Month: March 2026

By Logan Hall

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    BOSTON (WBZ) — A Boston University policy restricting where signage can be displayed on campus is drawing criticism from some students after several flags, including pride and Israeli flags, were removed from residence hall windows and common areas.

According to Boston University’s website, this is part of an existing signage policy that limits unattended placards, banners and other displays to approved locations.

But some students argue the enforcement contradicts the school’s stated commitment to inclusion and free expression.

“I think it’s really important for people to be able to express their political beliefs in an institution,” one student said. “People should be able to freely do that and support their identities.”

According to the policy, Boston University allows politically motivated signage at designated “free expression boards” across campus. However, students interviewed said that restriction feels too limiting, particularly for symbols they view as representing identity and safety.

“Especially for a school that touts itself as being an open and accepting space for all students, to then go and remove flags that denote specific safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community, in the LGBTQ+ resource center especially, that’s not something that feels aligned with those values,” student Beth Dallaire said.

Several pride flags were taken down over spring break, including one displayed in the main sitting area of the Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies program.

Students who spoke to WBZ News expressed concern that removing such displays could discourage self-expression on campus.

“These groups of people are trying to build themselves up,” first-year student Sophia Koloms said. “When we do this in an environments where they need to be built up, then we’re creating an environment where nobody can be original and nobody can be themselves.”

Boston University did not respond to a request for comment.

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 Dean Fioresi

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    MORENO VALLEY, California (KCAL, KCBS) — More than 20 years after an investigation into a Moreno Valley homicide began, Riverside County deputies have finally made an arrest.

The incident happened back on Sept. 1, 2024 at around 11:30 p.m., when deputies were sent to the 15000 block of Perris Boulevard for reports of a shooting, according to a news release from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies arrived and found 29-year-old Israel Rangel suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, he was later pronounced dead.

“Through an extensive investigation, Corey Sampson, a now 45-year-old male from Hesperia, was identified as a suspect in the murder,” RSO’s news release said. “However, there was insufficient evidence to file charges at the time, and the case eventually went cold.”

When the department reopened the case as part of an ongoing effort to review unsolved cases, investigators reexamined the evidence and were able to find several leads and the case was reopened.

Deputies said that they were able to develop sufficient evidence to support Sampson’s arrest, and on Thursday March, 19, he was arrested with the assistance of the Riverside County District Attorney’s Gang Impact Team. He was taken into custody in Hesperia and booked at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility for murder.

As the investigation continues, deputies asked anyone who may know more to contact them at (951) 955-2777.

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 Julia Avant

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    DETROIT (WWJ) — The struggle continues for federal employees, especially TSA workers.

TSA representatives tell CBS News Detroit employees are trying to figure out how to feed their families and keep the lights on at home amid the Department of Homeland Security shutdown.

Rose Ann Walsh has seen the struggle firsthand.

“It’s sad and good at the same time. It’s sad they have to go through this,” said Walsh.

Walsh is receiving call after call from TSA workers in need of help.

The good news is Walsh and thousands of other volunteers with Downriver for Veterans are working together to help.

But finding help is not the problem; Walsh says it’s the government’s restrictions.

“When I heard this, I was floored because how do you not pay the most important people in the U.S., and not pay them, and then limit their way to survive? That is just ludicrous,” said Walsh.

TSA workers tell her they can only accept donations from certain organizations and specific gift cards that are no more than $20.

So Walsh says they have Easter baskets for children of federal workers on standby and will figure out how to get them anything else they may need.

Greg Simpkins, president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 778, which represents TSA workers at Detroit Metro Airport, is seeing the struggles firsthand.

“They took an oath to make sure that the traveling public get to where they need to get to safely, and to be a pawn in this game of politics is so undeserving,” said Simpkins.

President Trump said Sunday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents will soon assist TSA agents at airports. In a post on Truth Social, the president said that ICE agents will go to airports on Monday.

“What I’m seeing with ICE, I don’t think they have the compassion we have to do the job,” said Simpkins.

Simpkins is unsure if any of his TSA workers at Detroit Metro Airport have quit, but he knows the hours they put in day after day are taking a toll at home.

“Some single parents whose not able to pay for daycare right now because it takes money for that,” said Simpkins. Groceries is at a minimum right now. They can’t go and fill their refrigerators up like they normally do for themselves and their children.”

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 Hannah McIlree

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    DETROIT (WWJ) — Taking the bus or calling an Uber isn’t something most people have to plan ahead for. But for people who use wheelchairs, securing a reliable ride can take days, even a week of preparation. One Detroit woman is hoping to change that.

In 2024, Dominique Townsend was heading home from the grocery store with her son when she was shot five times while sitting in her truck. The men who attacked her were strangers, and the shooting left her paralyzed at 35.

“Becoming paralyzed drastically changed everything… it took away my freedom. It took away my mobility to just get in the car and go free like I want to,” Townsend said.

Townsend says those challenges inspired her to begin developing RideAble, a rideshare service designed specifically for people who use wheelchairs.

“You can go wherever… we don’t have limitations to doctors’ appointments or therapy. You can go to the grocery store, social events, visit a friend downtown, wherever you want to go,” she said.

RideAble isn’t a full mobile app yet. Townsend has launched a pilot program that matches riders with wheelchair‑accessible drivers through her website.

“You’re not just making money, you’re giving back as well because you’re helping out people with disability and mobility challenges,” she said.

Townsend says the need for accessible transportation is significant, especially for people who can’t rely on public transit or traditional rideshare apps.

“If you want to get a ride to appointments or doctor’s visits, you have to schedule days ahead… sometimes they don’t show up. Sometimes they’re late,” she said.

Townsend is still recruiting drivers. Anyone interested must complete a background check before joining the pilot program. She hopes to launch the full app after a successful test phase.

The Detroit Department of Transportation says all 291 of its buses are equipped with wheelchair‑accessible ramps. The department says wait times vary by route and time of day, anywhere from five minutes to an hour. While DDOT is exploring new accessibility technology, no major upgrades are planned in the near future.

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 Bella Ferak

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    MADISON, Wis. (WISC) — MADISON, Wis. — Ethan Robert and Arnav Vempati, two eighth graders from southern Wisconsin, will advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in May after taking home first and second place at the Badger State Spelling Bee this Saturday.

Robert, from New Berlin, and Vempati, from Middleton, endured 19 rounds of both spelling and vocabulary testing, defeating their 5th through 8th grade competitors and showcasing their expansive knowledge of words. Robert dominated the bee, eventually winning first place with the word “analphabet.”

Words are selected by Scripps and organized into a list ascending by difficulty. As the competition progresses, words become more difficult and may include foreign language entries. Contestants are allowed to ask for definition, language of origin, part of speech, usage in a sentence and alternate pronunciations before answering.

Many words, such as “aguaji” and “maltodextrin,” stunned competitors as they attempted to deduce the spelling. Robert said his strategy when faced with unfamiliar words is not to go home and memorize the dictionary; rather, it’s to understand the broader themes of language.

“I study roots and language patterns to help me try to decipher the words that I’m getting,” Robert said. “If I know the rules of the language, then I can find the words that follow the pattern and spell it correctly.”

Robert wasn’t the only contestant that successfully made it through difficult words – Vempati and the rest of the top ten put in the work to earn their spots, too. It takes years of preparation to even make it past the regional competitions. Wisconsin Spelling Bee Coordinator Jane McMahon said watching that hard work culminate onstage is an impressive feat like no other.

“It’s so amazing to watch them display their excellence at spelling. They spell a lot of words correctly that I wouldn’t have spelled correctly, so it’s really great to see excellence of that level on the stage.” McMahon said.

The national bee will take place in Washington, D.C. in May.

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.

Samantha Calderon
scalderon@wisctv.com
(608)277-5133