Month: January 2026

By Jenna DeAngelis

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    NEW YORK (WCBS) — Nurses continue to hold the picket line as the largest nurses’ strike in New York City history is on its third day.

Nearly 15,000 nurses across three major hospitals are demanding better staffing levels, healthcare benefits and improvements to workplace safety. The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) accused three major hospital systems of refusing to compromise on the issues.

The union held a news conference at Montefiore Einstein in the Bronx Wednesday morning.

“Stop your nonsense. Stop the lies. You’re going around talking about nurses’ salaries. You made $60 million last year,” said union president Nancy Hagans. “We will negotiate fair wages, but we will not cut corners when it comes to patient care.”

The other hospitals impacted are Mount Sinai Hospital, Mount Sinai Morningside, Mount Sinai West and NewYork-Presbyterian in Manhattan.

Montefiore responded to the press conference, saying the hospital provides care in a safe environment.

“Our best-in-class security protocol includes widespread deployment of weapons detection capabilities, paying for round-the-clock armed members of the NYPD, well-trained internal security personnel, and issuing wearable panic buttons to our nurses,” Montefiore said in a statement.

Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency before the strike to make sure hospitals were staffed.

Temporary travel nurses were flown from all over the country to fill in. Although some nurses on strike said that those employees are unable to give the same level of care.

On Tuesday, a Mount Sinai spokesperson said several nurses decided to cross the picket line. But on Wednesday, “the number of nurses who have put patients first and decided not to strike has grown from 20% percent to 23%,” a statement read.

The latest statements from leaders are from Tuesday evening.

A Mount Sinai spokesperson said, “We are incredibly grateful to the Mount Sinai nurses who have continued to come to work and not participate in NYSNA’s strike. We had 20% of our scheduled nurses come to work on Monday and put our patients first, and so far today, we have seen similar numbers, hundreds of nurses who have joined their teams at the bedside. It is a credit to our entire system that we were prepared to withstand this disruption and continue to be there for New Yorkers in need.”

“Unfortunately, NYSNA has yet to provide an offer that could be considered reasonable, instead sticking to proposals that would cost $1.6 billion over three years just at The Mount Sinai Hospital, raising average nurse pay to close to $250,000, which is before factoring in the contributions we make to benefits.

“We have now committed significant additional funds to maintain our qualified and specialized agency nurses so that we can continue to be prepared to provide safe patient care at least through next week as the strike continues.”

A Montefiore spokesperson said the union’s demands are troubling.

“NYSNA’s leaders continue to double down on their $3.6 billion in reckless demands, including nearly 40% wage increases, and their troubling proposals like demanding that a nurse not be terminated if found to be compromised by drugs or alcohol while on the job. We remain resolute in our commitment to providing safe and seamless care, regardless of how long the strike may last,” Montefiore Senior Vice President Joe Solmonese said.

NewYork-Presbyterian officials said they are ready to keep negotiating with wage increases.

“While NYSNA has told nurses to walk away from the bedside, we remain focused on our patients and their care. This strike is designed to create disruption, but we have taken the necessary steps so our patients continue to receive the care they trust us to provide,” NewYork-Presbyterian said in a statement. “We’re ready to keep negotiating a fair and reasonable contract that reflects our respect for our nurses and the critical role they play, and also recognizes the challenging realities of today’s healthcare environment…We have proposed significant wage increases that keep our nurses among the highest paid in the city, enhancements to their outstanding employer-funded benefits and new measures that reflect our shared commitment to safe staffing and workplace safety. However, good faith bargaining requires compromise from both sides.”

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 Chloe Morrissey

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    MADISON, Wisconsin (WKOW) — The man convicted in a stabbing at City Bar in Madison was sentenced in Dane County Court on Tuesday.

James Davis, 52, was sentenced to seven years, including two years in prison and five years of extended supervision, following a stabbing at City Bar in September 2024.

Prosecutors said Davis got into an altercation with a family celebrating their son’s 21st birthday at the bar. During the fight, Davis stabbed the father in the throat and chest and stabbed the son in the neck. Both victims survived, though the stabbing of the father narrowly missed his carotid artery.

Back in October, a jury returned a split verdict, finding Davis guilty of first-degree reckless injury but acquitting him of first-degree recklessly endangering safety.

Tuesday’s sentencing lasted about two hours. Family members of Davis and one of the victims addressed the court before the judge imposed the sentence.

Davis’ cousin, Monica Howard was the first witness to speak.

“He’s been the one that had the jokes to make us laugh at the family gatherings,” said Howard. “He’s the one taking photos for us to have memories. He has a kind, loving heart. He’s never been one to be in trouble on the streets.”

One of the victims did not attend in person but provided a statement by phone, describing the lasting effects from the stabbing.

“Every morning when I shave, I have to be careful not to nick that scar on my neck,” the victim said. “It’s a daily, very unpleasant reminder of what’s happened to me and my family.”

He reminded the court that what his family has gone through is more than physical.

“We’ve all been a lot more suspicious around other people, which is a sad, sad thing,” the victim said.

Davis addressed the court and said he had no intention of getting violent that night.

“I am not an evil, bad person, not a menace or threat to anyone or to the society or community,” said Davis. “I do have remorse and I take accountability for my actions. It’s just that I protected myself and hands were put on me first.”

According to court documents, the men told police they were at City Bar when Davis had grabbed the arm of the older man’s wife and the younger man’s mom. The older man said he tried to push Davis away.

Davis denied touching the victim’s wife, maintaining he was being crowded around and acted in self-defense.

“I do feel bad for his injury. It was not intentional at all,” said Davis. “The only intent was to get these people off of me. I never touched [her] at all. She jumped into my space, there was yelling and I never touched them. That was it. Next thing I know I have conflict with two people upon my person.”

Following Davis’ testimony, Dane County Judge Ellen Berz questioned him about that night, pointing to claims he previously made about his alcohol use and impaired judgment the night of the stabbing.

“So alcohol did not play a part in your action to pull out the knife?” Berz asked.

“Correct, alcohol did not, this is not the stable point of me,” Davis responded, talking about the stabbing. “This is a reaction from someone putting their hands on me, being aggressive towards me.”

“Alcohol played no part in your decision to bring the knife with you to a crowded bar. Is that correct?” Berz asked.

“My decision was conscious,” Davis answered. “I don’t think that just because I was drinking that I decided to bring any type of weapon with me. I mean, that is not my intent to do harm and to get drunk and go out and hurt people.”

After the sentencing, 27 News spoke with Davis’ daughter, Kailly Davis. She read a letter she wrote that was not shared in court, describing her father as kind and understanding.

The letter reads, in part: “He is my rock and one of the only few people on this planet who can take the most dramatic breakdown, snot nose cry and all, and turn it into a calming and learning moment for me and so many could only dream of the love, admiration and mutual respect I received from him. I have only ever known my dad to be understanding, kind and strong beyond belief. To see him in any other sense would be an injustice and simply incorrect, and I wish that everyone could get to know him on the level that I do. People prefer to see him as a scary, dark-skinned black man whose face favors a frown because it’s easier for them. They don’t see the man who showed me Star Wars for the first time when I was six years old…”

As part of his sentence, Davis is prohibited from entering bars or liquor stores and may not live in a residence where alcohol, drugs or dangerous weapons are present. He is also barred from possessing those items and must undergo routine alcohol testing every two weeks until he completes six consecutive months without a missed or failed test.

“I don’t deserve to be locked up or institutionalized whatsoever,” Davis said. “I’m already in here with people who are already mentally and emotionally unstable, very much so every day, that is not something I want to be around continuously.”

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 Monique John

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    ATLANTA (WUPA) — Georgia’s incarceration rate is higher than the national average, with nearly 900 out of every 100,000 residents having spent time behind bars, according to the Prison Policy Initiative.

For many, the struggle doesn’t end at release—rebuilding a life on the outside can be overwhelming. Formerly incarcerated individuals and advocates say the path to reintegration is often filled with stigma and barriers.

Janine Battista of Snellville knows those challenges firsthand. She’s opening up about her own journey, hoping her experience can help foster greater understanding and acceptance for people with criminal records.

“Going to prison interrupted everything in my life,” Battista reflects. “I might have been a little lost at the time, but I’m not that person anymore.”

While incarcerated, Battista discovered a passion for writing and pursued her education through the nonprofit Common Good Atlanta. But after her release in 2019, she faced a daunting job market.

“It’s terrifying,” she said. “When you lay out your past, you have to ask, ‘Do you feel comfortable trusting me?'”

Despite these obstacles, Battista has rebuilt her life. She became a published poet, found love, and now serves on the board of Common Good Atlanta, advocating for others making the same transition.

“There are stressful times, but the perspective I’ve gained keeps me moving forward,” she said.

It’s a challenge many Georgians face. The Georgia Justice Project estimates that about 4.5 million people in the state have a criminal history.

Brenda Smeeton, Legal Director at the organization, says Georgia’s reliance on the criminal legal system to address issues like poverty and homelessness contributes to its high incarceration rate.

“We tend to have high arrest rates and high conviction rates, which makes us a bit of an outlier with other states,” Smeeton explained.

The Georgia Justice Project works with Fulton County to help people expunge their records—opening doors to jobs and housing.

Battista is now a mother of two. She dreams of becoming a personal trainer and continuing to reach people through her writing. Despite the hardships, she says her time behind bars helped her find confidence and a deeper understanding of herself.

“I can look back and say I did that—even in a really difficult, isolated situation. I found things I liked and discovered more of who I believe I am,” Battista said. The Georgia Justice Project is partnering with Fulton County for a record expungement event later this month.

For more information, visit gjp.org.

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 Megan Mannering

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    DANVILLE, Kentucky (WLEX) — The days of rectangle pizza and processed fruit cups are dwindling in Kentucky schools. Since the pandemic, federal grants helped schools across the state buy locally grown produce and meat, transforming school meals. At Boyle County High School, even with less federal help now, the push to serve balanced, locally sourced meals is stronger than ever.

“Most days, honestly, I’m gonna give it a good 9.5. It’s pretty good,” said sophomore Nora Coleman, showcasing the fajitas and street tacos on the menu when LEX 18 stopped by.

Boyle County School District Food Service Director Cheyenne Barsotti welcomes the positive feedback from students.

“I love it because I know that means they’re enjoying it,” Barsotti said.

While USDA meal guidelines haven’t changed, the menu has transformed with colorful, flavorful options that differ significantly from what Barsotti remembers as a former Boyle County student. To satisfy both federal rules and teenage taste buds, her staff often cooks from scratch, tests new recipes, and prioritizes locally grown food where possible.

“We do prioritize those center-of-the-plate items, so items like beef that are going to feature as an entree, as a director, I prioritize that because I know the quality is noticeable when you buy the local product, and I think our kids notice that as well,” Barsotti said.

Circle G Farms, a diversified agricultural operation located just seven miles away, provides much of that local beef. The farm operates on a sustainable model where they raise crops to feed their cattle, cut their own hay and use manure to fertilize their fields.

“That’s the origin of Circle G Farms,” explained Carly Guinn. “We try to utilize every division of our farm to its highest potential and keep it sustainable.”

Spencer and Carly Guinn’s partnership with Boyle County schools began several years ago when the farm started selling produce to the district’s summer feeding program. The relationship has grown, and today their beef often serves as that “center of the plate” protein.

“It’s one thing to hear it from your kids, but it’s when their friends come up to us and say ‘We had the sweet potatoes’ or ‘We had tacos at school’…it’s really satisfying, that full circle moment where we can see our products going into making the community better, and we’re just one of the farmers doing that,” Spencer said.

“I think as parents it’s okay to question, ‘Where does that come from?’ and I think more schools are doing more than what you think and providing more local food than you realize,” Carly said.

Across Kentucky, nearly 150 farms sell to more than 90 school districts. For more than a decade, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture has connected farms to schools, assisting with crop planning, preparation and business development. According to the KDA, schools are some of the largest and most consistent buyers of locally grown meat and produce.

“We know that when they’re able to purchase from us, they will, and we are ready to supply them with what they need whenever they’re ready,” Carly said.

From November 2022 through April 2025, pandemic-era federal grant funding made it easier for Kentucky schools to buy local. Kentucky received a $3.2 million Local Foods for Schools grant that helped connect about 140 farmers with school districts. In 2025, the USDA halted additional funding for the next round of the program, and those grant dollars wound down, tightening budgets for future purchases.

“It is hard, you have to evaluate what you think you’ll get your most bang for your buck with now that the grant is no longer active,” said Barsotti. “We just have to say, ‘These are the items that are worth it,.'”

Even without the same level of funding, many farm-to-school partnerships have continued. Food service directors buy local when they can, and producers say seeing students eat what they raise makes the work worthwhile.

“I hear a lot of people say ‘You farm, we eat,’ but we take it a step further and say, ‘We get to farm because you eat,’ because there is no way we could do what we’re doing if the community weren’t involved with us,” Spencer said.

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture says it’s committed to finding solutions that bring more local foods into cafeterias while providing economic benefits to local producers.

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 Mike Sullivan

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    BOSTON (WBZ) — A Pokémon card store in Franklin, Massachusetts is out thousands of dollars after the owner said two men bought an expensive card with a stolen credit card. When the store owner posted about the incident on social media, he says other stores started messaging him about similar incidents at their stores.

“If there’s 10 stores that I know about, there’s probably another 10 stores that didn’t report it or don’t know about it yet,” said Rod Crochiere, owner of Pokémon Trainer’s Universe.

Their surveillance footage shows the two men scouring the store for the cards they want. Crochiere said the men were educated in the hobby and knew what they did and didn’t want. He says they originally bought several cards for $3,000 before coming back to buy a $4,000 card.

Crochiere said the men told him their brother wanted the card, but wasn’t with them, and they were going to use his card for the purchase. Two days later, the store was informed that the card was stolen.

“We are out not just the $4,000 purchase, but I suspect the $3,000 purchase is also going to end up fraudulent, so that’s $7,000 from one store,” Crochiere said.

He posted about the purchase on social media, and quickly he started getting responses from other stores in New England saying they had similar incidents. At one point, a store in Ohio called.

“They said the gentleman came into the store to buy some expensive cards, and they realize they were our guys from the video, and the charge came out fraudulent,” said Crochiere.

The Ohio store would not speak to WBZ on camera, but they said the purchase did come back as a stolen card. After that store called, Crochiere contacted Franklin police to file a report. WBZ reached out to police for more details on the case but have yet receive the information.

“If they are out in Ohio, there is no telling if they are buying at sports card stores in Ohio or other parts of the country,” said Crochiere.

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.