Public hearing set on increase in Indiana’s bobcat hunting and trapping quota

CNN Newsource on May 13, 2026

By Vaughn Jacobson

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    INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indiana Natural Resource Commission will have a public hearing on a proposal to increase the number of bobcats that are allowed to be recreationally trapped or trophy hunted in 40 counties in the state.

If this rule change is passed, the number of bobcats allowed to be hunted and trapped would increase from 250 to 400, a 60% increase. The season would start on Nov. 8, and run through Jan. 31, or until the quota is met, whichever is earlier, consistent with the 2025 season.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources says the hearing will be at 12:30 p.m. May 19 at Fort Harrison State Park in Lawrence. The meeting can also be attended virtually.

Comments can be mailed to: Natural Resources Commission, C/O Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Legal Division, 402 W. Washington Street, Room W-261, Indianapolis, IN 46204. The deadline for public comments during this first public comment period is May 19.

The nonprofit Humane World for Animals will be opposing the rule change at the hearing. It claims that the proposal lacks scientific evidence that justifies killing bobcats, and that trapping bobcats inflicts extreme suffering on them. The organization also claims that the majority of public comments regarding the 2025 hunting season were in opposition.

Last year was the first time bobcats were allowed to be recreationally hunted in Indiana after being legally protected for decades.

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.

IMS welcomes fans for first day of Indy 500 practice

CNN Newsource on May 13, 2026

By Melea VanOstrand

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    SPEEDWAY, Indiana (WISH) — Tuesday marked the first day of practice for the Indianapolis 500, and fans filled the stands at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to soak it all in.

For many fans, going to Indy 500 practice is more than just watching cars on the track; it’s a tradition. Some fans have been coming to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for decades.

“This is the place to be in the Month of May. If you don’t come here, you’re missing out. This is a ‘bucket list’ event,” Tom Shoffner said.

82-year-old Ron Jones, of Speedway, has come to the track every year since 1957. He says it takes him nearly a month to prepare for the events, and that he gets so excited for the first practice that it feels like a holiday.

“I have to figure out what I’m going to wear, what I’m going to take with me, and where I’m going to go when I get out there. All my life, I dreamed of getting up in that penthouse, and I’m up there now, and I like to sit out here with the people, so many people, and a lot of them are famous,” Jones said.

Some fans have started a new family tradition.

“We come every year to practice, we skip school that day, and take in the race,” Sam Crecelius said.

Students from several local schools took a field trip to the speedway for tours and to see cars on the track.

“We’re watching the practice races, we had a nice picnic lunch, and we have a scavenger hunt that we’re doing,” said parent Lauren Powers.

Another parent, Molly Peterson, added, “We’ve gotten to walk around. We got to see the trophy, we kissed the bricks, we watched the cars, so they’re just having a great time out here.”

Field trips are great fun, but for die-hard race fans like Jones, the track isn’t just a place to visit in May; it’s a part of who they are.

“If I’m not here, I’m dead or flat on my back in the hospital. I couldn’t imagine life without this. I’m so proud and so happy to have this in my backyard.”

Cars were on the track from noon to 6 p.m. on Tuesday. Gates open at 10 a.m. Wednesday, with practice set to run from noon to 6 p.m., weather permitting.

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.

Family searches for stolen boat belonging to late Zumbrota officer: “It’s a vessel of memories”

CNN Newsource on May 13, 2026

By Ashley Grams

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    Minnesota (WCCO) — A family in southern Minnesota is looking for a stolen boat, one they say has a priceless connection to the past.

The boat belonged to Gary Schoeder Jr., who spent years serving as a police officer and firefighter in Zumbrota. Schroeder medically retired in 2020 while battling PTSD. He later died by suicide in 2023.

The community of Zumbrota came together to construct a memorial in his honor outside the police station last year. His name was also added to a firefighter memorial outside of the Minnesota State Capitol during a ceremony last September.

Minnesotans continue to honor Schroeder’s life. Just last week, Gov. Tim Walz signed a bill that would rename a stretch of Highway 58 in his honor.

The family says Schroeder’s boat was taken from Pioneer Campground outside of Wabasha. Schroeder’s sister, Elizabeth Sunday, called the boat an important connection to the man they lost.

“This boat is more than a boat. It is not a thing, it’s a vessel of memories,” said Sunday. “It was just, like, ripping another piece of him away.”

Sunday continues to tell her brother’s life story, hoping the men and women who serve are empowered to get the help they need. She also emphasized the important role the community plays in supporting law enforcement officers.

Sunday said while working in the small town of Zumbrota, Schroeder was often helping people he knew well.

“He knew everybody, so it really hit home for the ones that he couldn’t save, or the ones that had traumatic events. He wore their pain every day,” she said.

Sunday said she’s grateful to the people of Zumbrota who have rallied around her family after her brother’s death, and those who continue to support them as they search for this cherished boat.

If you or someone you know is in emotional distress, get help from the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. Trained crisis counselors are available 24 hours a day to talk about anything.

In addition, help is available from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, or NAMI. Call the NAMI Helpline at 800-950-6264 or text “HelpLine” to 62640. There are more than 600 local NAMI organizations and affiliates across the country, many of which offer free support and education programs.

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.

Minnesota health department monitoring 1 who may have been exposed to hantavirus overseas

CNN Newsource on May 13, 2026

By Aki Nace

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    Minnesota (WCCO) — The Minnesota Department of Health said Tuesday afternoon that it is monitoring a person who was potentially exposed to someone who tested positive for hantavirus aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship.

The department said in a statement that the person they’re monitoring was overseas when they were possibly exposed to the individual who tested positive. The person in Minnesota does not have any symptoms, according to the department.

The risk to the public remains very low, the department emphasized.

“MDH is in contact with the person who was exposed. They have been very cooperative, and we are monitoring them daily for symptoms,” the health department said.

Health officials around the world are monitoring the outbreak, which has claimed three lives. So far, there are at least eight other confirmed or suspected cases tied to the Dutch-flagged cruise ship.

Hantavirus is part of a family of viruses carried by rodents that can spread to people. According to the MDH, the Andes strain is the only type of the virus known to spread from person to person, though transmission is limited to people who have had close contact with an infected person.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been 890 recorded cases of Hantaviruses in the Upper Midwest between 1993 and 2023. Of that total, only two were reported in Minnesota, and five in Wisconsin.

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.

Decision 2026: GOP Candidates for Governor Focus on Educational Issues

KTVZ on May 13, 2026

Spencer Sacks

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The hotly contested Oregon Republican gubernatorial race is heating up as candidates approach the May 19 primary. Education has emerged as a defining issue in the campaign, with less than a week remaining until voters head to the polls.

Republican gubernatorial candidates are currently in crunch time, traveling across Oregon to speak with as many voters as possible before the primary. During their campaigns, the candidates made stops in Central Oregon to address issues affecting local residents.

Federal education data indicates that Oregon ranks 36th out of 50 states in eighth-grade reading proficiency and 40th in math. This performance has drawn criticism from candidates.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Christine Drazan stated that Oregon’s schools are among the worst in the nation for reading and math at the third and fourth-grade levels.

“We have to have good schools. We are worst in the nation for reading and math in third and fourth grade. Right now we’re right at the bottom couple of states. Not good enough. Not good. Not even not even close to good enough,” Drazan said.

One contributing factor to Oregon’s educational challenges is its short school year. The state averages approximately 165 school days, which is about 15 to 20 days fewer than the common 180-day standard in the U.S.

Chris Dudley, a Republican gubernatorial candidate, highlighted the disparity this creates.

“If a kid from Washington and a kid from Oregon meet up right now, the kid and they both graduated high school, the kid from Washington has gone the equivalent of one full school year, more than the kid from Oregon,” Dudley explained.

Part of the issue regarding the short school year stems from what counts as learning days. Currently, up to 30 hours of parent-teacher conferences can be counted as learning days, alongside up to 30 hours of professional development.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Danielle Bethell commented on how this policy impacts classroom instruction.

“One of the issues that we’re facing in classrooms today is teachers are spending more time in their, continuing education space, not on academics. They’re focusing more on social emotional learning, diversity, equity, inclusion, comprehensive sex education and other things that are not targeted to reading, writing and math comprehension and phonics,” Bethell said.

Ed Diehl, also a Republican gubernatorial candidate, emphasized his intent to directly oversee public education should he be elected.

“As governor, I’ll be the superintendent of public education. And with that, comes control over that education system. I am talking to teachers who are just as frustrated as we are talking to teachers who who are getting abused in the classroom and they feel helpless because there’s nothing they can do,” Diehl stated.

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American Airlines flight from Miami lands in Chicago with two flat tires

CNN Newsource on May 13, 2026

By Elyssa Kaufman

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    CHICAGO (WBBM) — An American Airlines flight from Miami landed at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport with two flat tires.

The FAA said the American Airlines flight 791, a Boeing 737, landed safely at O’Hare Airport at 10:30 p.m. and crew members reported a flat main landing gear tire. The Boeing 737 departed from Miami International Airport.

Passengers told CBS News Chicago they had to wait almost two hours to get off the plane. The FAA said passengers were bused to the terminal.

Video from the runway at O’Hare Airport overnight shows a large response with dozens of emergency crews.

Chicago police confirmed the plane had two flat tires when landing. Police said no injuries were reported.

CBS News Chicago has reached out to American Airlines for more information.

The FAA is investigating.

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.

The Palmer Ridge girls soccer team took on Windsor in the Class 4A playoffs

KRDO on May 13, 2026

Rob Namnoum

The Palmer Ridge girls soccer team lost to Windsor in the Class 4A playoffs on Tuesday night 3-0.

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Proposed bridge over Deschutes River sparks debate in Bend

KTVZ on May 13, 2026

Lee Anderson

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The local advocacy group Connect Bend released an artist’s rendering of the possible crossing that would connect southern Bend neighborhoods to Century Drive.

The group states the proposed crossing presents a “stark choice” for the city. The project includes a vehicular bridge over the Deschutes River.

The vehicular bridge would span the Deschutes River, starting between Powers Road and Murphy Road, potentially near the Mount Bachelor Village or Sunrise Village communities. It would potentially ease congestion at Reed Market Road.

Connect Bend would like a southern footbridge instead.

Connect Bend consulted with a civil engineer for the new renderings. Larry Waters, an engineering consultant and Connect Bend board member, explained the engineering challenges. “Given the steep inclines on both rims, as well as the residential presence on both sides, getting to the rims, down to the river and back up, would be extremely disruptive to both the environment and the community,”.

Bend City Engineer Ryan Oster said the city will begin evaluation of the plan either this year of next year.

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Suicide prevention experts urge open dialogue after airport tragedy

KRDO on May 13, 2026

Danny Mata

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — Matthew Mott, 41, died by suicide after being struck by a plane on a runway at Denver International Airport. The Denver Medical Examiner identified Mott and ruled his death a suicide following the incident.

The dramatic nature of the event has brought national attention to the issue of mental health and suicide awareness, with experts urging more public conversation.

Police confirmed Mott had resided in Pueblo as recently as 2016.

Cass Walton, executive director of the Pikes Peak Suicide Prevention Partnership, highlighted the importance of human connection in addressing mental health.

“The biggest tool that we have to deal with mental health is each other,” Walton said. She explained that a lack of open dialogue often contributes to suicide. “Suicide is really happening because of the things we’re not talking about. The hope is really that we can talk about suicide before it happens, so that we can help people not get to that dangerous place.”

Walton reflected on incidents like Mott’s death as missed chances for intervention. She encouraged the public to notice and act on signs of distress in others.

“How many people interacted with this person? How many people noticed something? Those are all opportunities to intervene and provide care,” Walton said.

She emphasized the value of direct and caring communication. Walton advised, “Simply speaking back to them in a caring way what you notice. Hey, I notice you don’t seem yourself. I’m worried and I’m wondering what’s going on. Asking someone, directly, “Are you thinking about suicide?” let’s them know that they can talk to you about it. Help saves lives. Talking out loud about things saves lives.”

According to data from the CDC, Colo. has one of the highest suicide rates in the country.

For individuals experiencing mental health crises or contemplating suicide, the 988 Colorado mental health line provides resources. Support is available by calling or texting 988.

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Repeat Rivals: Rod Furniss and Karey Hanks face off for third time in District 31 Seat B

KIFI on May 13, 2026

David Pace

ELECTION 2026 Coverage: Local News 8 is highlighting some of the most competitive, talked-about Legislative races in the region during the final run-up to the May 19 primary election.

ST. ANTHONY AND RIGBY, Idaho (KIFI) – With one week to go until Election Day, two long-time rivals are challenging each other in an Upper Valley race to represent Fremont, Jefferson, Clark and Lemhi counties.

In an intense political competition, incumbent Rod Furniss is running against former legislator Karey Hanks in the election for Idaho House of Representatives Legislative District 31 Seat B. 

Furniss and Hanks provided their positions on key issues and their economic philosophy in Local News 8 interviews this week.

Hanks identified her top issues as illegal immigration, water and the budget. Furniss said his top priorities were water, taxes and housing.

Watch our in-depth interviews with the candidates below to learn more about their positions and records.

Rod Furniss election interview.

Karey Hanks election interview.

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