West Chester firefighter saves elderly man who crashed car into pond

CNN Newsource on November 1, 2025

By Matthew Dietz

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    WEST CHESTER TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WLWT) — A firefighter with the West Chester Fire Department jumped into action Thursday night when a car went into a pond.

It happened around 8:37 p.m., near the Muhlhauser Barn on Beckett Road in West Chester Township, across the street from the fire station.

A spokesperson with the township said one car was involved in the incident and the firefighters jumped in and pulled an elderly man out of the water.

The extent of the man’s injuries was not released but officials said he was conscious when being taken for medical attention.

Crews were at the scene Thursday night to tow the car out of the pond.

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Chatham County man indicted on 9 child sex crime charges, including rape

CNN Newsource on November 1, 2025

By Graham Cawthon

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    CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WJCL) — A Chatham County grand jury has indicted a man on multiple child sex crime charges.

Danny Ray Newsom was indicted on nine felony counts, including rape, aggravated child molestation, criminal attempt to commit a felony and second-degree cruelty to children, according to court records filed Wednesday in Chatham County Superior Court.

Prosecutors allege the offenses occurred between Nov. 15, 2022, and Jan. 17, 2024.

The filing states Newsom raped a girl younger than 10 and committed multiple acts of aggravated child molestation.

Another count alleges second-degree cruelty to children, asserting he caused excessive mental pain by locking the child in a room.

The case was brought by District Attorney Shalena Cook Jones of the Eastern Judicial Circuit; Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Parker is listed on the indictment. The document was returned in open court and signed by the grand jury foreperson. A plea has not been entered in the case file referenced in the indictment.

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Oakland boy paralyzed by stray bullet receives custom Mario Kart wheelchair Halloween costume

CNN Newsource on November 1, 2025

By Da Lin

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    SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX) — A 10-year-old Oakland boy celebrated Halloween in a way he thought was impossible — rolling around in a life-sized Mario Kart built around his wheelchair.

Asa Luo, who was paralyzed from the neck down after a stray bullet hit his spinal cord during a rolling gun battle on I-580 in July 2023, was left speechless when he saw the finished creation.

The 12-foot red Yoshi-themed kart, designed to fit perfectly around Asa’s wheelchair, was built in nearly four months by Oakland Police Officer Cory Hunt and a handful of volunteers, in partnership with the nonprofit Magic Wheelchair.

“The lighting underneath, it’s got ground effects lighting that actually flashes with the music and the sound effects,” Hunt said. “It’s got a button that is accessible in his [wheelchair] headrest that he can do all the sound effects with. So that way, he can just tap it with his head.”

The costume also includes a remote-controlled red shell so a friend or sibling can join in the fun.

“I’m pretty excited, because I love Mario Kart,” Asa said, grinning as he explored his new ride.

Asa’s father, Caesar Luo, described the past two years as “the most incredibly trying time of our lives. But days like today — and with the support that we see from this community — put a very positive spin on a very negative thing.”

Melissa Neuwelt, Asa’s mother, said she feels “so grateful, because there were times in this journey when I didn’t know where it would end up. And for him to be where he is now — with his friends, learning, being embraced by the community — that’s all I can ask for.”

The family thanked Magic Wheelchair, their school, Chabot Elementary, and the broader community for making the day possible.

Asa’s classmates helped count down to the big reveal, shouting “6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1!” and cheering as Asa rolled into his new kart. Caesar Luo said he’s thrilled that his son “gets to be a kid again. We need to do that as much as possible. This is one way to do that.”

Friends said Asa is already the most popular kid at Chabot Elementary. While he doesn’t crave the spotlight, the costume parade just outside of the campus allowed him to enjoy the festivities like any other child.

Officer Hunt, who retires from the Oakland Police Department at the end of the year after 27 years on the force, said he plans to continue volunteering with Magic Wheelchair to create more wheelchair costumes for Bay Area kids. Mario Kart was his fifth build. He said seeing the big smiles on Asa’s face made the long hours all worth it.

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Roughly 200,000 to gather in Yuba City for 2025 Nagar Kirtan 3-day Sikh festival

CNN Newsource on November 1, 2025

By Conor McGill

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    SACRAMENTO (KOVR) — The 2025 Yuba City Nagar Kirtan is officially underway, marking the start of one of the largest Sikh gatherings outside of India.

The annual religious celebration, now in its 46th year, is expected to draw roughly 200,000 people over the three-day event.

The Nagar Kirtan is a time for celebration, reflection, and community service, known in the Sikh faith as seva, or selfless service.

“We often say ‘for us, by us.’ This event is really for everybody by us, because a tenet of the Sikh faith is serving the community,” said Puneet Sandhu, Senior State Policy Manager with the Sikh Coalition.

The event kicked off Friday morning with prayer and sacred scripture readings at the Gurdwara Sahib of Yuba City. Throughout the weekend, visitors can expect free community meals known as langar, cultural exhibits, live music, and a parade through the heart of the city on Sunday.

Many who grew up attending the Nagar Kirtan say the event has grown tremendously since it first began in 1980.

“When we were younger, if we got lost, we could just find someone who knew our parents,” said Maneet Dhami, a lifelong attendee. “Now it’s so big you can’t find anyone, but that’s what makes it amazing.”

Food stands line the streets offering everything from traditional Punjabi dishes to pizza, coffee, and chai.

Organizers emphasize that the Nagar Kirtan is open to everyone, regardless of background or faith.

“California is home to the largest Sikh population in the U.S.,” Sandhu added. “Even people who have never lived here feel the spirit of Sikh culture, Sikh seva, and Sikh faith.”

As the sun set on Friday night, worshippers gathered for evening prayers followed by a fireworks show. For many, it’s a powerful reminder of the enduring sense of unity and generosity that defines this annual tradition.

The Yuba City Nagar Kirtan continues through Sunday, with the main parade set for the final day of the celebration.

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Video shows suspects allegedly setting Los Angeles family’s home ablaze

CNN Newsource on November 1, 2025

By Jasmine Viel

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    LOS ANGELES (KCAL, KCBS) — Robert and his wife purchased their home in the West Adams neighborhood of Los Angeles less than two months ago. Now, they’re too scared to sleep there with their 9-month-old son after a horrifying situation unfolded on camera.

Early Thursday morning, Robert said he woke up to his wife telling him to call 911 after she’d gotten up to put their son back to sleep. He then discovered a raging inferno on their front porch.

“The front door was completely engulfed in flames, like an absolute raging fire,” he said. “All you could see was orange.”

He used a fire extinguisher that they’d kept in the home, and eventually a garden hose with the help of a neighbor, to fight the fire. When he went outside, he made a horrifying discovery.

“As soon as I turned the corner, I could see that there was two white buckets that had been spray-painted black, and I could smell gasoline. There were also a couple of rolls of toilet paper on the ground,” Robert said. “I knew immediately that somebody had set this fire.”

Security footage from a neighbor’s home showed two individuals running away from the scene after the porch went up in flames.

The Los Angeles Fire Department’s Arson Unit and the Los Angeles Police Department are investigating the situation. No suspects have been identified as of Friday evening.

Robert says he has no idea why anyone would target his home.

“It’s our first home, first-time homeowners,” he said. “Physically, we’re OK and we’re safe. Mentally, we’re in a pretty rough spot right now.”

A neighbor generously installed flood lights and security cameras at the home immediately after the fire, but Robert still doesn’t know when his family will return.

“It’s hard to imagine going to sleep here right now and feeling like we can trust that our son’s going to be safe and we’re going to be safe,” he said.

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Denver couple hands out food, clothing to trick-or-treaters amidst looming cuts to food assistance

CNN Newsource on November 1, 2025

By Chierstin Roth

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    COLORADO (KCNC) — When trick-or-treaters stop by the Harvey Park neighborhood of Denver, they’ll be in for more than just your average treat at the Vinson household. The Denver community has been stepping up all week in response to the looming federal SNAP benefits freeze, and the Vinsons are no exception.

CBS Colorado was there when Grace Vinson set up an entire table for trick-or-treaters — everything from clothing items to macaroni and cheese, canned chicken and even fresh apples and protein shakes.

“I was just thinking about families who might be out with their kids, and they might be able to take something extra, aside from just the candy bars today,” said Vinson. “Just something to fill their bellies.”

For Vinson and her husband, the set-up was a no-brainer.

“When I was younger, we didn’t really have much, we were paycheck to paycheck, and so we never had enough to give back,” said Vinson. “Now I’m finally in a point where I’m finally out of survival mode, and I can finally afford a little extra so that’s why it’s nice to be able to do stuff like this.”

And she says they’re not the only ones in the neighborhood stepping up.

“You see people who they might have made extra of something, and they’ll see if anybody wants it, or they have extra baby formula, extra diapers, stuff that their kids outgrew. I think that that is what our purpose is as humans. At the end of the day, no matter what you believe who you are, I think that we all deserve to be taken care of, and I think as a community, that’s what we’re here for.”

The Vinsons are handing out full-size candy bars as well, truly going on above and beyond for their neighbors. Grace posted a photo of the snacks on a neighborhood Facebook and the comment section quickly filled with people asking where the home is located.

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Canadian police identify body recovered from Detroit River in 2008

CNN Newsource on November 1, 2025

By Joseph Buczek

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    DETROIT (WWJ) — After nearly two decades, Canadian police have identified the body of a man who was found floating in the Detroit River in 2008.

On Aug. 15, 2008, police recovered a body that was floating on the western shore of Fighting Island in LaSalle, Ontario, Canada.

At the time, investigators worked with Canadian and U.S. law enforcement agencies to compare missing person files and issued media releases to Canadian and Michigan news agencies, but were unable to identify the man.

In 2011, investigators developed a DNA profile of the man and submitted it to the Canadian Human Remains Index, a database that houses and compares DNA profiles from human remains found across Canada, according to police.

In 2025, LaSalle police compared the man’s DNA with a U.S. DNA database. On Aug. 14, 2025, nearly 17 years to the date that the man’s body was pulled from the Detroit River, LaSalle police say they received confirmation of a positive identification from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s Forensic Science and Identification Service.

Investigators have notified the man’s next of kin in the U.S. Police do not believe foul play was involved. Police will not be releasing additional information regarding the man.

“I am pleased our investigators were able to identify this man and close this investigation,” LaSalle Police Chief Michael Pearce said in a statement. “After 17 years, the family has some closure, and John Doe has been given back his name.”

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Minnesota TikTok creator adapting to vision loss while staying active

CNN Newsource on November 1, 2025

By Ubah Ali

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    MINNESOTA (WCCO) — Imagine watching the world you’ve always known start to fade away.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 7 million people in the United States have vision impairment. That includes 1 million with blindness.

That’s what is happening to Sabrina, from Minnesota, after being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease two decades ago. She says steroids led to a devastating side effect, glaucoma.

Her vision has gradually been deteriorating since she was 6 years old.

“I haven’t come to terms with it,” Sabrina said. “Every time I lose more vision, it’s another adaptation phase I have to go through, another grieving process.”

At 27, she’s learning to live differently and independently. She attended a blind school where she learned how to move through a world that moves differently from her.

“Walking with a cane and learning how to use it is one of the most important things I’ve had to do,” Sabrina said. “It’s given me independence and shaped the way I do everything.”

She’s a content creator on TikTok, using her platform to create community, inspire and educate.

Through her videos, Sabrina shares glimpses of her daily life, the apps she uses to edit her videos and moments of creativity. With her camera and accessibility tools, she’s the creator of beauty.

“Just because someone has a disability, it doesn’t make them any less of a human,” she said.

For Sabrina, blindness isn’t the end, just a different way to see.

“I’m very grateful for connecting with people who are also like me. That’s all I want to continue to do with my platform — spread awareness and create more community.”

Sabrina is also studying to go to law school to become an advocate for marginalized communities.

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North Texans honor loved ones with Día de los Muertos traditions of joy and remembrance

CNN Newsource on November 1, 2025

By Marissa Armas

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    TEXAS (KTVT) — North Texans across the metroplex are preparing to celebrate their loved ones during the annual Dia de Los Muertos festivities on Saturday.

From papel picado to calaveras, Dia de Los Muertos is more than colorful decorations. Observed on Nov. 1 and 2, it’s a heartfelt celebration of those who came before us — a remembrance of life, love, and the legacy of ancestors and loved ones who’ve died.

Tradition rooted in joy and healing “It’s also about laughter, food, and joy,” said Gerardo Robles, general manager at the Latino Cultural Center. “It’s a traditional holiday that’s celebrated in Mexico and Latin America; it has ties to indigenous roots. It’s a very spiritual feeling, but also a healing process as well, because when you lose that loved one, you never quite fill that vacancy they left behind.”

Altars, or ofrendas, are adorned with photos, flowers, food, and personal items — offerings to welcome the spirits believed to visit during this time.

Personal touches bring memories to life “As you’re building an altar, you’re thinking my Tia used to love Almond Joys, so, you know, you kind of go out to the stores and start buying these extra little things,” Robles said.

On Friday, volunteers were at the Latino Cultural Center in Dallas adding final touches to their ofrendas ahead of Saturday’s festival, which is free and open to the community.

Altars honor veterans and icons “If you walk through, you know, some people have dedicated an altar to, army veterans, you know, who have served our country, not to mention other, famous, ones like Selena and others, you know, but then you get some more personal ones, too,” Robles said.

A celebration of life, not fear A spiritual celebration that connects people — not just with the dead, but with the living.

“It’s very different from Halloween; there’s nothing scary about it, so I highly encourage everybody to come by and visit us,” Robles said.

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Nearly 1,200 free Halloween costumes given away in memory of 19-year-old who loved bringing others joy

CNN Newsource on November 1, 2025

By Jessica Guay

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    PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — When your kids are done filling their bags with candy on Halloween, don’t just throw their costumes in the back of the closet. You can donate them to a local organization, the Emma Munson Foundation, that brings Halloween joy to kids.

For kids, it wouldn’t be Halloween without dressing up, but the price of a new costume can cause quite the scare, averaging nearly $40.

The Emma Munson Foundation helps kids dress up as whatever they want to be during spooky season.

“It helps out so many families that need it because some kids might have went without costumes this year,” said Vanessa Ernst, a McKeesport resident.

“It’s mostly all donated from throughout the community, so it’s the community helping the community,” said Denise Munson, co-founder of the Emma Munson Foundation.

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