Travel nurse to achieve 50-state marathon goal in Detroit as she turns 50

CNN Newsource on October 19, 2025

By Jolie Sherman

Click here for updates on this story

    DETROIT (WXYZ) — A travel nurse who is based in Kansas is celebrating two major milestones this weekend in Detroit: completing her ambitious goal of running 50 full and half marathons in all 50 states by her 50th birthday.

Michelle Floyd will cross the finish line at the Detroit Free Press Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 19, marking the completion of a 15-year journey that began in 2010. She turned 50 on Friday.

“That was the main goal: 50 states by my 50th birthday,” Floyd said.

Floyd’s first race was in San Francisco, where her parents flew out to see her and support her from sidelines. What started as a single marathon evolved into an ambitious cross-country quest.

“I see a race and I can’t not sign up,” Floyd said.

To achieve her goal, Floyd made significant career changes, becoming a travel nurse specifically to accommodate her racing schedule.

“It’s 100% the reason why I quit my staff nursing jobs because at my staff nursing job, I wasn’t able to take PTO because they were short-staffed all the time,” Floyd said. “So, I had to say goodbye to my favorite place I worked to complete my goal, and it worked.”

Floyd’s mother, Jetta, watched her daughter’s dedication grow over the years.

“She’s always been very athletic — extremely. She always likes to stay active. She likes to travel,” Jetta Floyd said.

Throughout her journey, Floyd completed five full marathons in California, Texas, Oklahoma, Florida and Illinois and half marathons in the remaining 45 states.

“It was just game on after that,” Floyd said.

The Detroit Free Press Marathon will always hold special significance for Floyd as her final race.

“I’m super excited about this one. It’s an international race; I get to go into Canada. It’s going to be so exciting. I can’t wait,” Floyd said.

Floyd says this achievement isn’t the end of her running career. She plans to continue racing and is considering participating in marathons in other countries.

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This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. WXYZ’s editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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Blue Ridge Mtn. treasure hunt’s prize pool hikes over $41k, seeks to aid Helene recovery

CNN Newsource on October 19, 2025

By Elijah Skipper

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    ASHEVILLE, North Carolina (WLOS) — Somewhere in the Blue Ridge Mountains, a glass mason jar filled with more than $26,000 in gold coins sits, waiting to be found.

Every morning, the online search map for Countdown Treasure gets smaller, and the growing number of adventurers refresh their browsers to see if their favorite trail is still “in the circle.”

Now on Day nine of the hunt, the circle has shrunk to 75 miles, and the total prize pool has climbed past $41,000, fueled by premium signups that add $10 to the jackpot each time someone joins.

For creator Adam Howell, the idea began as a mix of adventure, family fun, and a way to help western North Carolina recover from Hurricane Helene.

“I grew up in Rock Hill, South Carolina, just south of here on Lake Wylie,” Howell said. “We’re definitely mountain people over beach people. Pisgah’s our go-to, but we love the Smokies too. Sometimes I’ll just head up here for a long walk — it’s where I clear my head.”

The concept stems from a Boston-area contest called Project Skydrop, which made national headlines last year for hiding $25,000 in gold on the forest floor and livestreaming it until it was found.

“I wasn’t a treasure hunter at all,” Howell said with a laugh. “But I joined that one on day one. It was so well done, the shrinking map, the suspense. My kids and I were packing the car to drive up there when I saw the webcam go dark. Someone had found it. We were bummed, but it was such a fun experience.”

That same night, Howell decided he wanted to bring the idea home.

“I thought, ‘someone needs to do this in the Blue Ridge,’” Howell said. “And after Hurricane Helene, it became about more than just adventure. I wanted it to help the communities that make this place what it is.”

The treasure, a mason jar filled with $26,250 in American Gold Eagle coins, sits no more than 50 yards off a public hiking trail. It isn’t buried or hidden; it’s in plain sight, watched 24/7 by a live webcam on the official website.

“It’s just sitting there,” Howell said. “Not in a bush, not under the ground. The live cam lets everyone see it’s still there.” The shrinking map is visible to anyone online. Premium hunters, who pay for extra clues, get daily aerial photos taken from gradually higher altitudes.

“The circle shrinks on the map while the photos expand,” Howell said. “You start seeing more, maybe a river, a road, a ridge, until you can piece it together.”

The treasure did hit one early snag, or paw.

“It was about 3 a.m. on the first night, and I looked at the webcam, and the treasure was gone,” Howell said. “Turns out, a raccoon came through and knocked it over.”

The footage quickly went viral, and Howell gave the midnight thief a name: Wreaky Raccoon.

“I drove back up there with a new jar — this one with a lid and nailed down,” he said. “Now we’ve got Wreaky Raccoon merch, and all of that goes toward hurricane relief.”

Two dollars from every premium signup, and all merchandise proceeds, go toward local recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene, which devastated parts of western North Carolina last year.

So far, more than $3,000 has been raised for the Bee Log Community & Relief Center in Yancey County and the Appalachia Service Project, which rebuilds homes across Central Appalachia.

“We’ve got hunters who were directly impacted by Helene,” Howell said. “So, it means something that we can give back while having fun.”

Howell says even if only one person finds the gold, thousands are already winning in their own way.

“Hiking through the woods, I don’t think a good walk is ever wasted,” he said. “People are out there camping with their families, exploring new trails. Some have said they haven’t walked this much in years, and they always add a smiley face at the end.”

With the circle shrinking and the weekend ahead, Howell says he’s excited to see how the community finishes strong.

“We’re on Day nine now, closing in on double digits,” he said. “My big hope is just that it ends smoothly, and that everyone feels like it was fair, fun, and worth the journey.”

Anyone can track the shrinking search area or join the community.

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One hospitalized with serious injuries after Boone County crash

KMIZ on October 19, 2025

Haley Swaino

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

One person was hospitalized with serious injuries after a single-vehicle crash in Boone County on Saturday, according to Boone County Fire Protection District Assistant Chief Gale Blomenkamp.

It happened shortly before 3:30 p.m. on northbound Highway 63, just north of the 763 on-ramp.

Courtesy: Nikki B

Boone County Joint Communications sent a notification at 3:31 p.m. that said one lane of Highway 63 was closed due to a crash. Drivers were asked to choose a different route.

All lanes were reopened for normal traffic by 3:52 p.m., according to another BCJC notification.

Blomenkamp said the driver was taken to University Hospital.

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Female remains found near grounds of Philadelphia school during search for Kada Scott, police say

CNN on October 19, 2025


KYW

By Frederick Sutton Sinclair, Bill Seiders, Ryan Hughes, Taleisha Newbill

Click here for updates on this story

    PHILADELPHIA (KYW) — Human remains were found near the grounds of the vacant Ada H. H. Lewis Middle School in Philadelphia’s East Germantown neighborhood, where the police have been searching for 23-year-old Kada Scott, police said.

Saturday marked two weeks since Scott was last seen.

First Deputy Commissioner John Stanford said during a press conference on Saturday that they received an anonymous tip from the public, which led them to a wooded area behind the school, where they located a shallow grave and confirmed the remains were of a female.

“Based on a tip that came in late last night, investigators began the process of following up on that tip this morning. And that tip was very specific, that led us back to this location here today,” Stanford said. “Don’t know who the tip is from, but grateful that the individual submitted the tip.”

He mentioned that the remains appeared to be of someone who had been deceased for some days now. While they believe the human remains are a woman, police can’t confirm that the remains are Scott’s. They said the confirmation has to be done by the medical examiner’s office.

“No one is happy that this is the ending. Completely understand that this is a lot on our investigators, a lot on all of us. We all have family members, and this could have been any one of our family members. Could be anybody’s family member,” said Stanford.

Police said they shut down the academy to bring in 300 recruits to assist in the search, and had New Jersey State Police dogs also help in the search process.

“I know sometimes it seems like information is not coming fast enough, but we have a job to Ms. Scott, we have a job to her family – again, if this is confirmed that this is her –” Stanford said, “to ensure that we are doing everything in the proper way to make sure that the individuals are held accountable. So we don’t want to do anything to compromise that.”

Philadelphia police are still urging the public to keep sending tips.

“I still will urge the public that if you have any information, anything that you think is related to this, continue to give us that information via (215) 686-TIPS (8477),” said Stanford. “Still continue to give us that information because again we don’t know if there are other individuals that have been a victim of this individual that we have in custody.”

With the discovery of the remains, Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski was asked about a potential follow-up with Keon King, the man charged in connection with Scott’s disappearance.

“It means that we do our job, it means that we take in everything that we know, we take in everything that we found out today. We’ll make the determination of whether we add additional charges,” said Toczylowski.

King remains in police custody. Police said he was the last person in contact with Scott before she disappeared. He’s been charged with kidnapping and other offenses.

“We want the people, the person that we have in custody, and anybody else that may be involved in this, we want them held accountable,” said Stanford.” To the highest degree of the law for what they have done.”

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker released an emotional statement about the discovery of the human remains.

In a social post, Parker wrote, “I am a Praying Mayor who wholeheartedly believes in the power of God’s strength. I Pray that God will give the family a certain peace that passes all understanding to meet this moment.”

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Female remains found near grounds of Philadelphia school during search for Kada Scott, police say

CNN Newsource on October 19, 2025

By Frederick Sutton Sinclair, Bill Seiders, Ryan Hughes, Taleisha Newbill

Click here for updates on this story

    PHILADELPHIA (KYW) — Human remains were found near the grounds of the vacant Ada H. H. Lewis Middle School in Philadelphia’s East Germantown neighborhood, where the police have been searching for 23-year-old Kada Scott, police said.

Saturday marked two weeks since Scott was last seen.

First Deputy Commissioner John Stanford said during a press conference on Saturday that they received an anonymous tip from the public, which led them to a wooded area behind the school, where they located a shallow grave and confirmed the remains were of a female.

“Based on a tip that came in late last night, investigators began the process of following up on that tip this morning. And that tip was very specific, that led us back to this location here today,” Stanford said. “Don’t know who the tip is from, but grateful that the individual submitted the tip.”

He mentioned that the remains appeared to be of someone who had been deceased for some days now. While they believe the human remains are a woman, police can’t confirm that the remains are Scott’s. They said the confirmation has to be done by the medical examiner’s office.

“No one is happy that this is the ending. Completely understand that this is a lot on our investigators, a lot on all of us. We all have family members, and this could have been any one of our family members. Could be anybody’s family member,” said Stanford.

Police said they shut down the academy to bring in 300 recruits to assist in the search, and had New Jersey State Police dogs also help in the search process.

“I know sometimes it seems like information is not coming fast enough, but we have a job to Ms. Scott, we have a job to her family – again, if this is confirmed that this is her –” Stanford said, “to ensure that we are doing everything in the proper way to make sure that the individuals are held accountable. So we don’t want to do anything to compromise that.”

Philadelphia police are still urging the public to keep sending tips.

“I still will urge the public that if you have any information, anything that you think is related to this, continue to give us that information via (215) 686-TIPS (8477),” said Stanford. “Still continue to give us that information because again we don’t know if there are other individuals that have been a victim of this individual that we have in custody.”

With the discovery of the remains, Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski was asked about a potential follow-up with Keon King, the man charged in connection with Scott’s disappearance.

“It means that we do our job, it means that we take in everything that we know, we take in everything that we found out today. We’ll make the determination of whether we add additional charges,” said Toczylowski.

King remains in police custody. Police said he was the last person in contact with Scott before she disappeared. He’s been charged with kidnapping and other offenses.

“We want the people, the person that we have in custody, and anybody else that may be involved in this, we want them held accountable,” said Stanford.” To the highest degree of the law for what they have done.”

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker released an emotional statement about the discovery of the human remains.

In a social post, Parker wrote, “I am a Praying Mayor who wholeheartedly believes in the power of God’s strength. I Pray that God will give the family a certain peace that passes all understanding to meet this moment.”

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

University of Miami doctoral student uses own diagnosis in breast cancer research study

CNN Newsource on October 19, 2025

By Lauren Pastrana

Click here for updates on this story

    MIAMI (WFOR) — A University of Miami Ph.D. student has powered her way through breast cancer treatments and is now using her power lifting workouts as part of a research study.

LaShae Rolle was a competitive power lifter who realized the lump she felt in her breast needed to be checked out.

“I was in the middle of my Ph.D. in cancer prevention research, funny enough, and that kind of led me to figuring out that the lump that I had in my breast could potentially be cancerous,” she told CBS News Miami.

Rolle was 26 years old when she was diagnosed with HR+, HER2- breast cancer last year and invasive ductal carcinoma. The news came as a shock, but not just because of her age — she has no family history of the disease.

“At age 26, it was just insane for me,” Rolle said. “I didn’t think it was realistically possible.”

She decided early on that she would not just fight the disease, she would power lift her way through it.

“Just out of nowhere and I immediately said, ‘I was going to fight it, regardless of the stage. Anything.’ And that’s what I did,” of powerlifting, she said. “So for me, powerlifting has made the biggest difference. It was the one thing that I had that was my normal.”

She worked with her doctors at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Institute, as well as her mentor, Dr. Tracy Crane.

Crane, the Director of Digital Health and Lifestyle Medicine for Cancer Survivorship, helped Rolle throughout her cancer journey and through her research.

“We learned so much because she was willing to … she was committed to what she was talking about with exercise and then having the science behind it and documenting it in rigorous fashion,” Crane said. “It allowed us to learn a lot.”

The team at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center designed a strength training program that lined up with her chemotherapy cycles. High-intensity days of squats, bench presses and dead lifts were scheduled before her infusions. More moderate days were scheduled mid-cycle. Her recovery days were scheduled for after her infusions.

Rolle’s dedication to documenting her journey and using it for research means she will be helping others on their own cancer journeys.

“She was able to continue on, and the benefit to the research she did was that she really was able to document, as I mentioned, and you know rigorously keep track of her symptoms when she had her chemotherapy and her treatment,” Crane said.

Rolle maintained most of her strength and she inspired others with her social media posts. Her followers are now an inspiration to her to keep pushing.

“You have to have a lot of strength inside you, so you just have to pull it out and keep going,” Rolle said.

Rolle will be finishing up her PhD soon and she plans to become a researcher in the cancer prevention field to focus on risk factors like diet and exercise. She told CBS News Miami she plans to be living proof of what she studies.

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Mexican cartel leader “El Gato” faces new federal indictment, death penalty for 2013 Southlake murder

CNN Newsource on October 19, 2025

By Marissa Armas

Click here for updates on this story

    Texas (KTVT) — He was one of the FBI’s ten most wanted fugitives; now federal prosecutors have filed their fifth superseding indictment against Mexican cartel leader José Rodolfo Villareal-Hernández, also known as ‘El Gato.’

Villareal-Hernández is connected to a 2013 Southlake murder and is facing a new charge.

The violent crime at Southlake’s popular Townsquare shook the community over a decade ago. Now, 12 years later, Villareal-Hernández, who is accused of orchestrating that murder, is charged with conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, interstate stalking, and now, continuing criminal enterprise.

“A rival drug cartel that was responsible for the death of the defendant’s father,” Paul Coggins, former United States attorney, said. “So, there was a long-held plot of revenge at the heart of this indictment, at the heart of this story.”

Authorities said that in May 2013, Villareal-Hernández, who was part of the Beltran Leyva Organization cartel, ordered the hit on Juan Jesús Guerrero Chapa in Southlake. Guerrero Chapa was allegedly a lawyer for a rival cartel.

Authorities said Gurrero Chapa was gunned down while sitting in his vehicle. He had been in the area shopping with his wife.

While others were convicted, Villareal-Hernández remained on the run for years. He was finally arrested in Mexico in 2023 and extradited to the U.S. this past February.

“It just shows the lengths that the federal government will go to, the federal government, the state government, will go to in a case like this, in a murder case, in a murder for hire case,” Coggins said.

Coggins added that if a jury finds Villareal-Hernández guilty on the murder-for-hire charge, he is death penalty eligible.

“Then they move to a special sentencing hearing where the jury considers you know, all these factors that cut against death penalty and in favor of death penalty, and the basic factor, the underlying factor, is did the defendant intend to kill someone, and was it premeditated?” said Coggins.

Villareal-Hernández’s arraignment is set for Oct. 29 in Fort Worth.

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Colorado School of Mines shows off 1,579 pound pumpkin grown by student

CNN Newsource on October 19, 2025

By Andrew Haubner

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    Colorado (KCNC) — With Halloween coming up soon, many Coloradans are picking out their pumpkins or even growing their own. The Colorado School of Mines has joined in on the fun, showcasing one of its students’ great pumpkins as he aims to break records in the future.

When Colorado School of Mines senior Leif Ritter set his sights on growing a gigantic pumpkin, it came with some challenges.

“How do I optimize growth, not split it, and still get it to grow as quick as possible?” he said.

Ritter fell in love with growing large plants at a young age. He said it began 14 years ago when he saw a 1,000 pound pumpkin at a competition at Nick’s Garden Center.

“I thought, ‘Man, that’s so cool! I want to grow one,'” said Ritter.

This year, Ritter grew a pumpkin weighing in at 1,579 pounds.

“These can really put on some weight, and sometimes they grow so quick it splits,” Ritter shared.

His pumpkin caught the attention of the school, and he brought it on campus using a homemade piece of equipment. Ritter credits Mines for the technical expertise he used to create it.

“It uses a bunch of 2x4s. Basically, you’re making a giant swingset and using an engine hoist to lift it up,” he explained. “It is such an exciting experience to have a degree that actually helps me grow giant pumpkins and provides a good living!”

The race for the biggest pumpkin in state history continues. The most recent record-breaking growth came in 2024, a 2,190 pounder. It’s a number Ritter is looking forward to chasing next season.

Onlookers are encouraged to stop by, ask questions, take photos and enjoy the great pumpkin of Mines ahead of Halloween.

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Hundreds participate in Witches on the Lake at Lake Natoma to raise money for childhood cancer

CNN on October 19, 2025


KOVR

By Kayla Moeller

Click here for updates on this story

    California (KMAX, KOVR) — A witchy wave took over Lake Natoma on Saturday. Hundreds of people dressed up as witches and wizards paddleboarded to the Rainbow Bridge from Black Miners Bar, all for a good cause. The event’s goal is to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer.

More than a thousand people were signed up for this year’s Witch’s Paddle and hundreds showed up to paddle, donate and raise awareness for childhood cancer.

“This year is in her honor. We have a big poster over there that this year is in memory of Ivy Foley,” said organizer of Witches on the Lake, Janay Taua.

Ivy was the inspiration behind Witches on the Lake.

“A really good friend, her daughter was diagnosed with a rare form of pediatric cancer, and the thought of doing this — so many people in our area love to paddleboard, myself and friends included. I wanted to do a paddleboard event and I said, ‘Let’s partner it with a charity,'” said Taua.

All donations from the event will go to Keaton’s Child Cancer Alliance, a local nonprofit.

Ivy passed away earlier this year, but her family was there to paddle in her honor.

“It can be really lonely. Especially when your child is in the depths of treatment, it can be very lonely. So events like this, it just makes your burdens lighten a little bit,” said Lindsay Foley, Ivy’s mother. “And on the other side of it, now that my daughter has passed, it’s also very lonely, and to see all the love and support out here is huge.”

“I think it’s great. The energy, the costumes, the kids. I think that’s great, to bring everybody out for such a thing. If you look at the line of cars waiting to get in, it’s great,” said Sacramento resident Stacey Sturtebant.

The event started four years ago with 70 people, and it’s exploded with hundreds of participants since then.

“I’m blown away and people are still walking down the streets with their boards. It’s pretty awesome,” said Lindsay.

“We brought candy because we weren’t sure if we were supposed to hand out candy or not. But apparently, businesses donate their candy,” said Rancho Cordova resident Jessica Brown.

Besides paddling for a purpose, there were floating trick-or-treat stations for the kids.

“There’s a lot of people that do come just because it’s a fun themed event, but there are many people that come because of what the event is for and that’s what makes it really special,” said Taua.

Organizers say they’re still waiting on final numbers, but it’s looking like they raised about $10,000 through the event.

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Hundreds participate in Witches on the Lake at Lake Natoma to raise money for childhood cancer

CNN Newsource on October 19, 2025

By Kayla Moeller

Click here for updates on this story

    California (KMAX, KOVR) — A witchy wave took over Lake Natoma on Saturday. Hundreds of people dressed up as witches and wizards paddleboarded to the Rainbow Bridge from Black Miners Bar, all for a good cause. The event’s goal is to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer.

More than a thousand people were signed up for this year’s Witch’s Paddle and hundreds showed up to paddle, donate and raise awareness for childhood cancer.

“This year is in her honor. We have a big poster over there that this year is in memory of Ivy Foley,” said organizer of Witches on the Lake, Janay Taua.

Ivy was the inspiration behind Witches on the Lake.

“A really good friend, her daughter was diagnosed with a rare form of pediatric cancer, and the thought of doing this — so many people in our area love to paddleboard, myself and friends included. I wanted to do a paddleboard event and I said, ‘Let’s partner it with a charity,'” said Taua.

All donations from the event will go to Keaton’s Child Cancer Alliance, a local nonprofit.

Ivy passed away earlier this year, but her family was there to paddle in her honor.

“It can be really lonely. Especially when your child is in the depths of treatment, it can be very lonely. So events like this, it just makes your burdens lighten a little bit,” said Lindsay Foley, Ivy’s mother. “And on the other side of it, now that my daughter has passed, it’s also very lonely, and to see all the love and support out here is huge.”

“I think it’s great. The energy, the costumes, the kids. I think that’s great, to bring everybody out for such a thing. If you look at the line of cars waiting to get in, it’s great,” said Sacramento resident Stacey Sturtebant.

The event started four years ago with 70 people, and it’s exploded with hundreds of participants since then.

“I’m blown away and people are still walking down the streets with their boards. It’s pretty awesome,” said Lindsay.

“We brought candy because we weren’t sure if we were supposed to hand out candy or not. But apparently, businesses donate their candy,” said Rancho Cordova resident Jessica Brown.

Besides paddling for a purpose, there were floating trick-or-treat stations for the kids.

“There’s a lot of people that do come just because it’s a fun themed event, but there are many people that come because of what the event is for and that’s what makes it really special,” said Taua.

Organizers say they’re still waiting on final numbers, but it’s looking like they raised about $10,000 through the event.

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.