Month: March 2026

By Yasmeen Ludy

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    SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — A San Diego community garden is cutting ties with Cesar Chavez following recent allegations against him, choosing instead to honor his United Farm Workers co-founder, Dolores Huerta.

Volunteers are reimagining the Mount Hope Community Garden by weeding, turning soil, and building rows. The garden is run by Project New Village, an organization dedicated to growing local food and supporting neighbors through produce boxes and a mobile farmers market.

“We saw interesting news of late on, uh, Cesar Chavez, so we’re just lifting up the legacy of Dolores Huerta, her with the farm worker union, right, and the work that she’s done there we’re doing that by gathering and trying to be good stewards,” Diane Moss, CEO of Project New Village, said.

Organizers say following the allegations made about Chavez, it is time to start uplifting other activists like Huerta who also played a key role in the movement.

“I know her as an organizer of people in spaces, and as an organizer in this space, I get a lot of inspiration for courage and do the right thing every time,” Moss said.

“If the allegations are true and I believe the Dolores Huerta, then we shouldn’t lift him up as an icon because your behavior, uh, all the time counts.” Moss said.

While honoring Huerta, the garden’s staff is also focused on expanding their impact in the neighborhood.

“So right now we’re trying to increase production here at the garden… this whole area will be production for the community,” Rowan Wadsworth, farm manager, said.

“Our main goal is to ramp up our production so that we can, um, feed more of our community,” Ian Moreland, garden manager, said.

Mount Hope Community Garden is not the only one cutting ties with Chavez. It is just the latest on a list of organizations across San Diego County that are also removing his name from landmarks.

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.

By Marc Monroy

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    TUCSON, Arizona (KGUN) — Dozens of community members gathered at Mission Manor Park on Sunday to support 14-year-old Ruben Perez, a high school student with cerebral palsy who was beaten earlier this month, and to take a stand against youth violence.

I spoke with the organizers and the Perez family on the South Side to see what the continued support means to them.

According to Isabel Perez, Ruben’s mother, a social media video that has since been taken down showed a couple of teens punching, kicking and dragging Ruben on the ground.

Tucson police say two teens have since been charged in connection to the attack, facing assault and robbery charges. Because the suspects are minors, their names are not being released.

“I feel nice and relaxed because I know justice is being served for my son,” Isabel said.

Ruben had a neurological exam last week, and the results were concerning. He will now undergo therapy to address his head injuries.

“It came out a bit negative but he’s going to go to therapy,” Isabel said.

Ruben is continuing to recover and goes back to school on Tuesday.

The video of the attack moved Lupita Martinez and Yesenia Tracy to act. They organized a rally earlier this month where hundreds lined the streets. Dozens more answered the call again this Sunday, bringing bikes and a DJ to the park.

“We want to make sure that we’re increasing awareness,” Martinez said.

“The community needs to be better; it’s not just a law enforcement issue, it starts in the home. Parents need to monitor behavior and engage in conversation with their kids,” Martinez said.

“They need to grow up and also be held responsible for their actions, bottom line,” Tracy said.

“I want to give a big thanks to everybody who has supported us and may god bless you all,” Isabel said.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. KGUN 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.

By Richard Butler

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    NIWOT, Colorado (KMGH) — Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, many older adults found themselves facing the new challenge of isolation. Three Denver7 Everyday Heroes in Niwot saw that problem firsthand and decided to do something about it. Now, their idea is bringing hundreds of people together every month.

Inside Niwot Hall, the sound of laughter and conversation fills the room. It’s a reflection of what the Niwot Community Connection has become.

“It’s a group of people who come together for social interaction, because after COVID, so many people were isolated,” Pat Murphy, a co-founder of the organization, said.

Murphy, along with Dawn Server and Eve Lempriere, launched the Niwot Community Connection about five years ago to create opportunities for people 50 years and older to meet, learn, volunteer and build relationships.

In an unincorporated town without a senior center or gathering space, Server said the need was clear.

“It solved the problem of there being no gathering for people our age,” Server said.

What started as a simple idea has grown into a thriving network with more than 600 members and dozens of interest groups, ranging from card games to hiking and social outings.

“We have had a canasta group, Mahjong, all types of groups and if people have an interest and we don’t have that group, they can start it,” Server said.

For Lempriere, the goal was always about connection.

“It was an idea. We want to help people get connected, and that’s really what it’s done,” Lempriere said.

Members say the impact goes far beyond activities, helping turn strangers into friends.

“They didn’t know anyone, and now they have friends galore,” Murphy said.

Kathy Koehler, a member of the group and former Denver7 Everyday Hero, described the organization as central to the community.

“This organization is like a heart and soul in Niwot,” Koehler said.

Hallie Pasko, another former Denver7 Everyday Hero, helped nominate the three women. Pasko said the group plays a critical role in keeping people engaged.

“It really is important for the socialization of seniors, to have a place to go, to meet people and to have interaction, it breaks the isolation,” Pasko said.

During a recent gathering, the three women were surprised with the recognition of Denver7 Everyday Hero.

“It’s always a joy to meet new people, and it couldn’t happen without everybody in this room,” Lempriere said.

In the small town of Niwot, Pasko said the success of the group is something truly special.

“Niwot is just a special community,” Pasko said. “To bring the seniors together is the best part.”

What began as a response to isolation has grown into something much more — a community built on connection, friendship and support.

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 Maggie Bryan

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    BOULDER, Colorado (KMGH) — Five years after the mass shooting at a King Soopers grocery story in Boulder, family and friends of victims gathered for a remembrance memorial on Sunday to honor the lives of their loved ones.

Ten people were killed in the shooting at the Table Mesa King Soopers on March 22, 2021.

Family members, first responders, elected officials and Boulder residents packed The Museum of Boulder to share memories of the victims and to reflect on the community’s outpouring of support in the aftermath of the tragedy.

Erika Mahoney’s father, Kevin Mahoney, was killed in the shooting as he was shopping at the grocery store. She said the pain of losing her father has not gone away over the past five years, but she has learned how to cope with her grief.

“I’ve learned how to connect with my dad in different ways. I ask for little signs, his favorite song will come on, or I’ll make his favorite meal,” Erika Mahoney said. “I still feel like he’s watching over me. In fact, I feel like I have 10 guardian angels.”

Robert Olds lost his niece, Rikki Olds, who was a manager at the King Soopers. He said he continues to share stories about her to keep her memory alive and relies on his faith to get through each day.

“For the last five years, I haven’t been able to make any new memories with her,” Robert Olds said. “Believe in your faith, and you will get through. Is it going to be easy? Absolutely not, but the sun will come up tomorrow, and if not tomorrow, it’s going to come up the next day.”

During the memorial, Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn shared words from the family of Officer Eric Talley, who was killed while responding to the shooting. In an interview with Denver7 before the memorial, the police chief said his department is still dealing with the impacts of the tragedy.

“We have committed that we’ll never forget Eric. We’ll never forget his bravery and sacrifice, but we’re never going to forget the people that were just going about their day, that day, either working or shopping, and for no reason, were murdered,” Chief Redfearn said.

Boulder Mayor Aaron Brockett, who was a city council member at the time of the shooting, reflected on the community’s immediate response to the shooting.

“The response was overwhelming. It was so positive. If you remember, the fences around King Soopers were absolutely covered in memorials and flowers and gifts, and people were there every day, offering their respects. The way that the community came together was truly extraordinary,” Brockett said.

While families said they will never make sense of the tragedy, many said the loss gave them a renewed purpose in life.

“We can’t make sense of the senseless,” Mahoney said. “Loss is the teacher that you never ask for, but it does teach you so many things. I feel fearless. I feel like we have this one beautiful life, and we should go and live it.”

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 Steve Sebelius

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    LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Russell Lorenzen says he didn’t think much of the election mail that he received after he bought his house in Las Vegas in 1997.

But the mail — fliers, sample ballots and, later, actual mail-in ballots — kept coming.

For decades, he says he’s received mail in the name of the home’s previous owner, who he heard moved back East nearly 30 years ago.

So when he saw election officials talking about ensuring Clark County had clean voting rolls, he spoke up, writing to Channel 13 to ask how a mistake like that could happen.

“And this, like I said, is not a partisan thing for me,” Lorenzen said. “I’ve lived here in Las Vegas since the 70s, and I like to think that we have clean voter rolls, that’s the buzzword they want to use right now. And it just makes me wonder, do we really?”

County and state officials insist there are procedures in place to purge voter rolls of people who have died or moved away. They say if a person doesn’t vote in two successive general elections, they are put on an inactive voter list and eventually purged.

Election officials also send postcards to voters; if the cards are returned by the post office as undeliverable, that voter is put on inactive status.

But the system is not foolproof, as Lorenzen’s case shows. He says he called Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar’s office to report the situation.

“I called his office and I spoke to one of his people there, and she told me that if that happens after four or eight years they should be purged off the list. Well, it’s been 29 years, so even by her account, that’s impossible,” Lorenzen said.

Channel 13 also spoke to Aguilar and asked him about the case, He said he’s committed to fixing errors like the one Lorenzen is experiencing.

“I never want to hear that a house or a home or apartment complex is receiving ballots for another voter that’s no longer registered to vote there. We need to make sure we get on top of this and address it,” he said.

But to do that, he said he needs the public’s help. If you receive a sample ballot, election department postcard or even a mail ballot at your home addressed to someone else, write “return to sender” and put it back in the mail, he said.

Or call the secretary of state or Clark County registrar of voters office and inform them of the issue. (There’s a form to fill out that will start the process to fix the issue.)

“We need voters to engage in the process with us, because we don’t have all the information and if a voter does engage by returning that postcard or returning that ballot, that’s a two-way engagement that helps us keep our voter rolls clean,” he said. “My goal is to have the cleanest voter rolls in the country.”

Lorenzen says he wants the same thing.

“The only reason I’m doing this is because I know I want my vote to count,” he said. “And I was born in this country and I’ve lived here since the 70s and I like voting for things that Nevada, the things that count for me. And not saying other people can’t have different opinions, they certainly can. But I just want to make sure they’re legal to vote.”

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 Jessica Davis

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    NORFOLK, Virginia (WTKR) — Military members, Old Dominion University students, and members of the community came together on Sunday at Chartway Arena to remember the life of Lieutenant Colonel Brandon Shah.

News 3’s Jessica Davis was at the celebration of life for Shah, whose life was tragically cut short in an on-campus shooting earlier this month.

Shah was killed on March 12 while teaching an ROTC class at Old Dominion University when a gunman entered the classroom and opened fire.

At Sunday’s service, those closest to him shared memories of the man they called a hero.

“There’s Superman, Black Panther, Captain America, but above all we have a real hero Lt. Col. Brandon Shah. Your cape is the real deal now, soar brother and fly high,” Shah’s sister said.

His wife, Katherine Shah, also spoke at the service.

“Brandon believed something simple. Don’t just talk about change, do. Execute. And that’s exactly what we’re going to do for Brandon every single day. We love you babe and you take your rest, knowing we got this,” Katherine Shah said.

One of Shah’s ROTC cadets took the stage to remember the kind of teacher he was and to describe him as someone who lived life to the fullest until his final moments. She urged attendees not just to mourn his death, but to carry on the life and example he set.

“Sir this isn’t a goodbye, this is a thank you. Thank you for being our professor, our mentor, our friend and upholding and exceeding the standard. We have the watch from here… thank you sir,” the student said.

The celebration of life continued with additional speakers, a violin performance, and a flag-folding ceremony.

As the casket was slowly removed from view, Shah’s loved ones followed, with each step a quiet tribute to the life he lived and the lives he touched.

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 Dominick Philippe-Auguste

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    BALTIMORE (WMAR) — A new program in Baltimore County is using comedy and real stories to fight suicidal thoughts.

The Baltimore County Department of Health and the Maryland National Guard hosted “One Degree of Separation,” an event that combines stand-up comedy with mental health first aid education.

“They do a little comedy show. They tell a little bit of their own stories and challenges with depression and suicidal ideation. They come together as a panel and really talk about how we can have conversations about suicide and depression and how we can help each other,” said Susan Starnes, integrated primary prevention program manager with the Maryland National Guard.

An event earlier today was just for military personnel and veterans. However, there is one open to the public tonight from 6 to 8:15 at the Randallstown Community Center off Resource Drive.

Tonight’s event also includes a resource fair and free gun locks for adults.

If you or someone you know needs help, call or text the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. WMAR 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.

By Pedro Lopez

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    SAVANNAH, Georgia (WJCL) — A group of local singers is preparing for a once-in-a-lifetime journey overseas, one that will take them to Normandy, where they’ll perform in ceremonies tied to D-Day.

Nearly 100 people, including dozens from the Savannah area, will travel to France during the first week of June as part of the American Choir for World Peace.

During rehearsals, voices rise together with a shared purpose to bring music to a place where history changed the world.

“We’re going to be singing at remembrance ceremonies. We’re going to sing on the beaches of Normandy at the American Cemetery, but the real reason that we’re doing this is to try to use the gift of music to spread the message of peace, which I think we can all agree that our world needs desperately right now,” said choir director Justin Addington.

The performance carries deep historical meaning. Normandy is home to the beaches where Allied forces landed in 1944 during D-Day, a pivotal moment in World War II.

For Addington, the opportunity to unite singers from across the country adds another layer of significance.

“The opportunity to pull together a mass choir, if you will, of people from all over the nation is pretty special. The opportunity to represent our nation in this very important way is kind of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” he said.

For many singers, the experience is both emotional and personal.

“When does anyone get the opportunity to sing on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day? I mean, I get goosebumps just thinking about it now. It’s just an extraordinary opportunity,” said choir member Gina Shields.

For Shields, the trip almost didn’t happen.

“I was sponsored by one of the members of the church to go to France, the gratitude I have for that is beyond. I can’t even begin to explain how much that moment changed everything for me,” she said.

As the group prepares to stand on the same beaches where thousands once fought and died, the weight of that history is not lost on them.

“You’re standing on this beach that so many men fought and died on during a war. I think it’s going to evoke so many emotions. It’s just, I think it’s going to be so impactful,” Shields said.

Beyond honoring the past, the choir says the trip is about something bigger, using music to bring people together.

“We just really hope that when we experience this together, that we walk away with a greater appreciation and ttry to encourage everyone toward greater cooperation and understanding and peace,” Addington said.

Before heading overseas, members of the choir will continue rehearsing throughout the spring and are scheduled to perform locally as part of a choral festival on March 29.

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 Nicholas Brooks

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    JACKSON, Mississippi (WAPT) — A Mississippi family is sharing their story for the first time after a cyberattack disrupted operations at a major hospital system in the middle of a life-saving surgery.

The incident happened at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, where patient Wade Watts was undergoing a liver transplant just as critical systems across the hospital began to fail.

Watts and his family were celebrating what would ultimately be a successful surgery. But the journey to that moment was anything but easy.

Watts had been battling liver failure and other serious health issues before receiving the call that would change everything.

“One night they said hey we think we have a match,” said Wade Watts.

That moment of hope quickly collided with an unexpected crisis.

“The cyberattack took place while I was actually in the operating room,” Watts said.

The February cyberattack knocked out phones and electronic systems across the hospital, forcing staff to operate without the technology they depend on daily.

His wife, Sara Watts, a registered nurse, was there and witnessed the situation unfold in real time.

“I didn’t know that this was even a thing,” said Sara Watts.

As systems went down, hospital staff had to quickly adapt.

“They were having to physically run the lab and physically write out all the orders; you can just point and click,” Sara Watts said.

Despite the challenges, Watts said the experience has left him with deep gratitude not only for the medical staff, but for the donor who made his recovery possible.

“They made a decision at some point in their life to leave a gift behind for me so I can continue to live my life,” Wade Watts said.

Now, he wears a bracelet marking his transplant every day, a constant reminder of the second chance he’s been given.

Hospital officials have not released details about what caused the cyberattack or what safeguards may be in place moving forward. In a statement, the University of Mississippi Medical Center said it could not comment, as the incident remains under investigation.

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 Jamie Mayes

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    LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (WLKY) — Tamika Palmer said her fight for justice for her daughter, Breonna Taylor, is far from over. Six years ago, Taylor was shot and killed by officers in a botched police raid.

On Friday, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a motion to dismiss the case with prejudice against Joshua Jaynes and Kyle Meany, two former LMPD officers accused of falsifying the affidavit used to obtain the search warrant for Taylor’s apartment. Their felony civil rights charges were dismissed in August.

Palmer said the latest development reflects a long-standing lack of accountability.

“There’s been a lack of accountability just from the very beginning,” Palmer said. “I don’t understand the people making decisions about whose life matters and who doesn’t.”

Taylor family attorney Lonita Baker said the family still has not achieved the justice it sought.

“When you take away, at this point, the consent decree gone, not defending the appeal, the Brett Hankison conviction, and now dismissing the case where there’s clear evidence — where another officer agreed to testify,” Baker said. “If you can’t be held accountable when there’s clear evidence as a police officer, when can you be held accountable?”

In its filing, the DOJ said, “The government has determined that this case should be dismissed in the best interest of justice.”

Baker and Palmer strongly rejected that reasoning.

“To say that to dismiss the case would be in the interest of justice is violating their ethical obligations as prosecutors and violating everything we know about the criminal justice system,” Baker said. “And it only continues to expand the belief that the criminal justice system does not work for everyone the same.”

“I’ve never had a lot of hope in this system to begin with,” she said. “It’s just always been a wait and see.”

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.