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‘Atlanta Shows Up for Atlanta’: City Declares Feb. 12 Kenan Thompson Day

THE ATLANTA VOICE — “It feels monumental, man,” Thompson said when asked what it meant to be honored by the city. “It’s so funny to me that a lot of people don’t know that I’m from here. I haven’t done anything but represent Atlanta. I just haven’t lived here since high school.”

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4 months ago

February 16, 2026

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By Donnell Suggs | The Atlanta Voice

When Kenan Thompson tells you he hasn’t lived in Atlanta since high school, the SNL veteran isn’t downplaying his roots, he’s explaining why Thursday’s homecoming felt so monumental. At Retreat by The Gathering Spot on Howell Mill Road, the longest-tenured cast member in “Saturday Night Live” history received an official proclamation from the City of Atlanta, a reminder to everyone that the city’s “proud son” has been representing all along, even if he’s been doing it from 30 Rock.

The ceremony brought together entertainment executive Shanti Das, Fulton County Commissioner Marvin S. Arrington Jr., City Council Post 3 At-Large member Eshe’ Collins, and other city leaders, including director of the Mayor’s Office of Film & Entertainment Phillana Williams

“It feels monumental, man,” Thompson said when asked what it meant to be honored by the city. “It’s so funny to me that a lot of people don’t know that I’m from here. I haven’t done anything but represent Atlanta. I just haven’t lived here since high school.”

He added that the proclamation served as a reminder that Atlanta has “a proud son out there and a son that they can be proud of as well,” calling the moment “a beautiful occasion.”

Das, who organized the event, said the idea began months ago as Thompson prepared to release his second book, a children’s title called “The Unfunny Bunny.”

“I feel like a lot of people don’t know that he’s actually from here,” Das said. “With him being at the height of his career and a new book coming out, I wanted Atlanta to celebrate him.”

She said she first floated the idea to Thompson about four or five months ago, then coordinated with his team to add Atlanta to his book tour schedule. She also reached out to Ryan Wilson of The Gathering Spot to co-host the event, along with city officials to begin the proclamation process.

Wilson said the decision to participate was immediate.

“Shanti is doing amazing work,” Wilson said. “When Shanti calls, I’m going to do it.” He added that celebrating hometown figures in a way that brings community together aligns with The Gathering Spot’s mission.

Thompson received two proclamations during the ceremony. Arrington Jr. presented one from Fulton County, while Collins delivered a proclamation from the Atlanta City Council officially declaring February 12, 2026, as “Kenan Thompson Day” in the city.

Reading from the proclamation, Collins highlighted Thompson’s Atlanta roots, noting he was raised in College Park in the Cascade community, where his creative talents were nurtured through Atlanta institutions including the Alliance Theater School, the Atlanta Boy Choir, the Freddie Hendricks Youth Ensemble of Atlanta, church productions, and Tri-Cities High School.

“Atlanta is a special place, and one thing we want to continue to foster is our children knowing that they can be who they see in front of them,” Collins said, thanking Thompson for sharing his talents with Atlanta’s children. “So thank you so much for your book.”

Thomposon (above) was born in Columbus, Ohio, but was raised in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by Noah Washington/The Atlanta Voice

The proclamation recognized Thompson as an Emmy Award-winning actor, comedian, producer, author and cultural icon whose career has brought joy, laughter and representation to audiences for more than three decades. It noted his professional debut in 1994’s “D2: The Mighty Ducks” and his role as an original cast member of Nickelodeon’s “All That,” before co-starring in “Kenan & Kel” and joining “Saturday Night Live” in 2003, where he became both the first cast member born after the show’s debut and the longest-tenured cast member in its history.

Beyond the ceremony, Thompson used the visit to promote “Unfunny Bunny,” his second book following a memoir. The children’s story centers on a bunny learning how to be funny and is aimed at young readers and families.

“It’s a children’s book called ‘Unfunny Bunny,’” Thompson said. “It’s for little kids. It’s my second book.” He explained that as a parent of two daughters, ages 7 and 11, he understands both the joy and daily effort required in raising children.

Thompson said he has visited multiple schools during his trip, reading to students across the city.

“I’ve visited like four schools in the last two mornings and read to a bunch of beautiful little Black faces,” he said, noting that what matters most is not celebrity recognition but time spent. “What matters is that somebody came to spend time with them.”

The book, he said, is part of a broader desire to inspire young people to dream beyond what they see in front of them.

“I didn’t think when I was growing up that I would write books or be a movie person,” Thompson said, encouraging families to support the next generation.

During a brief discussion about his longevity on “Saturday Night Live,” Thompson credited his support system. The show’s schedule runs roughly eight to nine months each year, from October to May, he said, making it a significant time commitment.

“My family is very supportive of my career,” he said, adding that their encouragement allows him to pursue his work without feeling disconnected from home.

Even as he has become a household name, Thompson said he still values moving through the world with humility and accessibility, preferring genuine connection over celebrity insulation.

“Atlanta shows up for Atlanta,” she said. “That’s what makes this such a special place.”

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2026 Lucid Air Grand Touring Review — Is This $136K EV Sedan Worth It?

AUTONETWORK ON BLACKPRESSUSA — Finished in Stellar White Metallic with the Tahoe Grand Touring interior, this Lucid makes a strong first impression. The shape is sleek and low, but it still feels elegant instead of trying too hard. Features like soft-close doors, powered illuminated door handles, 20-inch Aero Lite wheels, and the Glass Canopy Roof help the car feel expensive before you even start it.

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1 month ago

May 3, 2026

Oakland Post

The 2026 Lucid Air Grand Touring is the kind of luxury EV that makes people stop and ask a simple question: Is this really better than a Tesla Model S, Mercedes EQS, or BMW i7? At $136,150, it has to do more than look futuristic. It has to feel special every time you get in it.

Finished in Stellar White Metallic with the Tahoe Grand Touring interior, this Lucid makes a strong first impression. The shape is sleek and low, yet it still feels elegant rather than trying too hard. Features like soft-close doors, powered illuminated door handles, 20-inch Aero Lite wheels, and the Glass Canopy Roof help the car feel expensive before you even start it.

Inside is where the Air Grand Touring really makes its case. The 34-inch Glass Cockpit Display and retractable Pilot Panel screen give the cabin a clean, modern look that still feels different from other EVs. The Tahoe Extended Leather and Lucid Black Alcantara headliner lifts the sense of occasion, and the front seats are a highlight. They are 20-way power-adjustable, heated, ventilated, and include massage. That matters because luxury buyers at this price expect comfort first.

Rear passengers are not ignored either. You get 5-zone heated rear seating, a rear center console display, and power rear and rear side window sunshades. Add in the Surreal Sound Pro system with 21 speakers, and the Air feels like a true long-distance luxury sedan.

Lucid also gives this car serious EV hardware. The dual-motor all-wheel-drive system, 900V+ charging architecture, and Wunderbox onboard charger are big talking points. Buyers in this segment care about range, charging speed, and everyday ease, not just raw performance. That is where the Lucid continues to stand out.

On the technology side, the Air Grand Touring includes DreamDrive Premium, with 3D Surround View Monitoring, Blind Spot Warning, Automatic Park In and Out, Automatic Emergency Braking, and a Driver Monitoring System with distracted and drowsy driver alerts. This one also has DreamDrive Pro, which adds future-capable ADAS hardware.

There are still some real-world annoyances. Based on your notes, the windshield wiper control is hard to find and use, and that matters more than people think in a high-tech car. When controls become less intuitive, even a beautiful interior can feel frustrating.

Still, the 2026 Lucid Air Grand Touring succeeds where it matters most. It feels luxurious, advanced, comfortable, and thoughtfully engineered. For buyers who want an EV sedan that feels truly premium and less common than the usual choices, this Lucid makes a very strong case.

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Snoop Dogg Celebrates 10 Til’ Midnight at the Compound

LOS ANGELES SENTINEL — The album is paired with a film that stars Snoop Dogg, Hitta J3, G Perico, and Ray Vaughn, and one of the strongest elements of the whole project is that the production stayed rooted right here in Los Angeles.

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1 month ago

May 3, 2026

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Snoop Dogg celebrated the premiere of 10 Til’ Midnight at his Inglewood recording studio & multipurpose facility, The Compound, but the night felt like much more than an album release. It felt like Los Angeles. It felt like legacy. And it felt like another major move from one of the city’s greatest cultural architects as he continues to prove that he is not just dropping music — he is building moments, shaping narratives, and pushing the culture forward in real time.

What made the event so powerful was the clarity behind the vision. During a panel conversation with DJ Hed, Snoop opened up about the heart behind 10 Til’ Midnight, explaining that the project was created to help bridge older and younger generations while also speaking to the long-standing divisions between Bloods and Crips in a unique way through film. That alone gave the project a different kind of weight. This was not just about songs. This was about using creativity as a tool for connection. This was about taking a story rooted in Los Angeles and telling it in a way that could bring people together.

Snoop Congratulated By Rapper & Fellow 10 Til Midnight Cast Member G Perico (CreativeLB/KreativeKapturez)

The album is paired with a film that stars Snoop Dogg, Hitta J3, G Perico, and Ray Vaughn, and one of the strongest elements of the whole project is that the production stayed rooted right here in Los Angeles. The film was shot in the city, including at WePlay Studios in Inglewood, which gave the entire project an even deeper hometown feel. It was not just a West Coast story in content — it was a Los Angeles-made production from the ground up.

That matters because, in a city like this, authenticity still carries weight. Snoop understands how to make sure that what he creates does not just represent Los Angeles on the surface, but actually comes from it.

What also makes 10 Til’ Midnight significant is that it represents another major step in Snoop’s evolution as both an artist and executive. Public reporting around the project identifies it as his 22nd studio album, but the bigger story is what it represents in this season of his life. This is one of several consecutive moves he has made in his 50s that show he is still building, still expanding, and still finding new ways to reinvent what the next chapter looks like.

Snoop Dogg at the Premiere of 10 Til Midnight (CreativeLB/KreativeKapturez)

Now, as the head of Death Row Records and the newly aligned leader of Death Row Pictures, he is taking the brand into a new dimension. That is what made this moment feel bigger than music. Snoop is not just protecting the legacy of Death Row — he is stretching it. He is expanding it beyond records and into film, visual storytelling, and larger creative worlds that can continue carrying the label’s impact forward. Public reporting has noted that this project arrives as part of that broader cinematic push.

That is a major Los Angeles move because the city has always been built on the intersection of music, film, neighborhood identity, and cultural storytelling. With 10 Til’ Midnight, Snoop is leaning all the way into that intersection.

The room at The Compound reflected that. It felt like a private premiere, but it also felt like a statement — a reminder that Snoop Dogg’s staying power has never been based only on nostalgia. It comes from his ability to remain connected, remain visionary, and remain in tune with how to move the culture without losing the essence of who he is.

That is why this premiere mattered. It was not just about celebrating another album. It was about witnessing a Los Angeles legend continue to evolve, continue to unify, and continue to use art to tell stories that hit deeper than entertainment alone.

In that sense, 10 Til’ Midnight became more than a project launch. It became another example of how Snoop Dogg is still taking Los Angeles to the next level — using music, film, and legacy together to build something bigger than a moment.

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OP-ED: Small Businesses Need Minnesota to Act on Pass-Through Tax Policy

MINNESOTA SPOKESMAN RECORDER — A Twin Cities immigrant entrepreneur who built several businesses including grocery stores in underserved neighborhoods is calling on Minnesota lawmakers to extend the Pass-Through Entity tax option before it expires, warning that its loss would hit small businesses already recovering from Operation Metro Surge with higher federal tax bills.

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1 month ago

May 3, 2026

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A Twin Cities Small Business Owner Is Urging Minnesota to Extend a Tax Policy That Could Save Thousands of Businesses

By Daniel Hernandez | Minnesota Spokesman Recorder

I came to the United States as a teenager with a clear goal: to build something meaningful through hard work. I put in long days in construction, restaurants, and landscaping; doing whatever it took to learn, save, and eventually start my own business.

Over time, I built and ran several successful ventures, including an event photography company, a magazine, a tax and accounting firm, and now grocery stores serving neighborhoods across the Twin Cities where other retailers chose not to invest. I’ve created jobs, supported families, and committed to communities that deserve stability and opportunity.

That’s why I’m speaking out now.

Small business owners in Minneapolis and the communities we serve are recovering from serious disruptions, including the impacts of Operation Metro Surge. That event hit immigrant communities especially hard. In my own case, I lost nearly half of my 60 employees and saw revenue drop by about 85%. While I worked to provide competitive wages, health benefits, and paid time off, the real hardship fell on the people who lost their jobs and income.

Even as we rebuild, small businesses are facing another challenge. The Minnesota Legislature is considering letting an important tax policy expire: the Pass-Through Entity tax option.

Here’s what that means in plain terms.

Many small businesses, including mine, are pass-through businesses. That means the business itself doesn’t pay income tax. Instead, the owners report the income on their personal tax returns. But under current federal rules, there’s a limit on how much state tax we can deduct. That often leads to higher federal tax bills.

The Pass-Through Entity option fixes that. It allows the business to pay the state tax directly, which means the business can fully deduct those taxes on its federal return and lower the total amount of income taxed federally. The result is straightforward: small business owners pay less in federal taxes, without reducing what the state collects.

This policy is not new or controversial. Thirty-six states already offer it. It doesn’t cost Minnesota anything, it’s revenue neutral. And it benefits more than 66,000 businesses across the state.

In a state where the cost of doing business is already high, it’s hard to understand why we wouldn’t offer the same basic tax treatment as states like California and Illinois.

Small businesses have carried a heavy load in recent years, through a pandemic, rising costs and public safety disruptions. We’ve adapted, reinvested and stayed committed to our communities. What we need now are practical policies that support that work, not make it harder.

If the Minnesota House does not act soon, many businesses will face significantly higher federal tax bills. That’s money that could otherwise be used to hire workers, raise wages or reinvest in local neighborhoods.

I urge Gov. Tim Walz and members of the House Tax Committee to pass House File 3127 and extend the Pass-Through Entity election.

Small businesses are the backbone of our communities. We’ve proven our resilience. Now we need our state leaders to show the same commitment to us.

Daniel Hernandez is the owner of Colonial Market located at 2100 E. Lake St.

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