Woman stops package thief with kindness: ‘You’re better than that’

CNN Newsource on March 11, 2026

By Maggie Kent

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    PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — A South Philadelphia woman stepped in with empathy rather than anger when she spotted someone trying to steal a neighbor’s package.

Bernadette Williams quickly turned a tense moment into an unexpected act of kindness on Friday.

Williams said she reacted instinctively when she saw the woman reaching for the package. In doorbell camera video, Williams can be heard calling out, “Put that down, put that down.”

She then acts with compassion, offering the only money she had in her pocket.

“I’ll give you some money. Here’s $7, here’s $7,” she said in the recording.

Williams said she wanted to help rather than escalate the situation.

“I said, ‘She’s in trouble. How can I make a bad situation better?’ You have to be a part of the solution,” she said.

Williams offered the woman encouragement as well.

“You’re better than that. Get some help. You’re better than that. I love you. God loves you,” she told her. The woman responded with a quiet, “Thank you.”

Williams said she could see remorse in the woman’s expression.

“Her eyes of ‘I’m sorry.’ And that was in her heart and that’s what I read. And I hope that she will be fine. And I have faith that she will be fine,” she said.

A resident of the neighborhood for decades, Williams said she acted out of a sense of responsibility to her community.

“Let’s hope that all Philadelphians would say we are a part of our community and we can make our community better,” she said.

In the video, the would-be thief can be faintly heard apologizing. Williams hopes the interaction left a lasting impact.

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Oceanside man, Iranian native hopes for regime change, mourns cousin

CNN Newsource on March 11, 2026

By Michael Chen

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    OCEANSIDE, Calif. (KGTV) — An Oceanside man is mourning the death of his cousin, killed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, as he watches a war he hopes will bring freedom to his country.

Safa, who asked to be identified only by his first name, said his cousin, Farhad Sadeghi, was standing in front of his home in Tehran near a protest when members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard shot and killed him.

change, mourns cousin

An Oceanside man mourning his cousin’s death at the hands of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard says ordinary Iranians view the ongoing bombing as hope for freedom. Oceanside man, Iranian native hopes for regime change, mourns cousin Oceanside man, Iranian native hopes for regime change, mourns cousin By: Michael Chen Posted 9:15 PM, Mar 10, 2026 OCEANSIDE, Calif. (KGTV) – An Oceanside man is mourning the death of his cousin, killed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, as he watches a war he hopes will bring freedom to his country.

Safa, who asked to be identified only by his first name, said his cousin, Farhad Sadeghi, was standing in front of his home in Tehran near a protest when members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard shot and killed him.

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“He was in front of his house talking to neighbors, protesters run away… ISRG shooting everyone, in the street,” Safa said.

Sadeghi was a husband and father who was preparing to move to northern Iran after recently buying a home.

“I was so sad, a very bad moment,” Safa said.

Sadeghi is one of thousands believed killed in a crackdown on protests since January. Many estimates place the number at tens of thousands.

“We are crying for those people that got shot,” Safa said.

Despite the ongoing bombing and the risks that come with it, Safa said ordinary Iranians view the strikes as a source of hope.

“With the bombs coming, more happier than before, because they feel freedom is so close,” Safa said.

With the internet shut down by the government, Safa, who has dozens of family members living across Iran, said he is uncertain about their safety.

“More stress in our body, feeling very bad, expecting any moment, bad news,” Safa said.

In recent days, President Trump has delivered conflicting messages about the conflict, saying the war could end “very soon” while also threatening to escalate attacks if Iran threatens the Strait of Hormuz. For Safa, who has attended local rallies organized by the Alliance with Pahlavi (@alliancewithpahlavi on IG), the prospect of the war ending too soon — without a change in government — is alarming.

When I asked Safa what would happen if there is no regime change, he said: “It will be a disaster for our country.”

“If they continue this government, they are going to kill more people, more death, more people in prison. They don’t care about humanity. They aren’t human basically. They forgot,” Safa said.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. KGTV verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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.

Utah man charged with manslaughter in death while practicing drawing handguns from holsters

CNN Newsource on March 11, 2026

By Tim Vandenack

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    ROY, Utah (KSL) — A Roy man has been charged with manslaughter in the shooting death of another person while the two were practicing drawing handguns from holsters.

Benjamin Garrett Davis, 24, is charged with manslaughter, a second-degree felony; reckless endangerment, a class A misdemeanor; and committing a violent offense in the presence of a child, a class B misdemeanor in the incident last Sunday.

Roy police were called to Davis’ apartment on Sunday after receiving a report a male had been shot in the head. On arriving, they found Davis kneeling over the other person’s body repeatedly saying “the shooting was his fault,” according to charging papers filed Tuesday. Security video footage in Davis’ apartment shows the incident.

“Both individuals are seen drawing handguns from holsters and pointing the firearms toward one another. During one of the drills, Davis draws his handgun, points it toward (the other male), and pulls the trigger. The firearm discharges and (the other male) is immediately struck in the head and collapses to the floor,” charging papers read. Davis later told authorities he and the victim were practicing firearm-draw drills but that he thought his gun was not loaded.

A 2-year-old was in the apartment when the incident occurred and visible in the video authorities retrieved, leading to the charge for committing an offense in the presence of a child. “The child is seen walking within several feet of Davis and (the other person) while the firearms were being drawn and manipulated,” charging papers read.

According to the police booking affidavit in the case, video taken from the apartment shows Davis after the shooting. “Benjamin is seen with a panicked expression, and he drops the gun,” the affidavit reads.

The apartment complex where the incident occurred is at 4608 S. 1900 West. Davis is being held without bail in the Weber County Jail.

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Lane closures on Austin Bluffs Parkway in Colorado Springs resume after monthlong delay

KRDO on March 11, 2026

Scott Harrison

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — By now, drivers should be accustomed to lane closures along busy Austin Bluffs Parkway that are part of the ongoing construction of a new power substation by Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU).

This week, crews closed the right westbound lane between Goldenrod Drive — near the future substation site — and the Union Boulevard exit.

Workers are installing new underground electric lines that will connect to the substation.

“It will eventually eliminate the need for above-ground power lines around the substation,” said CSU spokesperson Cassie Melvin/

This phase of the project was supposed to begin a month ago, but CSU decided late on the morning of the start date to delay work.

“They wanted to do a little bit more prep work and inspection work,” Melvin explained. “Just to get some more of the materials here as well, before we close the road. Because they wanted to close the road as close to the project beginning as possible.”

Alternating lane closures in both directions of Austin Bluffs in that area will continue through the end of May.

For this round of work, crews will not use steel barriers that were installed previously to separate crews from traffic.

“They’re using cones and barrels because it’s a shorter duration of a closure,” Melvin said. “Crews will need to move them quickly to the next two phases (lane closures).”

That makes slowing down in the work zone more important than ever.

There were similar lane closures between August 2024 and April 2025; during that period, crews performed other utility line relocations, including an above-ground natural gas line.

That phase was delayed four months when crews discovered an unexpected utility line that had to be identified and required other existing lines to be relocated around it.

CSU hopes to begin operating the substation — that will replace several older stations — next January.

The project costs around $40 million, including $6 million for utility line relocations.

After the project ends, the winding, narrow corridor will need a good repaving.

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Boutique hosts fashion show to support child abuse survivors

CNN Newsource on March 11, 2026

By Vanessa Lawrence

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    DECATUR COUNTY, Georgia (WTXL) — A Bainbridge business is supporting local child abuse survivors by hosting a fashion show fundraiser for the Oak House, a child advocacy center serving Decatur County families.

Moxie Boutique in Downtown Bainbridge is hosting the event Sunday, March 15th, at 2:00 p.m. All proceeds from the fashion show will go to the Oak House.

Admission is free, but tickets are required.

Tickets can be picked up at Moxie Boutique at 116 N Broad St. The address of the fashion show will be provided on the ticket.

The Oak House serves as more than an advocacy center. It’s a safe haven for local families. The center works with children ages 2 to 18 who have been victims of child abuse. Survivors are brought in by law enforcement or the Department of Family and Children Services after abuse has been reported.

Amy Aiken, the Executive Director of the Oak House, said the team supports survivors from the moment they arrive through every step of the process.

“We are there from the time they enter our building until the time they see a courtroom and even beyond. I have victims that I’ve seen. I’ve been doing this for 14 years. And I have victims that I still talk about to this day that I saw when they were a little child, and I’m now seeing them as adults and how they’ve grown and they’re thriving in adulthood. And that’s why I do this. That’s what makes me continue to do this every day,” Aiken said.

Ashley Lafferty, a mother of a child survivor who received help from the Oak House, encourages the community to support centers like these so families can get the help they need.

“A simple Facebook post can get them everything that they need, whether it’s teddy bears to comfort a child who is having to live through or relive through the events that they’ve suffered, whether it’s a parent who needs a shoulder to cry on,” Lafferty said.

Aiken said community awareness is crucial to protecting children.

“If you see something, say something. Speak up. If something is off to you, report it. You will never be in trouble for reporting something and us finding out that it’s not true or that it didn’t happen. But imagine if you didn’t report it and it was and it continued on,” Aiken said.

Advocates say creating a safe place for children to speak and receive support can make a lasting difference during one of the most difficult moments in their lives.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. WTXL verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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.

Unique training for emergency responders takes place in vacant houses along Highway 20 in Ashton

KIFI on March 11, 2026

Danielle Mullenix

Ashton, ID (KIFI) – Upper Valley emergency responders in Eastern Idaho are getting a new training opportunity thanks to a partnership with the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD). Drivers traveling along Highway 20 may see law enforcement and emergency response vehicles around vacant properties located just south of the Tri-State Tire building.

An agreement between ITD and the Upper Valley Special Response Team now allows state-owned properties along U.S. Highway 20 to be used for emergency services training.

On Wednesday, March 11, the team will host its first training exercise near Ashton. The Upper Valley Special Response Team includes emergency responders from Fremont County, Madison County, and Teton County.

ITD has been purchasing properties along Highway 20 between Chester and Ashton as part of early planning for a future four-lane divided highway. The agency says these acquisitions are made when sellers are willing and when design plans are sufficiently finalized, with approval from the Federal Highway Administration.

Before the buildings are demolished, they will serve a new purpose: realistic training environments for emergency responders.

Officials say the Upper Valley Special Response Team will use several of the homes along the corridor for monthly training exercises until they are eventually demolished. Road construction for the highway project is currently anticipated to begin around 2031.

Fremont County Sgt. Colter Cannon says the opportunity will significantly improve how teams prepare for emergencies.

“This opportunity for us is huge,” Cannon said. “We’ve formerly had to train in schools, but being able to work in actual houses and different layouts with all of our gear will help the team so much in the long run.”

ITD says that more information about the Highway 20 project between Chester and Ashton is available on the agency’s website.

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Eagle man accused of animal cruelty now facing additional charges

CNN Newsource on March 11, 2026

By KIVI Staff

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    GARDEN CITY, Idaho (KIVI) — The Eagle man accused in the Garden City cat shooting is now facing additional charges, according to the Garden City Police Department.

Officials say that George Gebran faces two counts of cruelty to animals and two counts of unlawful discharge of a firearm. All four charges are misdemeanors.

A business owner told Idaho News 6 that she was pulling up to her office on Feb. 15 when she heard about a half dozen shots fired, followed by the sounds of cats screaming.

“I leaned against my fence over here, and I noticed a bald man shooting at some cats that had been trapped in some cages,” the woman said. She called the authorities to the scene, but the suspect and the cats were gone.

Investigators issued a warrant charging the suspect with one misdemeanor count of animal cruelty and one misdemeanor count of discharging a firearm within city limits.

This warrant was later quashed at the request of the defendant’s attorney, GCPD said in a press release.

Protesters gathered outside Garden City Hall on March 10, calling for stiffer penalties in the case against Gebran.

“If we do not start taking these crimes seriously and charging them and punishing them seriously, we are missing those little opportunities to identify people who are violent,” cat advocate Paris Humphries said at the protest.

A pretrial conference has been scheduled for April 8th.

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.

A local leader raises concerns about sheriff removal legislation

CNN Newsource on March 11, 2026

By Dan Hanson

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    PASCO, Wash. (KAPP) — A controversial bill that could allow the state to remove an elected sheriff moved closer to becoming law after it passed the Washington House early Friday morning following hours of debate.

Washington Senate Bill 5974 would give the state’s Criminal Justice Training Commission the authority to decertify an elected sheriff and potentially declare the office vacant.

Supporters say the measure would strengthen accountability for law enforcement leaders, but critics argue it could take power away from voters and place it in the hands of an unelected state board.

Stephen Bauman, one of the Franklin County commissioners, says the proposal raises concerns about local control.

“It’s really profoundly unfortunate that the legislators in Olympia will pass a bill that applies to thee, but not to me,” Bauman said. “And, you know, if they’re so adamant that this is so important, why would they not subject themselves to the same criteria where there’s an unelected board that’s selected by one individual.”

Bauman says it’s no secret that the Franklin County commissioners and the sheriff haven’t seen eye to eye, but that doesn’t mean the community doesn’t have the right to elect its sheriff.

The bill now heads to the governor’s desk.

The legislation has sparked debate about the balance between accountability and democratic representation in local law enforcement. Proponents argue that the measure provides necessary oversight for sheriff departments, while opponents contend it undermines the electoral process that allows communities to choose their law enforcement leaders.

If signed into law, the bill would mark a significant shift in how sheriff accountability is handled in Washington state, potentially affecting how elected sheriffs operate and the recourse available when concerns arise about their performance or conduct.

The Criminal Justice Training Commission would gain unprecedented authority over elected officials who traditionally answer directly to voters through the ballot box.

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Super Marios take over Union Square in attempt to break world record ON ‘Mar10’ Day

CNN Newsource on March 11, 2026

By Anthony Carlo

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    NEW YORK (WABC) — New Yorkers have pretty much seen it all, but if you were near Union Square Tuesday afternoon, you may have seen something new – throngs of Marios.

The scene resembled a real-life “Mario Party,” or perhaps a “Super Mario World,” with fans cosplaying as variations of Nintendo’s iconic mustachioed plumber from practically every era.

That’s because Tuesday was March 10 – or “MAR10,” which looks like “Mario.”

GameStop gave out a $5 store credit to anyone dressed in a Mario costume.

GameStop is trying to break a world record for the most people dressed up as Mario in one place. China set the record a couple of years ago.

“He’s a reminder of people’s childhoods and a carefree time, and you know people still play video games well into adulthood,” said GameStop Director of Communications Nicolle Robles.

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First recorded sighting of once near-extinct swan species

CNN Newsource on March 11, 2026

By Lauren Glassberg

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    NEW YORK (WABC) — New York City is a big place, with a lot going on, but somehow we get to celebrate some “firsts.”

On Tuesday, Brooklyn recorded its first-ever documented sighting of a Trumpeter Swan.

“I’ve never seen one before. It was really exciting, and when I heard about it, I had to come down and take a look,” bird lover Mariah Tarvainem said.

The swan was enjoying the East River by the North 5th Street Pier and Park in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

“I personally have never gotten a Trumpeter reported from New York City. So this is the first time,” Margaret Smith said.

Smith is the Executive Director of the Trumpeter Swan Society based in Minnesota.

The organization is dedicated to the vitality and welfare of Trumpeter Swans who neared extinction about 100 years ago.

In 2015, there were nearly 70,000 living in places like Canada, Alaska, Montana and even Upstate New York.

They’re easy to identify.

“The mask comes to the eyes, and then Trumpeter Swans have what’s called a ‘red lipstick.’ You see that red lipstick?” Smith said.

So why is the swan here? It is likely pretty young and on its first solo expedition away from its family. It’s decided to check out the big city as teens are prone to do.

It was hanging out with another swan that is a different species.

“What you are seeing there is really a blessing, the gift of the people around you, states around you who cared enough to bring back this bird that was on the brink of extinction,” Smith said.

“How do we invite more? Send out a signal, bring them all,” one passerby said.

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