Video shows Mesquite police officer rescue woman from burning car

CNN Newsource on October 16, 2025

By Steven Rosenbaum

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    MESQUITE, Texas (KTVT) — The Mesquite Police Department is praising one of its officers for a heroic act that was caught on camera.

A video posted to Facebook shows dashcam video of an officer on patrol just after midnight on September 30, when he sees sparks fly and a car catch fire on the other side of the highway. After exiting the highway and turning around, the officer pulls up to the scene on I-30 and Big Town Boulevard and sees a sedan in flames.

The video switches to his body-worn camera, showing the officer running up to the car. The driver can be heard crying in pain.

The door was stuck, so the officer tried to pull her out of the window but he was not able to. He was eventually able to pry the door open and get the driver out, about 30 seconds after reaching the car.

The video then shows he and another officer providing first aid before paramedics arrived, including applying a tourniquet to her leg, which had a significant laceration, police said.

“This act of bravery serves as a powerful reminder of the courage and commitment our officers show every day,” the Facebook post said.

Mesquite PD identified the driver as 21-year-old Jacqueline Tenorio of Dallas. She was later charged with driving while intoxicated.

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Western Museum funding educational programs through annual pumpkin patch

KRDO on October 16, 2025

Bradley Davis

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – The Western Museum of Mining and Industry (WMMI) hosts its 14th-annual “Miners’ Pumpkin Patch” to raise money for its field trips, outreach programs, STEM camps and other educational programming.

It all comes back to the different equipment and the different tools that we can use for not just outreach, but everything that we’re doing with our schools and different groups,” educational coordinator Ryan Freeny said.

The pumpkin patch is every Saturday in October from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The museum said it will have a Children’s Straw Maze, a giant slide, giant family yard games, a vintage apple cider press, animals, a hay ride, gold panning, mining machine demonstrations, farm stands, food trucks, a pumpkin catapult and pumpkin smashing.

“People drive by and go, ‘Oh, I’ve never been in,’ but there’s a reason to come now, right? And they can find out about the museum, the blacksmith shop and the other things we have going on,” Executive Director Grant Dewey said.

Tickets are $13 online or $15 at the door.

KRDO 13’s Bradley Davis and the crew at WMMI took some hammers to a pumpkin on Good Morning Colorado to show how tough they can be. Watch the story to see how they did.

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New bill lets extended family care for a child if parents are taken by ICE

CNN Newsource on October 16, 2025

By Zoe Hunt

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    SALINAS, California (KSBW) — Over the weekend, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill that will allow a broad range of extended family members to become a child’s caregiver if the parents were to be detained by ICE.

“The thought behind it is to offer some protection for the children of parents who may be detained and ultimately deported. You don’t want to leave the kids out there just stranded,” said attorney Blanca Zarazua.

It’s called the Family Preparedness Plan Act.

The bill expands upon the normal definition of a relative who can sign a caregiver affidavit to include anyone related to the child by blood, adoption, or “affinity within the 5th degree of kinship,” that means people such as great aunts, great uncles, and second cousins.

That designated caregiver then has the ability to make school and medical decisions for the child, if the parents are unable to.

“I would encourage parents and those would-be-caregivers to reach some agreement and maybe even document it, so the caregiver has some backup saying, ‘I didn’t just do this on my own,’” said Zarazua.

Local school districts are urging parents to act now.

They suggest you figure out who you trust to be a caregiver, make sure that person is okay with the responsibility, and let your child’s school know.

“We are encouraging our families to come and complete the family care plan, so that we get this information directly from the families,” said Diana Garcia with Alisal Union School District.

“Whatever they share with us that we can offer support and planning for is best, so we can prevent any circumstances where we are not able to help as efficiently,” said Esteban Hernandez with Salinas City Elementary School District.

Alisal Union School District has community centers at each school open to parents, they can go there for help and more information.

“We have a parent education specialist there with a community school coordinator. They are more than willing to support our families in filling out these care plans,” said Garcia.

It is a temporary agreement. The parents can revoke caregiver rights at any time.

Those opposing the bill argue it will endanger children.

Critics are worried that if parents don’t plan ahead, they might already be gone when the care affidavit is signed, and untrustworthy or dangerous people could step into the role.

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Harris County Offers Free Help for Medicare Enrollment During Open Enrollment Period

CNN Newsource on October 16, 2025

By Lisa Valadez

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    October 15, 2025 (Houston Style Magazine) — The Harris County Area Agency on Aging (HCAAA), a division of the Houston Health Department, is providing free assistance to beneficiaries during the annual Medicare open enrollment period. Individuals can compare their Medicare options and make changes to their health or prescription drug coverage for 2026.

Eligible individuals include those who are 65 or older, under 65 with a disability, or living with end-stage renal disease or ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Benefits counselors offer unbiased guidance and do not endorse any specific insurance plan. Appointments are available in-office, virtually via Zoom or Microsoft Teams, and by telephone. Beneficiaries should have the following items on hand during appointments: a Medicare card (if changing current benefits), a list of current medications, an award letter from Social Security or proof of income, and proof of current health insurance.

Open enrollment allows beneficiaries to:

Change their Medicare health or prescription drug coverage for 2026 Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan Return from a Medicare Advantage plan to Original Medicare Choose the plan that best meets their needs for the upcoming year

Participants will also receive information on cost-saving programs, including Medicare Savings Programs (MSP) and Extra Help or Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS), which can assist with premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copays. Medicare drug plans cannot charge more than $35 for a one-month supply of covered insulin products, and no deductible applies.

Beneficiaries or their legal representatives can schedule appointments or obtain more information by calling the HCAAA call center at 832-393-4301 or 800-213-8471. For Medicare beneficiaries under age 60, free enrollment assistance is available through the Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) by calling 1-855-YES-ADRC (1-855-937-2372).

Open enrollment ends December 7, 2025, with new coverage beginning January 1, 2026. Medicare plans can be previewed online at Medicare.gov.

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Daikin and Houston Astros Host Big League Experience Youth Baseball Clinic

CNN Newsource on October 16, 2025

By Lisa Valadez

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    October 15, 2025 (Houston Style Magazine) — Daikin Comfort Technologies North America, Inc. and the Houston Astros are teaming up to host the Big League Experience, a youth baseball clinic, on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Daikin Park, the Comfort Zone of the Astros. The clinic runs from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. and invites local children ages 7–14 to participate in a hands-on morning of baseball activities.

Participants will rotate through stations focused on pitching, batting, and base-running drills, as well as a custom baseball card-making activity. Astros starting pitcher and Houston native Spencer Arrighetti will be on hand to engage with attendees and bring big-league energy to the field. Parents are required to stay and can enjoy the event from the stands while their children participate.

The clinic is part of Daikin and the Astros’ ongoing efforts to keep Houston youth active, engaged, and inspired through sports and community involvement. Parking will be available in official Astros lots, with details provided to registered participants.

Registration for the event opens Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. CST and spots are limited on a first-come, first-served basis. Families must sign up for the Astros MLB Youth Academy to receive the registration link and confirm participation.

Additional information and registration for the Youth Academy is available at lalink.io/42AJg8Q.

The Big League Experience offers young athletes the opportunity to develop skills, connect with professional players, and enjoy a memorable day at the ballpark, reflecting the shared commitment of Daikin and the Astros to support Houston’s youth both on and off the field.

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Otter pirates surfer’s board in Santa Cruz, evoking memories of Otter 841

CNN Newsource on October 16, 2025

By Michael Rosales

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    SANTA CRUZ, California (KSBW) — A surfer at Steamer Lane says an otter bit her foot and then climbed onto her board Tuesday evening, holding it hostage for roughly 20 minutes as rescuers rushed in.

Isabella Orduna was paddling out when she felt “a nip” on her foot. She rolled off and turned to see an otter perched on her board.

Unsure what to do, Orduna called to another surfer for help. A full water rescue followed, with emergency crews arriving within minutes.

Ben Coffey, a marine safety officer with Santa Cruz Fire, helped escort Orduna out of the water. “You don’t go out thinking an otter is going to get on your board,” he said, adding she stayed calm and was not hurt.

The encounter revived memories of “Otter 841,” a female sea otter that went viral two years ago for repeatedly taking over surfers’ boards in Santa Cruz.

Whether it’s the same otter is unknown. Experts note there’s no current way to confirm 841’s identity; she previously had a tracker, but it’s no longer on her.

Orduna left the beach uninjured and in good spirits.

As a surfer, she said, it’s important to remember humans are guests in the ocean and to respect wildlife. She doesn’t hold a grudge—just plans to be a bit more cautious about who she shares the lineup with.

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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston Celebrates 75 Years at Gala, Raises $600,000 for Mentorship Programs

CNN Newsource on October 16, 2025

By Francis Page, Jr.

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    October 15, 2025 (Houston Style Magazine) — On Saturday, October 4, more than 500 supporters gathered at The Revaire to celebrate a legacy of mentorship and raise critical funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston. The organization’s 75th Anniversary Gala — An Evening for Potential — raised an estimated $600,000, directly supporting efforts to match over 700 local youth currently waiting for mentors.

The gala served as both a celebration of past accomplishments and a call to action for the future. Attendees enjoyed high-energy performances by The Spazmatics, participated in silent and live auctions, and watched a program highlighting real stories of mentorship and the lasting impact of these relationships. Founded in 1950, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston has connected thousands of young people with mentors who provide guidance, encouragement, and inspiration. Research shows that youth paired with mentors are more likely to succeed academically, avoid risky behaviors, and envision brighter futures. The funds raised at the gala will help expand the organization’s capacity to recruit, train, and support mentors, aiming to reduce the current waiting list of youth in the coming year. Additionally, the money will support program innovation, family engagement, and retention initiatives to ensure long-term success for mentoring relationships. About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston creates and supports one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. For 75 years, the organization has been a cornerstone of youth development in the Houston area, matching caring adult mentors with children who need a trusted ally. More information, including how to volunteer or donate, is available at bbbstx.org.

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Kamiakin High School thanks boy who helped stop threat

CNN Newsource on October 16, 2025

By Caleb Stipkovits

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    KENNEWICK, Washington (KAPP) — If you saw a mysterious threat online with no idea who it could affect, what would you do?

For Ryan, a boy from Florida, taking action ended up preventing a threat from impacting Kennewick’s Kamiakin High School.

Ryan was scrolling through TikTok one night in September when a disturbing video appeared on his feed. The video showed a color-coded map of a school with what appeared to be a plan for violence. Instead of scrolling past the alarming content, Ryan knew he needed to show someone else.

“He was very disturbed by what he had seen, and he immediately showed the video to his older sister, together they brought it to me and my parents to get our opinion on it,” said Anthony, Ryan’s brother. “14 minutes later at 11:44, we had given a call to the FBI Tampa [Office].”

At the time Ryan’s family contacted authorities, they had no idea where the school in the video was located. After staying in contact with the FBI, they learned the threat had been made against Kamiakin High School, nearly 3,000 miles away from their homes.

Because Ryan’s family reported the threatening video, Kennewick police were able to make a swift arrest, preventing what could have been a devastating attack on the school community.

The incident has left the Kamiakin community forever grateful to Ryan and his family. Students at the high school have organized an effort to show their appreciation through a special care package.

Bailey Vladimiroff and Cara Harpster, the DECA president and vice president at Kamiakin High School, are leading the initiative to thank Ryan’s family. Their organization has been working to create a meaningful gesture of gratitude.

“We thought that it would really be meaningful to Ryan and his family, and so we started pitching to other classes to write letters to Ryan and his family, and the officer team collectively has been working to put together the care package,” said Harpster.

The care package will include Kamiakin merchandise such as sweatshirts, blankets and pennants. But the most meaningful part of the package may be the hundreds of handwritten letters from students and staff throughout the school.

“A lot of people have expressed that their families are super grateful, that they were protected by Ryan, and I also took part in the letter writing and it was just kind of appreciative of the fact that he protected our entire school of over 2,000 people,” said Vladimiroff.

A month after Ryan discovered the threatening video, his brother Anthony reflected on their family’s decision to contact the FBI. He said they knew alerting authorities was the right thing to do and expressed hope that if the roles were reversed, someone from Kennewick would have done the same thing for their community.

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Record Attendance at 11th Annual Girls in Aviation Day at Lone Star Flight Museum

CNN Newsource on October 16, 2025

By Lisa Valadez

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    October 15, 2025 (Houston Style Magazine) — A record-breaking 675 aspiring aviators and STEM enthusiasts attended Girls in Aviation Day at the Lone Star Flight Museum on Saturday, September 20, in Houston. The event welcomed 391 young participants ages 8 to 17, accompanied by nearly 300 family members, scout leaders, and group chaperones for a day filled with hands-on activities, demonstrations, and tours of more than 15 personal, military, and historic aircraft. Girls in Aviation Day, launched by Women in Aviation International in 2015, aims to inspire girls to pursue careers in aviation and STEM fields. The Lone Star Flight Museum has hosted the event for eight consecutive years. Attendees experienced drone training, STEM carts, flight simulators, and STEM-focused exhibits, while a career and college fair highlighted opportunities from 25 aerospace companies, schools, and organizations. The day also featured a luncheon and panel discussion with female leaders in STEM and aerospace, including Captain Michelle Boeding of United Airlines, Maria “Majo” Perdomo Cuevas of Million Air, Sarah Duggleby of Venus Aerospace, and Dr. Bonnie J. Dunbar, former NASA astronaut and aerospace engineering professor at Texas A&M University. The panel was moderated by Shelly Lesikar deZevallos, president of West Houston Airport and chair of the Texas Department of Transportation Aviation Advisory Committee. The event was made possible by presenting sponsor ExxonMobil, along with supporting sponsors including ConocoPhillips, Houston Airports, Million Air, Universal Technical Institute, and others, underscoring the community’s commitment to inspiring the next generation of leaders in STEM and aviation. The Lone Star Flight Museum is a 501(c)(3) aviation museum and STEM learning center located at Ellington Airport. Home to rare and historic aircraft, the museum offers interactive exhibits, flight experiences, and educational programs designed to engage youth in science, technology, engineering, and math. LSFM is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m., with tickets starting at $12. More information is available at lonestarflight.org.

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Nearly 100 stolen special election ballots found in Sacramento County homeless encampment, officials say

CNN Newsource on October 16, 2025

By Lindsay Weber, Carolina Estrada

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    SACRAMENTO COUNTY, California (KCRA) — Dozens of stolen, unvoted ballots for the special election on Proposition 50 were found in a Sacramento County homeless encampment on Wednesday, according to the sheriff’s office.

Sgt. Amar Gandhi, a spokesperson for the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, said deputies were in the area of Elder Creek and Mayhew roads to clean up a camp in the area when they found 99 ballots and other election-related materials among a large amount of other mail.

“Obviously saw the urgency, grabbed all those items first, got the ballots and stuff returned to the voter registration,” Gandhi said.

He said deputies secured the ballots and election mail and returned them to the Sacramento County Department of Voter Registration and Elections.

He confirmed to KCRA 3 that the ballots were voided.

“They won’t count for anything,” Gandhi said.

The county’s Department of Voter Registration and Elections stated that new ballots will be sent to affected voters on Thursday.

The sheriff’s office said the camp was vacant when deputies arrived, and no arrests have been made in connection with the stolen ballots. Investigators are now working to identify those responsible for the theft.

“It’s a big deal and it’s an undertaking. So, this is something that will work in conjunction with the post office as well,” Gandhi said. “It’s going to take a lot of backtracking.”

Any California voter who has not received their ballot is urged to contact their county elections office to have their ballot reissued.

Gandhi said the goal is to protect the integrity of every vote.

“Whether it’s mail-in or some other method, make sure you’re taking the steps to track it and making sure your vote counts,” he said.

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