Month: May 2026

By Glenda Valdes

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    KENOSHA, Wisconsin (WTMJ) — A group of Bradford High School students are bringing a powerful and largely forgotten piece of American history to life this weekend — and they want their community to be there to see it.

The Hello Girls tells the true story of the U.S. Army’s first female switchboard operators — women who served on the front lines of World War I, keeping critical communications running under fire. Despite their service, they were denied veteran status for more than 50 years.

Bradford students have spent months rehearsing the production — and for many of them, learning this story has been as powerful as performing it.

“The story is very inspiring — it’s a way of really showing anybody can change the world or make history,” said cast member Isabella Mejos.

Bradford student and Thespian Society President Etta Tidd reached out to TMJ4 News directly to share the story.

“I’m all about getting these stories forward and getting butts in the seats — because I think it’s such an important thing to enjoy theater, but especially to enjoy this show,” Tidd said. “Female switchboard operators of World War I who didn’t get their veteran status — I think that tagline alone really tells you the best part about the show without giving too much away.”

“You’d be very, very surprised on how interesting the story is,” said student Ole Johnson. “There’s a twist in every turn and a turn in every twist.”

Stage Director Christi Geidner says connecting students to a story this powerful is exactly why she does what she does.

“It’s not for me — it’s for the kids,” Geidner said. “It is for getting them to the point where they start to understand and can recreate that empathy, and then turn around and tell that story and do it with honesty and compassion and love.”

The show carries a message that resonates far beyond the stage.

“What the show literally asks in the beginning and the end — will you step up? Will you be of service?” said Jodi Williams. “That’s the message we want to get across.”

Performances of The Hello Girls run May 1 and May 3 at 2pm at Bradford High School. For ticket information and show times, visit this website.

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 Makaylah Chavez

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    TOWN OF WHEATLAND, Wisconsin (WTMJ) — The Twin Lakes Fire and Rescue, along with the Town of Wheatland Fire Department and the Town of Randall Fire Department, responded to a head-on vehicle collision on the 5700 block of S. 83rd on Saturday morning.

While Tom Nevala and his wife were driving towards Burlington to buy a camper, smoke caught their attention.

“I didn’t see it happen but I saw all this smoke. I couldn’t even figure out what all this smoke was,” Nevala said.

He had come across a head-on crash in Wheatland that emergency crews say happened just after 10 a.m. along the 5700 block of Highway 83.

According to a press release from Twin Lakes Fire/Rescue, multiple agencies were called to the scene where two vehicles collided, leaving one car fully engulfed in flames and another with a person trapped inside.

“I kind of pulled over right away,” he said.

He and his wife stopped and Nevala ran toward the closest vehicle. Inside that first vehicle, he found a driver who was trapped and unable to get out.

“The front door wouldn’t open, but I looked inside the back door and I could see the one girl,” Nevala said.

He said driver was alone and calling for help.

Nevala says he told her help was coming, pointing out that someone nearby was already calling 911 as emergency crews were still en route to what would become a complex rescue scene involving multiple fire departments and two medical helicopters.

“I will help you. I said the ambulance is coming, because I could see the guy over there calling 911,” he said.

As he tried to keep her calm, the situation around them was quickly changing. Fire crews would later describe arriving to a scene with two patients in the roadway, one trapped inside a vehicle, and another car already fully engulfed in flames.

Nevala says he started noticing that danger building in real time.

“The flames were starting to build at the front of the car,” he said.

That’s when the driver told him she was hurt and could no longer stay inside.

“As soon as she said that I said okay, we got to go now,” Nevala said.

He pulled her out through the back seat and carried her away from the vehicle, moving her across the roadway just before conditions worsened. He and his wife then grabbed a sleeping bag from their car to keep her warm as they waited for help.

Fire officials later confirmed crews worked for nearly an hour to free a trapped patient while another vehicle burned fully on scene. Two people were eventually flown to Froedtert in Milwaukee in critical condition, while a third was transported locally in stable condition.

“It just happened so fast. They were yelling fire and everyone was getting nervous and I’m like, what am I going to do,” he said.

At one point, he says he thought about how close everything felt to becoming even worse.

“I was afraid to hurt her because you can only imagine when someone’s in pain,” Nevala said. “I’m just thinking this fire is going to blow up in my face.”

Still, he says he never questioned going in.

“I always told myself if I come across a situation like that I’m not going to be afraid. I’m gonna be that guy to just get in there and do what I gotta do,” he said.

Nevala says he has been in contact with the driver’s family, including her mother, sister, and a friend, who are keeping him updated on her condition as she continues to recover.

Looking back, Nevala says he doesn’t see it as a choice—just something he felt he had to do in the moment.

“It’s an easy decision. Even with the flames in my face I don’t care. I couldn’t see anybody go through that. Yeah, I would do it again,” he said.

The crash remains under investigation.

This story was reported on air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. WTMJ verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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 Maya Morita , Kaylee Olivas

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    CLEVELAND, Ohio (WEWS) — Two zoos in Northeast Ohio were evacuated Sunday after receiving threats similar to those faced by zoos across the country this weekend.

Around 10:50 a.m., the Akron Zoo received a bomb threat, prompting the implementation of emergency procedures, it said in a press release.

The zoo was evacuated and will remain closed for the rest of the day.

Akron Police and Fire are on scene and assessing the situation, and found that the threat was false, the Akron Zoo said.

“They responded very quickly and did a full sweep of the park, and they found nothing suspicious and deemed that the threat was indeed a false threat,” Akron Zoo Director of Marketing and Events, Elena Bell, said on Sunday. “We actually have very strict high protocols for any safety issue. We drill our staff on a regular basis for any safety issue, even if it’s something like a guest falling down and hurting themselves all the way up to an active shooter or a bomb threat.”

Bell said the zoo runs safety drills as such regularly.

“Our staff… did an amazing job. They were very quick to jump into action, to begin evacuations, to call 911, and they were able to really help make sure that there were no injuries. Everyone was able to be safe and it was because of their quick actions,” Bell said.

Any guests who had tickets for Sunday can contact the zoo for rescheduling and refund options.

Just hours later, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo evacuated after receiving a threat, the Cleveland Zoo said.

News 5 had a crew on the scene and saw police outside the zoo as visitors were leaving.

The zoo will remain closed on Sunday and looks to reopen on Monday, it said.

Layne Bilek told News 5’s Kaylee Olivas she and her family drove 40 minutes from Doylestown, getting to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo around 10:20 a.m. on Sunday.

Bilek said they were able to enjoy the zoo for roughly an hour before being ushered out.

“We were in the little 4D movie over by the giraffe feeding thing. Halfway through that, they turned the lights on and the worker said, ‘I’m so sorry, you guys, we have to evacuate the zoo,'” Bilek said. “Thankfully everybody there seemed super calm. Nobody was freaking out. I think a lot of people had probably heard that this was going on, so everybody just filed out. It was packed.”

Bilek said a friend’s mom had warned her of threats happening at zoos around the state and to proceed with caution. If it hadn’t been for that warning, she said she likely wouldn’t have been as calm.

“I am glad that I knew ahead of time because I’ve never been in a situation like that, especially with, you know, my kids. When you have your kids with you, obviously that’s your number one concern no matter what. I am really glad that my friend’s mom told us about that because I probably would have been caught off guard,” Bilek said. “People weren’t running or anything. Everybody’s just walking in, you know, as orderly of a fashion as you could to get out. So, thankfully it wasn’t like panicky.”

She said she and her family are doing fine after the incident, telling us that she’s more frustrated that her kids lost a zoo day with clear skies.

Andy Sommers and his two-year-old daughter were also evacuated from the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo on Sunday. He said they were there about two hours prior to the evacuation.

“I would say probably about like one o’clock or so, we were headed up past like the giraffe and ostrich and all that stuff. I just saw all these people were walking towards the exit, and then this kind lady was like, ‘Hey, everybody, they’re evacuating the zoo,’ and we’re kind of like, what? What’s going on? But they’re like, yeah, and then just seeing everybody heading towards the exit. So I’m like, okay, I guess it’s time for us to head out. It was definitely surprising because I wasn’t expecting that,” Sommers said.

He said experiencing a threat evacuation was the last thing he anticipated happening on Sunday.

Sommers said it took about 15-20 minutes for him and his daughter to evacuate.

Sommers said while it’s an unfortunate incident, it’s not going to keep his family from going back to the zoo.

“You want to be cautious and have an eye out. You might have a better chance of getting struck by lightning or something like that to happen. I think I have enough confidence in people in public, you know, that things will be alright. I’m not too worried about that,” Sommers said.

Bilek said her family will be back, too.

“It won’t deter me from taking the kids. Maybe if it continues to happen, yeah, I don’t necessarily want to drive 40 minutes away and have it happen all the time, but hopefully this was just kind of a one time thing,” Bilek said.

The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is working with law enforcement and will provide more updates later, it said.

News 5 reached out to FBI’s Cleveland bureau Sunday night for information.

A spokesperson told us:

“FBI Cleveland is aware of recent threats involving a number of zoos and other entities over the past several days and is working with our law enforcement partners to determine their credibility, share information, and take appropriate investigative action.

Protecting the American public is our number one priority. We take potential threats very seriously and remind the public that hoax threats are no joke. Knowingly providing false information to emergency service agencies about a possible threat to life drains law enforcement resources, costs thousands of dollars, and, most importantly, puts innocent people at risk. Additionally, some offences may be punishable by law to include fines or prison.

As always, we encourage members of the public to remain vigilant and immediately report anything they hear, see, or know of another doing that could be considered suspicious to the FBI at 1-800-CALL FBI or their local law enforcement. Your identity can remain anonymous when reporting tips or leads to the FBI.”

A similar threat took place at the Columbus Zoo on Saturday, where visitors were told to evacuate, and the zoo closed for the remainder of the day.

The Columbus Zoo reopened on Sunday.

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 Isabel Flores

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    TULSA, Oklahoma (KJRH) — The Saratoga Wings of Freedom sober living center opened in January 2001.

Since then, it’s been run by Pastor Dixie Pebworth, who told 2 News he’s had his own struggles that allowed him to give back to the community.

It is in the remodeled Saratoga Motor Hotel on Route 66 in east Tulsa. It’s not the first time 2 News has highlighted its efforts:

“I was sentenced to 80 years in prison, I was a drug addict, I was a drug dealer at one point in time,” he said. “I did a lot of bad things, wound up in prison.”

Pastor Pebworth said after he was able to get out of prison early, he made a promise to God to spend the rest of his life helping others.

“We basically take them by their hand and begin to walk with them and help find their hurt and to heal and then get on with their lives,” he said.

Makayla Tanner and her husband, Garrett, started staying at the Saratoga Wings of Freedom Sober Living Center almost a year ago.

“I’ve said this to a lot of the women here, a lot of the women’s staff,” said Makayla. “Wings of Freedom saved my marriage, and I will be eternally grateful to Pastor Dixie and this organization.”

“I was coming off a really bad time in my life,” said Garrett. “I quit my job. Thought I had something to fall back on. I just fell in depression. I fell too far.”

The Tanners said through resources like therapy, parenting classes, financial classes, church, and a sense of community, they’ve been able to bring their family closer.

It’s been 2 years at the center for the Mason family and they echo the sentiment.

“It brought us back to reality,” said Daniel Mason. “Where we were in life and where we needed to be were way two different things. We were way off in left field.”

Destini Mason said that through the program, she regained custody of the rest of her children and repaired her family.

“I found my self-worth, I found out who I am in Christ, I found out how to be a mom, I found out how to be sober, I found out how to cope.” she said. “There’s so many things that I could tell you that this place has done for me, but a list of what it hasn’t done will be a lot shorter.”

Pastor Pebworth said the six-month program holds residents at the center accountable for their actions.

They have to present clean drug tests, pay their $650 a month, and show up for their loved ones in order to graduate.

He said he’s always looking for ways to help the community, and he’s seen an unfulfilled need in pregnant and expectant mothers.

“If a woman goes in and has a baby, and during her pregnancy she partook in drugs and it winds up in the cord of the baby, then DHS normally moves in there and takes the baby immediately from the hospital,” he said. “What we’re trying to do is to get DHS to bring the mama and the baby to Wings of Freedom, so the baby stays with the mama and attaches with the mama instead of causing more havoc with the baby.”

Overall, families said they’re grateful for a second chance at life.

For more information on Wings of Freedom and its programs visit their website.

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 Jane Kim

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    SAN MARCOS, California (KGTV) — Destinee Pham spent much of her childhood in foster homes in North Carolina — but next week, she will take the stage at Cal State University San Marcos as a keynote speaker at commencement, graduating with honors.

At 16, an unexpected Facebook message from her birth mother changed the course of Pham’s life. Her mother asked her to move to California — but abandoned her just one week after she arrived.

“One week after meeting my mom, she dropped me off at high school, never to be seen again.”

“Never picks me back up from high school. It’s 3 o’clock. School’s out, you know, students are getting picked up from their parents or friends, and 4 o’clock comes around, 5 o’clock, the principal’s asking me, Where’s your mom?”

Pham then moved in with her father, but that stability was short-lived. She called him over Thanksgiving weekend to find he had left for Texas without her.

“It’s all packed up. Everything’s gone.”

“And I call him, I believe it’s Thanksgiving weekend, fall like fall break of my school, and he says that he’s in Texas.”

She moved through multiple foster homes in California before finding her path to Cal State San Marcos.

Pham is part of the university’s ACE Scholars Services program, which provides academic, financial and personal support to students who were previously in foster care.

ACE counselor Nyla Vivas sent a statement praising Pham’s accomplishments.

“We couldn’t be more proud of everything she’s accomplished and now being one of the keynote speakers for commencement! We have no doubt she’ll continue to succeed and make a lasting impact on others, wherever she goes after Cal State San Marcos.” Vivas said.

Despite the uncertainty ahead, Pham said she is ready for whatever comes next.

“I’m nervous about what’s next, but I’m very excited because when a door opens for me, I will walk through it.”

Her belief in herself starts with her name.

“I truly believe in my name, Destinee, and whatever path I choose, it’s all going to work out for me.”

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. KGTV’s editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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.