CPS students spend day as Chicago City Council, passing ordinances and getting hands-on civics lesson

CNN Newsource on May 15, 2026

By Noel Brennan

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    CHICAGO, Illinois (WBBM) — The Chicago City Council chamber has been full of passionate debate Thursday, but it hasn’t been filled with alders; teenagers have taken them over, and they’re putting in the work to make real change in Chicago.

Thursday was NextGen City Council Day, led by City Clerk Anna Valencia and Chicago Public Schools. Students from eight different schools have been working for weeks in committees to draft city ordinances.

“I think the students will show them what collaboration could like,” Valencia said.

Alderpeople give up their seats to high school students for the day as they debate, ask questions and pass ordinances.

Dennis Llanos, 17, sits with the Committee on Public Safety when he’s not in the mayor’s chair.

“We’re working on an ordinance to help fund after school programs and increase like opportunities for people that are impoverished,” he said.

He also serves as the student mayor for the day. As mayor he’ll get to sign an ordinance that’s been debated and voted on by students.

Their hard work is just the beginning.

“We are going to have one of those ordinances or resolutions be introduced at city council either this summer or fall by my myself and my colleagues at the city council,” said Valencia.

“It is really insane that like students are making a real change. It’s not just the people in office,” said Llanos.

And someday, the seats the students borrowed today could be their own.

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.

Chicago police investigating series of hit-and-run crashes across city

CNN Newsource on May 15, 2026

By Darius Johnson, Elyssa Kaufman

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    CHICAGO, Illinois (WBBM) — Chicago police are investigating a series of hit-and-run crashes reported across the city.

Investigators are now asking for help identifying the drivers responsible for the three incidents.

No arrests have been made.

Man killed in hit-and-run crash in Auburn Gresham Early Friday morning, police said a 36-year-old man was standing in the 8700 block of South Ashland Avenue when a beige Nissan sedan hit him while driving eastbound on 87th Street.

The victim was taken to Christ Hospital in critical condition. He was later pronounced dead.

The driver fled the scene.

Woman critically injured in Humboldt Park hit-and-run crash Police released photos of the car wanted in connection with a hit-and-run crash that left a woman critically injured in the Humboldt Park neighborhood on Tuesday.

Police said, shortly before 8 p.m., a 45-year-old woman was walking north near the intersection of Kedzie Avenue and Franklin Boulevard, when a maroon-colored vehicle headed east on Franklin hit her.

The victim suffered head injuries and was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition.

The driver who hit the woman fled the scene.

Major Accident Investigation Unit detectives were investigating.

Father killed in hit-and-run crash while changing tire in West Lawn A father of four was killed in a hit-and-run crash on Chicago’s Southwest Side on Tuesday night.

Police said the victim was on the street near the sidewalk in the 6800 block of South Pulaski Road when he was hit by an orange Honda Pilot just before 11:15 p.m.

The car fled the scene. Surveillance video from different angles captured the moments leading up to the horrific incident.

The victim, identified as 53-year-old Enrique Nieto, was taken to Christ Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He was a construction worker and the father of four children.

CBS News Chicago spoke to the victim’s nephew, Cesar Nieto, who said he brought his uncle a spare tire before the crash. His uncle then went to change the tire when he was hit and killed.

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.

Twin Cities school district’s plans for prayer rooms, foot washing stations draw national outrage

CNN Newsource on May 15, 2026

By Adam Duxter

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    MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (WCCO) — A Twin Cities school district’s plans to include spaces for prayer and washing of feet in new construction and building upgrades has drawn national attention and outrage.

The district insists these updates come at the urging of “user groups,” and that the prayer space comes as a multipurpose room that can be used for any number of activities.

“At all sites multipurpose needs have included calming/quiet, studying, testing or a small club or academic gathering. These spaces are scheduled out and supervised by staff,” wrote a district spokesperson. “All students are welcome to use each of these spaces.”

The news, however, has drawn the attention of America’s top elected officials, including Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Tom Emmer, who have compared the plans to Sharia law, and slammed the decision as a double standard of how faith is perceived in schools.

“Turns out, when the woke left says they want religion out of schools, they’re only talking about Christianity,” Emmer posted online.

Imam Makram El-Amin says he wasn’t surprised to see the response, although he says he was disappointed.

“This is part of a very intentional effort to demonize and to create a space where folks are through their lack of knowledge and/or engagement to Muslims,” El-Amin said. “Because of the human condition, it’s very easy to formulate thoughts, ideas and concepts, and be as wrong as two left shoes about them, and act upon them as if they are fact.”

El-Amin, who has served Minneapolis Masjid An-Nur Mosque for decades, says many area schools, including colleges like the University of St. Thomas and Macalester College, have similar spaces.

“There are many varying groups, faith and otherwise, who seek and ask for accommodation so that they can show up and be the best version of themselves,” he said. “We’re in a very slippery slope right now. There are times now where truth becomes relative. Everyone has their own version. Truth is spun in a way to be framed in a positive light for the one who has the biggest microphone at that moment.”

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.

Jersey Shore businesses, beachgoers prepare for Memorial Day weekend: “We are really excited”

CNN Newsource on May 15, 2026

By Kerri Corrado

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    OCEAN CITY, New Jersey (KYW) — With warmer weather in the forecast and Memorial Day weekend around the corner, the Jersey shore is gearing up for the summer rush.

Manco & Mancos in Ocean City says they are open daily now and ready for the weather to warm up.

“We are really excited. We had a great Mother’s Day. The boardwalk was packed. A line out the door all day,” said Alex Clark, the manager at Manco & Mancos.

CBS News Philadelphia spoke with people who say they love seeing the area come to life. Some say it feels like summer just ended, and it’s already right around the corner.

“It’s like holy smokes. It’s hard to believe, but I am thankful for the Jersey Shore,” Craig Koehler, a Cleveland native, said. “The ocean, the seagulls, the sand, the noise of the boardwalk, it’s all terrific.”

“I can’t wait for the warm weather. I am ready for the beach and coming up here and getting my ice cream and Manco and Mancos,” said Angelina Coffman of Egg Harbor Township.

Some shops are not fully open yet, but the boardwalk is slowly starting to come alive.

“It’s been a really long winter with lots of snow, but I am excited to have all the food in the boardwalk, hear the seagulls out and about, and be warm not cold,” said Cecelia Jones of Ventnor.

And families CBS News Philadelphia spoke with say there is nothing like the Jersey Shore.

“There’s nothing like it. I’ve been to a lot of beaches around the world and this is the place. South Jersey shore is the best kept secret to those who haven’t been here,” Koehler 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.

This Delaware County family created the perfect view for the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club

CNN Newsource on May 15, 2026

By Ross DiMattei

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    NEWTON SQUARE, Pennsylvania (KYW) — As thousands of fans descend on Aronimink Golf Club for the PGA Championship, one Newtown Square family is preparing for a busy weekend of its own — right in its backyard.

Sean Bellew, whose home sits along the fairway of the first hole at Aronimink, said he began planning for moments like this shortly after moving into the neighborhood five years ago.

RELATED: Scottie Scheffler heckled by Eagles fans at 2026 PGA Championship: “Dallas sucks”

“We moved in here five years ago, and the planning started just about that point,” Bellew said.

To make the most of the rare vantage point, Bellew hired a local company to build a raised viewing platform he calls the “Sky Deck,” allowing guests to watch players approach the first green and putt out without leaving the property.

“We have a great view because we can hear the tee shots, and we can see them playing, and then we see their approach shot, and then we see them putt out,” Bellew said. “You get to stand still and watch the whole field come past us.”

Bellew initially believed he had come up with a one-of-a-kind idea, but soon realized many of his neighbors had similar plans.

“I thought I had the greatest idea,” he said. “But then I walked my property line and everyone you can see from that direction and around has something like this to take advantage of the weekend.”

The Bellew family expects a steady stream of visitors throughout the championship. Bellew’s son, Aidan, who recently turned 21, said the family has parties planned all weekend to celebrate both the tournament and his birthday.

Aidan is an avid golf fan who attended all three practice rounds. He said the gatherings will remain respectful of the players and course.

“Not too many drinks are gonna be flowing,” he said. “We’re going to be respectful of the course, respectful of the players, have ourselves a good time, but you guys got nothing to worry about over here.”

He said he is especially excited to watch some of golf’s biggest stars play just feet from his backyard.

“Of course I gotta say Scottie Scheffler,” Aidan Bellew said. “Another one I’ve been looking out for is Cam Young.”

Between friends and family, the Bellews estimate they will host more than 1,000 people over the course of the weekend.

And with one of the best views of the PGA Championship anywhere near Aronimink, they expect plenty of company.

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.

Pittsburgh Public Schools finds success with Hogwarts-style house system

CNN Newsource on May 15, 2026

By Kristine Sorensen

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    PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania (KDKA) — If you’ve read or seen “Harry Potter,” you know how the school, Hogwarts, is broken into houses that compete: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. The house system that started in British boarding schools is now being embraced in Pittsburgh Public Schools’ middle schools.

At Pittsburgh Mifflin PreK-8, every quarter, the school has what’s called a House Hype Day, and hyped is an understatement. The kids cheer wildly, waving glow wands and shaking pom poms, when their houses win awards for everything from attendance to academics like reading rockstars and math masters.

Eighth grader Kaydence Dettlinger, who is a house lead, says it’s a friendly competition that “makes people bond a whole lot more.”

Each house is comprised of kids from all grade levels, kindergarten through eighth grade, and also includes teachers and staff, from the cafeteria workers to the security guards.

Art teacher Ryan Philip’s room was always an ode to Harry Potter, so he was a natural choice to help start the house system at Pittsburgh Mifflin four years ago. The teachers came up with unique houses for their school, each with a different name, color and quality, like courage, resilience or kindness. Principal Amy Carricato says they chose to do the house system to improve the school culture, and it’s working.

“Allowing the older students in the middle school to see themselves as role models for the younger students and become mentors was really powerful,” Carricato says.

Dettlinger and sixth grade house lead E’Saun Pettus say they like mentoring the younger kids. Pettus says he likes “to help little kids out and make sure they don’t give up on what they’re doing.”

Dettlinger says, “The house system definitely has brought us a whole lot closer and it makes these kindergarteners feel safe around us and not so scared.”

Carricato says they’re seeing attendance improve and behavior problems go down. The students say they’re motivated to help their house win the field trip that the winning house gets each quarter, which is announced at the House Hype Day.

Carricato and Philip say the system has also helped engage the entire staff and parents.

“I’ve seen the drastic changes that it’s made with school culture, the way students treat staff, the way staff treats students, the way students treat students,” Philip says.

“It definitely opens up your friend group and makes you feel more welcome and wanted,” Dettlinger says.

The house system is being piloted in nine Pittsburgh public middle schools this year and 13 more this fall.

You can get more information on new trends in learning and education at Kidsburgh.org.

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.

Georgia bike shop owner helps refugees gain independence through bicycles and community support

CNN Newsource on May 15, 2026

By Rashad Williams, CBS News Atlanta

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    CLARKSTON, Georgia (WUPA) — Clarkston, Georgia, is often referred to as “the most diverse square mile in America.” The city has welcomed tens of thousands of refugees since the 1980s, many of whom arrive in the United States without reliable transportation.

That’s a reality Timothy Bourne knows well.

Bourne manages Narrow Path Cycles in Clarkston. A former competitive cyclist, he nearly lost his life during a racing accident several years ago.

“I had a really bad crash a few years ago that nearly killed me and took me out of the racing scene,” Bourne said.

After recovering, Bourne said the birth of his first child shifted his perspective and ultimately led him toward a different passion within the cycling world — bike repair.

Today, hundreds of bicycles pass through the doors of Narrow Path Cycles, where Bourne combines technical expertise with a commitment to helping others.

“This is a passion,” Bourne said. “I’ve got a kid now, so no more of the crazy racing. I’ve had plenty of other jobs, but nothing quite as fun as working in the bike industry, or a bike shop specifically. Being able to get people out on the road and doing what I love, what I’m best at, is very rewarding.”

Two years ago, Bourne met Raphael Kiiza in a nearby parking lot where furniture had been dumped. Bourne said he was searching for items that might fit into his new apartment when Kiiza approached him and introduced himself.

Kiiza, who had recently resettled in Clarkston with his family as a refugee from Democratic Republic of the Congo, explained that he did not have a car and needed help transporting furniture home.

Bourne said he loaded as much furniture as he could, helped Kiiza move it into his apartment, and the two quickly formed a friendship.

At the time, Kiiza was traveling everywhere on foot. As their friendship grew, Bourne surprised him with his first bicycle.

“I get a lot of donations to help out with giving bikes to the community,” Bourne said. “Really solid bikes that can be fixed up or used as parts to help refugees and refugee kids in the community. This one was donated to the shop by someone in the community, so I fixed it up for him, got it running, and was able to give it to him. He was able to use this to get a job and make it to and from work on time.”

After about a year and a half of working and saving money, Kiiza was eventually able to upgrade from a bicycle to a car with Bourne’s help locating an affordable vehicle.

Now a father of five, including a newborn, Kiiza said having reliable transportation has made life significantly easier for his family.

“Things like this, where I get to help these kids and refugees and see them grow and move through the ladder of life, is just incredibly rewarding,” Bourne said.

During the interview, Kiiza gave Bourne and CBS News Atlanta’s Rashad Williams a ride in his car.

“How does it feel to give Tim a ride now?” Rashad asked.

“I feel good because I remember he gave me the bike,” Kiiza said. “From the bike to the car. Now I’m happy that he’s become my passenger in the car.”

Kiiza said he remains deeply grateful for Bourne’s friendship and the support he has shown his family since arriving in the United States.

Bourne said he plans to continue helping as many people as possible through the power of transportation and community support.

Narrow Path Cycles accepts donations of used bikes, parts, and cycling gear to help provide more refugees in Clarkston with reliable transportation.

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.

A Bethel Park homeowner paid a contractor nearly $3,000 to repair his porch. He says no one showed up.

CNN Newsource on May 15, 2026

By Meghan Schiller

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    BETHEL PARK, Pennsylvania (KDKA) — A Bethel Park homeowner says he’s out thousands of dollars after hiring a contractor to replace his front porch.

Jeffrey Markoff says he hired Quaker State Construction and Supply for an $8,500 porch replacement project and paid a $2,833 deposit to secure a spot on the company’s schedule. According to paperwork reviewed by KDKA Investigates, the contract listed an approximate start date in the spring with an estimated completion time of two weeks.

Months later, Markoff says no construction crew ever arrived. He then tried to contact the owner, Gabe Clouse.

“I call the company number, and there’s no answer. The number had been disconnected, called the designer, and he gave me the cell number for the owner,” said Markoff.

When asked if he ever heard back, Markoff responded: “Never heard back and called that number twice.”

Markoff says losing the money has been frustrating.

“It’s money out of your pocket you feel somebody stole from you,” said Markoff.

KDKA Investigates took Markoff’s concerns to attorney Mike Fiffik of the Fiffik Law Group, a LegalShield provider firm, to find out what consumers can do in situations like this.

“In this situation, he has a couple of different options available to him,” said Fiffik. “If he paid the deposit with his credit card, the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act will permit him to submit a dispute.”

That process is known as a chargeback and is generally most effective when initiated within 60 days of receiving the statement. However, Markoff paid by check, meaning that the option was unavailable to him.

Instead, Fiffik recommends several other steps consumers can take:

Contact local police and report the incident as a theft File a complaint with the local magistrate if the amount lost is under $12,000 File a complaint with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General When asked where homeowners should file if the contractor lives elsewhere, Fiffik said, “I would file with the magistrate where the homeowner lives.”

KDKA Investigates also attempted to contact Clouse multiple times, but our messages were not returned.

KDKA Investigates learned Clouse recently took over Quaker State and Supply as the new owner. The previous owner told KDKA he sold the business to Clouse in 2024, when the company still held an A-plus rating with the Better Business Bureau. The business is now listed as closed.

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.

Healey asks Navy for help retrieving “key piece of equipment” from sunken fishing vessel Lily Jean

CNN Newsource on May 15, 2026

By Neal Riley, Samantha Chaney

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    GLOUCESTER, Massachusetts (WBZ) — Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey is appealing to the U.S. Navy to help retrieve a “key piece of equipment” from the fishing vessel Lily Jean, which sank off the coast of Gloucester earlier this year.

Seven crew members were lost at sea after the 72-foot vessel activated its emergency beacon about 20 miles off Cape Ann on Jan. 30. But the families of those who died still have no answers about what went wrong.

Healey and Gloucester state Sen. Bruce Tarr wrote to Secretary of the Navy Sec. Hung Cao this week, asking for help.

“Officials from the Massachusetts State Police have received information suggesting that a video recorder and hard drive installed on the F/V Lily Jean remains intact, with the potential to provide essential details in the immediate moments before the ship was lost,” the letter states. “The company that installed the technology believes the video captured is retrievable.”

Healey and Tarr also asked the Navy to “assess the feasibility of recovering the remains of lost crew members.” Only one body has been recovered so far.

“While we understand the potential risk to personnel and substantial cost, we believe it is a worthwhile investment to provide closure to the families of those lost, improve safety for future vessels, and prevent further loss of life,” they wrote.

The seven people who were on board the Lily Jean were: • Accursio “Gus” Sanfilippo, captain • Paul Beal Sr., crew • Paul Beal Jr., crew • John Rousanidis, crew • Freeman Short, crew • Sean Therrien, crew • Jada Samitt, NOAA fisheries observer

Tiffany Leigh has not lost hope that the remains of her boyfriend, Freeman Short, will be brought back home for a proper goodbye. “I would like some humanity to be shown, because if you know where your loved one was and you couldn’t reach them, it’s devastating,” Leigh said.

For more than 100 days, she has been making a desperate plea to state officials, asking them for help. “They lost their lives at sea, but they’re not lost at sea,” Leigh said. “We’ve known from February 4, maybe, where the boat was. We know the exact coordinates. We know it’s 320 feet deep.”

Sen. Tarr said the U.S. Navy has confirmed receipt of that letter and in the next few days, he’s hoping to hear back on whether the request is feasible.

“Some of the families have certainly expressed the desire to have remains recovered from the vessel. Others, I do not believe, hold that same opinion,” Sen. Tarr told WBZ News.

While Leigh says she does respect that decision for some families. She says she won’t rest until Freeman is brought back home. “I want to know where his body is and I want to sit by his gravesite and for him to have a tombstone,” Leigh 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.

Auction for Karen Read’s Lexus SUV called off due to low bidder turnout

CNN Newsource on May 15, 2026

By Mike Sullivan

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    WOBURN, Massachusetts (WBZ) — Karen Read’s now famous Lexus SUV drew the eyeballs of the nation for years as she fought in court to prove her innocence. On Thursday, the vehicle was up for auction, but it was called off 30 minutes before a bid even came in.

“Usually that would be followed by some boos, and sighs and awes,” said auctioneer Justin Manning while addressing bidders and Read supporters at Manzi Appraisers in Woburn, Massachusetts.

Manning told the crowd the owner, Bill Brusard, was presented an offer prior to the auction. He chose to take the deal after hearing that the bidder turnout was in the single digits. Brusard is the owner of JB Auto, which is the same group that worked to repair the vehicle. The number of Karen Read supporters and trial followers far outweighed the total number of bidders.

“I know what they did to the car,” said Danielle Archer, a follower of the trial who came, but didn’t plan to bid. “I don’t know how they put it back together.”

Manning says Brusard was expected to give the proceeds from the auction back to Karen Read. He added that the deal went through with a group, but it’s unclear who that is or what their intentions are. The Alcatraz East Crime Museum in Tennessee says they were in talks to purchase the car last year but decided to pass. It became less of a fit once they realized the car had been repaired.

“There has been steady interest from those two groups prior to today, and I think today was a little bit more investor-driven group than those type of groups,” said Manning.

He expects the deal to be official in the coming days.

Read was charged with murder in the 2022 death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe and stood trial twice. She was accused of hitting O’Keefe with her SUV during a blizzard after a night of heavy drinking and leaving him to die in the snow outside of a Canton, Massachusetts home.

Read’s first trial ended in a mistrial due to hung jury. During her retrial in 2025, Read was acquitted of the most serious charges and found guilty of operating under the influence of liquor. She received one year of probation.

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.