US NATIONAL NEWS
Reader’s Digest Names Gallatin, Tennessee Winner Of First ‘Nicest Places in America’ Contest
Published
9 years agoon
NEW YORK, (FNN NEWS) // By Reader’s Digest // — Reader’s Digest today announced the town of Gallatin, Tennessee as the winner of its first “Nicest Place in America” contest. The community is featured on the cover of the November issue of the magazine with the accompanying feature story found both in the issue and online at www.rd.com/nicest.
Launched in April 2017 in partnership with Nextdoor, the private social network for neighborhoods, the “Nicest Place in America” contest is Reader’s Digest‘s first national crowd-sourced search for exceptional places that are epicenters of community spirit and trust. The inaugural contest drew hundreds of nominations of physical locations from across America with stories that reflect a more civil, kinder American attitude.
“At a time when the country seems to be more divided than ever, we launched ‘Nicest Places’ as a way to counter that national dynamic,” says Bruce Kelley, Editor-in-Chief of Reader’s Digest. “We all know local places where neighbors help one another in good times and bad and where strangers are made to feel welcome. Reader’s Digest wanted to celebrate those places that embody community spirit and remind us that trust and a sense of belonging, rather than division and incivility, is what binds us together as Americans.”
“More and more, we are seeing people pull together at a national level when faced with tragedy,” says Kelley.” But that eagerness to connect exists every day at the local level, in small towns and city neighborhoods all across America.”
Located just outside of booming Nashville, the winning place of Gallatin is a farm-community-turned-suburb of nearly 40,000 residents with a commitment to diversity, charity work, and an overall culture of kindness. In 2016, the town rose above adversity in the wake of a police shooting that threatened to be a catalyst for major conflict. The once-segregated community, rather than descend into the finger-pointing or violence that have afflicted other cities and towns, hosted a prayer vigil outside of city hall that drew civic and religious leaders from across the town’s diverse communities.
“Gallatin was one of hundreds of places eager to share their stories of people instinctively putting community ahead of themselves,” says Kelley. “Never was this more apparent than in the wake of a terrible shooting, when the people of Gallatin decided against the ‘us against them’ anger and suspicion of the past and instead chose peaceful and civil dialogue to move forward as a community.”
Kelley notes that the ten finalists were a mirror of the “compassion and generosity that is at the core of America’s values and sense of belonging.” Among the finalists are places like Providence, Rhode Island, where residents gather to shine their flashlights to the windows of a local hospital as a way of signaling support for children undergoing cancer treatment; Pflugerville High School, in Texas, which has stamped out teen cyber-bullying and built a better school community; and Shorewood, Wisconsin, where a local group of families has turned a local online bulletin board into a no-judgment zone offering emotional and financial support to its virtual community of young mothers.
The ten editor-selected “Nicest Place” finalists were announced in June 2017, when voting was opened to the public, resulting in over 300,000 views and close to 80,000 votes, more than 30,000 of them cast for Gallatin. Reader’s Digest editors then considered this voting tally along with its in-depth reporting on the finalist places—plus the input of Platinum-selling Country artist Brett Young, the contest’s celebrity judge—to select the “Nicest Place in America.”
“I was happy to be a part of recognizing places that celebrate and embrace kindness,” says Young. “It’s important to highlight places that value being good to one another and I’m glad that there is a spotlight on these inspiring communities.”
An award ceremony and celebration will be held at Gallatin City Hall on Wednesday, October 11th at 9:00am (CDT).
SOURCE | Reader’s Digest
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Politics
FORMER PRESIDENTS, CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS GATHER FOR OPENING OF OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER
Published
1 week agoon
June 18, 2026
CHICAGO (FNN NEWS) — The long-awaited Barack Obama Presidential Center officially opened Thursday with a star-studded dedication ceremony on Chicago’s South Side, drawing former presidents, national leaders, celebrities, and thousands of invited guests.
The ceremony began at 11 a.m. CDT with Chicago native and Grammy Award-winning singer Jennifer Hudson performing the national anthem.
Obama Center Opens
Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama delivered remarks celebrating the opening of the center, which is designed to serve as a cultural, educational, and civic engagement hub.
The opening marks the formal debut of one of the most anticipated presidential centers in modern history. The campus opens to the public on Juneteenth and is expected to attract visitors from across the United States and around the world.
Former Presidents in Attendance
Among the dignitaries attending the ceremony were:
- Former President Joe Biden
- Former President George W. Bush
- Former President Bill Clinton
- Former First Lady Jill Biden
- Former First Lady Laura Bush
- Former Secretary of State and former First Lady Hillary Clinton
National Leaders and Celebrities Attend
The event also attracted prominent political leaders, civil rights advocates, entertainers, and business leaders, including:
- California Gov. Gavin Newsom
- Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro
- Civil rights leaders Andrew Young and Al Sharpton
- Media icon Oprah Winfrey
- Comedians David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, and Stephen Colbert
- Actor Tom Hanks
- Tennis legend Billie Jean King
- Chicago Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts
Several attendees, including Newsom and Shapiro, are widely viewed as potential contenders for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination.
A Landmark for Chicago’s South Side
The opening of the Obama Presidential Center represents a significant milestone for Chicago’s South Side, bringing national attention, tourism, and economic development opportunities to the community.
Thousands of invited guests attended the ceremony, while residents and supporters gathered at a free public watch party to celebrate the historic occasion.
The center is expected to serve as a lasting tribute to the legacy of the nation’s 44th president while inspiring future generations of leaders through civic engagement, education, and public service.
About the Obama Presidential Center
The Obama Presidential Center is a world-class campus dedicated to preserving and advancing the legacy of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. The center includes museum exhibits, public gathering spaces, educational programming, and community resources aimed at fostering leadership and civic participation.
Politics
State Department Offers Up to $15 Million in Rewards for MS-13 Leaders Wanted on Terrorism, Drug Trafficking Charges
Published
1 week agoon
June 18, 2026
WASHINGTON (FNN NEWS) — The U.S. Department of State announced Thursday that it is increasing reward offers totaling up to $15 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of two senior leaders of Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), a transnational criminal organization designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).
Reward Offers Increased
The State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs announced a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Yulan Adonay Archaga Carías, also known as “Porky,” and up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Víctor Eduardo Morales Zelaya, also known as “Cuervo.”
The reward offers were announced by Thomas “Tommy” Pigott, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State.
MS-13 Leadership in Honduras
According to federal court documents, Archaga Carías and Morales Zelaya are the highest-ranking members of MS-13 operating in Honduras. Authorities allege they direct the gang’s criminal operations, including:
- Drug trafficking
- Money laundering
- Murder
- Kidnappings
- Other violent criminal activities
Federal authorities also allege the two men are responsible for coordinating the importation of significant quantities of cocaine into the United States. Both remain fugitives.
Among America’s Most Wanted
Archaga Carías is listed on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list and is also among the most wanted fugitives sought by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
The case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) established under Executive Order 14159. The task force is a permanent, whole-of-government initiative focused on dismantling criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in the United States and abroad.
How to Provide Information
The reward offers were authorized by the Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security under the Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program (TOCRP), which supports global law enforcement efforts to combat transnational criminal organizations.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the FBI through WhatsApp, Signal, or Telegram at +1-832-267-1688.
Individuals located outside the United States may also contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Those within the United States may contact their local FBI field office.
Confidentiality Guaranteed
U.S. officials emphasized that all identities of individuals providing information will be kept strictly confidential. Government officials and employees are not eligible for rewards based on information obtained through their official duties.
US NATIONAL NEWS
Rubio, Jaishankar Discuss Strait of Hormuz Security During Diplomatic Call
Published
2 weeks agoon
June 13, 2026
WASHINGTON (FNN NEWS) — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to discuss recent developments in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a State Department readout released Friday.
According to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott, the conversation focused on maritime security and commercial shipping in one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.
Focus on Maritime Security
During the call, Rubio stressed that commercial vessels operating in the Strait of Hormuz should immediately comply with instructions issued by U.S. forces as they work to maintain regional peace and security.
The secretary also emphasized U.S. concerns regarding the transportation of Iranian oil and warned that violations of U.S. enforcement measures would not be tolerated.
Critical Global Waterway
The Strait of Hormuz serves as a vital shipping route connecting the Persian Gulf to international markets and is one of the world’s most important energy transit corridors. Any disruption to commercial traffic through the region can have significant implications for global energy supplies and international trade.
The call highlights continued diplomatic coordination between the United States and India on regional security issues and freedom of navigation in key international waterways.
