‘We’re in a brotherhood now’: the Bill Pickett rodeo – photo essay 12 October 2026 at 02:00

‘We’re in a brotherhood now’: the Bill Pickett rodeo – photo essay

12 October 2026 at 02:00

For several years, Chloe Kerleroux has been photographing African American cowboy communities in the southern US. Her work has mainly focused on trail rides: large gatherings where horses, music, dancing, family and community life come together. This year, she explored rodeo culture including at the Bill Pickett invitational in Atlanta

The image of the cowboy widely portrayed in westerns and popular culture has long been almost exclusively white. Yet Black cowboys hold an important place in the history of the American west. After the civil war and the abolition of slavery, many African Americans found work on ranches and on the great cattle drives westward. By the late 19th century, historians estimate about one in four cowboys were Black.

Among the Black figures who shaped this history was Bill Pickett. Born in Texas in 1870, he became one of the most celebrated Black cowboys and rodeo performers of his time, known in particular for popularising bulldogging, which would eventually give rise to modern steer wrestling.

After the national anthem, Josh, a member of the Outlaws Most Wanted, rides around the arena to a pounding hip-hop track as his teammates cheer him on at the Bill Pickett invitational rodeo in Conyers, near Atlanta, Georgia, on 2 August 2026

Five people shot and killed in apparent murder-suicide, Georgia police say 10 October 2026 at 20:01

Five people shot and killed in apparent murder-suicide, Georgia police say

The Guardian

By: Uwa Ede-Osifo

10 October 2026 at 20:01

Deceased were all members of the same family, officials say, and one of victims placed the initial emergency call

Five people were shot and killed in an apparent murder-suicide at a residence in Georgia on Friday, authorities say.

The deceased were family members who lived at the home in Douglas, a city in south Georgia.

Four dead as Isaias weakens to post-tropical cyclone after striking Florida panhandle 10 October 2026 at 19:20

Four dead as Isaias weakens to post-tropical cyclone after striking Florida panhandle

The Guardian

By: Alba Asenjo Domínguez and agencies

10 October 2026 at 19:20

Some of deaths came from falling trees as half a million people without power and rain and flooding still a concern

At least four people were reported dead on Saturday amid Isaias after it made landfall late on Friday on Florida’s panhandle as a category 2 hurricane, according to authorities.

The storm also took down trees, knocked out electricity for hundreds of thousands and flooded highways – but as Saturday evening approached, the region was reopening.

Hurricane Isaias latest updates: at least four people dead and hundreds of thousands without power 10 October 2026 at 16:42

Hurricane Isaias latest updates: at least four people dead and hundreds of thousands without power

The Guardian

By: Marina Dunbar (now) José Olivares and Taz Ali (earlier)

10 October 2026 at 16:42

First Atlantic hurricane of the 2026 season makes landfall in the US as officials warn of ‘spinoff tornadoes’

Florida’s governor, Ron DeSantis, said no requests for search and rescue assistance had been received following Isaias, which he described as “cautiously, a good sign”.

Speaking to Fox News, he said:

I think that may be a sign that people heeded the warnings, took proper precautions. We sure would love to say we have not gotten a report of a fatality yet, and we’ll see what happens.

There’s also a lot of hazards post-storm that people should be careful of, but so far we’ve had a lot of assets in place that have not been called on, which is a good sign. I’d rather be over-prepared, and not have to use them, than not have what you need.”

Hurricane Isaias has weakened to a post-tropical cyclone early Saturday, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said, after it made landfall in Florida and lashed the US Gulf coast with heavy rain and fierce winds.

The category 2 hurricane hit the coast near Destin, Florida, late on Friday, with maximum sustained winds of 105mph.

The storm is expected to move across Alabama and into the Tennessee Valley, the NHC added, with maximum sustained winds decreased to near 35mph.

US midterms: key takeaways from Senate debates in Michigan, Georgia and Maine 9 October 2026 at 00:48

US midterms: key takeaways from Senate debates in Michigan, Georgia and Maine

The Guardian

By: Rachel Leingang · George Chidi and Austin Byrdsell

9 October 2026 at 00:48

Candidates traded personal attacks and clashed over a range of issues in closely watched US Senate debates on Thursday, with control of Congress at stake

With just weeks left in the contentious midterm election campaign, candidates in a trio of highly-competitive Senate races debated Thursday night, clashing over the economy, tariffs, the Iran war and abortion rights, with control of the upper chamber at stake.

In Georgia, incumbent Democratic senator Jon Ossoff faced GOP representative Mike Collins. In Michigan, Democrat Abdul Al-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers debated over the state’s open Senate seat. And in Maine, longtime senator Susan Collins met Democratic challenger Troy Jackson. Democrats need to flip four Republican-held Senate seats to win the majority.