Atlanta Craft Club creates “third space” for creativity and connection

CNN Newsource on February 1, 2026

By Olivia Young

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    ATLANTA (WUPA) — An Atlanta woman has turned a personal hobby into a growing space for creativity and community.

“Hi, welcome. How y’all doin’?” Lexi Bynum said as a group of women walked into a private room at a local brewery.

It was bring-your-own-craft night at the Atlanta Craft Club.

“This is our solo table, so if you came by yourself, you’re welcome to sit there and meet new people,” Bynum told attendees.

By day, Bynum works as a designer at an aerospace company. In 2024, she decided to turn her love of crafting into something bigger.

“I was like, it can’t be that hard to put one together,” Bynum said.

What started as a few tables inside a brewery quickly grew into packed events.

“I had to go and create an actual business and do all the businessy things that crafty girls don’t love doing,” she said. “But since then, we’ve grown. We have our own brick-and-mortar studio as well.”

“I’ve been here since the beginning,” said Hyemi Byun.

For others, the club offers a first-time experience.

“This is my first time,” said Azariah Burrell. “My friend invited me. We’re trying to not do as many dinner or food outings. I’m trying to get into crafting and have more hobbies. That’s one of my goals for this year.”

The club welcomes all kinds of crafters.

“So we’re doing some gem painting,” Burrell said.

“I decided to bring this top that I’m knitting,” said Kianna Nelson. “I’ve been going to this craft club event for a couple of months now. I started because I moved here from Florida, and it was a nice way to meet people who had the same interests as me.”

“We do play crafts, jewelry making. Junk journaling is probably our most popular,” Bynum said.

Inside a junk journal, everyday items like receipts and book pages are turned into art.

“Basically taking scraps of things from your day-to-day life,” said junk journaler Leigh Ann Dooley. “I really love newspaper, so this is a spread I did.”

While some club events are ticketed, the bring-your-own-craft night is free.

“Especially in this economy, I think it’s hard to leave the house without spending a lot of money,” Byun said.

The club offers what many call a “third space” — a place beyond home and work.

“I think we get stuck in this cycle of going from home to work, maybe the gym, and then that’s it,” Burrell said. “To have a third space to come and just be creative and sit with friends and meet new friends, I’m really grateful.”

Sometimes, the strongest thing created isn’t art — it’s connection.

“We met each other through one of these events, and we’ve been coming ever since,” Nelson said of her friendship with Byun.

“You get time to sit in fellowship with each other and actually talk,” Burrell said.

Different projects, stitched together by the community.

“Find a way to play and enjoy yourself as an adult,” Bynum said. “It’s so necessary. It’s a good way to pour back into yourself.”

More information about events and registration can be found on the Atlanta Craft Club’s website and Instagram.

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.

Father and son among crew of 7 on fishing boat Lily Jean that sank off Gloucester, family member says

CNN on February 1, 2026


WBZ

By Paul Burton

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    GLOUCESTER, Massachusetts (WBZ) — Flowers, signs and a wreath are laid at the Fisherman’s Memorial in Gloucester, Massachusetts as the U.S. Coast Guard announced it suspended the search Saturday morning for the six missing crewmembers of the fishing vessel Lily Jean that sank off the coast on Friday. The body of one crewmember was recovered, and so was an empty life raft.

“Our crews searched as long and as hard as they possibly could, always with the hope of bringing your loved ones back to Gloucester,” said Capt. Jamie Frederick, commander of Coast Guard Sector Boston.

For over 24 hours, Coast Guard crews conducted an exhaustive search in dangerous conditions covering more than 1,000 square miles using multiple aircraft, cutters and other boats.

“Despite these efforts, we have only located one deceased crewmember. Five crewmembers, and one NOAA observer remain missing,” Frederick said. “I believe there is no longer a reasonable expectation that anyone could have survived this long.”

Ricky Beal told WBZ-TV on Saturday that his brother Paul Beal and nephew Paul Jr. were on board the vessel when it sank. “It’s just devastating. I can’t explain it,” Beal said.

“I started fishing first, and Paul was, he used to come along with me, and then he worked on some of the party boats, the boats for hire,” Beal said. “The support from the community has been unbelievable.”

Greg Sousa owns the Crow’s Nest in Gloucester and knows several of the fisherman onboard the Lily Jean who are presumed dead.

“It’s a real local boat with real local guys,” Sousa said. “Everyone is talking about it. Paul is one of the good guys. PJ, you know, father and son gone at the same time.”

Grief and crisis counselors will be on hand at Our Lady of Good Voyage Church over the next two days to help families and community members impacted by the tragedy.

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.

Father and son among crew of 7 on fishing boat Lily Jean that sank off Gloucester, family member says

CNN Newsource on February 1, 2026

By Paul Burton

Click here for updates on this story

    GLOUCESTER, Massachusetts (WBZ) — Flowers, signs and a wreath are laid at the Fisherman’s Memorial in Gloucester, Massachusetts as the U.S. Coast Guard announced it suspended the search Saturday morning for the six missing crewmembers of the fishing vessel Lily Jean that sank off the coast on Friday. The body of one crewmember was recovered, and so was an empty life raft.

“Our crews searched as long and as hard as they possibly could, always with the hope of bringing your loved ones back to Gloucester,” said Capt. Jamie Frederick, commander of Coast Guard Sector Boston.

For over 24 hours, Coast Guard crews conducted an exhaustive search in dangerous conditions covering more than 1,000 square miles using multiple aircraft, cutters and other boats.

“Despite these efforts, we have only located one deceased crewmember. Five crewmembers, and one NOAA observer remain missing,” Frederick said. “I believe there is no longer a reasonable expectation that anyone could have survived this long.”

Ricky Beal told WBZ-TV on Saturday that his brother Paul Beal and nephew Paul Jr. were on board the vessel when it sank. “It’s just devastating. I can’t explain it,” Beal said.

“I started fishing first, and Paul was, he used to come along with me, and then he worked on some of the party boats, the boats for hire,” Beal said. “The support from the community has been unbelievable.”

Greg Sousa owns the Crow’s Nest in Gloucester and knows several of the fisherman onboard the Lily Jean who are presumed dead.

“It’s a real local boat with real local guys,” Sousa said. “Everyone is talking about it. Paul is one of the good guys. PJ, you know, father and son gone at the same time.”

Grief and crisis counselors will be on hand at Our Lady of Good Voyage Church over the next two days to help families and community members impacted by the tragedy.

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.

Maryland woman trapped in the Philippines is back in the U.S., Sen. Van Hollen says

CNN Newsource on February 1, 2026

By Tara Lynch

Click here for updates on this story

    BALTIMORE (WJZ) — A Maryland woman who was trapped in the Philippines is now back in the United States with her family, according to Senator Chris Van Hollen.

Friends of 24-year-old Chantal Anicoche said she was in the Philippines doing humanitarian work when she was taken into military custody.

A community event at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) raised awareness for Anicoche in January. Organizers said she was being held by the Filipino government.

In a statement, Van Hollen said he spoke to Anicoche and that he’s grateful for the efforts made to support her return.

The woman and her family are requesting privacy at this time.

Anicoche’s friends previously described her as the life of the party. They said she was very passionate, particularly about humanitarian issues in the Philippines.

They said she was in Mindoro, a rural island with a large indigenous population, when the Armed Forces of the Philippines dropped bombs and opened fire on New Year’s Day.

Rika Ramos, a friend of Anicoche, previously said she was very worried for her.

“When I first heard the news that she was missing, I was devastated. I was crying,” Ramos said.

In a social media video posted by the country’s military on Jan. 8, Anicoche was seen emerging from a hole. The Filipino government said she was there for eight days after the attack.

“The military was pressured, we believed into surfacing her, and they posted a video online that many human rights advocates, humanitarians, believe is possibly staged,” said Gordon Mutch, a member of the Baltimore Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines at the time.

“I was actually glad that she was alive, but it was hard to see her in those conditions,” said Frances Quijano, who is a friend of Anicoche.

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.

From boutique hotels to world class resorts, Desert Hot Springs tour highlights mineral spas

KESQ on February 1, 2026

Athena Jreij

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Dozens of locals and visitors are exploring some of the best natural mineral hot springs in the world right here in the Coachella Valley.

At the Miracle Hill Spa Tour, attendees can tour 13 spas and experience over 80 activities, including yoga, meditation, workshops and spa treatments.

As the event sells out, Tourism Development Liaison, Rayce Jonsrud, says it’s a testament to the city’s increased presence in the wellness space.

“I would say that that the the people that come here are all interested in what spas offer, which is relaxation, a chance to chill, and in a way to kind of set your clock back a little bit and just kind of relax,” Jonsrud said.

The water comes all the way from Mount San Gorgonio to reach the city.

“This hot water comes up from San Gorgonio. It takes about seven years to get here. That comes out of the ground pretty hot from 105 to 175, and they cool it off with the other mineral water that’s cold.”

From small boutique stays like Miracle Manor, to world-class resorts like Two Bunch Palms and Azure Palm Hot Springs, there’s something for everyone.

At Azure, you’ll find the only Himalayan salt room in Coachella Valley, reaching up to 110 degrees. Laying in the salt is supposed to help with lymphatic drainage and clear your respiratory system.

In the same resort, you’ll also find the 29 degree ice room, which is supposed to reduce inflammation and soreness and increase one’s blood flow. The concept is halotherapy, meant to shock your body from extremely cold to hot temperatures.

Others say soaking in the mineral springs can reduce joint pain, muscle tension and soothe skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema.

It’s a form of self care that also goes back into the community.

“It supports all the things that we do here, and this is a community on the rise. When I came here 20 years ago, it was a little bit different. It just feels different now. We’re putting in curb and gutter where we’re doing all kinds of road improvements, and it just feels good,” Jonsrud said.

For a full list of the hotels featured and more information on the tour, visit: https://m.miraclehillspas.com/spa-tour/

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Peaceful vigil and pro-ICE protest in Rexburg

KIFI on February 1, 2026

Maile Sipraseuth

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI)– Two demonstrations took place in Rexburg on Saturday, drawing community members to the Madison County Courthouse for both a vigil and a separate rally in support of ICE and Border Patrol.

The vigil began with speeches from the organizers of the event, followed by a moment of silence. Alongside candles, signs criticizing ICE were displayed by demonstrators.

Vigil attendees felt the event brought attention to issues they feel are especially important in eastern Idaho.

“Being in a red state it is most important in a city like Rexburg,” vigil attendee Blaine Sanderson Stevens said. “You can tell in the community that being here, out of anywhere else, is important to people, that there is a community here.”

Another organizer highlighted the importance of people showing up for their community.

“The whole point of our local political party existing is we want to engage civically with our community and help bring attention to issues that are very pressing and important to us. The recent killings of innocent people by ICE agents is obviously one of them,” Chair of the Madison County Idaho Democrats Ethan Sandford said.

Across the street, a separate rally was held in support of ICE and Border Patrol. One supporter said he believes the agency plays a necessary role in national security and law enforcement.

“I can understand where people are coming from protesting ICE, but I think ICE is actually pretty important for this country. I think there is a lot of crime that are going on through these immigrants, and it is causing a lot of issues in America,” attendee Josh Anderson said.

Both protests ended peacefully.

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Pueblo County discusses furloughing workers to address $10 million budget shortfall

KRDO on February 1, 2026

Marina Garcia

PUEBLO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) – During a recent board meeting, commissioners discussed potential solutions the county is looking at to address the next fiscal budget shortfall.

One option considered is to furlough employees.

During meetings earlier this week, Pueblo County commissioners addressed some driving factors of the current budget that led the county to this deficit.

Commissioner Miles Lucero addressed two major purchases, the Wells Fargo building and the county jail, which is an $18 million debt. Commissioner Paula McPheters said declining marijuana tax revenue isn’t helping either.

Regardless of reasoning, a union representative voiced concerns that unpaid days are harmful.

“Behind every service is a person, a person with a family, a mortgage or rent, medical bills, and responsibilities. These are not abstract roles. They’re real people,” says Union Representative Josette Jaramillo.

However, commissioners told those in attendance at this week’s meeting that furloughs may be necessary.

“The unfortunate part of all of this is I don’t think unless we exhaust every option, the employee options, the real estate options. We’re not going to get to where we need to be,” says County Commissioner Miles Lucero. 

In a work session on Thursday, the board concluded that ten of the current holidays will become unpaid, affecting all county workers, saving $1.5 million. First of many strategies, says the board.

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LATEST UPDATE: Mylar balloon sparks Bend power outage—now resolved

KTVZ on February 1, 2026

Tracee Tuesday

(UPDATE – February 1st: power outage caused by Mylar balloon according to Pacific Power)

(UPDATE: power has been restored to all affected residents)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A Mylar balloon caused a power outage affecting 1,615 Pacific Power customers on Bend’s northeast side Saturday evening, but service has been fully restored, this according to the electric utility company.

Incident timeline

The outage struck the 97701 ZIP code area, first reported at 6:47 p.m. PST on January 31. Crews arrived quickly, identified a helium-filled Mylar balloon tangled on a power line, removed it, and restored power just after 11 p.m. that night.​

Mylar balloons, also known as foil balloons, are shiny, non-stretchable, and durable items made from metallic BoPET film (biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate). Their conductive surface can short-circuit lines when they drift into them via helium lift.

​Why Mylar balloons are a hazard

These balloons frequently cause outages nationwide, as their metallic coating conducts electricity and sparks on contact with power lines. Pacific Power and other utilities report thousands of such incidents yearly, sometimes affecting thousands of customers or igniting fires. In Oregon, similar events have hit areas like Hood River and Burns.

Local impacts included flickers near Butler Market Road and High Desert Lane.

​Safety tips

Never release foil balloons outdoors—deflate and trash them.

Report stray balloons or downed lines to Pacific Power at 888-763-4232 or text OUT to 722797.

Check the outage map at pacificpower.net/outages.​

No injuries or further disruptions were reported. KTVZ News will monitor for updates.

Status update:

KTVZ News has reviewed Pacific Power’s outage map which says all residents who had lost power and affected by the power outage on Saturday, has been restore.

KTVZ has reached out to Pacific Power for the cause of the outage. Watch this space for any new updates.

Earlier report:

Pacific Power is investigating a power outage impacting 1,615 customers on the northeast side of Bend in ZIP code 97701. The outage was first reported at 6:47 p.m. today, with crews notified and working to restore service before 10 p.m. tonight.

Outage Information:

Customers affected: 1,615

Location: Northeast Bend (97701)

First report: 6:47 p.m. PST

Estimated restoration: Before 10 p.m. PST

Status: Crews on site, cause under investigation​

Local reports confirm flickers and outages near areas like Butler Market and High Desert Lane, with Pacific Power estimating full restoration soon.

​What to Know:

Residents should check the Pacific Power outage map or text OUT to 722797 for updates. Stay clear of downed lines and report issues promptly. Power outages in Bend have occurred recently due to equipment issues or weather, but this one’s cause remains unknown.

KTVZ News will update as crews provide more info.

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Palm Springs event highlights importance of LGBTQ+ community connection

KESQ on February 1, 2026

Timothy Foster

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – At a time when many LGBTQ people say they are feeling isolated or uncertain, a community event in Palm Springs aimed to remind people they are not alone.

The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert hosted its ninth annual Info-A-Go-Go on Saturday at Hotel Zoso, bringing together more than 50 local organizations offering resources, support, and opportunities for connection. Organizers say the event is especially important right now, as national rhetoric and ongoing social tensions have left many people searching for safe and welcoming spaces.

Info-A-Go-Go serves as a one stop information fair, connecting community members with volunteer opportunities, social clubs, advocacy groups, and support services across the Coachella Valley. The goal of the event is to reduce isolation and help people find community.

Lex Ortega, chief programs officer at the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert, said it is easy for people to feel isolated or fearful right now and that events like Info-A-Go-Go help remind the community that staying connected builds strength.

In addition to LGBTQ focused organizations, the event included allied groups providing immigration resources, health services, youth support, and community activities. Organizers said these partnerships help ensure people know where to find trusted support.

The center estimates more than 500 people attended the event, many learning about resources they were not previously aware of. For some attendees, the event offered more than information and served as a chance to find connection and belonging.

Organizers said Info-A-Go-Go reflects the center’s ongoing mission to build community and ensure people do not feel alone. The event is expected to return next year.

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Bend man arrested after reckless driving near protest

KTVZ on February 1, 2026

Tracee Tuesday

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A 34-year-old Bend man was arrested Saturday afternoon after police say he rode his motorcycle recklessly near a downtown protest, blocked traffic, and tried to elude officers.

According to Bend Police, the incident happened around 3:51 p.m. near Northwest Wall Street and Franklin Avenue, where a protest was taking place on all four corners of the intersection. Officers say a motorcyclist, later identified as Kurt Patrick Greenwood, was doing laps through the intersection, blocking traffic and endangering demonstrators.

Officers attempted to stop Greenwood a short distance from the protest, but police say he sped away eastbound on Franklin Avenue at a high rate of speed. Officers did not pursue the motorcycle through the busy area in accordance with department policy.

Minutes later, Greenwood reportedly returned to the intersection and again began circling through traffic. Officers, still in the area, positioned near NW Wall Street and Franklin Avenue to conduct a traffic stop. When Greenwood became stuck in traffic on Wall Street, officers approached and stopped him.

Police say Greenwood refused to get off his motorcycle, so officers removed him and detained him on the ground. He initially resisted arrest but was subdued without further force. Police say Greenwood was not injured during the arrest.

He was taken to the Deschutes County Jail and booked on suspicion of Disorderly Conduct II, Eluding a Police Officer, and Resisting Arrest. He was also cited for Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device, Improper Display of Validating Stickers, and Driving Uninsured.

Police say Greenwood’s motorcycle was impounded because he did not have insurance. Wall Street was temporarily blocked while officers made the arrest.

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