Several people rescued from Calexico house fire

KYMA on December 31, 2025

Karina Bazarte

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – Several people had to be rescued after their home almost went up in flames Tuesday. 

The Calexico Fire Department (CFD) says they received a call about a house fire on Third Street and Encinas Avenue in the afternoon. 

CFD says several people were inside the home and had to be pulled out by police and firefighters. 

“One of the tenants went outside really quick and got a waterhose and was able to put some water on the fire before they exit with Calexico PD,” said Fernando Villa, a firefighter with CFD.

Two officers were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation and one person was taken to the hospital. 

CFD says the fire started in the kitchen behind the refrigerator, and the fire is still under investigation. 

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L.A. teen goes missing in Palm Springs area

KYMA on December 31, 2025

Abraham Retana

LOS ANGLES, Calif. (KYMA) – A Los Angeles mother is looking for her missing daughter. Her last possible location could have been close to the Imperial Valley.

17-year-old T’neya Tovar went missing on December 1 when she told her mom she was going to the Palm Springs area.

Her mother, Charro Tovar, said she left with who she believes is a person of interest.

The last location post was in Thermal, California near Salton City.

“She shared her locations with friends. She shared it with me and with other friends, and not only that, but she has been in that location previously in October and November,” said Tovar.

The Imperial County Sheriff’s Office (ICSO), FBI and the Probation Department are working to find T’neya, who is described as 17-years-old, weighing 105 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.

“I’m not stopping. I want my daughter home, and to the person of interest, you have to answer to why my daughter was at your place. I want to know why my daughter was at your place,” Tovar expressed.

We reached out to the ICSO, but are still waiting on their response.

If you have any information about T’neya, call local police or 911.

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New Calexico mayor outlines priorities for the city

KYMA on December 31, 2025

Adrik Vargas

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA) – Calexico’s new mayor says he’s excited to step into the role and focus on moving the city forward.

Mayor Victor Legaspi says his top priority is public safety, which he believes is key to building trust and encouraging growth in the community.

“The priority is obviously safety, safety for our citizens of Calexico,” Mayor Legaspi said. “If you don’t have that, then you’re not going to have businesses coming in.”

Legaspi also says improving infrastructure is a major focus, pointing to ongoing and planned street projects throughout the city.

The new mayor says he wants to take a hands-on approach to leadership and stay connected with residents.

“I believe in boots on the ground,” Legaspi said. “I believe in going out there and working hand in hand with the public…not behind my desk.”

A lifelong Calexico resident, Legaspi says his goal is to build on past progress while staying accessible to the community.

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Family sues Delta and KLM for $200,000, claiming they were attacked by bed bug infestation on flight

CNN Newsource on December 31, 2025

By Dan Raby

Click here for updates on this story

    ATLANTA (WUPA) — A Virginia family has filed a lawsuit against Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines after they claim they were bitten by bed bugs while onboard a flight.

In the complaint, which was filed on Dec. 18 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia, the Albuquerque family states that a planned vacation from their Roanoke home to Belgrade, Serbia, ended with them being forced to dispose of their clothes and personal items due to the infestation.

According to the lawsuit, the family of four flew from Virginia to Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson on March 21 and then boarded a KLM flight to Amsterdam. While the Dutch airline operated the flight, the ticket had been purchased through Delta’s SkyMiles program.

While sitting in business class, directly behind the first-class cabin, Lisandra Garcia started “feeling like bugs were crawling on her and that she was being bitten,” the lawsuit claims. When the couple alerted the flight attendants, they said that they were told to “keep their voices down to avoid a ‘panic’ on the airplane.”

“Prior to landing in Amsterdam, the flight attendants again urged Dr. Albuquerque and Mrs. Garcia not to tell anyone about the infestation because, if they did so, they would miss their connecting flight to Serbia,” the lawsuit reads. When they got off the flight, the flight attendants allegedly gave the family plastic bags to carry their personal belongings.

The lawsuit includes multiple photos of bugs on Garcia’s sweater, as well as what appears to be bugs on a napkin with the airline’s name on it.

screenshot-2025-12-31-at-12-05-08-pm.png According to the lawsuit, the Virginia family started getting bitten by bed bugs while on a flight from Atlanta to Amsterdam. United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia Roanoke Division Afterwards, the family claims they learned that the flight attendants had filed a grievance with KLM because of the infestation.

After landing at their final destination the next day, the lawsuit claims that the four were left with welts, lesions, and rashes.

“The marks did not begin to fade until after the Albuquerque Family returned to the United States,” the lawsuit reads. “To this day, Mrs. Garcia has scars on her lower back where she was bitten.”

screenshot-2025-12-31-at-12-04-52-pm.png The lawsuit claims that the Albuquerque family was left with welts and rashes that didn’t go away until after they were back from vacation. United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia The Albuquerques are asking the court to award them $200,000 and any other relief deemed just and proper for their injuries, medical expenses, and other damages.

A spokesperson for Delta Air Lines shared a comment about the lawsuit with CBS News Atlanta.

“As this pending litigation eventually states, the allegations at issue relate to flights not operated by Delta Air Lines,” the statement reads. “Delta will review the complaint and respond accordingly in due course.”

CBS News Atlanta has reached out to KLM for a statement and will update the story when they respond.

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.

Are you one of Milwaukee’s 28,000+ ‘habitual’ parking offenders? The city is about to tow your car

CNN Newsource on December 31, 2025

By Emily Pofahl

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    MILWAUKEE (WISN) — Milwaukee officials have warned that starting Thursday, drivers with multiple unpaid parking tickets risk having their vehicles towed, whether parked legally or not, as part of a new city ordinance targeting habitual violators.

Alderman Scott Spiker announced the change in October.

“Right now, there’s no consequence for that if you’re parked legally,” Spiker told reporters.

Starting Thursday, Jan. 1, the city will tow cars, parked legally or not, belonging to habitual offenders—drivers with five or more parking tickets that are 60 or more days past due.

Spiker emphasized, “We don’t want to tow your car, we just want you to pay your ticket.”

In November, the city sent out letters warning 28,872 drivers that they were on the tow list. Since then, the Department of Public Works reported that 411 people have paid a total of 1,600 tickets, leaving 28,461 vehicles still in danger of being towed. If all outstanding tickets were paid, the city would collect nearly $9.3 million.

The city offers payment plans. Those signed up for a plan or scheduled to contest their tickets before a judge will not have their vehicles towed. Payments can be made in person at City Hall or police stations.

Payments can also be made online.

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.

Iowa family finds refuge and kindness after blizzard traps drivers

CNN Newsource on December 31, 2025

By Marcus McIntosh

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    AMES, Iowa (KCCI) — Rafael and Sarah Soriano thought Sunday’s drive home to Ames from New Hampton would be routine — about 2 1/2 hours, as usual.

Before leaving, they checked the radar and weather and believed they were ahead of anything serious.

But what should have been a quick trip stretched into an ordeal lasting more than 24 hours.

Trouble escalated after they turned south onto Interstate 35 near Mason City, when winds and flurries intensified into near-whiteout conditions.

“Once the wind and the flurries came up, it was more than we expected,” Sarah Soriano said.

Raphael Soriano said the change was abrupt: “It happened really quick — faster than we expected.”

Sarah Soriano later described the scene in a Facebook post: crashes unfolding around them, semi-trailers jackknifing and mile markers disappearing in blowing snow.

With visibility collapsing and traffic snarling, the family decided they needed to get off the interstate, but options were limited.

“Most of those exits don’t have services either,” Sarah Soriano said. “So, as the gas gauge is dropping, I want to get off that road.”

The couple was traveling in two vehicles and had to coordinate every move, staying in constant contact by phone on speaker. “We were driving two cars,” Rafael Soriano said. “Sarah was driving the van, and I was driving my car with my son in the back.”

Eventually, they pulled onto the shoulder, unsure what to do next.

Help arrived from a stranger who stopped after seeing them pulled over, the Sorianos said. The driver told them he had already contacted the Iowa State Patrol and that the Latimer Community Center was open as a shelter.

“The first thing he asked is if we needed help,” Rafael Soriano said. “He didn’t have to do that.”

Inside the community center, the family said their anxiety eased almost immediately. “Immediately, it was very peaceful in there,” Sarah Soriano said. “We didn’t know what to expect.”

As many as 60 people took refuge there, and residents brought food, blankets and essentials, including supplies for children.

“They just showed up,” Sarah Soriano said. “There is not much in Latimer … (but) that little store that was right next door just stayed open … and … just brought bags of kids (items) out of her own stock.” The Soriano children, she added, treated it “like a great adventure.”

The family was able to leave around 11:30 a.m. Monday and got home a few hours later.

They cannot thank the Latimer community enough.

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.

Woman hurt in Savannah acid attack discharged from burn center; long road to recovery still ahead

CNN Newsource on December 31, 2025

By Brooke Butler

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    SAVANNAH, Georgia (WJCL) — A woman who suffered severe burns after an attacker threw acid on her while she walked at Forsyth Park has been discharged from the Augusta Burn Center, where she was being treated, according to her son.

The discharge of 46-year-old Ashley Wasielewski comes nearly three weeks after the Dec. 10 attack. She suffered third-degree burns over more than 50% of her body and has undergone multiple surgeries.

“She’s hanging in there,” her son, Westley Wasielewski, told WJCL 22 News. “It’s a combination of mental and physical, and it really ebbs and flows. She has good moments and bad moments.”

Her recovery is expected to be lengthy and demanding. We’re told Wasielewski will remain in the Augusta area to keep receiving treatment, while family members continue commuting from north Georgia to support her.

“We’ve got a long road ahead of us,” her son said. “But there’s not many people that take care of themselves as well as she does. We’re slowly starting to see that lifelong care is really kind of helping out in this situation with her healing and obviously with her spirit as well.”

Family members said the outpouring of community support has been overwhelming. Friends established an online fundraiser to help cover medical and recovery costs, which has raised more than $288,000. In addition, local businesses and the FBI are offering a combined $121,000 in reward money for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

“We are so blessed to have this outreach and this community coming together for her. I think it’s a testament to the people of Savannah as well. A lot of these larger business owners and the community leaders are kind of coming together for this, and it may have some positive initiatives behind it with the park security or cameras or anything along those lines,” Westley Wasielewski said.

Authorities said Ashley Wasielewski was walking along the outer edge of Forsyth Park near Whitaker Street and West Waldburg Street shortly after 8 p.m. when she was attacked from behind. Her son said she had just left a children’s Christmas event at a local church.

According to the FBI, an unknown man wearing dark clothing approached her and poured acid on her before fleeing. Investigators said the substance caused severe burns.

Wasielewski’s son said that at first, his mother thought water had been splashed on her.

“I think shortly after she realized that any liquid was even on her, parts of her coat, her leggings were beginning to disintegrate. Then I think the burning set in shortly after that,” he said.

The FBI and Savannah Police Department said they have received dozens of tips since asking the public on Dec. 19 for security and doorbell camera footage from the area. Investigators are still reviewing tips and continue to seek additional photos or video.

Law enforcement has not reported any suspects at this time.

“Savannah’s such a special place to my mother,” Wasielewski said. “I don’t know if it technically will feel the same if [the attacker] is not caught.”

Wasielewski said he still believes the attack was random. He hopes the person behind this attack will do the right thing and turn themself in. In the meantime, he said he is confident his mother will rebound from her injuries.

“You can try and knock her down, but out of all of the people to possibly pick, Ashley Wasielewski is not going to fall down. She’s going to stand back up, and she is going to grow and learn through this process,” he said.

If you would like to donate to Wasielewski’s GoFundMe, you can click here.

The FBI and Savannah police have established a digital tip line for the public to submit information, including photos and videos, at fbi.gov/forsythparkattack.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit tips at tips.fbi.gov. Tips can also be reported to Savannah Area Crimestoppers at 912-234-2020.

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.

New Year’s Eve events around the area and firework safety reminders

KIFI on December 31, 2025

Danielle Mullenix

This New Year’s Eve, Eastern Idaho and Western Wyoming are full of fun celebrations to welcome 2026. There are several ways to be involved in the community this evening, including concerts and book reading events. See the list below for some of the December 31st events:

December 31st, 2025, New Year’s Eve Events:

New Year’s Eve: Arrival from Sweden, the Music of ABBA – (Idaho Falls, ID) A renowned tribute band, founded in 1995, meticulously recreates the sound and stage presence of the legendary Swedish group ABBA. Touring globally, they perform ABBA’s hits with impressive authenticity, often considered the closest experience to the original. Notably, they are the sole tribute band to have received an unreleased ABBA song.

Heads and Tails Distillery’s Midnight Masquerade – (Idaho Falls, ID) Guests can step into the shadows of New Year’s Eve for an evening of mystery and revelry at Heads & Tails Distillery. The Midnight Masquerade, beginning at 9 pm, invites attendees to don their most beguiling masks and immerse themselves in an atmosphere of elegant intrigue.

A $100 ticket grants you exclusive access to this sophisticated affair, including a commemorative Glencairn glass to take home, a signature welcome drink to start the night, gourmet passed appetizers, and the luxury of bottomless bubbly as we count down to midnight.

Jazz House Big Band New Year’s Eve Bash – (Menan, ID) The Jazz House Big Band is partnering with the East Idaho Community Big Band to host a New Year’s dance. The event will take place at the Menan Town Hall. Admission prices are $10 per person and $18 per couple, with discounts available for large families. Light refreshments will be provided.

A Novel New Year: Turn the Page at Midnight – (Rigby, ID) Get ready to ditch the heels and sparkle for something more comfortable this New Year’s Eve: cozy PJs and a stack of books at “A Novel New Year: Turn the Page at Midnight.” This event offers an escape—no judgment, no crowds, and no obligation to be “on.” It promises pure, unadulterated bookish bliss. Attendees can join a local romance bookstore for a till-midnight read-a-thon designed for booktroverts. The event provides a cozy, low-pressure environment where the only “fireworks” are the spicy scenes on the page.

New Year’s Eve Dinner & Celebration at the Idaho Falls Country Club – (Idaho Falls, ID) Visitors are invited to the Idaho Falls Country Club Bellhouse Restaurant from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm on December 31st for live music, drinks, and food. Reservations can be made by calling (208)-523 -5757 ext. 2. The event is open to the public.

The 3rd Annual Glitz & Glamour New Year’s Eve Ball – (Riverton, WY) This event will take place at 307 Bar & Grill, featuring a dinner buffet and live music by Cowboy Hippie. Guests can enjoy complimentary champagne and fireworks at midnight. Dinner will be served from 6 to 8:30 PM. The dress code is semi-formal, and tickets cost $50 per person, available at 307 Bar & Grill. Attendees are encouraged to dress up, show up, and ring in the New Year in style.

Firework Safety

If you plan to stay home and use fireworks on New Year’s Eve, first responders have essential safety reminders to help keep your celebrations safe. Fireworks should only be lit in an empty lot or driveway, ensuring you’re clear of your house and any nearby structures. Sparklers are the most common cause of injuries, so never stick smaller fireworks in your pockets. When disposing of fireworks, wait until the area is clear of debris, and keep a bucket of water nearby to soak spent fireworks.

Authorities urge everyone to celebrate responsibly and take extra precautions to prevent beginning 2026 in the emergency room.

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Abandoned dogs, puppies spotted along Mississippi highway as rescue efforts face setbacks

CNN Newsource on December 31, 2025

By Chris Oswalt

Click here for updates on this story

    JACKSON, Mississippi (WAPT) — A growing group of abandoned dogs, including several young puppies, has been spotted along Highway 18 just past Maddox Road, as rescue efforts face new challenges.

Residents say the dogs were first seen about three months ago near nearby retail areas and have since moved between wooded areas behind businesses along Highway 18. The dogs are skittish and run when approached, making them difficult to capture. The pack has grown from six dogs to about 10, including one young black-and-tan dog and three puppies estimated to be about 3 months old.

In an effort to keep the dogs in one location, residents began feeding them in the late afternoons and contacted Glory Hounds, a group that helps capture lost and feral dogs using large remote-controlled traps.

Plans to trap the dogs were disrupted when someone dumped a large pile of food and a deer carcass at the site before the trap was set, leaving the dogs too full to enter. Volunteers still attempted the rescue but were unable to catch any of the dogs.

Residents say the dogs are now staying deeper in the woods along Highway 18, and if they move again, it could take time to locate them. Rescuers hope to make another attempt later this week, especially as concerns grow for the puppies’ safety.

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.

New year… new me? Data suggests we have a follow-through problem with resolutions

KRDO on December 31, 2025

Bradley Davis

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – The numbers vary, but research suggests anywhere from 50–94% of people drop their New Year’s resolutions by the year’s end. KRDO13’s Bradley Davis met with a professional fitness trainer to find out the formula for holding to your “better you.”

While fitness goals are far from the only type of resolution, Life Time trainer Summer Jackson tells us methods that can be applied to all different types of disciplines.

“You just want to stack your habits with what you’re already doing,” Jackson said. “If you’re brewing coffee in the morning, do 5 minutes of mobility every time you make coffee.”

She calls the second Friday of January “quitter’s week.” That aligns with habit-building research, which suggests it takes at least three weeks for a new action to become consistent, and up to three months for the change to become long-lasting.

To make it through the habit-building process, Jackson suggests setting reasonable goals. Start small and build your way up. If you go too hard on Monday, and you’re too sore to continue by Friday, your resolution is already on life support.

Instead, Jackson recommends mild, 10-30 minute workouts in the beginning. Don’t let it become something you dread.

If you’re quitting something but starting something new, interject those and it’ll become a little easier,” Jackson said. She gives the example of an improved diet. “That is a huge one, and so many people get too caught up in that. They do too much! Focus on one thing, like eating protein at every single meal.”

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