Donated clothes become care packages for people in need at the Giving Factory. Take a look inside

CNN Newsource on September 25, 2025

By Chandler Lutz

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    PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (KYW) — Philadelphia is consistently ranked among the poorest large cities in America, and is home to thousands of families struggling to meet even the most basic needs. But tucked away in East Falls, a nonprofit called Cradles to Crayons is rewriting that narrative —one warm coat, one backpack, one outfit at a time.

“We’ve got families in the city and in pockets all over the region who don’t have a pair of shoes that fit,” Michal Smith, executive director of Cradles to Crayons Philadelphia, said. “You don’t want a 14-year-old boy wearing his aunt’s coat.”

That’s where Cradles to Crayons steps in. Serving children from birth to age 18, the organization provides essentials like winter coats, boots, school supplies, diapers, hygiene items and more — everything a child needs to feel safe, confident and ready to learn.

“We make sure they have age-appropriate clothes, clothes they feel proud about wearing,” Smith said.

At the heart of the operation is the Giving Factory, a bustling warehouse powered by volunteers. At the Giving Factory, items are donated, sorted, inspected and packaged into personalized outfit bags.

Elaine Kittredge, a volunteer, shows an outfit bag she put together.

“This is for a girl, size 3T,” Kittredge said. “With two pairs of pants, four shirts, a sweatshirt, and a dress.”

Kittredge and fellow volunteer Carolyn Cummings have been coming twice a week for three years.

“I’m a shopaholic,” Kittredge said with a laugh. “Putting together little outfits just makes my heart melt. I know some little girl is going to look so sweet in that outfit.”

Each bag contains a week’s worth of clothing, carefully curated to mix and match.

“We rely on the entire Greater Philadelphia community to help us do this work,” Smith said. “We are powered by volunteers.”

Once packed, the items are distributed through Cradles to Crayons’ network of over 170 service partners, including the School District of Philadelphia, Project Home and Mom Mobile.

Amika Miller, social service manager at The Family Practice & Counseling Network, picks up orders monthly for families facing clothing insecurity.

“The families are really, really just grateful and happy,” Miller said.

Miller says she sees the emotional difference in a child who is able to receive a new piece of clothing.

And the turnaround is fast.

“Within three to five days, that clothing will be sorted here in our Giving Factory and going out to a kid in need,” Smith said.

Cradles to Crayons is one of the few places in the region where kids can volunteer alongside their families. Children as young as five can help sort and pack donations at the Giving Factory.

Cradles to Crayons hosting winter clothing drive

That extra jacket in your closet? It could become a lifeline for a child in need.

This Saturday, Cradles to Crayons is hosting its biggest event of the year: The Big Give 2025. With 27 collection sites across the region, they’re gathering winter essentials like coats, boots and gloves for families who need them most.

Some locations have been collecting since Sept. 1, and others will only collect on Sept. 27.

Last year, they distributed 25,000 winter coats. This year, they’re aiming even higher. For more information, including where you can send your donations, visit CradlestoCrayons.org.

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2 sought after attempting to dump car in canal before torching it, MDSO says

CNN Newsource on September 25, 2025

By Mauricio Maldonado

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    MIAMI, Florida (WFOR) — The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help to identify two men who allegedly set a vehicle on fire after they could not push it into a Miami canal earlier this month, authorities said.

Detectives said it happened on Sept. 12, shortly after 6:30 a.m., in the 1000 block of S. Biscayne River Dr.

Surveillance video shows the men, aged around 18-25 years old, getting gasoline from a nearby Sunoco station before the fire and then fleeing after setting the vehicle on fire, authorities said.

Fire determined to be arson

According to investigators, deputies and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded to the scene, where firefighters extinguished the flames and determined the blaze had been intentionally set.

Preliminary findings showed the two men attempted to push the vehicle into the canal before setting it ablaze and fleeing. No injuries were reported.

“They attempted to push the vehicle into the canal and were unsuccessful in doing so; they then afterwards intentionally set it on fire before fleeing,” said Angel Rodriguez, MDSO public information officer.

“We don’t know what these individuals are up to. The fact that they went through great lengths to try and conceal a vehicle that they were seen driving a short time before and, at the same token try and set it on fire brings us a great alarm of concern because someone could’ve gotten hurt.”

The sheriff’s office asked anyone with information about the suspects’ identities or whereabouts to contact investigators at 305-994-1000 or reach out to Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers.

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UGA researchers use turf science to protect athletes, preserve fields

CNN Newsource on September 25, 2025

By Joy Benedict

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    ATHENS, Georgia (WUPA) — On the football field, teamwork drives the game, but behind the scenes, another team is working to keep players safe.

At the University of Georgia’s Turfgrass Research and Education Center, scientists are studying how grass affects athlete performance and injuries.

Dr. Gerald Henry, a turfgrass management specialist, and his team replicate the wear and tear of football games using specialized cleat machines to test how different types of grass hold up under pressure.

“So we can replicate the wear and tear traffic of a football game very quickly and then see how that affects the grasses that were growing,” Henry said.

Researchers place athletes on the turf to monitor how their bodies interact with the grass, using small sensors that track movement and impact.

“These little devices talk to one another, and we can take the data from those devices and actually tell whether their body is interacting with the grass in a more beneficial way or a detrimental way,” he explained.

Testing different grass types ensures that playing surfaces remain safe and functional.

“You don’t want open areas because that can create some problems with footing,” Henry said.

At UGA’s Tifton campus, researchers have developed hybrid grasses like Tifway and Tifgreen, now used on football fields, golf courses, and lawns worldwide. The turf is also the choice of five NFL teams this season.

Meanwhile, on the Griffin campus, scientists are testing turf technology, including underground sensors and drones, to monitor soil moisture and optimize watering.

Since the 1950s, UGA researchers have pioneered the global success of these turfgrasses, and today, a multidisciplinary team supports an industry that contributes more than $1 billion annually to Georgia’s economy.

For athletes and groundskeepers alike, the science of turf is a win-win, protecting players while keeping Georgia’s fields in top condition.

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2 people, dog rescued after boat sinks in river

CNN Newsource on September 25, 2025

By JT Moodee Lockman

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    BALTIMORE, Maryland (WJZ) — Two people and a dog were rescued after their boat sank in a Baltimore County river, according to police.

Officers responded to the distress call in Gunpowder River after the boat began taking on water.

According to police, the 30-foot boat hit a submerged object.

When officers arrived, two people were already in the water with lifejackets on. They were pulled to safety along with a dog named Niko.

No injuries were reported, police said.

Rescues in the Baltimore area

Baltimore County police and fire crews have responded to several rescue calls in recent months.

In early September, six people were rescued after their boat began taking on water in Baltimore’s Fort Armistead near the site of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.

All six people were safely returned to the shore with the help of fire crews.

In mid-August, fire crews recovered the body of a swimmer after a two-day rescue effort.

Michael Randle, 36, drowned at the Beaver Dam Swimming Club after he disappeared under the water on August 17.

According to Thiru Vignarajah, the attorney representing the family, Randle was the fourth person to drown at the club since 2000. Following the incident, Randle’s family called on county health officials to review the club’s permit and implement safer procedures.

Earlier in the month, county fire crews rescued a 32-year-old horse that had fallen into a hole.

According to fire officials, the horse, John, escaped from his owner’s property before falling into an 8- to 10-foot hole in Reisterstown.

A local town company provided a crane, which was used to lift the sedated horse from the hole, fire crews said.

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Video shows police pursuit at Palm Springs motel ending in arrest, suspect now facing multiple charges

KESQ on September 25, 2025

KESQ News Team

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A patrol by Palm Springs Police in the parking lot of a local motel turned into a foot chase as a man took off running through the property with suspected illegal drugs.

The department released a video of the August 14th pursuit on social media Wednesday.

Police say that an officer with the Palm Springs Special Enforcement Unit approached 24-year-old Trevon Smith of Palm Springs in the motel lot.

The department explains that while speaking with Smith, the officer believed he was hiding contraband in a sock. The officer asked him about it, and as seen in the video, Smith suddenly fled on foot, initiating a chase through the motel property.

Police noted that while running, Smith tossed away a loaded semi-automatic firearm near the pool area, where there were several people, including children present. Police later retrieved the gun and determined it to be stolen.

The video shows Smith was finally caught after a brief struggle. Police searched his belongings and found suspected methamphetamine, a digital scale, narcotics paraphernalia, and a suspected ecstasy pill in his sock.

An exchange between a bystander and an officer can be heard on the video: “What happened?” The officer responds, “Just a bad guy running from us with a gun.”

Smith was arrested, and police report that he is accused of multiple charges, including a felon in possession of a firearm, carrying a loaded firearm in public/not registered owner, possession of stolen property, possession of a controlled substance while armed, possession of a controlled substance for sales, and resisting/obstructing a police officer.

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Car crashes into buliding in Pismo Beach

KEYT on September 25, 2025

Jennifer Almanza

PISMO BEACH, Calif.- Firefighters are responding to a vehicle that drove into a building in Pismo Beach on Wednesday night.

It happened at 8:30 p.m. at Ocean View and Dolliver Street—- 3 people were injured, two were taken to the hospital with critical injuries, and one person had minor injuries.

Cal Fire San Luis Obispo is also reporting that the building that was hit is not stable, and the building department is on scene.

We’ll have more information as it comes into our newsroom 

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Positive Expressionz micro school damaged by storm flooding

KYMA on September 25, 2025

Danyelle Burke North

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – A local school is without a building after flooding from the recent storms. Positive Expressionz is a micro school in Yuma that serves children with disabilities and special needs.

For the past two and a half weeks, students have been without a classroom because of flooding damage. Money continues to be spent for things that are essential, but with no building, no students can attend, meaning no funds are coming in.

“Not only was the building physically devastated, but it also impacted not only the lives of ourselves because we were out of work, and we weren’t able to see these wonderful children every day,” said para professional Michael Acosta. “But it also devastated their lives as well as their parents’ lives because now they’re out of that service as well.”

The school set up a GoFundMe to help secure a safe new building and replace damaged materials. If you’d like to help, you can find the GoFundMe here.

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More than 150 show up to MU Turning Point’s first meeting since Kirk assassination

KMIZ on September 25, 2025

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

More than 150 people showed up to a meeting on Wednesday at the University of Missouri’s chapter for Turning Point USA.

The meeting was the first the group held since the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the national group’s founder. Kirk was killed in a shooting on Sept. 10 at an event at a college in Utah.

The MU chapter held a vigil for Kirk the night the shooting occurred. That vigil was held at Traditions Plaza.

Wednesday’s meeting was held at Memorial Union near Hitt Street on MU’s campus. Officers of the club introduced themselves and discussed upcoming events. Group members held a tribute for Kirk with a moment of silence and signing a poster for Kirk’s family.

“What makes me so proud is getting more people involved, you know, a lot of young people were never into politics before and now because of Charlie, a lot of people are involved and people are talking. That’s what we need in our country. People were silent before and because of people like Charlie Kirk, now everybody’s talking. We need people to talk,” said Nathan Vass, who is the social media coordinator for the MU chapter.

Vigils, memorials and similar events have been held for Kirk around Mid-Missouri since his death two weeks ago, including a vigil held at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City on Sept. 18

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Show Us Your Garden: Today, we feature a pergola, paradise and a Gnome

KTVZ on September 25, 2025

John Carroll

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — What a trio of gardens this week!

Deanna sent in a lovely picture of her paradise complete with mountain views and birds overhead.

Suzie sent in her pergola picture that she simply calls “Our Garden.”

Finally, we have a lovely garden sent in by Audrey. This garden delight has a “real-life Gnome” hidden in the foliage. See if you can spot the Gnome.

Thanks for sending in the great pictures this week! See many more and share yours for a chance of a prize, under the Contests tab here.

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From prison time to game time: Side Door Foundation inspires inmates at Deer Ridge Correctional Institute

KTVZ on September 25, 2025

Harley Coldiron

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Hundreds of inmates at Deer Ridge Correctional Institution gathered this week to watch a basketball game between prisoners, correctional officers, and the Side Door Foundation—a nonprofit that travels the country using sports to build community and promote rehabilitation inside prisons.

“It’s pretty cool, something special,” said Marcus, one of the incarcerated men at Deer Ridge. “Doing more things like this definitely helps out our community here. It brings us together as one.”

The Side Door Foundation, which has introduced similar programs to 11 prisons in six states, utilizes sports as a means to foster connections, highlight potential, and instill hope in inmates.

For Frank, who has been behind bars for seven years, the experience was a first. “I’ve never really seen people come together like this,” he said. “It’s pretty cool.”

The man behind the program, Brett Hollins, understands the challenges of incarceration firsthand. Once a Marine and a star basketball player at Southern Oregon University, Hollins spent four years in prison himself. It was there that he decided his path forward would lead him back inside prisons, this time to inspire others.

“All it takes is one decision,” Hollins said. “Seeing the amount of people here that need help, I can’t put this behind me. Just showing up gives them a sense of hope that they can go out and live a productive life after this.”

On the court, Hollins still has skills, and the prisoners know it. They erupted in cheers when he blocked an inmate’s shot, and gave him some friendly trash talk after a few baskets they called “lucky.”

Yet, even with his experience playing college basketball, it wasn’t enough to stop the Deer Ridge team. They controlled the game the entire time and went on to win 71-54.

Between coaching and organizing the events, he joined in the action, battling both inmates and community members like Summit High School basketball coach Joe Wells.

“For us to be able to do that through sport, it’s magical,” Wells said. “The opportunities I get to help these young men on their path—wherever they’re going—are powerful.”

Hollins stresses the importance of accountability, but also of second chances. “Ninety percent of inmates are coming home,” he said. “If we’re not willing to give them opportunities, how are they supposed to live a productive life?”

For many inmates, the games offer not just entertainment, but a reminder of what life could look like beyond prison walls. “Just promoting positivity,” Marcus said.

Frank added, “I want to get out, be with my family, and try to get a good job. Change the things I used to do.”

For Hollins, that message is the ultimate goal: showing that redemption is possible, one game at a time.

Side Door Foundation is funded entirely through Hollins students’ loans as he pursues his master’s degree. If you want to donate to his cause, click the link here.

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