Fire tears through abandoned home in Westmorland

KYMA on May 17, 2026

Jessamyn Dodd

WESTMORLAND, Calif. (KYMA) – A three-alarm fire tore through an abandoned home in Westmorland, spreading to next door properties.

The fire happened at around 3 a.m. Sunday in the area of C Street, near the Westmorland Community Presbyterian Church.

The resident in the home on the other side of the blaze was evacuated safely as the roof of her home went up in flames and collapsed.

Westmorland Fire Captain Cesar Zarate says fire crews were able to save the prayer area of the church next door, but the rest of the building was not spared, and the wind was very powerful, causing the fire to spread rapidly.

“It was a second alarm. We hit a third alarm because next door, with a resident in there actually caught on fire also. So, we had fire on all areas of the building. Everywhere we were trying. We had engines in the alley trying to stop it as much as we could, but the wind wasn’t in our favor,” Captain Zarate shared.

Fire crews continued working through the morning looking for hotspots.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but the fire inspector says he has been reporting the property as a hazard for years.

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Houston City College Helps Lead Houston’s Healthcare Future at Landmark Greater Houston Partnership Forum

CNN Newsource on May 17, 2026

By Francis Page Jr.

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    May 17, 2026 (Houston Style Magazine) — Chancellor Dr. Margaret Ford Fisher Joins Regional Leaders in Powerful Post-Event Conversation on Workforce Innovation and Healthcare Excellence

Houston’s future is looking healthier, smarter, and more connected — and Houston City College is helping lead the charge. On Wednesday, April 15, 2026, some of the region’s most influential minds in healthcare, higher education, and business gathered at Partnership Tower for the Greater Houston Partnership’s highly anticipated Future of Healthcare program — a dynamic post-event conversation centered on innovation, workforce development, and the urgent need to prepare Houston for the next generation of healthcare demands.

Representing Houston City College on the prestigious panel was Chancellor Margaret Ford Fisher, whose leadership continues to elevate the institution as one of the region’s premier engines for workforce readiness and educational opportunity.

The timely discussion explored one of the nation’s most critical challenges: how rapidly growing cities like Houston can build a sustainable healthcare workforce capable of meeting increasing patient demand while adapting to new technologies, expanded care models, and evolving industry expectations.

Moderated by Esmail Porsa of Harris Health System, the panel also featured Renu Khator of University of Houstonand Andrew E. Moore of HCA Gulf Coast Division.

Together, the panelists tackled pressing issues ranging from healthcare staffing shortages and educational accessibility to employer partnerships and long-term workforce competitiveness. For Houston City College, the event served as yet another reminder that the institution is not merely responding to workforce trends — it is actively shaping them.

As Houston’s healthcare sector continues its explosive growth, HCC remains strategically positioned to prepare students for meaningful, high-demand careers through innovative training, accessible education, and direct alignment with industry needs.

At the heart of that mission is Houston City College Coleman College for Health Sciences, located in the internationally acclaimed Texas Medical Center. Situated inside one of the world’s largest medical ecosystems, the campus gives students unparalleled access to hospitals, healthcare systems, clinical partnerships, and hands-on workforce experiences.

That real-world connection continues to fuel Houston City College’s growing reputation as a talent pipeline for Houston’s healthcare economy.

Through more than 20 healthcare-focused programs — including Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Histologic Technology, Medical Laboratory Technology, and Anesthesia Technology — students are being prepared to enter careers that are not only in demand, but essential to the future wellbeing of communities across the Gulf Coast region.

Additionally, HCC’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Healthcare Management is helping prepare future healthcare leaders with practical expertise in administration, operations, leadership, and health systems management — critical skills in today’s increasingly complex healthcare environment.

The conversation at the Greater Houston Partnership reinforced an important truth: no single institution can solve the healthcare workforce challenge alone.

It will require collaboration.

And Houston City College is proving to be one of the city’s strongest collaborative partners.

photo HCC Primary Horizontal LOGO

By working closely with employers, healthcare providers, educators, and civic leaders, HCC continues to expand pathways for students while supporting Houston’s long-term economic growth and healthcare competitiveness.

For students seeking upward mobility, career transformation, and economic opportunity, Houston City College represents more than a classroom experience — it represents possibility.

And for Houston, that possibility could not come at a better time. As the city continues to grow into one of America’s leading healthcare capitals, institutions like Houston City College are ensuring the workforce of tomorrow is already being trained today.

Dr. Ford Fisher’s impactful participation in the Future of Healthcare forum underscored Houston City College’s growing influence across the region and reaffirmed its commitment to innovation, partnership, and student success.

In true Houston fashion, the future is already being built — and Houston City College is proudly helping lead the way.

LEARN MORE: Houston City College

#HoustonCityCollege #HCC #HealthcareWorkforce #TexasMedicalCenter #FutureOfHealthcare #HoustonHealthcare #HigherEducation #WorkforceDevelopment #HoustonStyleMagazine #TeamStyleMag #HSM

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.

Kierra Lee
KIELEESTYLE@GMAIL.COM
4096658446

Mountain Home Air Force Base under lockdown after mid-air plane crash

KIFI on May 17, 2026

Maile Sipraseuth

MOUNTAIN HOME, Idaho (KIFI)– A mid-air collision during the second day of the Gunfighter Skies Air Show forced a lockdown at Mountain Home Air Force Base on Sunday, May 17.

The Mountain Home Air Force Base Gunfighters confirmed the lockdown in a Facebook post following the incident. According to Boise CBS affiliate KBOI, the collision involved two EA-18G Growlers around two miles from the base. All airmen involved successfully ejected and parachuted to safety; no major injuries have been reported.

The Mountain Home Police Department announced on Facebook that the remainder of the air show has been canceled. Police are asking the public to avoid the area and refrain from traveling toward the base at this time.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

A History of Incidents

This weekend’s event marked the highly anticipated return of the Gunfighter Skies Air Show after an eight-year hiatus, following a 2018 incident where a veteran hang glider pilot died after crashing onto the runway. Before that, during the 2003 show, a U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds jet crashed. Fortunately the pilot successfully ejected before impact.

This is a developing story. Local News 8 will provide more updates as new information is made available.

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YFD responds to vehicle fire on Eighth Street

KYMA on May 17, 2026

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma Fire Department (YFD) responded to a vehicle fire over the weekend.

According to a post on Facebook, the fire happened at around 6 p.m. Saturday in the area of Eighth Street and Avenue A.

Upon arrival, YFD says crews found a pickup truck engulfed in flames and threatening a nearby building, prompting them to quickly extinguish the fire, limiting damage to the vehicle of origin and preventing the fire from extending to nearby structures.

While no injuries were reported, the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Courtesy: Yuma Fire Department

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Houston Stands United: Black Heritage Society Ignites Community Action to Protect Voting Rights and Strengthen Democracy

CNN Newsource on May 17, 2026

By Francis Page Jr.

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    May 17, 2026 (Houston Style Magazine) — In a powerful display of unity, civic engagement, and unwavering commitment to democracy, the Black Heritage Society Inc. recently hosted its impactful Anti-Voter Suppression Community Meeting in Houston, bringing together activists, faith leaders, educators, and concerned citizens determined to protect one of America’s most sacred freedoms — the right to vote.

photo Black Heritage Society Inc LOGO

Held on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at the organization’s North Houston headquarters, the gathering served as both a call to action and a beacon of hope as communities across the nation continue navigating conversations surrounding voting rights, due process protections, immigration policies, and Supreme Court reform.

The event arrived at a pivotal moment in American history, with growing national discussions centered around the future of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and legislative efforts like the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Attendees engaged in thoughtful dialogue about the challenges facing underserved communities while embracing a spirit of nonviolence, education, and collective empowerment deeply rooted in the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

One of the most anticipated moments of the event came through the participation of Rev. Dr. Derek King, nephew of the legendary civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Joining virtually via Zoom, Rev. King shared heartfelt reflections on the enduring importance of nonviolence, civic participation, and moral courage in today’s social climate.

For many attendees, hearing directly from a member of the King family added historical depth and emotional resonance to the gathering. Rev. King’s message reminded participants that nonviolence is not weakness — it is disciplined strength powered by purpose, compassion, and strategic action.

The meeting also followed heightened community interest surrounding a voting rights press conference and People’s Rally hosted by Al Green and Martin Luther King III at Houston’s MLK Statue Plaza. That rally amplified calls for protecting democratic participation and inspired continued grassroots organizing throughout the city.

Throughout the morning, community leaders emphasized that education remains one of the strongest defenses against voter suppression and civic disengagement. Discussions explored concerns surrounding redistricting, constitutional protections, immigration law uncertainties, birthright citizenship debates, and evolving judicial interpretations affecting voting access across Southern states.

Yet despite the weight of the topics, the atmosphere remained remarkably hopeful.

Speakers encouraged attendees to move beyond frustration and toward informed action — registering voters, supporting civic education efforts, mentoring younger generations, and building stronger neighborhood coalitions rooted in mutual respect and understanding.

The Black Heritage Society Inc. also introduced plans for a new Nonviolence Pledge Action Program, an initiative designed for individuals, organizations, and community groups committed to embracing the nonviolent principles championed by Dr. King.

Organizers say the program aims to provide practical guidance for constructive civic engagement during increasingly polarized times.

Since 1978, the organization has remained dedicated to preserving African American history, promoting educational opportunities, and fostering civic awareness throughout Houston and beyond. Its longstanding relationship with Rev. Dr. Derek King further reflects its commitment to connecting historical civil rights legacies with present-day community empowerment.

For Houston residents, the gathering served as another reminder that the Bayou City continues to play a significant role in national conversations surrounding justice, equality, and democratic participation. From grassroots rallies to educational forums, Houston’s civic leaders are proving that meaningful change begins when communities come together with purpose and determination.

As America approaches another critical election cycle, events like the Anti-Voter Suppression Community Meeting reinforce a timeless truth: democracy thrives when people stay informed, engaged, and united.

And in Houston, that spirit remains alive and well.

#TeamStyleMag #HSM #VotingRights #HoustonStyleMagazine #BlackHeritageSociety #DemocracyInAction #Nonviolence #CivicEngagement #HoustonTX

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.

Kierra Lee
KIELEESTYLE@GMAIL.COM
4096658446

Blue Alert issued after armed man flees traffic stop in southeast Missouri

KMIZ on May 17, 2026

Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri State Highway Patrol issued a Blue Alert Sunday morning for a 42-year-old Caruthersville man who is allegedly armed and dangerous.

BLUE alert 2026-7 pic.twitter.com/mMbt6HFZFC

— Missouri State Highway Patrol Alerts (@MSHPAlerts) May 17, 2026

At around 2:10 a.m., deputies said Zachary Walker shot at Caruthersville Police during a traffic stop and fled the scene. Walker is believed to have been injured when officers fired back and may have a gunshot wound.

Walker is a 5′ 9″ tall white man with blue eyes, partially grey hair and tattoos, according to MSHP. He weighs 180 pounds and was last seen wearing a navy t-shirt with a design, dark shorts and black lace-up boots. He is carrying a rifle and a handgun, the alert says.

The alert did not provide any vehicle information or specify what direction Walker was headed.

Any information on Walker should be reported to 911 or local law enforcement.

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Joplin remains example for healthcare emergency response 15 years after EF-5 tornado

KMIZ on May 17, 2026

Jessica Hafner

JOPLIN, Mo. (KMIZ)

Friday marks 15 years since a deadly, rain-wrapped tornado plowed into the city of Joplin, killing 161 people and leveling hundreds of homes and businesses.

The tornado touched down shortly after 5:30 p.m. as many people were out doing their weekend shopping, or attending Joplin High School graduation at Missouri Southern State.

The storm rapidly gained strength after touching down, reaching EF-4 to EF-5 strength in less than 10 minutes, right as it approached St. John’s Regional Medical Center.

The tornado slammed into the building, filled with around 180 patients and even more healthcare workers. The roof gave way, windows exploded, and stairwells crumbled, making escape difficult.

Six people were killed inside the hospital, but the emergency medical response didn’t stop despite the hospital being destroyed. A M.A.S.H.-style tent hospital was quickly constructed on the hospital parking lot within a week of the tornado, with a component hospital brought in by Mercy Health System soon after.

I took a tour of the new Mercy Joplin that opened 10 years ago. The lessons learned from the storm set the standard for how hospitals are built to withstand natural disasters.

I spoke with Charis Trost, executive director of planning and design with Mercy Health System. Her team was on the ground within hours of the tornado.

“All eyes of the country were looking at us to see how we would construct a brand new hospital with the mindset of making it safe for our caregivers and for our patients, because that was a huge thing, especially for the caregivers. Wanting to feel safe in the aftermath,” Trost said.

Trost said it typically takes about 3 to 6 years to construct a hospital tower from the ground up, let alone an entire campus. It was important to find a piece of land large enough for growth, but also highly visible for those in the community and traveling through the region. They settled for a location right along I-44 on the south side of town.

Hardening the new hospital was a top priority, as the central utilities were completely dismantled, and the roof collapsed, allowing large debris to land in the building.

“The biggest goal when they built this hospital was being able to treat patients during the storm rather than worrying about evacuating. You can’t treat patients when you don’t have power, they learned that the hard way,” said Chris Butler, regional director of facilities maintenance.

“One of the big things when you look back that they wanted to do was get the power control center lower than the hospital, so even if a tornado came across, the entire power center is set down at the bottom of the hill,” said Butler.

All of the hospital’s utilities are buried a few hundred feet away from the hospital with three of four walls surrounded by a berm, all accessed by an underground tunnel.

“This hospital now has two power feeds, from different substations that are separated across town, so if a storm were to come through and take out power say on the north side of town, we still have power coming from the south,” said Butler.

All the windows in patient rooms are rated EF-2 to EF-3, while the ICU and NICU windows can withstand up to 250 mph winds. The are no windows in the stairwells, and the roof is made of 13″ of reinforced concrete.

“We had air conditioning units blow off the roof. We had cars in the building. We had air conditioning units on top of cars, so nothing is on the roof now,” said Butler.

Still, some reminders of St. John’s remain, from the stained glass from the old chapel ingrained in the floors, to the nearly unscathed stations of the cross now with a new home in the new chapel.

“It’s just something that’s powerful for me, personally. You can look, like I said, there are some imperfections in it, and  there are some imperfections in it. I don’t believe that is supposed to be there. There’s a chunk missing from the top, I’m not tall enough to see it. I really wish I could explain how it was salvaged and still in one piece,” said Butler.

It takes about ten years to get a new building code established for new construction of healthcare facilities. Research following the Joplin tornado was adopted into the international building code in 2024, mandating that all new hospitals must withstand an EF-2 tornado.

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Columbia City Council to revisit sales tax proposal Monday after delay

KMIZ on May 17, 2026

Marie Moyer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The City of Columbia’s 1% public safety sales tax proposal is back on the agenda Monday after being tabled in early May in a 4-3 vote.

If approved by the council, residents will be able to vote for the proposal on the August ballot.

According to city documents, the 1% tax increase is expected to bring in around $38 million for the city in the 2028 fiscal year. Funds will go to the city’s fire and police departments for equipment, renovations and staffing. The city is looking to hire 50 police officers and 40 firefighters over the next four years.

A presentation for the council on Monday reports that lower-income households making a little under $16,000 per year would expect to see an over $81 increase in spending from the tax. An upper-income household making over $1.6 million per year would expect to see an increase in spending of over $2,000. These impacts were calculated based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Columbia reports the city’s population has grown by around 49,000 residents since 2000, and the rate of officers per every 1,000 residents has decreased over the past two decades.

The City of Columbia currently stands at around 1.4 officers per 1,000 residents. Similar-sized Missouri cities like Springfield and Independence sit at around 2.1 and 1.9 officers per 1,000 residents, respectively.

The report also cites a previous local survey from January. Out of over 800 Columbia residents, 69% of respondents did not think Columbia has enough police officers and firefighters. Of that total, 55% said they would support a tax to increase the number of police officers and firefighters in the city.

The Columbia City Council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday.

The Boone County Sheriff’s office is also proposing a 1% public safety tax on the ballot. The County will host a public hearing on the tax increase at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday at the county government center.

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PG&E warns Northern California counties of likely power shutoffs starting Sunday

CNN Newsource on May 17, 2026

By Cecilio Padilla

Click here for updates on this story

    CALIFORNIA (KPIX) — Pacific Gas & Electric Company is warning residents in several Northern California counties that power shutoffs will be likely starting later this weekend.

High winds and dry conditions are forecasted across the region in the coming days – prime weather for fire danger.

A Red Flag Warning is already set to go into effect for parts of Solano County, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the Sacramento Valley and the entire Central Valley by Saturday.

Now, PG&E is alerting customers in parts of the following counties that shutoffs are likely on Sunday and Monday: Alameda, Colusa, Contra Costa, Fresno, Glenn, Lake, Merced, Napa, San Benito, San Joaquin, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Tehama and Yolo.

Likely shutoffs are also listed on Tuesday, but only for Colusa, Glenn and Tehama.

The exact number of possible customers facing shutoffs has not been fully detailed by PG&E, but outages in recent years have been less widespread.

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.

Library founded in 1854 receives book checked out over 100 years ago

CNN Newsource on May 17, 2026

By Loureen Ayyoub

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    SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX) — Founded in 1854, the Mechanics’ Institute has managed to maintain its presence after earthquakes, wars and sweeping changes across San Francisco, all while continuing to serve as a cultural hub in the city’s downtown core.

Led by CEO Katherine Bella, the private nonprofit library and cultural institution has spent nearly two centuries adapting to the needs of the community while preserving its historic roots.

“We were started almost 172 years ago by a group of forward thinkers of their time, and we have adapted over the years since,” Bella said.

Among the institution’s longstanding traditions is its chess club, considered the oldest in the United States. Originally established for unemployed gold miners during the Gold Rush era, the institute now offers a broad range of public programming and community resources.

“We offer a general interest library here, lots of arts and cultural programming, including author talks and writing workshops, discussion panels,” Bella said.

The institute is also celebrating a rare literary acquisition: a poetry book dating back to 1874 that once belonged to the library and is believed to have survived the fires following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

“I think it’s symbolic of San Francisco’s resilience. We’re able to rebuild, we preserve history,” said Myles Cooper, library manager. “And this work is so potent too because it’s about the Gold Rush, it’s about Western life, and so it’s really fitting that it came back to us. And it’s really an interesting volume that people can still read if they become members here.”

Annual memberships typically cost $120, though many cultural programs and public events remain open to nonmembers.

“We are right here at the BART and Muni stop in downtown San Francisco, and we are a part of the fabric of downtown as well,” Bella said. “We have a very wide range of community residents – doers and thinkers and makers, writers, people interested in arts and culture that gather here. And it’s really a cultural home for folks that live here in the Bay Area.”

After more than 170 years, the Mechanics’ Institute continues to stand as both a center for culture and a living piece of San Francisco history.

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.