 S, Fredericksburg, TXStatus: On standby — activated if Llano overflow spreads southeast

Special Populations Support

CelesteCare Llano and Autumn Winds Schertz report staff are sheltering in place with backup power. EMS contacts are established.

The Source: Information from Kerr County Sheriff’s Office, Kerrville Police Department, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick

Texas Weather Comal County

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At least 13 dead in Texas as devastating floods slam Hill Country, officials say

At least 13 deaths were reported Friday as devastating flash floods slammed Texas’ Hill Country with water rescues taking place along the Guadalupe River, officials said.

“Within 45 minutes, the Guadalupe River rose 26 feet and it was a destructive flood — taking property and sadly lives,” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said during a news conference Friday afternoon, adding that they got 12 inches or more of rain per hour.

The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office said during a news briefing that 13 people have died in the flooding. Patrick said about six to 10 bodies have been found, and that the situation is fluid and ongoing. He said he expects the fatality count to rise.

Damaged vehicles and debris are seen roped off near the banks of the Guadalupe River after flooding in Ingram, Texas, Friday, July 4, 2025.

Michel Fortier/The San Antonio Express-News via AP

There are hundreds of people on the ground from various units helping with search and rescue operations, Patrick said, including swimmers in the water, 12 drones and 14 helicopters.

Texas issued flash flood emergencies in five counties in West Texas on Friday as Hill Country continues to be slammed by severe rain and flooding. Between 5 and 11 inches of rain have fallen in northwestern Bandera County, Central Kerr County, Northeastern Tom Green County, East Central Kerr County and West Central Kendall County, according to the National Weather Service.

About 20 unaccounted for at Camp Mystic

Patrick addressed parents of children at Camp Mystic, where there were about 750 children at summer camp when the floods hit. The lieutenant governor, who is acting as governor while Gov. Greg Abbott is on vacation, said around 20 children were unaccounted for on Friday. He said they are praying for all those missing “to be found alive.”

“If they are alive and safe, we will find them and bring them home to you,” Patrick said.

The camp said in a statement, read by Patrick, that there has been a “catastrophic level” of flooding. He told parents watching the news conference that if they have not been contacted, their child is accounted for at this time.

Patrick said Camp Mystic is an all-girls summer camp in the area that has several camps with thousands of children attending for the summer. The camp said they have no power, no water and no Wi-Fi , adding that “the highway has washed away, so we are struggling to get more help.”

Earlier Friday, the city of Kerrville, Texas, said in a social media post, “Search and recovery efforts are ongoing and will increase as the waters recede.”

Water rescues continue along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, with a number of local and regional emergency service organizations taking part, the city said. The Guadalupe River at Hunt reached its second-highest height on record, higher than the famous 1987 flood, the city said, citing the National Weather Service.

Sen. Ted Cruz said in a statement posted to social media, “Please pray right now for everyone in the Hill Country, especially Camp Mystic.” He said multiple helicopters are performing search and rescue, and added that he’s spoken with Gov. Abbott, Lt. Gov Patrick, the head of the Texas Division of Emergency Management and President Trump.

“President Trump committed ANYTHING Texas needs,” Cruz said.

Abbott said the state has mobilized resources to assist those dealing with the floods.

“Texas is providing all necessary resources to Kerrville, Ingram, Hunt and the entire Texas Hill Country dealing with these devastating floods,” Abbott said Friday in a statement. “The State of Texas today has mobilized additional resources in addition to the resources sent in preparation for the storms. I urge Texans to heed guidance from state and local officials and monitor local forecasts to avoid driving into flooded areas.”

Cara Tabachnick

Cara Tabachnick is a news editor at CBSNews.com. Cara began her career on the crime beat at Newsday. She has written for Marie Claire, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal. She reports on justice and human rights issues. Contact her at cara.tabachnick@cbsinteractive.com

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300 Black Educators Convene in Alabama at Summit About Making Classrooms More Technologically Advanced | FROUSA Media

Birmingham Nonprofit’s Partnership Model Unites Three Mayors with National Superintendent of the Year, Creating Scalable Blueprint for America’s Digital Skills Crisis

Nationwide — Ed Farm successfully concluded its highly anticipated Future of Learning Summit 2025 (FOLS2025), a transformative two-day event that brought together more than 300 education leaders, technology innovators, municipal officials, and business executives to address America’s expanding digital skills gap. With 90% of all jobs requiring digital fluency by 2030 (source), the summit demonstrated how Ed Farm’s collaborative innovation model creates sustainable educational transformation by uniting diverse stakeholders around shared workforce development goals to help close America’s $5.5 trillion digital skills gap (source).

Ed Farm, headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, is a technology-focused nonprofit organization designed to close the growing digital skills gap and empower educators, students, and adult learners through groundbreaking programming and innovative tools. The organization’s mission centers on preparing individuals for today’s tech-driven world while building capacity for future technological advancements through strategic community partnerships. Since its founding, with funding from Apple and Alabama Power Foundation, Ed Farm has expanded to include strategic collaborations with global technology leaders like Shipt, creating programs that directly address workforce development needs.

The unprecedented gathering highlighted Ed Farm’s unique ability to help cities and school districts spearhead educational innovation through strategic partnerships that directly tackle critical technical skills shortages. The June 4-5 event at the Alabama School of Fine Arts DJD Theater, along with sessions at the Birmingham Museum of Art and Boutwell Auditorium, showcased how collaborative innovation ecosystems are revolutionizing educational access and student outcomes in Southeast communities. These collaborations are replicable models for the nation.

“We’ve learned that innovation isn’t about the technology itself—it’s about creating the conditions where technology can serve authentic educational goals,” said Waymond Jackson, President of Ed Farm. “Our success comes from building true partnerships where communities, educators, and technology leaders work together, creating learning environments that prepare students for futures we can’t yet imagine, while honoring the values and strengths they bring from their communities.”

The summit featured Ed Farm’s signature hands-on “digital playground,” spanning multiple floors, offering attendees immersive experiences with cutting-edge learning technologies, interactive vendor demonstrations, and wellness spaces that exemplify the organization’s holistic approach to educational innovation.

The FOLS 2025 marquee mayors panel “Community Partners: Transformation through Digital Education” featured Birmingham (AL) Mayor Randall Woodfin, Montgomery (AL) Mayor Steven Reed, and Warner Robins (GA) Mayor LaRhonda Patrick. The Ed Farm Spaces partnerships with these three visionary leaders demonstrate how collaborative innovation can fundamentally redefine the relationship between municipalities and educational systems. These partnerships exemplify Ed Farm’s approach to creating sustainable change through strategic stakeholder alignment and community-driven program design that addresses specific local workforce development needs.

Mayor Randall Woodfin of Birmingham emphasized the critical importance of municipal involvement in educational innovation, stating, “It’s extremely, extremely important for mayors to be involved in digital education initiatives.” His enthusiasm for the collaborative efforts of Mayor Patrick and Mayor Reed underscored how Ed Farm facilitates knowledge sharing and best practice development across diverse municipal contexts, creating a network of innovation that benefits all participating communities.

The new Ed Farm Space called InnoLab, launched under Mayor LaRhonda Patrick of Warner Robins, GA, the first elected Black woman mayor in her city’s history, exemplified Ed Farm’s community-first partnership approach by becoming the organization’s inaugural community-based facility. Her administration’s strategic investment in city-funded multigenerational digital learning spaces demonstrates how Ed Farm’s collaborative model enables municipalities to address specific workforce challenges while building long-term educational capacity.

“We need individuals in our community who can perform the jobs that the industry requires,” Mayor Patrick stated, highlighting the direct connection between Ed Farm’s programming and economic development objectives.

The FOLS2025 Superintendents Panel: “District Innovation in Action” provided compelling evidence of Ed Farm’s measurable impact on student achievement, educator effectiveness, and district-wide educational transformation. Featuring distinguished leaders from Birmingham City Schools, Perry County Schools, and Jefferson County Schools, the panel demonstrated how Ed Farm’s collaborative approach delivers sustainable results across diverse educational contexts while maintaining respect for local community values and educational priorities.

Walter B. Gonsoulin Jr., Superintendent of Jefferson County Public Schools in Alabama and the 2025 National Superintendent of the Year, described how students developed apps during summer programming, demonstrating creativity and problem-solving skills. The panel of superintendents emphasized how Ed Farm’s collaborative methodology enables their districts to address critical teacher shortages in under-resourced areas while simultaneously elevating student achievement through innovative programming and strategic community partnerships.

Summit attendees experienced firsthand Ed Farm’s “connected classroom” initiative, which epitomizes the organization’s collaborative approach to solving complex STEM access challenges that have historically limited rural and underserved communities. This cutting-edge program leverages advanced technology to connect rural classrooms with expert educators and comprehensive educational resources, ensuring that geographic isolation no longer determines educational quality or limits a student’s potential for future success.

FOLS2025 successfully established a powerful blueprint for sustainable transformation in ed tech that honors local community values while connecting to broader innovation networks and economic opportunities. The gathering positioned Alabama and the Southeast as national leaders in collaborative educational innovation, while demonstrating Ed Farm’s model is well-positioned to address America’s critical digital skills crisis.

About Ed Farm
Launched in partnership with Apple and Alabama Power Foundation in 2020, Ed Farm is a 501(c)(3) organization that empowers educators, students, and adult learners to not only thrive in today’s digital age but also prepare for the advancements of tomorrow. Through tech-focused programming, leading-edge learning environments, and innovative tools, Ed Farm is on a mission to close the growing digital skills gap in communities across the Southeast and beyond. Headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, Ed Farm is part of Propel Education alongside Propel Center. Learn more at edfarm.org

About the Future of Learning Summit
FOLS is a professional development experience in Birmingham that brings Ed Farm’s passionate community of educators together to reimagine learning through technology and future-focused curriculum. Learn more at https://fols.edfarm.org

For press inquiries, contact Xina Eiland, President of Xina PR, (703) 785-4358, xina@xinapr.com

(Photo/Interview Opportunities Available: High-resolution photos and exclusive interviews with Ed Farm leadership and partner officials are available upon request.)

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Julian McMahon, Actor Who Played Doctor Doom In Fantastic Four Dies At 56

Australian actor Julian McMahon, known for his roles as Doctor Doom in Fantastic Four and popular series such as Charmed and Nip/Tuck, has passed away at the age of 56.

What Happened: According to a report by The Guardian, McMahon passed away in Clearwater, Florida, on Wednesday after battling cancer, a diagnosis that had not been publicly shared.

His wife, Kelly Paniagua, confirmed his death on Friday, expressing her sorrow and admiration for McMahon in a statement to Deadline. She described him as a man who cherished life, family, friends, and his work, and who aimed to bring happiness to others.

Born in Sydney in 1968, McMahon was the son of former Australian Prime Minister Sir William “Billy” McMahon. He began his career as a model before transitioning to acting, gaining fame with roles in Australian soap operas and later, American television series.

McMahon’s portrayal of the villainous Doctor Doom in the Fantastic Four films and his role as Dr. Christian Troy in Nip/Tuck were among his most notable performances. He also starred in FBI: Most Wanted as Jess LaCroix.

Dick Wolf, producer of FBI: Most Wanted, expressed his condolences, calling McMahon’s death “shocking news” and extending sympathies to his family.

Why It Matters: The entertainment industry has recently faced the loss of several iconic figures. Just a few months prior, Val Kilmer, known for his role as Iceman in Top Gun, passed away at 65 after battling pneumonia.

Kilmer’s health had been in decline since a throat cancer diagnosis in 2014, which significantly impacted his career.

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