Month: April 2026

By Briseida Holguin

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    MANSFIELD, Texas (KTVT) — Vendors across North Texas say they were caught off guard when Painted Tree Boutiques abruptly shut down all six of its area stores, leaving hundreds of small business owners scrambling to clear out their booths with little warning.

At the Mansfield location alone, vendors estimate there are roughly 240 booths, many belonging to people who also rented space at multiple stores. Several told CBS News Texas the sudden closure will have a major financial impact on their families.

Painted Tree vendors received an email late Tuesday morning announcing the immediate closure of all stores and instructing them to remove their merchandise.

“It said we had until the 24th, but rumor has it that the landlords could shut the doors at any time,” said Carla Galligan of Personal Pizazz.

The announcement sent vendors rushing to pack up years’ worth of work.

“I don’t even know how to do this,” said vendor Joella Miller. “I feel like I should cry and be angry, but I’m just I’m processing, and I’m still taking it all in.”

Another vendor, Mona Lisa Cassedy, said she learned of the closure only when a family member texted her. “I had no idea,” she said.

Many vendors said they relied on Painted Tree as their sole source of income.

“I appreciate all the Facebook posts that people have been posting for us vendors, but there’s that just got taken advantage I feel like,” Miller said.

Others described watching entire small businesses dismantled in a matter of hours.

“Watching everyone break down their businesses that they’ve worked so very hard for in just a matter of a couple days — that’s sad to me,” one vendor said. “Small business is what runs this country.”

Some vendors said they had noticed problems in recent months, including delayed or incorrect payments.

“We’ve had lack of payment; the payments have been wrong,” one said. “She hasn’t been getting paid till about 6 months,” another added.

Several expressed frustration that the company collected rent just days before shutting down.

“What sickens my heart is they took rent four days ago, and then they do this,” one vendor said.

As they haul out merchandise, many vendors say they have nowhere to go next.

“Everything’s just going in my house. I have nowhere else to put it right now,” one said.

Others say alternative marketplaces have long waiting lists.

“Everybody, just stay strong. That’s all we can do,” a vendor said through tears.

Painted Tree has blamed rising costs and shifting market conditions for the closures. The company has not responded to questions about why the shutdown was so abrupt or whether bankruptcy is involved.

CBS News Texas has reached out for clarification, but has not heard back.

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 Ubah Ali

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    ST. PAUL, Minnesota (WCCO) — A viral TikTok creator known for giving away food and cash is banned from all city parks in St. Paul, Minnesota, until Oct. 3 after officials said he harassed “vulnerable adults” at a location.

Andy Rodriguez, director of St. Paul Parks and Recreation, accused Josh Liljenquist in a letter earlier this month of going to Pig’s Eye Park to “harass, record and profit from vulnerable adults residing there without said individuals’ permission.”

Rodriguez added in the letter that the city agency’s Department of Safety and Inspection staff also documented Liljenquist’s “intention of conducting an unlicensed event at the park on April 11th, 2026, with no City involvement or approval.”

In an interview with WCCO on Wednesday, Liljenquist said what he’s being accused of is false. He said he’s only recorded once at Pig’s Eye Park, for a video about giving out winter essentials, and it was with the consent of the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office.

Liljenquist said he was in Florida when the April 11 event was supposed to take place.

WCCO asked Liljenquist why he chooses to film himself helping people instead of doing it in private.

“One, hopefully inspiring other people to do it, showing that it doesn’t take a lot of money, it doesn’t take a lot of resources to go out there and do something for somebody,” he said.

According to Liljenquist, he and his videographer both check for consent with an individual before they film.

Sue Phillips, executive director of the Metropolitan Interfaith Council on Affordable Housing, said her organization agrees with the ban.

“The Metropolitan Interfaith Council on Affordable Housing (MICAH) in the Twin Cities and National Coalition for The Homeless (NCH) agree that this is exploiting people experiencing homelessness/ housing instability and we agree with St. Paul Parks officials in banning this Tik Toker from harassment by recording and profiting from vulnerable adults residing there without individuals’ permission,” Phillips said in a written statement.

Other grassroots organizations, like Feeding St. Paul, say the impact is incredible and these videos help those often overlooked.

“Josh has changed many lives, taken people off the streets,” Michael Brendale, founder of Feeding St. Paul, said.

Liljenquist will be appealing the ban when meeting with St. Paul officials on Friday. WCCO has reached out to see if it will be open to the media.

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 Caroline Cummings

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    MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — A resolution setting up a process to investigate impeachment claims against DFL Gov. Tim Walz and DFL Attorney General Keith Ellison failed to move forward in the Minnesota House on Wednesday.

The measure failed on a party-line vote after a heated hour-long debate in the House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee, whose membership is split evenly between Republicans and Democrats due to their historic tie in the chamber.

The resolution would have cleared a pathway to discuss two separate impeachment resolutions in which some House Republicans accuse Walz and Ellison of “corrupt conduct” in office related to the widespread fraud in state programs. It would have referred those resolutions to the GOP-led fraud committee for investigation and set May 1 as the deadline to submit its findings to the full House.

“When the governor knows of widespread fraud, fails to act and allows retaliation against those who speak out, that meets the constitutional threshold for impeachment,” said Rep. Mike Weiner, a Republican co-sponsor of the Walz impeachment resolution who is a member of the Minnesota Freedom Caucus.

But Wednesday is as far as any impeachment resolutions will likely go because lawmakers did not agree on even the parameters to set them in motion; the resolution on Wednesday did not discuss the merits of the allegations.

“Governor Walz is focused on lowering costs. Republicans are focused on fighting Walz. It would be great if Republicans in the state legislature took a stab at serious work that actually helps people,” the governor’s office said in a statement.

Walz ended his reelection campaign earlier this year while Ellison is seeking another term.

House Democrats criticized the effort as “stupid” and “hair-brained idea” that amounted to a misplaced priority with just weeks to go until the Legislature adjourns for the year, illustrating once again the deep divides in the politically tied chamber that have defined the session so far. Both sides have tried and failed to advance their partisan priorities the last few months.

“This is a fundamentally unserious proposal by a fundamentally unserious party who isn’t interested in governing,” said Rep. Mike Howard, DFL-Richfield. “Gas prices are rising because of Trump’s illegal war in Iran. Health care, housing, child care costs are spiking. We have hospitals closing. Yet this is what we’re going to do today? A bill that’s absolutely going nowhere, dead on arrival, aimed at sticking it in the eye of the governor and attorney general.”

The Ellison impeachment resolution stems in part from Republicans’ concern about a meeting the attorney general had with individuals who have since been convicted in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme. Ellison has previously pushed back on the nature of the meeting, saying he didn’t know the people involved at the time, nor did he know of the crimes they were committing.

As is the case in the U.S. Congress, the constitutional process in Minnesota is that the House has the power to impeach and the Senate conducts a trial and votes on whether or not to convict.

The last time anyone was impeached and removed from office in the state was a judge back in 1882, according to nonpartisan House research staff.

Republicans who brought the resolutions forward said they would not back down from their fight.

“This was strictly about just doing the right thing, whether it passes or fails. We believe this is the right thing to do,” said Rep. Ben Davis, R-Merrifield.

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 Jasmine Arenas

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    DENVER, Colorado (KCNC) — A Denver mother says her children were served expired food at their elementary school. She’s among the parents who expressed concerns after a recent health inspection confirmed the presence of spoiled items.

Jenny Rios, a mother of two students at Samuels Elementary School, said she has been raising concerns about food quality at the school for nearly a year. She believes the issue may have contributed to her children becoming ill.

Rios said her concerns began after she discovered her 5-year-old son had been given expired applesauce at school. She said he later experienced ongoing stomach issues.

“That’s when I noticed it was expired, and he’s been having constant stomach issues,” Rios said.

She alleges the problem has persisted, with parents sharing photos that appear to show moldy fruit, outdated packaged items and food past its expiration date.

“All year long, we’ve been trying to talk to the principal and teachers,” Rios said. “We don’t know if any changes have been made, so we’ve been packing food for them to take to school instead of eating there.”

The Denver Department of Public Health & Environment conducted an inspection at the school on April 14 in response to a complaint. According to the inspection report, officials found the school in violation for having spoiled or contaminated food. The report noted that two mandarin oranges with visible mold were discovered and immediately discarded. Staff also received guidance on identifying and removing spoiled produce.

Health officials said no expired packaged food items were found during the inspection and that the facility was otherwise in compliance with food safety requirements. No ongoing risk was identified, and no reinspection was required.

In a statement to CBS Colorado, the department also said it has not received any reports of foodborne illness associated with the school but encouraged families to report suspected cases by calling 311 or submitting a report online.

DDPHE routinely inspects school kitchens and investigates complaints as they are received. In this case, we responded to a complaint about potentially spoiled food and conducted an on-site inspection on April 14.

During the inspection, we identified two mandarin oranges with visible mold. Those items were immediately discarded, and staff received additional guidance on properly identifying and removing spoiled produce. No expired packaged food items were found, and the facility was otherwise in compliance with food safety requirements, with no ongoing risk identified.

Denver Public Schools said it is aware of the concerns raised by the school community and emphasized that student health and safety are a top priority.

In a statement, the district said its Food and Nutrition Services department manages kitchen operations and has addressed the issue identified in the inspection. The district added that it is working with health officials and plans to hold a community discussion about food services in the near future.

Denver Public Schools (DPS) is aware of the concerns raised by the Samuels Elementary community regarding food quality and the recent report from Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE). The health and safety of our students is our absolute priority, and any report of substandard food service is taken with the utmost seriousness.

While our principals are the instructional leaders of our schools, our Food & Nutrition Services department manages the technical operations of our kitchens. Therefore, the district is handling the specifics of this matter to allow the principal to remain focused on student learning and supporting families.

DPS is committed to ensuring that all food safety protocols are strictly followed. Additionally, DPS is working in full transparency with DDPHE and immediately addressed the only deficiency that was noted in their report. DDPHE did not issue a summons and no re-inspection was required.

We strive to serve our students nutritious, high-quality meals every day, and we are committed to rebuilding the trust of the Samuels Elementary community. In the near future, DPS will hold a community discussion about food services within the school community.

Despite those assurances, Rios said she plans to continue packing lunches for her children.

“I just want this to be over,” she 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 Lesley Marin, Dean Fioresi

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    LONG BEACH, California (KCAL, KCBS) — For the first time in 15 years, Long Beach’s “Big Bang on the Bay” will be lacking its signature “bang” after the event’s fireworks permit was denied by California state officials.

The annual Fourth of July celebration, which typically lit up the night sky over Alamitos Bay the night before Independence Day, will be without its famous fireworks show after the California Coastal Commission denied the permit, leaving city leaders toying with the idea of canceling the event altogether.

“Fireworks to me, it just seems like the best way,” said John Morris. “Any other option is going to be hard to rally as many people as we rally.”

Morris, who owns a waterfront restaurant on the bay, has helped put the event on for more than a decade, something that has not only turned into a family affair but a favorite among Long Beach locals and visitors.

Last year, the CCC said that they would have to transition the event from pyrotechnics to drones because they have less of an environmental impact on the ocean. On Wednesday, Morris appealed their decision.

“We do not pollute the water, we do not affect wildlife,” Morris said during his appeal hearing. “We have done testing for 10 years.”

His appeal was denied, despite receiving support from Long Beach City Council members like Kristina Duggan, who said that the event provides the community with a “controlled professionally managed alternative” as opposed to unregulated illegal fireworks, which have a “much greater impact on our neighborhood.”

On top of that, they say that the cost of the drone show, paired with limited beach and boat access, makes it a non-option for the event.

“So, all of a sudden, from a $40,000 fireworks show, we’d be up to $200,000,” Morris said during the hearing.

Big Bang by the Bay organizers say that the fireworks show brings in community donations that they, in turn, donate to nonprofits across Long Beach.

“The Belmont Shore Rugby Club has a workforce initiative. They have a scholarship initiatives and they just said this is their biggest fundraising event a year,” said Shane Hardy, who runs the nonprofit organization Eminent Giving Foundation.

He’s one of many who think that despite the denial, the city should come together for some sort of event, even if they have to get creative.

“We’re gonna have to get a little bit artsy and creative of how we’re gonna make this year happen,” Hardy 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 Ashley Sharp

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    SACRAMENTO, California (KOVR) — A group of Sacramento parents is pushing back on a plan to replace all the grass playing surfaces at Crocker/Riverside Elementary School with artificial turf.

It comes as the Sacramento City Unified School District (SCUSD) tells CBS Sacramento that six other elementary schools within the district have already made the switch and that they consider the move safe and sustainable.

For the concerned parents, they hope the decision is not final at Crocker/Riverside.

“I care about all the kids here, so I think it’s important that they have a healthy environment where they spend most of their time,” said Lisa Mar, parent of a child at the school.

Mar created an online petition with several hundred signatures to try to stop the switch to artificial turf, saying she does not want her child playing at recess on plastic.

“Slow down and rethink it with us, because the community wasn’t consulted, and we really want grass,” said mother Bianca Vargas.

Vargas’ daughter and niece both attend school at Crocker/Riverside. She has a long list of concerns about the use of turf.

“Heat, I would say, is the biggest one. Also just the loss of connection to any natural surface,” said Vargas. “We send our kids here every day. They spend long hours playing outside, and these conditions really matter.”

It’s the added heat and potential chemical exposure from the plastics that worry these mothers most.

“All the toxin exposures and the turf will make the air quality worse for kids,” said Mar. “It’s sad that they will be exposed to nothing but artificial surfaces if this project is completed.”

In a statement to CBS News Sacramento, SCUSD says student safety is always a primary consideration when making decisions about school facility improvements.

“The conversion to artificial turf is not something new or exclusive to Crocker/Riverside Elementary. The product is a safe and sustainable alternative to natural grass and has been installed at six other elementary schools in our district as part of modernization and new construction projects in recent years,” a spokesperson said in a statement.

When it comes to how turf impacts kids specifically, Dianne Woelke, a board member for the nonprofit Safe Healthy Playing Fields, says kids are not just ‘small adults’ and have a higher risk of negative impacts.

“They don’t tolerate heat stress as easily as older people can. They are considered a vulnerable population,” said Woelke.

Woelke cites documented risks of cancer, hormonal disruptions and exposure to forever plastics.

“They are planning on covering essentially every last but of natural surfacing at this school with plastic,” said Woelke. “Parents need to be aware that there are major health risks playing on the fields beyond the heat itself, which can be extreme.”

SCUSD cited California research that found no significant risk from synthetic turf fields, calling the product safe and sustainable.

“Crocker/Riverside does not have the space to support 600 students while maintaining a natural grass field in a safe and usable condition. If a sustainable natural grass solution were feasible, it would already be in place. In reality, the field has often gone unused because of safety concerns about its condition. Our goal is to create a space that is consistently safe and accessible for students. No option is perfect, but we believe this approach offers the most reliable, safe, and long-term benefit for students,” said a district spokesperson in a statement.

Vargas points to a significant move made by the Los Angeles Unified School District last year, impacting all elementary and middle school campuses.

“The biggest school district in California just voted to ban all artificial turf. It’s the wrong direction,” said Vargas. “I think the tide is turning on plastic. It’s not climate-friendly.”

And as for the students, a Crocker/Riverside Elementary sixth grader tells CBS Sacramento they play outside at least twice a day and students prefer grass, not turf.

“It would make me feel like I would want to be indoors more than outdoors, because I would know what’s out there, and I just wouldn’t want to go play on it,” said Alexa. “Children should deserve to play in a natural environment.”

The concerned parents are also threatening to take further action in a potential lawsuit.

At SCUSD’s board meeting on Thursday, district leaders are expected to approve a CEQA exemption related to the project.

The parents say they will be there in numbers to speak out against it.

“They talk green school yards, but what we’re getting is a plastic school yard,” said Vargas.

SCUSD says the move comes as the district is thinking deeply about how to adapt to a rapidly changing climate, as well as mitigate its impact on 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 Terell Bailey

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    DETROIT, Michigan (WWJ) — Many have seen the videos of Detroit’s teen takeovers, but a local organization is looking to channel that energy into something positive for the youth.

“These kids done been through a lot, but when they come here, they can release and take out that anger on these bags,” said coach Terry Canty.

The Matrix Center’s boxing program, day by day, continues to grow. It’s a place where the younger generation can receive mentorship – and a haven.

“Grit showing up, perseverance, all of these skills, they’re going to leave it in that box,” said Tikilah Turner, the director of youth services for the organization.

Canty is one of the coaches who whips students into shape. After his son was killed in the early 2000s, he started mentoring and coaching.

“Some days we might have 30 kids in here. In the summertime, I’ve had almost 50 kids in here at one time,” Canty told CBS News Detroit.

Young men and women can get a sense of community here. The nonprofit is one of the only recreational centers along East McNichols, a far change from years ago in the city.

“When they [the city] started closing down all the programs, we started hanging in the streets and getting in trouble. That’s why I’m here, so kids don’t make the same mistake as I did,” said Brandon Colston, Triple T boxing coach.

As teen takeovers nationwide become more visible, it’s organizations like the Matrix Center that are hoping to be a guiding light.

“Those kids shouldn’t be downtown unsupervised by [themself] like that. Because the majority of these teens got guns.” Canty said. “You can’t take the bullet back once it come out.”

On May 2, the organization will host its first amateur fight! Fighters from ages 8 to 30 will show off their skills.

“It helps me get out more, and meet new people and do a lot of things I didn’t think I’d be doing,” said 16-year-old boxer Devon Dorsey.

Though Dorsey has been in the program for less than a year, he already has a message for other young people.

“You should focus on your studies. Do something proactive like this. You can do something way better with your time,” Dorsey said.

Fifteen fights are on the docket for their first sanctioned fight night. The first 25 kids who sign up to attend the event will get free admission.

“We want this to be a teen takeover; we want our youth to show up in numbers. And to see how other youth have been channelling their time,” Turner told CBS News Detroit

Boxing is a novelty for many of these children, but a decade from now, some are hoping to take the skills taught here up a notch.

“Maybe go pro, I got me a nice little house, I got my momma a house, I’m just chilling,” Dorsey said.

For more information on the youth boxing event, visit the Matrix Human Services website.

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.