January 2026 – Page 85 – NPG Content Share

Family given free home after losing everything in Eaton Fire

CNN Newsource on January 23, 2026

By Chelsea Hylton

ALTADENA, California (KCAL, KCBS) — The first modular home as part of Steadfast LA and Samara’s modular housing initiative was installed in Altadena following the Eaton Fire on Thursday morning.

The Rodriguez family will be receiving the first modular home. On Thursday, the first of three parts of their new home was installed in Altadena and the rest will be completed in the coming weeks.

Mike McNamara, CEO of Samara, said the company builds homes for California consumption. After the January wildfires, he wanted to help survivors of the January wildfires who could not afford to rebuild their homes. He decided to partner with Steadfast LA to provide a viable housing option at no cost to families.

“We’re just super excited, we’re going to get the Rodriguez family back into their home and into their community,” McNamara said.

McNamara pointed out that the homes are fire-resistant and highly sustainable. He added that it can generate its own energy and has an HVAC system that can filter out wildfire smoke.

“It’s really exciting to see,” he said.

Rick Caruso, chairman of Steadfast LA, was also in attendance. He said he formed the foundation after the wildfires with a simple purpose to get people back into their communities as quickly and safely as possible.

“Rosalina lived in this community with her family for 37 years,” Caruso said. “In a couple of weeks, she’s going to be back here.”

So far, nine families will be receiving modular homes. The initiative plans to continue to install more homes throughout 2026. Steadfast LA and Samara are also working with HomeAid OCLA, loanDepot, and Armanino Advisory LLC to provide financial assistance to eligible families.

“Fire victims in Altadena, Malibu, Pasadena and Pacific Palisades who lack the economic resources to rebuild may be eligible for Modular Housing Grants,” according to the Steadfast LA website.

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.

Parents sue autism center after video shows worker abusing their son

CNN Newsource on January 23, 2026

By Mark Prussin

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NEW YORK (WCBS) — A New York couple is suing an autism center for abuse after they received video of a worker grabbing their adult son’s genitals and pushing him down a hallway.

The parents said footage of the 2024 incident at Anderson Center for Autism in Dutchess County came to light after a whistleblower contacted them about it.

Anil Babbar said his 19-year-old son, who has autism, is now dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.

“He was catatonic when he first came to us. He lost all sense of security, of safety,” Babbar said. “He felt that these people were in charge of his care, his wellbeing. And so whatever they were doing to him, he thought that was par for the course.”

Garnet Collins, the now-former Anderson Center worker seen on the video, was charged in 2024 and later admitted he grabbed a resident of the center by the testicles and struck another in the head with an object, the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office said.

The Anderson Center for Autism said in a statement Thursday to CBS News New York that it was not aware of the incident prior to Collins’ arrest.

“The incident depicted in the video stands in direct opposition to our mission and values, and we have zero tolerance for any behavior that compromises the safety or dignity of the people we serve. We fully cooperated with the investigation and ultimate conviction of the former staff member depicted in the video. While there have also been repeated references to a so-called whistleblower, the truth is that former trainee never reported this incident to Anderson — as he was required to do — and as result of his dereliction of duty, Anderson was never made aware of this heinous act. We remain committed to upholding the highest standards of care and accountability,” the statement said.

Collins was sentenced in May to 1-3 years in prison. He pleaded guilty to first-degree endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person, prosecutors said.

Family raises awareness about rare condition that prevents son from smiling

CNN Newsource on January 23, 2026

By Stephanie Stahl

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PHILADELPHIA (KYW) — A Bucks County family is trying to raise awareness about a rare syndrome that has paralyzed their son’s face.

Chalfont, Bucks County, is lit up with purple lights for a brave little boy and the condition he has that impacts nerves in his face.

Four-year-old Jackson Roberts isn’t able to smile on his own because of a condition called Moebius syndrome.

His parents Trish and Chris Roberts say when Jackson was born, even the doctors were stumped.

“It’s a neurological disorder. It’s the paralysis of the face,” Trish Roberts said. “People with Moebius syndrome have difficulty blinking, sucking, swallowing, breathing, eating, and even speaking.

“They weren’t sure if he was ever going to walk or talk or anything like that,” Chris Roberts said.

“We didn’t even know if we were ever bringing him home. And here we are, almost five years into Jackson’s journey, and we believe and we’ve learned that miracles do happen and to keep the faith and don’t let a diagnosis define who you are,” Trish Roberts said.

Jackson Roberts spent years in physical and occupational therapy and is happy to play with his big sister and sing and dance to his favorite song.

“Specialists around the world tell us that he is a medical mystery,” Trish Roberts said.

Doctors don’t know what causes the syndrome that has no treatment. And because it’s so rare – 1 in 4 million – there’s very little research. That’s what the Roberts are hoping to change by raising awareness.

Along with the t-shirts, the Roberts family asked their community to light up Bucks County purple around Jan. 24, Moebius Syndrome Awareness Day.

“It’s been unreal. It’s so overwhelming, it’s so humbling,” Trish Roberts said.

For Jackson Roberts, even without a smile, there’s joy.

Georgia lawmaker wants to make lemon pepper the state’s official wing flavor

CNN Newsource on January 23, 2026

By Christopher Harris

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ATLANTA (WUPA) — A flavor synonymous with Atlanta culture could soon join Georgia’s list of official state symbols.

State Rep. Eric Bell, a Democrat from Jonesboro, has introduced House Bill 1013, a bipartisan proposal that would designate lemon pepper as Georgia’s official state chicken wing flavor. Bell says the idea grew out of a simple realization: Georgia already recognizes dozens of official symbols, and lemon pepper wings have become one of the state’s most recognizable cultural staples.

“If you grow up in Georgia, you learn about all the things we’ve officially designated: the state bird, the peach, butter pecan ice cream, Brunswick stew,” Bell said in an interview. “Lemon pepper is a culinary phenomenon here. When you travel outside Georgia, you notice pretty quickly that not every place even has lemon pepper wings. That’s when you realize how unique it is to the South and to this state.”

Bell described lemon pepper wings as more than just a menu item, calling them a shared experience that cuts across backgrounds and generations. Whether served plain, hot, honey-glazed or mixed with other flavors, he said, the dish brings people together.

“It’s literally a dinner-table conversation,” Bell said. “Sleepovers after basketball games, family dinners, Super Bowl parties … We all have memories of eating lemon pepper wings, arguing about flats or drums, ranch or blue cheese. It’s something Georgians can smile about and be proud of.”

Atlanta’s influence looms large in the bill. Bell pointed to the city’s sports culture, nightlife, and music scene, from arenas hosting Falcons and Hawks games to club kitchens and hip-hop lyrics, as key reasons lemon pepper wings have gained national attention. He noted references in songs by artists such as Gucci Mane and Rick Ross, as well as the flavor’s expansion onto menus at major restaurant chains.

“People all over the country know lemon pepper wings are a Georgia thing,” Bell said. “Whether you’re in Arizona, New York or California, when you hear lemon pepper wings, you think of Atlanta.”

The bill has drawn bipartisan support, with co-sponsors including Reps. Dexter Sharper of Valdosta, Kasey Carpenter of Dalton, David Huddleston of Roopville and Mekyah McQueen of Smyrna. Bell said the flavor’s popularity made it easy to find common ground at the Capitol.

“We’re all human, we all have to eat,” he said. “It’s hard to find someone who doesn’t like lemon pepper in some form. Even if they say they don’t like it hot, they’ll tell you they like mild lemon pepper. As long as it’s got the sprinkles on it.”

Some critics have questioned whether symbolic legislation belongs in the General Assembly, but Bell pushed back, noting Georgia’s long list of official state symbols.

“If people don’t think this belongs, then they’d have to say the same about the state song, the state fruit or any of our other symbols,” he said. “We’re working on serious issues, too. But we also need unity. And what better way to bring people together than around the kitchen table?”

Bell said the designation could also boost tourism and local businesses, encouraging visitors to seek out wing spots across the state and sparking friendly competition over who serves the best lemon pepper wings.

“People could come to Georgia and make it a point to try different places,” he said. “It highlights our restaurants and our culture.”

Since introducing the bill, Bell said feedback from constituents has been largely positive, and often playful, with residents debating preferred variations rather than the idea itself.

“Most people are just happy,” he said. “They’re sharing stories, arguing about hot versus mild, or asking why it’s not lemon pepper flats. It’s relatable, and that helps people feel more connected to state politics.”

House Bill 1013 was introduced last week and has not yet received its first committee hearing. Bell said he hopes it will be assigned soon and is encouraging Georgians to show their support as the legislative process moves forward.

Sheriff releases bodycam and surveillance video of deadly Walmart shooting involving alleged shoplifter

CNN on January 23, 2026

WFOR

By Ivan Taylor

Click here for updates on this story

MIAMI (WFOR) — The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office has released body camera and surveillance footage showing a deadly confrontation between a deputy and an alleged shoplifter at a Walmart in Southwest Miami-Dade.

According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, deputies were notified that a man was allegedly shoplifting inside the store. Surveillance video shows the suspect walking through the aisles before exiting the building. Deputies say a deputy attempted to stop him as he left.

The man was later identified as 36-year-old Kennedy Graham.

Body camera video shows Graham running from the deputy as a struggle breaks out. In the footage, the deputy can be heard yelling, “Don’t resist, don’t resist,” as the two wrestle on the ground.

Deputies say the officer called for backup while trying to detain Graham.

Investigators say the video was slowed down to show Graham was armed during the encounter. Surveillance footage from outside the store shows the deputy pinning Graham to the ground and holding him by the neck with his legs as Graham continued to fight back.

At one point, investigators say Graham dropped the gun, then picked it up again and ran. The deputy is then seen pointing his weapon and firing.

Two people were in the parking lot when the shots were fired.

The shooting happened in the parking lot of the store located at 21115 South Dixie Highway on the morning of November 6, 2025.

CBS News Miami spoke with a witness the day of the shooting.

“What I saw was a guy in a white T-shirt running outside of the Walmart parking lot. I heard three shots, then all I saw was the police officer with the gun,” said a woman who did not want to be identified.

Graham was rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. No one else was injured.

In November, Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz defended the deputy’s actions.

“I will say this, this individual had an extensive criminal past. We are grateful at this time. The circumstances could have gotten so much worse,” she said.

Investigators also displayed the weapon they say Graham was carrying at the time of the shooting.

The deputy involved has not been identified.

In a statement released Thursday, the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said:

“We recognize that incidents of this nature raise questions and concerns within our community, and I believe the public has the right to see critical incidents involving law enforcement.”