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Kansas business man gives back to community amid cancer battle: 'Means the world to me'

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Kansas business man gives back to community amid cancer battle: 'Means the world to me'

A Kansas businessman is making spirits bright and continuing a 21-year-long Christmas tradition by helping provide meals to those in need – even while going through a battle with his own health. 

“This has been such a special time, and we really couldn’t have done all of this without the community,” Shawn Holiday, co-owner and wife of Doug Holiday, said, describing their family tradition. “But our boys, this is all they’ve ever known since they were little. 

Doug and Shawn Holiday opened the popular Lawrence, Kansas, barbecue spot in 2004 and that’s when they were first approached by the First United Methodist Church for help.

“Since 2004, we’ve been doing this on Christmas Eve. This is what we do. We come in, get the turkeys, clean them out, get them ready to be put in the smoker. If the weather’s bad, the boys and Doug will spend the night here to make sure that all the process for the smoking goes through perfectly,” Shawn Holiday said while explaining the process of getting the dinners ready. 

HERE’S THE CHRISTMAS TOWN WHERE SANTA’S ELVES ANSWER THOUSANDS OF LETTERS

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Doug Holiday and his family have served meals to the Lawrence, Kansas, community on Christmas Eve for 21 years.  (Shawn Holiday)

This year marks their 21st year of helping prepare meals for the church. In the two decades since they began, Doug says they have cooked over 1,300 turkeys and fed more than 20,000 people.

“So that’s a pretty good record I think,” Doug said with a chuckle.

But this year has been harder than most on the Holiday family. 

Doug Holiday, a three-time cancer survivor, was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the beginning of 2024.

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“You just got to keep moving forward. I had a different kind of cancer in 2014 and we did the same thing. My boys chipped in… I got three boys. Now they’re all grown and they all come back and help. And it means a lot to me,” Doug Holiday said, choking back tears.

JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS, HUSBAND RECEIVES MIRACULOUS ‘GODWINK’: ‘COMPLETELY HEALED’

Doug Holiday, a three-time cancer survivor, is continuing a 21-year family tradition of giving back to the community, despite battling prostate cancer.   (Shawn Holiday)

Doug Holiday has battled Non-Hodgskin’s lymphoma and melanoma cancer in the past. 

Despite his health battles, Doug said this tradition with his family and the community is what he looks forward to most every holiday season.

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“It means the world to me. It really does and makes it so special for me [sharing this with his family] I can’t describe it, it’s a very emotional time,” Doug Holiday said. 

Shawn Holiday said the need for the meals continues to grow in the Lawrence community, and she is constantly amazed by the support they continue to receive each year for this event.

3 US CITIES THAT ATTRACT HOLIDAY TRAVELERS AND SPREAD CHRISTMAS CHEER

Biggs BBQ owners Doug and Shawn Holiday have continued a 21-year family tradition of cooking turkeys for the Lawrence community, despite Doug going through a battle with prostate cancer.  (Shawn Holiday)

“It seems like the need keeps growing for the past few years. And so it’s really nice that everybody does jump in to help out the people that need it. I mean, we’ve had things in our personal lives that have, you know, gone sideways. But even if Doug is not feeling well, he would never let the community down,” Shawn Holiday said. 

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Shawn added that even their customers have joined in on the holiday giving through the years. 

“We have customers that come in and drop off bags, and they bring in turkeys to donate for the community dinner. I mean, it’s a whole project that everybody does, and it really is an amazing experience,” Shawn continued.

The Holiday family has been collecting and cooking turkeys for the Lawrence, Kansas, community since 2004.  (Shawn Holiday)

“It shows the amazing people that live in Lawrence, Kansas, and how everyone can get together and for one cause and help each other. And that’s what’s the neat thing about the whole thing. That’s what’s neat about Lawrence, Kansas,” Doug Holiday echoed his wife. 

Doug shared that what makes this all even more special is that he has seen his three grown sons, Seth, Jacob and Ben continue to show up each year and continue the family’s tradition.

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“All the boys have grown up. What is amazing is that when we first started this in 2004, it would take 4 to 5 hours probably for us to prepare the turkeys and get them ready for the smoker. And it’s taking less and less time now that they’ve grown,” Doug shared.

“It’s been very, very satisfying for me to know that my sons care and want to help. It’s something I look forward to every year.” 

Anyone wanting to contribute to the community dinner can make donations to the First United Methodist Church of Lawrence, Kansas, or the American Cancer Society. 

Fox News Digital’s Brooke Curto contributed to this report. 

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Stepheny Price is writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Story tips and ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com

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Michigan

Thumb Coast Electric earns Michigan 50 Companies to Watch honor

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Thumb Coast Electric earns Michigan 50 Companies to Watch honor


Thumb Coast Electric has been named a 2026 Michigan 50 Companies to Watch Award recipient, according to a community announcement recognizing high‑growth, second‑stage businesses across the state.

The Port Huron‑based electrical contractor was honored April 22 during the 22nd annual Michigan Celebrates Small Business Gala, where company representatives were recognized onstage alongside other awardees before an audience of more than 800 business owners and supporters.

The award is presented by Michigan Celebrates Small Business, which annually recognizes companies that demonstrate strong growth potential, sustainable competitive advantages and a commitment to their communities. Thumb Coast Electric is listed among the 2026 honorees in the Michigan 50 Companies to Watch category.

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Recognizing second‑stage growth

The Michigan 50 Companies to Watch Award honors second‑stage companies — defined as businesses with six to 99 full‑time‑equivalent employees and annual revenue or working capital between $750,000 and $50 million — that are privately held and headquartered in Michigan.

“These companies represent the future of Michigan’s economy,” said Brian Calley, president and CEO of the Small Business Association of Michigan, which partners in the awards program. He said the designation recognizes businesses that combine consistent growth with strong workplace culture and community impact.

Judges from economic and entrepreneurship development organizations across the state select winners based on employee or sales growth, sustainable competitive advantage and other indicators of long‑term success. Award finalists also undergo a due‑diligence review before final selections are made.

Community and company culture

Thumb Coast Electric representative Erica Chisholm said the recognition reflects both employee dedication and community support.

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“Receiving the Michigan 50 Companies to Watch award is a huge honor because it reflects the hard work our team puts in every day and the support we’ve had from our community,” Chisholm said, according to the announcement. She said the company has focused on sustainable growth, investing in its workforce and maintaining quality standards as it expands.

Michigan Celebrates Small Business launched the 50 Companies to Watch program in 2004 and has honored more than 1,200 businesses statewide over the past two decades.

This story was created by Dave DeMille, ddemille@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.



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Minnesota

Minnesota HOA bill to cap homeowner fines heads to Walz’s desk

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Minnesota HOA bill to cap homeowner fines heads to Walz’s desk


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  • A bipartisan bill to reform homeowners’ associations has passed the Minnesota Senate and now awaits the governor’s signature.
  • The legislation caps most HOA fines at $100 and requires board members to disclose potential financial conflicts of interest.
  • The bill also limits an HOA’s ability to charge residents legal fees for questioning fines or charges.

A bipartisan bill limiting homeowners’ association fees, implementing new transparency and conflict-of-interest rules and establishing a path to dissolve some HOAs passed the Minnesota Senate Wednesday. The bill (SF1750) now heads to Gov. Tim Walz’s desk for final approval. 

Homeowners in Minnesota have faced massive charges from their HOAs for questionable construction projects, like new roofs and siding. A 2025 Reformer investigation found that some HOA management companies hired their own subsidiaries to complete expensive construction projects. In at least one case, a homeowner wound up in foreclosure due to hefty assessments. 

The bill passed by the Senate — and previously, by the House — would cap HOA fines at $100, with exceptions for repeat violations, health and safety risks, property damage or illegal rentals. It would require board members and property managers to disclose their financial relationships and recuse themselves from decisions from which they could financially benefit.

If signed into law by Walz, it would also require HOAs to make budgets available prior to meetings and to provide copies of contracts to residents upon request. 

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Multiple homeowners interviewed by the Reformer said that their questions for their HOA were referred to the board’s attorney — and then the resident was charged legal fees for the lawyers’ time. 

The bill would bar HOAs from charging residents legal fees for questioning fines or charges unless a formal hearing is held and the fine or assessment is upheld.

The legislation is the product of years of collaboration and negotiations among homeowners, HOA board members, lawmakers and property management companies. In 2024, the Legislature created a working group tasked with proposing reforms to the state’s laws governing HOAs and similar organizations. Lawmakers on the task force held several listening sessions to hear homeowners’ horror stories (and support for HOAs via some dedicated board members).

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The recommendations from that group became the foundation of the bill passed Wednesday. 

“The reforms in this bill will rein in abusive HOAs by empowering residents with more information, more rights and more protections,” said Sen. Eric Lucero, R-St. Michael, the top Republican on the Senate housing committee and a member of the HOA working group. “This bill is a true bipartisan compromise — in addition to adding consumer protections, nearly every concern raised in good faith was addressed.”

Minnesota Reformer is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.



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Missouri

Missouri Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 winning numbers for May 7, 2026

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The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at May 7, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 7 drawing

Midday: 7-3-5

Midday Wild: 7

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Evening: 4-7-4

Evening Wild: 3

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from May 7 drawing

Midday: 7-0-4-4

Midday Wild: 3

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Evening: 4-3-4-7

Evening Wild: 4

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from May 7 drawing

Early Bird: 14

Morning: 13

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Matinee: 01

Prime Time: 03

Night Owl: 11

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Show Me Cash numbers from May 7 drawing

01-08-24-28-34

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Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.

To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:

Ticket Redemption

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Missouri Lottery

P.O. Box 7777

Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777

For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.

For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.

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When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
  • Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
  • Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
  • Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
  • Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
  • Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
  • Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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