Midwest
'Hillbilly Elegy' director Ron Howard 'very surprised and disappointed' by JD Vance's political rhetoric
“Hillbilly Elegy” director Ron Howard said he was “very surprised and disappointed” by GOP vice presidential nominee JD Vance’s political rhetoric after not knowing about the candidate’s political beliefs.
The two-time Academy Award winner Howard recalled that he and Vance did not discuss politics during the development of the film.
“Well, we didn’t talk a lot of politics when we were making the movie because I was interested in his upbringing and that survival tale,” Howard told Deadline at the Toronto International Film Festival.
He continued, “That’s what we mostly focused on.”
“However, based on the conversations that we had during that time, I just have to say I’m very surprised and disappointed by much of the rhetoric that I’m reading and hearing,” he added. “People do change, and I assume that’s the case. Well, it’s on record.”
“Hillbilly Elegy” director Ron Howard told Deadline that he was “very surprised and disappointed” by GOP vice presidential nominee JD Vance’s political rhetoric after not knowing about the candidate’s political beliefs. He’s seen here with daughter Bryce Dallas Howard. (Christie Goodwin/Redferns/Getty Images)
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“Hillbilly Elegy” was released in November 2020 on Netflix.
The movie shows the uprising of a young boy raised in a humble Appalachian town and ascending to Yale Law School. The movie was adapted from “Hillibilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis,” which was written by Vance in 2016 and became a New York Times Bestseller.
The movie starred Amy Adams, Glenn Close and Gabriel Basso.
Vance is a venture capitalist, author and politician. The author-turned politician defeated his Democratic opponent, Tim Ryan, in Ohio’s Senate race in the 2022 Midterm elections.
“We didn’t talk a lot of politics when we were making the movie because I was interested in his upbringing and that survival tale,” Howard said. (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
The “Happy Days” star Howard doubled down that Vance never mentioned his political views. He went on to say that “that was then,” yet apparently the Ohio senator and running mate of former President Donald Trump clearly changed.
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“When we spoke around the time that I knew him, he was not involved in politics or claimed to be particularly interested,” Howard said.
Since jumping into the 2024 presidential race, Vance has caught flak for a resurfaced 2021 comment, when he said that “we’re effectively run in this country via the Democrats, via our corporate oligarchs, by a bunch of childless cat ladies.”
The senator, however, says that the statement was taken out of context.
While Vance continues to defend himself, Democrats have criticized the comment since he was selected as Trump’s 2024 running mate.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg called it “offensive,” while Oprah Winfrey highlighted it in her speech at the Democratic National Convention.
Read the full article from Here
(Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)
(North Dakota Monitor) – Two North Dakotans are semifinalists for the Bismarck State College president’s job as North Dakota State University narrows its presidential candidate list.
Valley City State University also is searching for a new president, with an application period closing this month..
Kevin Black, chair of the State Board of Higher Education and co-chair of the North Dakota State University Presidential Search Committee, said the committee reviewed over 60 applications. The committee is planning off-site interviews with candidates March 9-10 and campus visits with semifinal candidates March 23-27.
“We’re really excited about taking the next step and there’s some very quality people in there,” Black said.
Footage shows people run from Riverfront Live after shooting
Cincinnati police say nine people were injured after a mass shooting at Riverfront Live on March 1, 2025.
Enquirer media partner Fox 19
Nine people were injured after a shooting broke out at Riverfront Live on Cincinnati’s East Side early Sunday.
The shooting was reported about 1 a.m. March 1 at the Kellogg Avenue music venue on the border of East End and Linwood, according to Cincinnati Interim Police Chief Adam Hennie.
Dozens flooded out from inside the venue in a panic as gunshots rang out, according to a neighboring business’ surveillance camera footage obtained by Enquirer media partner Fox 19.
Eight of the people shot were taken to University of Cincinnati Medical Center and one person was brought to Good Samaritan Hospital, Hennie said.
One person at UC Medical Center is in critical condition, according to hospital spokeswoman Heather Chura-Smith. Five people are in stable condition and two have been treated and released, she said.
The status of the person at Good Samaritan Hospital is unknown. Hospital staff declined to provide an update on the person’s status.
An event was in progress at the venue, Hennie said, but he did not say what it was. A description on the venue’s website lists it as a “nightlife concert venue.”
Mayor Aftab Pureval called the shooting “unconscionable” in a statement.
This story will be updated.
Published on Mar. 1, 2026
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The South Dakota ProStart® Invitational is an annual culinary competition where high school students from across the state showcase their cooking and restaurant management skills. This year, 12 schools will send a total of 60 talented students to Pierre to compete in events like cake decorating, culinary arts, and restaurant management. Winners will receive scholarships and the opportunity to advance to the National ProStart® Invitational in Baltimore, Maryland.
Why it matters
The ProStart® program is an important investment in developing South Dakota’s future culinary and hospitality industry leaders. By providing high school students with hands-on experience and the chance to compete at the state and national levels, the program helps cultivate the next generation of skilled chefs, restaurateurs, and food service professionals.
The details
The South Dakota ProStart® Invitational will take place on March 9-10, 2026 in Pierre. The competition kicks off on Monday, March 9th at 2:00 PM with a cake decorating contest. The more intense culinary arts and restaurant management competitions will be held on Tuesday, March 10th starting at 8:45 AM. Students will be judged on their technical skills, creativity, and business acumen as they compete for scholarships and a spot at the national competition.
- The South Dakota ProStart® Invitational will take place on March 9-10, 2026.
- The cake decorating competition will be held on Monday, March 9th at 2:00 PM.
- The culinary arts and restaurant management competitions will take place on Tuesday, March 10th starting at 8:45 AM.
The players
Nathan Sanderson
Executive Director of the South Dakota Retailers Association, which administers the ProStart® program.
Florence
One of the 12 high schools sending students to compete in the South Dakota ProStart® Invitational.
Harrisburg
One of the 12 high schools sending students to compete in the South Dakota ProStart® Invitational.
Huron
One of the 12 high schools sending students to compete in the South Dakota ProStart® Invitational.
Mitchell CTE
One of the 12 high schools sending students to compete in the South Dakota ProStart® Invitational.
Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›
What they’re saying
“ProStart® is an excellent way for us to invest in South Dakota’s future industry leaders. Our students are highly skilled and graduate workplace ready.”
— Nathan Sanderson, Executive Director of the South Dakota Retailers Association (b1027.com)
What’s next
The winners of the South Dakota ProStart® Invitational will advance to the National ProStart® Invitational in Baltimore, Maryland, where they will represent the state on a national stage.
The takeaway
The South Dakota ProStart® Invitational is a valuable program that helps cultivate the next generation of culinary and hospitality professionals in the state, providing high school students with hands-on experience, scholarships, and the opportunity to showcase their skills at the national level.
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