Midwest
Ohio orchestra performs at prison to bring 'hope and peace': 'Meaningful, important work'
Fifty members of an Ohio orchestra recently performed a “Patriotic Pops” program for an unexpected audience: inmates at a local prison.
The performance of June 30 was actually several years in the making, Elizabeth Brown-Ellis, executive director of the Lima Symphony Orchestra, told Fox News Digital in an email.
“The Lima Symphony Orchestra began our Healing Through Music program in 2018,” she said. “The original goal was to bring the healing power of music to people struggling with addiction and mental health.”
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The June 30 performance marked the first time a full orchestra was permitted to perform at an Ohio prison, and possibly the first time anywhere in the U.S., Brown-Ellis said.
The orchestra originally played at area hospitals and shelters. It is based in Lima, Ohio.
Elizabeth Brown-Ellis, standing at right, told Fox News Digital the orchestra’s performance at the prison was many years in the making. (Modo Media)
Shortly after the Healing Through Music program began, a chaplain at the Allen-Oakwood Correctional Institution (AOCI) contacted Brown-Ellis, asking that the program come to the prison as well.
The Allen-Oakwood Correctional Institution is a mixed-security prison located in Lima with about 1,400 male inmates. The prison complex is “essentially two different facilities with one campus,” she said.
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Since 2018, members of the orchestra, though not the entire orchestra, “have performed dozens of times” at the facility, Brown-Ellis said.
“We started with a string quartet, but now we have hosted cello soloists, brass ensembles for the holiday and woodwind groups,” she said. “We purchased a 40-piece drum set and regularly host drumming circles in both facilities, bringing the inmates into the creative process.”
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Shortly after the Lima Symphony Orchestra began these visits to the prison, “we dreamed about bringing the entire orchestra to AOCI,” she said.
In Feb. 2020, plans were beginning to take shape for a “full-orchestra ‘Patriotic Pops’ performance” that July — but the COVID-19 pandemic derailed that.
Ambitious plan is reignited
Finally, over three years later, in Oct. 2023, the Lima Symphony Orchestra and the AOCI began to discuss a performance once again. The plan was to bring 50 musicians to perform a one-hour concert, she said.
“Our sound man used equipment the prison already had, and two of the inmates ran sound with him,” she said.
While the Lima Symphony Orchestra has been doing smaller performances at the Allen-Oakwood Correctional Institution, the June 30 event was the first time a full orchestra was present at the prison. (Modo Media)
“The performance was largely a repeat of our other two ‘Patriotic Pops’ programs that weekend with some notable exceptions,” she said.
The first of these was a piece of music called “Halls of Justice,” composed by a musician named Kevin Kohler, a former inmate at AOCI.
Kohler was paroled in 2021 after serving an 18-year sentence.
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“On the third anniversary of Kevin’s parole, he was able to return to AOCI as a guest to hear the premiere of his piece,” Brown-Ellis said.
The second difference was the choral accompaniment at the end of the program, she said.
The Lima Symphony Orchestra was “joined by a 100-member men’s chorus from AOCI, who sang ‘The Battle Hymn of the Republic’ as our orchestral musicians played.”
“We want people on the outside to see us as people, too. We love music like they do. It moves us. It lifts us up.”
One of those singers, Jeff Hawkins, reflected on the experience in a statement provided by the Lima Symphony Orchestra.
“We want people on the outside to see us as people, too. We love music like they do. It moves us. It lifts us up,” he said.
Making the concert happen “was not an easy feat,” Brown-Ellis said. It required “many layers of approval” from officials at the prison and with the Ohio Department of Corrections.
A chorus of 100 men from the prison joined the Lima Symphony Orchestra for a performance of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” at the end of the “Patriotic Pops” program. (Modo Media)
“Each person had to have a background check and sign a media release form” and more, Brown-Ellis said.
“We also had to provide an inventory of everything that would enter the prison – every piece of music, every instrument and case, etc. All of this was pre-approved.”
Additionally, there were “numerous meetings to discuss rules and protocols” around the performance, and the Lima Symphony Orchestra had to comply with “very strict guidelines” regarding what could be filmed or recorded from the performance.
“It was a lot of work on our end, but I know the true efforts were with the Ohio Department of Corrections (ODC) to allow this historical event to happen,” Brown-Ellis said.
Brown-Ellis said she hopes that the Lima Symphony Orchestra will be able to return to AOCI – but that it is not up to her. “We have already begun discussing plans for next year, but the decision will be made by ODC personnel,” she said.
In the meantime, the Lima Symphony Orchestra will keep doing its smaller ensemble performances, she said.
There are hopes the orchestra will be permitted to return to the prison for another performance in the future. (Modo Media)
“People often comment [on how] fortunate the inmates are that we bring music into the prison,” Brown-Ellis said.
She said she disagrees with this — saying instead, “We are the lucky ones.”
“Every single musician who has performed at AOCI, whether as part of the full-orchestra performance or the ensemble groups, has told me how this experience transformed them. It is the most meaningful and important work we have ever done,” she said.
“The musicians,” Brown-Ellis continued, “are so respectful and listen so attentively,” and the inmates “invite us into their home, they share their stories and they open their hearts to us.”
The rare performance at the prison required special permission from the Ohio Department of Corrections. (Modo Media)
During performances, “I often look out to see the men close their eyes and allow the music to transport them to another place and time,” she said.
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“We have brought them hope and peace, and they have given us even more.”
Fox News Digital reached out to the Allen-Oakwood Correctional Institution for additional comment about the performance and any future performances.
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Minnesota
Giordano’s deep dish pizza bringing second location to Minnesota
Giordano’s, the famous pizzeria known for their deep-dish style Chicago pizza, is opening a second location in Minnesota at the Mall of America.
The pizza chain also has a location in Richfield, and previously had a location some years ago in Minneapolis in Uptown.
The grand opening of the Mall of America location will be on Thursday, July 16. The restaurant there will be unique, with the restaurant’s first self-service kiosk ordering. It will also have a grab-and-go area and a normal seated restaurant experience.
The Chicago deep-dish chain has been around since 1974, with the vast majority of locations in the Chicagoland area. They have 60 restaurants in nine states and are currently expanding nationwide.
Missouri
Missouri Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 winning numbers for July 7, 2026
The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at July 7, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from July 7 drawing
02-31-35-36-63, Mega Ball: 12
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from July 7 drawing
Midday: 1-3-9
Midday Wild: 5
Evening: 8-5-4
Evening Wild: 0
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from July 7 drawing
Midday: 8-1-4-4
Midday Wild: 0
Evening: 2-6-7-0
Evening Wild: 1
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from July 7 drawing
Early Bird: 09
Morning: 08
Matinee: 15
Prime Time: 01
Night Owl: 10
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Show Me Cash numbers from July 7 drawing
12-16-17-28-31
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
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.
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.
Nebraska
Nebraska Rep. Mike Flood faces frustrated constituents at second town hall of year
Bellevue, Neb — Some Nebraskans arrived early with signs outside U.S. Rep. Mike Flood’s second town hall of the year, hoping to press the congressman on issues ranging from food assistance to the conflict in the Middle East.
Rhonda Mays said she brought a sign to show Flood what some constituents think and to encourage others heading inside to speak up. “People walking by that plan on going in there need a reminder to speak out, to ask the right question, and don’t just go to listen but to actually challenge the representative,” Mays said.
Flood said Nebraskans are able to treat each other with respect while also having tough conversations.
During the hourlong event, attendees asked about a range of topics, including multiple questions about SNAP benefits. Some Nebraskans said there is a large population facing food insecurity. Flood responded, “I understand your concerns with SNAP I work often with the foodbanks and with Nebraskans that need assistance. I appreciate the question and I will double back with some of my sources when I get a chance this week, but I have not heard anything about that from any of my sources.”
The crowd became particularly rowdy during discussion of the conflict in the Middle East. Flood said, “We have no greater ally in the middle east than Israel. We have no greater ally than Israel.”
Asked about the outcry after the town hall, Flood reiterated his position, saying, “Isreal was attacked by Hamas; a terrorist organization and horrific things were done to Israelis. At the same time Hezbollah working to do the same on the northern border and then you have the Houthis. Israel has the right to defend itself and we would as well if we were put in that situation.”
Flood holds three town halls a year. It was not known where his third town hall will be.
The town hall was held in Bellevue.
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