Residents of Springfield, Ohio, hunker down and pray for a political firestorm to blow over

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (AP) — In the quiet corners of Springfield, Ohio — out of sight of the drumbeat of politicians and journalists, troopers and newly installed security cameras — the people who live here are taking a breath, praying and attempting to carry on.

Between the morning bomb sweeps of Springfield's schools and the near daily afternoon media briefings, a hush comes over the city of 58,000 that residents say is uncanny, haunting even. It's fear. It's confusion — dismay at being transformed overnight into a target for the nation's vitriol.

Pastor Andy Mobley, who runs the Family Needs Inc. food pantry on the city’s south side, said people are hunkered down out of the public eye. He said they're hoping the attention sparked by former President Donald Trump spreading unsubstantiated rumors about the city's legal Haitian immigrants eating house pets during last week's presidential debate will blow over.

Trump and his vice presidential running mate, Ohio’s junior Sen. JD Vance, have used the cat-eating rumors to draw attention to the city's 15,000 Haitian immigrants, whose arrival to fill manufacturing, distribution and warehouse jobs has put a severe strain on local resources.

Since the Republican candidates' initial comments, more than two dozen bomb threats — mostly from foreign actors seeking to sow discord — have prompted the state to send in additional state troopers and install surveillance cameras around the city in order to reopen schools and government buildings.

“We’ve got good people here. Republican, Democrat. They're good people,” Mobley said Tuesday, as the pantry tended to a steady stream of clients seeking clothing and food.

Resident Josh Valle said the situation is unsettling.

“We definitely need answers,” said the 35-year-old tool and die repairman, who has lived in Springfield for decades. “It's affecting my kids and my community and my neighbors. With the bomb threats and the influx, it's something new every day. And this used to be a really chill town, you know, it used to be just a small town Ohio.”

The area around Springfield City Hall, where Valle spoke, sat largely silent Tuesday afternoon, until a news conference with state and local officials prompted a brief swarm of activity. Local families are avoiding schools in the wake of earlier bomb threats, even though dozens of troopers have fanned out across the Springfield City School District to stand guard. Some 200 of 500 students were absent Tuesday from a single elementary school, officials said.

Still, there are signs of hope.

“Home Sweet Springfield” tea towels adorn the window of Champion City Guide & Supply on a downtown block that bustles with activity over the lunch hour. One line of mugs and clothing items reads: “Speak a Good Word for Springfield — or say nothing.”

Across town, a small group of kids whose parents kept them home on Tuesday horsed around together at a makeshift lemonade stand they set up to make a few bucks. They delighted in the revving motor of a passing muscle car and, when sales were slow, swigged back the merchandise.

David Graham, who visits communities in crisis as The Praying Cowboy, positioned himself in Springfield this week to show support. “Agenda: Pray, worship, witness, smile, honor, esteem,” he wrote in a Facebook post from the city, accompanied by his hands holding an open Bible with a newly installed surveillance platform in the background. He added lines with black electrical tape to a small heart placard he posted nearby, to represent Springfield hearts being broken.

He wasn't the only one trying to help. A bipartisan group of area mayors met with Springfield Mayor Rob Rue on Monday to figure out how they can help — including with resources to address the traffic, health care, social services and housing needs prompted by the increase in the Haitian population and their language barrier.

Andrew Ginther, the Democratic mayor of Ohio's capital, Columbus, and president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, said in a statement: "Mayors across America will continue to stand by Springfield and all cities working to responsibly address an increased number of migrants, which we can do without losing sight of our shared humanity.”

Years ago, Family Needs Inc. was designated one of President George H.W. Bush’s “thousand points of light,” honoring its dedication to volunteerism. The organization has helped Haitians arriving in Springfield for years now, Mobley said — providing them translation services and co-signing their rental agreements.

He recalled working with Haitian immigrants as far back as 2016, the year Trump took office — though census figures show the population remained at only about 400 until a few years ago.

“In 2016, we started signing contracts. Through the pandemic, we were doing things for the Haitian community,” he said. “Has that all been forgotten? They have been here, and we’ve been dealing with this, and we’ve been asking for help through two different administrations. And no administration has helped us, until now this thing has become public.”

As she walked downtown, one resident who declined to give her name said she's not letting the situation get her down.

“It's childish. It's stupid. It took one stupid person to get on a debate and ruin the reputation of a community. I think you know exactly who I'm talking about,” she said.

“He should never have said that. There's no truth to those allegations whatsoever. I was born and raised in this town, I'm staying here, and I have no problem with nobody.”

"Springfield" is displayed on the Interstate 70 overpass, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Springfield, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

A banner with the images of the Heritage Center of Clark County and "Welcome To Our City," hangs along North Fountain Ave. Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Springfield, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

"Welcome To Springfield" is displayed on the Interstate 70 overpass, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Springfield, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

A mural that reads "Greetings from Springfield Ohio" is seen painted on an alley wall Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Springfield, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Postcards of Springfield, Ohio, are displayed in the Champion City Guide & Supply, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Springfield, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

A mural depicting Hattie Moseley, a Springfield Civil Rights activist who was instrumental in battling the segregation of Fulton Elementary School, is painted on the WesBanco building on East Main Street in Springfield, Ohio, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Springfield, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Neighborhood kids gather to sell Kool-Aid and chips, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Springfield, Ohio. Some were kept home from school because of the bomb threats at their schools, and if that happens again, they plan to be at the corner with Kool-Aid and chips again tomorrow. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

A kid leans on his bike handlebars as he gathers with neighborhood friends to sell Kool-Aid and Chips, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Springfield, Ohio. Some were kept home from school because of the bomb threats at their schools, and if that happens again, they plan to be at the corner with Kool-Aid and chips again tomorrow. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Neighborhood kids gather to sell Kool-Aid and chips, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Springfield, Ohio. Some were kept home from school because of the bomb threats at their schools, and if that happens again, they plan to be at the corner with Kool-Aid and chips again tomorrow. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Cowboy David Graham, of Newark, Ohio, calls out messages of support across the street from City Hall, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Springfield, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Pastor Andrew E. Mobley, Sr. pauses in his office at The Family Needs, Inc. food pantry, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Springfield, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Items supporting Springfield, Ohio, including the slogan "Speak a Good Word for Springfield or say nothing," and "Hope Sweet Springfield," are displayed in the Champion City Guide & Supply shop window, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Springfield, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Cowboy David Graham, of Newark, Ohio, on hand with a message of support, stands near his truck across the street from City Hall, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Springfield, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Mugs that read "Speak a Good Word for Springfield or say nothing" are displayed in the Champion City Guide & Supply shop window on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Springfield, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

An image of a broken heart is fixed across the street from City Hall with the Heritage Center of Clark County, right, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Springfield, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

NEW YORK (AP) — Live from New York! It's 50 seasons later for “SNL.”

The landmark NBC sketch comedy show “Saturday Night Live” premiered Oct. 11, 1975, with drop-dead dark humor and pratfalls, George Carlin as host and not one but two musical guests: Billy Preston and Janis Ian.

On Saturday nights, in those early years, young people gathered around TVs to watch the Lorne Michaels production that served up counterculture to the mass market via the Not Ready for Prime Time Players.

“What is attractive and unusual about the program is that it is an attempt, finally, to provide entertainment on television in a recognizable human, non-celebrity voice, and in a voice, too, that tries to deal with the morass of media-induced show business culture that increasingly pervades American life,” The New Yorker's Michael J. Arlen wrote in a 1975 review.

Fast forward to this year, Sept. 28, when the first episode of “SNL's” half-century season is set to air in a lead-up to a three-hour live primetime special Feb. 16 on, gasp, a Sunday. Jean Smart will host to open the season, with Jelly Roll as musical guest.

Over the decades, some seasons were better than others, with breakout stars like Eddie Murphy, Adam Sandler, Tina Fey, Will Ferrell, Mike Myers and more following the original seven. So what became of the very first cast, the freshman class, post-"SNL?" Here's a catchup.

“National Lampoon's Animal House,” “Continental Divide,” “Neighbors” and all things The Blues Brothers. Belushi left “SNL” in 1979 to pursue music and film projects. That he did, to bad reviews and good.

Following years of drug use, he died March 5, 1982, at 33 after overdosing at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles. Belushi's death stunned and saddened his friends and fans and symbolized the end of the hard-living '70s.

In addition to his mischievous, often frenzied performances on “SNL,” Belushi appeared in other films as well, including the drama “Old Boyfriends” and the poorly-reviewed Steven Spielberg–directed historical comedy “1941."

Before that, Belushi birthed his “Joliet” Jake Blues, joining fellow “SNL” cast member Dan Aykroyd as brother Elwood. Their TV debut as the brothers blue came on “SNL” in 1978.

The sunglass-wearing, dark-suited Blues Brothers took on a fame of their own with the self-titled 1980 movie, directed by John Landis. After Belushi's death, “Blues Brothers 2000” was released in 1998 in tribute with most of the first film's original cast.

After Belushi's death, many of his loved ones, including his widow Judith Belushi Pisano, were angered by the negative narrative tone of “Wired,” the Bob Woodward book about the comic genius. Belushi Pisano and Tanner Colby responded with a book of their own, “Belushi: A Biography.”

Belushi Pisano, his high school sweetheart, died in July from cancer. John Belushi shared a writing Emmy with fellow “SNL” cast members and writers in 1977.

Nasally Roseanne Roseannadanna. Weird teen Lisa Loopner. Weekend Update's “never mind” complainer Emily Litella. Radner contributed an endearing sweetness to the inaugural season of “SNL.” She stayed for five years.

In 1979, the Emmy and Grammy winner took to Broadway to perform a one-woman show, “Gilda Live.” Included were some of her most beloved “SNL” characters, including Baba Wawa, a spoof of Barbara Walters. The show was filmed and released as a movie.

Radner appeared in several other films, including “First Family” and “The Woman in Red,” the latter a 1984 hit written and directed by her co-star and future husband, Gene Wilder. Among other projects: She starred in the 1980 Broadway drama “Lunch Hour.”

Radner died May 20, 1989, at age 42 after a long battle with ovarian cancer. Her book detailing her cancer fight was released earlier that year. A documentary about her life, “Love Gilda,” was released in 2018.

Chase was the first to utter the words: “Live from New York, it's Saturday night!” And he has a long list of post-"SNL" credits, including many commercial successes and his share of flops. He was also the first cast member to leave the show.

Initially hired as a writer, he was known on “SNL” for “Weekend Update,” his bumbling President Gerald Ford, his pratfalls in general and his feuds with cast members. Chase was replaced in the middle of the second season by Bill Murray.

Years later (2013), Chase exited TV's “Community” during the fourth season amid complaints about racial slurs directed at fellow cast member Donald Glover.

In between “SNL” and that moment, Chase worked a lot, at least for a time.

There were two “Fletch” movies. There was “Caddyshack” and a poorly-received sequel. “There was “The Three Amigos!” There were five “Vacation” movies, though his appearance in the last one (in 2015) was a cameo.

Chase's first hit was “Foul Play” with Goldie Hawn in 1978. He tried his hand at a late-night talk show, “The Chevy Chase Show,” on Fox in 1993. It was canceled after six weeks.

Among his awards: A writing Emmy for “SNL” in 1976, a performance Emmy on the show the same year and a shared writing Emmy for “The Paul Simon Special” in 1977.

Chase put out a biography in 2007, “I'm Chevy Chase ... and You're Not," named for his famous catchphrase as anchor of “Weekend Update.” In his book, he detailed childhood physical abuse at the hands of his mother and stepfather, John Cederquist — both of whom are dead.

Now 80, Chase has taken in recent years to hosting screenings with audience Q&As for "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation,” the most enduring movie in that franchise.

He also makes chicken sounds and posts fan meetups and family gatherings on TikTok, where he has 1.2 million followers.

She left “SNL” in 1980 after portraying Connie Conehead, Valley Girl stewardess Sherry and ditzy public access TV co-host Christie Christina. She was also a recurring reporter on “Weekend Update."

Newman has spoken openly about her struggles with depression and drug addiction during that time. She got sober in 1987.

Before leaving “SNL,” Newman appeared in the 1978 film “American Hot Wax.” Steady film, TV and voice work followed through the 1980s into the 2000s. She was the antagonist in the 1991 comedy “Problem Child 2” and appeared in 1993’s “Coneheads” as Connie’s Aunt Laarta.

Newman, 72, appeared in episodes of “Friends,” “3rd Rock from the Sun,” “7th Heaven,” “Laverne & Shirley" and “St. Elsewhere,” and in the 1994 live action “Flintstones” film.

She lent her voice to several animated hit films, including “Wall-E,” “Up," “Toy Story 3" and “Tangled.” And she has worked as a magazine writer and editor. In 2021, she put out “May You Live in Interesting Times,” an audio memoir.

Fun fact: After high school graduation, Newman studied mime in Paris with Marcel Marceau.

In 2017, with the rest of “SNL's” original cast, she was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame.

When he wasn't bleeding out as Julia Child or declaring, “Jane, you ignorant slut!” on “Weekend Update,” Aykroyd swagged with Steve Martin as one of two wild and crazy guys, and led the Conehead family as patriarch Beldar.

And he lent so much more to “SNL” before leaving in 1979, including as half of The Blues Brothers and impersonations of talk show host Tom Snyder, Rod Serling and two presidents: Nixon and Carter.

With Belushi, his close friend, and backed by legit players, the bluesy and soulful brothers caught on as a band. They played gigs and released a multimillion-selling album, “Briefcase Full of Blues.”

His post-"SNL" work has taken him even higher. He and Belushi had a smash with “The Blues Brothers” film. Hit after hit followed: “Neighbors” in 1981, “Trading Places” in 1983 and the 1984 “Ghostbusters” that launched a franchise (Aykroyd and Harold Ramis wrote the first two). He also appeared in “1941.”

Aykroyd, 72, wrote and narrated a recent audio documentary, “Blues Brothers: The Arc of Gratitude.”

In 1985, Aykroyd co-wrote and starred with Chase in “Spies Like Us,” directed by Landis. Aykroyd earned a supporting actor Oscar nomination for 1989's “Driving Miss Daisy."

The ‘90s weren’t so kind. There were many flops, including his directorial debut in 1991, “Nothing but Trouble” starring Demi Moore, Chase, John Candy and Aykroyd with a grisly prosthetic face. A bright spot was the acclaimed “Grosse Pointe Blank,” in which he played a rival hitman to star John Cusack.

With Hard Rock Cafe co-founder Isaac Tigrett, Aykroyd co-founded House of Blues, a chain of live music halls and restaurants that became a division of Live Nation in 2006.

Curtin left “SNL,” in 1980, after five seasons. She was a master of deadpan, often playing the straight woman off such outsized performers as Belushi and Radner. A regular on “Weekend Update,” she was also known for the Coneheads sketches as matriarch Prymaat and as Enid Loopner with fellow nerds Radner and Murray.

Curtin, 76, has spoken about being bothered by the drug-fueled lifestyles of some of her castmates. She won two Emmys for her 1980s sitcom “Kate & Allie.” She later starred as Dr. Mary Albright in the hit series “3rd Rock from the Sun” (1996-2001).

Her post-"SNL" work stayed mainly on television, including some busts like the 1990 sitcom “Working it Out.” It was canceled after 13 episodes. With Fred Savage, she appeared in the sitcom “Crumbs” in 2006. It was canceled four months later.

There was some Broadway work: Miss Proserpine Garnett in “Candida,” “Love Letters” and the 2002 revival of “Our Town” that marked Paul Newman's return to Broadway after 38 years.

Initially hired as a writer, he was the oldest on “SNL's” first cast at 37. He came to the show after 17 years as a singer and arranger with Harry Belafonte, as an actor in plays and musicals, as a playwright and as a civil rights activist who helped desegregate Actor’s Equity.

Morris was raised in New Orleans by his grandmother and Baptist minister grandfather, spending his childhood singing in the church choir. He later became a Buddhist after moving to New York, where he was homeless for a time well before “SNL.”

Morris, 87, trained at The Julliard School. Belafonte gave him his first professional break. Morris performed with the Harry Belafonte Singers for 10 years, starting when he was just 22.

He remained on “SNL” until 1980. He was known for his character Chico Escuela, the Dominican baseball player whose catchphrase, “Baseball has been berry berry good to me,” caught on in pop culture. He also performed as the shouting interpreter in the “News for the Hard of Hearing” segments and did impersonations of Idi Amin, James Brown, Sammy Davis, Jr., Bob Marley and Muhammad Ali.

Morris once sang a Mozart aria on “SNL” as the musical guest. He also sang a Schubert composition on the show.

In 1994, Morris was shot and seriously wounded in an attempted holdup in Los Angeles.

In the '80s, Morris appeared in a string of horror films. Later, he was a regular on the series “2 Broke Girls" and performed on TV comedies “Martin,” “The Jamie Foxx Show” and “The Wayans Brothers.” He also appeared on “Married with Children,” “Family Guy” and “The Jeffersons.”

He competed with his family on “Celebrity Family Feud” in 2016, appeared on “This is Us” in 2018 and on a “Black Lady Sketch Show” in 2019.

Morris also has a long list of film credits: Sidney Lumet’s “The Anderson Tapes,” the classic “Cooley High,” “The Longshots,” “Pawn Shop” and Marvel’s “Ant-Man” included.

FILE - Actor Garrett Morris attends a ceremony honoring him with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)

FILE - Civil Rights activist and politician Julian Bond, left, appears with "Saturday Night Live" cast member Garrett Morris during a rehearsal for the sketch comedy series on April 7, 1977, in New York. (AP Photo/Dave Pickoff, File)

FILE - Laraine Newman arrives at the premiere "Live from New York!" in Los Angeles on June 10, 2015. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)

FILE - Emmy winners, from left, Jane Curtin, John Ritter, and Tyne Daly pose backstage at the Emmy Awards presentation at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, Ca., Sept. 23, 1984. Curtin won for best actress in a comedy series for "Kate and Allie"; Ritter was named outstanding actor in a comedy series for his role in "Three's Company"; and Daly won for best actress in a dramatic series for "Cagney and Lacey." (AP Photo, File)

FILE - Dan Aykroyd poses for a photo in Los Angeles on Dec. 4, 2010. (AP Photo/Sarah Hummert, File)

FILE - Dan Aykroyd attends the world premiere of "Get On Up" in New York on July 21, 2014. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)

FILE - Dan Aykroyd poses for a portrait in West Hollywood, Calif., Tuesday, May 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)

FILE - Actor Chevy Chase, center, sits on the front row during the second half of an NBA basketball game between the Atlanta Hawks and Dallas Mavericks in Dallas on April 4, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)

FILE - Chevy Chase gets his ear licked from co-star Benji the dog, during a news conference in Los Angeles announcing their movie "Oh Heavenly Dog" on Sept. 6, 1979. (AP Photo/Nick Ut, file)

FILE - Steve Martin, from left, Chevy Chase, and Martin Short appear at the premiere of their film "Three Amigos!" in New York on Dec. 9, 1986. (AP Photo/Frankie Ziths, File)

FILE - The coffin for actor John Belushi is carried out of the Congregational Church by pallbearers Dan Aykroyd, left, and Belushi's brother Jim Belushi, right, following funeral services in West Tinsbury, Mass., on March 9, 1982. Belushi died March 5, at 33 after overdosing at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Dave Tenenbaum, File)

FILE - Comedian Chevy Chase, second from left, joins the cast of NBC's "Saturday Night Live," with Laraine Newman, from right, Gilda Radner, Bill Murray and Jane Curtain, left, on Feb. 16, 1978 in New York. (AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler, File)

FILE - Actor Burt Reynolds, second right, appears on the set with cast members of NBC's "Saturday Night Live," from left, Jane Curtin, Laraine Newman, Gilda Radner, and Bill Murray, right, in New York, April 12, 1980. (AP Photo/Suzanne Vlamis, File)

FILE - White House Press Secretary Ron Nessen, left, appears on the "Saturday Night Live" set with producer Lorne Michaels, right, and cast members Chevy Chase, foreground center, Laraine Newman, background left, Dan Aykroyd, background right, Jane Curtain, second row from left, Gilda Radner, John Belushi and Garret Morris, partially obscured, on April 17, 1976, in New York. (AP Photo)

FILE - Actor John Belushi appears at the opening night party for "Animal House" at the Village Gate in New York on July 27, 1978. Belushi died March 5, 1982, at 33 after overdosing at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles. (AP Photo, File)

FILE - Castmember Gilda Radner appears on the set of "Saturday Night Live," in New York on Dec. 1, 1977. Radner died May 20, 1989, at age 42 after a long battle with ovarian cancer. (AP Photo/Ron Frehm, File)

FILE - Chevy Chase, a cast member on "Saturday Night Live," holds his Emmy Award as he watches a monitor showing producer Lorne Michaels accepting another Emmy for the show, while writers Alan Zweibel, left, and Tom Davis, right, look on, during the 28th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on May 17, 1976. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon, File)