Month: January 2026

By Ross Guidotti

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    PITTSBURGH, Pennslyvania (KDKA) — Duncan Simmons is a very taciturn, contemplative 16-year-old who’s been through a lot. And while he doesn’t want to be called a hero, what he has done in the eyes of many, including his dad, is a very big deal.

About two years ago, Duncan was diagnosed with Burkitt leukemia. He spent several weeks in UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh battling to beat that what was trying to beat him. He won the fight.

During his recovery, Duncan was approached by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, saying he could, if he wanted, go on trips or get things as a reward for his physical and mental toughness. He decided that wasn’t for him. Instead, he chose to help the kids whose days are spent at the Children’s Hospital.

“Start a foundation to help other people get the food that they like to eat. The food in the hospital is OK, but it gets boring after a little bit,” he said.

And that was the beginning of the Duncan’s Diner foundation.

Duncan’s father, Chris, says Duncan’s Diner gives kids options for food from outside the hospital walls.

“If the kid wants a pizza, they can get a special pizza,” Chris said. “If they want a chili dog, if they want anything, they can do that.”

Make-A-Wish made the initial donation, followed by DoorDash, with $5,500 dollars in gift cards. Sheetz also came through with Sheetz gift cards, which are focused on helping parents with more than just food. The cards can be used to fill up the family car for trips to and from the hospital, and in some cases, across the country.

Chris says more foundations are getting in line to help out. So far, they’ve gathered $25,000.

It’s all because Duncan Simmons saw his plight as a way to help those who could use some normalcy in their lives. Even if it’s just some food to enjoy and maybe smile in a place where happiness is always a welcome commodity.

“It definitely makes you feel a lot better,” Duncan said. “It’s a hot meal, it tastes good, it’s something you haven’t had in a while. It’s good all around.”

For more information on Duncan Diner and how you can donate money or help, check out this link.

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 Ricky Sayer

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    PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania (KDKA) — A diver who responded to the Monongahela River on Thursday after a woman crashed her vehicle off Interstate 376 and into the icy river detailed the rescue operation.

Eric Capets, a Pittsburgh River Rescue dive instructor, was one of the six divers at the scene on Thursday. Jacinta Stevens was rescued after her vehicle plunged off the Parkway East and into the river. She later died at the hospital.

Investigators said Stevens was submerged in the water for approximately 40 to 60 minutes.

“Cold water is a hindrance to the diver, but it’s a blessing for the victim,” Capets said. “It extends their chance of survival because the oxygen man goes down. So if we could get a victim under the water, very cold water, out up to, I would say, 90 minutes, maybe even two hours, there’s a chance we can bring them back.”

He said the car was heavily damaged, but right side up in what the city’s EMS chief said was about 20 feet of water. Divers opened the door, grabbed the woman, brought her to the surface and began CPR as she was transported to the hospital.

The dive team is based next to PNC Park at the Pittsburgh River Rescue boathouse. The unit has multiple boats at the facility, but officials said it didn’t make sense to use them, partially because of how thick the ice was and partially because of how close this was to the side of the river.

Underwater, Capets said visibility was excellent at 4 feet. Two divers were involved in the first dive to rescue the victim. Capets was part of a solo second dive to make sure there were no additional victims or vehicles. One complicating factor during the rescue mission was the ice above the divers.

“In the case of an emergency, the diver could not come up because there’s an ice cap,” Capets said. “That’s the most dangerous aspect of it. That and the cold water. Your core temperature stays pretty warm. But your hands, you lose a lot of dexterity in your fingers, which makes retrieving a victim very difficult.”

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 Wakisha Bailey, Alexandra Simon

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    PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (KYW) — Ramesses Vazquez-Viana was just 9 years old when a medical jet crashed in Northeast Philadelphia and burned most of the young boy’s body.

Six people traveling on the plane and two people on the ground were killed, and two dozen people were injured in the aftermath of the tragic accident, which decimated homes and cars near Roosevelt Boulevard and Cottman Avenue.

As one of the youngest survivors of the crash, Ramesses’ story of strength and positivity has touched people around the country. The now-10-year-old still has a long road ahead of him, but one year later, his recovery has been nothing short of a miracle.

Here’s a look back at Ramesses’ journey.

“I ask for prayers”

A few days after the deadly crash, Virgen Viera identified her grandson Ramesses as the person seen running through the street while on fire in videos and photos posted on social media.

“In an instant when I see him, I say, ‘That’s him,'” Viera told CBS News Philadelphia.

Ramesses’ dad’s car caught on fire after the plane crashed near the Roosevelt Mall on Jan. 31, 2025. His father, identified as Steven Dreuitt, was killed. Dreuitt’s girlfriend, Dominique Goods-Burke, was also in the car at the time of the crash and died from her injuries several months later.

Despite more than 90% of his body being burned, Ramesses managed to climb out of the car’s open window. Witnesses helped get the 9-year-old to safety, and the next day, he was airlifted to a burn center in Boston, Massachusetts.

“I ask for prayers. He is strong and my faith in God is big,” his mom posted on social media.

Recovery continues in Boston

For the next four months, Ramesses continued to fight for his life at Shriners Children’s Hospital in Boston. By May, Jamie Vazquez Viana said her son already undergone multiple surgeries, including partial amputations on both of his hands.

Because of the extent of his burns, Jamie said her son will likely need skin grafts for years as he grows.

“He can hear me. He can see me,” she said. “He can tell you if he’s in pain.”

Photos showed Ramesses propped up in his hospital bed, connected to tubes and wires, wrapped in bandages from head to toe.

“Not everybody in the family is comfortable with seeing him like that,” Jamie said. “It’s shocking.”

Doctors called Ramesses survival a miracle; only his feet were spared from the burns.

“I’m going to stay here until it’s time to go,” said Jamie, who had several other children still at home in Philadelphia. “Philadelphia and everyone else has come together for him. Continuing praying. He still needs it.”

Back at home, Ramesses’ classmates and teachers said it was “tough” not having their friend and student in class. Ramesses was in third grade at Mastery Charter Smedley Elementary School in Frankford when he was burned.

Assistant Principal Danielle Nicoletti said his class kept Ramesses’ desk ready for the day he could come back, and hosted fundraisers to support his family.

The class sent Ramesses handmade origami cards, his favorite Philly snacks, and sold bracelets to raise money. The school also asked people to record read-alongs of Ramesses’ favorite books, and had students and staff wear yellow in his honor.

Firefighters in Philadelphia also collected donations for Ramesses and his family and wrote handwritten notes to be delivered in Boston.”

“I feel happy that I’m able to still do the things I do”

In October, Ramesses turned 10 years old. Though he was still in the hospital in Boston, Ramesses had lots to celebrate on his road to recovery.

He started wiggling his fingers and toes, his hearing and sight improved, and after six months, he was able to tell his mom, “I love you.”

“I cried,” Jamie said. “Half of Philly was crying with me that day.”

After 42 surgeries and months of intense treatment, Ramesses was moved to the Weisman Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital in Marlton, New Jersey, where he practiced climbing stairs, getting out of bed and walking in physical therapy.

In November, Ramesses progressed so much that he was able to sit down for his first television interview with CBS News Philadelphia’s Wakisha Bailey.

“I feel happy that I’m able to still do the things I do,” he said.

His mom, Jamie, said Ramesses remembered everything that happened the night of the plane crash, and that he tried to save his dad from their burning car. “He said he remembers two big booms — like two crashes at once,” she said. “He tried to get his dad out of the car, but he couldn’t. His dad told him to get out … said, ‘I love you.’ And he said, ‘I love you back.'”

Even in the face of immense heartbreak, Ramesses had this message for anyone going through hard times: “I want them to know God is there,” he said. “You may not hear him, but he’s listening, and he’s helping.”

Home for Christmas

Eleven months after the Northeast Philadelphia plane crash, Ramesses was finally headed home. In December, Smedley Elementary celebrated Ramesses with a pep rally, where CBS News correspondent David Begnaud helped surprise Jamie with a new car courtesy of David Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram in Glen Mills.

The school was also given a $50,000 check from Canva.

“I’ve been here for 16 years, and we’ve never had more of a need with our students and less of a budget,” Principal Caitlin Murphy said. “It couldn’t have come at a better time.”

While Ramesses couldn’t attend the celebration in person, several of his friends visited him before the event, where they laughed and joked as little boys do.

“I was praying so hard we’d be home for Christmas,” Jamie Vazquez-Viana said. “I just wanted my three boys with me.”

One year later

After being released from Weisman Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital in December, Ramesses started school with virtual classes a few days a week.

One year after the crash, Ramesses is back in Boston for another surgery that’ll keep him in the hospital for about five weeks.

Once home, his family tells CBS News Philadelphia that Ramesses will go back to Smedley after he recovers and heads home to Philly.

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 CBS News Atlanta Digital Team

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    ATLANTA, Georgia (WUPA) — Newly released video is offering a clearer look at an October 2025 security breach attempt at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

The video shows the suspect, identified as Fabian Leon, 40, entering the main checkpoint at full speed and pushing his way through passengers and TSA agents in an apparent attempt to breach security.

The incident happened around 8:28 a.m. on Oct. 30 near the main TSA checkpoint at the airport, according to Atlanta police.

Authorities say Leon ran through lane No. 6, where multiple people were knocked to the ground. Once inside the X-ray area, a passenger identified as Mark Thomas intervened and slammed Leon to the ground. A TSA officer then arrived and placed Leon in handcuffs.

Atlanta police officers responding to the scene found Leon sitting on the ground in handcuffs, acting belligerently and attempting to stand while mumbling. Police requested a wheelchair and additional units before escorting him to a precinct.

At the precinct, Leon was searched, placed in a holding cell, and evaluated by the Atlanta Fire EMS bike team. Fire officials said his vital signs were normal and that he appeared to be “coming down from something.” Leon told officers he had consumed alcohol and drugs.

TSA Supervisor Debra Brooks told police that two TSA agents were injured during the incident.

The traveler who was pushed to the ground said they suffered an elbow injury. He was evaluated by Atlanta Fire EMS. Another TSA agent was grabbed by Leon during the attempted breach.

Police say they notified Homeland Security and the FBI while victim and witness statements were collected on body camera.

Authorities later confirmed Leon had an active warrant for a probation violation from the Perry Police Department, though there was no extradition outside a 75-mile radius.

Leon was charged with simple battery and avoiding or interfering with security measures and transported to Clayton County custody.

Airport officials previously said the incident did not disrupt airport operations.

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, Massachusetts (WBZ) — A frozen week of weather in Boston is creating a danger from above. Long icicles are falling and causing a hazard for people using the snow-covered sidewalks.

“I just keep looking up and trying to avoid it,” said Suzanna Walters as she walked her dog. “We walk in the street as much as we can, although with the dog it’s little dicey to do that.”

The iconic brownstones in Boston’s South End have become a breeding ground for heavy ice daggers. On part of Milford Street, the city came and placed caution tape in an area where big ice chunks fell.

“Yeah, it’s tricky. It’s precarious absolutely. With these sidewalks as they are it is already sort of perilous,” said Gabe Aranovic, a Milford Street neighbor. “I am pretty concerned, especially about older folks.”

Boston’s 311 is littered with reports of ice hazards. One spot is outside of the Park Street School on Brimmer Street. Neighbors reported that the school district failed to remove the icicles from the building but did place falling ice signs.

One resident argued to the city, saying the signs only make it harder to navigate the snow-covered sidewalks.

“There’s ice on our stairs. We did our best to clear it. I actually slipped and fell taking out the trash yesterday,” said Aranovic.

WBZ reached out to the city to ask about these blocked off areas, and who is responsible if ice falls and causes damage. We have yet to hear an answer.

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 Levan Reid

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    BOSTON, Massachusetts (WBZ) — Louis DiVito of Westminster, Massachusetts is only 9 years old but he’s going to the Super Bowl to see the New England Patriots play the Seattle Seahawks.

Divito was one of nearly 200,000 people who entered the Panini Kid Reporter contest, which he won. Now he’s heading to northern California for Super Bowl week.

He’ll get to interview players on both teams during Media Day, attend other events and the Super Bowl on Sunday, February 8.

“It’s like a once in a lifetime chance. I’m so excited for the warm weather and spending time with my dad and watching the Patriots play,” he told WBZ-TV Friday.

Every year since 2014, Panini America, the exclusive trading card company of the NFL, puts a kid reporter on opening night. The company has codes on their trading cards and DiVito’s number came up. It was his dad who got him into the hobby.

“It really happened fast. We found out, I got an email that said we were a finalist, and we had to fill out some information and then create the video and that whole process was just really fun,” said Louis’s dad John DiVito.

Louis did the video submission, and he crushed it.

“I have some fun questions to ask if I had the chance to talk with an NFL player. When you were a kid, did you ever get in trouble for playing football in your house? My mom does not like it,” he said in his video.

He also has a question ready for the Patriots quarterback.

“I was also going to ask Drake Maye – from one picky eater to another, what’s his favorite pregame meal?”

Now he’s heading to northern California for nine days, but only his dad can go with him. As for the rest of the family, Louis said there’s been “quite a lot of jealousy, but overall they have handled it pretty well.”

“Honestly I’m just as excited as he is, I’ve never gotten to go to the Super Bowl before. I’ve been a Patriots fan my whole life. I’ve obviously watched plenty of Super Bowls but haven’t got to attend one in person,” said John DiVito.

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.