mourns

Michael Archer Jr., the son of R&B stars D’Angelo and Angie Stone, has been dealing with grief for months — long before the death of his father on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old musician, whose stage name is Swayvo Twain, penned a heartbreaking Instagram post reflecting on the deaths of his parents and the final moments he shared with his Grammy-winning dad. His mother, Grammy-nominated singer Angie Stone, died in March in a traffic accident in Alabama. She was 63. D’Angelo died Tuesday after a private battle with cancer. He was 51.

“I just sat here watchin my daddy die after feeling like it was the first time he and I were truly building,” Archer wrote in an Instagram story shared Tuesday. “He was there when I needed him most after the passing of my momma.”

Archer added: “Unfortunately, time ran out.”

D’Angelo’s family announced Tuesday that the neo-soul pioneer had “been called home” after a “prolonged and courageous battle with cancer.” Additional details about his cancer fight were not revealed.

D’Angelo was a four-time Grammy winner known for his sensual albums “Brown Sugar” and “Voodoo.” Though he was immeasurably influential on generations of R&B, the singer had a fraught relationship with fame that led to stints of years out of the spotlight. Stone, on the other hand, was a singer who found success in the neo-soul movement in the 1990s after after nearly two decades in the music business. Her work included the solo album “Black Diamond” and the singles “No More Rain (In This Cloud)” and “Wish I Didn’t Miss You.”

Before his parents’ deaths, the rapper-singer spoke about D’Angelo and Stone’s careers and their influence on his music for an episode of MTV’s “Family Legacy.” As he recalled bonding with his father over music and shared a tender — at times awkward — confessional with his mother, he joked that the pair’s best work was himself.

Archer reflected on the “Family Legacy” episode weeks after his mother’s death, writing on Instagram that he wanted to pave his own path and “separate myself from my parents cause it always felt like I was fated to be in their shadows forever.”

“Thankfully, long before, momma left I learned to embrace them and their legacy full on,” he wrote at the time. “I’m blessed and happy to have had this moment with my momma man.”

Joining Archer on social media in mouring D’Angelo’s death were Lauryn Hill, Jaime Foxx, Missy Elliott and Jill Scott. Beyoncé honored the R&B star with a tribute on the homepage of her website.

“We thank you for your beautiful music, your voice, your proficiency on the piano, your artistry,” the memorial reads. “You were the pioneer of neo-soul and that changed and transformed rhythm & blues forever. We will never forget you.”

Aug. 28 (UPI) — In Minneapolis, people of all faiths have united in mourning after Wednesday’s church school shooting that killed two children.

Minneapolis officials have added another victim to the total from yesterday’s mass shooting at the Church of the Annunciation.

Current totals now are two children, ages 8 and 19, who were killed by shooter Robin Westman, who died by gun suicide at the scene, according to Minneapolis officials.

Another 15 children and minors between ages 6 and 15 were injured, along with three adult parishioners who were attending the morning school mass at the church in south Minneapolis.

Hundreds of people gathered at Lynnhurst Park in the city on Wednesday evening to mourn the two children who were killed. Many left flowers and candles.

A memorial prayer was held at the Academy of Holy Angels at 8:58 p.m. after starting late to accommodate hundreds of attendees, the Star Tribune reported.

“I was very moved to see how many churches were having prayer services this evening, how many of our Protestant brothers and sisters [attended],” Archbishop Bernard Hebda told those in attendance.

“I received messages today from the Jewish community, from the Muslim community,” Hebda added. “I know there are representatives from both of those groups who are here.”

Hebda read a message from Pope Leo, as written by Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

“He sends his heartfelt condolences and the assurance of spiritual closeness to all those affected by this terrible tragedy,” Hebda said.

The Minneapolis Police Department increased its patrols near the school, and city officials are coordinating with the St. Paul Police Department, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office and other local law enforcement to provide added security at all schools in the city’s metro area for the next couple of weeks.

A news conference was scheduled at 1 p.m. CDT at Minneapolis City Hall and was to include local officials, law enforcement and members of Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action.

Westman, 23, legally purchased the rifle, shotgun and pistol used to carry out the attack at the religious school for children in pre-K through eighth grade.

Westman once attended the Annunciation Catholic School, and Westman’s mother formerly was a teacher.

Westman was born Robert Westman but, according to Fox News, changed his name to Robin in 2019. CNN reported that Westman graduated from Annunciation’s grade school in 2017, based on a yearbook photo.

Local officials say Westman acted alone, and local police obtained four search warrants for the church and three other locations in Minneapolis, which led to the recovery of several more firearms.

A motive remains unknown, but Westman had posted a manifesto online, along with photos of firearms and ammunition magazines upon which he had written various statements.

The online content has been removed, and the FBI is investigating the shooting as an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime against Catholics, FBI Director Kash Patel said in a post on X.

Palestinian boy Ahmed Aaed takes care of stray cats in Gaza, which brings him comfort and purpose. He’s shared his grief over one kitten he was unable to save due to the Israeli-imposed shortage of food and medicine.

Hundreds of mourners attended the funeral for 40-year-old Khamis Ayyad, who died from smoke inhalation after an Israeli settler arson attack in the occupied West Bank. His death follows a surge in settler violence this year.

Texans gather in Kerrville to mourn 120 flood victims and pray for more than 160 still missing.

Several hundred people have gathered in Tivy Antler Stadium in Texas to mourn the many lives lost and pray for those still missing from the catastrophic flash floods that battered the state over the United States July Fourth holiday.

The vigil, held on Wednesday in Kerrville – one of the worst-affected areas – brought together grieving families, local clergy, and volunteers. “Our communities were struck with tragedy literally in the darkness,” youth minister Wyatt Wentrcek told the crowd. “Middle of the night.”

At least 120 people have been confirmed dead, with more than 160 still unaccounted for, making it the deadliest inland flooding in the US since 1976. No survivors have been found since Friday.

Blue shirts bearing the school’s slogan, Tivy Fight Never Die, and green ribbons for Camp Mystic – a century-old all-girls Christian camp where at least 27 campers and counsellors died – were worn by many attendees. Officials said five campers and one counsellor from the camp remain unaccounted for.

Ricky Pruitt of the Kerrville Church of Christ addressed the crowd, noting the emotional weight of holding the vigil at a stadium more often used to celebrate sporting triumphs. “Tonight is very different than all of those nights,” he said, as reported by The Associated Press.

As mourners held each other and wiped their tears, search crews continued scouring the Guadalupe River – on foot, horseback, and by air – for those still missing. Search dogs were deployed to sniff through trees and piles of debris. Officials admitted hope of finding survivors had all but faded, with efforts now focused on giving families closure.

Worst flood in 50 years

Meteorologist Bob Henson said the disaster ranks as the most lethal inland flood in nearly five decades, surpassing the 1976 Big Thompson Canyon flood in Colorado, which killed 144.

Governor Greg Abbott said many of those who were in the Hill Country during the holiday were never formally registered at a camp or hotel, making it harder to account for everyone.

He has faced growing criticism over the state’s flood preparedness, with many asking why warnings were delayed and evacuation measures insufficient.

Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha assured residents that accountability would come but said the immediate priority remains to recover the missing.

Abbott has urged state legislators to approve a new flood warning system and boost emergency communication networks. He is pushing for the issue to be addressed during a special legislative session already scheduled to begin on July 21. He also called for financial aid to support recovery efforts.

For years, local officials have debated installing a flood siren system, but concerns over cost and noise meant the idea was shelved – a decision now under intense scrutiny.

US President Donald Trump has pledged full federal support and is expected to visit the affected areas on Friday.

The football world has paid tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother, who died in a car crash in Spain on Thursday. Liverpool FC fans gathered outside Anfield to mourn his death. The 28-year-old had recently married and was the father of three children.