Missouri shootings leave three dead, including two deputies

CNN Newsource on February 24, 2026

By Dillon Hudson

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    CHRISTIAN COUNTY, Missouri (KHBS, KHOG) — A manhunt in Christian County, Missouri, has ended with the deaths of two sheriff’s deputies and the suspected shooter, Richard Bird.

The incident began on February 23 at 3:53 p.m. when Christian County 911 received a call about a deputy down near the intersection of Highway 116, Glossop Avenue and Highland Mill, according to Christian County Sheriff Brad Cole.

Responding deputies found Deputy Gabriel Ramirez lying in the roadway, fatally shot.

A suspect vehicle was identified shortly after, and a blue alert was issued at 4:35 p.m., launching an intense manhunt for Richard Byrd, 45, of Stone County.

Byrd’s vehicle was located near the Read Springs area, leading to a nine-hour search.

At 11:30 p.m., Byrd was sighted in a wooded area near Highway 248, where law enforcement began taking gunfire from him.

Deputy Joshua Bell sustained a debilitating gunshot wound to the leg, and Webster County Deputy Austin McCall was shot four times.

Law enforcement faced continued gunfire from Byrd, preventing immediate rescue of the injured deputies.

During the rescue attempt, Christian County Deputy Michael Hyslop was shot and killed

Cole said, “At that time, law enforcement utilized an armored vehicle to approach the suspects. The suspect, who continued to fire upon law enforcement. That time, multiple law enforcement officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect and ultimately eliminated the threat.”

Cole expressed gratitude for the support received, saying, “Today is a sad day for law enforcement in our community in southwest Missouri and across the state of Missouri. I want to express my sincere gratitude for everybody that’s reached out to our agency and provided words of comfort, food, whatever it might be, to help us through this situation.”

Cole addressed questions about the initial traffic stop, stating, “We’re not clear on what the initial traffic stop was for. During a traffic stop, deputies and officers normally don’t report what they’re stopping them for, so we don’t know at this time what that stop was for.”

He acknowledged Byrd’s criminal history but had not reviewed it due to the ongoing situation, saying, “I’ve had a lot going on in the last 24 hours. I’ve not had a chance to review his criminal history. I understand he has many, in multiple arrests. Some being as recent as a couple weeks ago.”

Technology such as aircraft and drones equipped with heat-sensing systems were used to locate Byrd during the manhunt.

Cole explained, “We had aircraft from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, which we utilize, flare system, as well as multiple drones from multiple agencies, that were equipped with the same type of technology. When we got the tip that, or the sighting, we were able to launch those resources and very quickly, within just a couple of minutes, did locate a heat signature in the highway patrol aircraft.”

“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we mourn the loss of two of our own — Deputy Gabriel Ramirez and Deputy Michael Hislope — who gave their lives in the line of duty,” Sheriff Brad Cole said in a social media statement.

The department said Ramirez joined Christian County in March 2025.

“Though his time with us was brief, his commitment to serving others and protecting this community was clear from the beginning,” Cole said.

Hislope was a member of the department since October 2019.

“He was a dedicated deputy, a trusted colleague, and a valued member of our sheriff’s office family,” Cole said.

Cole continued, asking for thoughts and prayers as their community mourns the loss of the deputies.

“These men answered the call to serve, putting the safety of others before their own, including serving our nation in the U.S. Army. Their courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to Christian County will never be forgotten,” Cole said. “We ask our community to keep their families, friends, and fellow deputies in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time. On behalf of the entire Christian County Sheriff’s Office, we honor their service, their sacrifice, and their legacy.”

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.

Omaha firefighters rescue elderly woman from house during basement fire

CNN Newsource on February 24, 2026

By Victoria Holley

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    OMAHA, Nebraska (KETV) — First responders rescued an elderly woman during a basement fire in South Omaha Monday. The fire was reported just before 4:30 p.m. near S. 50th Avenue and Y Street.

The Omaha Fire Department said the woman was standing by the front door with a walker when crews arrived. OFD said she was not able to get out of the house, which was full of smoke.

First responders took the victim to a neighbor’s house, where she was checked out by paramedics. Firefighters at the scene reported the family removed a dog from the backyard, but they were still looking for a cat.

Fire investigators believe combustible materials stored too close to the water heater sparked the flames. No firefighters were hurt. OFD estimates the flames caused roughly $54,000 in damage.

Early Tuesday morning, firefighters were called back out to the scene. It’s unclear what caused the fire to rekindle overnight.

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.

Ice boaters chase wind and smooth ice on Geneva Lake

CNN Newsource on February 24, 2026

By Gino Recchia

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    FONTANA-ON-GENEVA LAKE, Wisconsin (WISN) — On a frozen stretch of Geneva Lake, ice boats skim across the surface when the wind cooperates. Instead of cutting through water, steel runners carve along the ice, and even a light breeze can send a boat surging forward.

For Richard Stearns, the sport has been part of his life since he was a teenager.

“I was 15, I couldn’t even drive. What was I supposed to do? But it was something to give me and it’s been fun ever since,” Stearns said.

Stearns grew up in a sailing family and said the appeal is simple: wind, speed and the feeling of acceleration that can come without warning.

“All of a sudden, out of nowhere, you didn’t hit the accelerator; God hit the accelerator. And then bam! You’re going twice as fast. Like, OK, that is pretty cool,” he said.

This winter’s cold has helped set up more opportunities for ice boating.

From Dec. 1 through Feb. 10, Milwaukee’s average temperature was 22.1 degrees. You have to go back to 2014 to find a colder stretch, a pattern that has helped support ice conditions across much of southern Wisconsin.

“I just love going out. And the power of the wind and how fast you go is pretty much fun,” Stearns said.

While some winter sports rely on snow, ice boating depends more on smooth ice and the right mix of cold nights and manageable snowfall. For Stearns, it is one more way to embrace winter in Wisconsin.

“I think that’s the best reason to get outside in the wintertime and enjoy it. There’s a lot of stuff to do here,” he said.

Ice boating also has presidential roots. President Theodore Roosevelt was a fan and raced on the Hudson River back in the early 1900s.

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.

Records show corroded steel beam that closed 16th Street viaduct

CNN Newsource on February 24, 2026

By James Stratton

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    MILWAUKEE (WISN) — The monthslong waiting game continues for the southern portion of the 16th Street viaduct in Milwaukee near the Menomonee River after inspectors found a corroded beam and closed the viaduct back in December, due to safety concerns.

12 News Investigates obtained the most recent inspection report of the nearly 100-year-old bridge through public records. We took the report to Dr. Andrew Sen, assistant professor in the Department of Civil Construction and Environmental Engineering at Marquette University.

“If you want to think about it in terms of like a house with termite damage, the termites are physically eating away at the wood in the house, which compromises structural integrity,” Sen said. “The same thing is essentially happening here, except it’s an electro-chemical process, rather than termites. “

The inspection report, finalized in late January, says water leaked in from a bridge joint and leaked onto the beam, which “…resulted in severe corrosion…” The beam itself was likely installed in 1986; the report shows that is the last time the bridge’s substructure was replaced. Milwaukee Department of Public Works says workers inspect the bridge every year due to its condition and age, instead of every two years.

“That’s why you inspect the bridges,” Sen said. “To try to find those problems. So, that’s a good thing that we’re routinely inspecting things.”

The report states workers will also evaluate other corroded areas of the bridge before reopening.

“My focus right now is making sure that constituents know they should still feel free to come down here,” Alderperson JoCasta Zamarripa said.

Zamarripa said the closure of the 16th Street viaduct and the nearby 27th Street bridge have both put a strain on her district.

“A lot of frustration, as you can imagine, in particular from our area businesses,” Zamarripa said. “Their clientele is going to have that much more of a difficult time accessing their business.”

DPW says the workers are waiting for the particular beam to be fabricated, and then they can start work to install it. The portion of the southside of the viaduct is expected to be open sometime in April. Separately, construction on the northern part of the bridge is expected to finish in October.

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.

Ohio sanitation worker finds wanted suspect hiding in trash can

CNN Newsource on February 24, 2026

By Emily Sanderson

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    HUBER HEIGHTS, Ohio (WLWT) — A sanitation worker’s shocking discovery while on the job led an Ohio police department to track down a wanted suspect.

Video from the Huber Heights Police Department shows the moment the suspect was discovered.

The department stated officers tried to pull a car over, but the driver fled from officers on foot.

Officers quickly established a perimeter in an effort to catch the suspect, little did they know he was hiding nearby.

Dash cam video shows a sanitation worker loading a garbage can, ready to empty it into the truck but when he lifts the lid, shocked to find the wanted suspect inside.

The worker quickly alerted to police, with the video showing an officer hopping out of the cruiser to chase down the suspect.

“As luck would have it, ‘Oscar the Grouch’ — as we’ve nicknamed our suspect — appeared at just the right place and the right time,” the department said in the post.

The department said the suspect was taken into custody without injury to anyone involved.

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Small plane makes emergency landing in Kansas, after propeller failure

CNN Newsource on February 24, 2026

By Nick Sloan

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    LYON COUNTY, Kansas (KMBC) — A small plane made an emergency landing Monday morning in eastern Kansas after experiencing mechanical trouble in midair.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, the single-engine, fixed-wing aircraft was forced down just before 10 a.m. in a corn field in Lyon County, southwest of the intersection of K-99 and Road 400.

Troopers say the plane’s propeller stopped working, leaving the pilot with no choice but to attempt an emergency landing.

The aircraft came down in the field without striking any structures or vehicles.

No injuries were reported.

The plane sustained damage and was later removed from the scene by a private tow company.

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 Iowa to Africa: Egg-laying hens with Iowa lineage feed thousands in South Africa

CNN Newsource on February 24, 2026

By Eric Hanson

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    AFRICA (KCCI) — Iowa’s status as the nation’s leading egg-producer means we have a direct impact on hunger across the globe.

Hy-Line International partnered with Blessman International to provide the layers that produce 100,000 eggs each month — protein-packed food keeps children fed across South Africa. And Iowa-based Pizza Ranch funds the chicken feed.

Additionally, an Iowa-inspired research farm produces vegetables, an Iowa philanthropist has paid for 350 waterless toilets that are safer than outhouses, Iowa-based Musco has lit a sports complex to provide healthy community to children and Blessman International has built churches to encourage faith.

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.

Student-led protest in Kansas escalates into physical altercation; one taken into custody

CNN Newsource on February 24, 2026

By Chloe Godding

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    OLATHE, Kansas (KMBC) — The Olathe Police Department is investigating after a student protest on Friday turned into a physical disturbance.

Around 2 p.m., officers were called to the area of College Boulevard and South Lone Elm Road, near Olathe Northwest High School, on reports of a fight.

Police said they “stabilized” the incident after the protest escalated. While it’s not clear exactly how the situation unfolded, police said the protest resulted in an aggravated battery.

A juvenile male was taken into custody. Police did not provide an age. Investigators are still working to identify and contact others who may have been involved.

“The Olathe Police Department supports the community’s right to engage in peaceful protest and lawful assembly. We are committed to protecting those rights while also ensuring public safety,” police said in a news release. “Violence, property damage or threats to people will be addressed appropriately to protect the community.”

The incident is still under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Olathe Police Department at 913-971-6363 or the anonymous TIPS hotline at 816-474-8477.

School response

Olathe Northwest Principal Chris Zuck sent a letter to families after the incident.

Zuck emphasized in the letter that the walkout was not sponsored or organized by the school or its staff. Staff members do not participate in these student-organized walkouts or protests, but they do observe from a distance to ensure student safety.

Zuck said while the school knew about one of the walkouts, and communicated that with parents, the school did not know that a small group of students planned a separate demonstration, which was also protected by their constitutional rights.

The altercation took place off campus, Zuck said, though the school’s Safety Services staff did intervene along with other law enforcement.

“Let me be clear: while we value our students’ perspectives and recognize their constitutional right to participate in peaceful demonstrations, we do not tolerate violence,” Zuck said, in a section highlighted in bold. “When behavior crosses that line, it becomes a disciplinary matter, and there will be serious consequences in accordance with the Code of Student Conduct.

“While privacy laws prevent me from sharing specific consequences for individual students, please know that once those responsible are identified, the consequences will be serious as they are for any altercation that happens,” he continued. “Although we recognize students’ rights to express their views, we will not allow those rights to be used as justification for violence.”

Zuck noted that a social media post circulating online indicates there may be another student-led protest on Feb. 25 “concerning students’ personal beliefs and unrelated to immigration and federal agencies.” He said that staff will monitor any walkouts, as they previously have, but they cannot guarantee supervision for anything that happens off campus.

Zuck ended his letter with a message to students and parents:

“Students: Your voice matters. How you use it matters just as much. If you choose to participate in a walkout, we ask that you do so peacefully and respectfully. You are responsible for your actions, and you are responsible for how you represent yourself and our school community. Violence will never be tolerated, and it will always result in serious consequences.

Parents: We recognize and respect that you are the primary influence in your child’s life. Again, I would encourage you to have a conversation with your child about these walkouts and their level of participation. Please help your child understand that while they may have the right to peacefully protest, there are consequences if an altercation occurs. We appreciate your support 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.

Kelce, Mahomes sued by New York company over 1587 Prime trademark

CNN Newsource on February 24, 2026

By Nick Sloan

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    NEW YORK (KMBC) — A New York-based shoe and apparel company is suing Kansas City Chiefs stars Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes, alleging a restaurant backed by the players is using a similar name and harming its business.

In a complaint filed this week in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, 1587 Sneakers Inc. says it has operated under the “1587” brand since April 2023 and has gained recognition as a business that combines fashion, cultural storytelling and philanthropy.

The lawsuit alleges the defendants launched “1587 Prime,” a restaurant and apparel line, in late 2025, creating marketplace confusion and “overshadowing” the established 1587 Sneakers brand.

Named in the suit are Kelce, Mahomes, 1587 Prime KC LLC, 1587 Prime Holdings LLC, Noble 33 Holdings LLC, and business partners Tosh Berman and Michael Tanha.

1587 Sneakers claims it sent cease-and-desist letters and attempted to negotiate a resolution, but those efforts were ignored, prompting the company to pursue legal action.

The complaint cites instances where customers contacted 1587 Sneakers believing it was affiliated with or endorsing the 1587 Prime brand — a connection the company denies.

The New York company is seeking an injunction to stop use of the “1587 Prime” name, along with disgorgement of profits, monetary damages and attorneys’ fees.

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.

Local LEGO Robotics Team Heads to Nationals

KIFI on February 24, 2026

Megan Lavin

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – A local robotics team, Team PACK-Man, has gathered steam after winning both regional and state-level competitions. Now, they’re turning their gears toward the national stage.

After months of teamwork, problem-solving, and hands-on STEM learning, these passionate programmers are taking their innovative ideas on the road.

The enthusiastic engineering team stopped by the studio live to show off their builds — even driving them around on the table. They hope that by showing how fun and creative their projects are — and how far STEM programs can take you — they’ll inspire others to get involved.

As they prepare for nationals, the team is also fundraising to help cover travel and competition expenses. If you’d like to support them, you can donate here.

They’ve also produced a short video and launched a website with additional information about their team, their season, and their fundraising efforts. You can view those here.

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