Month: January 2026

By Griffin Glasscock

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    EVANSVILLE, Indiana (WEVV) — Dozens of animals were rescued from an Evansville home Tuesday night after police and animal control officers uncovered what they described as severe and unsafe living conditions.

According to an affidavit, officers were called to a home on Franklin Street to assist animal control following reports that multiple animals were living in the home without access to food or water. The residents were identified as Joshua and Alee Nelson.

Police say officers discovered 15 dogs confined to kennels throughout the home, many of which contained feces and urine. Investigators reported the dogs had no access to food or clean water.

Outside the home, animal control officers found five ducks and four chickens kept in a fenced-in backyard, also without proper food or water.

As animal control began removing animals from the property, officers were informed of an additional room in the basement that had not initially been disclosed. Inside that room, animal control discovered 25 cats living in extreme conditions. Four additional cats were found upstairs.

According to the affidavit, the ammonia smell coming from the basement room was so strong that animal control officers exited the home in tears. Police put on breathing masks before entering.

Inside the room, officers observed a kiddie pool and multiple buckets filled with feces, with waste covering much of the floor. Animal control officers had to walk through the feces to reach the cats. No food or water was found for the animals.

Several cats were suffering from untreated injuries and respiratory issues believed to be caused by prolonged exposure to the toxic air. One cat reportedly had a leg injury wrapped with what appeared to be human medical bandaging.

Animal control officials told police that several of the cats were suffering from respiratory issues due to what they described as “toxic air” inside the room.

In total, 15 dogs, 29 cats, four chickens, and five ducks were removed from the property. Animal control documented the conditions and took custody of the animals.

Joshua and Alee Nelson were arrested and taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail. Both are charged with animal neglect and are each being held on a $5,400 bond.

The case remains under investigation.

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 David Tilmans

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    NORTH MANCHESTER, Indiana (WFFT) — Kalli Davis has visited Manchester University plenty of times throughout her childhood, but up until recently she did not think that she would be able to attend the school.

“It’s kind of always been on my radar. 6th grade, I actually did a project on why I wanted to come here. But I never thought I would, because people would always tell me how expensive it is,” Davis says.

Still, the Wabash High School senior has been verbally committed to play softball for Manchester since her sophomore year. She officially signed for the Spartans this past December, and her signing day also brought the surprise of a lifetime.

University administrators were on hand to present Kalli with Manchester’s Honors Scholarship Award, a four-year full scholarship recognizing Davis’s academic excellence and leadership. She is one of just two high school seniors to earn this scholarship.

“I walked in with my parents and my principal and I saw them there and I just felt so emotional,” Davis recalls. “This is such a wonderful opportunity and I am just so grateful to have it.”

Davis is preparing for her fourth season of varsity softball at Wabash and has been invited to national showcases. However, her talents and accomplishments extend far beyond the diamond.

Kalli currently serves as President of Wabash High School’s Key Club, where she has a role organizing service projects and opportunities for students to volunteer within the community. She highlights recent fundraising efforts by the school for UNICEF, and also invites folks out to a blood drive at Wabash High School on Wednesday, January 28th.

Additionally, Davis is part of the school’s academic team, book club, and band programs. She has attended leadership seminars such as the HOBY State Leadership Seminar. Kalli is also a part of the Apaches’ band programs.

Upon graduating high school, Kalli is also set to earn her associate degree thanks to dual credit courses and summer classes. She plans to major in applied mathematics at Manchester with dreams of becoming a teacher in secondary education. She has had chances to foster her love for education through internships with other Wabash City Schools.

“Right now with my high school, I do an internship with fifth grade. I work with Ms. [Heather] McKee, I think it’s really awesome what she does,” Davis explains. “She’s one of my other inspirations, along with Mr. [Austin] Terheide, who have made me want to go into teaching.”

Davis also gives thanks to her parents and Manchester University Softball Coach Sara Emerich for helping her along her journey.

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 Jeremiah Estrada

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    HANALEI, Hawaii (KITV) — A Hawaiian duck that died on Kauai in late November was confirmed to have been infected with bird flu.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH), Department of Agriculture & Biosecurity (DAB) announced on Tuesday that a Koloa Maoli (Hawaiian duck) had avian influenza (bird flu) when it was found sick on Nov. 26, 2025. The sick duck was found in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Hanalei Wildlife Refuge in Hanalei, Kauai.

The Hawaiian duck died within 24 hours after being discovered and the positive bird flu case was recently confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories.

Bird flu can cause severe illness leading to high mortality rate to certain bird populations such as poultry. Human infections are rare but are possible with close contact. This duck on Kauai likely contracted the virus through an infected migratory waterfowl.

DOH, DAB and Department of Land and Natural Resources will continue to monitor public health reports, poultry operations and wild bird populations for any signs of bird flu spreading.

With migratory bird season underway, more birds traveling through the islands may carry avian diseases and it is recommended that the public avoid touching or handling wild birds, especially waterfowl or shorebirds.

DAB provided these precautions if you encounter sick or dead birds, such as waterfowl:

Avoid touching or handling wild birds, especially waterfowl or shorebirds. If capturing a dead or sick bird is necessary, wear gloves, minimize contact and follow biosafety protocols. To report multiple or unusual illnesses in poultry, livestock or other wild birds or animals, contact DAB’s Animal Industry Division.

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 Natalie Reittinger

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    DES MOINES, Iowa (KWWL) — Property rights and eminent domain are under discussion again in the wake of a new legislative proposal concerning pipeline projects. The issue resurfaced after Gov. Reynolds vetoed a similar bill last year.

The current proposal, listed as House Study Bill 507, aims to prevent the use of eminent domain for acquiring right-of-way for constructing or operating pipelines primarily meant for transporting carbon dioxide.

Eminent domain allows the government or its agent to seize private property for public use, with compensation. However, there has been ongoing debate over its application to pipeline projects, and no consensus has been reached.

Under current Iowa law, property owners may be compelled to allow easements on their land for projects deemed in the public interest, with compensation determined by a county commission. Disputes often arise over whether carbon pipelines serve the public interest.

Sherry Webb, a farmer from Shelby County, expressed support for the bill. “Our farm is in Shelby County. We appreciate all the work you’ve done on this, thank you very much representatives. House Study Bill 507 is a fair and reasonable bill. It gives the pipeline the ability to find a route, and landowners a right, which they deserve, to say no,” Webb said.

Summit Carbon Solutions, a company seeking pipeline approval, opposes the bill. Jake Ketzner of Summit Carbon Solutions stated, “We support widening the corridor to allow for route adjustments to make this possible and significantly reduce any deeper eminent domain. However, in certain cases, like how you exit an ethanol plant, crossing rivers or roads, there might be only one option for the route, which is why this bill doesn’t work. Unfortunately, this bill would eliminate new and emergent low carbon markets for Iowa ethanol like sustainable aviation fuels.”

The House Judiciary Subcommittee has voted to advance the bill to the full committee. This action comes seven months after Gov. Reynolds vetoed a previous bill that would have introduced additional complications for proposed pipelines.

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 Jasmine Chameis

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    CARBONDALE, Illinois (WSIL) — History isn’t just written in books, it lives in families, memories, and sometimes, in the very DNA that connects generations. That powerful idea takes center stage at the Carbondale Public Library, which is hosting a Community DNA Collection & Information Session for the Illinois Family Roots Pilot Program. It’s a groundbreaking effort designed to help residents reconnect with their ancestry.

The public is invited to this three-hour event, where participants can learn how science and storytelling intersect to restore chapters of history long separated by time, migration, and systemic erasure. The program uses DNA testing paired with genealogical research to help Illinois residents trace ancestral roots and rebuild family narratives that stretch far beyond state lines and sometimes across oceans.

During the session, attendees will hear an overview of the Illinois Family Roots Pilot Program, ask questions, and, if they choose, provide a DNA sample on site with the guidance of trained team members. Free DNA kits will be available to eligible Illinois participants, removing financial barriers to what organizers call a journey of reclamation and remembrance.

For many African American families, traditional genealogical records are fragmented or missing altogether due to slavery, segregation, and displacement. Organizers say this initiative helps turn those historical gaps into bridges, allowing descendants to reclaim names, places, and legacies once obscured.

The event will take place at the Carbondale Public Library, located at 405 W. Main Street, with parking available on W. Monroe Street. The program is free and open to the public, welcoming anyone interested in learning how DNA can help illuminate the past and empower the future.

Those seeking additional details can visit the Carbondale Public Library’s website for more information on the Illinois Family Roots Pilot Program.

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 Kaitlyn Ross, Reeves Jackson

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    ATLANTA (WXIA) — Aloka the Peace Dog is making steady progress in his recovery, according to those caring for him, following surgery that temporarily sidelined the long walks that made him a familiar presence to many.

Aloka is now undergoing physical therapy, with caretakers saying the sessions are focused on helping him regain strength and mobility in a calm and measured way. His therapy is described as gentle and intentional, designed to allow him to move comfortably and confidently as he heals.

Those working with Aloka said his recovery mirrors the quiet patience that has defined his journey.

Once a stray in India, Aloka began following Buddhist monks as they walked, eventually becoming part of the Walk for Peace. For years, he has accompanied the monks on their journeys, earning the nickname “Peace Dog” for his steady presence and calm demeanor.

Now, supporters say, the compassion Aloka has offered others is being returned. He is recovering under the care of veterinary staff and members of the Walk for Peace team, who are allowing him to heal at his own pace.

There is no set timeline for his return to walking long distances, but those closest to him say progress is being made daily.

As Aloka continues his recovery, supporters are sharing messages of encouragement and well wishes as he takes each step forward — slowly, patiently and peacefully.

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 Francis Page, Jr

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    January 14, 2026 (Houston Style Magazine) — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. warned that civil rights without economic justice would never add up to real freedom—and his warning has never been more urgent. In 2026, his words read less like history and more like a headline. Families are working harder, paying more, and still falling behind—and the gap between what people earn and what life costs keeps widening.

MLK Day should not be a symbolic tribute. It should be a governing test of whether we are willing to confront an affordability crisis that is denying families dignity in their everyday lives.

In April 1967 at Riverside Church in New York City, Dr. King offered a truth that still pierces through the noise:

“True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar. … It comes to see that an edifice which produces beggars needs restructuring.”

That is the assignment. Not sympathy. Not symbolism. Structural change—so working people can build stable, dignified lives.

Yet the reality in Houston and Harris County remains brutally clear. More than one in five Houstonians live at or below the poverty line—the highest rate among America’s biggest cities. In neighborhoods like Settegast, life expectancy is twenty years lower than in wealthier parts of the county. In the Fifth Ward, families have lived for decades with the fear that pollution and neglect are stealing their children’s futures.

Basic monthly bills are becoming a breaking point as rising housing, transportation, and utility costs compound on top of one another. Research shows that households in older, under-resourced neighborhoods such as Denver Harbor, Pleasantville, Magnolia Park, and Kashmere Gardens are spending around seven percent of their income on electricity. Our system is failing, forcing people to choose between keeping the lights on and buying groceries or medicine.

These are the conditions Dr. King warned us about: parents skipping meals so their kids can eat. Seniors cutting pills in half. Workers juggling two or three jobs and still falling behind on rent.

So what does it mean to honor Dr. King?

It means governing for economic justice.

In Harris County, we have taken some important steps. We adopted a living wage, raising wages for the custodians who clean our buildings and the construction workers who build them, because one job should be enough to live on. We strengthened worker protections and safety standards on public projects because no dollar amount or project deadline is worth a human life. We invested in affordable rental homes and expanded eviction prevention and legal assistance because housing is a human right. We stepped up during the federal shutdown, partnering with community groups to distribute food and connect neighbors to support. We fought to pilot guaranteed income, recognizing —as Dr. King did—that families need stability, not just survival, even as state leaders moved to block us from acting.

Yet much of our work is still ahead of us. We must continue to invest in programs that create more good-paying jobs, affordable housing, access to healthcare and childcare, and direct relief that meets people where they are. We must protect all neighborhoods from heat, flooding, and natural disasters, not just more affluent communities. In the face of state revenue caps imposed on us by the Legislature, and deep cuts to federal programs by Congress and the White House, these investments are that much more essential. Our community cannot afford another generation of policy failures.

Dr. King called for us to fundamentally transform our systems so we can abolish poverty. Honoring his legacy means choosing action over rhetoric—even when resources are constrained and higher levels of government stand in our way.

The true measure of our commitment to Dr. King’s dream will be whether our budgets, services, and policies rise to meet the dignity people deserve. More information: HCP1.net

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Francis Page, Jr
fpagejr@stylemagazine.com
7139275444

By Ethan Stein

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    BOCA RATON, Florida (WPTV) — Patagonia, the popular clothing company, is suing a Boca Raton company for its role in manufacturing and selling counterfeit products to retailers.

Patagonia is asking a judge to force JPC Apparel to give the company its profits, remaining counterfeit products and damages worth up to $150,000 for each work infringed at the company’s decision.

The lawsuit, which the company filed in federal court, comes as the government reports an increase in the value of fake merchandise coming into the country.

Susan Scafidi, who is the academic director for the Fashion Law Institute at Fordham University, said these types of copyright cases are common. She also said she’s noticed an increase in the amount of cases being filed as tariffs make goods more expensive, and dupes become more acceptable in society and gain appeal to consumers on a budget.

“I have seen an uptick in litigation over the past year or two,” Scafidi said. “That is to say, with the rise of dupes, it’s becoming a situation where brands decide that it is worth suing, it is worth making themselves publicly a harder target.”

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the value of products seized for violating intellectual property increased from $2.9 billion in 2022 to $7.3 billion in 2025, a 152% increase over a four-year period.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said the global trade in counterfeit goods was valued at approximately $467 billion, or 2.3% of total global imports. The group estimated counterfeit goods made up about 4.7% of total EU imports and mostly came from China.

Scafidi said these fake products are often not subject to tariffs because they are often snuck across the border, which can make these products even cheaper compared with more authentic products. She said these products are often worse products.

“If these are actually counterfeits, then you’re buying something that is almost certainly of lower quality,” Scafidi said. “So you think you’re buying Patagonia, you think you’re getting a deal on Patagonia. Instead, you get something that might fall apart after a few wears.”

She also said there are other social concerns, like the conditions of the people who created the clothes.

In the lawsuit, Patagonia said it conducted its own investigation into articles of clothing it found being sold at multiple retailers locations across different states. The company said customers posted videos showing the blacked-out labels and poor quality of the jackets.

The company said it believes a middle man sold the products to the retailer on behalf of JPC Apparel, knowing the products were fakes.

Patagonia said the products were sold as “Famous Maker Insulated Jackets” for $60, a reduction from $100. The company argues the fakes will hurt their ability to make money and reputation as a company.

“Defendants are causing and will continue to cause irreparable injury to Patagonia’s goodwill and business reputation, and dilation of the distinctiveness and value or the famous and distinctive PATAGONIA trademarks in violation of Florida law,” the lawsuit reads.

WPTV reached out to Patagonia to learn more about their motivation for suing the Boca Raton based company and their process for protecting their products, but didn’t hear back by publication.

Scafidi said companies like Patagonia, are more likely to sue if the company creating a counterfeit product is larger. WPTV’s Ethan Stein found JPC Apparel and their owner, Jules Capon, were sued by The North Face Apparel Corporation in August 2011 for creating counterfeit products with their logo.

A judge ruled on behalf of North Face after no response was filed by Capon or any of the other 28 defendants in the case.

Capon told WPTV’s Ethan Stein he didn’t want to talk about the case when reached by phone Monday night.

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.