Month: April 2026

By Conor Wight

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    EDEN PRAIRIE, Minnesota (WCCO) — In just the past few years, Ashleigh Whitton of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, had begun competing in triathlons. After colliding with a car that ended up in her racing path on Sunday, she’s been left paralyzed from the neck down.

Whitton was in West Palm Beach, Florida, to participate in the BillBone Olympic Triathlon. According to Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Deputies, a 74-year-old driver moved across a lane that had been shut down to vehicular traffic for the race. The driver was trying to enter a park, creating an “unavoidable” crash. Whitton and a second cyclist hit the passenger side of the car. Whitton was airlifted to a hospital with severe injuries.

Her family is now at her side. Sophia Yoerks, Whitton’s daughter, got to West Palm Beach as quickly as she could once she heard the news. Yoerks said that her mom has always been an inspiration not just to her but to everyone who met her.

While Whitton has a full-time job, her hobby and true passion is physical fitness. She’s known as a “warrior” at the Life Time gym in Eden Prairie where she teaches a no-nonsense fitness class.

“Whenever I’m at school or going to the gym myself or meeting new people, I’m like, ‘Ok, what would mom do?'” Yoerks said.

In just the past few days, Yoerks said there have been positive signs. Whitton has been able to move her eyes and begin to breathe unassisted.

“I have never met anybody stronger than her,” Yoerks said. “She’s pushing through this.”

So far, the driver is not facing any charges. The sheriff’s office did not respond to WCCO’s specific questions about what happened.

Bill Bone, the organizer for the triathlon, also did not respond in time for publishing, though there is a statement on Bone’s website, which says, “On behalf of the cycling and multisport community, we are all in shock about the incident which occurred during the race. As a triathlete myself, this was not something I imagined could happen and my thoughts and heart are with the two athletes and their families as they fight to recover. The Sherrif’s office is conducting an investigation, so it is not appropriate for us to speculate what happened at this stage.”

Friends and family say they are focused on recovery. So far, an online fundraiser has raised more than $62,000. The goal to handle medical expenses is at least $90,000.

Christine Dahl, a close friend of Whitton’s and a fellow trainer at Life Time, said that she isn’t surprised by the outpouring of support and that she has seen Whitton change lives by spreading the love of movement.

“She’d look around at everyone and say, ‘Isn’t it exciting to move your body?'” Dahl said. “She is like the joy of movement human being. She’s incredible.”

Dahl said that Whitton’s goal was to run a full IRONMAN competition this summer. For now, everyone is just hoping to see more “baby steps” in the right direction.

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 Todd Feurer, Sabrina Franza, Lauren Victory

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    CHICAGO, Illinois (WBBM) — The City Council on Wednesday failed to override Mayor Brandon Johnson’s veto of an ordinance that would have stopped scheduled pay hikes for tipped workers in Chicago.

The proposal, approved by the City Council last month on a 30-18 vote, would freeze tipped wages at the current rate of $12.62 per hour. Alders would need 34 votes to override Johnson’s veto, but fell short with a 30-19 vote on Wednesday.

With the mayor’s veto upheld, tipped workers in Chicago will see their minimum wage increase on July 1, 2026, to 84% of the full minimum wage, which currently stands at $16.60 per hour. The city’s minimum wage increases every year on July 1 by 2.5% or matching the annual increase in the Consumer Price Index, whichever is lower, so it’s not yet clear how much those wages will increase in July.

In 2023, the City Council approved the “One Fair Wage Ordinance” to gradually increase the wage for tipped workers to the full minimum wage by July 1, 2028. It was one of Johnson’s first signature wins for his progressive agenda.

“Making sure that people can afford their rent and pay their bills and put food in their refrigerator is not a politically correct thing to do, it’s a human thing to do, it’s a just thing to do, it’s the right thing to do,” said Ald. Jessie Fuentes (26th), the chief sponsor of the One Fair Wage ordinance.

Before the ordinance passed, businesses were allowed to pay tipped workers 60% of the standard minimum wage. If tipped workers’ wages and tips do not add up to the full minimum wage, employers must make up the difference.

Restaurant owners said the mandated raises actually wound up hurting employees — with hours reduced, jobs cut, and customer prices raised to keep up with the required payments.

But Mayor Brandon Johnson vetoed the freeze, calling it “tone deaf and shortsighted.”

Despite the City Council’s failure to override Johnson’s veto, both sides vowed to continue efforts to find ways to support small restaurants struggling to stay open with higher wages for tipped workers.

“They’re reducing hours, and they’re reducing staff, and that’s not what we want. That’s counterproductive. We want restaurants flourishing. We want people working,” said Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th), who was among the alders voting to override the mayor’s veto.

Ald. Anthony Beale (9th) said the mandated pay increases for tipped workers are harming the city’s restaurant industry.

“This is not a myth. This is not something that they just made up. We have data that shows it’s harming Chicago, and so that’s why we have to stand up today and do what’s right instead of doing what’s politically we think is correct,” he said.

Ald. Jeanette Taylor (20th), who supported the One Fair Wage Ordinance when it passed in 2023, but supported overriding the mayor’s veto of freezing pay hikes for tipped workers, criticized her colleagues for not finding a compromise to help support smaller restaurants while still phasing out lower wages for tipped workers.

“What is so disheartening about all of this is you’re sitting in a City Council full of organizers, and what we should have done was have both sides come together a long time ago and have the conversation, because now we’re in this who is right and who is wrong? And neither one.” she said. “I want tipped workers to get paid, I want them to make a living wage, but I also don’t want to see the Soulés and the Virtues and those small businesses close either, and so where is the compromise?”

Johnson, however, said there was a compromise on the One Fair Wage Ordinance before it passed, noting he and his allies originally planned to phase out the lower wage for tipped workers over three years, but agreed to a five-year phase out at the request of the Illinois Restaurant Association.

“We didn’t shove this raise down, you know, to shove them through, right? It’s why there’s a five-year gradual increase, and that did demonstrate compromise. These individuals were at the table,” Johnson said.

However, even with the five-year phase out of lower wages for tipped workers, the Illinois Restaurant Association has opposed the One Fair Wage Ordinance from the beginning.

Fuentes said talks are planned next week between leaders in the restaurant industry and backers of the tipped wage hike.

“There’s a lot that can be done here. It’s going to take different levels of government. I’m committed to making sure that we support workers and that we support industry,” she said.

Illinois Restaurant Association President Sam Toia said he’ll be at the meeting.

“Let’s just talk about it. Let’s communicate. Right now, I’m worried about our small independent restaurants, and making sure we don’t see more empty storefronts throughout our great city,” he said.

Chicago City Council approves first taxi fare hike since 2016 Meantime, the City Council approved the city’s first taxi cab fare hike in a decade. Some drivers told CBS News Chicago they are appreciative, but others say it is too little, too late.

Cab drivers have seen the value of their taxi medallions — the required city licenses — plummet. Cab driver Mohamed Ali bought his medallion for $25,000 several years ago, but it’s now worth only $6,000. City records show, before Uber and Lyft began operating in Chicago in 2012 and 2013, respectively, medallions often sold for as much as $350,000 or more.

Lyft and Uber have far fewer regulations than taxis in Chicago. Ride-hailing services can charge higher fares and have normalized surge pricing during peak demand periods, all while cabbies can only charge what the city allows.

As for the fare bump, it would mean about 20% more for a ride, with a $2.50 rush hour fee between 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. There would also be a $1 overnight fee from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Alders also were set to vote on a proposal to ban extremism from within the ranks of the Chicago Police Department, but that vote was delayed until next month.

More than a few officers have been investigated in the past for ties to the Proud Boys and other anti-government groups.

The proposal would block all members of the Chicago Police Department from “advocating, engaging in or supporting the overthrow of any federal, state, or local government of the United States.”

Alders approve settlement with man who spent 19 years in prison for wrongful conviction The council also approved a $9.5 million settlement with a man who spent 19 years in prison after he was wrongfully convicted of murder.

Carl Reed was sentenced to 27 years in prison in 2005 for the killing of 66-year-old Kim Van Vo, who had been stabbed 11 times in his apartment at an assisted living facility.

Reed suffers from severe cognitive difficulties and learning disabilities, and according to his lawsuit, police obtained his confession after “shackling him to a wall on a bare, metal bench for 55 hours—denying him diabetes medication, physically beating him, and psychologically torturing him until he signed a prewritten confession that he could not even read.”

The lawsuit claims the lead detective, Richard Zuley, has “a truly disturbing track record of procuring false confessions.”

It also noted that no physical evidence tied Reed to Van Vo’s murder, stating Reed had no blood on his clothes and no injuries on his hands, even though Van Vo was stabbed to death with a five-inch blade with no handle.

After his conviction, forensic testing of evidence at the crime scene – including the knife blade, a towel covering Van Vo’s face, and hairs in Van Vo’s hands – could not be linked to Reed.

In April 2020, Gov. JB Pritzker commuted Reed’s sentence, and three years later, Cook County prosecutors agreed to drop all charges against him.

In other business on Wednesday, the council also tapped Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th) to serve as chair of the Zoning Committee, which has been without a permanent chair since former Ald. Walter Burnett resigned from the council last summer. Ald. Bennett Lawson (44th), the Zoning Committee’s vice chair, has been serving as interim chair since Burnett’s departure, and had sought the permanent seat, but the council went with Villegas instead.

Ald. Derrick Curtis (18th) was installed as chair of the Economic Development Committee, replacing Villegas.

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 J.D. Miles

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    ARLINGTON, Texas (KTVT) — On a day Major League Baseball celebrates inclusiveness, several North Texas civil rights groups gathered outside Globe Life Field to again urge the Texas Rangers to remove a controversial statue displayed inside the ballpark.

The push comes on Jackie Robinson Day, when MLB honors the legacy of its first Black player. The Rangers are on the road in Oakland, but activists said the timing was intentional.

The 12‑foot statue – depicting a Texas Ranger law enforcement officer – was relocated earlier this year from Dallas Love Field, where it stood for six decades. Critics say the figure represents a painful history of segregation and racial injustice.

Concerns over historical ties Yolonda Trigg with the South Dalworth Historical Society said the issue isn’t about erasing history but about what the team chooses to elevate.

“While history should always be preserved, the symbols we choose to display in prominent public places must reflect the values that bring people together,” Trigg said.

Activists argue the statue’s inspiration was Ranger Jay Banks, who enforced segregation in Texas public schools and appeared in a widely circulated photograph standing in front of a Black man hanging in effigy.

Activists cite offensive symbolism Imam Khalid Shaheed of the Dallas Muslim Peace Society called the statue “a symbol of hate and backwardness.”

“This man tried to forbid the rights of Black students here in North Texas,” Shaheed said. “That’s offensive.”

The groups are asking the Rangers to replace the statue with one honoring Jackie Robinson. Team ownership has not publicly addressed the renewed criticism.

What’s next CBS News Texas did not receive a response from the Rangers regarding Wednesday’s statements. Activists say if the team remains silent, they will consider additional actions.

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 John Shumway

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    PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania (KDKA) — As Pittsburgh prepares to host hundreds of thousands of people next week, a security expert has weighed in on how difficult it might be to secure a large event like the upcoming NFL draft.

Plans have been designed to keep the NFL draft safe from the unexpected, which is a tall order with no room for error.

When the NFL draft comes to Pittsburgh next week, it’s expected to be the largest event in the city’s history. Officials have estimated 500,000 to 700,000 people will come to Pittsburgh for the draft.

With hundreds of thousands of people coming to Pittsburgh, it keeps security planners hyper vigilant.

“Why you have to worry is you have to worry about a mass casualty event,” said Dennis Lejeck with Vitalis Security. “With the event being outside, it makes it even more challenging to secure.”

Lejeck said that because there are more points of vulnerability, there will be the need to create points of entry using fencing, using bollards, and securing roadways.

“You have to secure the rivers and you have to secure the air,” Lejeck said.

On top of physical security, with the crowd that’s expected for the draft, Lejeck said it means you need more people, as well.

“1,000 human beings, and that’s just the private sector, local law enforcement, the state, the county, the federal agency, the NFL security team, that doesn’t include first responders,” Lejeck said.

Lejeck said that adding a security presence has to be done in a user-cooperative way.

“People want security, but they also don’t want security to be an inconvenience,” Lejeck said.

While there will be a lot of technology in play during the draft along with things you will never see, Lejeck said to expect to see a sizable uniformed presence.

“I feel like you should be reassured by that,” Lejeck said.

While an event of this size might be new territory for Pittsburgh, Lejeck said that the NFL and the federal agencies have their models and know how to secure the NFL draft.

Pittsburgh’s topography can add to the challenge for security teams as the three rivers and the highways intersect the draft footprint, along with having no real way to know how many fans will show up for the event.

Cooperation and patience will be important as the events get underway and as the crowds begin arriving in the city.

The NFL’s clear bag policy will be in effect and security checkpoints will be similar to ones travelers go through at the airport.

Answers to frequently asked questions regarding rules and security for the draft can found inside the NFL’s OnePass app.

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 Tom Dougherty, Joe Holden

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    PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (KYW) — A Major League Baseball umpire was among two victims allegedly robbed and assaulted in separate incidents last week in Center City, police sources tell CBS News Philadelphia.

Multiple law enforcement sources identified the umpire as Brock Ballou, who has umped in MLB since 2022.

The two alleged robberies and assaults happened on Thursday, April 9, within 30 minutes of each other, the Philadelphia Police Department said. Police released surveillance video of the suspect, who they said appears to be in his teens.

Police said the first incident happened shortly after 6:30 p.m. at the 7-Eleven in the 1200 block of Chestnut Street. They said the suspect entered the convenience store and allegedly stole several items. An employee then confronted the suspect and was punched multiple times before the suspect fled the store, police said.

About 30 minutes later, police said the same suspect approached Ballou from behind in the 1600 block of Walnut Street, stole Ballou’s phone while the umpire was looking at directions and then ran off.

“The suspect approached the male and snatched his cellphone out of his hands,” Capt. Jason Smith told CBS News Philadelphia. “The victim went chasing after the male, at which time they got involved in a physical altercation at 16th and Walnut.”

Investigators said when Ballou tried to take his phone back, the suspect punched him several times in the head. Surveillance video shown to CBS News Philadelphia shows the suspect repeatedly punching Ballou.

“They ended up on the ground, at which time the victim struck his head, causing injury,” Smith said. “The male continued his assault, violently punching him.”

The suspect then ran away without the phone, which was later returned to Ballou by someone on the street, police said. Ballou’s injuries were not serious, police said.

Ballou was in town to work the Phillies vs. Arizona Diamondbacks series last weekend. He was umpiring first base the following night and was behind home plate two days later.

MLB declined to comment when contacted by CBS News Philadelphia.

Police are asking anyone with information about the alleged crimes to contact the department’s central detective division at 215-686-3093/3094.

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By Jenna DeAngelis

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    NEW YORK, New York (WCBS) — A Long Island woman accused of attempting to kidnap a toddler was back in court on Wednesday.

She was ordered to stay away from the little girl and her 79-year-old great-grandfather, who were out on a walk in Long Beach earlier this month when the woman allegedly attacked.

The latest on the investigation Long Beach Police say it happened just after noon on April 6 at the intersection of Laurelton Boulevard and West Penn Street.

Video shows the great-grandfather pushing a stroller and the woman, identified as 40-year-old Heather Magone, a licensed clinical social worker, walking a dog behind him.

What happened next was not captured on the camera, but, according to police, the woman attempted to forcefully remove the 14-month-old from the stroller while stating, “This is my child. I have a license.”

The little girl’s mother said her grandfather called in a panic, saying, “Some woman has attacked and she’s trying to take the child.”

“It was horrible,” the mother added. “I just started running. I didn’t know what was happening. I just started flying there.”

But then he acted, she said.

“He was able to knock her down, keep the stroller in one hand, hold her down in the other,” the mother said. “I’m amazed and so grateful that he was there. It has taken a few days to let everything settle in, but they’re OK and that’s the most important part.”

Suspect’s attorney disputes the allegations Magone, who was charged with attempted kidnapping, appeared in court Wednesday and agreed to two full stay-away orders of protection, even though her attorney, Lloyd Nadel, told a different story.

“She said that’s not what went down, there was an altercation,” Nadel said. “The child was in the stroller. She never touched the child. The child was safe the whole time.”

Magone’s attorney did not clarify what the altercation was about, but said he’s working to get video. His client remains in custody, with her next court appearance set for April 27.

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 Juli McDonald

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    IPSWICH, Massachusetts (WBZ) — Vandals targeted a non-profit farm in Ipswich, Massachusetts that grows food for people in need.

“Tuesday morning our farm crew got to work,” said Liz Green of Three Sisters Garden Project. “It was incredibly disheartening to come in and see that.”

The devastating discovery came as a blow for Three Sisters Garden Project. The Ipswich community farm has a mission deeply rooted in growing and giving. But what they found was so completely opposite – several weeks of careful work was destroyed.

“Trays all over the floor, there were plants on the ground, things uprooted, things ripped in half. We’ve lost plants and crops in the past to weather, pests, diseases, natural disasters. But never to a person trying to do harm,” said Green.

That harm, especially painful, because of who the non-profit feeds. Eighty percent of their produce goes to food insecure neighbors.

“A lot of folks on the North Shore are really struggling to make ends meet. They can’t afford good food. They can’t get to markets; they can’t get to CSAs. So, we really see our role as bridging that gap,” she explained.

What was trashed and trampled had the potential to grow into thousands of pounds of food. But the team wasted no time turning a new leaf. They salvaged what they could, and generous North Shore neighbors and farms nipped negativity in the bud, donating for replacement seeds, plants and trays.

As the team scrambles before their late May plant sale, they’re still willing to extend an olive branch to whomever did this.

“To replant and get folks’ hands in the dirt and engage and sort of repair and rebuild. That’s what we love,” Green added optimistically.

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 Joan Murray

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    FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida (WFOR) — Diving is back in a big way in Fort Lauderdale. Beginning Thursday, the aquatic center on the beach will host the American Cup.

Divers from around the world and the U.S. will compete in high dive and Olympic category diving, the first competition of its kind in the United States.

The competition showcases the iconic dive tower that stands 100 feet tall. Male divers take off and plunge 88 feet into the water at 60 miles an hour.

“This is the only high dive platform of its kind in the Western Hemisphere,” said Laura Voet, manager of the Aquatic Complex. “We built the first Olympic-size pool in 1928, so to bring these competitions here is amazing,” she said.

The Swimming Hall of Fame next door, which honors the legends in the diving field, is staying put and will be getting a major makeover, too.

Lily Witte and Bailee Stargell, who are from the Midwest, are competing in the American Cup this week. “The venue is special,” Witte said. “We never see high divers.” They will compete against divers from around the world, some with Olympic dreams.

Leslie Hasselback Adams, USA high diving performance director, said Fort Lauderdale has all the elements—wind and sun—to get competitors ready for the Los Angeles Summer Olympics in two years. “All the elements, wind and sun, help us prepare for the ’28 Olympics,” 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 JT Moodee Lockman, Ashley Paul

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    HARFORD COUNTY, Maryland (WJZ) — A Washington, D.C., police lieutenant was arrested in Harford County, Maryland, and charged with sexual solicitation of a minor, according to court documents.

Records show that 47-year-old Lt. Matthew Mahl was arrested by county sheriff deputies on Tuesday. He also faces charges of soliciting child pornography.

According to charging documents, Mahl tried to meet up with someone he believed to be a 15-year-old boy for sexual activity.

A judge ordered Mahl to be held without bail Wednesday. WJZ has reached out to Mahl’s attorney for comment.

According to D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), Lt. Mahl was placed on administrative leave, and his police powers were revoked after Harford County Sheriff’s officials contacted MPD’s Internal Affairs Division about the arrest.

“The allegations in this case are extremely disturbing, and in direct contrast with the values of the Metropolitan Police Department,” officials said in a statement.

MPD officials said they were not aware of or involved in the initial investigation. Following the criminal investigation, MPD’s Internal Affairs Division will investigate to determine if Lt. Mahl violated any department policies.

Mahl served as chairman of the D.C. Fraternal Order of Police for one term, between 2016 and 2018. In 2017, union members tried and failed to have him removed as chairman.

Details revealed in charging documents, bail hearing During a bail hearing Wednesday, prosecutors called Mahl a “wolf in sheep’s clothing,” describing him as someone who should be keeping children safe, not preying on them online.

“It’s just awful,” said Amanda Rodriguez, CEO of the rape crisis organization, Turnaround. “These are individuals that the kids should be able to put their trust in. So it’s not just a tragedy, it really is a horrific tragedy when we think about the impact that this could have on young people trusting those that they really often need to for their own safety.”

According to charging documents, an undercover sergeant with the Harford County Sheriff’s Office was posing online as a teen boy named Nate when he connected with Lt. Mahl in a Reddit chat.

“Through conversation, Nate’s age of 15 and the fact that he was young and inexperienced was brought up numerous times and furthermore, this was acknowledged by Matt on multiple occasions,” charging documents read.

The two allegedly spoke on Reddit and over text for roughly a month, with Mahl sending sexually explicit photos and messages.

Charging documents explain that Mahl disclosed his position in the police department to Nate, stating, “He could get in trouble, but that Nate wouldn’t, as he was a ‘child,'” and adding, “I have it all to lose.”

“Every time that something like this happens with a law enforcement officer, it degrades the trust that people have in these authorities, these institutions, that they should absolutely be able to put their trust in,” said Rodriguez.

Mahl was arrested Tuesday after he allegedly traveled to Harford County to meet with the supposed 15-year-old.

On Wednesday, prosecutors argued that people like Mahl are the most dangerous because “these are some of the types of crimes you can do from the comfort of your own home,” which is why the judge decided to hold him without bond.

“We need to hold folks in law enforcement and, again, in these other higher areas of authority to a level to ensure that that trust is always able to be there,” said Rodriguez.

Mahl is set to appear in court again in May, records show.

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.