School pick up turns into python sighting on Marco Island

CNN Newsource on December 23, 2025

By Gina Tomlinson

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    MARCO ISLAND, Florida (WBBH) — A quick school pick up turned into a wild Florida moment when a Marco Island dad spotted something slithering along the side of the road — and it wasn’t a garden hose.

Sean Stuart was on his way to grab his daughter from Marco Island Academy when something thick and scaly caught his eye in the grass along Sheffield Avenue.

He hit the brakes, threw his truck in reverse, and took a closer look.

What he saw was an 11-foot Burmese python, as thick as a football, and creeping through a patch of grass just a couple hundred feet from nearby homes.

“I’m from Boston,” Stuart said. “We got lobsters and championship sports teams, not big pythons, right?”

Stuart, who owns Marco Island Roofing, did what many would; he grabbed his phone, recorded the moment, and posted it online.

“When you see something double the size of you, that’s kind of scary. I’m a roofer, not a python hunter,” he said. “So I wasn’t going after that thing.”

The video post alerted the community and sparked a swift response.

Paul Miller, a charter boat captain with “Florida Jaws,” also traps pythons on the side, showed up with a buddy and a game plan. The two headed into the brush, joined by neighbors, and started searching.

“That’s the biggest one I have ever seen on Marco,” Miller said. “We just went looking back in the woods with a few of the residents on the street, and we ended up finding him in a big brush pile, and it was not too happy to be found!”

The snake didn’t end up back in the wild. Miller handed it off to state researchers who plan to study it as part of ongoing efforts to understand, and hopefully control, Florida’s growing python population.

“They’re invasive,” Stuart said. “And we want to get rid of them as fast as possible. They’re going to keep getting bigger and more of them.”

Wildlife experts say if you see a python, don’t approach it. Instead, click here to call the FWC’s invasive species hotline or report it through the agency’s online form.

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.

The Salvation Army hosts their annual Walmart Angel Tree

KYMA on December 23, 2025

Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Thanks to all the contributions made from the Yuma County community to the Angel Tree donations, the Salvation Army was able to gifts present and food just in time for Christmas.

Over 700 kids were given five or more gifts this holiday while over 300 families were given food and presents.

“This is a pivotal moment where kids wake up in the morning, and they get this huge memory, we have donors every year that come and say, ‘Hey, I was one of these angel kids,'” said Salvation Army Lt. Amber Herzog.

The Yuma Fire Department (YFD) was their to help distribute the gifts and they say its all about helping the community they serve.

“It’s important for the fire department to show the community that we’re here for them. It’s really great to see different members of the community getting together to make the holidays special for a couple local families,” says YFD Public Information Officer Francisco Leon.

Tannia Gonzalez, the San Luis Walmart manager agrees, saying they love being involved in the community.

“We love seeing kids smile, we love seeing when the kids get their presents, and just making that difference in every single one of them it’s a big different for us,” Gonzalez says.

Many businesses donated to make this possible, including Walmart, Fry’s, and Karnas law.

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Florida siblings surprised as Air Force dad returns home for Christmas

CNN Newsource on December 23, 2025

By Britt Leoni

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    CAPE CORAL, Florida (WBBH) — The holiday season brings traditions that spark joy.

Among them are the countless Christmas stories we find ourselves drawn to.

In the media center of Skyline Elementary in Cape Coral, Brielle and Harrison Childs are not just watching or reading those stories.

They are living their own one, too.

“I’m excited for dad to come for Christmas,” said 7-year-old Harrison Childs.

As we know, not every story has the brightest start.

Harrison and Brielle’s dad, Chris, is in the Air Force. He has been stationed in South Korea for the past year.

During that time, the kids have made do with phone calls and FaceTimes, but their dad’s presence has been sorely missed.

Brielle and Harrison’s story took a cheerful twist when they heard the news that Dad is coming to town in two days, on Christmas, after a year apart that feels like forever.

That is why, when it came to asking Santa what they wanted for Christmas this year, greater than any phone, new gadget or the latest trendy toy, the best possible gift was his homecoming two days earlier than expected.

“It meant the world. Seeing a smile on their face, being back here in person, being able to hug them. They cried and everything. Just hold them tight and figure out what they want to do,” said Chris.

Their embrace was the moment that Brielle and Harrison’s story was complete.

The moment these kids got their hearts back.

The moment the true meaning of Christmas was revealed to us all.

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 court documents reveal family texts after Florida teen found dead on cruise ship

CNN Newsource on December 23, 2025

By Tony Atkins

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    TITUSVILLE, Florida (WESH) — Newly released court documents are shedding more light on conversations between family members in the days following the death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner, whose body was found under a bed aboard a cruise ship last month.

Kepner was found dead Nov. 7. Records indicate she died of asphyxiation. Her death remains under investigation, and no charges have been filed.

The documents were obtained through a child custody dispute involving Kepner’s stepmother, Shauntell Hudson Kepner, and her ex-husband, Thomas Hudson.

The two share custody of a 16-year-old boy, who is Kepner’s stepbrother, who was also on the cruise. He is not being named because he is a minor.

According to the records, Shauntell Hudson Kepner messaged her ex-husband the day after Anna Kepner’s death, telling him she needed to speak with him immediately and describing the situation as an emergency.

Hudson responded by asking whether he could pick up one of their children to remove them from the situation.

Anna Kepner remembered at celebration of lifeAnna Kepner remembered at celebration of life The documents state that Shauntell Hudson Kepner declined but said they would eventually need to figure out how to tell their other two children.

Two days later, on Nov. 9, Shauntell Hudson Kepner texted Hudson again, saying she had spoken with their son for less than two minutes and that he repeatedly said he could not remember anything about what happened.

Hudson responded in part that he wanted his son to know he was still loved, regardless of the circumstances.

The court documents also indicate the 16-year-old is currently staying with another relative.

In a recorded statement included in the filings, Shauntell Hudson Kepner said he is not returning to the home at this time.

Authorities have not released additional details about the circumstances surrounding Anna Kepner’s death.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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.

Santa ‘contracting’ Monument police and fire departments to deliver toys on Tuesday

KRDO on December 23, 2025

Bradley Davis

MONUMENT, Colo. (KRDO) – Rather than Rudolph, glowing police cruisers and firetrucks will lead Santa with their lights so bright through Monument Tuesday night for the annual “Santa on Patrol.”

It’s like a parade, but instead of throwing out beads or candy, the officers are helping Santa deliver toys to children who need them in the Tri-Lakes area.

The local police and fire departments partnered with Toys for Tots to collect toys for Santa starting in October. The decorated caravan ships off at 4 p.m. on Tuesday. Santa will join the parade to personally hand out each toy before his long night on Christmas Eve.

Santa on Patrol uses Pikes Peak United Way to find families who need help. If you would like to apply for next year, call 2-1-1 next Fall and ask for help, or fill out an application from a local organization in your area. You can find a non-exhaustive list here.

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Puna man charged after Molotov cocktail standoff in Hawaiian Beaches home

CNN Newsource on December 23, 2025

By Kayli Pascal-Martinez

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    PAHOA, Hawaii (KITV) — A Puna man was charged following a standoff that occurred on Friday evening, December 19, 2025, at a home in Pahoa.

The standoff occurred at a home on Aama St. in the Hawaiian Beaches subdivision in Pahoa. It was reported that 40-year-old George Dale Foote Jr. unlawfully entered a home at 5:40 p.m., with two women living in the unit.

Police said Foote was looking for his estranged spouse, who wasn’t there at the time of the incident. Once he was in the home, Foote reportedly threatened two women, a 61-year-old and a 91-year-old. He reportedly had multiple Molotov cocktails and threatened to burn down the home.

Both of the women managed to escape from the home, uninjured, and called the police. Puna patrol officers attempted to negotiate with Foote to have him exit the home but he refused.

Shortly before midnight Foote left the home and was arrested without incident. On Saturday afternoon, Dec. 20, Foote was charged with First Degree Terroristic Threatening, First Degree Unauthorized Entry into a Dwelling, and First Degree Burglary.

Foote’s bail was set at $220,000. Additionally, he was arrested and charged on the strength of two arrest warrants for the offense of violations of conditions of release on bail, recognizance, or supervised release, with a total bail of $45, 000.

Foote made his initial court appearance on Monday, Dec. 22, in Hilo District Court.

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact Detective Jenny Lee of the Area I Juvenile Aid Section at 808-961-2279 or via email at Jenny.Lee@hawaiipolice.gov.

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.

ACA changes could strain rural hospitals

KYMA on December 23, 2025

Adrik Vargas

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Health insurance costs could rise sharply across Arizona if federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits are not extended, according to health policy experts.

More than 420,000 Arizonans, including just over 9,000 residents of Yuma County, receive their health insurance through the ACA exchanges.

Michael Negron, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, says more than 90% of those households rely on premium tax credits.

Negron warns that if the tax credits expire, insurance premiums could increase, forcing many people to drop coverage.

Hospitals are required by federal law to provide emergency treatment, even if a patient does not have health insurance. Negron says that could increase what’s known as uncompensated care.

“So a county like Yuma, where the hospitals that operate typically have tighter margins because the populations are smaller, will have those margins squeezed even more,” Negron said.

Negron adds that if ACA tax credits expire along with past Medicaid cuts, hospitals could face significant financial strain.

“The combination of these two together is estimated to result in a loss of insurance for about 360,000 Arizona residents and about $800 million in additional uncompensated care by 2034,” he said.

Negron says without relief, hospitals and providers could be at risk.

“We could see now hospitals and providers are at risk of closing absent some relief from the federal government,” Negron said.

Congress is expected to vote early next year on whether to extend the ACA premium tax credits.

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Neighbors along an east Colorado Springs street succeed in getting it moved up on paving list

KRDO on December 23, 2025

Scott Harrison

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — It might be the best Christmas present 18 homeowners on Kern Street could have expected, and although the payoff is still two years away, at least they can anticipate it now.

A week after KRDO 13’s Road Warrior report in early November about the street’s poor condition, neighbors received a visit from Richard Mulledy, the city’s public works director, who announced that the street will be repaved in 2027.

“I was surprised that he was surprised at the condition of the street,” said homeowner Dave Cozad, who contacted The Road Warrior about the situation.

“And he told me: Mr. Cozad, I haven’t been on this street for 20 years. And I don’t remember it being like this. And I said: Well, it’s taken 20 years for it to get this way.”

Cozad said that the street was on the repaving list a few years ago, but was removed without notice.

“The director said that he doesn’t believe it was ever on the list,” he said.

It is now.

Mulledy confirmed that concrete preparation work — including new sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and ramps — will take place next year, and repaving from the 2C expanded paving program will occur the following year.

“We (neighbors) had a get-together recently to celebrate,” Cozad revealed. “We’re happy.”

He explained that the street has quickly deteriorated for decades, after homes along the street were built on clay soil that shifted, broke numerous connections to wastewater lines, and required excavations and repairs that damaged the street and turned it into something like a jigsaw puzzle.

Mulledy emphasized that not every neighborhood can expect to be moved up on the paving list and that there must be extenuating circumstances to do so.

“But I’ll tell you what every neighborhood can expect,” he said. “We’ll look at it, and we will assess it, and we will honestly look at it with the other needs and other neighborhoods and streets in the city. We’ll look at the older infrastructure, and we’ll put it in the correct place.”

Cozad also said that the same shifting clay that broke wastewater lines also cracked walls and foundations in homes — damage that neighbors had to pay for repairs.

“I paid around $15,000,” he said. “But we’re all just glad that the city agrees with the repaving need here.”

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Troopers shoot chickens that got loose after crash in Oklahoma City

CNN Newsource on December 23, 2025

By Natalie Bailey

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    OKLAHOMA CITY (KOCO) — Oklahoma Highway Patrol officials confirmed that troopers shot chickens that got loose following a crash on an Interstate 240 ramp Tuesday morning in OKC.

Authorities say a semi-trailer containing chickens crashed along the westbound I-240 ramp to southbound Interstate 44. The crash briefly caused the ramp to close, but it has since reopened.

A KOCO 5 photojournalist on scene said there were gunshots in the area as troopers worked to contain the loose chickens. OHP officials later confirmed that they did shoot chickens.

“We shot the chickens,” Lt. Mark Southall told KOCO 5. “We did all we could to get them under control but they became a danger to motorists. … We had no other option.”

OHP officials said about 50 chickens got loose, causing traffic issues for drivers. One truck hit a chicken.

The Department of Agriculture was called to the scene but told troopers that they couldn’t take the chickens, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

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.

Mother’s son loses leg in train crossing attempt to US-Mexico border

CNN Newsource on December 23, 2025

By Jacqueline Aguilar

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    NOGALES, Mexico (KGUN) — A mother and her sons are living in a Nogales, Mexico, shelter after a dangerous border crossing attempt left her youngest son with a prosthetic leg and their family separated from everything they once knew.

Fany Esvedi thought she had found safe passage to the United States through recommended smugglers, but the journey took a devastating turn when they were forced to ride on top of a freight train.

Like many other migrants, Esvedi says she was trying to escape problems in her home city when she says she made the difficult decision to attempt the border crossing.

“Everything was going good, we were gonna cross with recommended people, but we did not have the same fortune as they did,” Esvedi said.

The smugglers changed their plans without warning, forcing the family onto a train despite Esvedi’s protests.

“They told us we were going to cross one way, but it ended up happening entirely different,” Esvedi said. “They told us we had to get on. Me and some other person told them we did not want to and we did not pay for this.”

When Esvedi refused to board the train, she watched helplessly as smugglers placed her youngest son Kevin on top of the moving freight car. The smugglers confiscated their backpacks and important documents, throwing everything away.

The family was ordered to jump off the train in Puerto Peñasco, but as the train began moving, a woman in front of Kevin slipped and grabbed onto him, dragging him down with her.

“A woman was in front of Kevin, and since we were told to get off as the train was starting to move, she slipped and grabbed onto him, dragging him down,” Esvedi said.

Esvedi heard her son screaming but didn’t immediately realize the train had run him over.

“People told me your son needs you. I asked if he was okay, but they said no. I saw the pool of blood and thought he was dead,” Esvedi said.

Kevin was given a slim chance of survival but recovered from his injuries. He now uses a prosthetic leg after losing his limb in the accident.

The family now lives at Casa de la Misericordia, a shelter in Nogales, Mexico, in a space meant to be temporary. Hermana Lika, the shelter’s director, helps families like Esvedi’s navigate their difficult circumstances.

“People have the right to live, we all have the right to live. So we can’t limit someone’s life because of our personal opinions,” Hermana Lika said.

Esvedi is trying to enter the United States legally but has been unable to secure appointments through the CBP One app. For now, Nogales, Mexico, remains her family’s home as they continue their pursuit of what one shelter message calls “migrando a la libertad” – migrating to freedom.

Statistics from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security show more than 600,000 immigrants have been deported as the country approaches President Donald Trump’s first year since taking his second term. Despite stricter immigration policies, many migrants remain determined to reach the United States.

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

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.