Month: April 2026

By Colette Bordelon

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    DENVER (KMGH) — A debate that has dominated headlines across the country has made its way to Colorado’s November ballot, where voters will have to decide what role gender identity plays in youth sports.

Initiative #109 submitted almost 169,000 petition signatures, which landed the Protect Women and Girls Sports Act on the general election ballot.

The final text of the measure asserts that separating athletic teams by sex due to “physical differences between males and females” reduces the chance for injury, promotes equality, and “allows female athletes to compete on a fair playing field for athletic accomplishments, including educational scholarships.”

Protect Kids Colorado, an organization that seeks to “mobilize the people of Colorado and the Church to engage with biblical and biological truth,” is behind Initiative #109.

The proposal encompasses students ranging from elementary school to college, who would have to classify their sports teams as male, female, or coeducational. Teams designated as female would not be open to male students, but male teams would be open to female students if no female team is offered for the specific sport.

“Our intent is to protect females’ opportunity, not restrict it,” said the Executive Director of Protect Kids Colorado, Erin Lee. “For example, there are female kickers on the football team, where there are appropriate positions for females, and they don’t have an opportunity of their own.”

The concept is controversial and would restrict the ability of transgender youth to participate in school sports that are consistent with their gender identity.

Denver7 spoke with individuals on both sides of the ballot measure, including a teen athlete who advocates for the proposal, and a family who believes the issue only hurts the transgender community.

On a brisk and bright morning in Severance, Maddie Wilcken was warming up for her match as part of a larger tennis tournament.

“I’m a very competitive person,” said 16-year-old Wilcken. “I can’t imagine my life without sports.”

Wilcken said she is an advocate for XX-XY Athletics, which is how she connected with Protect Kids Colorado.

“I have no hate toward anyone at all. I will never speak down about anybody,” said Wilcken. “It’s really just about equality and having the same chance and fairness.”

The teenage athlete told Denver7 she has played a number of sports over the years, including wrestling.

“I wrestled a biological male, and it was so fast,” said Wilcken. “In the blink of an eye, and it was over. I tried, but really, the strength was unmatched.”

She supports Initiative #109, and believes it is not an idea motivated by hate or discrimination.

“I just believe that women’s sports should be for women, and that’s it,” said Wilcken.

However, at a cozy home in Denver, the Lindsey family strongly disagreed with that assessment of the ballot measure.

“It’s a damn shame that we’re here,” said David Lindsey, sitting on one side of his daughter, Rose Lindsey. “This is a solution looking for a problem.”

“This is codifying bullying in the statute,” said Catherine Lindsey, from the other side of her daughter.

The Lindsey family told Denver7 they have never been too vocal about the issue, but felt they could not stay silent any longer. They first went public with their perspective as part of a campaign launched in opposition to Initiative #109, called Families, Not Politics, which urged Coloradans to vote against the proposal.

“I feel like gender in general is being thrown under the bus for the sake of trying to create a boogeyman out of trans people,” said Rose Lindsey, a transgender woman in her mid-20s.

Rose Lindsey said she has always felt supported by her parents, and did not realize how rare that was until meeting other transgender women, whose familial relationships were fractured when their true gender identity was revealed.

“A ballot measure like this is an intimidation tactic. It’s communicating to children that either you allow yourself to identify as trans, or you get to play sports,” sad Rose Lindsey. “It is making a statement that if you want to live your life this way, it means that you don’t get to be with the rest of us.”

According to One Colorado, an organization that advocates for the LGBTQ+ community, estimates show that less than 2% of Colorado children are transgender.

“If it ain’t broke, it doesn’t need fixed. There’s not a problem right now, other than one that’s made up by politicians,” said David Lindsey. “There’s no need for this law. Parents will make the right decision. Parents aren’t going to put other children at risk to have their kid play sports. I just don’t believe that that’s something that would happen.”

The Lindsey family believes the ballot measure is about safety, but not in the way proponents say.

“This is about the safety of every child and their ability to be fully who they are,” said Catherine Lindsey. “Letting a family take this journey with a sense of privacy and a sense of safety means that their kid gets to be fully who they are. They don’t have to pretend to be somebody that they’re not.”

Rose Lindsey said her goal in speaking out is to ensure the place where she grew up is a safe space for other children who may find themselves in her shoes.

“This is an extremely pivotal moment,” said Rose Lindsey. “These are the first days where we’re deciding what is okay? What lines are we willing to cross? What freedoms are we willing to capitulate?”

The general election is on Nov. 3. If Initiative #109 is approved by Colorado voters, it would go into effect at the start of 2027.

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 Peyton Headlee

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    ORANGEVALE, California (KCRA) — A Sacramento County woman is mourning the loss of her fiancé, Noah Jacobus, who died in a motorcycle crash Wednesday evening, just hours after proposing to her.

American flags and flowers now mark the spot along Oak Avenue in Orangevale where Jacobus, 25, lost his life.

“He deserved so much better,” said his fiancée, Molly Wiseman, who asked not to be on camera but wanted to share his story.

Jacobus was riding his motorcycle alongside Wiseman when the crash occurred. The California Highway Patrol said he lost control and crashed into a mailbox. CHP is investigating whether another vehicle may have been involved in the crash.

The day that ended in tragedy had started with joy, as Jacobus had proposed to Wiseman earlier that day.

“We were on our way to dinner because we were going to announce our engagement,” she said.

Wiseman described Jacobus as someone who loved to make people smile.

“He was always a goofball. He loved to make people smile. He was just everything,” she said. “I met him in January, and every day we were together, locked at the hip from then on.”

She is now mourning the future they had planned together.

“He was offered a permanent position with the National Guard. And he was so excited about that. He’d been chasing that for months,” she said. “It’s just not fair.”

Reflecting on their time together, Wiseman said, “It was just cut too short. He might have just been too good for this place, but we just didn’t get enough time.”

The California Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.

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 Faith Egbuonu

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    ESTANCIA, New Mexico (KOAT) — On Saturday, April 18, 2026, a fire erupted at a commercial structure in Estancia, New Mexico. According to the City of Moriarty Fire Department, multiple agencies assisted the Estancia Fire Department per request to get the fire under control. According to officials, there were no reported injuries or deaths. However, the Montoya family told KOAT they lost their joint home-business and dog to the fire.

“What happened here is a tragedy. There aren’t enough words to describe everything that was lost because it wasn’t just the business. It’s not just things—it’s memories, it’s livelihood, it’s stability,” Augustine Montoya told KOAT.

“One of the biggest things for me as the son, as the grandson, for two people who have been here with me through my whole life, is making sure that I’m at least somewhat consistent and stable for them through this really hard time,” Montoya (Augustine) said.

Emilia Montoya told KOAT she was at work when she received the tragic call from her brother who was inside but managed to escape with his wife. Additionally, Montoya stated this is the second home they’ve lost to a fire since 2010. They’ve owned the joint home-business since 2015, however, they’ve been in business for 40 years.

“My mother was in Albuquerque. This is her main office (business). When I got the call, I gave her a call. We have family that lives over here in the corner. So, when they saw the smoke, nobody knew if we were here or not. So, people were looking for us because they were concerned that we were in there. We lost—his dog was in there,” Montoya (Emilia) said.

As of Monday, April 20, the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

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 Ricardo Tovar

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    SALINAS, California (KSBW) — Salinas Fire told KSBW 8 that a plane went down in front of Salinas Airport on Friday.

Video from the scene shows the plane coming down and hitting a power line on its way to the ground, causing a utility pole to spark.

A fire spokesperson said the plane either made an emergency landing or a hard landing and was able to come down in a vacant lot in front of the airport.

Two people were aboard the plane, but no injuries were reported.

The downed utility pole may also have sparked a small grass fire in the area.

Four engines responded to the scene, along with a ladder truck and a battalion chief.

The cause of the crash has not been reported as of Monday.

This is a developing story. Stay with KSBW 8 for the latest details.

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 Jacqueline Aguilar

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    TUCSON, Arizona (KGUN) — Legal marijuana use in Arizona could face new limits under a bill moving through the legislature.

Arizona Senate Bill 1725 would classify “excessive” marijuana smoke or odor that drifts onto someone else’s property as a public and private nuisance. The bill passed the Senate with a 20-9 vote on March 9, 2026.

The proposed law, introduced by Sen. J.D. Mesnard, focuses on how long and how often the smell of cannabis is noticeable, including instances where it lasts more than 30 minutes or happens on three or more days within a 30-day period.

While supporters say the bill protects neighbors, others say they are worried it could create confusion over what counts as too much.

“If you’re using cannabis on your own property, you can’t really control where the smell goes. I don’t think it’s realistic to be able to say that you can track how a smell is going to traverse somebody else’s property over a period of time like 30 days,” said Moe Asnani, a partner at D2 Dispensaries.

Asnani also points out that nicotine use does not carry the same kind of restrictions.

“I think when you see traditional cigarette smokers or people vaping nicotine products, there’s no such regulation on them,” Asnani said.

Senate bill 1725 would allow neighbors to take legal action if someone’s marijuana use is affecting their ability to enjoy their own property.

If the proposed bill passes, violations could be charged as a Class 2 misdemeanor, meaning up to four months in jail and a $750 fine.

Asnani says it comes down to balancing personal use with respect for neighbors.

“I think it’s important to be conscientious of the people around you,” Asnani said.

Senate bill 1725 is currently moving through the House of Representatives.

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

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    SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Mayor Todd Gloria’s proposed budget is drawing backlash from community leaders who say millions of dollars in cuts to art programs and public libraries will hurt families who rely on those services.

People gathered Monday at Civic Center Plaza before Mayor Gloria’s presentation to the city council. They’re urging city leaders to rethink the budget plan to urge city leaders to rethink the plan, and show support for arts and culture, the library, and the Office of Child and Youth Success.

Community members, including San Diego Art Matters Executive Director Bob Lehman, shared their frustration over San Diego’s arts and culture facing an $11.8 million funding cut.

“We were expecting cuts. We understand what the city is going through, and we share that pain, and we understand that we have to take a cut, but basically zeroing out arts and culture… unacceptable,” Bob Lehman said.

Many shared how the cuts come at the expense of resources San Diegans rely on every day, including music teacher Crystal Pridmore.

“As soon as there is any kind of funding hiccup, it’s the first thing to go, even though we know that a kid who experiences the arts and school is more likely to show up to school, they make better grades, they are more productive members of society,” Crystal Pridmore said.

Under Gloria’s proposed budget plan, libraries are also threatened with $6.3 million in cuts and reduced operating hours. Library Foundation SD CEO Patrick Stewart noted the impact the proposal would have on the community.

“The priorities that are taking greater prevalence in San Diego politics right now are not priorities that necessarily serve children, youth, and families; they are not serving the creative economy,” Patrick Stewart said.

As the mayor presents his budget plan to the city council, the message from community members is clear.

“They made a promise to not cut the arts this year, so we’re going to hold them to that,” Lehman said.

“We’re calling on the mayor’s office and the city council to go back to the drawing board and find a way that we are balancing the budget not with an either or approach,” Stewart said.

City council members will review the proposed budget and make changes before the final budget proposal is released next month.

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

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    MADISON, Wisconsin (WDJT) — It was a chaotic day at the state Capitol Monday as several hundred protesters urged Governor Tony Evers to help them free around 2,000 beagles from Ridglan Farms.

Protesters gathered outside the governor’s office until about 3:30 p.m., waiting for confirmation that he would meet with them to discuss freeing the beagles from Ridglan Farms. They also came to share their concerns about how they were treated over the weekend when they tried to take the dogs from the facility.

Videos circulating online show protesters attempting to rescue the Ridglan Farms beagles. This effort has been driven by the online community. People from across the country came to Wisconsin to try and free the beagles. According to the Coalition to Save the Ridglan Dogs, the animals are subjected to chemical testing and kept in cages all day, which is why the group wants the state to intervene.

“Attorney General Kaul could serve a search warrant on Ridglan at any time. We know that the conditions inside Ridglan have already been found by a judge in Wisconsin to constitute at least probable cause for criminal animal cruelty, if not definite felony criminal animal cruelty,” Aiden Kankyoku, with the Coalition to save the Ridglan Dogs, said.

Protesters also raised concerns about how they were treated Saturday, claiming they were brutalized while demonstrating at the Ridglan Farms facility. One woman said she was shoved to the ground by police, resulting in a concussion and visible injuries to her face.

“Right away they had cars full of tear gas,” Daniella Tissier, a protester from Maine who got a concussion and face injury during Saturday’s protest, said. “The pepper spray started almost immediately. There were no conversations or negotiations at all; they just went at us.”

During the protest Saturday, the Dane County Sheriff’s Office posted updates on its Facebook page.

“They have break-in tools, they are cutting through the fence, they have breached through with a vehicle and drove around the property. They have ladders to get up and over the fences, as well as break-in tools,” Sheriff Kalvin Barrett, of Dane County, said. “We gave warnings verbally and have signs clearly identifying where they can peacefully protest. They have ignored those signs.”

Despite the confrontation, protesters like Tissier said they would take the same actions again, and hope the governor responds to their request.

“They need to pay attention because this is not going to go away. It’s not going to go away until the state does the right thing,” Tissier said. “Release the dogs.”

Ridglan Farms maintains it is not doing anything wrong or illegal. The state of Wisconsin filed a charge against the facility Monday, but it was related to constructing or altering a manure storage facility without a permit.

Protesters interviewed said they believed they had a right to enter the facility and remove the dogs because of what they described as inhumane living conditions.

A request for comment was sent to the governor’s office regarding the protesters’ demands, but no response had been received as of publication.

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 Lauren Victory, Asal Rezaei, Adam Harrington

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    CHICAGO (WBBM) — A former teacher in Plainfield School District 202 appeared in court Monday for serious child sex abuse allegations.

Alex Buetikofer, 38, previously worked as a gym and health teacher in the Plainfield school district. He was arrested by Joliet police over the weekend and booked into the Kendall County Jail early Saturday morning. He lives in Lisle.

Buetikofer is charged with multiple felonies, including four counts of solicitation of a minor. He was also charged with grooming, traveling to meet a minor, and aggravated battery.

At a news conference Monday, Joliet police Chief Bill Evans said Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202 contacted police about a concerning situation involving Bueitkofer, a physical education and health teacher at Aux Sable Middle School. Aux Sable Middle School is part of the Plainfield district, but located on the far west side of Joliet, Evans said.

Police were first notified of Bueitkofer’s alleged conduct on March 13.

At issue were concerns about Buetikofer’s conduct toward multiple female students — including inappropriate after-class interactions, requests for personal contact information, and communications that “raised significant concerns about professional boundaries.”

In one incident, Evans said, Buetikofer was alleged to have made nonsexual conduct with a student after class dismissal that made the student uncomfortable, Evans said. Students recognized the behavior as inappropriate and reported Buetikofer’s alleged conduct to staff, who in turn escalated the case to administrators, Evans said.

Upon learning of the allegations, Joliet police began a criminal investigation, and learned that Buetikofer had allegedly tried several times to establish out-of-school relationships with female students by requesting their phone numbers and social media accounts, Evans said.

Having learned that, detectives set up a sting, Evans said. They conducted an undercover conversation with Buetikofer for 11 days this month in which they pretended to be a 14-year-old female student.

Buetikofer continued information with the person he thought was a current female student at the school, and the conversations became increasingly sexual and highly inappropriate in nature, Evans said. Buetikofer tried repeatedly to move the conversation to a different platform, requested images, and worked to arrange private, in-person meetings. The civil no-contact order was no longer in place at the time of the undercover operation.

On Friday, April 17, police obtained a warrant for Buetikofer’s arrest, Evans said. That evening, Buetikofer arranged to meet with what he thought would be a 14-year-old girl at a McDonald’s in Yorkville, Evans said.

Leading up to the meeting, Buetikofer expressed interest in engaging in sexual activity with the girl in a car in the parking lot, Evans said.

Just before 8 p.m., Joliet and Yorkville police officers and detectives saw Buetikofer arrive at the McDonald’s in a rental car. He went in and purchased food as had been discussed in the texts he thought were with a 14-year-old girl, Evans said.

After leaving the McDonald’s, Buetikofer was arrested following a brief struggle with officers, Evans said.

Officers found several items in plain view in the car Buetikofer had rented, including alcohol, and what appeared to be a sex toy in the front passenger seat, Evans said. A blanket was also put up to cover the car windows, Evans said.

Evans emphasized that students, school officials, and police all cooperated to hold Buetikofer accountable. At a news conference with Evans on Monday, District 202 Supt. Dr. Glenn Wood acknowledged the courage of the students who came forward.

“The victims and families who came forward showed extraordinary bravery,” Wood said. “Their willingness to share what they knew, and to cooperate with law enforcement and district officials, was essential to protecting students and ensuring accountability.”

There had already been a resolution to fire Buetikofer on March 25, Wood said.

One parent said his son recently graduated from Aux Sable. His youngest son is going there next.

“Horrific, literally horrific for any parent to go through that,” said Don Fisk. “You never imagine being in an upstanding neighborhood of such a thing as that.”

Buetikofer will remain in custody for at least another few weeks after lawyers on both sides agreed to keep him detained before his hearing. The judge seemed surprised by what she called a “voluntary detainment.”

At his Monday morning hearing in Kendall County Court, the judge referenced evidence, including surveillance video from a school cafeteria and a text message exchange. She said keeping him in custody is best to “ensure the safety of the community.” She also ordered Buetikofer to have no contact with the alleged minor victims and no contact with any children at the school where he previously worked.

Hinsdale Central High School said in a letter to parents that Buetikofer had also been an assistant boys’ lacrosse coach there and was fired after the school learned of the allegations of improper conduct in a different district.

No students from Hinsdale Township High School District 86 were known to have been the victims of Buetikofer’s alleged abuse, the letter said.

CBS News Chicago is working to confirm reports that Buetikofer also worked at a school in Berwyn. Detectives said they’re still investigating, and more charges are possible in the future.

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.