After a decade, Iowa State to end ‘ISU 4U Promise’ free tuition program

CNN Newsource on February 26, 2026

By Jodi Long

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    AMES, Iowa (KCCI) — Iowa State University is ending a program that promised free tuition to some Des Moines students, citing funding concerns and uncertainty about sustaining the effort long term.

The ISU 4U Promise Program, a partnership between Iowa State and Des Moines Public Schools, was designed to make college more accessible and affordable to students at King and Moulton Elementary Schools. Students who attended either of those schools, graduated from high school, and were accepted to Iowa State could attend tuition-free. The schools are among the district’s most diverse and are located in one of the city’s poorest ZIP codes.

The program helped first-generation college students like sisters Cyntechy Boduro and Promise Barford, who said the scholarship made college possible and helped them thrive at Iowa State, where they have earned academic honors.

“It’s the reason why I’m even sitting here,” said Barford, a freshman studying immigration law. “I really don’t know how I would have funded college for myself if I didn’t have this scholarship.”

Laura Jolly, Dean of the College of Health Sciences, the department that oversees the program for the university, said Iowa State has contributed more than $1 million toward tuition awards since 2015, but budget pressures led the university to reconsider its ongoing investment.

“We had to step back and think about, is this something we can sustain over time? The environment was uncertain, and I think it remains uncertain,” explained Jolly.

Since the program’s inception a decade ago, eleven ISU 4U scholars have graduated from Iowa State, 33 are currently enrolled. Over the next five years, the program will transition to a scholarship opportunity before the initiative fully dissolves. Iowa State said its transition plan aims to equip teachers and school leaders with tools to build on the ISU 4U model as the university steps back from direct support.

“Our hope is that the relationship and the things we have put in place will sustain that momentum,” said Jolly.

Students enrolled at King and Moulton prior to the 2025 – 2026 school years will remain eligible to receive tuition awards if they choose to enroll at Iowa State.

Starting this school year through 2029, new students at Moulton and King elementary schools will be eligible for an Iowa state scholarship of up to $6,000 over four years. The university says students will also need to complete FAFSA to see if they qualify for other forms of financial assistance.

Former state Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad, who helped create the program with former Iowa State President Steven Leath, said promise-style programs can help break cycles of generational poverty by giving children the tools and expectation to pursue higher education. He warned that losing such programs could make college harder to reach for marginalized students who need additional support.

“Should this program go away? No. Do I understand the college’s position? Do I understand the climate? I do, but I also understand the investment in our children,” says Abdul-Samad.

The move comes as colleges nationwide face enrollment pressure and shifting financial aid dynamics that can affect accessibility and affordability. In Iowa, four other promise programs remain, including Drake University’s Bulldog Promise, which offers free tuition to eligible Iowa students based on academic performance and combines federal and state grants with donor support, university officials said. Nearly 60 students were part of the university’s inaugural Bulldog Promise program. The university anticipates that number to “rise dramatically” next school year. Drake President Marty Martin says its Promise program is in an effort to attract and retain Iowa students.

“We’re putting various pots of money together to make this work for the students and make it work for the university,” says Martin. “These students are going to graduate with that Drake degree, and the vast majority will choose to stay here and make a lifetime contribution to our community.”

The deadline to apply for the Bulldog Promise for the 2026 – 2027 is March 1.

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.

This 8-year-old was born deaf, but thanks to new hearing technology, is able to follow her passion for dance

CNN Newsource on February 26, 2026

By Jacob Murphy

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    SACO, Maine (WMTW) — Emma Blake has many different titles. Dancer, cheerleader, athlete, and even a social butterfly by her teachers and parents. One part of her that isn’t immediately apparent is Emma was born deaf.

“Without my hearing aids, I can’t hear anything,” she said.

Emma was born with a condition called bilateral microtia atresia, which means both ears are underdeveloped. The inside of her ear works just the same as anyone else’s, except there’s no way for the sound to get through.

“It was very emotional, you know, seeing that your kid is born with some exceptionalities that are going to make things challenging throughout her life,” said Jill Blake, Emma’s mom.

When testing determined the inside of Emma’s ear was working, Emma’s parents got to work advocating for Emma to have bone-conducting hearing technology as soon as possible. At 3-months-old she got Cochlear’s Baha System. It takes sound from around Emma and vibrates her skull. Similar technology has been used to make headphones for swimmers.

“It was the first time I could hear,” Emma said.

Jill shared a video of Emma as a baby wearing the Baha system for the first time. It’s worn like a headband, and you can see Emma react to her parents’ voice.

Getting her the technology so young, Emma was able to learn spoken language at a rate similar to her peers.

“She had access to that sound really early, and we worked with speech therapist, an early intervention from three months on. So Emma has very typical developing speech,” Jill said.

That’s not where Emma’s hearing journey ends. While the Baha system was helpful for Emma’s development, it still had its problems. It was itchy and sometimes gave audio feedback. Emma being so active meant it would occasionally fall off.

Around two years ago, the FDA approved for a newer Cochlear device, called the Osia system, to be used by Children younger than 12. It had to be surgically installed, but would significantly improve the sound quality and reduce audio delays. Emma’s family again advocated for her to get access to the new technology as soon as possible.

“I do actually think she was the first five-year-old implanted in Maine,” Jill said. Five is now the minimum age to install the device.

Emma’s family immediately noticed the difference.

“She can pick up on the beat much more quickly. And there’s less of a delay in the input coming through,” Jill said.

For Emma, who loves music (especially Taylor Swift), it helps her enjoy what she loves even more. “I like to dance in the music and not just follow my teachers,” she said.

Jill says she’s thankful that Emma doesn’t need to realize how significantly the hearing aid has changed her life, because it’s all she’s known. She’s able to do everything that her friends are capable of.

“If you look at the time between when she was born in eight years, now she’s gone through two totally different systems, one of which didn’t even exist to the market at that point in time. So we feel really blessed that we live here and that we have opportunities that we do to be able to give her the access to the sound,” 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.

Slow snow cleanup sparks frustration in some communities after historic blizzard

CNN Newsource on February 26, 2026

By Sera Congi, Mary Saladna, Imani Clement

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    TAUNTON, Massachusetts (WCVB) — Residents living in Taunton and Raynham, Massachusetts, said they were beyond frustrated with the cleanup process after a historic blizzard dropped nearly 3 feet of snow on their communities.

Route 44 in Raynham had a rocky layer of ice Tuesday morning.

“Snow-covered, not slush. You can get through slush,” said Uber driver Rendie Myers. “I’m pulling up to people’s houses where their driveways are. Cars are stuck, and I’m driving them around.”

Along Route 24, some abandoned cars were barely visible, buried in snowbanks.

In Taunton, nearly 30 inches of snow fell. Taunton Mayor Shaunna O’Connell said crews are working around the clock to clear 300 miles of roadway.

However, residents said they are struggling.

“People are busting their backs out here. The plows come by and push it right back on it,” one resident said. “How is somebody with a snowblower or a shovel supposed to move that?”

Frustration is an understatement for residents living on Dean and Presbrey avenues, who said the plows have not come by. Some are trying to clear the streets themselves, worried about whether emergency vehicles can get in.

“Here, it’s ridiculous we have to live like this,” another neighbor said. “They haven’t come down here yet, and I don’t know if they’re going to come here or not. Terrible!

O’Connell is asking residents for patience, saying that if a street has not been cleared, it’s not because it’s been overlooked but because there are so many streets and the volume of snow is extraordinary.

In Fall River, residents were also upset at the snow removal progress. The city received over 2 feet of snow, and by Tuesday, streets were still unplowed.

“I have to plow myself out to go to work tomorrow because I just started a new job and I can’t afford to call out. It’s pretty sad. You pay taxes— for what?” one resident said.

Impassable streets made travel difficult for emergency services as well.

“We’ve been left jumping over the snow banks and kind of crawling and shoveling our way up the main streets,” Fall River fire lieutenant Michael LaFleur said. “Unfortunately, it’s created a significant delay in us actually getting to the location of the emergency by the sheer volume of snow that’s on the ground.”

Residents on Diman Street are trying to remain hopeful.

“They did do that street over there with a front loader, so we’re hoping that we get it over here soon,” Eric Rodrigues said.

Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan said additional snow removal equipment will arrive on Wednesday from the state. The city hopes to make significant progress by Friday, but admits it will take another week or so to clear the roughly 30 inches that fell Sunday into Monday.

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.

Oklahoma schools race to hire teachers amid statewide shortage

CNN Newsource on February 26, 2026

By Kilee Thomas

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    OKLAHOMA (KOCO) — Oklahoma school districts are starting their hiring season early this year, as they compete to secure teachers amid a statewide shortage.

Deer Creek Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jason Perez said the district anticipates adding 15 new positions as it expands with a new middle school opening in August.

“In the early part of my career, it was hiring season when it was May,” Perez said. “And now, it’s mid-February when we’re beginning to see school districts across the state beginning to post jobs for the next school year. We can’t wait that long because there’s not a lot of certified applicants available, and so we’re all kind of fighting for that shallow pool.”

Oklahoma City Public Schools is also getting an early start, hosting four teacher job fairs over the next two weeks, starting Tuesday. Prospective teachers will have the opportunity to meet with HR and school principals.

Perez said that special education positions are the most challenging to fill statewide.

“The biggest one by a long shot is special education,” he said. “We’re just finding that the colleges are not graduating enough of these certified candidates that can come in and be able to do this job and work with our most at-risk population.”

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.

Duke University School of Medicine attempts to set world record in CPR training

CNN Newsource on February 26, 2026

By Erin Burnett

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    CLEMMONS, North Carolina (WXII) — February is recognized as American Heart Month.

A team at the Duke University School of Medicine is trying to increase the number of people who survive cardiac arrest while setting a world record.

On Wednesday, the team will attempt to train the most people in hands-only CPR in one day — at least 30,000 people.

Lisa Monk is the Implmentation Director at Duke Clinical Reaearch Institute, and is helping organize the event.

“Cardiac arrest is different than heart attack. Heart Attack is a plumbing problem where you have minutes, if not hours, to treat. But cardiac arrest is an electrical problem, and it needs immediate treatment with CPR,” Monk explained.

According to experts at Duke University, cardiac arrest is one of the most common causes of death in the United States.

University experts say only one in ten victims survive a cardiac arrest.

The trainings will happen all day across 30 counties in North Carolina, including Forsyth County.

Organizers say they are attempting to beat this record as part of a study focused on improving out-of-hospital survival rates from cardiac arrest.

“We’ve been doing this [trainings] for the last four years. But we wanted one last opportunity to try to break the world record in teaching people compression only, CPR,” Monk said.

Organizers say the training is free and only takes a few minutes.

Experts emphasize that bystander CPR can double or triple a victim’s chance of survival.

“Every minute that goes by, the chance of survival decreases by 10 percent. So it’s important that as soon as somebody collapses, that we check to see if they’re responsive. We call 911, and then we need to start compressions and then get in AED if there’s one available,” Monk explained.

Monk said especially in rural communities where quick access to EMS and fire stations varies, it is important for every-day residents to be able to step in and help save a life.

“If it’s not for the bystander doing CPR, it could be, up to 20 minutes for them trying to do compressions, waiting on somebody to get there, but if that bystander doesn’t step in, that person has no chance at recovery,” she said.

Monk said there are also a few stigmas that stop CPR-certified people from taking action during an emergency.

These include being sued, (especially in the instance something goes wrong), and injuring the victim.

Monk debunked these fears.

“In North Carolina, we have the Good Samaritan Law. So you cannot be sued. You are not going to hurt the person. They can recover from a broken rib, but they can’t recover… you know from death, if you don’t step in and do it,” she explained.

There is a list of popular songs that can help even an untrained person step in and perform CPR at a moments notice. A popular one is ‘Staying Alive’ by Bee Gees, with a tempo of 103 beats per minute.

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.

High school senior faces 300 charges in ‘large-scale’ catfishing, sextortion scheme involving 21 victims

CNN Newsource on February 26, 2026

By Raquel Ciampi

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    PETERS TOWNSHIP, Pennsylvania (WTAE) — A Peters Township High School senior is facing hundreds of charges after authorities said he exploited multiple juveniles to send him pornographic videos or photos of themselves.

Authorities say the investigation into the “large-scale criminal network,” involving catfishing and sextortion, began on Dec. 5, 2025.

According to the criminal complaint, authorities interviewed 30 juveniles connected to the case. At least 21 of those juveniles have been identified as victims of the catfishing sextortion.

Authorities say Zachariah Meyers, an 18-year-old senior at Peters Township High School, used social media, including TikTok and Telegram, to lure the other juveniles to connect with him.

“It’s not the predator who traveled from far away. It is the predator who was sitting next to them in class,” said Alicia Kozak, an internet safety expert and speaker.

Meyers allegedly catfished some of the victims by pretending to be fictitious people using photos and videos of people who were not involved. One of which, authorities say, was an adult film actress from a different country.

“What we are seeing is it up sick in juveniles perpetrating crimes against other juveniles. And that is because they have access to their potential victims,” said Christopher Giordano, assistant special agent in charge of Pittsburgh FBI Field office.

“Meyers was able to deceive and coerce juvenile males into sending explicit pornographic images and videos of themselves,” authorities said in their report.

In one case, officials say Meyers directed a juvenile to have sexual intercourse with two adult men, record video inside a gym locker room and then send those videos to an account.

“This is a truly violent sexual predator. You do not need to physically touch somebody to sexually violate them,” Kozak said.

Meyers was identified by police after they say they executed a search warrant for information on the social usernames and Google accounts being used on platforms.

On Feb. 20, authorities took Meyers into custody for questioning.

He faces more than 300 charges, including dozens of counts of sexual abuse of children, sexual exploitation of children and sexual extortion.

Meyers has since been arraigned.

Statement from Peters Township School District

“Earlier today, the Peters Township Police made the District aware of an ongoing investigation related to a student at Peters Township High School. The Police have indicated that there is no immediate safety risk to our schools, and we will continue to cooperate fully with the investigation.

The safety and well-being of our students, staff, and families remain our highest priority, and we appreciate all the efforts of the Peters Township Police in this matter.”

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.

Man creates cereal box in honor of Gaudreau brothers, raises money for family

CNN Newsource on February 26, 2026

By Marcie Cipriani

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    PITTSBURGH (WTAE) — Ty Ballou, known for creating products honoring athletes, was deeply moved by Team USA hockey’s tribute to the Gaudreau family after their gold medal win.

Ballou recently created a cereal box honoring the Gaudreau brothers, free of charge, to raise funds for their family foundation.

“To see a father losing two sons in one day, it’s impossible,” Ballou said, reflecting on the tragedy.

Ballou understands the pain of losing a child.

“I have, had, a special needs son who passed away last year,” he said. “My son Ryan was 37 last year.”

The loss of Ryan and the way he lived inspired Ballou to reach out to the widows of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, Meredith and Madeline, to create a cereal in their honor and raise money for the family foundation.

The Gaudreau brothers were bicycling together the day before their sister’s wedding in 2024 when they were struck and killed. Both men had young families and played hockey, with Johnny set to play for Team USA when they won the gold.

The team raised his jersey in victory, a moment that filled Ballou with pride and sadness.

“What an incredible tribute by the US hockey team,” Ballou said. “First of all, to win that game, to go into the stands, where Meredith was … And it’s Johnny Junior’s birthday yesterday.”

While the loss remains tough for the Gaudreau family, Ballou is grateful to help.

He has worked with athletes to create products like Flutie Flakes and Jerome Bettis’ Championship Crunch, but the Gaudreau family holds a special place in his heart, with his son Ryan as his inspiration.

“I just sent them a check for $20,000 that was raised from the cereal,” Ballou said. “Hopefully, much more after this. And there’s really no cap to it. We’re going to continue to do this as long as they want to work together.”

The Bond of Brothers cereal, with all proceeds going to the Gaudreau Family Foundation, is available for purchase online.

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.

Milwaukee woman creates homemade hip-hop museum

CNN Newsource on February 26, 2026

By Gerron Jordan

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    MILWAUKEE (WISN) — Antonia Anderson has turned her Milwaukee living room into a museum filled with thousands of artifacts that reflect Black music, history and culture.

“I started with 5 — maybe now 10, … yes, thousand,” Anderson said, describing the number of artifacts she has accumulated.

Anderson, curator of the Milwaukee Hip Hop Museum, has collected items from flea markets, eBay, donations and her own collection over the years.

Her collection includes 8-track tapes, cassettes, vinyl albums, posters and magazines like Write On and Word Up, offering snapshots in time and showcasing the Black influences who inspired them.

“I have blues, I have Bessie Smith, I have Nina Simone, and they really started with the different music — jazz, blues, all of that. That led to the civil rights and hip-hop,” Anderson said.

Reflecting on her upbringing, Anderson said, “When I grew up, African Americans weren’t celebrated or weren’t put in the media in a positive light. Even the movies were negative.” It’s why she wanted to create the Milwaukee Hip Hop Museum.

“Preserving African American history by any means necessary,” she said. “Just to put us in a positive light. … Just a space where people can come and feel comfortable learning, interacting with our music and just catching up on history.”

She believes celebrating that history can help write the melody for the future. “Whether through books, music, community events … keep going out and doing it because our youth need it. They need to know where they came from so they know where they’re going,” Anderson said.

Anderson’s collection can be visited by appointment only, and she hopes to move into a larger, more public space soon. She also operates a mobile museum, bringing artifacts and exhibits into schools and community centers.

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.

‘I was tearing up:’ Students react as Ukrainian soldiers read messages of support

CNN Newsource on February 26, 2026

By Sheldon Ingram

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    NEW CASTLE, Pennsylvania (WTAE) — On February 3, students at Neshannock High School sent more than 300 letters of support to lift the morale of Ukrainian soldiers.

Those letters arrived a week ago, and on Tuesday, Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 showed the students a video of the soldiers receiving their letters and reading them out loud.

“I was tearing up a lot, just seeing the circumstances everyone is living under and what they’re going through, and to be able to fight for the country they love, and the people they love, is really inspiring,” says Catherine Spor.

She and many of her classmates were persuaded to write the letters by another student named Arsenii, who fled Ukraine with his mother and sister while his father stayed behind to fight on the front line.

Arsenii watched with his schoolmates as the soldiers read their letters and cards, while expressing gratitude.

“They were really happy that kids from another country, from another continent across the ocean, know about their problems,” he says.

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.

PICU nurse seeking justice after being left paralyzed by suspected drunk driver

CNN Newsource on February 26, 2026

By Jade Jarvis

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    STUART, Florida (WPBF) — A Martin County mom and pediatric ICU nurse is seeking justice after a crash involving a suspected drunk driver who left her paralyzed from the chest down.

Rebecca Engle and her attorneys said the driver who left her critically injured hasn’t been arrested yet and have filed a civil lawsuit seeking damages for her pain, suffering, and financial burden.

“This accident has significantly changed the course of my life. I’m now having to be — 24 hours a day, seven days a week — cared for by my husband and my kids,” Engle said.

A loss of independence has been the hardest thing to deal with for Engle after 34 years of staying busy and being fulfilled as a registered nurse.

“It’s just my calling. It’s always been what I’ve done. And now to be on the opposite side of the, you know, patient bed, it’s been very humbling,” Engle said.

Engle’s car was left mangled after a serious car crash on Nov. 30, 2025.

“On that night, she was coming home on Southwest Kanner Highway from doing some early Christmas shopping when this intoxicated driver was driving erratically and collided with her at a high rate of speed,” said Ryan McCarthy, Engle’s attorney.

She had to be airlifted to the hospital, is now a quadriplegic, and unable to go back to her nursing job at HCA Lawnwood’s pediatric ICU and needing round-the-clock care from her husband and children.

“It’s almost three months since the accident. Why hasn’t there been an arrest made? We’ve been told that an arrest warrant may be issued next week. But it’s time. It’s time for justice,” said Gary Lesser, Engle’s attorney.

Engle’s attorneys, Lesser, Landy, Smith & Siegel, PLLC, believe the other driver, identified as Steven Hererra Valdez, was drunk at the time of the crash based on the accident report, his speed, and information determined from a blood draw.

Now, they’ve filed a civil lawsuit against him on behalf of Engle seeking damages in excess of $50,000.

WPBF 25 News spoke with Martin County State Attorney Tom Bakkedahl, who said Herrera Valdez wasn’t initially arrested because he was also severely injured and placed in the ICU, and then a mistake in filing paperwork related to the case delayed it further.

“I really just want my day in court to see Mr. Herrera so he can see what he has done to me and to my family. I feel he needs to pay the price for this for sure,” Engle said.

Bakkedahl said there is a hearing scheduled for Mar. 4 in this case to hear testimony from Engle, investigators and witnesses to potentially bring criminal charges forth against Herrera Valdez.

Engle’s friends have set up a GoFundMe page to help her family with medical and living expenses.

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.