Month: December 2025

By Allison Petro & Spencer Tracy

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    ORLANDO, Florida (WESH) — In the past week, 12 swans were found dead at Lake Eola Park, according to Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan.

The first two swans were found dead Dec. 23, and over the past five days, that number has risen to 12.

Sheehan explained that the deaths happened during the holidays, and specialized veterinary experts were not available at the time.

However, she said the deaths are suspected to have been caused by an avian flu outbreak.

“We can’t be certain until tests are completed,” Sheehan said.

The swans are currently stored in a secure location, awaiting necropsies to determine the cause of death.

In 2024, city staff discovered several dead birds at Lake Eola Park. Orlando officials later confirmed the cases were linked to avian influenza.

lake eola swansOfficials confirm positive cases of bird flu amid multiple swan deaths at Lake Eola The community can do certain things to protect itself, including:

Avoid direct contact with the birds at Lake Eola Park and only observe them from a distance. This goes for both people and pets at the park.

Avoid contact with any excrement from birds.

Removing shoes when entering homes and cleaning them off if contamination is suspected.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. 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.

By Tony Atkins

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    FLORIDA (WESH) — Florida’s first black bear hunt since 2015 ended Saturday, closing a three-week season that drew sharp criticism from animal advocacy groups despite assurances from state wildlife officials that the population can sustain limited hunting.

The hunt began Dec. 6 and concluded Dec. 28. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials say the hunt was carefully regulated and based on years of conservation and population data.

A total of 172 permits were issued through a lottery system. Each permit allowed the harvest of one black bear, setting the maximum number of bears that could be taken during the season, according to FWC.

“The Florida black bear population can sustain a hunt,” said Paul Scharnine of the FWC.

But opponents argue the hunt could have long-term consequences for the state’s bear population.

“This could have long-term detrimental effects on Florida black bears,” said Katrina Shadix, executive director of Bear Warriors United.

Shadix said her organization worked throughout the season to stop or limit the hunt. She said dozens of bear advocates applied for permits through the lottery, with more than 40 receiving tags.

Bear Warriors United also offered hunters $2,000 in exchange for their permits, an effort aimed at preventing bears from being killed. Shadix said at least 37 people inquired about the proposal.

“I had to ask all of the hunters why they weren’t going to kill a bear,” Shadix said. “One simply wanted Christmas presents for his family.”

As the season ends, advocacy groups say the fight is not over. Shadix said her organization plans to push for more data on bear populations and prevent another hunt from taking place next year.

A lawsuit filed by Bear Warriors United against the FWC is scheduled to go to trial in August in Tallahassee. Shadix said the case will include depositions of FWC officials as the group seeks to block future hunts.

FWC officials say they are still compiling data on how many bears were harvested during the season. The agency has not yet released final numbers.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. 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.

By Nick Sloan

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    HIGGINSVILLE, Missouri (KMBC) — Two people are facing charges in a young child’s death in Higginsville, Missouri.

The Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office confirms that Deanna Hankins and Kyle Galloway were taken into custody on Wednesday.

The child was found dead at a motel on Tuesday.

Both are facing charges of abuse or neglect of a child resulting in death, abuse or neglect of a child resulting in serious emotional or physical injury, endangering the welfare of a child, and possession of a controlled substance, online booking records show.

This is a developing story. Refresh this page for updates.

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By Adam Schumes

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    INDIANAPOLIS (WRTV) — A U.S. Marine Corps veteran is using music to transform perceptions of Indianapolis’ east side, one student at a time.

Eugene Strader Jr., a longtime musician who retired from working for the VA, started the Post Road Music Academy inside the Emmanuel Christian Fellowship Center COGIC.

Strader Jr. says the academy teaches music to people of all ages in a neighborhood sometimes associated with negative headlines.

“Every time you hear 38th and Post, it’s always crime. It’s always negativity. It’s always bad news,” Strader said. “So, what I’m trying to do here is trying to bring a ray of hope to the east side of town, so it would knock some of that negativity down and show a positive light on the far east side.”

Strader said he identified a gap in his community that motivated him to act.

“There is a lack of music education,” Strader said.

For students like Makayla Principal, music has become a passion that’s difficult to describe.

“The feeling that you get when you eat the food and you’re like, ‘Mmm, this is so good,’ That’s how music is for me,” Principal said.

Principal sees Strader as more than just an instructor.

“Music brings people together,” Principal said.

Strader has become a mentor and role model for his students, offering them discipline and hope alongside musical instruction. He teaches instruments including drums, piano and bass guitar.

The veteran believes his academy can create lasting change in the community.

“Just imagine doing 20 years in a music academy. Just imagine the outcome that you could have, you would be very marketable,” Strader said.

Strader’s message extends beyond music education. He encourages community members to find positive outlets and never stop learning.

“You’re never too old to learn. Put something in your hands besides a gun,” Strader said.

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By Jolie Sherman

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    ANN ARBOR, Michigan (WXYZ) — State troopers drove 600 miles to deliver Christmas gifts to a 2-year-old girl battling cancer at Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, turning a simple conversation into an incredible act of holiday kindness.

Vialah White from Ironwood in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma in September, just two days before her second birthday. The diagnosis landed her at Mott Children’s Hospital, nine and a half hours away from home.

“A lot of pain for the most part, but surgery has been set to move the tumor in her stomach,” said Amy Colt, Vialah’s grandmother.

Colt recently shared her story at a local “Shop with a Cop” event, telling a trooper from the Michigan State Police Wakefield Post how difficult it is to be away from her grandchild during the holidays.

“I just couldn’t imagine the hopelessness, the overwhelming stress, the fear. I just felt compelled, along with the other troopers in my post to get together and do something,” Trooper Joe Renaud said.

To spread a little hope and holiday cheer, MSP coordinated a gift delivery from Wakefield to Ann Arbor to deliver dozens of Christmas gifts for Vialah. Renaud was one of three state troopers to carry out this 600-mile journey.

“I drove as far as Saint Ignace, Michigan, handed them off to a community service trooper there who then drove down state close to the Flint area, and that community service trooper continued on to Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor,” Renaud said.

He says his post raised more than $800 in just a few days, which they used to buy more than 50 gifts and gas cards for the family.

Vialah got in his patrol car at 3 a.m. on Monday and by that afternoon, Vialah received her presents along with a clear message from her community that she’s not fighting alone.

“You know, it’s a blessing for them to step up the way they did and so fast. Thank you to everybody involved. It was a true Christmas miracle,” Colt said.

Vialah plans to open her gifts the day after Christmas when her whole family, including her father and brother who she hasn’t seen in months, will be together.

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Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. 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.