Month: March 2026

By Hamilton Kahn

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    SANTA FE COUNTY, N.M. (KOAT) — On a sunny Saturday, the darkness left behind at the giant resort once owned by sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein was still palpable.

Dozens of New Mexicans gathered to place a memorial for the women who survived being trafficked as juveniles, and those that didn’t survive.

Kathy Kunda, whose idea it was to start the memorial, said she had heard about what was going on at Epstein’s ranch years ago, but as the sickening saga has only gained momentum, she has felt the importance of bringing it into the open, especially in New Mexico.

“It’s just now coming to an awakening, and it’s very wide, it’s very dark, and it’s absolutely heartbreaking,” Kunda said.

As bad as the crimes of Epstein were, Kunda said New Mexico bears the stain of complicity by prominent elected officials and citizens while Epstein was here. It will take the unearthing of all that took place before there can be cleansing, she said.

“I don’t think anyone has to think about how strong they need to be. I think they just need not to be in fear,” Kunda said. “If we can remove that fear, then we allow the space for love.”

Kunda said anyone is welcome to come and add to the memorial woith lights, crosses, or anything that represents the courage of the survivors.

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 Jazmon DeJarnette

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    SALINAS, Calif. (KSBW) — Caltrans has implemented adaptive artificial intelligence technology to control traffic lights at nine intersections along Highway 68, aiming to reduce congestion and improve travel times.

The installation, which began wrapping up in January, spans from Josselyn Canyon Road to San Benancio Road and is part of a five-year, $500,000 pilot project.

“This is actually the first full corridor utilizing AI adaptive traffic signal control on any state highway system in California,” said Kevin Drabinski, Public Information Officer for Caltrans District 5.

One of the intersections at York Road is included in the project, which offers a significantly cheaper alternative to the more than $200 million Scenic Route 68 Corridor Improvement Project roundabout plan that faced heavy pushback from drivers.

Instead of roundabouts or major road expansions, these signals use real-time traffic data to adjust green lights and keep cars moving.

Drivers in Corral de Tierra have expressed openness to the change, with Tisa Noland saying, “It seems like an intelligent use of AI. Let’s find out.”

Caltrans has stated that while the equipment is installed, the system is still being calibrated, with full optimization expected by May.

“While the equipment is in place, it takes several months to calibrate and to adjust,” Drabinski said.

Drivers have noted the increasing presence of AI in daily life.

“That doesn’t bother me. It’s everywhere, you know, as long as it helps, I don’t. I don’t have a problem with that,” Carrie Askey said.

Roland suggested patience with the new system, saying, “I think we should stick with this for a while. Give it time.”

Caltrans plans to monitor the performance of the signals over the next five years and make adjustments as necessary.

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 Adam Roberts, Katie Hamner, Chip Scarborough

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    BENTON COUNTY, Ark. (KHBS, KHOG) — A boater on Beaver Lake called 911 on Thursday after trying to rescue the pilot of a plane that crashed into the Lake.

40/29 News obtained the 911 calls revealing the efforts he made to rescue pilot Kim Sweet.

911 caller: “I couldn’t get him out, it’s terrible.”

911 operator: “Could you tell if he was conscious?”

911 caller: “Yeah, he was conscious.”

Sweet died in the crash, according to a spokesperson with the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.

The crash happened in the Monte Ne area of Beaver Lake at about 1:30 p.m. Thursday. The boater told 40/29 News that he pulled his boat up next to the plane and tried to open the cockpit door, but he couldn’t get to the pilot before the plane sank.

“I couldn’t save that guy, I tried,” he told the 911 operator.

A preliminary report from the Federal Aviation Administration stated that the aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances. It listed the model as an experimental Jodel F-12.

“It’s out in the open part of the water, because he came down pretty low and his engine was running low and he just went off and into the water. I heard him crash,” a 911 caller 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 Lakyra Banks

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    VAN BUREN, Ark. (KHBS, KHOG) — As Black History Month wraps up, there is new information about a story 40/29 first brought viewers two years ago.

An Oklahoma woman says she recently uncovered her family’s connection to a racial massacre in Arkansas, and she only learned about it because of an ancestry DNA test.

Kaleda Ruck says her journey started with a simple search for family roots.

“We don’t have a lot of history. We don’t know a lot of our relatives,” Ruck said.

In 2017, her sister encouraged her to take a DNA test. What they discovered led them down a path they never expected.

“That’s what led her to find information about the race riot,” said Ruck.

In 1923, a white woman was raped and murdered in the small town of Catcher, Arkansas. The town once sat between Fort Smith and Van Buren. Today, on a single road remains.

Following the woman’s murder, three Black men were arrested, including Charles Spurgeon Ruck.

“Spurgeon Ruck was my great uncle on my dad’s side,” she said.

Historical accounts show hundreds of white men surrounded the jail, demanding the prisoners be handed over. When they were unable to reach them, mobs began threatening Black families and destroying property. Nearly 40 Black families fled the area.

“All of the Black citizens had to leave with the clothes on their backs, leaving homes, their land that they owned. As a result of that, that’s how my grandfather, Spurgeon’s half-brother, ended up in Oklahoma City,” said Ruck.

Spurgeon Ruck was later convicted and executed by the state for the woman’s death, despite lawyers at the time and researchers now saying there was no evidence linking him to the crime.

Kaleda said learning what happened was both painful and powerful.

“It was very informative to get the information, but it was disappointing, the situation that happened and that they probably didn’t get justice. They didn’t have a fair trial. There was no investigations or evidence,” she said.

Now, she hopes for justice.

“Definitely justice for their namesake,” Ruck said. “I think them being exonerated would be wonderful. I know with them being deceased, there’s only so much that can be done.”

She says telling the story matters because it’s not just her family’s history.

” I think it is very important to share to students, to adults, to the elderly, to everybody because this is an important part of American history that happened that nobody knows about,” Ruck said.

Two years ago, 40/29 spoke with University of Arkansas history professor Michael Anthony, who was conducting an extensive study into the Catcher Race Riot.

Kaleda credits Anthony for much of what she now knows about her great uncle.

A documentary, “Catcher: Breaking the Code of Silence,” was also released. It tells the story of the Catcher race riot.

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 Marissa Barrett

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    MANCHESTER, New Hampshire (WMUR) — A runaway dog in Hudson is recovering at home after being hit by a car and surviving last week’s nor’easter.

According to Granite State Dog Recovery, Hera and her brother were struck by a car after escaping last month.

Her brother was quickly found hiding in a nearby garage and safely recovered, but Hera remained missing.

Rescuers believe Hera hid beneath a shed or deck for 10 days, enduring freezing temperatures and several inches of snow.

On Friday, someone spotted a dog matching Hera’s description.

She was found Saturday morning beside a home, and Hudson Animal Control rescued her using food and a humane trap.

The Hudson Police Department thanked community members who shared photos, called in tips and helped bring Hera home.

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 Marissa Barrett

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    MANCHESTER, New Hampshire (WMUR) — Iran carried out a number of retaliatory strikes in parts of the Middle East, including the United Arab Emirates, after major attacks by United States and Israeli forces killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Flights across the region were disrupted, with more than 1,800 flights operated by major Middle Eastern airlines canceled.

On Saturday, reported Iranian airstrikes damaged Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest airport, as well as the Burj Al Arab hotel and Palm Jumeirah, a popular tourist destination.

A New Hampshire couple currently in Dubai described what they’ve experienced so far.

“A lot of explosions, a lot of warnings, other jet sounds,” said Kristy Ellmer, who traveled to Dubai on a business trip. “We were still able to sleep a few hours and woke up, and it’s just as pretty as it was. We’re still continuing to hear explosions, but basically they said shelter in place.”

The couple said they are scheduled to take separate flights out of the country Monday, but it remains unclear whether they will be able to leave.

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 Donna Pitman

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    KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KMBC) — You can get just about anything on a subscription basis: steaks, wine, clothing, meals and books.

Charmaine Merriweather is adding a twist she says is much needed to the standard book box. “Basically, if there were like 100 books they were offering, about five [would] have main characters that were people of color — any brown and black people — and most of those books tend to be New York Times bestsellers.”

In an effort to turn the page on traditional book boxes, Merriweather started Hues Book Box.

She only includes books by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and other People of Color) authors or authors featuring characters of color.

Her mission: Expose readers to cultures and experiences they may not otherwise be and have fun at the same time.

“This isn’t supposed to be a preachy ‘do your anti-racist work, tear down everything that’s wrong with you,’” she said. “Positive reinforcement is good and reading books should just be fun.”

Something else that sets Hues Book Box apart is the ability to put together very specific boxes.

“I would say we’re a curation service on a subscription basis,” she explained. “What’s different for us from other sub boxes is we are really curating to your taste. You’re not just getting a blank box [and] everybody is getting the same one, and because of that we really lean into the customization option.”

Merriweather launched Hues Book Box out of her Kansas City home in 2020, after the one-year anniversary of her best friend’s sudden passing.

“I started looking around, thinking what could I do to honor her memory.”

Merriweather and Desirae Green were inseparable and had long talked about going into business with some sort of subscription service.

Hues Book Box is perfect, Merriweather says, because it combines her love of reading and adventure with their shared love of bringing people together. “Hues is just trying to spread the love, be a cultural exchange in a box basically.”

A few of Charmaine Merriweather’s favorites: While Merriweather says the goal of Hues Book Box is to customize subscription selections based on what the customer has identified as preferred genres and more, so she doesn’t often offer recommendations.

But, she has some favorites that she’s excited to put in a box when the match is right.

Looking for some reading inspiration? See if these titles fit your TBR:

“A Deadly Inside Scoop” by Abby Collette

“My Brilliant Life” by Ae-ran Kim

“Raceless” by Georgina Lawton

“Simmer Down” by Sarah Echavarre Smith

“Before the Coffee Gets Cold” by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

“An Anthology of Monsters: How Story Saves Us From Anxiety” by Cherie Dimaline.

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 Josh Wallace

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    COLBERT, Okla. (KOCO) — A 13-year-old Oklahoma boy is in custody in a Texas juvenile detention center after authorities located the body of a woman in a Bryan County home on Friday.

Officials with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation reported that they were called to assist in a homicide investigation by the Bryan County Sheriff’s Office.

Around 6:45 p.m. Friday, Bryan County deputies responded to a home in the 500 block of Sims Road in Colbert on a reported death, according to a news release.

At the scene, deputies located the body of a 31-year-old woman who “suffered injuries consistent with homicide.” Investigators determined the boy was a person of interest in the death, according to the news release.

An alert was issued by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol for the teen, and authorities later determined that the boy was “south of the Oklahoma/Texas border,” according to the news release.

Multiple agencies, including the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Denison Police Department, began searching for the boy. He was located at about 6:30 a.m. on Saturday by Grayson County deputies and taken into custody, according to the news release.

Officials said there were “no other suspects at large at this time,” according to the news release.

Officials said the investigation into the woman’s death is ongoing and that OSBI investigators will provide their findings to the Bryan County District Attorney’s Office, which will determine if any charges will be brought against the boy.

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.