Month: January 2026

By Eileen Buckley

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    BUFFALO, New York (WKBW) — More than five years after the first Child Victims Act lawsuit was filed, clergy sex abuse survivors of the Buffalo Diocese are finally having their voices heard in federal court.

Survivors began delivering statements Tuesday before U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Carl Bucki and Buffalo Bishop Michael Fisher as part of the diocese’s ongoing bankruptcy case.

The emotional and graphic testimonies marked a significant moment for those who have waited years for this opportunity.

Michael Whalen, a clergy sex abuse survivor, was the first of about 20 survivors to speak. He was also the first person to come forward eight years ago, saying he was sexually abused by Father Norbert Orsolits at St. John Vianney Church in Orchard Park when he was a teenager.

“These were crimes against children and they went unpunished,” Whalen said.

Whalen broke down in court while reflecting decades of pain from the abuse. He said the priest admitted to molesting dozens of boys but never faced jail time.

“My abuser admitted to a couple of dozen boys and he openly admitted it, and he was able to walk free. He wasn’t on no sex offender registry. He wasn’t punished in any way,” Whalen said.

Whalen also criticized the diocese’s handling of the situation, saying church officials knew about the abuse years before it happened to him.

“They knew about him ten years before he abused me. They knew about the abuse. He was caught, but they just moved him around,” Whalen said.

Whalen said he has forgiven the priest, who died in 2021.

A 69-year-old survivor testified about being sexually abused and raped between the ages of 7 and 11 by Father Edward Townsend. The survivor presented a childhood photo to Bishop Edward Scharfenberger in the courtroom and described graphic details of the abuse, including being raped in a school shower, screaming and crying as he watched blood mixing with water in the drain.

Another survivor thanked the bishop for giving him time and dignity to listen, contrasting the current bishop’s approach with former Bishop Richard Malone, whom he described as “dismissive” when he first reported his story to the diocese.

Another survivor cried while delivering his statement about abuse by Father John Aurelio at his cabin in the woods. The priest was considered “cool,” and the survivor served as an altar boy at St. Gerard’s Church on the East Side.

Ann Fossler testified about how a priest who abused her as a young girl called it a “special relationship”. In her statement, Fossler said Monsignor John Ryan sexually abused her from about age 7 to 10 during the late 1950s while at Queen of Heaven Church in West Seneca.

In court Tuesday, Fossler said it was abuse and she “hated his touch and his smell.”

Fossler also talked about how he would take her to his cabin. I talked to Fossler about her abuse case back in December.

“Because I was so young when my abuse occurred, I really didn’t have a childhood,” Fossler said.

Michael DiGuilio also shared his experience of abuse at St. Andrew’s in Tonawanda by Father Norbert, saying he told his father about the abuse and his dad “almost killed” the priest.

Bishop Fisher declined to go on camera for comment Tuesday, but offered a written statement:

“This is a long-awaited moment for those who have endured the devastating trauma of sexual abuse to speak and be heard. I will be listening intently with an empathetic heart and mind to these deeply personal accounts.It’s my hope that this opportunity provides victim-survivors a sense of justice, however painful it is for them to recount their experiences.we remain committed to doing everything we can to support their healing.”

Survivor statements will continue Wednesday and again February 25 and 26. If more dates are needed, they will be added.

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 Molly Hudson

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    OMAHA, Nebraska (KMTV) — Noli’s Pizzeria has called the Blackstone neighborhood home for 11 years, but owner Joel Marsh is worried about the restaurant’s future amid ongoing streetcar construction. After posting on social media asking for help, he saw an overwhelming outpour of support.

Noli’s Pizzeria owner Joel Marsh describes the last year and a half as a struggle.

“Blackstone has always been kind of a difficult place, anyways, and I think the streetcar is going to be great when it is done, because to help that, but we just have a to suffer through two years,” Marsh said.

He says the Blackstone location has seen over $300,000 in lost revenue because of streetcar construction.

On Friday, Marsh posted on Facebook describing the impact of not only construction but weekends with winter weather. He asked that people consider buying gift cards to use later.

“It was overwhelming and very humbling experience, we got, the community came out and we sold over $25,000 in gift cards in 2 days, which is, I can’t even believe it,” Marsh said.

It’s not the first time he’s seen the community show up. Just months ago, Noli’s gave away thousands of dollars in food to help people facing food insecurity. He says since then the support has grown too.

“It just goes to show that the community is amazing and we are very grateful for that,” Marsh said.

But like many small business owners, Marsh says the thought of an uncertain future in a place they’ve known for so long is heartbreaking.

“I built all of these like with my dad, bare hands, all these tables, every surface, at the other restaurant and here we built. I mean every recipe, everything you see is art to me,” Marsh said.

Marsh’s message is to continue supporting everybody along the streetcar route.

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 Joe Ripley

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    ATLANTA (WXIA) — With rhythm in every step and every move in sync, choreographer Justin Prescott coaches the community to do the same. Prescott, who grew up in Houston, TX, has been dancing since he was seven years old. He has since sequenced moves for Broadway shows, including Fela, After Midnight, Funny Girl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Moulin Rouge and Cirque du Soleil productions.

“I think it’s a passion of mine, it’s something I discovered very young,” Prescott said. “I was very passionate about it and continued to do that and share it with people around the world.”

Prescott worked on the choreography for MJ the Musical, which is playing at the Fox Theatre the last week of January. Prescott said the King of Pop has a certain style, but anyone can start learning the basics of dance and do so with others.

“Everybody knows Michael Jackson,” Prescott said. “If you saw a silhouette of any move of MJ, you’d be like that’s Michael Jackson. He’s a pioneer, a pioneer of movement, style, singing. On the dancing aspect, performance aspect, the showmanship of it all, Michael Jackson is the greatest of all time.”

Torian Cole took part in a workshop at the Alliance Theatre in which she learned some of the iconic dance moves Jackson brought to his performances. She said moonwalking is a lot harder than it looks.

“I think the most fulfilling part is seeing that everyone else is learning as well,” Cole said. “You don’t feel alone, so you feel ok to make mistakes and feel like you can make it better. I think the most fulfilling part is actually getting it right and hearing everyone cheer at the same time, when we’re all like ‘we mastered it!'”

Mastering the moves is a reminder to Cole to get up and go, because dancing can boost her mental and physical health. She called the lesson rejuvenating, giving her a chance to let loose with her community despite not knowing every dancer around her. She described the environment as a judgment-free zone where people could just show up and have some fun.

“We’re always moving,” Cole said. “We’re constantly moving, but when you can stylize it, when you’re flowing, it’s even better. Even walking down the street, you got the music in, and it makes your day feel better because you’re actually moving with intention.”

Inspired by the King of Pop, Prescott makes it his mission to pass on MJ’s legacy, with the dance fostering community.

“We’ve become so detached because of social media, so when we’re all in a room, but for them to support one another, to feel love from someone you don’t know, it’s different from your family,” Prescott said. “It uplifts people in a way you don’t usually get.”

MJ the Musical runs through February 1 at the Fox Theatre. The show, which follows the lead-up to Jackson’s Dangerous World Tour in 1992, features a couple of Atlanta natives portraying the likes of Tito Jackson, Quincy Jones and part of Michael’s dance team.

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 Bobby Poitevint

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    KILLEEN, Texas (KXXV) — Six puppies were found inside a box and “abandoned” in a Killeen park, according to a Facebook post by Killeen Animal Services, Just hours before the freeze.

The post said the puppies were found starving and covered in their own feces.

In the post it said:

They would not have survived the night if a Killeen Parks and Recreation employee hadn’t stumbled upon them and acted without hesitation.

He cleaned them up, and brought them straight to us. From there, our team jumped into action assessing each puppy, feeding them, and setting them up with warmth and care. The smallest of the litter needed immediate, round-the-clock help and spent the night with a foster who soon became something even more special: an adopter.

This story began with cruelty and neglect but it did not end there. Because of quick action and teamwork , six tiny lives were given a second chance. We are endlessly grateful for every helping hand involved.

As noted, the remaining five were taken in by “one of our incredible rescue partners” and rushed to the vet to receive the care they needed.

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 Brendan King

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    HENRICO COUNTY, Virginia (WTVR) — Infectious disease researchers in Henrico County are working on the final stages of the world’s first norovirus vaccine.

Clinical Research Partners (CRP) is looking for people 60 years old and older to participate in a vaccine study to combat the highly contagious stomach disease.

Symptoms for norovirus, often called “food poisoning,” include vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration.

“One of the things that we’re trying to come up with and work with scientists all over the globe is some type of preventative vaccine for norovirus. We don’t have any. There’s none on the market,” Dr. Bo Vaughan, CRP’s medical director, said.

The disease is easily spread among people in close quarters like at daycare, assisted living centers, military living, and cruise ships.

Nearly 100 passengers and four crew members on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship fell ill with the infection in October 2025.

“Typically, during winter times when we’re all congregated together, nurseries with young children get this disease. Senior citizens who are living in nursing homes — they bear the brunt of this disease. It’s the stomach flu. It’s the winter vomiting illness,” Dr. Vaughan said.

Virginia Department of Health data showed emergency room visits for stomach illness are above normal levels with seven outbreaks reported statewide.

Participants must meet certain eligibility requirements, be able to attend six to seven appointments, and fill out an E-diary on your phone describing your symptoms.

Dr. Vaughan said there are millions of norovirus cases in the U.S. each year, 100,000 hospitalizations, and 900 deaths.

CRP is also working on a flu-pneumonia vaccine trail and seeking adults 50-years and up.

This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. WTVR 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.

By WTVR CBS 6 Web Staff

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    PETERSBURG, Virginia (WTVR) — A Petersburg parking lot undergoing renovation became an unexpected ice skating destination, as freezing temperatures transformed the construction site into a makeshift winter wonderland.

The City of Petersburg is currently redoing several parking lots in Old Towne Petersburg in preparation for the city’s new courthouse.

However, the recent cold snap created nearly perfect ice conditions for skating.

Eri Hiraldo took advantage of the unusual opportunity, spending about 30 minutes skating on the frozen surface before heading to work.

“I’m not a skater but, I just gave it a shot,” Hiraldo said.

Despite the unconventional skating surface, Hiraldo found the conditions surprisingly manageable.

“Some areas are pretty rocky but for the most part, it was like, available to just skate on. And I just did my best,” Hiraldo said.

This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. WTVR 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.

By Carli Petrus

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    TAYLOR, Michigan (WXYZ) — Taylor police recently arrested four men they say believed they were going to meet children to engage in sex. Instead, they walked straight into handcuffs.

It was all part of a major undercover sting led by Taylor police, aimed at cracking down on alleged child predators. 7 News Detroit Reporter Carli Petrus got a rare behind-the-scenes look at the three-and-a-half-day operation, showing how local and federal law enforcement are teaming up to keep children safe.

Four arrests in three and a half days marked a high-stakes undercover operation led by Taylor police with help from local and federal agencies.

“If we can’t take care of this, what the hell good are we,” said Chief John Blair.

The goal: identify and arrest alleged child predators across the region before they can reach a real child.

It starts inside the Taylor Police Department, where detectives work behind screens, pretending to be minors using fake online profiles.

Once a suspect sends a phone number, another team jumps in, identifying them and tracking them using high-tech tools like drones and Flock cameras.

The suspect thinks they’re meeting a child for sex. Instead, they’re met by police.

“We’re watching, everyone’s watching. We don’t like what’s happening, it has to end,” Blair said.

Taylor police call it DRAGON – Downriver Response Against Grooming Online. Blair says the program launched last year, completing three previous operations and leading to 14 total arrests.

“2025 January, we did our little kick-off. This is our fourth operation,” Blair said.

The push to bring an operation like this to the local level came from Detective Mario Hinojosa.

“You see articles throughout the nation, all these operations going on, all these criminals that maybe don’t get caught or are underreported, so this is more proactive rather than reactive,” Hinojosa said.

“I have kids myself and there’s these guys walking around and doing stuff they shouldn’t be doing, reaching out to underage, depending on our profiles we have out there, usually 15, 14, 13-year-old females or boys and there’s predators out there that people are unaware of,” Hinojosa said.

Four men were arrested this time around, now facing multiple felony charges, including Child Sexually Abusive Activity and the Use of Computers to Commit a Crime.

Blair has a clear message for the community.

“We’re going to protect your kids, your grandchildren. We see the most vulnerable that are out there, we see the human trafficking, we see these child sex predators, we’re not going to back off. I’m going to take care of your kids, we’re going to protect them,” Blair said.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. WXYZ’s 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.

By Erin Miller

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    NORFOLK, Virginia (WTKR) — When Lillie Martinez had her son Jesse Joe seven months ago, she expected to feel overwhelming joy. Instead, she found herself struggling with postpartum depression and anxiety.

“I remember telling my friends and family this is supposed to be the happiest moment of my life and I’m so depressed and I’m so scared and this isn’t right,” Martinez said. “I was very shameful of that.”

Martinez isn’t alone. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, at least one in seven mothers experiences perinatal depression. Perinatal depression is a mood disorder that occurs during pregnancy and after childbirth.

Martinez and her husband Jaron are high school sweethearts who met 10 years ago on a bus in Virginia Beach. After school dances, two dogs and a wedding, they welcomed their son Jesse Joe in June.

But the early days of motherhood were darker than Martinez anticipated.

“I experienced postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, pretty early on after I had my son,” Martinez said. During a lactation consultation at Sentara Leigh Hospital with Jessica Schafer, a family nurse practitioner, Martinez broke down.

“We were sitting right here [and I] did not care about the lactation. I just started bawling. I was like, I, I feel crazy. I need help. What’s happening to me?” Martinez asked Schafer.

Schafer said this interaction was similar to ones she had in the past. She noticed a pattern during her lactation consultations.

“The lactation program was really, really successful, but I was also noticing there were quite a few moms opening up to me about their postpartum depression [and] anxiety,” Schafer said.

This led Schafer to advocate for expanding her role beyond lactation support.

“[My leadership team at Sentara] created this position for me and it was magical and it was everything I wanted to do. So, we started treating moms for lactation, but also now I can help them with the postpartum anxiety, depression [or] whatever they’re going through,” Schafer said.

The medical understanding of postpartum challenges is evolving. Schafer says Healthcare providers now use the term PMADs – perinatal mood and anxiety disorders – because the condition encompasses more than just depression.

“Research has shown that our hormones don’t even balance out until about 2 years,” Schafer said.

“Now we’re shifting to what’s called PMADs, perinatal mood and anxiety disorder, because it’s not just depression. I think that’s where it gets a lot of moms because they’re like, ‘well, I’m not depressed, but I’m anxious, I have rage, I have intrusive thoughts, I’m not bonding with my baby,'” Schafer said.

Schafer identifies several red flags that indicate when mothers should seek help, including crying over “minor” issues like not having the right bottle tops, extreme fear of walking downstairs with the baby, sudden intense anger toward family members, and obsessive behaviors like constantly checking if the baby is breathing.

Schafer said another one is getting really angry at your husband or your family or even at your baby for no particular reason.

“Generally speaking, the first and second weeks you’re going to be really sensitive [and] weepy [because] your hormones [are] shifting significantly. But if it’s like that after about two weeks or if it’s really severe and it’s impacting your daily life, then that is not ‘baby blues’ anymore, that is a mental condition,” Schafer said.

For Martinez, the honest conversation with Schafer was life-changing.

“She said ‘I promise you will get through this.’ Without those words I just don’t know if we would be in this situation [and] where we are today, if it wasn’t for her,” Martinez said.

Martinez wishes there were more awareness about postpartum mental health challenges.

“I wish that there was more awareness about it because I feel like if there were women wouldn’t feel so crazy,” Martinez said.

“Moms should be studied because I swear they’re superheroes.”

Schafer emphasizes that help is available.

“We’re here to validate you and guide you, and you do not have to live like this. There is a better way to live,” Schafer said.

Today, Martinez, Jaron and Jesse Joe are thriving.

“My son is the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and I feel like we’re finally getting into our routine and we’re flourishing,” Martinez said.

Martinez says some days she still has to take it one second at a time.

Schafer offers one-on-one meetings, mommy and me classes that are always full of often military moms and kids, and postpartum support groups.

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 Jay Shakur

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    CINCINNATI (WCPO) — An 82-year-old Cincinnati man trapped in his home by heavy snow got unexpected help from two volunteers who answered the call for assistance.

Bill Sparks, a CUF resident, found himself unable to leave his home after the recent snowstorm buried his driveway and sidewalk under thick snow.

“I can’t get out of my driveway. Even if I went and got in my car. I couldn’t even get out of my driveway,” Sparks said.

Sparks said he contacted multiple snow removal companies, but they were overwhelmed with requests.

“They’re so booked up,” Sparks said. “I think they want to charge and arm and a leg.”

The situation was particularly pressing for Sparks because of a Cincinnati city ordinance that requires property owners to clear snow and ice from sidewalks connected to their property. Failure to do so can result in a $25 fine.

“I have a shovel in the garage. But I can’t get out there and, you know, do it,” Sparks said.

After Sparks reached out to WCPO for help, we began researching what could be done. Two men responded: Derek Preston, owner of DAP Construction, and Caleb Feinauer. Preston said he had already been helping residents across the region.

“Started in Springboro and basically worked my way south. Did a little over 20 driveways, ranging anywhere between eight inches of snow all the way up to 18,” Preston said.

Feinauer said he and his wife are motivated by a desire to help those who cannot help themselves.

“We’re just really big on helping people who can’t help themselves or don’t have the means to seek help,” Feinauer said.

The two men cleared Sparks’ sidewalk and driveway in under an hour, shoveling, salting and using a snow blower to remove the accumulated snow.

Both volunteers said their willingness to help stems from personal experience with being stranded.

“I got stuck in the snow one time, and it was terrible. And I couldn’t get my car out. It took me four hours just constantly digging. People hate getting stuck. They hate feeling helpless. So, I like to be there when people feel low,” Feinauer said.

Preston said he tries to put himself in others’ shoes.

“I kind of like to put myself in their shoes. And I’m like, ‘What if I was stuck in my house and I need to get into my doctor’s appointment and I had a bad back and wasn’t able to do that?'” he said.

Sparks said he was grateful for the help of the volunteers, and that he was able to safely leave his home.

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.