Month: April 2026

By Bella Popadiuk

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    KILLEEN, Texas (KXXV) — For many survivors of sexual assault and military sexual trauma, it can be a long road to healing. During Sexual Assault Awareness Month and every month, the nonprofit Shield of Sisters is working to help by raising awareness and providing support and resources for survivors.

This includes women impacted by a former Fort Hood doctor accused of secretly recording his patients. The Army notified thousands of women who were previously under the care of ex-Fort Hood doctor Blaine McGraw about the criminal investigation into him. McGraw was suspended Oct. 17, 2025, from Darnall Army Medical Center at Fort Hood.

Jo Harrison, a licensed therapist in Killeen and an advocate for survivors of military sexual trauma, said the priority right now is making sure those women are supported.

“1 in 5 active duty women and 1 in 7 active duty men experience sexual assault in the military,” Harrison said.

Those numbers drive the work of Shield of Sisters. In Killeen, the nonprofit has created safe spaces for survivors to come together. They also utilize “Battle Angel” mentors, who are women who have been through the program and now help guide others.

“Shield of Sisters is one of those resources where we want to be out there enough for people to understand we are part of that fight,” Harrison said.

Harrison said it is critical to bring these issues into the open and help people understand just how common they are.

“If you know about it… you can support it. If you know somebody affected, it becomes something people can talk about and help one another through,” Harrison said.

That support extends far beyond Central Texas. Harrison recently returned from Fort Knox, where she took part in events honoring survivors and raising awareness on post with Shield of Sisters.

“I think it’s very important with the work that we do,” Harrison said.

The push for change continues to reach the national level. Earlier this year, Shield of Sisters founder Shannon Hough joined several Jane Does and their attorneys in Washington, D.C., lobbying lawmakers for stronger protections for survivors in the military.

Shield of Sisters can be contacted for resources and support through email at shannon@shieldofsisters.com or by calling their hotline at (920) 951-1244.

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

By Taylor Hemness

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    OLATHE, Kansas (KSHB) — Recently a KSHB 41 viewer tagged me in a Facebook video from Olathe Public Schools, showcasing a new choir class created specifically for students with special needs.

The viewer said I should do a feature, because this class highlights excellence in teaching. And after visiting the class, and seeing it for myself, I wholeheartedly agree.

“I think there’s a place for everybody to sing in this school,” Dr. Ryan Olsen told me, as we sat on the choir risers in his classroom. Olsen is the choir director at Olathe West High School.

Observing this class felt like watching a question being asked and answered: what does finding your voice look and sound like?

“Finding a way to connect with all of our students is important for me,” Olsen told me. “And it looks different for every kid.”

Different. For every kid. That’s why this class exists.

“We have some of the students that came into the class with varying ranges of verbal ability,” Olsen explained. “And a couple of the students have really started to become more verbal in class, singing out more.”

“I’ll hear from their teachers later in the day, that they’ll be walking through line, and we sing a song about fruits, and they’ll be like, ‘Banana, banana.’”

It’s clear during the class that Olsen wants these students to have everything they need to be heard.

“I taught them the alma mater because I wanted them to be able to come to our pep assemblies, and sing along with our school song, and be part of the school,” Olsen told me.

The students use small instruments, including tambourines, to help with motor skills.

The music is printed on larger sheets of paper, because, Olsen told me, “we have some students who have visual impairments.”

Because why should the search for a voice be any different for these young people? Olsen understands that concern better than most.

“My brother was a special needs student, he was born with severe brain damage,” he told me. “And so, working with this group of students has just been important for me.”

“This class fills my bucket.”

Dr. Olsen told me that he also has choir students who are interested in a career in teaching, or even music therapy, and this class is helping with their education as well.

This is only the first year of the class, but Olsen hopes to continue it next year as well.

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 CJ Maclin

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    FORT GIBSON, Oklahoma (KJRH) — A Fort Gibson family of five lost their home after discovering it was built on an oil well, and they are now fighting the Oklahoma Corporation Commission over jurisdiction of the leak.

Since August of last year, the Meredith family has battled oil leaking into their home. They told 2 News 1,500 gallons of oil and gas a day were coming out of the ground.

The family is currently in limbo, waiting on the OCC to claim jurisdiction after the agency stated in its latest press release that the issue does not fall under its authority.

“We thought we could call the Corporation Commission and they would help us because that’s what they’re there for, is to take care of oil and gas issues in Oklahoma,” Kara Meredith said. “For them to do this run around and this very contradicting back and forth, that’s extremely frustrating.”

The Meredith’s told me it seemed the OCC wanted to do everything in its power to prove the leak wasn’t an oil-and-gas-related issue. While every test pointed to oil and gas, the family said those tests were not run by the state.

“Everything that you witness inside this house and inside that hole has never been tested,” Mitch Meredith said. “They have not came inside of my house and took anything from in the house. I’ve begged them and said if you don’t think it’s oil and petroleum, test what’s on the floor. They don’t want to touch it.”

The family hired an independent person to test their home since the OCC did not want to, even with a state representative stopping by during one of the inspections.

The Meredith’s told 2 News the director of the OCC personally came to their house, and things seemed to move in the right direction. However, they said every time progress seems to happen, the OCC debunks it.

2 News Oklahoma’s CJ Maclin asked the family if the OCC provided another agency that has jurisdiction since they are not claiming it.

“No. DEQ, all of them said that they have sole jurisdiction,” Mitch Meredith said.

“DEQ came at the beginning of December and did some more testing, and then they wrote a letter telling the Corporation Commission that this is consistent with oil and gas brine and oil and gas issues in Oklahoma, and it falls on them,” Kara Meredith said.

The Meredith’s said they never wanted this fight, but they are not going to turn away from it. They are speaking up not only for themselves but for others around the state.

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

By Anna Fischer

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    IBERIA PARISH, Louisiana (KATC) — A weekend meant for celebration turned tragic after a suspected drunk driver plowed into a crowd at the annual Lao New Year Festival, injuring nearly 20 people and shaking a close-knit community that returned Sunday to finish the event.

The crash happened Saturday afternoon along Melancon Road during one of the festival’s final parades.

Authorities say the driver, identified as Todd Landry of Jeanerette, drove into a group of paradegoers, sending people and golf carts tumbling in a chaotic scene.

“I heard a car speed up not even five minutes after we parked,” one witness said. “It was during the last parade.”

Emergency crews from multiple agencies responded to the scene.

According to the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office, 19 people were evaluated and treated at area hospitals: seven were admitted, three remain in intensive care, eight were treated and released, and four have been transferred to different facilities for treatment.

Landry is being held at the Iberia Parish Jail and faces multiple charges, including 18 counts of first-degree negligent injuring.

The festival, which celebrates Lao culture with food, music and community gatherings, typically draws large crowds each year.

For many attendees, it is a cherished tradition centered on family and connection.

“Honestly, I just like hanging out with friends,” one attendee said. Another added that their favorite part is “the community.”

But that sense of joy was shaken by the events of Saturday.

“Golf carts, people flipping—I don’t know, it was sad,” a witness said.

Despite the fear, some returned Sunday for the festival’s final day, seeking a sense of normalcy.

Keanu Saensane, who lives nearby and attends the festival every year, said the atmosphere felt different.

“This feels like there’s less people,” Saensane said.

“Parents are scared—people in general, they’re scared,” said David Rajaphone who was at the festival when the incident occurred Saturday.

He said he was surprised to see the event continue at all.

“From what I experienced yesterday, I really thought nobody would be here,” said Rajaphone, “But when I came here, it kind of lightened up.”

Organizers have not announced any changes to future events, but for many in attendance, the weekend will be remembered both for its celebration of culture and the tragedy that interrupted it.

This story was reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. KATC 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.

By Alan Shope

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    KANSAS CITY (KMBC) — It was a shocking discovery for the Huff family.

“Very thankful that it happened to us because we don’t have littles running around,” said Brandy Huff.

On Friday, the family went to a local store and bought candy to fill up Easter baskets.

But once they opened the candy bag, a pill fell out of the candy bag.

“I Googled it, and it said it was an antidepressant pill. That’s kind of scary to think that a little kid could’ve gotten a hold of that,” Huff said.

The Huffs took the bag and the pill back to the Sam’s Club, where they got it.

“Just watch, you know, watch what your kids are putting their hands in,” Huff said.

The store gave them a full refund and pulled all the candy from the shelves.

This is after the second strange discovery in just a couple of weeks, a family finding a bag of fentanyl in the packaging of a Barbie doll at Cargo Largo.

“That was one of the first things that popped into my head,” said Jason Huff.

We reached out to Sam’s Club, but we have not heard back yet.

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 Daisy Kershaw

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    CINCINNATI (WLWT) — Two Cincinnati friends who met at a dialysis center have both found kidney donors after years of searching.

Through the peaks and valleys, their friendship has been a constant. Dave Harrison and Kenneth Johnson met four years ago at a dialysis center in Norwood, both in late-stage kidney failure and praying for more time. Neither knew then what they do now: their meeting was an answered prayer.

They’ve stayed by each other’s side through treatments and transplants. Kenny received his kidney on June 13, 2024, and Dave received his on Jan. 13 this year.

The day Dave got his kidney was a gift for Kenny too, one he’s waited for, spending hours outside Reds games, on street corners and in crowds, holding signs and holding hope.

“Kenny never left the hospital,” Harrison said.

“I just felt so blessed, you know we both got our kidneys,” Johnson said.

The pair are living proof that organ donation changes lives. Now, they are dedicated to helping others in their shoes find their match.

“At any given time, there’s 250,000 people that need a kidney. You only need one,” Harrison said.

The two are part of the nonprofit Off the List, a group that helps raise awareness about the importance of organ donation. Together, they are planning to start a campaign for someone in need of a donor to get them off the list.

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 Rachel Whelan

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    FLORENCE, Kentucky (WLWT) — A Northern Kentucky community is coming together to help one man rebuild his home.

On Saturday, a fire tore through a house at the end of Brittany Lane, leaving behind heavy damage and years of work nearly destroyed.

But for Richard Reinhart, the loss goes far beyond the structure itself.

“This was his big project,” neighbor Danielle Armstrong said. “He bought the land and then just built the house and built the house for years and years and years.”

Armstrong was the one who called 911 after noticing smoke pouring from the home. She said flames quickly spread, leaving the house badly damaged.

Reinhart and his wife were able to make it out safely.

Still, the home holds deep meaning. Armstrong said Reinhart spent decades building it by hand, carefully crafting a space meant to bring generations of family together.

Just months before the fire, Reinhart was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer with no known cure.

“He doesn’t have long to live,” Armstrong said.

Now, what was once a long-term dream has become something far more urgent.

Reinhart’s goal is no longer just to build the home, but to return to it.

“My goal with the GoFundMe is to raise funds so that we can rebuild this house together for Richard, so that he can leave it to his family,” Armstrong said. “This is his final place that he wants to be.”

Armstrong said her motivation is simple.

“I don’t have a lot in life, and Richard’s always been there for me through a lot,” she said. “So you do that for friends that really care about you.”

The two have known each other for decades — even living as neighbors twice over the years — a connection Armstrong says makes this effort even more meaningful.

Now, she’s leading the charge to help rebuild the home, starting a GoFundMe and helping organize local fundraisers.

Longnecks Sports Grill in Hebron will host a Dine and Dinner event at all its locations April 11 from 5 to 9 p.m.

For Armstrong, the goal is clear: to help Reinhart return to the home he built — and the place he hopes to spend his final days.

“This was his dream,” she said. “And I want his dream to come true.”

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 Abigail Kurten

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    AMES, Iowa (KCCI) — Iowa State researchers are developing an app that uses artificial intelligence to help farmers identify pests on their land.

Pest ID allows users to upload photos of weeds or insects to identify them and learn how to remove them.

“AI is everywhere,” Arti Singh, a researcher and associate professor behind the app, said. “If we are not making friends with AI, we are losing power, our power to do things which we were earlier not able to do.”

The app has been in development for roughly a decade, with researchers training the technology using millions of images of weeds and insects, along with data collected by Iowa State University experts.

And despite ongoing development, one farmer said he’s already seeing the benefit.

“This kind of avoids having to pay for an agronomist to come out and check things for you. You can do it yourself,” a farmer said.

Not only does it help save costs on labor, it helps preserve resources by catching and identifying these pests when they’re young and require less work to remove.

“In a time where we are developing herbicide resistance, insecticide resistance, this is where I feel our app can help us, that it can identify these species,” Singh said. “It can also give management, rather than giving, like, a broad spectrum, just spray this one pesticide or insecticide again and again.”

There is still work to be done.

Researchers are working to expand the app to identify diseases, like southern rust, that impact plant life, but the current version is available now.

“This tool is going to give farmers confidence,” Singh 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 Lane Casadonte

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    CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Virginia (WTVR) — 9-year-old Jaiyon Taylor of Prince George has qualified for the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) Nationals, ranking as one of the top 12 riders in the country for her age group.

Jaiyon trains at the Redbird Equestrian Riding School in Chesterfield with her horse, Nymeria. She competes in dressage, an Olympic sport with origins in Greek military training from the fifth century BC.

“The whole purpose of dressage is to form a basis of harmony between horse and rider,” said Ingrid Patel, owner of Redbird Equestrian. “At the Olympic level, you see it explained a lot as horse ballet.”

Jaiyon’s love for horses started early — she first rode at age 2. Initially, her parents wanted her to try a cheaper alternative.

“We brought her a power wheel horse. That was her first horse … she’s tried a bunch of different sports, but her love for horses and her wanting to ride never went away. So I was like, let me just go for it, and here we are,” said Jamekia Taylor, Jaiyon’s mother. “I didn’t want to put a lot of money into something that she wasn’t going to be good at, but she’s actually really good at it. So once I saw that she was really good at it, I was like, ‘Yeah, let’s just go for it.'”

As a 70-pound fourth grader, Jaiyon has mastered making a horse weighing more than half a ton do exactly what she wants.

“You use your leg muscles to squeeze, and that’s how she can take off. Or you can use your hand gesture to make it take off,” Jaiyon said.

While there is no racing or jumping in dressage, riders must still control an animal with a mind of its own.

“It’s kind of easy, but it’s kind of hard at the same time,” Jaiyon said. “Because you have to figure out how to do it right and not make it go wrong so she won’t take off on you and you get hurt.”

Patel praised Jaiyon’s ability to focus during her rides.

“If you’re thinking about all of the things that can go wrong, all of those things are going to happen. If you’re scared that the horse is gonna go faster, yes, that horse is gonna go faster. But if you’re listening to your coach, and you have the ability to zone in in the moment, that’s where I was really surprised by her,” Patel said.

Getting hurt is a possibility Jamekia deals with each time her daughter gets on a horse.

“A lot of the parents gave me a lot of reassurance that she’ll be fine, and even if she does fall, she’ll get back up, because kids are more resilient than we are as old people,” Jamekia said. “I trust Jaiyon, I trust her, and I know if something’s bothering her or she’s not comfortable, she’ll tell me.”

Patel started Redbird Equestrian five years ago to give more people the opportunity to experience equestrian sports.

“My whole goal in starting this place was to open up accessibility and having equestrian experiences to as many people as possible. So I really wanted to be available to a wide variety of socioeconomic backgrounds,” Patel said.

Jaiyon will head to Nationals later this month. Her horse will not be traveling with her, as all riders who reach this level must ride an unfamiliar horse to keep the playing field level.

“When she won regionals, I cried, like, the ugly cry, because I just felt like, really, this is my baby. My daughter is doing this,” Jamekia said. “Also by her being an African American rider who is in a very low percentile, she has inspired other girls that look like her to ride now. And that’s just amazing. I just feel like it’s an amazing thing. I’m proud of her.”

This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. WTVR 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.

By Barrett Tryon

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    TAMPA, Florida (WFTS) — High gas prices are hitting drivers at the pump, but the pain is also being felt at the marina as boaters hit the water for the Easter holiday weekend.

Fuel prices for boats are typically higher than what people put in their cars. However, it is a lot tougher to tell the difference these days.

A lot of the rental shops talked to Tampa Bay 28 on Saturday and said the same thing: prices have not stopped people from coming in. But they all agreed they are watching gas prices closely and said their own prices will go up if they cannot catch a break soon.

Garrett Sherman is a dockmaster at the Riverwalk in Tampa. He is the first and last person people see as they dock downtown.

“I get to work in this nice weather. I get to view all of these beautiful boats,” Sherman said.

He explained that people show up at all times of the day, which means he hears a lot about how much it costs to top off the tank.

“There’s a common acronym when you own a boat, which is B-O-A-T, bring out another thousand,” Sherman joked.

Visitor Brad Gordee experienced the rising costs firsthand when planning his family vacation.

“I booked this trip for my daughter’s 18th birthday like two months ago, and the captain on the boat was kind of like, ‘oh, you know, I don’t know if I should charge you guys a surcharge for fuel or not,'” Gordee said.

Even with surcharges and pricier trips to the pump, the costs do not appear to be stopping boaters from enjoying the water.

“You need it. You have to have it. If it’s expensive, it’s going to put a dent into the old bank account. It’s too bad. Hopefully they get lower,” visitor Kirk Olimb said.

Prices no one can seem to motor away from — whether it’s by land or sea.

“Whether they’re out there boating, they’re not really thinking about it. They’re just thinking about I’m out here for a fun day,” Sherman said.

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