Month: April 2026

By Frank Sulkowski

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    CLAXTON, Georgia (WJCL) — On Senior Night at Claxton High School, the cheers were loud, but for one student, the moment meant far more than soccer.

Aris Day stepped onto the field and took a penalty kick, marking a milestone that symbolized courage, determination, and an extraordinary recovery journey.

On Aug. 14, 2022, Aris was out for a jog when she suddenly suffered an aneurysm on the left side of her brain. The medical emergency left her in a coma for a month and caused severe damage to the left side of her brain, affecting movement on the right side of her body.

“It was very, very terrifying. It was painful,” Aris said.

She spent three months at Memorial Children’s Hospital, where she underwent six surgeries, followed by four more months of rehabilitation in Atlanta. The road to recovery was long and difficult, filled with setbacks, pain, and uncertainty.

But with faith, the support of doctors and nurses, encouragement from loved ones, and help from her personal trainer, Aris slowly began to regain strength and function.

“She had two choices,” said teacher and coach Carlton Lanier. “She could sit there and let the situation destroy her or Aris can get up and make the best situation – that’s what she did and it has inspired so many.”

Step by step, she pushed through challenges many people could hardly imagine, relearning how to walk and talk again.

“All the hard work she’s been putting in every day, it definitely shows,” said friend and teammate Katherine Rosales.

Before her medical crisis, Aris was known as a standout athlete in middle school. Now, her strength is being measured in a different way — through her resilience, perseverance, and determination to keep moving forward.

As she prepares to graduate from Claxton High School in May, Aris continues to inspire those around her.

“I’m confident of who I am,” Aris said. “I survived AVM rupture.”

For her family, friends, and teammates, her Senior Night penalty kick represented much more than a play on the field.

“I was really proud of her to take that stand and that kick,” said former teacher and coach Kelsey Stephens. “I feel like that kick meant all of the progress that she has made so far, and that she’s going to continue to make.”

What happened on Senior Night was more than a celebration of a student athlete.

It was a powerful reminder of hope, healing, and the strength it takes to overcome the impossible.

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 Erin Lowrey

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    SLIDELL, Louisiana (WDSU) — The Slidell City Council honored two neighbors for their bravery after they rescued a bedridden woman from a house fire earlier this month.

The fire happened in the Redwood Circle area.

Dixie Walker, 77, was mourning the loss of her husband of 50 years, a Vietnam veteran, Charles Fritz Walker, when there was a loud boom.

Walker’s son, Bubba, said his mother, who is unable to walk, and her caretaker heard the boom before the fire erupted.

Neighbors quickly came to Walker’s rescue, banging on her door to get her out.

“Without hesitation, Mr. Kenney lives right across the street. And without hesitation, he knew that Miss Dixie was inside that home. He wasted no time going in there, smoke pouring out through the garage,” a councilmember said while honoring the neighbor.

Slidell fire officials believe the fire started in the garage, where an explosion also totaled Walker’s wheelchair-accessible van.

Her family is fundraising to help her recover.

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 McKenzy Parsons

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    OMAHA, Nebraska (KETV) — Mark Scotch, a living organ donor, is cycling through Nebraska on a 1,900-mile journey to raise awareness about organ donation as part of the “Organ Trail.”

Since 2020, the “Organ Trail” has covered more than 10,000 miles across 23 states to highlight the need for living donors and demonstrate that donating a kidney does not prevent someone from living a normal life.

“The Organ Trail is basically an organization that we started to help create awareness about the need for living donors, and also to demonstrate that a person can donate a kidney and still live a completely normal life afterwards. If you call what I do normal,” Scotch said.

Scotch is also advocating for policies and legislation during his ride, including the “End Kidney Deaths Act,” which aims to provide support for organ donors.

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 Aaron Hegarty

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    OMAHA, Nebraska (KETV) — A Millard man says he stabbed an intruder who broke into his apartment early Monday morning, fearing for the safety of his wife and 9-year-old daughter.

“I used the force I felt was appropriate and no more,” he told KETV in an exclusive interview.

The incident happened at Bear Creek Apartments near 144th and Harrison. The Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office has not identified the alleged intruder, who remains hospitalized.

Aaron Glaze said he woke up around 5 a.m. to screaming and saw his neighbor on top of a woman from his balcony.

“He was hitting her, and either pulling her hair or shoving her violently,” Glaze said.

Sarpy County investigators said Glaze intervened in a disturbance, yelled at the man to stop and told him 911 had been called.

Glaze and his wife, Brittney, who he married last month, said the neighbor threw a necklace at them from the parking lot.

Soon after, the man began kicking the apartment door in.

“While I’m on the phone with dispatch, he’s kicking our door, and I’m telling dispatch he is,” Brittney Glaze told KETV. “And next thing you know, he’s in our door, and I look, and he’s (Aaron Glaze) pushing him (the intruder) out the door.”

In the same motion as the push, Glaze said stabbed the man with a knife he had grabbed from the counter a moment earlier.

“I still haven’t wrap my head around it because hurting people is not an ideal situation for anybody,” he said. He said they’ve prayed for the man.

He added: “I’m not trained. I don’t know what to do. I had God and fear.”

Glaze said his 9-year-old daughter was sleeping in a bedroom during the incident, only waking when the kicking began.

“She’s speaking with her school counselor, and they’re doing amazing work with her as well,” Glaze said. “I do love the Millard (school) district. They, they take care of our family.”

Glaze said he spent a day in handcuffs.

“I eventually understood why that was,” he said. “Because there’s one guy down, one guy up.”

He said his wife and daughter now live in fear that the neighbor or someone connected to him could return.

“Our biggest concern right now is just moving and moving expenses,” Glaze said.

The couple launched an online fundraiser to raise funds for a move.

Glaze said he’s not perfect and has a criminal history, but he said he and Brittney recently started a handyman business together. He said car troubles also have them short on money.

Reflecting on his actions, Glaze said he doesn’t regret what he did.

“I bounced around with the thought in my head, like, is this worth putting my family in jeopardy? And then a few hours later, my dad called me, and he’s like, son, I’m proud of you,” Glaze said.

He added: “I don’t think anybody will fault anybody for that. I just hope it doesn’t come to my family being in danger again.”

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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    CINCINNATI (WLWT) — Mental health providers across Ohio say they’re facing unexpected financial strain after being told to repay thousands of dollars in Medicaid reimbursements for services dating back as far as two years.

Several therapists who contacted WLWT say they recently received “overpayment recovery” notices from CareSource, one of the largest Medicaid managed care providers in the state. The notices indicate the company plans to recoup a portion of previously paid claims—sometimes by withholding future payments.

For small practices, providers say the impact could be significant.

“If they continue with this for the full two years, it will be about $15,000,” said Jenny Liu, a therapist and owner of Conscience Roots Counseling. “For a small practice, that’s a big deal.”

Liu said her practice serves about 80 clients and intentionally accepts Medicaid to help meet a growing need for mental health services. She said the repayment demand came without prior warning.

“We’ll get $0 until we back the 15%,” she said.

Liu and other providers say that means future reimbursements for current services could be reduced or eliminated entirely until the balance is repaid.

Therapists tell WLWT this is not an isolated issue. Multiple providers across Ohio say they’ve received similar notices, and some are now weighing difficult decisions about their future.

“There will not be enough therapists out there to meet the need. ” Liu said.

Some providers say they may be forced to stop accepting Medicaid patients or close their practices altogether if the recoupments continue.

Others say they are now exploring legal options, including the possibility of a broader lawsuit.

In a statement to WLWT, CareSource said the recoupments stem from a review that found some behavioral health providers had been overpaid.

The company said recovering those funds is part of its responsibility to properly manage Medicaid dollars.

“CareSource’s mission is to improve the health and well-being of Ohioans. As part of this commitment, we responsibly manage Medicaid funds to maintain high-quality, affordable care. During a recent review, we identified that some behavioral health providers have been historically overpaid for certain services.

Following our standard practice, we informed these providers that we need to recoup these overpayments and will reimburse them at the correct contractual rates moving forward. This is not a rate reduction, but rather an effort to ensure CareSource is accurately paying claims in accordance with our fiduciary duty as a steward of public funds.

We understand this may cause concern for some providers, and we are committed to working with them to review their individual circumstances.

Throughout this process, we remain focused on protecting our members’ access to quality care and supporting provider network stability.”

The Ohio Department of Medicaid confirmed to WLWT that it is aware of the situation and is now reviewing whether the recoupments are being carried out appropriately.

Full statement from the Ohio Department of Medicaid:

“We are aware of recent reports that CareSource, a Medicaid managed care organization, has initiated retroactive recoupments of behavioral health reimbursements.

Ohio Medicaid understands concerns this action may raise among providers. We are reviewing whether these recoupments are consistent with both Ohio’s Medicaid managed care regulations and federal guidelines set forth under 42 CFR 438, which govern managed care organizations’ obligations around overpayment recovery, including prompt reporting and reasonable notice.

Ohio Medicaid is actively engaging with CareSource to confirm:

Whether these recoupments comply with statutory and contractual timeframes.

That impacted providers received appropriate notifications and opportunities to dispute or repay in alignment with both state and federal requirements.

That member access to critical behavioral health services is not compromised.

We remain committed to supporting a stable provider network and ensuring that Ohio’s Medicaid-supported services continue with minimal disruption. For more information on CareSource’s actions, please reach out to the plan.”

For now, providers say they’re left trying to navigate the repayment process, while continuing to serve patients.

Liu said she’s doing everything she can to keep her practice open, but the uncertainty is weighing heavily.

“I hope I don’t have to close the practice… but it’s possible right now,” she 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 Tori Yorgey

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    BALTIMORE (WBAL) — A 10-year-old boy was taken into police custody after crashing a stolen car in East Baltimore Wednesday morning, officials said.

A 12-year-old passenger was also inside the vehicle, Baltimore City Sheriff Sam Cogen exclusively told WBAL-TV 11 News.

Cogen said deputies were serving warrants in East Baltimore when they noticed a Hyundai Elantra pass by them and run through a stop sign.

“They saw a car go by and what they described, they said it was like a little bobblehead that was like (the) top of a child’s head,” Cogen said. “They immediately took notice of it and they saw it go through a stop sign, and they attempted to stop the vehicle and the vehicle fled.”

Cogen said his deputies did not chase the car but did keep up with it until it crashed into a stop sign and fire hydrant by East 23rd and Barclay Streets in East Baltimore.

The Sheriff’s Office said the 10-year-old driver and a 12-year-old passenger got out of the car and attempted to run from deputies. The 12-year-old passenger got away from law enforcement, but the 10-year-old driver was caught and taken into custody.

Deputies said the car was stolen outside of a home in Parkville Saturday night.

“The ignition was popped. So, the ignition was broken out of the car, so it was obviously stolen when they came up on it,” Cogen said. “We don’t know if (the two boys stole) it or not. We know that the car was stolen from Parkville on Saturday night, around 11 p.m. or 12 a.m.”

Cogen said the child was given back to his guardian, adding in the Baltimore State’s Attorney’s Office is likely not going to be pressing charges due to the child’s age.

Cogen said his office will be filing a Child in Need of Assistance form, and will continue to follow the case.

“They crashed the car, they were going through stop signs. You know, they could be seriously injured, or (they) could seriously hurt somebody. So, it’s one of these things where it’s like, unacceptable,” Cogen told WBAL-TV 11 News. “We’re trying to figure out how to handle this. Like, as a society, we don’t want them to continue down this path but as a 10-year-old, we don’t want them to go to prison as well. So, we have to figure out how to hold them accountable and stop this behavior, but we also have to recognize that they’re a very young person and try not to ruin their life and get them back on track.”

WBAL-TV 11 News reached out to the City State’s Attorney’s Office for comment regarding the decision to not file charges but has not yet heard back.

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By LeeAnn Huntoon

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    POLK COUNTY, Florida (WESH) — A 68-year-old Lakeland man was arrested this week after allegedly offering money to have sex with a minor during an undercover operation, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said.

Thomas Hicks, 68, an employee in marketing and a seasonal Santa Claus performer, was one of 19 suspects arrested in a multi-day sweep targeting individuals who prey on children for unlawful sexual activity.

Investigators said the Hicks sent social media messages to an undercover detective posing as the guardian of a 13-year-old girl.

According to the report, Hicks allegedly described explicit sex acts he wished to perform on the child, assuring the detective he would “be gentle.”

Detectives said Hicks, who is reportedly married for more than 50 years, told them he regularly visits known “prostitution sites” to look for prostitutes or companions.

He was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with human trafficking, traveling to meet a minor, use of a computer to seduce a child, and use of a two-way communication device to commit a felony.

The operation, dubbed “Operation Child Protector VIII,” was led by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and involved numerous law enforcement agencies.

In total, 16 suspects were charged with traveling to meet a minor for sex after communicating with undercover detectives posing as children or guardians online.

The participating agencies included the Auburndale Police Department, Davenport Police Department, Lake City Police Department, Orlando Police Department, Hardee County Sheriff’s Office, Highlands County Sheriff’s Office, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, Pasco Sheriff’s Office, San Francisco Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Department of Financial Services Criminal Investigations Division.

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 Anderson, KSL

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    LOGAN, Utah (KSL) — Increases in temperatures around so-called urban heat domes, or heat islands, could apply to a massive data center that is proposed for the northwestern side of Box Elder County.

Project Stratos, headed by “Shark Tank” star Kevin O’Leary’s company, would span some 40,000 acres and produce up to 9 gigawatts of power at full scale, all to help serve artificial intelligence to the military and cloud-computing needs.

Wei Zhang is a professor of climate science at Utah State University and is part of a national panel studying extreme heat and developing models of rising temperatures, particularly in urban areas. He said the proposed city-sized data center could have effects similar to what they see in those areas.

“If that heat is strong enough, that can modulate the local circulations,” Zhang said. “(It) might create its own local circulation to cause something called urban heat island effect, or in urban climate field, what we call urban dome. So those heat by itself can cause some local circulation.”

Ultimately, those heat increases by 3 to 4 degrees could be enough to cause changes to the wind in the area, potentially impacting area storm systems. Zhang adds however, that the exact impact is unclear, and requires more study. He says the temperature changes could also be blown to other areas.

“It will affect the local climate, but I don’t know how how far that can be aggregated to a larger area,” Zhang explained. “That will need more evaluation.”

But he says it is enough of an impact to be concerned. In the meantime, Robert Davies, a professor of physics at USU, added that an even greater concern than the heat created, is the potential for a massive carbon footprint.

“Generating 9 gigawatts of power from natural gas will raise Utah’s current total greenhouse gas production by about 50%,” Davies said.

Patrick Belmont, a professor in watershed sciences added, “Every car, truck, bus, motorcycle, all of those emissions combined (in Utah). This plant will be putting out more than that.”

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.