Did you see? Ana Elisa honored in RJ, 4-ton sneakers become a monument and Gerdau announces the end of steel production in Divinópolis

Check out what was highlighted on g1 Central-West this week, with the most accessed news between October 31st and November 6th.

Ana Elisa Santos Silva (PT), elected youngest federal deputy in Minas Gerais in the 2026 elections, was honored by the Rio de Janeiro City Council with the Chiquinha Gonzaga Medal of Recognition, awarded to women who stand out in democratic, humanitarian, artistic and cultural causes.

The tribute was proposed by councilors Tainá de Paula (PT), Thais Ferreira (PSOL) and Joyce Trindade (PSD). The honor was approved last Friday (30), with the support of 14 other parliamentarians.

"Ana Elisa proved that communicating is also doing politics. She transformed her presence on the networks into a vote, and a vote into a mandate. I know how much it takes for a black woman to get to where you are. May this medal be a reminder that you are not alone, and that Rio is with you. Thank you!", wrote councilor Tainá de Paula, on social media.

Anyone who arrives in Nova Serrana, in the Center-West of Minas Gerais, will already come across something new: a giant sneaker installed in front of the bus station. The sculpture is 3 meters high, 5 meters long and weighs around 4 tons. The monument is a tribute to the footwear industry, one of the city's main economic activities.

The work is by artist Udiery Silva, born in Bahia and resident of Nova Serrana for seven years. With support from the municipal departments of Education and Works, he developed the monument as part of a project that envisages the creation of five postcards for the city.

"The idea came from a project to make five postcards in the city. They are giant sculptures that represent the footwear hub, such as shoes, sports sneakers and flip-flops, focused on everyday products that are exported by the city", explained the artist.

Gerdau announced this Tuesday (3) that it will cease steel production at the Divinópolis unit, in the Center-West of Minas. The Metalworkers Union of Divinópolis and Region reported that the company has already laid off 280 workers.

According to the union president, Anderson Willian, another 120 employees received proposals to be transferred to company units in other cities in the country. According to him, before the layoffs, the Divinópolis factory had approximately 600 workers.