Month: January 2026

By Michal Higdon

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    BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WVTM) — The Urban League of Alabama, in partnership with Birmingham officials and other organizations, is expanding its community violence intervention program.

The expansion comes after a successful pilot in 2025 which helped contribute to a 42% reduction in homicides in the city. Birmingham reported a decline in homicides from 152 in 2024 to 88 in 2025, a result attributed to a coordinated effort involving law enforcement, community organizations, data, and residents who reject violence as a norm.

“Our communities have dealt with violence for generations and now it stops,” Uche Bean, the director of the Birmingham Office of Community Safety Initiatives, said. “Public safety isn’t about lowering numbers. It’s not just about data. It’s about people. And I’m thankful that we are now making those decisions that are going to impact the community in the long run, for generations to come.”

The program, which encompasses a partnership between the Urban League of Alabama, City of Birmingham, Trajectory Changing Solutions and Housing Authority of the Birmingham District, targets Birmingham’s 35204 ZIP code. It uses street outreach, conflict mediation, and community-based prevention strategies to prevent shootings.

Leaders emphasize the importance of interrupting violence as a key component of the program.

“Our street team may be out at 11:00 at night,” William Barnes, Urban League of Alabama’s president, said. “If they’re talking with people that now trust them, can they have a conversation about, ‘Listen, I’m really thinking about committing some type of act of violence.’ Can our team actually talk them down from being able to do that? And so that’s what crime prevention, crime intervention really is.”

This initiative is part of the “Free the Streets” program, which focuses on people most likely to be involved in shootings. Leaders describe it as evidence-based and note that many residents, including those at high risk of committing crimes, are grateful for the program’s intervention.

“Many of the residents are very thankful,” Barnes says. “I can tell you this, some of the residents who actually are at high risk of committing the crimes are also relieved because there’s a conversation to give them a way out. Most of the people who commit crimes are not necessarily interested in committing said crimes. They just have no way out. And this is an opportunity for us to address that and help them do something different.”

“We’re not trying to interfere with law enforcement work, we are just trying to complement law enforcement work,” Latonya Tate, who represents Council District 9 and a big proponent of the work, says. “Any time that you’re a high risk individual, your actions, your decisions bring about consequences. So, we want to get ahead of this and offer preventative measures. And as it has been stated here, there’s substantial ability and long-term solutions. We are in this for the long haul.”

Norman Livingston Kerr, chief executive officer for Trajectory Changing Solutions, thanked everyone who is taking part in this initiative.

“These initiatives don’t happen by accident, they happen because someone is willing to push, advocate and stay in the fight long enough to see them supported and sustained,” Kerr said.

Last month, the Birmingham City Council unanimously voted to continue funding multiple violence intervention programs. The Urban League of Alabama is looking forward to this program succeeding and would love to expand the program to all ZIP codes across the city.

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 Charlotte Hancox

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    BRATTLEBORO, Vt. (WPTZ) — An “ugly portrait” may not sound like the best gift at first, but a local animal shelter is challenging that idea by turning bad art into big support for vulnerable pets.

The Windham County Humane Society will be offering these portraits throughout January to raise donations for the shelter.

The fundraiser invites people to send in a photo of their pet, which is then drawn badly, by the staff.

“You’re just like, I’m going to do my best and then it ends up coming out hilarious. And even without the artistic talent, you can see the essence of the animal in the photo,” said Violet Zarriello, the marketing manager at Windham County Humane Society. “I’m always most pleased when that comes through in my terrible drawing.”

She said there’s only one criterion to be an artist here.

“You can’t be good at art. You can’t actually be good at drawing. It has to be authentically folks whose drawing is not their strong suit. They’re funnier that way,” Zarriello said.

Portraits cost $20, with 100% of the proceeds going back to shelter pets. So far, the reaction has been strong.

“The very first one we did was actually for one of our board members. He was like ‘this is perfect. I love how it exaggerates her superhero look. That’s Chloe,'” she said.

And to get your own portrait, you just have to send a picture of your pet with their name to Violet Zarriello, and they will send you the drawing back digitally over email.

Organizers said that the goal is to have fun, laugh at the artwork, and help animals who are in need. You can purchase one through the end of the month.

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 Katie Thompson

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    DANVERS, Mass. (WCVB) — Three dumpsters fell off a truck and onto Interstate 95 in Danvers, Massachusetts, early Friday.

The truck that was carrying the dumpsters may have struck the Centre Street overpass on the northbound side of the highway near Exit 69 causing the dumpsters to fall onto the road, Massachusetts State Police said.

It appears another truck struck one of the dumpsters and a car hit that truck, officials said.

Three lanes of travel were blocked as crews worked to clear the mess.

WCVB will have more information when it becomes available.

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 Ava Rash

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    JEFFERSON HILLS, Pa. (WTAE) — Rose Rose is a warrior. She has been battling multiple myeloma since August 2024.

“I’ve needed approximately 40 blood and platelets transfusions. A couple of times, I was critically low, and that was super scary,” she said.

Recently, her platelet levels dropped, and the hospital did not have enough available for her.

“I had to wait a day to get that so they could find a donor match. That’s when it’s very scary, knowing that your life is depending on those donors, and if they don’t have a match or don’t have enough donations, then the outcome isn’t what you want,” she said.

This experience motivated her to give back. She hosted a blood drive Thursday at Gill Hall Volunteer Fire Company to help others in need.

“I haven’t needed any transfusions since Thanksgiving, so I am doing much better. I’m super, super thankful, and just want to help raise awareness for others like me and help put a face to who the donors are helping,” she said.

Now on an upward path in her cancer journey, Rose is focused on encouraging as many donors as possible to contribute.

“In your lifetime, I can guarantee you that someone you’re connected to — whether it’s yourself, family member, friend, co-worker — will need a donation, and blood donations save lives,” she said.

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.