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Tag: Jean

  • 15-year-old Rio Linda girl found, suspect outstanding, says sheriff’s office

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    A 15-year-old girl was found safe late Sunday after she was reported missing hours earlier, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office confirmed.Deputies are still searching for a teen suspect who they believe kidnapped her.The girl was placed into the temporary custody of Sacramento County Child Protective Services, deputies said.”This is not just a runaway girlfriend with her boyfriend trying to get away,” said Sergeant Amar Gandhi.Citali Itzpapalot Lerma was last seen getting into a dark-colored SUV against her will on Sunday morning in the Rio Linda area, according to a post on the office’s social media. Lerma has long brown hair, brown eyes and was wearing a dark gray hoodie, light blue ripped jeans and black New Balance shoes. “We don’t know if it was her current boyfriend or an ex-boyfriend or some sort of dating relationship,” Gandhi added. “The 17-year-old forced her into the car and drove away.”Deputies are also looking for 17-year-old Jesse Carranza in connection to the case. The sheriff’s office says he may have kidnapped Lerma. Carranza was last seen driving a dark SUV in the Rio Linda area and wearing a gray hoodie and blue jeans. “The 17-year-old has a bit of a criminal history already and has a felony warrant for an unrelated incident,” Gandhi said. “There is also some history with crimes, potentially some exploitation involving our victim.”It’s believed the victim might be used for sex trafficking. “A lot of these victims are manipulated and they are forced into doing things that they don’t necessarily want to do,” Gandhi added.Sunday afternoon, Lerma posted a message on social media saying she didn’t leave against her will. Deputies aren’t so sure.”We don’t know if that video was made under duress,” Gandhi said. “We don’t know the full circumstances. You can’t see her face.””This is something that happens every day across rural, urban, and suburban communities across the United States, and I think it is imperative to see this as a public health crisis,” said Ashlie Bryant.Bryant is CEO of 3 Stands Global, a local organization that helps victims of sex trafficking.”California has the highest rates of human trafficking as well as online exploitation in the country,” Bryant added. “I wish we didn’t have jobs to combat this. I wish it didn’t exist, but the reality is that it does, and our jobs are to prevent it.”The sheriff’s office is asking for the public’s help in locating the suspect. Contact their office at (916) 874-5115 with any information. This story is developing. Stay with KCRA 3 for updates. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

    A 15-year-old girl was found safe late Sunday after she was reported missing hours earlier, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office confirmed.

    Deputies are still searching for a teen suspect who they believe kidnapped her.

    The girl was placed into the temporary custody of Sacramento County Child Protective Services, deputies said.

    “This is not just a runaway girlfriend with her boyfriend trying to get away,” said Sergeant Amar Gandhi.

    Citali Itzpapalot Lerma was last seen getting into a dark-colored SUV against her will on Sunday morning in the Rio Linda area, according to a post on the office’s social media. Lerma has long brown hair, brown eyes and was wearing a dark gray hoodie, light blue ripped jeans and black New Balance shoes.

    “We don’t know if it was her current boyfriend or an ex-boyfriend or some sort of dating relationship,” Gandhi added. “The 17-year-old forced her into the car and drove away.”

    Deputies are also looking for 17-year-old Jesse Carranza in connection to the case. The sheriff’s office says he may have kidnapped Lerma. Carranza was last seen driving a dark SUV in the Rio Linda area and wearing a gray hoodie and blue jeans.

    “The 17-year-old has a bit of a criminal history already and has a felony warrant for an unrelated incident,” Gandhi said. “There is also some history with crimes, potentially some exploitation involving our victim.”

    It’s believed the victim might be used for sex trafficking.

    “A lot of these victims are manipulated and they are forced into doing things that they don’t necessarily want to do,” Gandhi added.

    Sunday afternoon, Lerma posted a message on social media saying she didn’t leave against her will. Deputies aren’t so sure.

    “We don’t know if that video was made under duress,” Gandhi said. “We don’t know the full circumstances. You can’t see her face.”

    “This is something that happens every day across rural, urban, and suburban communities across the United States, and I think it is imperative to see this as a public health crisis,” said Ashlie Bryant.

    Bryant is CEO of 3 Stands Global, a local organization that helps victims of sex trafficking.

    “California has the highest rates of human trafficking as well as online exploitation in the country,” Bryant added. “I wish we didn’t have jobs to combat this. I wish it didn’t exist, but the reality is that it does, and our jobs are to prevent it.”

    The sheriff’s office is asking for the public’s help in locating the suspect. Contact their office at (916) 874-5115 with any information.

    This story is developing. Stay with KCRA 3 for updates.

    See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

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  • X-Men ’97’s New Costumes Go Back to the ’80s

    X-Men ’97’s New Costumes Go Back to the ’80s

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    Image: Disney+

    The wait is almost over. X-Men ‘97‘s three-part finale continues tomorrow when “Tolerance Is Extinction, Pt. 2” drops on Disney+.

    Marvel’s animated series has continued the tales of the X-Men from the ‘90s cartoon, adding in timely relevance with great aplomb. Here’s a short tease of the next installment, featuring a fashion shake-up as well as more hints about the story, which finds humanity needing to trust in the X-Men once more. As tends to be the case, they may be the best hope the world has to survive.

    Marvel Animation’s X-Men ‘97 | Official Clip ‘Trust In The X-Men’ | Disney+

    To avoid early anxiety about what is actually going to happen in the next episode, let’s just geek out for a moment about the costumes here. We see Jean reach for her mask without her Dolly Parton-sized wig, Wolverine grab his red-tinged gloves, Storm put on her crown, and Cyclops don his visor. We see you, Marvel: using the old costumes for the main team from the 1980s Uncanny X-Men era. It’s just really cool to see the show pay homage to the comics and iconography in this way.

    Image for article titled X-Men '97's New Costumes Go Back to the '80s

    Image: Disney+

    “Tolerence Is Extinction, Pt. 2,” the second piece of X-Men ‘97‘s three-part finale, starts streaming May 8 only on Disney+.


    Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

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    Sabina Graves

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  • Galit and Chef Paul Virant Earn Local Banchet Honors

    Galit and Chef Paul Virant Earn Local Banchet Honors

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    Sunday night marked a new beginning for the Jean Banchet Awards, the local honors that recognize Chicago restaurants and chefs (it’s also named for the esteemed French chef). The Banchets skipped 2023 as the committee of local chefs and tastemakers who vote on the awards reassembled itself with a new charitable beneficiary. Those efforts produced a brisk two-hour ceremony at Venue SIX10 where Galit, the upscale contemporary Middle Eastern eatery, won Restaurant of the Year.

    “I want to thank this lovely chef and bald gentleman, Zach [Engel], for giving me a call several years ago,” Galit co-owner Andres Clavero said Sunday night while onstage. “The stories of food have been so emotionally important and personal to the two of us. In a year where everyone was asked to do what’s changing what is different and nothing has changed — we will continue to share stories of those that are unheard and food that is meaningful and showcase people who don’t necessarily have a voice.”

    Clavero and chef Engel keep adding to their trophy case. The Lincoln Park restaurant has already achieved a Michelin star status for the last three years. Engel is a James Beard Award winner for 2017’s Rising Chef of the Year while he worked at Shaya in New Orleans. Later this year, the duo plans to open a second restaurant, a few doors away from Galit on Lincoln Avenue.

    Meanwhile, Paul Virant, a venerable chef behind hits like Gaijin in Fulton Market and Vistro Prime in suburban Hinsdale, won Chef of the Year. Virant’s influence, through cookbooks and as a role model to many chefs who attended the ceremony, is also evident at two of his shuttered restaurants, Perrenial Virant in Old Town, and Vie in suburban Western Springs.

    Awards host Michael Muser, the master sommelier and co-owner at Ever, kept the event running smoothly. While he peppered the show with jokes, he had only one meaty comedic bit which came in the opening monologue, a David Letterman-style Top 10 list, “Top 10 Ways to Tell if Your Restaurant Employee is High on the Job.”

    “No. 5: You serve a consummé that tasted like bong water because it actually is bong water,” Muser said.

    Muser dedicated that line to retired Chicago Tribune dining critic Phil Vettel, the recipient of the night’s Culinary Excellence of the Year Award. Breakfast Queen Ina Pinkney, looking spry before her 81st birthday on Valentine’s Day, presented the awarded Vettel with a charming story about when Vettel, then an anonymous critic, revealed his identity to her while interviewing her before her 2013 retirement. Vettel would retire in 2021 after 31 years at the Trib.

    “Do you know what a forager bee does?” Vettel told the audience. “The forager bee looks for flowers, looks for nectar — finds areas with really good quality nectar and then it goes back to the hive and does this little nectar dance which tells all the other bees ‘follow me I know where the good shit is.’”

    “And that’s my career.”

    For 2024, the Banchets partnered with Chicago Chefs Cook, a nonprofit that formed in 2020 and has raised more than $1 million for numerous charitable causes both internationally and locally. For the previous 20 years, the awards were associated with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, but after the 2022 show, the sides separated.

    For Sunday’s event, Chicago Chefs Cook picked James Beard and Jean Banchet award winner Erick Williams’ group, the Virtue Leadership Development Program, as the beneficiary. Williams has stressed the importance of mentors — one example is Damarr Brown his chef de cuisine at Virtue and the 2023 Emerging Chef of the Year by the Beard Foundation. Williams spoke about the need to invest in underserved communities, and how those resources impact growth. Equity (versus equality) is about more than just what spaces look like in terms of representation.

    “By having the opportunities — or tools, equipment, the books, the support, the mentorship, and the development — I have the grand opportunity to speak with heads of states, heads of cities, and everyone down to someone’s 90-year-old grandmother who wanted to just celebrate being 90 years old,” Williams said.

    Another highlight from Sunday came after Rubi’s on 18th, the winner of Heritage Restaurant of the Year. Members of the family who owns Pilsen taqueria — once a staple at the Maxwell Street Market — took the stage. Owner Gilberto Ramirez hid tears behind a white cowboy hat he used to cover his face. After his family gave their remarks, he took the podium and simply yelled “I love Chicago!” That earned the loudest applause of the night.

    1462 E. 53rd Street, Chicago, IL

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    Ashok Selvam

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  • 10 Best Character Glow-Ups in Attack on Titan

    10 Best Character Glow-Ups in Attack on Titan

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    The story of Attack on Titan takes place over several years, so it’s only natural that the cast of characters has gone through much development and many changes, both on a level of personal growth, and physical appearance.

    We’ve rounded up ten characters who have had the most significant glow-ups in the Attack on Titan series, so follow along below to appreciate how much they’ve all changed.

    Armin Arlert

    Image Source: Studio Wit & MAPPA

    C’mon, there’s no way we could write a list such as this and not include Armin — I mean, this dude had one of the best glow-ups of them all, thanks to that time skip. Gone is his long mop-like haircut and timid nature, as Armin now sports not just smarts, but more confidence and bravery than ever before. Oh, and he’s rocking a much shorter, undercut hairstyle, which has completely changed his appearance and made him look much more mature.

    And while Armin, unlike many of his comrades, has only grown ever so slightly from 5’4″ to 5’5″, he also became the Colossal Titan shifter. Technically, this means it could be argued that he’s truly the tallest of them all. They grow up so fast

    Sasha Braus

    Sasha from Attack on Titan
    Image Source: Studio Wit & MAPPA

    Oh Sasha, our beloved potato girl. While she tragically didn’t get to live as long as her friends due to her passing, she certainly came a long way and went through many changes, both physical and in terms of her growth and confidence. Sasha’s long ponytail and messy bangs have been switched up for a slightly neater look, her hair cut to a shorter length. In addition to this, Sasha’s bangs are gone with strands framing either side of her face.

    Sasha has grown immensely in confidence at this point too, and how could she not? She was one of very few characters who ever went up against a Titan with no ODM gear or blades, and lived to tell the tale. However, deep down, Sasha remained the same lovable food-loving gremlin, just with a much more mature persona and a new ‘fit thanks to the update of the Scouts uniform.

    Hange Zoe

    Hange from Attack on Titan
    Image Source: Studio Wit & MAPPA

    I will forever love Hange and their development over the series. Upon first meeting them, they were a very eccentric, loud, and passionate individual who came off as a little crazy due to their fascination with Titans. Upon their first appearance, Hange wore their hair in a high ponytail and had goggle-shaped glasses that they wore on their forehead or over their eyes when in the field.

    Following the time skip, Hange’s energetic, loud personality has been dulled down due to both maturing and suffering much loss. Hange is now much more responsible, taking on the role of Commander following Erwin’s death. However, this never stops them from losing the parts of themself that made them stand out as quirky, odd, and entirely wonderful, which is seen right up until their very last moments.

    Appearance-wise, Hange’s high ponytail has been replaced with a slightly different half-ponytail, the bottom half of their locks hanging loose behind their head, which they rock with perfection. I mean, this soldier lost an eye and is still pulling off their brand-new look, eyepatch and all.

    Jean Kirstein

    Jean from Attack on Titan
    Image Source: Studio Wit & MAPPA

    Another very notable glow-up in the Attack on Titan series is none other than Jean Kirstein. Seriously, with this guy, it’s hard to determine which had more change — his personality and views of the world, or his appearance. From being the only one in the Training Corps who gloated about wanting to land a spot on the Military Police for his own safety, to switching his allegiance and teaming up on the side of once-sworn enemies in the name of loyalty and friendship, Jean has come quite a long way.

    Most notably, his messy, undercut hairstyle has grown out, with longer strands pushed away from his face and tucked behind his ears, with the back of his hair now sitting at the bottom of his neck. In addition to growing out his hair, Jean also has some light facial hair to show how much he’s grown and matured during the time skip. Oh, and if that wasn’t enough, Jean also experiences a growth spurt from his previous height of 5’7″ to 6’2″, which lands him as one of the tallest characters in the series.

    Hitch Dreyse

    Historia from Attack on Titan
    Image Source: Studio Wit & MAPPA

    When the topic of Attack on Titan glow-ups comes up, there’s one character who I think takes the title of ultimate glow-up, and that’s none other than Hitch Dreyse. Hitch is a side character who doesn’t get all that much attention or screen time, which is why her glow-up following the time skip was such a surprise to many.

    Hitch was once easily identified by her unkempt locks of hair. However, it seems that at some point during the time skip, Hitch grew into the habit of brushing through her bedhead. Her messy bangs are gone, and instead, her hair falls just above shoulder-length in a clean and tidy cut, which completely changes the look of Hitch’s face, drawing attention to her slightly thickened eyebrows and big, green eyes. This makes her look almost like a completely different character entirely, which is quite a significant change.

    Floch Forster

    Floch from Attack on Titan
    Image Source: Studio Wit & MAPPA

    Floch has always had one of the strangest hairstyles in the Attack on Titan universe, especially in the anime adaptation. I mean, seriously, it looks like there’s a hedgehog just setting up camp on his head! Thankfully, the time skip does Floch justice in regards to his appearance, replacing this odd style with a much simpler, smoother look with his bangs smoothed over his forehead.

    But, it’s not just Floch’s hair that received a significant change, as his characteristics also changed rather drastically. Previously, Floch had been seen breaking down and cowering in fear as the Scouts charged on to their slaughter. However, as one of the survivors, he now lives on in full bravery and confidence, confronting his opponents head-on in the name of those who were lost, such as Erwin and Marlowe. It’s this very approach that makes Floch such a fierce opponent and fighter for the Yeagerists, which highlights how much he’s changed during the time skip.

    Eren Jaeger

    Eren from Attack on Titan
    Image Source: Studio Wit & MAPPA

    Look, look, I get it. He’s the main character, of course, and he was going to have a glow-up moment. To be fair, Eren isn’t as much of a significant contender as others, but still…that damn hair bun earns him a spot on this list, without a doubt. Eren’s hair has been grown out a bit, often worn and pulled back into a half-tied loose bun with the latter half of his hair falling down his neck, and loose strands falling onto his forehead. This is single-handedly the best decision our boi here made in the entire last arks of the story (fight me), so at least we have something not horrible to remember him by…right?

    Eren’s big, green eyes have shrunken in size on his face, which takes away from his somewhat naive and innocent approach to wanting to kill all titans, and instead brings a presence of dread, ambition, and seriousness to his facial expressions, which creates quite a harsh appearance. This is quite a small, but interesting detail, considering young Eren wanted to slaughter Titans and older Eren used Titans to slaughter many innocents…oh how the tables turned. And look at him, standing there in that black jacket — playing Grim Reaper, Mr. Yeager?

    Historia Reiss

    Historia from Attack on Titan
    Image Source: Studio Wit & MAPPA

    Historia has quite the journey in Attack on Titan, first seen under the alias of Krista Lenz — a quiet, timid, but kind girl with long blonde hair and big, blue eyes. However, Historia later grows in confidence, taking her real name back, living for herself, and standing up to her father, just as Ymir would have wanted.

    This is a huge milestone for Historia in itself, proving that she had some serious positive changes in character. Oh, and then she ended up pregnant, even if it was not her first choice and in very dire circumstances. And they do say pregnant women look as if they are glowing, so perhaps that contributes to Historia’s glow-up.

    Reiner Braun

    Reiner from Attack on Titan
    Image Source: Studio Wit & MAPPA

    Reiner Braun is another character who received quite a significant glow-up following the time skip. Back in earlier seasons, this sturdy 6’1″ dude was recognized for his short-cut blonde hair and squinty yellow eyes. However, following the time skip, Reiner’s facial features have changed quite a bit.

    His eyebrows are no longer so thin and pointed, and his eyes appear much bigger on his face, which helps to portray more emotion — and boy does this guy have them. Aside from this, Reiner’s hair has grown out quite a bit, and he’s received the addition of some facial hair in the form of a brand-new beard. Reiner truly came back with not only a badass new persona but certainly also a badass new look to match.

    Connie Springer

    Connie from Attack on Titan
    Image Source: Studio Wit & MAPPA

    Aw, Connie Springer…another lovable dork who had as much development as his bestie, Sasha Braus. Connie here was once the shortest male cadet of them all, sporting a buzzcut, paper-thin eyebrows, and big eyes, full of expression. Oh, and he used to get his salute backward, as some of us will fondly remember.

    Following the time skip, Connie’s hair has grown out slightly, his eyebrows have thickened ever so slightly, and his eyes, while still big and full of expression, are much more proportionate to the rest of his face. Most significantly, however, Connie finally grew! This Scout over here grew from 5’1″ to 5’9″, having perhaps gained the most height out of anyone. Finally, Connie is no longer the shortest guy on the squad!

    About the author

    Grace Black

    Grace is a writer and digital artist from New Zealand with a love for fiction and storytelling. Grace has been writing for Twinfinite for one year and in the games industry for two years. She’s an enthusiast of everything spooky, an occasional anime enjoyer, and a die-hard Ghost-Type Pokemon fangirl. Her favorite video games include Overwatch 2, Life is Strange, The Last of Us, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Pokemon – all of which she will never tire of.

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    Grace Black

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  • Supermom In Training: 5 Places to go in November

    Supermom In Training: 5 Places to go in November

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    On an episode of Suburban Parents Talk, we discussed things to do in November. There’s just something usually dreary about this month – it’s sandwiched between Halloween and the holidays, the weather is unpredictable, it feels too late to do fall stuff but too early to do Christmasey stuff. It made me think of some easy, fun things to do during this blah-ish month – here are 5 places to go in November.

    Markets. We love fruit and veggie markets. We live on the South Shore where there are a lot of cute little one-off shops in farming areas, but we also love Atwater and Jean-Talon markets. It’s a great opportunity to pick up fresh, delicious produce and homemade goods, plus it’s always wonderful to support local too.

    Mall walking. We hit Promenades Saint-Bruno this week and all the holiday decorations are up, sales are happening, but there aren’t any crowds (yet). Take advantage of this quieter shopping time to wander the mall, get an ice cream or a cappucino, and maybe even get a headstart on holiday shopping.

    Hikes. November always has its random warmer days, so soak them in by going on a nice family stroll. There are lots of parks, both big and small, to explore. Seek out a new one you’ve never been to: Beaver Lake, Lakeshore, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Mont Saint-Hilaire, etc.

    Last picking of the season. Yep- there’s still fresh produce out there to be picked and enjoyed. So, don’t let them spoil – get your hands on the last of the apples, pumpkins, squash, and cauliflower. 

    Library. Reading is a great way to pass the time when it’s cold and blustery outside, and what better time to get back into the habit than now? Frequent your local library and keep a rotating collection of great titles at-hand. 

    A full-time work-from-home mom, Jennifer Cox (our “Supermom in Training”) loves dabbling in healthy cooking, craft projects, family outings, and more, sharing with readers everything she knows about being an (almost) superhero mommy.

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  • French far-right party elects new leader to replace Le Pen

    French far-right party elects new leader to replace Le Pen

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    PARIS — European lawmaker Jordan Bardella replaced his mentor Marine Le Pen on Saturday at the helm of France’s leading far-right party, pledging to protect French civilization from perceived threats posed by immigration and defending a party member who made a racist remark in parliament.

    Bardella, 27, won an internal party vote with 85% support, marking a symbolic changing of the guard at the resurgent National Rally party. He is the first person to lead the party who doesn’t have the Le Pen name since it was founded a half-century ago.

    The National Rally is seeking to capitalize on its recent breakthrough in France’s legislative election and growing support for far-right parties in Europe, notably in neighboring Italy. It’s also facing broad public anger over an offensive comment this week by a National Rally member in parliament in response to a Black lawmaker.

    Marine Le Pen is still expected to wield significant power in the party’s leadership and run again for France’s presidency in 2027. She says she stepped aside to focus on leading the party’s 89 lawmakers in France’s National Assembly.

    To broad applause, she hugged Bardella after the results were announced at a party congress on Paris’ Left Bank, and both raised their arms in victory. Le Pen said Bardella’s main challenge will be pursuing the party “roadmap” of taking power in France.

    “We are going to win!” supporters chanted.

    Anti-racism activists, union leaders and politicians protested nearby Saturday against the National Rally, denouncing what many see as a creeping acceptance of its xenophobic views.

    Yeliz Alkac, 30, told The AP that she was demonstrating to support people who face persistent racism in France. She described shock that the remark in parliament seen as denigrating African immigrants was seen as ”normal” by some in France.

    “The fact that the National Rally has 89 lawmakers at the National Assembly is a strong signal. It should be a warning about how the extreme right is going strong,” she said.

    In his speech Saturday, Bardella defended the National Rally legislator who was suspended over the remark, calling him a victim of a “manhunt.”

    Bardella described his family’s Italian immigrant roots and pride at becoming French, but made it clear that not all foreigners are welcome.

    “France shouldn’t be the world’s hotel,” he said, calling for “drastic” limits on immigration.

    He welcomed a representative of Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni’s far-right party who came to the congress, calling for a “rapprochement” of similar forces in Europe.

    Bardella had been the interim president of the National Rally since Le Pen entered the presidential race last year. He beat out party heavyweight Louis Aliot, 53, who had argued that the National Rally needs to reshape itself to be more palatable to the mainstream right.

    “Bardella’s election feels like a fresh push,” said party member Marie Audinette, 23. “He embodies the youth.”

    Audinette, who grew up in a working-class neighborhood in Bordeaux, said that her country “was perishing,” citing deteriorating public services that struggled to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. She also described “a clear change of population” in Bordeaux.

    Some far-right supporters in France increasingly refer to the false “great replacement” conspiracy theory that the populations of Western countries are being overrun by non-white, non-Christian immigrants. The claim, propagated by white supremacists, has inspired deadly attacks.

    Le Pen lost to French President Emmanuel Macron on her third presidential bid in April but earned her highest score yet. Two months later, her party won its most seats to date in the lower house of parliament, in part thanks to Le Pen’s efforts to focus on inflation and workers’ economic troubles.

    Le Pen has worked to remove the stigma of racism and antisemitism that clung to her party and broaden its base. She has notably distanced herself from her now-ostracized father Jean-Marie Le Pen, who co-founded the party then called the National Front and has been repeatedly convicted for hate speech.

    “Bardella is part of a generation of young, very young, people who engaged themselves behind Marine Le Pen in the 2010s and who probably wouldn’t have joined the National Rally during Jean-Marie Le Pen’s era,” political scientist Jean-Yves Camus told The Associated Press.

    The Le Pen family and the party also have deep ties to Vladimir Putin’s Russia. While Le Pen condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, she has also questioned resulting Western sanctions against Russia, and her party took out a $9 million loan from the First Czech-Russian bank in 2014 that many see as a Russian effort to influence French politics.

    According to Camus, Saturday’s party vote won’t question Le Pen’s leadership.

    “Le Pen won’t have to deal with the party (now) and can focus on the most important thing, leading the party’s lawmakers in the National Assembly,” he said.

    ———

    Associated Press writers Elaine Ganley and Alex Turnbull contributed to this report.

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