Mississippi
Minnesota adopts new, non-racist state flag, joins Utah, Mississippi, Michigan, Illinois in redesigning flags
The state of Minnesota is set to get a new official flag this spring that will reflect its motto of being the North Star State, replacing an old flag that pictured a Native American that some critics argued was racist.
State officials formed a committee and allowed entries from members of the community before voting and ultimately adopting a new flag design in December that included two blue shapes with a white star.
The dark blue shape on the left of the flag resembles Minnesota. On the right is a light blue field that symbolizes the abundant waters that help define the Land of 10,000 Lakes. It also has a white, eight-pointed North Star on it.
The Legislature is likely to approve the new flag — and a new state seal — and they will become official on May 11. The change comes as several other states also have been redesigning their flags, including Utah, Mississippi, Michigan, Illinois and Maine.
COMMISSION BEGINS WORK ON NEW MINNESOTA STATE FLAG
A final Minnesota’s flag design is on display Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023 St. Paul, Minn. The new state flag should feature an eight-pointed North Star against a dark blue background shaped like the state, with a solid light blue field at the right, a special commission decided Monday as it picked a replacement for an older design that many Native Americans considered offensive. (Glen Stubbe /Star Tribune via AP)
The new Minnesota flag was chosen by a committee that was provided with more than 2,600 proposals from the public. The committee chose a base design from Andrew Prekker, 24, of Luverne.
The commission then made some changes that included replacing his original light blue, white and green stripes with a solid, light blue field.
The significance of the light blue area is open to interpretation. The original Dakota name for Minnesota, Mni Sóta Makoce, which will go on the new seal, can be translated as “where the water meets the sky.” The commission’s chairman, Luis Fitch, said the light blue can also represent the Mississippi River, which originates in Minnesota.
Minnesota’s flag commission Chair Luis Fitch adjusts some of the final designs as the commission meets today in hopes of picking a final flag design Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023 St. Paul, Minn. (Glen Stubbe /Star Tribune via AP)
The new flag was met with some criticism, as commentators said it was boring or a wasteful change. Supporters of the new flag are hopeful that it will grow on people.
One Indigenous graphic designer is already selling T-shirts online that bear the new design and say, “At least the flag isn’t racist anymore.”
A Minnesota flag blew in the wind and snow before its redesign. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Other states are also considering or have already made flag changes.
UTAH GETS OFFICIAL NEW FLAG AFTER GOVERNOR COX SIGNS BILL, EXECUTIVE ORDER
The Utah Legislature last winter approved a design that featured a beehive, a symbol of prosperity.
Mississippi chose a new flag with a magnolia to replace a Confederate-themed flag.
Michigan has started the process of simplifying its flag — which currently features a bald eagle, an elk and a moose and Latin words — to a tri-color design with stars or a lighthouse.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has also initiated an effort to change his state flag, a process that will allow a flag commission to select potential flag designs by September 2024.
“Throughout our 205-year history, Illinois has boasted two official state flags — and it may be time we create a new one that exemplifies the values of our great state,” Pritzker said in August 2023.
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton added: “Our state flag demonstrates who we are as one Illinois, uplifting our history and our values. This bill will ensure the Illinois flag continues to be a symbol of progress and the ideals we uphold with the utmost honor. With the creation of the next flag of our state, we are ushering in a new era that will represent every Illinoisan and commemorate how far we have come so we may go even further together.”
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In Maine, residents want to replace the current flag with a retro version featuring a simple pine tree and a blue north star. The current design features a pine tree, a moose, a seafarer and a lumberjack, against a blue background.
Democratic Gov. Janet Mills wants “robust public debate and discussion on all sides of the issue,” before a change is adopted, according to Mills spokesperson Ben Goodman.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
There were several top performers across the state in boys high school sports, but only one can be voted athlete of the week for Sept. 2-7.
Fans may vote in the poll BELOW one time per hour per device. The poll closes at noon on Friday.
To nominate a future athlete of the week, email mchavez@gannett.com or message him on X, formerly Twitter @MikeSChavez.
To submit high school scores, statistics, records, leaders and other items at any time, email mchavez@gannett.com.
Nominations
Kendetryon Backstrom, Kemper County: Backstrom had 247 passing yards, going 13-of-16 on completions for with two touchdowns and had six carries for 45 yards and three touchdowns in Kemper County’s 46-8 win over Noxapater.
Ronde Baker, Terry: Baker produced 171 rushing yards on 12 carries with four touchdowns in Terry’s 57-6 win over Pure Academy.
Wyatt Bond, Lamar School: Bond recorded 320 passing yards, going 24-of-37 with three touchdowns, and had 43 rushing yards and two touchdowns in Lamar’s 35-34 loss to Winston Academy.
Coby King, Greene County: King was 24-of-35 passing for 418 yards with a touchdown and had 11 carries for 137 rushing yards with four touchdowns in Greene County’s 51-36 loss to George County.
Tray Kinkle, Holly Springs: Kinkle produced 10 carries for 300 yards and four touchdowns in Holly Springs’ 33-0 win over Byers.
Tyshun Willis, Velma Jackson: Willis had 15 carries for 203 rushing yards with a touchdown, four receptions with 59 receiving yards, and a touchdown. On defense, he recorded four sacks, 8.5 tackles and three tackles for loss in Velma Jackson’s 24-22 win over Yazoo County.
Michael Chavez covers high school sports, among others, for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at mchavez@gannett.com or reach out to him on X, formerly Twitter @MikeSChavez.
GRENADA COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) – A Mississippi woman was killed during a two-vehicle crash in Grenada County.
Officials with the Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) said the crash occurred on Highway 7 just after 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 7.
Mississippi woman killed in head-on crash in Louisiana
According to MHP, a 2002 Toyota Sequoia was traveling north on the highway when the vehicle collided with a Mercedes van that was also traveling north.
The driver of the Mercedes, 53-year-old Loretta Hopkins, of Winona, died at the scene.
This crash remains under investigation by MHP.
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Outside of Mississippi State, Arkansas and Auburn, the SEC had a very successful Week Two of the college football season. The latest AP Top 25 poll reflects the strength of the SEC with 6 of the top 7 spots belonging to SEC teams.
Here’s a recap of how the ranked SEC teams fared in the second full week of the college football season:
Click here for a recap of the unranked SEC teams.
With the exception of giving up three points, this was probably exactly how Georgia expected this game to go. Carson Beck threw five touchdowns and the defense held Tennessee Tech to less than 150 yards of total offense. Anything less would be a surprise.
More than 100,000 people saw Texas come into Ann Arbor, Mich. and leave with a huge win. The Longhorns looked like the better team from the first drive of the game where they easily marched down the field. That Oct. 19 game in Austin against Georgia is looking better and better.
It was a lot closer than Alabama would’ve liked, but it’s a win that will fend off the “Nick Saban is gone, we’re doomed” crowd. At the same time, though, there were some things that crowd could point to at a later time.
Two games against inferior competition and Ole Miss has outscored its opponents 129-3. They’ll take a slight step up in competition next week against Wake Forest, but the Rebels are still about a month away from playing a team that will truly test them.
Missouri’s schedule just took an unexpected bump in its level of difficulty with No. 24 Boston College joining the top 25. Bill O’Brien is brilliant at game planning and calling plays (not so much with making trades, but that hasn’t reached the college ranks yet). Missouri needs to be on upset alert (and ready to stop the run).
This happens every year. Tennessee looks really good to start the season and by the end Volunteer fans are saying next year is their year. But maybe this year is their year with the way Nico Iamaleava has been playing.
Of the two SEC newcomers, Texas is getting most of the attention which makes sense based on the current teams. But folks, don’t sleep on the Sooners. They ruined many of my own childhood memories growing up in Texas. This week’s way-too close game doesn’t help that argument, but think long term.
LSU was one of three SEC teams to play FCS schools after playing top 25 teams last week. The Tigers and Texas A&M both lost, while Georgia won. So, it’s not surprising to see each of them play FCS teams and neither were any of the results.
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