Month: May 2026

By Brian Unger

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    ATLANTA, Georgia (WUPA) — A worsening drought across Georgia is putting pressure on farmers and could soon hit consumers’ wallets at the grocery store.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture has now designated 146 counties as natural disaster areas after adding 20 more to the list, highlighting the growing impact of dry conditions across the state.

In Cherokee County, one of the newly affected areas, farmers say pastures are struggling to recover—even after recent rainfall.

“Grass that’s shin-high should be waist-high,” one report noted, describing how fields that typically feed livestock are falling short this season.

That shortage is forcing livestock owners to rely more heavily on hay, which is becoming harder to find and more expensive.

At Cherokee Feed & Seed in Ball Ground, a major supplier, the drought is already signaling a difficult year ahead for farmers and consumers alike.

“It could get real ugly,” said Alan Jessie of J&J Hay Farms. “It’s not just the hay for horses or for cattle… you’re talking about going to the grocery store, buying beef or chicken… all of that is going to be affected.”

Jessie added that rising fuel and fertilizer costs are compounding the problem, making it more expensive to produce and transport feed.

Experts warn the ripple effects could soon reach beyond farms. With higher costs to raise livestock, consumers may see increases in prices for meat, dairy, and even produce.

One analyst who tracks hay prices nationwide says the impact could be significant—potentially leading to sharply higher restaurant prices, including the possibility of a $30 hamburger.

As drought conditions persist, both farmers and consumers are bracing for what could be a costly year ahead.

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 Riley Rourke

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    RANDOLPH, Massachusetts (WBZ) — A father accused of attacking a school bus driver in front of several children in Randolph, Massachusetts was ordered held without bail Thursday.

Aaron Jamal Whitehead, 31, of Fall River, allegedly stopped his car in front of a school bus on Randolph Drive around 8:20 a.m. Tuesday and tried to have his child board the bus heading to Hanson Elementary School.

The bus driver refused to allow the child on board due to company policy about picking up children at unscheduled stops, according to Randolph Police. Police said that Whitehead became angry. The bus driver told police that Whitehead told him, “I’m going to expletive you up at the next stop.” The bus driver then called the police and remained on the line, according to the police report.

The bus continued to its next stop on Avalon Drive. Police said that Whitehead followed the bus and got on at the stop. He allegedly tried to grab the bus driver’s phone and hit him several times. The police report said that he then grabbed the phone and threw it. Whitehead left before officers arrived.

Children were on board the bus at the time, but none were harmed. Police said that once they arrived, several parents were “visibly shaken and upset” in the parking lot and that many children on the bus were crying.

“Our number one concern was the safety and well-being of the students for the remainder of the bus ride and their arrival at Hansen,” Principal Tami Olsen and Superintendent Derek Folan said in an email.

The children were all safely taken to school with a new bus driver and several Canton Public School employees.

The bus driver was taken to a nearby hospital after being treated at the scene.

“We wish the driver a full and speedy recovery. School bus drivers perform an important job every day, transporting children safely to and from school, and this type of violence will not be tolerated,” Randolph Police Chief Anthony Marag said in a statement.

Police arrested Whitehead in Stoughton Wednesday night. He was charged with assault and battery on a person over the age of 60, witness intimidation, malicious destruction of property, and disorderly conduct. He was arraigned in Quincy District Court on Thursday and will be held without bail until his next hearing on May 5. Whitehead was seen shaking his head in court as the decision was announced.

Canton Public School employees will continue to ride the bus throughout the week. They have reached out to the families of the children who witnessed the events and provided counseling.

“We commend our students for responding so well in a very difficult and disturbing situation,” the school said in a statement.

The school bus did have video cameras on board that were recording, according to the police report. The footage has not been released.

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 Mike Sullivan

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    MILLIS, Massachusetts (WBZ) — A three-year battle over a dog’s life in Millis, Massachusetts is now shifting to a courtroom. The town believes Bentley, a Cane Corso, needs to be put down after he bit someone.

Bentley hasn’t had any issues since that incident, his owner said, but he remains on death row. For more than 1,000 days, Rebecca Martin has woken up with this thought on her mind, “Is today the day my dog dies?”

“Constantly, every day not knowing if he was going to live, or not what am I going to do?” said Martin.

Bentley has been destined to be euthanized ever since the incident three years ago. The Cane Corso was unleashed in the front yard as Martin approached a neighbor. Bentley then bit the woman.

“I was going to go say hi to her, and it was just a bad mistake,” said Martin.

“She was bit on both arms; that’s a significant bite. She had what she described as a slight fracture, but it didn’t need surgery,” said Martin’s lawyer Jeremy Cohen.

The case went before the Millis town select board and they voted to euthanize the animal, despite Martin’s lawyer saying the victim doesn’t want the dog to be put down.

“She has testified, even previously at a hearing, that she doesn’t want anything bad to happen to the dog,” said Cohen.

Martin has taken recommended safety measures since the attack, and the dog has been living with her incident-free ever since.

After numerous appeals, the case is now in Wrentham District Court. A judge heard from a trainer Thursday who just evaluated Bentley. He agreed to work with the family and said he’s already noticed proper care and behavior during his time with the dog.

The judge also heard from the victim’s mother, who walked by Bentley’s home last year and got a scare.

“I observed Bentley to be growling, barking, banging up against the window with his paws,” said Sharon Lee Jackson.

When the town select board made the decision to euthanize, Millis Animal Control Officer Erin Mallette told them her recommendation was for a statute of six corrective measures such as a muzzle and restraints. At the time, she did not recommend euthanasia but told the board it was an option.

In court Thursday, that changed. She told the judge she believed the dog should be put down.

Cohen asked Mallette if the dog had any reports of escaping or biting anyone since the incident three years ago. She said no, which prompted Cohen to ask why she was changing her recommendation. Mallette told the court the change was based on veterinary recommendations. She also testified that she did not evaluate Bentley the day of the bite and has not been with the dog since.

The case is still ongoing.

“It is the policy of the Town not to comment on pending litigation. Therefore, the Town has no comment at this time,” Millis town administrator Michael Guzinski told WBZ-TV in an email.

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 Caroline Foreback

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    PASADENA, Maryland (WJZ) — The varsity softball team for Chesapeake High School in Maryland was forced to forfeit two games after what Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) officials described as “inappropriate actions” directed at a Black player during a game last week.

The alleged incident occurred during a game at Crofton High School and was captured on a livestream. In a portion of that video, players can be heard making monkey animal noises while a Black student was pitching for Crofton.

Following disciplinary actions, Chesapeake High was forced to forfeit the games due to a lack of eligible players remaining, according to AACPS spokesperson Bob Mosier.

Mosier said he could not discuss specific disciplinary actions or which students were deemed ineligible, but confirmed the school took immediate action after the game.

“The situation arose from a recent in-game incident in which student-athletes engaged in inappropriate actions that do not align with our Athletics Department’s goals of respect and sportsmanship,” Mosier said in a statement. “The school acted swiftly and took appropriate action in the wake of the incident.”

He added that the district is committed to maintaining an inclusive environment for all students.

“We stand firm in the belief that we can be a school district in which every student — regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status or any other characteristic — can have a sense of belonging,” Mosier said. “However, that can only be true when we properly address instances in which actions run counter to that belief.”

Chesapeake forfeited its home conference game against Northeast on Monday and is also set to forfeit its game against South River.

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 Jordan Bontke

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    PHOENIX, Arizona (KNXV) — Addist Bennett reminds us how easy it is for some of us to fall into homelessness. A series of unfortunate events left Bennett without a roof over his head, searching for food at community kitchens, and not healthy enough to carry his own belongings.

A hernia he suffered on the job left him unable to work, and the dominoes began to fall.

“I just never thought my life would be reduced to pushing a cart,” Bennett said.

He lost his job at nearly 60 years old due to the injury, then his apartment, his IDs, and eventually his confidence. The hernia pain was so severe that it was, at times, debilitating.

“You can have so much pain it could literally cause you to pass out,” Bennett said.

One day, that excruciating pain struck at the top of a stairwell.

“The next thing I know, I’m at the bottom of the stairs, and didn’t know how I got there. Didn’t have no wallet, no laptop. Whoever came by saw me there, and took what I had,” Bennett said.

In roughly six months, his ailment had cost him nearly everything. He recalls looking to a higher power while pushing a cart on the streets.

“Just give me the strength to get back up and keep going,” Bennett said.

As quickly as things unraveled, it took Bennett years to claw his way back. He was homeless long enough to eventually be pictured on a pamphlet for Chandler’s homeless services.

He attributes his ascent out of homelessness to when he started volunteering at the Salvation Army, which connected him with Circle the City, an organization that helps people experiencing homelessness navigate the healthcare system.

“I just kept taking small steps,” Bennett said.

Once healthy, Bennett enrolled at Gateway Community College, studying HVAC, controls, and security. While still in school, he landed a job as a surveillance technician through a partnership with Johnson Controls.

Bennett described himself as a resilient weed — growing out of the pavement.

“I’m going to survive and grow, no matter what happens,” Bennett said.

Bennett will turn 60 next week. He plans to graduate with an associate’s degree by the fall — and says walking across the stage will be his first time doing so.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. KNXV’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.

By Sarah Al-Shaikh

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    HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Imagine going through life with no record of your birth. No document proving where you came from or that you exist. That’s the reality for one Houston woman, Barbara Brown.

As lawmakers push measures like the SAVE America Act, which requires proof of citizenship to vote, that missing piece of paper could determine whether she and others in her position have a voice at the ballot box.

On Brown’s kitchen table, she has a stack of documents marking different parts of her life.

“My shot record, my immunization, my marriage license,” Brown said.

But one crucial moment is missing: the beginning.

“I know I was born and I’m here. I’m a person,” Brown said. “I just feel less than, to be honest with you.”

Brown was born in the 1950s to a midwife in East Texas.

“Back in the woods,” Brown said. “I was born there. These were grandmothers, aunties. No schooling. They just knew that they could do, you know, birth these babies. They didn’t know how to fill out any forms, and nobody cared enough.”

It was the Jim Crow era, a period when many Black Americans were denied equal access to hospitals.

Systemic discrimination and segregation often meant official records were incomplete or never created at all.

“A lot of records that may not have been kept because of the circumstance of so many of the black and brown babies having to be delivered by midwives in someone’s home,” University of Houston History Department Professor Linda Reed said.

Reed said the midwife was responsible for getting that birth recorded.

“Anything could happen between the birth of the baby and getting that record recorded,” Reed said.

For Brown, that missing record is now catching up with her.

She’s trying to get a passport while also racing to renew her driver’s license.

Brown described being in a cycle of paperwork, rejection, and frustration.

“I give them what I have,” Brown said. “And they said, ‘Nope, not good enough.'”

Now, she waits to hear back after sending in more paperwork.

She’s also preparing to apply for a delayed birth certificate, which is a process hundreds of other Texans go through each year.

According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, more than 780 people applied last year, and already more than 160 this year.

The state agency said some are even forced to go to court because they don’t have enough documentation to get their delayed birth certificate.

Without that, people like Brown could face new barriers under proposals like the SAVE America Act.

The bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives and is currently in the Senate.

“They are American citizens, but this is a big obstacle,” Reed said. “It’s simply because of the circumstances under which they were born.”

The cost of trying to get those documents is adding up for Brown.

“Everything that I’m doing is costing me money,” Brown said.

But through it all, her faith keeps her centered.

“My prayers work,” Brown said. “That’s the only thing that keeps me grounded.”

She’s holding onto hope that one day soon, she’ll finally have what’s been missing all along.

“It’s going to have more meaning to me,” Brown said. “It’ll say delayed, but it’s okay, it’s going to show me.”

Nearly a month after speaking with Brown, she updated ABC13 that the passport office confirmed her application was approved. She said she expects to get her passport by next week. Her next goal is to apply for her delayed birth certificate.

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.