Taiyon Coleman has been writing since she was a child. At age eight, she announced to her family that a novel was in the works.

Today, she’s a published author and a professor of literature at St. Catherine University. But the road from there to here wasn’t as straight-forward as you might think.

Coleman joins host Kerri Miller on Big Books and Bold Ideas this week to talk about what happened in the in-between. Some of it is detailed in her new collection of personal essays, “Traveling without Moving: Essays from a Black Woman Trying to Survive in America.”

But the deeper story is held in Coleman’s body, in her voice, in her strength. Don’t miss this vulnerable and moving conversation about mothers and ancestors, writing and truth-telling and the power of being a teacher.

Guest:

Subscribe to Big Books and Bold Ideas with Kerri Miller on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS or anywhere you get your podcasts.

Subscribe to the Thread newsletter for the latest book and author news and must-read recommendations.

Valleyfair theme park in Minnesota is not offering refunds despite closing down three rides and the entirety of its parking options due to flooding.

The amusement park, located between the Minnesota River and Blue Lake, flooded in areas below “the crest” according to a release from Valleyfair. 

On an FAQ page, Valleyfair states that “Projections show that the Minnesota River will crest on Saturday, June 29. We do not yet know how long it will take for the river to recede to normal levels as that depends on the weather.”

BEAR EUTHANIZED AFTER INJURING TENNESSEE THEME PARK CONCESSION STAND EMPLOYEE

Popular rides Excalibur, Thunder Canyon and Renegade are impacted by the flooding and are closed. Additionally, almost the entirety of on-site parking has been flooded. 

Buses will be provided free of charge by Valleyfair for guests from the Canterbury Overflow Lot, Eagle Creek Park and Ride, and Southbridge Crossing Park and Ride.

Operating hours have been changed from 10:00am to 9:00 pm until further notice, and a “temporary gate entrance” is in use. Re-entries to the park are highly discouraged.

Per Valleyfair’s FAQ page, “There will be no re-entry during the flood-impacted days for all guests, including season passholders, due to the very limited space and capacity at the temporary park entrance.”

Valleyfair amusement park in Minnesota is not offering refunds to guests due to flooding from heavy rainfall. (KMSP)

A Fourth of July fireworks show slated for next week has also been rescheduled for “later this season,” with no official scheduled date as yet. 

Refunds are not being offered by Valleyfair amusement park at this time, given their weather impact policy: “Valleyfair does not offer refunds for tickets impacted by weather, unless the guest selected the Ticket Insurance option.”

“We do, however, offer guests the opportunity to choose another similarly priced date should they wish to move their visit to another day by using our Guest Portal,” the statement reads.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Valleyfair did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

ROSEVILLE — A lottery player in Baxter is Minnesota’s newest multi-millionaire.

A ticket worth $2,045,590 was sold at Orton’s Baxter Holiday, 5610 Fairview Road, for the Wednesday, June 26, Gopher 5 drawing. The win earns the store a $5,000 bonus.

The winning Gopher 5 numbers drawn on June 26 are 16-29-35-43-46.

The previous Gopher 5 record was $2,032,201 and won on a ticket purchased at Steve’s Corner in St. James on Nov. 8, 2005. The prize was claimed by a group of 22 co-workers from the Watonwan County Highway Department/Public Works Department.

The prize must be claimed at Minnesota Lottery headquarters in Roseville. It is recommended that winners

call ahead to check hours and to make an appointment

.

Unless the winner chooses to opt in to publicity, their name and city will not be released. As of Sept. 1, 2021, the names and cities of lottery prize winners above $10,000 are private data.

Gopher 5 is a Minnesota-only lotto game. Each ticket costs $1 to play. Jackpots start at $100,000 and grow until won. The overall odds to win a Gopher 5 jackpot are 1 in 1,533,939. Drawings take place every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Tickets must be purchased by 6:10 p.m. on drawing days.

Visit

www.mnlottery.com

for more information and official rules.