Bodybuilder with Parkinson’s poses for awareness

KVIA on September 17, 2025

Hillary Floren

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Christine Brandl is a mother and wife, a busy OB/GYN, a professional bodybuilder, and caring daughter. She is also a Parkinson’s warrior, taking her diagnosis in stride while motivating and helping others along the way. This weekend, September 19th, she’ll take her fight onstage in a professional bodybuilding championship. She’s teamed up with the Michael J Fox foundation and is Posing for Parkinson’s – raising awareness and money to help find a cure.

Brandl was officially diagnosed with Parkinson’s last year, but her battle began decades ago, though her symptoms didn’t point to exactly what was wrong.

“After the birth of my daughter I lost my ability to smell.   Profoundly.  Then the ability to taste. In 2013, I started with rigidity and restless leg syndrome, and severe insomnia. I went to mayo clinic and was diagnosed with autoimmune disorder,” Brandl recalls. Treatment for those symptoms worked for a few years, and then – more changes came.

“Six years ago the tremor began, um called the differential tremors.  I was treated, I got better.  Then in 2024 we couldn’t control it any more so I went to see a neurologist and they just watched me walk down the hallway  and said I had Parkinson’s,” Brandl says. A CT scan confirmed the diagnosis.

Brandl, a physician herself, says sometimes it takes time for a disease to play out to reveal an actual diagnosis. She also has a newfound respect for patients who call with anxiety, as they await test results.

Her reaction to the diagnosis is a refection of the way her parents raised her.

“I put on my athletic gear, and it’s time to start a fight. Gather my village, let’s go. Here we go,” Brandl says. Her husband and children, however, were devastated. Now that some time has passed since the diagnosis, different emotions are setting in. Brandl is dealing with anger, wondering why this happened – especially given her lifestyle of clean eating and a lifetime of athletics, including college volleyball and professional bodybuilding.

She’s discovered that talking is what heals her. She has also found healing through journaling. She encourages others dealing with with health struggles to work through their emotions with a therapist, and give themselves time to work through it. She says if you’re embarrassed to talk about it, find someone you don’t know.

“I am living life completely different. Learning to slow down and appreciate my family.  My goal in life is to  hold my grandkids without dropping them,” Brandl says.

Her partnership with the Michael J Fox foundation has given her new purpose. She says she used to be more focused on delivering babies. Now, it’s finding a cure for Parkinson’s, and raising awareness. For more information on her mission, or to make a donation, click here: https://give.michaeljfox.org/fundraiser/6512168

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New College of Florida plans to build statue of Charlie Kirk on campus

CNN Newsource on September 17, 2025

By Malcolm Shields

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    SARASOTA, Florida (WPBF) — A liberal arts college on Florida’s southwest coast plans to honor Charlie Kirk. The New College of Florida announced Tuesday that it will commission a statue of Kirk, a conservative activist, on its campus.

The college said the statue will “honor his legacy and incredible work.”

The college, based in Sarasota, said the statue will be privately funded by community leaders and “will stand on campus as a commitment by New College to defend and fight for free speech and civil discourse in American life.”

Kirk, 31, was shot and killed during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10.

Tyler Robinson, 22, was arrested on Sept. 12 and was charged on Tuesday with aggravated murder.

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James Sever taken into custody months after alleged lawnmower explosion

CNN Newsource on September 17, 2025

By Caitlyn Scott

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    GREENSBURG, Pennsylvania (WTAE) — Pennsylvania State Police said after a months-long search, they have arrested the man accused of making threats towards his landlord and later causing a lawnmower to explode in Westmoreland County.

Officials told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 that James Sever, 54, was taken into custody without incident Tuesday night.

According to a release from state officials, multiple officers were called to the Hoodlebug Trail in Indiana County after an off-duty trooper reported a possible sighting of Sever.

A responding on-duty trooper saw Sever riding an e-bike along the Hoodlebug Trail, and Sever was taken into custody without incident, police said.

Authorities said Sever had been on the run for months after officials were called to a rental property on July 20 following reports of an explosion in Salem Township.

The man, identified as Sever’s landlord, called authorities and said he started his lawnmower, resulting in an explosion underneath it. He told police he believed it may have been a bomb.

Investigators learned a month prior that the man had evicted Sever from his property.

State officials said Tuesday that an arrest warrant for criminal attempted homicide was issued against Sever following the July 20 investigation.

On Aug. 22, police responded to a fire at the same home in Salem Township and later said they believed it was arson. They said it is unclear if Sever had any connection to the fire.

“We still believe (the fire) is suspicious in nature. Can we say he’s the one that committed that crime right now? We don’t have the ability to say that,” Trooper Steve Limani, a state police spokesman, said Wednesday. “If you have information, if you saw some unusual activity and you did not come forward, maybe because you were afraid, and now the person that we have behind bars maybe is the person you might have been afraid of, you can obviously call us if you have viable information that we can utilize. But we don’t specifically have evidence that we can say is directed to one individual or another.”

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Valley-Wide Employment Expo brings top employers to Fantasy Springs Wednesday

KESQ on September 17, 2025

Allie Anthony

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – The 30th annual Valley-Wide Employment Expo took place Wednesday at the Fantasy Springs Special Events Center.

The event brings together leading employers from across the region, offering job seekers a valuable opportunity to network and explore career opportunities.

The expo continues to serve as a key platform for connecting local talent with top companies in a wide range of industries.

To pre-register for this event, head to this link.

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Crews cut through car to free trapped person after crashing 300 feet into woods

CNN Newsource on September 17, 2025

By Rachael Lardani

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    CONEWAGO TOWNSHIP, Pennsylvania (WGAL) — One person was injured after a car crashed into the woods from Interstate 83 in York County on Monday, according to the Strinestown Community Fire Company.

Officials said a blue sedan drove approximately 300 feet into the woods from Interstate 83 northbound near Exit 28, Route 297/Zions View/Strinestown, in Conewago Township.

Crews responded at 10:34 a.m. and found a person trapped inside the car, according to the fire company. Rescue crews used chainsaws to cut through trees and battery-operated tools to free the individual.

The person was transported to the hospital by EMS, according to the fire company. The extent of their injuries is unknown.

Lanes of Interstate 83 were temporarily blocked until crews cleared the scene.

Photos of the wreck show the sedan crashed in a wooded area.

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Elementary students hospitalized after eating magic mushroom chocolate girl took from mom’s fridge, charges say

CNN Newsource on September 17, 2025

By WCCO Staff

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    Minnesota (WCCO) — A Wright County, Minnesota, woman is facing charges after police say two elementary school students overdosed on hallucinogenic mushrooms.

Court documents say a 6-year-old and another young girl were taken to the hospital last week.

School staff says the girls started acting strangely after snack time. They later found a wrapper for a chocolate bar containing the mushrooms.

One of the girls told police she took the chocolate from her mom’s fridge.

The girl’s mother, who is 39, was charged with one count each of fifth-degree drug possession, storing meth paraphernalia in the presence of a child and child endangerment, according to a complaint filed Friday.

During a search of the mother’s apartment, charges say investigators found drug paraphernalia throughout the residence, including three glass pipes that field-tested positive for methamphetamine.

Law enforcement also allegedly found meth near a children’s cup and children’s undergarments. In addition to the meth, fentanyl was also within reach and accessible to a child, charges state.

Court documents show the woman was recently placed on probation and ordered not to use or possess controlled substances.

As of Tuesday, a warrant is still out for the woman’s arrest.

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Heroic rescue inspires cross-country thank you from autism advocate

CNN Newsource on September 17, 2025

By Muhammad Abdul Qawee

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    LEE COUNTY, Florida (WBBH) — Sheletta Brundidge, a mother from Minnesota, reached out to express her gratitude to Bridgett Addison after seeing a news story about Addison’s heroic rescue of Mia Garcia from a near-drowning incident at Lakes Park in Lee County.

Addison jumped into the water to save Garcia, and Brundidge, an autism advocate with three children who have autism, felt compelled to thank her.

“The Lord put her on my heart and in my spirit,” Brundidge said. “Would not let me rest until I found her.”

Brundidge highlighted the importance of Addison’s actions, saying, “If she hadn’t been there, if she hadn’t stepped out on faith, if she hadn’t put her own life on the line, we’d be covering the funeral right now. You know, I’m not sure why Bridgett is not already on the Today Show.”

Brundidge, who has written children’s books about her children’s journeys, contacted Gulf Coast News to connect with Addison.

“When I talked to her, I just needed to say, on behalf of all parents who have children with autism who wander, thank you because it takes a village.”

Brundidge thanked Addison not only with words but also with gifts, including a $1,000 reward, a shopping spree, copies of her books, and plans to send a large bouquet of flowers.

“I’m going to send her the biggest bouquet of flowers that any flower shop in her neighborhood can put together to deliver to her house,” Brundidge said.

Brundidge acknowledged the rarity of Addison’s bravery, stating, “She risked her own life to save this child.”

Addison, who is still overwhelmed by the experience, remains humble and hopes her story will inspire others to help strangers in need.

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K-9 tracks down man hiding in barn, who was trying to steal lawnmower from elderly person, police say

CNN Newsource on September 17, 2025

By Rachael Lardani

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    NORTH LEBANON TOWNSHIP, PA (WGAL) — A man was arrested after assaulting and stealing from his family members in Lebanon County, according to police.

Officers responded to the 2500 block of Emma Road in North Lebanon Township around 2:40 p.m. on Sept. 11 for a physical domestic in progress, according to the Lebanon County Regional Police Department.

Investigators said Lucas Kutch, 25, tried stealing a lawn mower from an elderly family member.

When Kutch was confronted by family members about the attempted theft, Kutch assaulted them and stole a “large quantity of cash” before fleeing into surrounding farm fields, according to police.

A K-9 was able to track down Kutch, who was hiding inside a nearby barn, investigators said.

The 25-year-old was taken into custody and charged with robbery, theft by unlawful taking and harassment.

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Fountain police issue 152 speeding citations in first month of reduced speed limits on Mesa Ridge Parkway

KRDO on September 17, 2025

Scott Harrison

FOUNTAIN, Colo. (KRDO) — Several viewers have told KRDO 13’s The Road Warrior that they’re concerned about student safety along Mesa Ridge High School because of a perceived lack of speed enforcement by police.

Early last month, as reported by The Road Warrior, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) reduced the speed limit from 55 mph to 45 mph on a three-mile stretch of Mesa Ridge Parkway between Interstate 25 and the south end of Powers Boulevard.

That decision included establishing a 35 mph school zone outside the school, at the request of Widefield School District 3 and based on an earlier CDOT traffic study.

“People are still speeding when the school speed limit signs are flashing, and with no law enforcement,” one viewer recently wrote.

Sgt. Matthew Davidson, of the Fountain Police Department, responded to that concern on Tuesday.

“I can tell you that we’ve been extremely busy just from the reduction of the speed limit on Mesa Ridge Parkway in general,” he said. “And in the last six weeks, we have issued 152 citations in that period, on Mesa Ridge Parkway, for that reduction of the speed limit zone.”

Davidson said that limited resources prevent officers from even stronger enforcement; the department has only three officers assigned to the traffic unit, and they’re often called away to respond to higher-priority matters.

He mentioned another reason why speed enforcement may not be easily visible to many drivers.

“Unfortunately, on Mesa Ridge Parkway, the design of the roadway is kind of restrictive in allowing us to actually park and get out after people,” Davidson explained. “We’ve used fully-marked police cars. We have unmarked police cars. We’ve used our police motorcycles and different aspects of enforcement through that area. And every one of them has its own challenge.”

The sergeant said that he’d like to see a few more speed limit signs and school zone flashing lights because he finds that most violators are distracted or unaware of the lower speed limit.

“We’re trying to talk with CDOT about that,” he revealed.

Davidson also hopes that the steep fine for violators will deter speeding.

“All school zone fines are generally doubled for the charge that you’re getting stopped for,” he said. “So, a simple ten mph over in a school zone is going to cost you, here in the city of Fountain, about $305. So, we’re trying to make an example of that and have people pay attention.”

Davidson also disagrees with CDOT’s earlier statement that new businesses across the parkway from the school — including a King Soopers grocery store and the future opening of In-N-Out and Whataburger — aren’t expected to significantly increase traffic congestion at the Mesa Ridge Parkway/Syracuse Street intersection near the school.

“I think we’re going to see more pedestrian traffic once those burger places open,” he said. “There’s a new road (Mesa Road) behind the store that connects to Fountain Mesa Road, but most of that traffic just gets back on Mesa Ridge Parkway.”

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Man arrested for child neglect after being accused of throwing kids over fence

CNN Newsource on September 17, 2025

By Madison Monroe Adams

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    LEE COUNTY, Florida (WBBH) — A man was arrested on child neglect charges after being accused of crashing his car with three children inside in south Fort Myers and attempting to hide them by throwing them over a fence.

According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Larry Rada Jr. crashed his car into a ditch on Linda Loma Drive and San Carlos Boulevard Saturday afternoon.

Deputies say Rada ran to a stranger’s house after the crash and threw the children over a nearly six-foot-tall fence to hide, before jumping the fence himself.

A neighbor reported that the children were crying, complaining of head and stomach pain, and one was vomiting. They were taken to the hospital, checked out and released.

Rada was arrested on three charges of child neglect and cruelty. Investigators have not disclosed his relationship to the children.

Minutes before the crash, a Lee County deputy said they saw Rada driving recklessly down San Carlos Boulevard, heading away from Fort Myers Beach.

When the deputy attempted to stop him, Rada reportedly did a 360-degree turn around the patrol car and sped off. The deputy did not pursue him to avoid endangering other drivers.

Deputies say more charges could be forthcoming for fleeing and the hit-and-run crash.

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