Local non-profit adding 10 new murals to Shooks Run Trail

KRDO on May 8, 2026

Bradley Davis

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – The Concrete Couch non-profit is celebrating a year-long community project Saturday by unveiling 10 community art pieces on the South end of the Shooks Run Trail.

The art pieces will line the tunnel that connects Shooks Run with their Concrete Coyote park. Concrete Couch has a team of artists who work directly with different community groups to help them create their own mural, like the children from John Adams Elementary school in Colorado Springs.

The entire park is Concrete Couch’s largest “installation.” The space was an old abandoned concrete plant. True to its name, Concrete Couch revitalized the space into a community park with trails, multiple playgrounds, a stage, public art, native plant life, and hundreds of community events.

Concrete Couch is responsible for dozens of public art pieces across Colorado Springs, like the giant mosaic pumpkin off Nevada and Vermijo, the mosaic duck sculpture in Acacia Park, and the giant hanging fish sculpture in Library 21c.

Saturday’s celebration is called “Focus on the Creek.” Volunteers and community members are invited to help with preparations starting at 1 p.m. The celebration and unveiling start at 6 p.m. Poor Richard’s will provide pizza. The event and pizza are free. There is street parking, or guests can park at Leon Young Park and walk through the tunnel on the Shooks Run Trail.

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Good Vibes Only: Borderland trio takes on robotics world championships in St. Louis

KVIA on May 8, 2026

Rosemary Garcia

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)—Three Tierra Del Sol Elementary School students returned to El Paso with unforgettable memories following a robotics competition. The Borderland students visited St. Louis, Missouri, as part of the 2026 VEX Robotics World Championship.

The event took place the last week of April. It featured thousands of teams from over 50 countries, playing in over 1,300 tournaments, according to Vex Robotics.

The Tierra Del Sol Cyber Knights made it to the world competition after advancing through local and regional competitions.

Coach Patty Hernandez told ABC-7 that this year’s robotics team at Tierra Del Sol accomplished something that had never been done before in the school’s history. She said that although previous teams had come close, this was the first time students at Tierra Del Sol advanced to the world championship.

“We’ve been working really hard. Every group I get, we’ve gotten so close, and this time we finally did it!”

ABC-7 spoke with the Cyber Knights before their big trip to Missouri. Each one was meticulously preparing and creating new strategies. The after-school team was tasked with building a robot and perfecting their game plan.

Caleb Aranda, a fifth grader at Tierra Del Sol, said it was a rewarding moment when they learned they had made it to the world championship.

I completed a dream,” Caleb said with a smile on his face.

The trio explained they were feeling anxious but overall eager to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. They were excited to meet new people from other cultures and backgrounds and explore the city of St. Louis.

“It felt really good because I’ve been wanting to go to worlds a lot, so I was just really happy,” Caleb said.

“My first time. Very exciting side to me. Like new cultures and people’s. Also, it’s gonna be a fun experience. And also, I’m glad to, like, see, like, the arch and, like, new restaurants that I haven’t seen yet,” another robotics student, Omar Teran, explained.

Coach Hernandez said each student brings something valuable to the group. She described Omar as hardworking, Caleb as outgoing, and Mari as dedicated and the calming voice of the group.

Mari is the only female in this group. She said she enjoys working as a team and appreciates the skills she has learned in robotics. She was anxious to be traveling to Missouri without her parents but was excited to experience something new!

In Missouri, the Cyber Knights participated in different tournaments. They Cyber Knights teamed up with other students from other regions, including Shanghai, Hong Kong, North Dakota, Colorado, and many more.

While the team did not place, their instructor still described it as an amazing experience!

“We’re very proud to be there and excited because you are representing El Paso, you know, and the small city here in Texas, and we’re out there representing them, so it’s exciting for us,” Hernandez said.

The students said they look forward to learning more about robotics in the future.

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New plan revealed to repair crumbling Lime Road south of Pueblo

KRDO on May 8, 2026

Scott Harrison

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) — The potential for future economic development in the St. Charles Industrial Park has changed the strategy for rebuilding a deteriorating concrete road through the area.

In late 2024, KRDO 13’s The Road Warrior reported on the plan for 1.5 miles of Lime Road, east of the Stem Beach interchange on Interstate 25.

The road is primarily a two-lane concrete route to several industries, including a concrete plant, a power plant, and a wind turbine manufacturer.

Constant heavy truck traffic, however, has seriously cracked much of the road’s concrete pavement — creating a rough ride for traffic.

Pueblo annexed the main stretch of Lime Road from Pueblo County in 2012, but the opposite ends of it remain in the county’s jurisdiction.

The county is currently paving its part of the road, approximately a quarter mile east of the interchange.

Pueblo’s original plan was to remove the old concrete and use it as a base to rebuild the road as an entirely asphalt surface.

However, Andrew Hayes, the city’s public works director, said that rebuilding the road as a concrete surface remains a possibility.

“We’re working with companies in (the industrial park) right now, to time that project and to figure out how best to get there without interrupting their operations as well,” he explained.

The city also wants to rebuild a quarter-mile segment of the interchange — which is owned by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) — to remove a sharp curve and align it with the rest of Lime Road.

Such a project would likely cost between $10 million and $20 million, Hayes said, but it would also be an enticement for other industries to come to the park.

No details are available about the nature of the economic development possibility or the funding source for road reconstruction.

However, the situation has led Pueblo-area leaders to begin discussing how to increase funding for street, road, and bridge needs.

Hayes said that the Pueblo Area Council of Governments (PACOG) could establish a regional transportation authority similar to the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority (PPRTA) in El Paso County.

The PPRTA was formed in 2005 and proposed a 1% sales tax increase specifically to fund local transportation projects; it was approved and renewed by voters in the municipalities of Colorado Springs, El Paso County, Manitou Springs, Green Mountain Falls, Ramah, and Calhan.

Hayes said that such an entity would include not only Pueblo and Pueblo County, but potentially other communities such as Pueblo West and Colorado City.

Before an entity could be formed, it would have to be approved by PACOG members, which include several Pueblo City Council members, the three Pueblo County commissioners, representatives of the city and county school districts, and the Pueblo Water Board.

Additionally, voters would have to approve any proposed tax increases.

Semi truck drivers and industrial park workers hope to see a better Lime Road soon.

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Wisconsin school bus driver verdict reached in sexual assault trial

CNN Newsource on May 8, 2026

By Mariana La Roche, Amy Fleury

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    WAUKESHA COUNTY, Wisconsin (WISN) — A Waukesha County jury reached a verdict in the trial of Thomas Felser, a 63-year-old former Pewaukee school bus driver accused of sexually assaulting multiple young girls on his route.

Felser was convicted on three counts of repeated sexual assault of the same child, one count of first-degree child sex assault and four counts of sexual misconduct by school staff or a volunteer.

He was found not guilty on three counts of sexual misconduct by school staff or volunteer.

Felser is scheduled to be sentenced on July 24. Given his age, he could spend the rest of his life in prison.

“We are very satisfied with the jury’s verdict. We are thankful of the time and attention that the jury has taken in evaluating this case. We’re very thankful for the investigators from the Village of Pewaukee Police Department and really, we’re thankful for how brave these girls have been in this process,” Waukesha County Assistant District Attorney Vivien Morris said after the verdict was read.

The trial, which began Monday, centered on accusations that Felser sexually assaulted four girls, ages 4, 5 and 6, on his school bus. Felser, who taught in the Pewaukee School District for 37 years before becoming a bus driver, maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings.

During closing arguments Thursday morning, Morris argued the surveillance video evidence was clear.

“It is not reasonable to ignore what we all saw in those videos, if the defense’s argument requires you to set aside what you saw with your own eyes in that video, that’s not reasonable doubt, that’s a rejection of reality,” Morris said.

Defense attorney Craig Powell argued that intentional sexual contact could not be proven in the footage and cautioned the jury against relying on the forensic interviews of the young children.

“You may question his judgment, you may can believe his decision-making was inappropriate in some of those instances, but inappropriate is not illegal, inappropriate is not sexual assault,” Powell 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.

Oklahoma DHS employee accused of embezzling $2 million from energy assistance program

CNN Newsource on May 8, 2026

By Kilee Thomas

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    OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma (KOCO) — An Oklahoma Department of Human Services employee is accused of embezzling $2 million from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which provides financial aid for utility bills to residents in need.

Court documents outline how the employee allegedly siphoned millions of dollars into their personal bank account by creating fake utility companies and forging bank letters and business P.O. boxes to make the companies appear legitimate.

Investigators said the first suspicious payments date back to 2017, but the alleged scheme was uncovered this spring during a state audit of the LIHEAP program.

In a statement, State Auditor Cindy Byrd said her office reported repeated oversight deficiencies within LIHEAP, and investigators identified “urgent concerns.”

The Office of Inspector General informed the state auditor that they believe a DHS employee “misappropriated” $2 million.

The DHS employee was arrested Monday on charges of embezzlement. A judge set bond at $100,000, which the employee posted.

The first court appearance is scheduled for June 2.

In a statement, DHS said they routinely evaluate oversight measures: “We can confirm the Office of Inspector General within Oklahoma Human Services initiated a coordinated investigation into potential criminal activity connected to one of our programs. Accountability matters, and this is exactly why our oversight and safeguards exist.

Because this is an active investigation, there are limits to what can be discussed publicly, but it appears to be a complex scheme by a single employee who has since been terminated.

OKDHS routinely evaluates oversight measures, and system changes implemented over the last year appear to have helped prevent this type of activity from continuing.

OKDHS remains committed to protecting the integrity of our programs and the people we serve.

“We applaud the dedication of our Office of Inspector General and Internal Audit teams as they work to uphold the integrity of our programs,” said OKDHS Director Jeffrey Cartmell. “We will continue working with state and federal partners strengthening safeguards against fraud to protect the programs serving vulnerable Oklahomans.

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‘What are you doing with that dog?’: Florida man arrested after his puppy is exposed to cocaine

CNN Newsource on May 8, 2026

By Angela Rozier

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    MARTIN COUNTY, Florida (WPBF) — A Jensen Beach man has been charged with animal cruelty after witnesses reported him strangling his five-month-old puppy, which was later determined to be suffering from cocaine exposure, according to Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek.

The sheriff’s office began investigating the case on April 28 when witnesses reported the case.

Investigators responded and shared a photo of the puppy, named Inga, who remains in protective custody with the Humane Society as detectives continue their investigation.

“The dog’s pupils were blown,” Budensiek said. “Similar to a human being’s pupils.”

Witnesses reported hearing the puppy’s cries and allegedly saw 62-year-old John Sparhawk holding the dog above his head and strangling it.

Casey Rosica was one of the witnesses.

“I ran out of the truck, and I see a dog about six and a half feet in the air and it’s screaming for its life, and I said, ‘Hey, what are you doing with that dog?’ And he freaked out, he really didn’t know how to respond, and he drops the dog,” Rosica said.

The Humane Society confirmed that Inga was transported to an emergency veterinary hospital. Sparhawk reportedly told neighbors the puppy was suffering from a seizure and asked them to take it to a hospital.

Veterinarians later determined the dog’s condition was caused by cocaine exposure, which triggered the medical episode. Sparhawk told detectives the puppy may have eaten something bad in the woods, but veterinarians confirmed the symptoms were consistent with cocaine intoxication.

“I’m not sitting here saying the dog stole his stash or it was his stash at all or that he injected the dog with cocaine. I’m just simply telling you that the dog was highly intoxicated on cocaine,” Budensiek said.

Deputies were called to the Humane Society after Sparhawk showed up there, reportedly threatening workers.

“He was there yesterday kind of showing out a little bit, threatening the workers at the Humane Society. Our deputies responded out there, trespassed him, and he cannot go back on their property. The dog is safe, and he was arrested because we had a warrant for him,” Budensiek said.

Sparhawk was taken into custody and later released. Inga remains in protective custody with the Humane Society as investigators continue to determine what happened.

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From Service to Sonography: Houston City College Student and Army Veteran Gia Jones Charts a Powerful Path in Healthcare Excellence

CNN Newsource on May 8, 2026

By Francis Page Jr.

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    May 8, 2026 (Houston Style Magazine) — In a city defined by resilience, opportunity, and innovation, Houston continues to produce inspiring stories that reflect the very best of its spirit—and Gia Jones is one of them.

Before stepping into the academic halls of Houston City College (HCC), Jones proudly served her country as a logistics specialist in the U.S. Army at Fort Bliss, Texas. Today, she is trading military precision for medical purpose—pursuing a career in diagnostic medical sonography, a field where compassion meets cutting-edge technology.

Driven by a desire to make a real-time impact on patients’ lives, Jones found her calling in healthcare. “Sonography allows me to use technical skills while thinking critically and helping patients in real time,” she shares—a statement that perfectly captures the heart of modern medicine.

photo HCC Logo

A Strategic Choice with Real-World Impact

Choosing Houston City College was no coincidence. Known for its strong healthcare programs and immersive clinical training, HCC has become a launchpad for future medical professionals across Houston and beyond. For Jones, it was the ideal environment to transform discipline into distinction.

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is not for the faint of heart. It demands long hours, technical mastery, and calm execution under pressure. But for a veteran accustomed to high-stakes environments, these challenges became steppingstones.

Leadership, Legacy, and Lifting Others

Jones isn’t just excelling in the classroom—she’s leading across campus. She serves as:

President of the HCC United Student Council

Vice President of the Student Government Association at HCC Coleman College for Health Sciences

Treasurer for her sonography cohort

Her commitment has not gone unnoticed. As a recipient of the prestigious Cindy Fraser Memorial Endowed Scholarship, Jones represents the very best of HCC—academic excellence paired with meaningful community engagement.

And in a defining honor that underscores her leadership and voice, Army Veteran Gia Jones has been selected to deliver the Houston City College Graduation Address on Friday, May 8, 2026—a moment that will place her story, and her message of perseverance, front and center before graduates, families, and the Houston community.

Clinical Confidence in the Texas Medical Center

Recently completing her clinical training at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic in the Texas Medical Center, Jones has already stepped into the real-world demands of patient care. The experience sharpened her technical expertise and strengthened her confidence.

“Being able to apply what I learned in class in a real clinical environment was wonderful,” she says—a sentiment shared by many HCC graduates who seamlessly transition into Houston’s world-renowned healthcare workforce.

A Future Fueled by Purpose

As a proud member of the Class of 2026, Jones is preparing for graduation with momentum—and a vision that extends far beyond it. She plans to continue her academic journey at Texas Southern University, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration.

Her goal? To merge clinical excellence with leadership, shaping the future of healthcare delivery in underserved and growing communities.

A Houston Story Worth Celebrating

Balancing rigorous academics, leadership roles, and personal milestones—including preparing to welcome a daughter with her husband, Michael Green—Jones exemplifies strength, grace, and forward-thinking ambition. Whether painting, horseback riding, or preparing for motherhood, she embodies the balance that defines true success.

In every sense, Gia Jones represents the evolving face of Houston: diverse, driven, and deeply committed to making a difference.

Start Your Journey

Ready to follow in Gia Jones’s footsteps? Discover how Houston City College can help you turn passion into profession:

👉 Learn more about the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program: hccs.edu/sonography

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Kierra Lee
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Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment holds grand opening of new facility

KMIZ on May 8, 2026

Jazsmin Halliburton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment celebrated the grand opening of its new facility Friday morning.

The facility is in the MU Health Care South Providence Medical Park, located at 701 Veterans United Drive.

The new facility is 74,000 square feet and costs $54.8 million, enabling significant expansion to serve twice as many patients. The facility will increase the number of patient rooms, expand staffing and help the Thompson Center address patient demand.

According to a press release, the Thompson Center serves over 4,500 patients annually, conducts translational research, and educates professionals and communities through a range of training programs. The Thompson Center has also held thousands of autism evaluations of children in multiple Mid-Missouri counties over the years.

MO Counties Served by Thompson Center – FY13 to FY25Download

Former Governor Mike Parson, University of Missouri President Mun Choi and several other officials spoke at the event.

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Rapper Kodak Black booked into Orange County Jail on drug trafficking charge, records show

CNN Newsource on May 8, 2026

By Allison Petro

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    ORANGE COUNTY, Florida (WESH) — Florida rapper Kodak Black was booked into the Orange County Jail on Wednesday.

Booking records show that the 28-year-old rapper, whose real name is Bill Kapri, was arrested on a drug trafficking charge.

According to a five-page affidavit, the incident began outside the Children’s Safety Village, a nonprofit for kids in Orlando, back in November. Orlando police were called to the location after reports of gunfire.

When officers arrived, they found a BMW and a Lamborghini parked outside. Detecting the smell of marijuana, they began searching the vehicles.

During the search, Kapri approached the officers.

Authorities said they discovered a pink pair of scissors on the floorboard of one of the cars, which matched a pair of scissors seen in a photo on the rapper’s Instagram a week earlier.

They also found rings in the car that matched items seen on his Instagram.

Eventually, the search uncovered drugs inside the vehicle.

WESH 2 was there Thursday evening as Kapri was released from jail after posting $75,000 bond.

This is not the first time Kapri has been placed behind bars.

In 2023, he was arrested in South Florida and booked into the Broward County Jail on charges of cocaine possession, tampering with evidence and violating probation.

The previous year, in 2022, he faced arrest for trafficking oxycodone and possessing a controlled substance without a prescription. He was also cited for driving with an expired driver’s license and registration tags.

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A look inside Amazon’s drone delivery service in Pontiac

CNN Newsource on May 8, 2026

By Alysia Burgio

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    PONTIAC, Michigan (WWJ) — In November 2025, Amazon introduced its drone delivery service, Prime Air, which is available only at its Pontiac and Hazel Park locations in Michigan.

Since the company launched Prime Air, tens of thousands of packages have been delivered by drone across Metro Detroit.

“If a customer wants a drone delivery, it will be available on the checkout, where they will opt for the drone delivery option when it’s available,” said Pontiac Prime Air operations manager Lauren Wilson. “Then they will pick what drone delivery point they prefer on their property. So, they can have it in their front yard, their driveway, backyard, whatever is best for them. They would get the notification that the drone is actually out for delivery, just as any other type of delivery that Amazon offers.”

At Pontiac’s Amazon Fulfillment Center, one million items are available to customers who select Prime Air for delivery.

“Every day here at Pontiac, we sell out, and we are able to do over a hundred packages a day,” Wilson said.

The process starts at the ‘pack’ station. Once a customer hits purchase, it’s a quick turnaround.

“We are generally allotted 30 minutes to process that package, create that flight, accept that flight, and send it out for that delivery,” said Wilson.

The package makes its way through the Pontiac facility and out to the launch pad, where 14 drones are on site. Employees measure dimensions and weight, then load the package into the drone for launch.

“Every item is going to be shipped in the same standard size box, which is equivalent to a large shoe box, and the max weight it can be is five pounds,” Wilson said. “We have a 7.5-mile radius from the Pontiac location here and a 7.5-mile radius from the Hazel Park location. We are able to get them what they are asking for within the allotted two-hour time limit.”

With drones come concerns about noise and privacy. CBS News Detroit spoke with residents about their views on the use of Amazon drones for delivery. Many say they’re intrigued.

“I think I would try it. I really would. If I was in the area I’d want to see it,” said Waterford resident Laura Lindroth.

“They just shoot by and shoot back, ya know. I just watch them,” Pontiac resident Gerald Chambers said.

One resident says she chose the service for convenience and will use it again.

“I enjoyed it. I think it’s very innovative using that, using the technology to be able to help their customers out in a more efficient way,” said Waterford resident Renee Ballentine.

Amazon says safety is its top priority, and no incidents have been reported. The company plans to expand its drone delivery nationwide and is committed to its customers.

“We are always looking to improve. We’re here to serve our customers in the best way we can,” said Wilson.

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.