Free Republic

Robert Francis Prevost, who was selected as the Catholic Church’s first American pope Thursday and took the name Leo XIV, has a family history that some were celebrating as uniquely diverse, with one genealogist claiming he has ties to “free people of color” in New Orleans. Key Facts The maternal side of Pope Leo XIV’s family can be traced back to at least the 1840s among “free people of color” in New Orleans, according to Jari C. Honora, a genealogist with the Historic New Orleans Collection, a research center documenting the city’s history. Rep. Troy Carter, D-La., who represents New...

Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced today that his Election Integrity Unit has issued a warning to Ohio’s 88 county boards of elections after an investigation uncovered the use of illegal voter registration forms by a government agency. “This is a reminder to all of our elections officials to be vigilant as we enter the final weeks of voter registration eligibility for the 2024 general election,” said Secretary LaRose. “We’re continuing to aggressively pursue third-party groups and paid canvassers who’ve been submitting fraudulent registration forms, and we’re cracking down on the use of illegal forms that aren’t authorized by my...

The distraught dad whose 12-year-old son died after being attacked at school over what may have been a $1 dare was overcome with grief Saturday — and blamed the boy’s classmates. “They beat my son in the school. They kill him,” Romain Vilsaint, 59, sobbed, speaking in Creole as a neighbor translated. “Oh God, I lost my son, I lost my son.” His family said the boy complained of a headache Wednesday, but didn’t tell them until later he was jumped by two kids. They don’t know where or what sparked the incident. He went to school Thursday, where he...

This is a message from David Greely of the Mamou Playboys about a critical need to save historic Cajun & Creole recordings housed in the Archive of Cajun and Creole folklore at the University of Louisiana Dupré Library and how we fans of this music can help. Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution. -Coup de Main for the Culture- In an effort to save and restore more than 1,800 recordings of Cajun and Creole music that span over a century, we are passing along an appeal for donations to all Cajun music fans. Considered by musicians (including the Mamou Playboys,...