Month: April 2026

By Jill Lamkins

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    OMAHA, Nebraska (KMTV) — Omaha small business owners share how the temporary 8% USPS shipping surcharge impacts their ability to compete with large online retailers.

The United States Postal Service is raising shipping prices with a temporary 8% surcharge, and for anyone with packages to send, it may have them rethinking whether to ship at all. For online sellers, Omaha business owners tell us the increase hits even harder.

According to a USPS statement, the temporary change is meant to cover rising transportation costs. USPS says even with the surcharge, its rates remain lower than competitors’ fuel surcharges. The surcharge went into effect on April 26th, 2026 and will last until Jan. 17, 2027, at which time USPS says they will evaluate if a more long-term change is needed.

Seven years ago, Kadi Knight started her small business, Thyme for Real Medicine, selling both in-person and online. When she heard about the USPS surcharge, she worried about competing with giants like Amazon, who offer free shipping.

“I do it because I love it and I want to help people and I feel like I am with my products and my services,” Knight said.

For JJ Feregrino, owner of Keyfob.com, price increases are nothing new in his industry. He says he has learned to adjust slowly, finding lower-cost supplies and making operational changes before passing any costs on to customers.

“Don’t adjust until you realize there’s a problem, um, and try to find ways to solve the problem yourself before you pass it along to the consumer,” Feregrino said.

For Knight, the decision whether to raise her prices is still on the table. Despite this new challenge, she says it is still worth it to keep going.

“It’s a tough decision because I’m trying to be competitive and it’s hard when I can’t offer free shipping and I don’t have the capabilities of ordering everything in bulk like large corporations do, so,” Knight said.

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.

By Mike Mohundro

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    PADUCAH, Kentucky (WSIL) — A western Kentucky man has been sentenced to federal prison for his role in a multimillion-dollar health care fraud scheme, authorities announced this week.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky, Michael Shawn Boaz, 47, of Clinton, was sentenced to 30 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $1,806,212.90 in restitution. Boaz previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and 13 counts of fraudulent prescriptions.

U.S. Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner, along with officials from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, announced the sentencing.

Court documents stated that Boaz, while working as a licensed pharmacist, conspired with another individual to defraud health care benefit programs at two Kentucky pharmacies between 2017 and 2021. The scheme resulted in losses exceeding $2.18 million.

Prosecutors said Boaz added boutique vitamins to customer prescription orders, falsely telling customers the products were free. In reality, authorities said he billed insurance providers between $1,000 and $6,000 per bottle. Prosecutors said he also submitted fraudulent claims for the antihistamine Carbinoxamine Maleate, purchasing it for approximately $605 per prescription and billing insurers between $2,000 and $16,000.

Boaz entered his guilty plea on November 3, 2025.

His co-conspirator, Christopher Clayton Augustus, 42, of Paducah, pleaded guilty on August 7, 2025, to conspiracy to commit health care fraud, fraudulent prescriptions, and aggravated identity theft. He is awaiting sentencing.

In a statement, Bumgarner emphasized the broader impact of such crimes. “Fraudsters like Boaz that steal from health care benefit programs negatively impact everyone’s health care costs,” he said. “Health care fraud is a top priority of our office, and we will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute those who defraud these programs.”

The case was investigated by multiple agencies, including the FDA, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Labor, the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control, and the Kentucky Board of Pharmacy. Assistant U.S. Attorney Raymond McGee prosecuted the case.

The announcement comes as the U.S. Department of Justice expands efforts to combat fraud nationwide. On April 7, the agency announced the creation of its National Fraud Enforcement Division, aimed at strengthening investigations and prosecutions involving misuse of taxpayer funds.

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 Ryan Dickstein

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    LAUREL, Maryland (WMAR) — A Laurel man was sentenced to nearly two years in federal prison for selling fraudulent nursing diplomas and school transcripts.

Patrick Nwaokwu, 55, took part in a scam that cost its victims more than $1.5 million in losses.

Starting in 2018 Nwaokwu and Musa Bangura, 67 of Manassas, Virginia, started soliciting Maryland residents who were in search of nursing degrees.

The duo began selling their victims phony credentials from an unlicensed school in Virginia.

When the school lost its license, Nwaokwu and Bangura would backdate the documents to make it appear as if the buyer took courses there beforehand.

Nwaokwu continued scheming in Maryland through July of 2021 when he conspired with a pair of Florida men to sell fake nursing degrees out of the so called Palm Beach School of Nursing.

The U.S. Department of Justice says Nwaokwu charged $17,000 for Registered nursing degrees and between $6,000-$10,000 for LPN degrees.

Prosecutors detailed how Nwaokwu instructed his victims to leave their graduation date blank on their National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) applications so he could backdate it.

According to the Feds, this allowed for some to obtain licenses from the Maryland Board of Nursing, and practice here in the State.

“As a result, Nwaokwu and his co-conspirators consciously and recklessly exposed Maryland patients to potential harm, risk of death, and serious bodily injury,” the DOJ said in a release.

Bangura was previously sentenced to 13 months for his part.

The issue of fraudulent nursing licenses came to light in January 2023, when the FBI busted a Florida based diploma scheme called Operation Nightingale.

In October 2023 the Maryland Board of Nursing released a list of names tied to the investigation.

As previously reported by WMAR-2 News, an April 2025 legislative audit raised specific concerns about the Maryland Board of Nursing’s lack of investigative efforts into hundreds of nurses who may have used fraudulent credentials to obtain a state license.

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 Ryan Dickstein

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    BEL AIR, Maryland (WMAR) — We’re learning more about a Harford County Sheriff’s Office undercover sex sting that busted a Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police lieutenant.

Matthew N. Mahl, 47 of La Plata, Maryland, is being charged with felony sexual solicitation of a minor.

WMAR-2 News obtained charging documents to learn more about what led to his arrest.

Back in March a detective was doing an undercover operation online in search of child sex predators.

The detective flagged a Reddit post in a subforum titled “GayYoungOldDating.”

A profile called “Introverted42” allegedly wrote a post saying “older bear/chub guy in Maryland looking for younger to get to know.”

“Introverted42” was later identified as Mahl.

The undercover detective first reached out to Mahl under the guise of “Nate,” a 15-year-old high school sophomore from Harford County.

Both exchanged photos, with Mahl allegedly sending one of himself in uniform.

As their conversation carried on, Mahl began talking about sex with the detective, under the assumption he was 15.

Mahl later sent nude photos of himself to the detective from his work office.

Charging documents detail how Mahl knew of the age gap, once wishing it was February 11, 2027, the date in which “Nate” would’ve turned 16.

Mahl also appeared to be aware of wrongdoing as he reportedly told “Nate,” “I have it all to lose.”

On another occasion Mahl warned he could get in trouble but assured “Nate” he couldn’t because he was a child.

It was April 3 when Mahl allegedly asked “Nate” to send nude photos, prompting child sexual solicitation charges to be filed against him.

Mahl has been with the Metropolitan Police Department for 23 years.

He supervised the special events section, providing security for a variety of high profile events such as presidential escorts.

Mahl is currently being held without bail and due in Harford District Court for a preliminary hearing on May 15.

The Metropolitan Police Department tells WMAR-2 News they were unaware of any investigation until Mahl was arrested.

He’s since been placed on administrative leave.

“The allegations in this case are extremely disturbing, and in direct contrast to the values of the Metropolitan Police Department,” a statement provided to WMAR-2 News reads. “MPD’s Internal Affairs Division will investigate violations of MPD policy once the criminal investigation concludes.”

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 TMJ4 Web Staff

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    MILWAUKEE (WTMJ) — On April 25, household cleaning supplies company Tru Earth says it partnered with the non-profit environmental group Milwaukee Riverkeeper and 2,082 volunteers to set the Guinness World Records title for most participants in a river cleanup at multiple locations.

Saturday’s event was the 31st Annual Milwaukee Riverkeeper Spring Cleanup where, according to a press release from Tru Earth, volunteers of all ages gathered at more than 120 locations along the Milwaukee River to remove litter from the river and the green spaces near it.

In all, the release notes that volunteers collected more than 100,000 pounds of trash during the cleanup.

“Today really belongs to the volunteers who showed up and got to work,” Jennifer Bolger Breceda, Executive Director of Milwaukee Riverkeeper, said.

“This record only happened because so many people care deeply about our rivers and each other. We’re grateful to Tru Earth for working with us to set this world record, but it’s our community that made this possible,” Bolger Breceda continued.

Tru Earth adds that Milwaukee Riverkeeper volunteers have quietly eclipsed the world record for the largest river cleanup for years, but never had it officially certified.

The release explains that with Tru Earth partnering with the non-profit, they were able achieve an official Guinness World Records title.

“As corporations, we have the power to do good and celebrate the work that organizations, like Milwaukee Riverkeeper, are doing every day in their local communities,” Brad Liski, Tru Earth CEO, said.

“We believe it is our corporate responsibility, and we challenge other companies to join with non-profits to make a difference in the world,” Liski added.

The new record of 2,082 surpasses the Guinness World Records benchmark of 1,795 participants, according to the release. Saturday’s record was verified in accordance with the Guinness World Records guidelines.

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 Sam Harasimowicz

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    CINCINNATI (WCPO) — Toledo native Ben Bascuk was in the room as chaos ensued at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

“I would say, probably the scariest part of the night was when Secret Service behind me started yelling, ‘Shots fired, shots fired,’” Bascuk said.

Bascuk is a junior at Syracuse University, studying broadcast and digital journalism. He’s spending the semester in Washington, D.C., and earned a special scholarship from the White House Correspondents’ Association, along with several other students.

That scholarship included the chance to go to the annual event, which took place inside the ballroom at the Washington Hilton.

“I describe it to a lot of people like prom, but for journalists and adults,” Bascuk said.

Bascuk and his colleagues were able to walk the red carpet, connect with well-known journalists and political figures and enjoy the dinner.

“The vibes were great, the vibes were high, everyone was laughing, having a good time,” Bascuk said.

And then, noise started to enter the room.

“I just remember eating and you hear sounds, to me, they didn’t register as gunshots,” Bascuk said.

As the event continued, authorities say the gunman is 31-year-old Cole Thomas Allen, who was taken into custody after officers tackled him to the ground in a security area of the hotel.

The college student said he watched as Tulsi Gabbard, the U.S. director of national intelligence, was rushed away by security.

Bascuk said he and others had to duck and cover, waiting for answers as to what was going on.

“I was right by the C-SPAN pool cam and the photographer said that the shots were fired upstairs in the lobby, is what they said over the radio. So it was not in the reception room and that’s kind of when I was able to take a breath a little bit,” Bascuk said.

The journalism student told me that the update was a sigh of relief. He took lots of videos from inside the dinner and sent updates to his student media.

“Once you know that you’re safe and you’re able to get up and move freely, it’s very relieving to be able to do your job,” Bascuk said.

He was able to contact his family and let them know he was safe. Bascuk described the terrifying moments as something that is, in some ways, unifying.

“Whether you’re a politician, a journalist, yes, we have our differences, but we’re all people and we all experienced that event together, and I think that was really on display last night,” Bascuk 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.