Saks’ Santa Killed in Christmas Fire

Tragic

Updated Apr. 24, 2017 12:51PM EDT / Published Dec. 26, 2011 8:24AM EST

AP Photo

If the Texas Christmas shooting doesn’t have you down enough already: Lomer Johnson, the man who played Santa Claus on Christmas Eve at Saks Fifth Avenue’s flagship Manhattan store, died early Sunday in a predawn fire in Connecticut. The fire, which took place in his daughter’s home, also killed his wife and three young granddaughters. His daughter, the advertising executive Madonna Badger, was led away from the home by firefighters as she shouted, “My whole life is in that house.” The cause of the fire is under investigation. Johnson worked gigs as Santa at Connecticut malls before auditioning this year for his dream job at Saks.

Read it at The New York Times

Royals ‘United in Outrage’ as ‘Royal Racists’ Named: Report

A source told the Mirror there was “an unequivocal denial that anything said by the two persons named publicly...was said or could be considered to be said in a racist manner.”

Newsom Scolds DeSantis for Botching ‘Kamala’ Pronunciation

The vice president’s name has been mispronounced by some conservatives since at least 2020.

Gavin Newsom Keeps Reminding DeSantis He Won’t be President

The Democratic governor taunted his Florida counterpart for lackluster polling in his home state.

Israel Knew Details of Hamas’ Attack Last YEAR: Report

Leaders brushed off the document as beyond the abilities of Hamas.

Israel Recalls Its Spanish Ambassador Amid Growing Feud

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said he had “serious doubts that Israel is complying with international humanitarian law” in its bombardment of Gaza.

Arizona Cops Arrest Reporter Covering Pro-Palestine Protest

Alisa Reznick of KJZZ was one of 26 people arrested and cited for trespassing outside defense contractor Raytheon.

‘Sopranos’ Actor Cut From Jury Pool at Jonathan Majors Trial

Yul Vazquez reportedly raised concerns about the prospect of casting judgment against another person.

Book Translator: Royals’ Names There ‘in Black and White’

Dutch translator Saskia Peeters told the Daily Mail of the Omid Scobie controversy, “I just did what I was paid to do, and that was translate the book from English into Dutch.”

Saks’ Santa Killed in Christmas Fire

AP Photo