Utah man sentenced to 7 months jail in death of his daughter

CNN Newsource on March 31, 2026

By Tim Vandenack

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    OGDEN, Utah (KSL) — An Ogden man charged in the death of his 4-month old daughter has been sentenced to about seven months jail.

Nicholas James Horsley, 28, pleaded guilty on Feb. 4 to reduced charges of aggravated child abuse, a second-degree felony, and endangerment of a child, a third-degree felony, in connection with the Dec. 27, 2024, incident that led to the death of his daughter. Judge Craig Hall sentenced him on March 18 to 210 days of jail, with credit for 148 days already served, and placed him on probation for four years.

Horsley also received suspended prison sentences of one to 15 years on the aggravated child abuse charge and zero to five years on the child endangerment charge. Sentencing documents say Horsley is to serve his remaining jail time “on electronic monitoring” but don’t specify where he’s to serve it.

Horsley was originally charged with child abuse homicide, a first-degree felony, but pleaded guilty to reduced charges as part of a plea deal. The plea deal doesn’t specify exactly what happened to Horsley’s daughter, but says medical scans show the girl “had sustained a catastrophic brain bleed, which was caused by nonaccidental abusive head trauma.” The girl’s mom had reported that the girl was “responsive and normal” before Horsley took her to another room.

The child endangerment charge stemmed from the presence of marijuana in Horsley’s home when authorities were called to the scene. “While investigators were on scene, the couple’s 18-month-old toddler was observed reaching for a pile of marijuana on the coffee table and had to be encouraged to leave the marijuana alone,” court documents state.

Horsley was ordered to get therapy “with a particular focus on boundary setting, victim empathy and parenting skills.” The two sides reached accord that the “sentencing matrix” in the case calls for 105 days of incarceration, according to the plea deal.

“Nick presents with an intellectual disability alongside symptoms of anxiety and depression. These conditions, supported by diagnostic history, appear to have influenced his functioning and may help explain aspects of the behavior underlying the current allegations,” reads a mitigation report in the case prepared by his lawyer. It said he has used marijuana “to regulate emotions” but no longer uses the drug “and understands the importance of sobriety moving forward.”

Horsley’s partner and the mother of the girl who died defended the man in a statement to the court as part of sentencing.

“I am not saying that the way things played out should have happened or that we should have let things get as bad as they did, but I am saying that we tried. Nick loves all the kids with all his heart and would do anything for them even today and I know he is not the monster people are trying to make him believe he is,” she wrote.

Weber County Attorney Christopher Allred said some “evidentiary issues” with medical examiners factored in reducing the charge Horsley faced from child abuse homicide to aggravated child abuse. According to a spokeswoman from Utah State Courts, “the child was also seriously ill at the time of death, which the attorneys acknowledge could have contributed to the death.”

The sentence, Allred said, was consistent with recommendations from state probation and parole officials. Hall asked prosecutors if they would seek additional jail time, “and the prosecution responded that they were not,” said the court spokeswoman.

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.

Bodycam footage reveals missing stop sign in crash involving UC nursing student

CNN Newsource on March 31, 2026

By Brian Hamrick

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    CINCINNATI (WLWT) — Police body camera footage has revealed a missing stop sign at the intersection where a University of Cincinnati nursing student was killed, potentially changing the case against the driver involved.

The body cam footage shows the suspect, Jermaine Isham, struggling with police after the violent crash at Depot and West 8th Street in Lower Price Hill. Isham had to be shocked with a taser multiple times. He was charged with OVI and other charges, but not in causing the death.

Carolyn Peterson, the grandmother of Carlie Berry, the 20-year-old UC nursing student who was killed in the crash, said, “We’re not going away. This is not going away.” She described Berry as “just a beautiful girl inside and out.”

The body cam footage reveals a significant detail: there is no stop sign at the intersection. Peterson said police initially did not charge Isham in Berry’s death because they claimed Berry rolled a stop sign. However, the footage shows that the stop sign did not exist at the time of the crash.

Peterson said, “We want to maybe have a sit down with the prosecutor and talk about charges. Now that it has been confirmed that there was no stop sign.”

The family says the initial accident report from police highlighted the stop sign as if it was there at the time of the crash, but the latest report shows it was not.

The city has not responded to requests for information on why the stop sign was taken down, how long it has been down, and why it wasn’t replaced. A stop sign has since been put in after the crash.

It is unclear if the missing stop sign would make Isham more culpable in the case, but it could make the city more liable.

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Bill to bolster cancer benefits for Nebraska firefighters fails on floor as clock ticks down on session

CNN Newsource on March 31, 2026

By John Grinvalds

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    Nebraska (KETV) — Nebraska lawmakers opened the week facing mounting pressure to move legislation as the session enters its final stretch.

“A lot to do, not a lot of time,” Speaker of the Legislature Sen. John Arch said Monday, as senators leaped from one extended debate to another.

Arch warned his colleagues that there would be many late nights this week.

“I’ll do my part to facilitate us addressing as many of the remaining bills as we can and to facilitate a smooth landing for this session,” Arch said. “But please keep in mind, it’s not only up to me as to how the remaining two weeks of our session plays out.”

Sen. Dave Wordekemper’s priority bill, which would make Nebraska firefighters diagnosed with cancer automatically eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, swallowed up all debate time in the morning.

“Firefighters are getting cancer rates in their 30s and dying in their 40s,” Wordekemper said. “And right now, that diagnosis is taking firefighters from their families just as surely as any fire ever could.”

Wordekemper said right now, firefighters must prove their cancer is linked to their work, often requiring legal representation and expert medical testimony. Wordekemper said that process creates unnecessary barriers for those seeking benefits.

During debate, supporters of LB400 discussed the importance of the bill in light of the wildfires raging across the state. Opponents said that was disingenuous.

“We’re going to talk today about the fires to get sympathy for the paid firefighters on this end of the state who are really looking for this benefit,” Sen. Mike Jacobson said. “And then we’re going to take the volunteers out in the end. And I can tell you they’re tired of being used in that way for being taken for granted, being used as a pawn to move this forward.”

Opponents also raised concerns about the scope and cost of the proposal, saying it would impose serious unfunded mandates on local governments.

“It’s whether or not this is a responsible mandate for this body to make for those property taxpayer dollars to be used for,” said Sen. Tanya Storer. “That’s the question.”

The measure fell one vote short of overcoming a filibuster.

In the afternoon, lawmakers took up another priority bill with bipartisan backing from Sen. Wendy DeBoer. Her proposal would eliminate a sunset date for a low-income childcare subsidy program.

“If you don’t have a safe place for your child to go, you can’t work,” DeBoer said.

DeBoer’s bill came up during budget debate, but now it’s standing alone.

Debate will continue into Monday evening.

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Human remains found in Utah mountains bring up mixed emotions for families of missing people

CNN Newsource on March 31, 2026

By Shelby Lofton

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    SPRINGVILLE, Utah (KSL) — The discovery of human remains in the mountains above Springville over the weekend is stirring a mix of hope and anxiety for families of missing people across Utah.

The Utah County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that human bones were found in a remote, rugged area above Springville after a horseback rider came across them Saturday. Investigators believe the remains had been there for some time.

Sheriff’s officials said they would return to the scene on Monday to complete evidence collection. The remains will be sent to the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner. Officials said they do not have updates on the investigation at this time.

The location where the remains were found has no cell service and is difficult to access, investigators said. Authorities have not released additional details about the exact location.

Utah maintains a cold case database through the Department of Public Safety that includes hundreds of unsolved homicides, missing persons cases and unidentified human remains. Local law enforcement agencies are responsible for adding and updating information in the database as investigations continue.

The database includes images and descriptions of unidentified remains, such as sketches, photographs of clothing and footwear, estimated age ranges, and the dates on which the remains were found. A public tip hotline is also available for anyone with information related to cases.

As of Monday, there were no recently logged unidentified remains from Utah County in the state database.

Brock Best, executive director of Utah Homicide Survivors, an organization that provides legal and therapy resources for families of homicide victims, said discoveries like this often bring complicated emotions.

“For some families, getting that call can help them take the next steps and provide some closure,” Best said. “For others, it can be deeply retraumatizing.”

Best said families coping with missing loved ones often live in a state of uncertainty, making moments like this particularly difficult.

“They have to go through all of those emotions again, not only, ‘Gosh, we were so sad when our loved ones were missing,'” he said. “Now to find out that they have been out in the elements alone and have been taken from us in an unnatural way, it’s got to be incredibly difficult.”

Utah Homicide Survivors has not received any calls connected to the remains found in Utah County, Best said, but the organization is closely monitoring developments.

Authorities said updates will be released if new information becomes available. While the remains have not been identified, the discovery has reignited conversations about missing person and cold cases across the state.

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Raising Cane’s Chubbuck location celebrates its grand opening with all-day festivities

KIFI on March 31, 2026

Danielle Mullenix

Chubbuck, ID (KIFI) – The wait is almost over for chicken-finger fans in eastern Idaho. Raising Cane’s is opening its first Chubbuck location today — bringing fresh meals, community pride, and a full day of festivities.

Raising Cane’s newest location in Chubbuck, ID

The new restaurant at 4310 Yellowstone Avenue officially opens at 9 a.m., but eager customers are encouraged to arrive early as the celebration kicks off well before doors open.

Known for its focused menu and made-to-order approach, Raising Cane’s serves hand-battered chicken fingers marinated for at least 24 hours, alongside favorites like buttery Texas toast, crispy fries, coleslaw, and its signature Cane’s Sauce. Every item is prepared fresh daily—no heat lamps, no shortcuts—just hot, quality food made in real time.

The Chubbuck restaurant marks the brand’s fourth Idaho location, following recent openings in Meridian, Twin Falls, and Coeur d’Alene. Founder Todd Graves says the company is excited to continue growing across the state and connect with the local community.

Inside, the space is designed with Chubbuck pride in mind. Customers will find memorabilia from nearby schools, such as Highland High School and Pocatello High School, along with displays featuring Idaho State University and nods to the gem state’s outdoor lifestyle and local sports culture.

Opening day is packed with excitement, including:

A “Lucky 20” giveaway where 20 guests will win free Cane’s for a year

Free branded hats and a Box Combo card for the first 100 combo purchases

A special prize package for the very first customer in line

Free coffee from Idaho Coffee Company before opening, while supplies last

A ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Pocatello-Chubbuck Chamber of Commerce around 8 a.m.

A donation presentation to the local school district

Appearances by the Idaho State cheer team and mascot Benny Bengal

Restaurant leaders say the goal is to create not just a place to eat, but a welcoming, high-energy spot where the community can gather.

“I’m excited to open the first Raising Cane’s in Chubbuck and fourth in the state of Idaho,” said Raising Cane’s owner and founder, Todd Graves. “Our Crew is looking forward to opening our doors and serving Craveable Chicken Finger Meals to this great community.” 

The new location will be open Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m., and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.—making it a late-night option for those craving a Box Combo.

With more than 1,000 locations worldwide and plans for continued expansion across Idaho, Raising Cane’s is quickly becoming one of the fastest-growing restaurant brands—and now, Chubbuck is officially part of the excitement!

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Massive sphere art exhibit in Salt Lake City draws attention to Great Salt Lake

CNN Newsource on March 31, 2026

By Andrew Adams

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    SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (KSL) — A three-story-tall, spherical public art installation took shape recently at Memory Grove Park. It was set up with the goal of building curiosity and improving education about the environmental issues surrounding the Great Salt Lake.

“A symphony of disappearing sounds for the Great Salt Lake” launched Thursday near the south end of the park, located at 300 N. Canyon Road.

Salt Lake City Arts Council executive director Felicia Baca said the artwork of Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson features a dynamic light display during nightly 30-minute shows. It also plays a musical composition from UK-based producer Koreless, which combines over 150 field recordings of creatures that depend on the Great Salt Lake for their health.

“It’s our city’s namesake,” Baca said of the Great Salt Lake during an interview with KSL on Monday. “It’s about our ability to live healthily in our city. So many things depend on the Great Salt Lake. It’s one of the biggest bird flyways in the Northern Hemisphere. Our ski season is dependent on it. Our ability to breathe clean air is dependent on the Great Salt Lake.”

Baca said the exhibit was part of the broader public art project, “Wake the Great Salt Lake,” which is supported by the arts council, the Salt Lake City Mayor’s Office and the Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge.

“The Salt Lake City Arts Council is a recipient of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge, so we got a $1 million grant to do temporary public art on a local challenge, and so the Great Salt Lake, of course, was that challenge for us,” Baca said.

The exhibit’s public reception

The exhibit was already generating its share of curiosity at the park.

Cody Peterson said he had “no idea” what it was when he first saw it last week.

“(I was) super curious because you don’t see something in the park like that every day,” Peterson said.

Ryan Eldredge quipped that the exhibit reminded him of something else entirely.

“I was like, ‘Well, (it) looks like we have a mini Vegas up here,'” Eldredge said.

A QR code at the site of the exhibit allows visitors to learn more.

Catherine McVey said she appreciated the message behind the art installation.

“The Great Salt Lake needs a lot of publicity because it’s disappearing,” she said. “So many things depend on the Great Salt Lake.”

Eldredge said he liked the art exhibit as a conversation starter.

“I think conversation has to be brought up, and it’s in a nonconfrontational setting way to do it, which I like,” he said.

The nightly 9 p.m. shows were scheduled to continue through April 4.

Baca said attendance was free and open to the public, but she recommended registering ahead of time.

She said the goal was to inspire interest and action on the issues that affect the Great Salt Lake.

“We hope that it just brings that education and awareness about the decline of the Great Salt Lake,” Baca said. “We know that sometimes science or data doesn’t really reach people in the way that art can to help kind of change hearts and minds.”

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MomEconomy app aims to help moms barter goods and services instead of cash

CNN Newsource on March 31, 2026

By Rachel Fabbi

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    SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (KSL) — Raising a child can cost more than $300,000 by the time they turn 18. A Utah nonprofit is hoping a new app can help lighten that financial load — while also combating parent isolation.

Momivate, a nonprofit focused on supporting mothers, is developing a new app called MomEconomy, designed to let moms barter goods and services with one another instead of spending cash.

“It’s a way for moms to trade what they already have — their skills, time, or extra items — without dipping into their savings,” said Amanda Ballash, with Momivate.

The concept builds on Momivate’s existing mission of helping moms “find their village.”

Through the app, parents will be able to exchange things like child care, meal prep, tutoring, or other everyday services, no money required.

For Alisha Hemmert, that sense of community came at a critical time. After the birth of her second child, she struggled with postpartum depression. Shortly after, her husband was diagnosed with brain cancer.

“I felt really alone and like I didn’t know who to turn to for help,” Hemmert said. “I really wish I had that village everybody talks about.”

Four years later, Hemmert says her husband is doing well, all things considered, and she has found support through Momivate. The organization is best known for its “revolving closet” program, which allows moms to trade outgrown children’s clothing for free.

“Moms can bring clothes their children have outgrown and trade them for clothes other mothers have brought,” said Regan Barnes, the founder of Momivate. “Children grow really fast, and this helps take some of the pressure off.”

The MomEconomy app takes that idea further, expanding the exchange beyond clothes to services and resources.

A group of four Brigham Young University students is helping bring the app to life, coding it as part of their capstone project.

“Out of all the projects available, MomEconomy stood out to me,” said BYU student Jacquelyn Guernsey. “It just sounded the most fulfilling to work on.”

The students have spent hundreds of hours developing the app, which is expected to enter beta testing within the next few weeks. Momivate hopes to roll it out statewide later this year — with plans to expand beyond Utah.

Because, organizers say, moms give so much of themselves every day.

“Somebody needs to be there to serve them,” Barnes said. “And that’s what Momivate is.”

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Royals fan proposes to girlfriend outside Kauffman Stadium before Opening Day game

CNN Newsource on March 31, 2026

By Eric Graves

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    KANSAS CITY, Missouri (KMBC) — The Kansas City Royals are hoping to end their season with a championship ring.

On Monday, one Royals fan started the season with a ring of their own.

“It’s been a long, nervous day,” said Steven Mitchell.

Mitchell drove in from Omaha with his girlfriend, Amy Hasenjager, and her parents for Opening Day.

It’s a tradition for the Hasenjager family to be at Opening Day for their beloved Kansas City Royals.

“We were just here for Opening Day with my parents, and we come almost every year,” Hasenjager said.

But Mitchell had his own surprise.

“Well, he popped the question about a half hour ago, right before we were going to walk into the K,” Hasenjager said.

In a total surprise for Hasenjager, Mitchell got down on one knee.

“We were taking a regular photo and then he turned and he was like, ‘Just wait a second,'” she said. “And then he got down on one knee and, I don’t know, I was so shocked. I kind of blacked out a little bit.”

Mitchell knew right in front of Kauffman Stadium would be the perfect spot.

“I thought this was a really special day,” Mitchell said. “It might throw her off, she’s not going to be expecting it. We’re just here for baseball!”

Hasenjager did not expect it, and now she can’t stop smiling.

“She was not excited to take photos to start, but I think she’s going to be excited to take any photo she wants today,” Mitchell said.

Sporting sunglasses that said “Just Engaged” and a matching sash to go with her new engagement ring, the future Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell headed into the home opener.

“Go Royals!” the happy couple said.

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Man admits to ‘mercy killing’ of wife and will now spend decades behind bars

CNN Newsource on March 31, 2026

By KCCI staff

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    ADEL, Iowa (KCCI) — A Perry man will likely spend the remainder of his life behind bars after pleading guilty to the death of his wife last year.

Richard James Hoesing, 76, pleaded guilty Friday to second-degree murder in the killing of his wife, Jean Hoesing. A judge sentenced him to 50 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum of 35 years before he is eligible for parole. He was also ordered to pay $150,000 to his wife’s estate.

The case began in March 2025, when Perry police were dispatched to a home in the 2600 block of Lucinda Street. According to investigators, Hoesing called authorities himself and reported that he had killed his wife.

When officers arrived, they found Jean Hoesing dead inside the residence with her throat cut.

Court documents state Hoesing told police he killed his wife to “put her out of her misery,” citing her struggles with multiple sclerosis and bipolar disorder. Authorities initially charged him with first-degree murder.

The plea agreement reduced the charge to second-degree murder, avoiding a potential life sentence without parole. However, with the length of the sentence and Hoesing’s age, the conviction effectively ensures he will spend the rest of his life in prison.

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Man accused of setting multiple grass fires in Oklahoma says he ‘misses being a firefighter’

CNN Newsource on March 31, 2026

By Jason Burger, Abigail Ogle

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    CUSTER CITY, Oklahoma (KOCO) — A former Custer City firefighter has been arrested and accused of intentionally setting nearly a dozen grass fires in Dewey and Custer counties, burning more than 400 acres of land.

Court documents show that the suspect, 32-year-old Skyler Terrell, allegedly told authorities he thought fighting these fires could help him get his job back. Terrell reportedly told them he is obsessed with fire.

Terrell was seen by Thomas firefighters at five different fire locations near the town of Putnam on the same day, according to court documents.

The first two fires he admitted to setting occurred on the same day in mid-February. One of KOCO’s storm chasers caught one of those fires on camera on Feb. 24.

According to court documents, firefighters reported that Terrell was the one to call them in, and he was first at the scene as firefighters showed up and even helped put them out. Fire investigators learned that the spots where Terrell helped put out the fires were where the fires originated.

Terrell admitted to setting all eight fires, saying he “misses being a firefighter.”

A probable cause affidavit says that Terrell was stopped by Oklahoma Highway Patrol on Feb. 24, but he was released and left the area.

In early March, agents with the State Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry met with Terrell. Court documents said he was seen at suspicious fires on Feb. 18, 24 and 27.

Officials said they noticed he called a family member, who works for the Custer City Fire Department, to notify them of all the fires.

“Skyler admitted…that he did set these fires with a cigarette lighter because he thought it could help him get back on the fire department if they saw him at the fires trying to put them out when they arrived,” court documents said.

Those fires burned more than 400 acres, according to court documents.

Terrell is facing eight counts of arson and establishing a pattern of crimes.

This isn’t Terrell’s first time getting in trouble with the law. He was also arrested in 2018 as part of a child predator sting in Canadian County.

He pleaded guilty to charges that he communicated with whom he thought was a 14-year-old girl but was actually an investigator posing as a teenager. He was sentenced to 117 days in jail and 160 hours of community service for that charge.

Now, Terrell faces nearly 70 years in prison if found guilty of all his new charges.

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