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Don Lemon criticizes churchgoers for not seeing him as a journalist as he tagged along with agitators
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Former CNN host Don Lemon criticized parishioners who were upset by his presence in their church alongside agitators, saying they could not understand he was merely attending as a journalist.
In January, a group of agitators interrupted a worship service at a church in St. Paul, Minnesota, over suggestions that the church was affiliated with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Cities Church Lead Pastor Jonathan Parnell described the incident as an “ambush” and said agitators were screaming in children’s faces. Parnell said cameras were shoved in his face and he lost sight of his wife, children, and congregation.
Former CNN host Don Lemon has pleaded “not guilty” to federal charges related to his presence at the church. Lemon has denied wrongdoing and argued he was there as a journalist protected by the First Amendment. He spoke about the controversy in a Wednesday interview with liberal journalist and podcaster Jim Acosta.
Acosta said he was surprised as to why parishioners were viewing Lemon as a disruption rather than a journalist.
Journalist Don Lemon interviews Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, at a rally at Columbus Circle near Union Station in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 2, 2025. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
“I don’t know. It’s weird because they kept saying it, even when I told them that I’m not. And I think they were looking at me and, because the bulk of the protesters were Black, maybe they thought because I’m Black, that and I kept saying, ‘I’m not a protester. I’m here covering the protest. I’m not with them.’”
He continued, noting, “They were, you know, they just for some reason could not understand. And I just I had to keep telling them that I’m not part of the group. I’m just here photographing, and I would say chronicling or whatever it is. And that’s it, Jim. So why they couldn’t figure that out, I don’t know.”
Acosta then added, “Even when you’re talking to the pastor, you know, that did not seem like a heated confrontation or anything. You just — you’re talking to him.”
During the confrontation, the pastor politely said that disrupting the church was unacceptable, to which Lemon argued they had a right to be there thanks to the First Amendment. Lemon questioned the pastor, asking, “Don’t you think Jesus would be understanding and love these folks?” When the pastor said he was focused on spreading the love of Jesus, Lemon pressed again, more intensely, “But did you try to talk to them? As a Christian?”
When he was asked to leave, Lemon began his next sentence with “You don’t want us to — “
TEMPLE UNIVERSITY STUDENT WHO ‘ASSISTED DON LEMON’ CHARGED IN FEDERAL CHURCH-STORMING CASE
Liberal podcaster Jim Acosta expressed sympathy for Don Lemon, questioning why parishioners viewed Lemon as part of a disruption rather than as a journalist. (John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images)
Lemon agreed with Acosta’s claim that his encounter with the pastor was not a heated confrontation.
“It wasn’t heated. He stood there and talked to me for a long time,” Lemon said. “I will just say in this, the video speaks for itself.”
“They can as they can try to do, as they did with Renee Good, as they did with Alex Pretti. They can try to get people to believe something other than what they’re seeing with their eyes and hearing with their ears, and that’s what they will try to do,” he said. “But I think that I think the video is — tells you everything, that I was there doing what I’m — I was there doing journalism, which is what I was supposed to be doing, which is what I went there to do, and that’s it.”
Fox News Digital reached out to Cities Church in St. Paul for comment about Lemon’s latest comments and Jonathan Parnell, lead pastor at Cities Church responded, “On Jan. 18, just as I was about to read from John 13 on Jesus’s command to love one another, a mob stormed into the house of God, a place of peace and refuge, and defiled it with rage. Many in our congregation fled, believing it to be an active shooter situation. The agitators accosted our people, terrified our children, and would not leave the sanctuary when asked. They gloated about shutting down our worship of Jesus. Everyone who invaded Cities Church that day was in on the terror.”
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Don Lemon speaks to the media after a hearing at the Edward R. Roybal Federal Courthouse in Los Angeles on Jan. 30, 2026. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)
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Minnetonka (Minn.) quarterback Caden Gutzmer committed to North Dakota earlier this month.
Gutzmer, a higher three-star on Rivals and the Rivals Industry Ranking, is a significant addition for the Fighting Hawks and chose them over the presence of several other offers. Head coach Eric Schmidt and his staff had much to do with that.
“There are many reasons,” he said. “First being the entire coaching staff is very welcoming, and experienced. And with Coach Schmidt leading the way, the culture there is awesome. I have been to a lot of schools, but based on what I saw with UND, they are building a championship winning team in a strong Missouri Valley Conference. And lastly, the most important thing for me is having an opportunity to play. They really believe in developing players from high school. Could I possibly go to a bigger program, yes. But I don’t want to chase a logo to sit behind kids coming from the portal, you need to opportunity to prove it.”
Gutzmer knows that based on how UND recruits and develops though, that he will have healthy competition within his position group when he gets there.
“We went into depth about the quarterback room and plan,” he said. “Obviously I need to prove myself — everything is earned, and they have a strong quarterback room.”
With his recruitment now behind him, Gutzmer is working towards the ultimate goal for his senior season.
“The biggest focus for me this offseason is to continue to work on my speed and agility, and of course working with my QB coach on everything both physical and mental,” he said. “And get reps with my teammates. Two big goals for the season: stay healthy and win a 6A state championship.”
Gutzmer is ranked by Rivals as the No. 8 junior in Minnesota.
As a junior, he passed for 1,147 yards on 65-of-103 passing for ten touchdowns and zero interceptions.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Mrs. Mary Lucille Young, 74, of Youngstown, departed this life on Friday, April 10, 2026 at her residence where God welcomed her home.
Mary, affectionately known as “Mary Lou” and “Tang”, was born March 8, 1952 in Youngstown, a daughter of Lawrence and Ada Mae Alexander Hamilton Young.
She was a proud 1971 graduate of South High School.
Mary was a member of New Bethel Baptist Church.
She attended Louis Weinberger Hill Beauty School, and was accepted as a model with Barbizon Modeling Agency.
Mary worked and retired from Youngstown Sheet and Tube.
She enjoyed looking her best, dancing, shopping, casinos and decorating her home. Mary was strong, bold and took no mess. She was loved by many people.
She leaves to cherish her memories, her pride and joy, two daughters, Adalatesha Bright and Richlynn Bright; two sons, Ja-Juan Young and Dr. Ty-Juan Bright all of Youngstown; five grandchildren; two sisters, Cynthia (Floyd) Davis, Janet (Steve) Gardner both of Youngstown; and a host of family and friends.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Michael Lamar Young; three brothers, Isaiah, Edward, Lorenzo Young.
Private services were held at the L.E. Black, Phillips & Holden Funeral Home.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Lucille Young, please visit our floral store.
The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at April 22, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from April 22 drawing
24-29-32-49-63, Powerball: 11, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from April 22 drawing
15-20-32-46-48, Star Ball: 04, ASB: 03
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Dakota Cash numbers from April 22 drawing
05-06-09-14-32
Check Dakota Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from April 22 drawing
17-26-43-44-53, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes of $100 or less: Can be claimed at any South Dakota Lottery retailer.
- Prizes of $101 or more: Must be claimed from the Lottery. By mail, send a claim form and a signed winning ticket to the Lottery at 711 E. Wells Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501.
- Any jackpot-winning ticket for Dakota Cash or Lotto America, top prize-winning ticket for Lucky for Life, or for the second prizes for Powerball and Mega Millions must be presented in person at a Lottery office. A jackpot-winning Powerball or Mega Millions ticket must be presented in person at the Lottery office in Pierre.
When are the South Dakota Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
- Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Dakota Cash: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Dakota editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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