9-year-old Maryland boy with autism visits all 50 states to spread awareness across the country

CNN Newsource on April 9, 2026

By Taylor Epps

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    CECIL COUNTY, Maryland (WMAR) — April is Autism Acceptance Month, and one Cecil County family is celebrating by marking a major milestone.

As of Easter 2026, Tiffany and Caleb Brown have visited all 50 states, spreading autism awareness along the way.

From Maryland to Montana to Minnesota, the adventurous mother-son duo has been sharing their journey on social media along the way.

They’ve been traveling since Caleb was a baby and realized this was an attainable goal and went for it. They’re also aiming to hit 50 countries this year.

“I’m here to encourage others because autism doesn’t stop the show; he goes and travels and lives his best life with autism,” Dr. Tiffany Brown said.

Caleb was diagnosed with autism in 2019 at 3 years old.

“I was devastated to hear the news. I remember the doctor telling me, I couldn’t believe it,” Tiffany Brown said.

Tiffany had always been a big traveler, and that didn’t stop when Caleb was born or diagnosed. She kept traveling with him, learning how to pivot and adapt to his needs.

“He can be overstimulated; I have to take that into account, and that happens whenever. It happens, so you just have to be prepared,” Tiffany Brown said.

They’ve written a book and started Autism Spectrum Adventures on social media to inspire other parents to travel.

“I want parents to understand that they can do it; take your time and plan the trip,” Tiffany Brown said. “We love to cruise; we’ve been on about 16 cruises. That’s an easy way.”

Caleb also wears a sunflower lanyard when traveling to let people know he’s living with autism. He’s also a fan of upgrading to first class.

“The comfortable one, it was so nice. I was so happy for that! It was really good for me,” Caleb Brown said.

The family travels to see the world and show others what is possible for a child like Caleb.

“You can travel with an autistic person; autistic people have feelings. They are so special, very special people, and I wouldn’t change anything about my child,” Tiffany Brown said.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team 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.

Warrants: Woman ran unlicensed child care, failed to report child’s death

CNN Newsource on April 9, 2026

By WRAL News staff

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    WENDELL, North Carolina (WRAL) — A Wendell woman was accused of failing to notify the state about the death of a child who was under her care in 2024, according to arrest warrants.

Tamika Jones Fowler, 47, was arrested Tuesday after Wendell police said she failed to report the death of a child in December 2024 to the Department of Health and Human Services, while also running an unlicensed child care facility at the same time.

Wendell police said their investigation into Fowler began after a report of an unresponsive child on Dec. 5, 2024. Officers determined the five-month-old child died in their sleep.

A further investigation found that Fowler was operating a daycare with a license, along with other child welfare violations, but she was not charged in the death of the infant.

WRAL News reached out to Fowler’s employer, Holly Hill Hospital in Raleigh, to ask about her employment status.

A hospital spokesperson said Fowler was placed on administrative leave after learning of her arrest.

“There are no records of any incidents, allegations or complaints involving this individual at Holly Hill Hospital, and the matter you are referencing did not occur at a Holly Hill facility,” the hospital spokesperson said.

The arrest warrant also indicates that in April 2024, Fowler was caring for more than five children at the home, all younger than the age of six.

In the same month, she allegedly failed to make records, other than financial records, of that child care facility available to the DHHS.

The warrant also stated that in April 2024, neither Fowler nor a licensed caregiver was present at the home.

Wendell police charged her with three misdemeanor counts of child welfare violation and two counts of child welfare unlicensed violations.

Fowler’s bond was set at $10,000, and she is expected to appear in court on May 5 in Wake County.

WRAL News reached out to the DHHS for comment. The department said that it is aware of the situation and cannot comment on investigations or possible investigations.

The statement continued:

The department said child care facilities licensed by the DHHS-DCDEE follow applicable child care requirements and are visited, at a minimum, once annually, during visits by DCDEE consultants.

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.

Police use drone to help arrest sex-trafficking suspect found under porch

CNN Newsource on April 9, 2026

By Tracy Johnke

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    LAUREL, Maryland (WTOP) — A Maryland man faces sex trafficking and prostitution charges after his April 1 arrest at a Laurel home.

Robert Eakins, 31, was also wanted in connection with an armed robbery in Charles County.

Police said the sex-trafficking investigation started two to three weeks earlier, when an anonymous tipster said a woman at the house was being pressured into sex work.

They also said Eakins was taken into custody without incident, but that he first attempted to evade officers by ducking into a crawl space under a porch.

Footage from a body camera shows officers removing a panel from the porch, and Eakins emerging from the opening to be detained.

An emergency response team made up of Laurel and Greenbelt police officers received assistance from a drone while executing a search warrant on Eakins’ home and locating the alleged victim.

Prior to the April 1 raid, the drone’s infrared camera recorded someone leaving the house and heading to a nearby parking lot, Capt. Stephen Ivory told WTOP.

A detective sent to talk to the person identified her as the alleged sex-trafficking victim who was there to meet a client. Police said they got her away safely and reunited her with her family.

The video the Laurel Police Department released to the public includes drone footage showing several officers approaching the house and eventually taking Eakins away.

Drones are “relatively new technology for us,” Ivory said.

He said that as more operators are trained and receive FAA certification to pilot the drones, police in Laurel are beginning to use them more frequently. But right now, they are used only for preplanned operations, providing an additional vantage point for the officers on the ground.

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.

UM system president takes blame for funding cuts to cultural student groups

KMIZ on April 9, 2026

Olivia Hayes

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

University of Missouri System President Mun Choi said it was his decision to dissolve the university’s multicultural fee at Wednesday’s Faculty Council meeting.

“It wasn’t an easy decision, but it was decided that I needed to protect the institution. So that’s the decision that I made,” Choi said.

The multicultural fee provided funds to a number of identity-based student organizations at MU. The initial announcement came out on Sunday that the university would stop designating funds to the groups including:

The Legion of Black Collegians

The Asian American Association

Association of Latin American Students

Four Front

Filling in the Space

The Queer Liberation Front

The decision also revoked the student government status of LBC. The funding will end July 1 for the affected groups. University officials said the groups will be recategorized as Recognized Student Organizations in the fall and can apply for university funding, but it’s not guaranteed. The organizations will now be wrapped in to MU’s other groups vying for financial support.

Choi said during the meeting that in July 2025, the university received a memo from the Department of Justice that requested all institutions receiving federal funding to abide by Title IX, Title VI and the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th amendment.

Choi said the university found a concerning revelation during a review that would have put university funding at risk.

“We are not in compliance with Title VI because we provide specific benefits to student groups based on demographics,” Choi said.

Noah Schnarre, Missouri Student Association President, said Title VI is not being violated by the student groups.

“In terms of Title VI, none of these organizations specifically will not allow white students or any other students of any specific race to not participate,” Schnarre said.

Schnarre called the move by university leadership a logistical nightmare and uneccessary.

“It was not a law passed, it was not an executive order, it was not a Supreme Court case, this was a memo,” Schnarre said. “They can hold some amount of validity, but not enough to be a concern of legality.”

Schnarre said this could temporarily bankrupt the groups effected due to timelines already in place to request RSO funds.

“Even with being recognized in July, the first time that they’re going to be able to get funding is the September meeting,” Schnarre said.

Schnarre said it was implied to him and his colleagues that they could change some of the language in their bylaws, but it wasn’t clear if that would change any possible decisions by the university.

The decision comes nearly two years after MU restructured its diversity division.

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Marshall Public Library Celebrates 25 Years of The Poetry Wall

KIFI on April 9, 2026

Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Calling all Pocatello poets! The Marshall Public Library in Pocatello is celebrating 25 years of their annual Poetry Wall throughout the month of April in honor of National Poetry Month.

Community members of all ages are encouraged to submit their poems for the wall. Elementary students and seniors have already been featured in this year’s collection.

“Anyone can be a poet,” said Trina Bonman, Associate Director of the Marshall Public Library. “You don’t have to write serious poetry, anyone can come up with a few lines of verse. And this is a really cool way for our community to share poetry.”

The yearly tradition was started in 2001 by a local librarian and poet, Joan Juskie. Now, the wall stands as an outlet for community members to share their work with others and honor her legacy. After each Poetry Wall, the works are placed in a community collection for people to continue to enjoy.

“We’ve had entire classes of kids do poetry before, so that’s really fun,” Bonman said. “Sometimes it’s art and poem that goes along with it, we love to see that. Anything, any style, the word poetry where it makes different shapes, or even a few lines. We will take anything and everything and put it up.”

You can bring in a paper copy of your poem to the library or submit through email.

“It’s just exciting to see what the community comes up with, what they feel like expressing,” Bonman said. “It’s cool to see that even in a community like Pocatello, Idaho, we have this much poetry to share.”

More information about submissions is available on the library website at marshallpl.org.

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Schlotzsky’s & Cinnabon in Bend suddenly closes

KTVZ on April 9, 2026

Triton Notary

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) Another longtime Bend restaurant has unexpectedly closed its doors.

The combination Schlotzsky’s and Cinnabon location is now permanently shut down. A note posted on the door does not provide an explanation for the sudden closure. Instead, the message thanks the community for more than 30 years of support. The shutdown appears to have happened abruptly, as products can still be seen sitting on shelves inside the store.

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There’s Good News: Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District honored for response to 2025 Flat Fire

KTVZ on April 9, 2026

Campbell Porter

(Update: This article has been corrected to reflect the proper name of Fire Chief Tony Prior)

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District has been recognized for its exceptional efforts during the 2025 Flat Fire, receiving a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol as a symbol of appreciation and gratitude.

U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley presented the flag to Fire Chief Tony Prior in recognition of the district’s work protecting lives and property throughout the Sisters Country during the wildfire.

The district said the honor represents far more than one agency. During the Flat Fire, 87 agencies united with the shared goal of protecting homes and communities across Central Oregon. That collaboration helped save countless homes and lives.

“This recognition represents far more than our district alone. During the Flat Fire, 87 agencies came together with a shared mission—protect lives, homes, and the Sisters Country we all love,” the district said in a statement, “because of that collaboration, countless homes were saved.”

Officials expressed deep gratitude to Senator Merkley for the meaningful tribute and for honoring the collective effort that defined the community’s response to the fire.

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Riverside Golf Course Announces New Clubhouse is Under Construction

KIFI on April 9, 2026

Hadley Bodell

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Golfers in Pocatello will soon have a new place to rest between rounds. The Riverside Golf Course is getting a two-story, 3,700 square foot new clubhouse sponsored by Connections Credit Union.

The clubhouse is made possible by a donation from Connections Credit Union and will feature an indoor golf simulator, restaurant, pro shop and a large patio space for guests to enjoy.

“This is an exciting step forward for Riverside Golf Course,” said Anne Butler, Director of Parks and Recreation in Pocatello. “We’re thrilled to see this project move into the construction phase and look forward to providing an unpdated clubhouse that will better serve golfers and visitors for years to come.”

Parking will be adjusted throughout the duration of the construction project. Golf cart trailers will not be allowed in the main parking lot, but additional parking areas are marked to accomodate golfers during this time.

Visitors are encouraged to arrive earlier than normal for their tee times and drive cautiously on the Bannock Highway during the construction. Pocatello Parks and Recreation is grateful for the community’s patience and support as the highly anticipated project moves forward.

The new clubhouse is expected to open in time for the 2027 golf season.

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Bend Police roll out automatic traffic cameras at three intersections, here’s how they work

KTVZ on April 9, 2026

Campbell Porter

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend police have officially activated new automatic traffic cameras at three intersections as part of a pilot program aimed at improving safety and reducing crashes. Below is a map showing where these new cameras are located.

KTVZ News spoke to Bend Police to understand how the cameras work.

Each intersection now has several cameras operating in different ways. A lower-quality video camera passively records the intersection, while two additional cameras activate when a driver speeds or runs a red light, capturing both the front and back license plates of the vehicle.

Captain Brian Beekman with Bend Police said the system is designed to help address community concerns about reckless driving and limited officer availability.

“I’ve gone to several recent community townhall forums where the number one issue from residents is traffic safety,” Beekman said. “We have a limited number of officers. We can’t be everywhere at once. This is a multi-pronged approach the City Council and police department are taking to try and improve overall safety.”

Bend Police own and manage all the data and video collected by the cameras. The department plans several public presentations to explain how the technology works and answer questions.

The next meeting is scheduled for this Thursday at 5 p.m. at the Larkspur Community Center.

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Long-term drought concerns after latest snowpack update

KIFI on April 9, 2026

Dylan Carder

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – New concerns over Idaho’s water supply outlook after the latest report from the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The big picture message from the report is that Idaho is heading into a difficult water year.

The state’s snowpack peaked at 68% of normal this year. That is one of the lowest on record since they began taking measurements in the 1930’s. The snowpack also peaked on March 17, that is about three weeks earlier than usual.

The record temperatures in March has added to the tough situation. In just a month, the Snake River in Heise saw its streamflow forecast drop by a million acre-feet. Around 25% of the snowpack had already melted away by April 1. Having the little snow that did fall melt sooner will lead to a shorter runoff season.

Nearby Upper Snake sub-basins are also looking bleak. Henry’s Fork and Teton Basin are both severely dry. Some areas are approaching historic drought levels.

Irrigation in the area will be impacted with demand likely exceeding the natural flow much earlier than usual. This could be especially problematic for users without reservoir storage and those without groundwater backup.

The next month could be critical for this years outlook. If the warm and dry spring continues, there will be low summer river levels and officials warn there could be no recovery for the streamflow. Users are strongly recommended to plan on using the the 70% or 90% forecasts to decrease their risk of running out of water.

See the full report here.

The next meeting to update the outlook is tentatively scheduled for May 20.

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