Former Eastern Michigan football player stands outside Lions facility, asks for chance on the field

CNN Newsource on April 14, 2026

By Heath Kalb

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    DETROIT (WWJ) — Former Eastern Michigan football player Freddie McGee III went viral on Monday, doing anything he possibly could to get the Lions’ attention for a tryout to make the team.

“I felt I just needed to take matters into my own hands,” said McGee.

The Canton, Michigan, native, and reigning Defensive Player of the Year in the Arena Football League, says he arrived at the Lions practice facility in Allen Park at 8:45 a.m. Monday to beg for a chance to walk onto the Lions, just like how he walked onto Eastern Michigan’s football team a few years ago.

“This morning was a little nerve-racking, you know, this is definitely stepping outside of my comfort zone,” said McGee. “Just wanted to come out here, maybe catch the right scout, the right personnel person pulling in here, maybe take a look at the sign I have and get to know my story a little bit, maybe give me a shot today.”

McGee’s brave pitch to the Lions is that he’s not just a dreamer; he dominated the AFL last year with 14 interceptions and 25 pass breakups. And his story is one that he says exemplifies everything Dan Campbell and the Lions should be looking for: grit.

“Other than just being a local kid and growing up loving the Lions, I feel like I’m the epitome of grit, like my career hasn’t been easy, I’ve overcome a lot of adversity,” said McGee.

“Freddie believes in himself and is going after his dream. He walked on here and earned a scholarship. He has been super productive in the AFL. He wants to keep going and I absolutely love that,” said EMU coach Chris Creighton.

CBS News Detroit reached out to the Lions organization for comment and is awaiting a response.

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.

Storm chaser captures video of tornado in southern Minnesota

CNN Newsource on April 14, 2026

By Beret Leone

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    MINNESOTA (WCCO) — Most people run to their basement during severe weather, but Melanie Metz instead runs toward the storm.

The National Weather Service confirms three tornados hit southern Minnesota Monday night in Amboy, Matawan and Elmore. That’s on top of dozens of hail reports and even some gusts of wind nearing 60 MPH in southern parts of the state.

The weather allowed Champlin based meteorologist and storm chaser Metz to capture some seriously captivating footage. Metz has been chasing storms for 25 years.

“I can’t believe it, honestly. I mean, that’s a long time when I started chasing it was before we even had smartphones, so I couldn’t see radar when I was on the road. It’s been a long time,” she said.

Monday night, her vantage point was from Truman, Minnesota — near Fairmont. She met up with a fellow meteorologist and friend to stake out the storm. She captured some incredible videos, including one which depicted an intact, super cell tornado. Metz believes it the tornado NWS pegged in Amboy.

“We ended up chasing this storm for quite a while until it finally started to organize and became a supercell and produced a couple of tornadoes right in front of us,” she said.

Metz says the chase is thrilling, fascinating and combines her love of storms and photography. But—it’s not something to try without experience.

“There’s so much passion and excitement and energy in it, it’s also very dangerous, and we have to remember that, because we can tend to forget that, especially now, with just so much video out there, tornadoes and people trying to get really close, it’s important to remember how dangerous it can be,” Metz said. “If you get in just the wrong spot, it can happen quickly.”

Metz describes Monday night’s storms as “potent” and “explosive.” She says this kind of weather is typical in Iowa and Kanas this time of year, but it’s a bit unusual for Minnesota in April.

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.

Signed Taylor Swift guitar found in Dallas radio station’s closet to be auctioned off to support Cook Children’s Medical Center

CNN Newsource on April 14, 2026

By Matthew Ablon

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    DALLAS (KTVT) — Dallas radio station New Country 96.3 decided to speak now: a recent prize closet cleanout turned up a rare acoustic guitar that it wants to auction off. But this isn’t just any guitar; it’s a signed instrument that includes an early-career autograph from superstar Taylor Swift.

Jessica MacKenzie-Williams, New Country’s promotions director, said she originally had different plans for the instrument before taking a closer look.

“I was about to re-use the guitar for an upcoming event because the signatures were faded, and the guitar was dusty,” she said in a statement. “But then after closer examination I recognized one of the signatures… Taylor’s. I couldn’t believe it!”

Mark “Hawkeye” Louis and Michelle Rodriguez, the hosts of the station’s “Hawkeye in the Morning” show, got their eyes on the guitar and decided to act with fearless intent. They first worked to verify all of the signatures on the guitar, which included Swift’s signature that reads “Taylor Class of 2008!” Other signatures on the instrument were verified to belong to Dierks Bentley, Martina McBride, the Eli Young Band, Buddy Jewel, and more.

The guitar, now dubbed “The Lost Taylor Swift Guitar”, has been sitting in storage for nearly two decades. Now, New Country 96.3 is auctioning it off to raise money for Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth, with the goal of supporting the hospital’s mission to provide top-notch pediatric care regardless of a family’s ability to pay.

“This guitar has already had an incredible journey,” Hawkeye said. “Now it gets to make a difference for kids who need it most.”

The online auction opened up on Monday and runs through Friday, April 17, ending at 9 a.m. Central time. Fans can visit this page on New Country 96.3’s website to place their bids.

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.

Delivery robot apologizes for breaking CTA bus shelter: “Nasir is sorry”

CNN Newsource on April 14, 2026

By Sara Tenenbaum

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    CHICAGO (WBBM) — After surveillance video showed a delivery robot smashing into a CTA bus stop, the little guy and the company he works for have issued an apology.

The pint-sized courier busted through the glass of the shelter in West Town at Grand and Racine in March.

Serve Robots, the company behind the robot, posted an ad on the bus stop with a picture of the delivery boy displaying the message, “Nasir is sorry.”

“Dear West Town neighbors,” the speech bubble above him reads. “I took ‘breaking into the market’ too literally. I’m really sorry about the bus stop… and the dramatic entrance. I promise to do better.”

The crash happened right outside Centre Construction Group, where they were not without sympathy.

“I actually felt bad for the guy a little bit,” said Bayard Elfvin, CEO and founder of Centre Construction Group.

At the bottom of the ad, a message from Serve reads, “We are committed to learning from our mistakes and continuing to improve our technology. We want our robots, like Nasir here, to help reduce traffic, empower local businesses, and be good neighbors that communities want to see on their streets.”

The robots are working in Chicago as part of a pilot program, and its expansion is still being assessed. There is a grassroots effort to put the brakes on it, and a petition with more than 3,700 signatures argues the pilot program has been too disruptive. The petitioners also say the robots “cause safety and accessibility issues for Chicagoans.”

The pilot program is scheduled to run through May 2027.

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.

Local army veteran riding from D.C. to New York in Wounded Warrior ‘Soldier Ride’

KRDO on April 14, 2026

Bradley Davis

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Army veteran James Bauer will join a group of 20 or so other veterans to complete the final 250-mile stretch of the Wounded Warrior Soldier Ride starting on May 14. His portion starts May 26.

Bauer was a medic in the Army for eight years. He was forced to medically retire in 2013. He said he struggled with post-service life, and he wasn’t sure how to make it better.

“I was always the helper, so it was hard for me to be the one asking for help,” Bauer said.

He said after seeing his friends thrive in the Wounded Warrior Project program, he decided to give it a try in 2016. The group put a bike in his hands for the first time since he was a little kid, and it’s become a life-changing passion for the former Army medic.

The Wounded Warrior Project has partnered this year with America250 to call this year’s ride “Soldier Ride 250.”

If you’d like to support the Wounded Warrior Project, click here.

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Trio of utility projects to close part of Stone Avenue in Colorado Springs for nearly a year

KRDO on April 14, 2026

Scott Harrison

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — The city will spend $6 million to install stormwater infrastructure in an industrial area that often floods because of the lack of proper drainage.

Officials said that changes should begin this week on Stone Avenue between Fillmore Street and Nichols Boulevard, a stretch of approximately two-thirds of a mile.

Officials said that the project will close the northbound lane of Stone until early next year.

Parking on the street won’t be allowed, but access to businesses will remain open, and cones and signs will guide drivers through the work zone.

“The area was originally developed just with overland flow — which means the water runs down the road,” Erin Powers, the city’s stormwater enterprise manager, explained. “Previously, there was no storm sewer. We’re installing a storm sewer, just to get all that water underground so that it’s not in the way of the motorists.”

The south end of the project area near busy Fillmore has existing stormwater drains, but most of Stone north of the McDonald’s at the Fillmore intersection doesn’t.

Some of the 17 business owners along the affected segment of the avenue said that flooding has damaged the street and their parking lots, and water occasionally backs up into the businesses.

“Well, we’ve got some different access points that we’ve kinda mapped out,” said Chad McKee, a manager at Planet Granite. “Hopefully, we’ll establish a good relationship with the contractor when (they) get on board in the next couple of weeks. And that’s about all we can do. We’ve got to grin and bear it, and make it through.”

However, before the city’s project can start, Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) has to complete two projects in the same area, reportedly involving a natural gas line and a water main.

A CSU spokesperson said that the utility will provide more details next week when its work begins.

“We’re still finalizing details and working on getting permits,” the spokesperson told KRDO 13’s The Road Warrior on Monday.

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Week of the Young Child celebrations throughout Eastern Idaho supporting young learners

KIFI on April 14, 2026

Danielle Mullenix

Idaho Falls, ID (KIFI) — Communities across the Gem State are celebrating the annual Week of the Young Child, a nationwide initiative focused on early childhood education, family engagement, and supporting young learners.

In Eastern Idaho, at least 13 cities are recognizing the week with official proclamations, highlighting a growing effort among local leaders and educators to prioritize early learning and child development. The Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children, in partnership with educational organizations throughout Eastern Idaho, is providing weeklong festivities that any child can participate in at no cost.

Local events bringing learning to life!

Families in Eastern Idaho have several opportunities this week to join in on the celebration.

At the Rigby City Library, a full schedule of activities is underway. Families can attend the Scavenger hunt this afternoon, storytimes for babies and toddlers, participate in hands-on learning experiences, and wrap up the week with a family game and LEGO day. Participants may also have a chance to win family passes to the East Idaho Aquarium.

Rigby City Library’s calendar of events for the Week of the Young Child

Meanwhile, in Idaho Falls, the Idaho Falls Public Library is hosting a special guest that many children will recognize—Blippi! The popular children’s character will lead a storytime session on Wednesday morning at 10:30, combining entertainment with early learning. Families who attend can also enter for a chance to win tickets to the live “Be Like Blippi” tour happening later this month at the Mountain America Center.

Blippi’s appearance is happening at the Idaho Falls Public Library on 4/15

In addition to the above events, 13 cities across Eastern Idaho will issue mayoral proclamations recognizing April 12-18 as the Week of the Young Child.

Cities Across Eastern Idaho Recognizing the National Week of the Young Child:

Ammon

Chubbuck

Driggs

Malad

McCammon

Pocatello

Preston

Rigby

Salmon

Shoshone

Soda Springs

St. Anthony

Teton

A statewide effort to support young learners

Beyond local events, the Week of the Young Child is part of a broader statewide effort led by the Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children to raise awareness about the needs of children from birth through age 8.

The organization works to promote high-quality early childhood experiences, emphasizing that early education plays a critical role in long-term success.

Each day of the week highlights a different way children learn and grow:

Music Monday encourages movement and early literacy through song

Tasty Tuesday connects cooking with math and science skills

Work Together Wednesday focuses on teamwork and problem-solving

Artsy Thursday promotes creativity through hands-on art

Family Friday celebrates the role of families as a child’s first teachers

This week also shines a light on challenges many families face. As part of the celebration, Idaho AEYC is hosting initiatives, such as a diaper drive benefiting the Idaho Diaper Bank.

According to organizers, nearly half of Idaho’s babies live in families experiencing financial hardship, and diapers—costing up to $100 per month per child—are not covered by assistance programs like WIC or SNAP.

Advocates say efforts like the diaper drive help meet immediate needs while also raising awareness about gaps in resources for families with young children.

Organizers say the goal of the Week of the Young Child goes beyond fun events—it’s about ensuring families have access to tools and support systems that help children succeed.

From early literacy programs to childcare resources and community partnerships, the week serves as a reminder that investing in young children strengthens communities statewide.

Families can find a full list of participating cities, events, and free resources on the Idaho AEYC website.

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Neighbor battles Parkinson’s with Bob Ross style paintings as Nebraska sees highest rates

CNN Newsource on April 14, 2026

By Max Williams

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    ELKHORN, Nebraska (KMTV) — Nebraska has the highest rate of Parkinson’s disease cases per 100,000 people in the U.S., according to a research study from last October. For Omaha resident Dave Arneson, a diagnosis changed his outlook on life and led him to pick up a new hobby to battle the disease: painting.

A decade ago, doctors gave Arneson 10 years to live. Today, he still has not retired from his job and uses art as a mental exercise.

“I watch a ton of Bob Ross and a lot of my paintings look like Bob Ross’ so I enjoy doing them,” Arneson said.

Arneson, who has lived in Omaha for decades, attended a Parkinson’s Foundation educational event in Elkhorn on Monday that around 250 neighbors attended. He believes education on the disease should be more accessible.

“Looking back I had all the symptoms I just didn’t really pay attention,” Arneson said.

Arneson’s son, Nick, watched his father change from quiet to outgoing on a mission to spread awareness. Arneson remembers consoling a mutual friend when they were diagnosed.

“I told her which strangely enough I think I’m a better person with Parkinson’s,” Arneson said.

Arneson does not want to sugarcoat the disease. He opted for a brain procedure to cut down on side effects from his medication.

Rachel Spooner, who works in neuroscience research at Boys Town National Research Hospital, spoke at the presentation. She said Arneson’s painting hobby is a great example of a mental exercise proven to help those with Parkinson’s.

“Those painting and those motions with the strokes might help improve their handwriting so it becomes legible again,” Spooner said.

Arneson looks forward to the Parkinson’s Foundation’s Moving Day, an event where neighbors can get active at Werner Park. The event takes place on June 7 this year.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. KMTV verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Woman creates free tool, new AI-powered grant-writing app

CNN Newsource on April 14, 2026

By Rachel Ripp

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    KANSAS CITY, Missouri (KMBC) — A Kansas City woman with an extensive grant-writing background just created a new AI-powered app to help nonprofits.

Barbara Wright created an app called Grant Builder Pro Max.

“I wrote raps, rhymes, songs, plays, never knowing — and stories — never knowing that that would end up being a part of my destiny and something that I would do,” said Dr. Wright, president of Certified Dream Builder Inc.

She has experience writing grants for the Housing Authority and Kansas City Public Schools. She also taught at JCCC and UMKC for years.

“I started to develop some systems that expedited the grant process using PDFs and using Excel and using some of the technology that was already existing at the time. I didn’t even realize that I was developing a system that goes out and scrapes search engines and pulls the information in. I didn’t realize I was developing an AI myself, for the grant writing,” Wright said.

This tool, which makes the grant writing process easier, is available on the App Store for iPhones and the Google Play Store for Androids.

Important features within the app are completely free, including the questionnaire and readiness profile.

Depending on answers submitted in the questionnaire, the app will generate suggestions and advice on how a nonprofit can improve its readiness.

Wright and her team launched the first version of the app about two years ago, but they went back to the drawing board several months ago to build a new version with AI. The AI version has only been available for about two months.

“I want as many people as possible to have the things that they need,” Wright said. “Take your dreams and your ideas and turn them into reality. I say my slogan is, ‘I help manifest millions for missions who are providing miracles to many.'”

She hosts a free virtual class in conjunction with the app, covering topics of grant writing for child care, veterans programs, homelessness and housing.

In it, she asks the important questions:

Have you thought about how to sustain when the money is gone? Have you developed your goals and objectives? Have you considered how you want this to be successful and who you’re going to serve?

Wright is currently helping entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders from Kansas, Colorado and Florida.

“I can take my software and empower families in the Florida area and do what I need to do to serve them in a quicker motion,” said Evelyn Deterville, executive director of Extra Mile Club Str8 Up.

Some of these people taking her class tell KMBC the app has allowed them to be more responsive to vision and mission, converting solutions into income.

“I’m really appreciative of it, and as I said, Dr. Barbara is touching and serving as a catalyst for social entrepreneurs all over the country, and her app has given us a powerful tool to make that happen,” said Daniel Haupt, director of Destiny Community Development Center.

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.

Film preserves story of blind hero who led others to safety during OKC bombing

CNN Newsource on April 14, 2026

By Meghan Mosley

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    OKLAHOMA CITY (KOCO) — Oklahoma will soon commemorate the anniversary of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, but out of that darkness comes a story of light and heroism.

Filmmaker Princella Smith is working to ensure the stories of survival from April 19, 1995, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building are not forgotten.

“I wanted to keep telling the story, and so I found several stories of heroes, amazing stories of survival, and I wanted to tell it,” Smith said.

Smith is the writer and director of the NAACP-nominated short film “Walk in the Light,” which tells the story of Raymond Washburn, a blind man who rescued five people during the bombing.

The film focuses on Washburn’s actions on April 19, 1995, when he worked on the fourth-floor snack bar of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. After the blast, Washburn used his sense of direction to guide people through the rubble to safety.

Many people may remember Washburn for his work in the building, but his heroic actions during the bombing are the focus of Smith’s film. Washburn died in 2022, but his story continues to inspire.

As the anniversary of the bombing approaches, Smith announced she is working on a new film to ensure other victims and survivors’ stories are preserved.

“America needs to continue to remember this story. It’s kind of sad to me, a lot of young people don’t know about it. They weren’t taught it in school, and it really should be integrated in textbooks,” Smith said.

Smith said the reception of “Walk in the Light” in Oklahoma City motivated her to create more films.

“One of the biggest compliments I got was when I did a screen in OKC. A third-grade teacher said, ‘Thank you for editing this and producing this the way you did, because I tried to find ways to teach my students about the bombing each year, and I struggle because it’s so heavy,’” Smith said.

“Walk in the Light” is free to watch this month, and Smith hopes it will help people remember the importance of this story and the resilience shown during one of Oklahoma’s darkest days.

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.