Mother of 19-year-old killed in road rage incident speaks about the incident

CNN Newsource on March 31, 2026

By John Rupolo

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    ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico (KOAT) — Last Thursday, Deborah Valenciano received a call that changed her life when a family member saw her son’s Nissan Sentra on the news on San Mateo, not far from her house.

“He put his head down and said, ‘Sorry, ma’am, this can’t be happening.’ And I asked if he was OK, and they said he was already gone,” Valenciano said.

Her 19-year-old son, Roman Valenciano, was shot and killed during what police say was a road rage incident. According to the criminal complaint, 31-year-old Cecilio Lopez Sanchez was braking and stopping erratically in front of the teen’s car, then pulled up next to him and opened fire.

“But my son ain’t a person to keep provoking, to fight,” Valenciano said.

Lopez was arrested and charged in connection to the teen’s murder.

“I’m just telling myself he’s out of town,” Valenciano said.

The family met with KOAT Monday, still in disbelief.

“I’m heartbroken,” Valenciano said.

She displayed pictures of her six children and her late husband, Juan. He died last year from complications of cancer.

“Because I lost my husband, I haven’t fully grieved for him, and now my son,” Valenciano said.

The family is planning a burial in the near future and trying to raise money by setting up a GoFundMe account.

“He was the person to motivate all of us to keep going,” Valenciano 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.

Human remains found in suitcases at Palm Bay’s ‘Compound’; man arrested

CNN Newsource on March 31, 2026

By Allison Petro, Pattrik Perez

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    PALM BAY, Florida (WESH) — A man was arrested after remains were found in suitcases in a remote area, according to the Palm Bay Police Department.

Police officers were dispatched to the area of 1574 Bombardier Blvd., often known as the “Compound,” after receiving reports of a suitcase.

After officers arrived on the scene, they found the suitcase lying in tall grass and described an odor.

The suitcase was partially opened, where human remains could be seen, according to police.

Police also reported seeing personal belongings inside, as well as an Amazon box addressed to the defendant’s home, identified as Lucas Jones.

Another suitcase was located a short distance from the first, according to police.

It was later discovered that Jones was associated with a report of a missing person who was identified as 28-year-old Colie Lee Daniel, a registered sex offender. According to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, Daniel was reported missing on March 21:

“Colie visited a friend’s house on 03/20/2026 and did not show up back at his residence the following day, as he said he would. Neither friends nor family have heard from Colie since the evening of 03/20/2026.” Officials conducted a search warrant at Jones’ residence, where he was seen with visible healed wounds and bruises on parts of his body.

Police interviewed Jones’ girlfriend, who stated she saw the victim lying unconscious on Jones’ bed. After leaving the room to use the bathroom, she returned to find the victim’s body was gone.

Jones told his girlfriend that the victim had left through the back door.

The following day, on March 21, Jones instructed his girlfriend to drive to the “Compound.” She reported that he then removed two gray tote containers from her vehicle and discarded them in different locations.

While police searched Jones’ home, investigators found blood stains throughout the residence.

Police also said a kitchen knife was discovered in one of the suitcases recovered from the “Compound,” and a matching knife was also located inside his home.

Palm Bay Police Sgt. Vincent Galioto told WESH 2 that detectives are waiting for the autopsy results and a positive identification of the human remains from the Medical Examiner’s Office.

Jones was taken into custody and charged:

Tampering with evidence. Abuse of a dead human body. Transporting a dead human body in an unauthorized container.

He was released on a $7,500 bond.

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.

3 inmates accused in deadly jail assault, including Salinas double homicide suspect

CNN Newsource on March 31, 2026

By Felix Cortez

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    SALINAS, California (KSBW) — An inmate in Monterey County Jail awaiting trial for murder charges is now facing new murder charges after deputies say he and two other inmates killed another inmate during a deadly assault.

One of the suspected killers was already in custody for allegedly shooting three people in Salinas, leaving two of them dead.

A 30-year-old Hayward man, identified as Abraham Camacho, was found unresponsive inside his jail cell Sunday morning during a safety check.

“Once they located him, they were able to pull him out and immediately start life-saving efforts,” said Monterey County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Andres Rosas.

“This individual tragically succumbed to their injuries and was pronounced deceased there at the Monterey County Jail,” Rosas said.

The cause and nature of death are to be determined by the Santa Cruz County coroner, which is conducting the autopsy on behalf of Monterey County. Sheriff’s deputies say three fellow inmates are to blame for the deadly assault: Romeo Gonzales, 21; Elijah Herrera, 20; and Marwuy Camacho, 19. Camacho was in custody awaiting trial for allegedly shooting three people in Salinas last year, killing two of them.

“All three of those individuals have been charged with or have been booked for murder, as well as gang enhancements and conspiracy charges,” Rosas said.

Key in this jailhouse murder will be surveillance video inside the jail to see if it captured the murder and what deputies may or may not have seen.

“This investigation has a lot of parts to it,” Rosas said. “The primary goal here is to try and determine who caused these fatal injuries to Mr. Camacho.”

“But this investigation goes beyond that. It will look at different facets of what happened here, including making sure that our employees were doing what was expected of them at that time,” Rosas said.

The sheriff’s office has not released why the victim was in custody at the county jail, but his alleged attackers are now charged with murder, gang conspiracy, and enhancements.

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.

What’s the strategy for pothole-infested intersections in Colorado Springs?

KRDO on March 31, 2026

Scott Harrison

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — It’s one thing to fill a single pothole on a city street, but it’s quite another to patch up to a dozen of them, including some that are large and deep, in the same intersection.

KRDO13’s The Road Warrior recently responded to viewer complaints about two such intersections: Academy and Dublin Boulevards, and Union Boulevard/Mirage Drive.

It’s hard to believe that an intersection can have so many bad potholes.

Richard Mulledy, the city’s public works director, said that he understands citizens are frustrated with potholes, but that crews are doing all they can given the city’s growing size and limited resources.

Mulledy said that as soon as possible, crews prioritize filling the worst potholes, then return later to pave an intersection to stabilize it.

The city used a similar strategy two years ago, in March 2024, when a public outcry about potholes led crews to perform such maintenance paving at the south end of Circle Drive, near the recently-completed project to replace four bridges.

To the delight of many drivers, most of Circle will be repaved this year, as part of the city’s 2C expanded paving program.

Mulledy explained that the city tries to limit pothole work on the streets scheduled to be repaved soon, to avoid wasting resources.

Meanwhile, the city has filled the three largest potholes at Academy and Dublin.

For more information about reporting potholes to the city, visit: https://coloradosprings.gov/reportpothole.

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Real eggs, or easter eggs?? Find your animal scavenger hunt at local rescue ranch

KRDO on March 31, 2026

Bradley Davis

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) – The Gingersnap Rescue Ranch is hosting an Easter scavenger hunt this weekend. Participants will get a sheet with clues leading them to different animals, all with easter eggs hiding in their enclosures!

At a couple of stops along the hunt, there may be a few more eggs than the kids bargained for. Gingersnap owner Eryn Haggard said the warm temperatures have led their ducks and chickens to lay quite a bit more than usual. So pay attention, or you might end up putting a few real eggs in your basket!

Haggard said almost all the animals at the ranch are rescues. Visitors are free to roam around and pet most of the animals along the scavenger hunt spots.

Haggard said the ranch will have vendors, outdoor games and the Easter Bunny at the event. The Easter egg hunt is Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It’s $7 a person and $3 for a feed cup.

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Man accused of Facebook post calling ‘No Kings’ protesters ‘AR-15 practice time’

CNN Newsource on March 31, 2026

By Carson Zorn

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    LEE COUNTY, Florida (WBBH) — A Cape Coral man was arrested on Saturday after being accused of calling participants in a “No Kings” protest “AR-15 practice time.”

According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, deputies were notified of a concerning Facebook post made about the “No Kings” protest taking place on Matlacha.

LCSO said that Joseph McClain, 69, posted under a Facebook post discussing protesters on the Matlacha Bridge, commenting, “AR-15 practice time.”

Deputies located and spoke with McClain at his Cape Coral home. They then made contact with McClain’s girlfriend, who was unaware of the post and didn’t believe McClain to be dangerous.

His girlfriend also confirmed that McClain had three firearms, which were turned over to LCSO, the report said.

McClain was arrested and faces a charge of written threat to kill or harm another.

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Cyborg cockroaches teach neuroscience at Marquette University

CNN Newsource on March 31, 2026

By Mallory Anderson

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    MILWAUKEE (WISN) — Cyborg cockroaches equipped with Bluetooth backpacks are being used at Marquette University to teach neuroscience to students.

In the upper-level biology course, students and staff utilize a product called the Roboroach created by Backyard Brains, a Midwest company that specializes in educational science tools and lessons.

“The Roboroach is an activity that we can do in neuroscience to try to understand how the nervous system actually creates behavior,” said Chelsea Cook, an assistant professor in biological sciences at Marquette University.

The Roboroach taps into the basics of how neurons communicate with each other inside the body through microscopic electrical currents. Bluetooth backpacks are put on real, live cockroaches. From there, the backpacks stimulate the antenna nerves on the roaches, and through a phone app, students can briefly control the left and right movement of the bugs.

“I was definitely surprised,” said Oliver Lee, a sophomore student in the class. “You know, I don’t have much experience with cockroaches. I was kind of excited, though. Seems like a fun time.”

The technology used in the Roboroach is the same as that in electronic devices like prosthetic limbs and cochlear implants to improve hearing.

“A lot of these students are planning on going into health professions,” Cook said. “So, many of these students will be our doctors, dentists, physician’s assistants, nurses that will apply some of the principles that we use today in their jobs and in their treatments of us later.”

Despite initial hesitation from some students, such as Monica Stinson-Hernandez, who said, “So, I hate roaches. I hate bugs,” the experience was still seen as invaluable.

Stinson-Hernandez added, “I feel like getting the hands-on experience and doing the little tiny details with the wires and forceps really help me in the future, either in research or if I decide to go to grad school.”

The experiment does not harm the cockroaches, as they behave normally once the backpack is removed, and the electrical currents are not painful.

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.

Thousands gave. Now thousands will be helped through Giving Machine donations

CNN Newsource on March 31, 2026

By Kimberly Esquivias

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    IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (eastidahonews.com) — After a record-breaking holiday season, the organizers of the Light the World Giving Machines are turning thousands of donations into real help for eastern Idaho.

Organizers announced Monday that more than 95,000 people visited the red machines in Pocatello, Rexburg, and Idaho Falls during their 48-day run from Nov. 15 to Jan. 1. During that time, donors bought 78,000 individual items, ranging from local meals, clothing, hygiene supplies, school materials, and global livestock for those in need.

“It was an added boost of love for the community,” said Sherri Matson, Pocatello lead for the Giving Machine program.

Sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Giving Machines are a vending machine in reverse. Those who make a purchase are donating to different charities in eastern Idaho or around the world. Among the local charities this year were the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center, Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership, Idaho Falls Rescue Mission, The Village, Idaho Falls Community Food Basket, Friends in Service Here, among others.

This week, the Light the World committee will host three separate ceremonies to present checks to 16 local nonprofits that partnered with the initiative.

The first check presentation was held Monday at noon at the Hemming Village Atrium in Rexburg. A second one will be held on Tuesday in the Idaho Room of Idaho Central Credit Union in Pocatello. The presentation will begin at 11 a.m.

Then on Thursday, the Brickyard Event Center in Ammon will host the third event.

In 2025, nearly 1 million people visited Giving Machine kiosks in 126 cities across 21 countries on six continents, according to a news release. About 4.7 million items were bought during that time.

The specific totals for this season will be revealed during the ceremonies. Local leaders and representatives from the nonprofits are expected to attend to discuss how the funds will be used in the community.

In the coming months, each item will be delivered to individuals in need — whether they live across the street or around the world.

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.

Cincinnati trailblazer reflects on breaking barriers: ‘I love my story’

CNN Newsource on March 31, 2026

By Danielle Dindak

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    CINCINNATI (WLWT) — Angela Davis, a resident at Brookdale Senior Living Facility, is sharing her inspiring journey of resilience and faith during Women’s History Month.

Cincinnati was built on trailblazers. Davis didn’t just reach her dreams; she broke barriers doing it, paving the way for so many people.

Her determination is unmatched, her compassion evident, and her strength speaks just as loudly as her faith.

“I love my story and I love sharing it with everyone,” Davis said.

Born in 1937, Davis grew up in Washington, D.C., during a time of segregation.

“We were the only ones there in the school and in the churches. Back then, Blacks had to sit in the back of the church,” Davis said. “And I always told my mom, I want to sit up front.”

Feeling a calling from above, on Sundays when her mom wasn’t looking, Davis ran up front and sat up front.

Running by faith, Davis was unaware at the time that she was well on her journey of many firsts.

“I was the first Black to go to the first integrated school when I was in seventh grade,” Davis said.

Not letting adversity slow her pace, she kept her head up. While she was in high school, a law passed making all schools integrated.

Guided by her faith, Davis moved to Cincinnati and became the first Black nun of the Sisters of Charity.

“The mother general really welcomed me. And every time she saw me, she hugged me and told me she was so happy I was there,” Davis said.

Her life would have another act and another milestone.

“I was the first Black to teach at Hyde Park,” Davis said.

An elementary teacher who taught her students life-long lessons, Davis is a woman of wisdom, love, and resilience. She received the Martin Luther King Jr. Award.

But the proudest moments in her life can’t all be found in a book. Instead, you can find them on her wall.

“I love my family. They’re wonderful people, and I love all of them,” Davis 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.

Why is there a golden toilet on the National Mall?

CNN Newsource on March 31, 2026

By Kyle Cooper

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    WASHINGTON, D.C. (WTOP) — The latest statue meant to get under President Donald Trump’s skin has popped up on D.C.’s National Mall. Sitting on the edge of the steps leading up to the Lincoln Memorial is the Secret Handshake’s newest sculpture of a throne with a golden toilet as a seat.

On Monday afternoon, many tourists, locals and people out for exercise stopped to take a look at the golden throne, including Frank McGee of D.C.

“This is pretty good. In fact, it looks like it came from his own apartment,” McGee said.

McGee said he thinks there’s room for this kind of political commentary.

“He treats himself like a king and ignores the Constitution, and so do his people, his lackeys, his court. So I think it’s very appropriate,” he added.

A plaque on the statue reads, “A Throne Fit for a King,” along with an inscription.

“In a time of unprecedented division, escalating conflict, and economic turmoil, President Trump focused on what truly mattered: remodeling the Lincoln Bathroom in the White House. This, his crowning achievement, is a bold reminder that the president isn’t just a businessman, he’s taking care of business. It stands as a tribute to an unwavering visionary who looked down, saw a problem, and painted it gold,” it reads.

Penny from D.C stopped and took a picture sitting on the “throne” herself.

“Actually, I wouldn’t be surprised if he has one like this in the White House, or if he’s ordered them for the East Ballroom,” she joked.

The statue was placed by the group the Secret Handshake, which is also behind a sculpture featuring Trump and financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

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.