Midwest
Plus size rapper sues Lyft claiming driver canceled ride over her weight: ‘Burst his tires’
A plus-sized female rapper from Michigan recently filed a lawsuit against Lyft, alleging her driver refused to provide her service because she was too large.
Dajua Blanding, also known as Dank Demoss, claimed she was trying to get to a Detroit Lions watch party when her Lyft driver refused to provide her service, saying she wouldn’t fit in his sedan.
Blanding, who said she has ridden in smaller vehicles without any issues, recorded the incident.
“I can fit in this car,” she said in the video. The driver responded, “Believe me, you can’t.”
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Michigan rapper Dajua Blanding is suing Lyft after she was allegedly denied a ride due to her weight. (WJBK)
The driver told Blanding his tires couldn’t handle the weight, apologized, and suggested ordering a larger vehicle, affiliate FOX 2 Detroit reported.
While the driver promised to refund the ride, Blanding said the encounter still hurt her feelings.
Michigan rapper Dajua Blanding said the encounter hurt her feelings. (WJBK)
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She retained attorneys and is suing for discrimination.
Attorney Jonathan Marko told FOX 2 the refusal was illegal, as weight is a protected characteristic in Michigan.
Denying someone a ride based on their weight would be the same under the law as denying someone because of their race or religion, according to Marko.
Michigan rapper Dajua Blanding is suing Lyft after she was allegedly denied a ride due to her weight. (WJBK)
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Lyft said it “unequivocally condemns all forms of discrimination.”
“We believe in a community where everyone is treated with equal respect and mutual kindness,” according to the statement. “Our community guidelines and terms of service explicitly prohibit harassment or discrimination.”
A Lyft spokesperson said they could not comment on specific incidents involving pending litigation, but that all who drive with Lyft are working as independent contractors.
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The return of Creekend and the Phish triple-header can mean only one thing: It’s summer concert season in Indiana.
Old favorites will fulfill their time-honored obligations to the Hoosier state, big names will bring new tours to town and Indiana’s own rock star will unload all of his hits in what promises to be a sprawling set.
Even with the full power of the IndyStar arts staff, there are simply too many summer concerts to capture in one story. Two stories (check out our guide to free shows around the region) doesn’t cover it either.
The highlights will have to suffice. These are the top, can’t-miss shows headed for the Indy area this summer.
Dave Matthews Band
June 26 and 27. Ruoff Music Center, 12880 E. 146th St. in Noblesville. Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/3wh7vhrc
DMB is back for another summer double-header at its time-honored “Creekend” tradition.
Phish
July 10, 11 and 12. Ruoff Music Center, 12880 E. 146th St. in Noblesville. Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/yc5v4a8u
Also holding up its end of the annual Ruoff pilgrimage, cult favorite jam band Phish is back for a three-show stint.
Death Cab for Cutie
July 12. Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park, 801 W. Washington St. Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/3vk6y7j9
The 2000s alternative group is hitting the road and headed to downtown Indianapolis on the heels of their latest album.
‘They Call Me Genêt’
July 16-19 and 23-26. District Theatre, 627 Massachusetts Ave. Tickets: indydistricttheatre.org
Indianapolis actress Jen Johansen will play Janet Flanner in this play about her life by D. Paul Thomas. Flanner, the daughter of a well-known Circle City family, helped shape “The New Yorker” as its Paris correspondent for 50 years, chronicling the Nuremberg trials, cultural movements and more.
‘Extreme Home Makeover’
July 16-Aug. 2. Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre, 705 N. Illinois St. Tickets: phoenixtheatre.org
In this American Lives Theatre production, a Latino family auditions for a popular home decorating show as a step toward resilience and healing after their patriarch dies.
‘The Play That Goes Wrong’
July 16-Aug. 23. Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre, 9301 Michigan Road. Tickets: beefandboards.com
The Cornley University Drama Society is struggling with its newest production, “The Murder at Haversham Manor,” thanks to actor mishaps, an unconscious leading lady and a corpse who appears unable to remain deceased.
Rock the Ruins
July 17-Sept. 12. Holliday Park, 6363 Spring Mill Road. Tickets: https://www.rocktheruins.com/
The outdoor concert series returns with headliners Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (July 17), Jesse Welles (Aug. 4), Big Thief (Aug. 11) and Indigo Girls (Sept. 12).
John Mellencamp
July 18. Ruoff Music Center, 12880 E. 146th St. in Noblesville. Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/f4t4s3ky
Indiana’s native son returns to Noblesville’s Ruoff Music Center, where he promises all the hits (some for the final time ever) on his Dancing Words Tour.
Indy Dance Festival
July 18-19. Tobias Theater at Newfields, 4000 Michigan Road. Tickets: indydancecouncil.org/indy-dance-festival
Companies from across Indiana will perform Indian classical dance, contemporary dance, Africanist dance and more.
Benson Boone
July 19. Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania St. Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/2u5rteue
In one of the only Gainbridge Fieldhouse concerts of the summer, Grammy-nominated Benson Boone will backflip his way into Indianapolis on his Wanted Man Tour.
Harry Connick Jr.
July 20. Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets: thecenterpresents.org
The TV, Broadway and film star will deliver jazz standards, New Orleans classics and popular hits.
Indy Shorts Film Festival
July 21-26. Tickets: heartlandfilm.org/events/indyshorts
The festival that focuses on short-form film storytelling will return with program announcements to come June 25.
Audrey Hobert
July 25. Old National Centre, 502 N. New Jersey St. Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/msdw7ap5
With performances at Bonnaroo and Governors Ball under her belt, singer-songwriter Audrey Hobert is embarking on her solo Staircase to Stardom Tour.
Lynyrd Skynyrd and Foreigner
Aug. 7. Ruoff Music Center, 12880 E. 146th St. in Noblesville. Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/3n8r5cya
Not one but two classic rock acts are hitting the road on the Double Trouble Double Vision tour.
American Football
Aug. 13. Old National Centre, 502 N. New Jersey St. Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/4xztm3kc
Fresh off their first album in seven years, the math rock favorites are slated for Old National Centre.
IndyFringe Festival
Aug. 13-23. Venues on and around Mass Ave. More information: indyfringe.org/festival
The experimental theater and performing arts festival will be back for its 21st year, with shows and venues to be announced.
TLC, Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue
Aug. 20. Ruoff Music Center, 12880 E. 146th St. in Noblesville. Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/34x2vp8x
The powerhouse R&B triple bill hits Noblesville on the It’s Iconic tour.
Gala: Opus 2026
Sept. 19. Hilbert Circle Theatre, 45 Monument Circle. Tickets: indianapolissymphony.org/event/26-27-iso-gala/
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra will perform Ludwig van Beethoven’s Fifth Piano Concerto, called the “Emperor,” under the baton of Maestro Jun Märkl with pianist Denis Kozhukhin.
Three people are dead after a double murder-suicide in Lakewood.
Police said a man called his ex-wife early Sunday morning, saying he shot two people at a home on Chesterland Avenue.
According to investigators, the man threatened to shoot himself.
When officers arrived at the scene, they saw a man in a truck speeding away.
Police chased the truck until it stopped on Warren Road.
The 45-year-old man exited the vehicle with a gun to his head and shot himself moments later, police said.
Police found 35-year-old Richard Eastin and 33-year-old Amanda Wakut dead inside the kitchen of the home on Chesterland Avenue.
The investigation is ongoing.
MT. VERNON, Ill. – A tornado caught on video tore through southern Illinois on Sunday, killing at least two people, hurting several others and destroying homes.
What we know:
The tornado touched down shortly after 5 p.m. in northeastern Jefferson County and moved northeast, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
Soon after, 911 dispatchers began getting calls about damaged homes, fallen trees, downed power lines and missing people.
Several police, fire and ambulance agencies responded to help search for people and clear damaged areas.
By 9 p.m., officials said three homes had been completely destroyed, and many other buildings were damaged.
Two people died in separate homes that were destroyed by the storm. Both were single-wide mobile homes.
Five people were taken to local hospitals with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
What we don’t know:
Officials have not released the names of the two people who died.
The National Weather Service has not yet said how strong the tornado was or how far it traveled.
Local perspective:
Fallen trees blocked at least three roads across the area.
Power lines were knocked down in multiple places, but officials said power had been restored to most customers by Sunday night.
Authorities asked people to stay away from northeastern Jefferson County unless they had an emergency reason to be there.
The backstory:
The storm came less than two weeks after another round of severe weather produced more than 20 tornadoes across parts of Illinois and northwest Indiana on June 11.
What they’re saying:
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office thanked first responders and volunteers who helped with search and rescue efforts.
“We send our heartfelt condolences to the families of those lost in this tragic event,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
The Source: The information in this story came from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
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