From the Associated Press:Attorneys for the country duo Sugarland say the injuries fans suffered in a deadly stage collapse at the Indiana State Fair were ``their own fault.''Sugarland's attorneys say some or all of the injuries happened because fans failed to take steps to ensure their own safety before high winds toppled stage rigging onto the crowd awaiting the band's Aug. 13 concert.Seven people died and 58 were injured.In a Feb. 16 response to a civil suit filed in November, they also say fair officials and stage rigging builder Mid-America Sound Corp. were responsible for the stage setup. They call the wind that toppled the structure an ``act of God.''Sugarland's attorneys are seeking a jury trial. The stage collapse is the focus of several investigations.The band later issued a statement, saying it’s devastated that people “want to point fingers and try to sensationalize” the tragedy, and that its fans are the “single most important thing” to the duo.
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.