Month: April 2026

By Aja Dorsainvil

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    BOYNTON BEACH, Florida (WPTV) — Boynton Beach Police said they arrested a 35-year-old man in connection with the beating death of a 29-year-old man over an alleged $12 debt.

With the assistance of the U.S. Marshals, police arrested Brannon Michael Taylor, 35, in Delray Beach on Wednesday.

Detectives said on Sunday, at around 7 a.m., Boynton Beach Police responded to reports of a dead body located in a wooded area near Harvey E. Oyer Jr. Park.

Police said when officers arrived they located the body of 29-year-old Jordan Scales, who had suffered severe head trauma, and found a metal pole, with what appeared to be blood on it, nearby.

Detectives said they began an extensive investigation and identified Taylor as the suspect. Preliminary investigation revealed that prior to the fatal beating, Taylor and Scales were bickering over $12 that Scales allegedly owed Taylor. Shortly after, Taylor began beating Scales with the metal pole, which led to his death.

According to police, Taylor provided a full confession on Wednesday and was arrested on a charge of first-degree murder with a deadly weapon.

He is being held at the Palm Beach County Jail.

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 Fletcher Keel

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    CINCINNATI (WLWT) — A father has been found guilty on all counts that he was reckless in the death of his 3-year-old daughter, who was killed in a dog attack in December 2024.

Houston Warren was found guilty on charges of manslaughter and child endangerment.

Judge Virginia Tallent found Houston guilty on all counts, saying he should have known the dogs were a substantial danger.

In December 2024, Kingsley Wright was spending time with her dad, Warren Houston, for the holidays.

Prosecutors claimed Houston put the child to sleep on the couch, with the dogs in the same room, locked inside a broken cage.

In court last week, video from that night showed Kingsley was attacked for more than 30 minutes, but nobody came to help her. Houston was sleeping in a separate room, with the door closed, according to investigators.

The following day, Houston said he has thick walls in the home, saying he accidentally fired a gun inside the apartment once and nobody in the building seemed to notice.

He also said he sleeps with fans on.

While on the stand, he added that he didn’t hear any barking or screaming overnight.

Prosecutors said the dogs were improperly secured in a broken cage and the three-year-old was put in danger by being left alone near them.

Houston’s defense argued the incident was a tragic accident.

Houston will be sentenced on May 22. He faces a minimum of three years in prison, and a maximum of 11 years.

He has been out for the trial but, after the guilty verdict, he was remanded to jail.

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 Scott Sutton , Audra Schroeder

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    PALM CITY, Florida (WPTV) — A 33-year-old man from Colombia is in custody after he ran from a trooper following a traffic stop Thursday afternoon along Interstate 95 in Martin County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

This happened on northbound I-95 at mile marker 113 in Palm City at about 3:51 p.m.

FHP said the man, Jaime Alberto Silvabernal, was driving a Chevrolet Traverse when a trooper tried to stop the vehicle because the Traverse’s tag was not assigned to the vehicle.

During the investigation, it was determined that the vehicle had no active registration and the license plate attached had been previously assigned.

FHP said Silvabernal did not have legal status in the United States.

Investigators said when the trooper asked the driver to step out of the vehicle, he initially complied; however, when one handcuff was placed on the left wrist, the driver failed to follow the directions of the trooper and “actively resisted with violence.”

During the struggle, the FHP said Silvabernal escaped and began to run south in the northbound lanes while traffic was still approaching.

FHP said with the assistance of the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, Port St. Lucie Police Department and the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, a perimeter was set up from mile marker 114 south to mile marker 110.

Law enforcement began to track Silvabernal south on the east side of the fence separating Interstate 95 and residential areas bordering the highway.

Silvabernal was found on the east side of the fence in the bushes.

FHP said when Martin County deputies ordered him to surrender, he refused, and a Martin County K-9 was deployed and bit the suspect’s left arm.

Silvabernal was then taken into custody and treated for his injuries. FHP said he will be booked into the Martin County Jail on multiple charges.

No officers or the K-9 were hurt.

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 Madison Perales

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    OMAHA, Nebraska (KETV) — Millard Public Schools said the teacher accused of generating child pornography has been “removed, and we are proceeding with termination and cancellation of his contract.”

A parent comes forward with student concerns about a Millard Public Schools’ teacher.

Forty-seven-year-old Matthew Lund was arrested Wednesday for alleged child pornography.

KETV NewsWatch 7 exclusively sat down with this parent on what kids told each other leading up to Lund’s arrest.

In court Thursday, the judge ordered a $1 million bond on Matthew Lund’s case after prosecutors revealed he had allegedly generated artificial intelligence child pornography on his schoolwork laptop and was masturbating to the footage while at work.

The court ordered Lund to have no contact with anyone under the age of 19 and to have a GPS tracker.

“He was hiding in plain sight,” said a Millard Public Schools parent who wants to remain anonymous for her child’s privacy.

She said Matthew Lund ran a club her child attended, adding he was upset once he learned the news of Lund’s arrest.

“He can’t believe that someone he trusted to keep him safe would do something like this,” she said.

We’re not showing the parent’s face or using her name to protect her child’s privacy.

She said other people had questions about Lund, and showed us a TikTok from March using Lund’s face in a video captioned, “Mr. Lund when he sees 8th grade girls in Nike pros.”

“He made a lot of kids uncomfortable, including my son, but he couldn’t quite say why. It, just, something was off,” the parent said.

In court, the prosecuting attorney said law enforcement in February got a cyber tip that Lund was using his work computer to upload AI-generated child pornography.

The tip included explicit content featuring AI-generated content of children ranging from three to 10-year-old boys; the warrant found more.

“One hundred four files consisting with child sexual assault material were located, depicting children ranging from infants to approximately 12 years old,” the prosecuting attorney said in court.

It was also disclosed in court that Lund admitted to generating the content and to masturbating at work.

“You think you’re dropping your kids off and those teachers are going to protect your kids,” the parent said.

She said she wants a better vetting policy.

“Can they mandate them to see a therapist and make sure that they’re, you know, of sound mind and okay to be around kids? I don’t know, but it’d be cool if they could,” she said.

In a statement to KETV, Millard Public Schools said, “All staff go through a thorough background check during the hiring process. Millard maintains open communication with law enforcement and regulatory agencies that alert us to any ongoing concern. Additionally, Millard is diligent about investigating all concerns brought to us.”

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 Brittany Decker

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    JEFFERSON COUNTY, Alabama (WVTM) — What looks like a mess along the side of the road in Corner turns out to be something much more meaningful, thanks to one man who keeps showing up to clean it.

Every few days, and sometimes within minutes, the trash returns.

Beer cans. Soda bottles. Fast-food wrappers. Tires. Even furniture.

“It’s one thing to see a problem and complain about it,” said Keith Golden. “And there’s another to strap up your boots and go out and fix the problem.”

Golden has spent the past 20 years doing just that.

In this unincorporated community that borders Walker, Blount and Jefferson counties, Golden is known for many things. He substitutes at the local school. He calls football games for those who can’t attend. On Facebook, he’s a go-to source for weather updates.

But on the roadside, he’s something else entirely.

Armed with work gloves and trash bags, Golden spends four to seven hours at a time clearing debris, climbing down hillsides, cutting through briars and even wading into creeks to pull out waste.

“I’ve waded in knee-deep water before to get Styrofoam out,” he said. “It’s just part of the job.”

What he finds can be surprising.

“A gun, one time. Tools. I found money. I found a prosthetic leg,” Golden said.

Much of the trash, he said, starts small — a single cup or bag tossed from a car window.

But it adds up.

“It’s just a cup, but with everybody doing it, that’s hundreds of bags and hundreds of cups,” he said.

In one weekend alone, Golden collected 86 bags of trash and nearly 2,700 pounds of debris. Since October, he said he has picked up close to 23,000 pounds and nearly 100 tons over the past several years.

Still, he keeps going.

Sometimes, his work doesn’t go unnoticed. School bus drivers honk as they pass. Students wave. As a substitute teacher, he uses those moments to talk about responsibility and community.

“This is not just a Corner problem,” Golden said. “This is an everywhere problem.”

For him, the solution is simple.

“Care,” he said. “Care enough about your community.”

And in a place where trash can pile up quickly, Golden proves that consistency, and a willingness to act, can make a lasting difference — even if it starts with just one bag at a time.

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 Adam Berkowitz, KOMU 8 Reporter

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    COLUMBIA, Missouri (KOMU) — A Columbia wellness shop owner said a newly signed Missouri law targeting intoxicating hemp products could force him to shut down his storefront after six years in business.

Ethan Jones, owner of MindRight Wellness in Columbia, said his commercial lease ends in August and he likely will not renew it because of the financial impact the law could have on his business when it takes effect in November.

Jones said he plans to continue selling some products online through e-commerce, but losing a significant portion of his CBD inventory would make it difficult to keep the physical store open.

“CBD accumulates to be well over about 20% of my annual sales,” Jones said. “That is enough of a loss with the overhead that I carry for a brick-and-mortar shop to close my doors.”

Jones said he understands why lawmakers wanted to address concerns surrounding some hemp and THC products, but he believes the law goes too far and hurts businesses operating responsibly.

“I’m sure there’s sketchy products out there, but that’s like a small percentage fragment of what’s available that they are just cherry-picking to present to the public to make it look as if it’s more of an issue than it is,” Jones said. “I don’t have kids coming in here, knocking down my door for CBD.”

He said he was surprised CBD products became part of the legislation.

“I never expected CBD to be on the chopping block the way that it is,” Jones said.

Jones said most of his customers are older adults seeking wellness products.

“The type of people that buy my products are a variety of different people, but what I’ve come to see is the older community, like 50 and above,” he said.

The legislation, recently signed into law by Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe, cracks down on hemp-derived THC products lawmakers said are being marketed in ways that appeal to children.

State Sen. David Gregory defended the bill, pointing to products designed to resemble popular snacks.

“See right here, it looks like an Oreo package, but it actually has THC in it, marijuana, and they’re labeling it as hemp and they’re illegally selling it as hemp,” Gregory said. “We are putting an end to it.”

“These are the kind of things we are putting an end to, they’re dangerous, they’re dangerous for our kids, they’re dangerous to our communities,” Gregory said.

Jones said he worries other small business owners could face similar consequences.

“A lot of good people are going to be hurt by this bill, myself included,” Jones said. “I have genuine intent in the way that I help people.”

Mindright Wellness has operated in Columbia for six years and is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Jones said the possible closure of his storefront is emotional after years spent building the business.

“Quite honestly, it’s sickening. I’ve worked extremely hard over many, many years helping people,” he said. “This has been my dream from very early on in my life.”

“It makes me super sad because I love what I do, I love the people that I get to help, they love us, and so it’s just gonna be a big change,” Jones added.

After signing the bill, Gov. Mike Kehoe acknowledged concerns surrounding the legislation, but said the bill reflected strong support from lawmakers.

“But unfortunately, as I’ve said, when the bill comes to the governor’s office we get to say yes or no, we don’t get to modify what the bill does,” Kehoe said. “The bipartisan and unanimous vote the House and Senate passed after many years I think is reflective of the people who sent them to office to represent them here.”

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 Jacob Richey, KOMU 8 Digital Content Editor

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    JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri (KOMU) — Intoxicating hemp products must be pulled from convenience store shelves, bars and restaurants across Missouri by Nov. 12, a bill signed by Gov. Mike Kehoe on Thursday establishes.

The Missouri governor signed the bill, House Bill 2641, along with three other bills in a ceremony on Thursday.

The bill establishes the Intoxicating Cannabinoid Control Act, which Kehoe said aligns the state with a federal ban that Congress approved last year. The bill brings the regulation of hemp-derived cannabinoid products under existing regulations of marijuana.

It prohibits non-licensed entities, like convenience stores, from selling intoxicating hemp products. It would also restrict the sale of the products to licensed marijuana dispensaries if Congress reverses the federal ban, as well as require non-licensed entities to discontinue the manufacturing or sale of hemp-derived cannabinoid products.

Moreover, the bill prohibits marijuana dispensaries from keeping records or disseminating identifying information of regulated marijuana products consumers buy unless the consumer agrees to the creation or retention in writing.

“For too long, bad actors have exploited loopholes to market intoxicating products—including candy-like gummies or look-alike products — without meaningful oversight or accountability,” Kehoe said in a news release from his office. “This legislation ensures that Missourians know the products sold in their communities are safe, regulated, and kept out of the hands of children.”

The bill passed both the Missouri House and Senate with wide margins, but similar bills have failed in previous years.

The Missouri Hemp Trade Association delivered more than 10,000 handwritten letters last week to the governor’s office, along with an additional 2,000 petition signatures, urging Kehoe to veto the bill.

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By Nolan Bulmahn

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    OMAHA, Nebraska (KMTV) — A stolen GMC pickup truck crashed into a house near 75th and Blondo early Wednesday morning, leaving a hole in the home and causing extensive damage.

Homeowner Scott Leak was asleep when the crash happened and initially thought a tree fell into his home.

“Heard a huge bang and, uh, had some pictures on the wall above my bed fall on me,” Leak said.

Cinder blocks and other debris covered the garage and the two cars inside, which Leak told me are likely totaled. One of the vehicles, a 1996 Acura NSX, could be impossible to repair. Leak said Honda only made 550 models that year.

“Bought it from a guy in Saint Louis who actually bought it from, uh, Steve Taylor, who used to play for the, the Huskers in the 80s,” Leak said.

The car is made out of aluminum, and finding parts for a vehicle discontinued 20 years ago is not easy.

“It’s also kind of a, a one in a million shot that uh just kinda, kinda wonder, man, what, what, what kind of luck do I have that uh that this happened here?” Leak said.

OPD said they do not have a description of the suspect yet as they continue to investigate.

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

By Mary Nelson

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    OMAHA, Nebraska (KMTV) — With four active boys, Michael and Kristina Agostino embraced the ‘chaos’ of those ‘growing up years,’ where each child was involved in one sport or another.

Their second-born, Nick, also happened to be good at art.

“He just creates magic when he has a canvas,” Michael said.

But something else brought the couple and 3 News Now’s Mary Nelson together in their west Omaha home.

In high school, Nick was losing weight and was always thirsty and tired. The family took him to the doctor three times, but it wasn’t until a trip to the emergency room that they heard the diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes.

“As a mom, I feel so strongly about this mission because no parent should ever go through what we had to go through to see our child at death’s door to get diagnosed,” Kristina insisted.

Michael added, “For me, as a dad, I do still hold guilt. Like, as a pharmacist, why didn’t I put together two and two?”

That experience fuels their focus today on research and advancements around cell therapies. Currently, over 300 clinical trials for Type 1 diabetes are in the works, including 12 for functional cures. A decade ago, Breakthrough T1D estimates there were just a few.

At the front of the pipeline is a stem cell-derived, insulin-producing islet cell therapy. Zimislecel could possibly reach the FDA this year. Other trials deal with immunosuppression, as well as alternatives to medications that suppress the immune system.

“To have healthy pancreatic cells producing insulin? That’s the holy grail. And so, we see that at the end of the tunnel – we see that happening,” Michael explained.

The Agostinos will be honored Saturday night at the Nebraska Breakthrough T1D Gala for their support in advancing research. KMTV is a long-time sponsor of Breakthrough T1D, formerly JDRF.

Donations to Fund A Cure are fully tax-deductible. This link connects back to the Agostinos’ efforts.

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

By Terry Stackhouse

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    DILLEY, Texas (WMTW) — Rachel Griffin Accurso, a nationally recognized children’s entertainer known as “Ms. Rachel,” is calling for the release of Olivia Andre, a Maine teen detained at the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas, under reportedly harsh conditions.

“Right away, I noticed that she’s deteriorating physically and mentally at Dilley. I’m so worried about her,” Accurso said, describing her recent Zoom call with Andre.

Andre, 19, is originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and had been living in Portland as an asylum seeker before her detention.

“She was shackled, and she was put in an orange jumpsuit at 19 years old, after fleeing war, extreme violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, losing her brother on the way, getting her life together so fast here for her family as a kid,” Accurso said.

Customs and Border Protection claims Andre and her family entered the U.S. illegally in 2022 and were ordered to leave earlier this year. The family was denied asylum in Canada and turned over to U.S. immigration officials in November.

Andre’s case gained attention after Texas Congressman Greg Casar read a letter she wrote.

“Before being detained, I was living in Portland, Maine, where I was beginning to build my future. I am a first-year college student studying to become a nurse,” Casar read.

Accurso says she has spoken with seven detainees at Dilley, including young children, and described the conditions as “horrific.”

Democratic Maine Congresswoman Chellie Pingree has also called for Andre’s release, sending a letter to Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials last week.

Pingree cited reports of “deplorable” conditions at Dilley, including inadequate medical care, clean food, water, and hygiene products.

“Why would we let children be in that condition? I’m an advocate for children everywhere,” Accurso said.

Andre is the only member of her family still in custody. Her mother and siblings, including her brother Joel, were released last month.

Her attorney, Todd Pomerleau, said they have not received answers as to why Andre remains detained while her family was released.

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security responded to inquiries, stating, “The facts are Olivia Mabiala Andre is an adult illegal alien with a final order of removal and no right to remain in the U.S.”

The spokesperson defended the Dilley facility, calling reports of poor conditions “mainstream media lies.”

They stated that detainees receive a comprehensive assessment within 48 hours of admission and claimed, “In most cases, this is the best healthcare illegal aliens have received in their entire lives.”

The agency did not address why Andre’s family was released while she remains in custody.

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.