Month: May 2026

By Matt Flener

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    BELTON, Missouri (KMBC) — A Missouri woman is sharing her experience in the state’s public guardianship system, calling for changes and more awareness about court-ordered guardianships.

“It’s wrong, and kind of crooked,” Rachel Thompson said. “The system.”

Thompson emailed KMBC 9 Investigates after seeing KMBC’s “Paper Prisons” investigation, uncovering the difficulties of wards of the state and their families under Missouri’s system of public guardianship.

Thompson was one of more than 11,000 people in Missouri under public guardianship.

Thompson eventually shared her experience with the U.S. Department of Justice. Her story was included in a 2024 DOJ report under the Biden administration, which found that Missourians with mental health disabilities are “unnecessarily institutionalized” in nursing facilities and under guardianships.

The report also said that Missouri violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by failing to place people in the least restrictive environment.

Thompson, referred to as “Ciara” in the report, said while living in one nursing home, she was not allowed to travel to activities in another building.

“I was really depressed,” she said. “I was crying. I was having panic attacks.”

Thompson said she spent 10 years under guardianship before she was able to get out. A judge had appointed a public guardian to oversee her care while she was dealing with PTSD following a domestic violence situation.

“I tried to stand up for myself that I didn’t need a guardian, but I lost,” Thompson said.

Thompson’s court-appointed guardian was the Perry County, Missouri, public administrator, who has since retired. KMBC reached out to the current public administrator, who declined to comment on Thompson’s time as a ward of the state, referring KMBC back to court documents.

Thompson said her guardian had control over her life for a decade, making decisions that affected her relationships with her family.

“And 10 years gone from my life. For my mom, my kids, my dad who passed away recently. I would have had three more years with him,” Thompson said, wiping away tears.

Thompson’s mother, Theresa Maze, initially thought public guardianship would help her daughter, who lived in another part of the state.

“And so, I thought, okay, well they’re just going to help her. They’re right there, she can stay right there with her kids,” she said.

Looking back, she said she regrets allowing it to happen.

“I don’t like to think about it that much,” she said. “It rips out your heart.”

Thompson is calling for oversight of Missouri’s public guardians, who are elected to their positions. She said it is difficult to hold them accountable unless people share their stories and experiences.

“What needs to change?” KMBC asked Thompson.

“Well, you guys are doing great at some sort of start,” Thompson said.

Since KMBC’s investigation began, 34 people have reached out for help with their public guardianship cases.

If you know of someone going through struggles with Missouri’s public guardianship system, or if you have a case to highlight that exposes solutions for Missouri’s public guardianship system that could teach lessons to others, please email investigates@kmbc.com.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Chloe Godding, Eric Graves

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    KANSAS CITY, Missouri (KMBC) — The family of a 4-year-old struck and killed by an Amazon delivery vehicle says they are devastated over his loss.

Family identified the young boy as Tadens Joseph.

Tadens was playing on a sidewalk in a park area in the 1800 block of East Third Terrace when he was hit by a marked Amazon vehicle, according to police.

The driver initially stopped but left before emergency crews arrived on the scene, police said. A family member attempted to follow the vehicle, but the driver reportedly denied involvement.

Kansas City police said in an update Tuesday afternoon that one person had been taken into custody for further investigation.

Now, the child’s family is grieving.

They say Tadens loved Spider-Man, Lays potato chips, soccer and pizza.

He always tried to play with everyone and was very friendly. He’ll be remembered for the smile he always wore, his family said.

KCPD worked with both Amazon and a third-party delivery driving company involved while investigating.

Amazon shared the following statement after the crash: “Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the family during this incredibly difficult time. We’ll fully cooperate with police as they continue their investigation.”

Detectives will now work to assemble investigative findings, reconstruct the scene, conduct witness interviews and analyze forensic or video evidence. Once that process is finished, the case will be submitted to prosecutors for them to determine if charges will be filed.

“These are complex investigations and many times can take several weeks to complete,” police 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.

By Addison Kliewer

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    OKLAHOMA CITY (KOCO) — Competitive eater Joey Chestnut visited Oklahoma City for the first time on Tuesday.

The legend met with fans and competed in a Cinco de Mayo-themed taco-eating contest during an OKC Comets game at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

“I’ve dominated hot dogs and pretty much every other food there is. No, I’m excited about tacos on Cinco de Mayo. I’m going to put down, hopefully, at least my 50 tacos,” Chestnut said.

Chestnut said he prepared for the contest by not eating for 24 hours.

He was joined by a group of other eaters, with a collective goal of consuming 100 tacos.

The Comets faced the Salt Lake Bees, and the taco-eating contest began after the second inning of the game.

The Comets said that Chestnut ate 50 tacos in about 11.5 minutes, and the other contestants combined to eat the other 50 tacos.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Beth Carlson

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    OMAHA, Nebraska (KETV) — A Millard family narrowly avoided being hit by an alleged drunk driver as he crashed his car into their yard, hitting two parked cars.

Jeremy Rosenbalm was outside with his family, grabbing the mail, when they heard a loud crash down the road. Moments later, an SUV drove up into their yard, hitting their two cars. Rosenbalm’s security footage captured the moment on video.

“We came up and got our [garbage] cans, pulled them to the curb. We’re checking our mail, going through our mail, throwing our junk mail away,” Rosenbalm said. “Next thing you know, he comes barreling down 138th, apparently missing the wheel, right through the front yard and crashed into two vehicles out here.”

Omaha police cited the driver for a first-time DUI over .15, after preliminary blood alcohol content was measured at 0.262. That’s three times over the legal limit of 0.08.

Rosenbalm and his family ran across the street and called 911, as they watched the driver, still in his car, attempt to flee.

“We got across the street. We heard him trying to pull out, trying to back up off of the driveway and the retaining wall, but I was already on the phone with 911 at that time,” Rosenbalm said.

The police report stated the driver struck a light pole off 138th and Birchwood seconds before driving into the yard.

“There’s pedestrian traffic all the time. So really, I mean, it could have been a lot worse. Somebody could have been killed walking or riding their bike, or us killed right here in the yards. It was scary,” Rosenbalm said.

He worries about the busy street. Police records show it’s not the first crash at the intersection.

“A few years back, somebody crashed through the fence in the back. Our neighbor over there, there was another wreck right here. Two vehicle wreck, and they ended up crashing through her fence over there,” Rosenbalm said.

Rosenbalm said Sunday’s crash was a wake-up call that something needs to change.

“It’s just somebody’s driving that impaired. Something drastic should happen, in my opinion. He can’t be driving around like that,” Rosenbalm 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.

By Todd Magel

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    DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) — A Des Moines woman, who wishes to remain anonymous and is referred to as “Samantha,” marked the anniversary of her decision to choose life over suicide by spreading kindness through heartfelt notes and monetary gifts to strangers.

Last week, Samantha handed an envelope to a reporter at the corner of 15th Street and Grand Avenue in Des Moines. The envelope had a sticker on the outside that read, “Good things are coming.” Inside was a $10 bill and a note.

“A year ago today, I chose life over suicide,” Samantha said.

Samantha explained that her words and the money were meant to brighten the day of the random people she handed them to.

“You know, it’s so simple. Simple things that can change a person’s world, really,” Samantha said.

The reporter posted the note on social media, where it garnered thousands of likes and comments from people who shared their own experiences with the pain of suicide. Days later, Samantha saw the post and reached out, saying she wanted to tell her story.

“Did that surprise you that so many people were sympathetic?” Samantha said, “Yes. I was like, I’ve never seen a post where there weren’t negative comments.”

Samantha shared that several years ago, she was diagnosed with a debilitating neurological disorder, which led her to consider ending her life.

“Living with this disease was daily pain. So over time, it was better (for my family), for me to be gone,” Samantha said.

After receiving treatment, Samantha chose to live. On the anniversary of that choice, she withdrew $310 from the bank, wrote heartfelt notes, and drove around Des Moines handing out envelopes to strangers.

“I don’t want anyone to feel that hopeless,” Samantha said.

She reflected on the impact of her actions and the purpose behind them.

“Maybe I hit someone that was having a bad day, and that was the purpose. And then I ran into you, and I think, you know, this story isn’t about me, but it is about, I don’t know, my journey, my decision to not commit suicide,” Samantha said.

Samantha described her gesture as a simple act of kindness, an act of faith, and an act that could save a life.

“I think this all happened to me because God was like, no, that’s not why I put you here,” Samantha said.

She hopes her story will inspire others to see their worth, no matter their circumstances.

“I want people to know that they’re worth it. I don’t care if you are the worst person, you’ve made horrible mistakes. You’re worth it. You are worth saving,” Samantha said.

Samantha plans to continue this act of kindness every year on the anniversary of her choice to live.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Steve Large

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    SACRAMENTO, California (KOVR) — Sacramento’s difficult budget cut debate is beginning at City Hall with a $66 million deficit and a proposed 46 layoffs.

There are no police officers facing layoffs, but there are cuts proposed to the police department.

Ernesto Delgado owns six restaurants across Sacramento, including Mayahuel in the heart of downtown. Sacramento budget cuts to the police department have him concerned about the impact to his bottom line.

“So I want to make sure my staff is protected, that I feel secure, that I don’t have to deal with break-ins,” Delgado said. “There’s a lot that we’re dealing with here in downtown Sacramento, right?”

Dustin Smith is the president of the Sacramento Police Officers Association.

He said Sacramento’s police department is already in a staffing and recruitment crisis.

“We’ve pretty much eliminated everything we can and basically cut all the fat, and I would consider us to be a de-funded police department,” Smith said.

Now, there are new proposed cuts that include eliminating the mounted patrol unit, terminating contracts with Regional Transit and the Natomas Unified School District for resource officers, and ending the ShotSpotter program in some parts of the city.

Another proposed cut, councilmember Roger Dickinson is calling to restore the violence prevention fund. Money that flows through the police department to nonprofit programs.

“This violence prevention investment pays itself back many times over,” Dickinson said. “It’s my highest priority for things that I want to see restored in the budget.”

As Sacramento seeks solutions to a $66 million deficit. Calls of concern to find funding for some of the high-profile police programs facing cuts. The city will have to pass a balanced budget before July 1.

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.