Month: February 2026

By Gracie Palmer

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    ASHEVILLE, North Carolina (WLOS) — On Wednesday, Feb. 26, Duke University partnered with schools and organizations across the state to reach an ambitious goal of breaking a world record.

They aimed to train 30,000 people in Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on a single day.

North Carolina came up just short, but organizers say the initiative was still a major success.

The goal was to surpass 30,000 CPR trainings. While the state did not reach that mark, more than 19,000 people were successfully trained in the life-saving techniques.

According to Guinness World Records, the current title is held by Saveetha University in Chennai, India, set in 2016.

In Buncombe County, sessions were held at three schools in Asheville:

Asheville High School Isaac Dickson Elementary School William Randolph Campus

Together, the schools instructed more than 500 students. Each participant completed 100 chest compressions in one minute.

Experts at Duke University say cardiac arrest remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Immediate CPR can significantly increase a person’s chances of survival, especially when performed before first responders arrive.

Asheville City Schools emphasized that teaching students CPR not only equips young people with critical emergency skills but also strengthens the community as a whole.

“So, with western North Carolina recovering from Helene, building that resiliency and building the capacity of our younger population to be engaged in making western North Carolina into a safer, more productive place,” Rigsby said.

In addition to school-based training, public sessions were held at Pack Square Park, allowing community members the opportunity to learn CPR.

The event was also held in recognition of American Heart Month this February, highlighting the importance of heart health and emergency preparedness.

In North Carolina, students are required to learn CPR before graduating high school, a policy aimed at ensuring more residents are prepared to respond in life-threatening situations.

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 Ashley Mackey

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    SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KABC) — A fourth grader at Kimbark Elementary School is making local history as a dual-enrollment student at San Bernardino Valley College.

Like many other fourth graders, 10-year-old Honey Cooper has dreams of being an artist, a fashion designer or even a surgeon. But unlike her peers, Honey is already making history by also being enrolled in college.

“I go to Kimbark Elementary School and Valley College,” Honey said.

Kimbark Elementary Principal Brittany Zuniga said Honey’s achievement is opening doors for other young students.

“It’s extremely rare. And so what I love about Honey doing this and starting this is she’s paving the way. She’s opening the doors for everybody else, because I think so many of us didn’t even think that this was a possibility, didn’t even think that it was something that could be done — an elementary student enrolling dually in college,” Zuniga said.

Honey hopes her experience inspires others.

“This can help kids, parents and even teachers to help, so anyone can do what I’m doing right now,” she said.

Outside of academics, Honey participates in theater, enjoys reading and spends time with friends and family. Her mother, Mia Cooper, said balancing schoolwork with personal time is very important.

“We don’t allow phone screen time at our home. It’s very limited. So maybe she’s not the average fourth grader when it comes to that. Spending time with her friends is very important, because you have to work on that social skill,” she said.

Honey says the support of her family has been her biggest motivator.

“They always encourage me to try my best and always keep doing what you’re doing. And I think that really helped me, because that way I always remember the quotes and make sure to never give up on what I’m doing. And now that I never gave up on my dream, I am now here, right now, being a college student and an elementary student,” 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.

By fKABC Staf

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    LOS ANGELES (KABC) — A Los Angeles police officer has been charged with felony insurance fraud after he was spotted skydiving while on disability leave.

Christopher Carnahan, of Norwalk, hurt his elbow while on duty in 2023, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors allege that he completed many skydives in Lake Elsinore and worked out at a fitness center while collecting disability benefits.

The 18-year veteran of the LAPD was arrested this week and charged with two counts of felony insurance fraud. He is being held on $100,000 bail.

If convicted as charged, he faces up to six years behind bars.

“This case is about honesty and accountability,” L.A. County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a press release. “Claiming to be temporarily totally disabled and collecting disability benefits intended for injured workers while engaging in physically demanding activities like skydiving is a crime. This is an officer who knows the law and understands the standards he is sworn to uphold.”

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.

KOVR

By Brandon Downs

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    Sacramento (KOVR) — An investigation is underway at a Northern California prison after a man died earlier this week, officials said.

Officials at the California State Prison, Sacramento — located in Folsom — found 49-year-old John Cisneros unresponsive in his cell on Monday around 9:15 p.m.

Despite life-saving measures, officials said Cisneros was pronounced dead about 45 minutes later. The extent of his injuries was not released.

Cisnero’s cellmate, 34-year-old Irvin Sanchez, was detained and placed into restricted housing pending an investigation by the investigative services unit and Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office.

Officials said Cinsero was received from Los Angeles County in July 2015 to serve a five-year sentence for second-degree robbery. He was later sentenced in October 2017 to 28 years for penetration, oral copulation and attempted rape with force/violence/fear of immediate bodily injury.

Sanchez was received from Los Angeles County in February 2013 to serve an 18-year sentence for attempted second-degree murder with a street gang enhancement.

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 Brandon Downs

Click here for updates on this story

    Sacramento (KOVR) — An investigation is underway at a Northern California prison after a man died earlier this week, officials said.

Officials at the California State Prison, Sacramento — located in Folsom — found 49-year-old John Cisneros unresponsive in his cell on Monday around 9:15 p.m.

Despite life-saving measures, officials said Cisneros was pronounced dead about 45 minutes later. The extent of his injuries was not released.

Cisnero’s cellmate, 34-year-old Irvin Sanchez, was detained and placed into restricted housing pending an investigation by the investigative services unit and Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office.

Officials said Cinsero was received from Los Angeles County in July 2015 to serve a five-year sentence for second-degree robbery. He was later sentenced in October 2017 to 28 years for penetration, oral copulation and attempted rape with force/violence/fear of immediate bodily injury.

Sanchez was received from Los Angeles County in February 2013 to serve an 18-year sentence for attempted second-degree murder with a street gang enhancement.

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.

KPIX

By Carlos E. Castañeda

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    SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX) — Two women have been working to build a life-changing community of support in two Concord parks for some 2,000 unhoused people in Contra Costa County.

Their nonprofit serves meals and provides basic life necessities in a park setting where people living on the streets can feel welcome.

“We just want people to come here, have a safe meal, feel seen,” said Kelly McKinley.

McKinley’s program found its roots in 2022 when she helped give away excess fruit from a school that would otherwise have gone to waste.

“So, I came up with ten-dollar meals,” McKinley said. “So, I’d feed 10 to 12 people with $10.”

She spread the word over social media, and before she knew it, she and volunteer Andie Altman started a nonprofit to serve the unhoused.

They call it Grass Roots Outreach Warriors, or GROW Concord.

“We thought what we were doing was helping people grow and evolve,” Altman said. “And the community was growing and evolving because of what we were doing.”

GROW Concord has served more than 32,000 free meals since it started. That’s 300 free hot meals, six days a week – three nights at Baldwin Park and three nights at Cowell Park. The nonprofit relies on private donations, along with volunteers from churches, businesses and schools.

On a recent cold, windy day, volunteers offered nutritious homemade soup, salad and sandwiches. They also gave away donated clothing, basic supplies, and pet food. The nonprofit also provides access to weekly showers and laundry and connects people to resources, such as steps toward sober living.

Stacy Lestrange came to the dinners two years ago, feeling alone. GROW Concord became her family, and a launching pad for change.

“I was that person back then, homeless,” Lestrange said. “So it makes me feel good helping out.”

Today, Lestrange has a job, a roof over her head, two years’ sobriety, and a new purpose as a volunteer.

“Where I used to live underneath the bridge in Solano [County], we go up there and feed the people now,” Lestrange said.

She credits McKinley, Altman, and their volunteer team for giving her hope.

“They’re good people. They have big hearts,” Lestrange said.

McKinley and Altman marvel at the stories of people they’ve helped reunite with their families. People who are off the streets and living clean and sober lives. They’ve learned their small acts of kindness can spark big changes.

“It was to create a community of people that didn’t have a community,” Altman said.

McKinley added, “It kept going, and it ended up being a community labor of love.”

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 Carlos E. Castañeda

Click here for updates on this story

    SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX) — Two women have been working to build a life-changing community of support in two Concord parks for some 2,000 unhoused people in Contra Costa County.

Their nonprofit serves meals and provides basic life necessities in a park setting where people living on the streets can feel welcome.

“We just want people to come here, have a safe meal, feel seen,” said Kelly McKinley.

McKinley’s program found its roots in 2022 when she helped give away excess fruit from a school that would otherwise have gone to waste.

“So, I came up with ten-dollar meals,” McKinley said. “So, I’d feed 10 to 12 people with $10.”

She spread the word over social media, and before she knew it, she and volunteer Andie Altman started a nonprofit to serve the unhoused.

They call it Grass Roots Outreach Warriors, or GROW Concord.

“We thought what we were doing was helping people grow and evolve,” Altman said. “And the community was growing and evolving because of what we were doing.”

GROW Concord has served more than 32,000 free meals since it started. That’s 300 free hot meals, six days a week – three nights at Baldwin Park and three nights at Cowell Park. The nonprofit relies on private donations, along with volunteers from churches, businesses and schools.

On a recent cold, windy day, volunteers offered nutritious homemade soup, salad and sandwiches. They also gave away donated clothing, basic supplies, and pet food. The nonprofit also provides access to weekly showers and laundry and connects people to resources, such as steps toward sober living.

Stacy Lestrange came to the dinners two years ago, feeling alone. GROW Concord became her family, and a launching pad for change.

“I was that person back then, homeless,” Lestrange said. “So it makes me feel good helping out.”

Today, Lestrange has a job, a roof over her head, two years’ sobriety, and a new purpose as a volunteer.

“Where I used to live underneath the bridge in Solano [County], we go up there and feed the people now,” Lestrange said.

She credits McKinley, Altman, and their volunteer team for giving her hope.

“They’re good people. They have big hearts,” Lestrange said.

McKinley and Altman marvel at the stories of people they’ve helped reunite with their families. People who are off the streets and living clean and sober lives. They’ve learned their small acts of kindness can spark big changes.

“It was to create a community of people that didn’t have a community,” Altman said.

McKinley added, “It kept going, and it ended up being a community labor of love.”

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.

KCNC

By Jennifer McRae

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    COLORADO (KCNC) — A hiker discovered human remains in Douglas County, Colorado, prompting a bigger search for evidence. According to investigators, the search included an area near Crowfoot Valley Road and Pradera Parkway.

Douglas County Sheriff’s Office investigators teamed up with the Douglas County Search and Rescue Team for the investigation.

The search area is located east of I-25 and west of The Pinery, north of Castle Rock.

Investigators didn’t provide any additional details about the discovery, only stating that it was an “ongoing investigation.”

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.