Month: May 2026

By Michelle Gallardo

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    CHICAGO (WLS) — Many veterans hold mixed feelings about their service, especially on Memorial Day

And so, even as many gathered at Chicago’s Vietnam Memorial to remember the fallen, others came together, at the same site, to speak out against the Trump administration’s military interventions around the world.

They came together as they do every year. Vietnam veterans saluted those who did not come home.

The more than 3,000 names inscribed along the Chicago Riverwalk memorial are not just names to them. They are people they knew and fought alongside of.

“I have two or three names on that wall. I miss them all, 55 years later. It’s been a long time. We won’t forget,” said 173rd Airborne Vietnam veteran Carlos Aladino.

The Vietnam War has long been considered the United States’ most unpopular war. Chicago’s Vietnam Memorial has also, year upon year, become the site of anti-war protests.

Dozens came together not one hour after Monday’s wreath-laying event to speak out against the current administration’s military intrusions around the globe.

“I don’t want more dead people to be added to some list for profit, for the upper class that is never going to see a battlefield,” said Illinois National Guard veteran Kayla Harris. “I am protesting the war today, and I will continue to do so tomorrow.”

Many of those gathered included younger veterans disillusioned with the very institution they served.

“The oath that I took to join the military kind of guides me,” said Navy veteran Edgar Castillo. “I’m allowed to wear this uniform and speak out against our government with the endless wars that are going on, Iran, Venezuela.”

“We don’t know what we’re fighting for. Some say it’s for oil. Some say it’s for land. We’re not fighting for freedom. We’re not,” said Army veteran Stefanie Macias.

Monday’s program ended with participants throwing roses into the Chicago 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 Paige Meyer

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    SOUTH HAVEN, Michigan (WXMI) — Cheers erupted at South Haven’s South Beach on Monday as lifeguards reported for duty for the first time in more than two decades, a moment years in the making for the mother who fought to make it happen.

“I’m so grateful that I’m here to witness this epic event. This is huge, they haven’t done this in 25 years,” Lisa MacDonald said.

MacDonald has pushed for lifeguards at South Beach since her 19-year-old daughter Emily and 22-year-old boyfriend Kory drowned in 2022. In the years since, she made it her mission to bring lifeguards back.

Monday was the first time MacDonald had walked South Beach since the drownings in 2022, but she said the drive to keep fighting never wavered.

“I thought I have to for my daughter so that other families hopefully don’t have to ever go through this,” MacDonald said.

As she watched lifeguards take their posts, MacDonald said the years of fighting for change had finally paid off.

“I’m very grateful that the city of South Haven is finally recognizing their tourists and beach goers as a priority and taking care of them,” MacDonald said. “That was my whole goal is I wanted them to respect and protect the people that come to this beach not knowing how dangerous it can be.”

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

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    UTICA, Michigan (WXYZ) — Inside Toy Box in Utica, it’s not the racecars or the dinosaurs that are the most popular toys — it’s what’s not there.

“We, we’re out,” staff can be heard saying throughout the day.

Owner Ron Manoviec says the scene repeats itself constantly at his store.

“They walk in, we don’t have it, they do a circle around the store, and they’re out,” Manoviec said.

The culprit behind the empty shelves is Needoh — a squishy, collectible toy made by Schylling that has been on the market since 2017, but reached widespread popularity in recent months.

According to Psychology Today, Schylling has done a masterful job marketing a variety of different types, from Teeny to Super Needohs. If a Needoh isn’t out of stock — like the Atomic Needoh on the official product website — it’s nearly impossible to find.

Shoppers like Jacque Miller aren’t deterred, moving from store to store in search of the toys.

“They collectibles, man, they squishy, and fun to play with. I got like four of them in the car right now,” Miller said.

Manoviec says the craze extends well beyond his store or the state of Michigan.

“It’s a worldwide phenomenon, it’s not just us, not just Michigan, it’s everywhere,” Manoviec said.

Lines formed outside Toy Box last month during a rare Needoh drop. Manoviec says he now posts on social media the moment new stock arrives to manage the crowds.

“We’ll post them the moment they come out, so that avoids the lines, if we say ‘Needoh tomorrow,’ they’re gonna line up tonight,” Manoviec said.

Not everyone understands the appeal. Nicole Edington, who lives in Mount Clemens, is still trying to figure it out.

“They’re impossible to find, the kids trade them like Pokémon cards, I really don’t get it at all,” Edington said.

Social media has played a major role in fueling the frenzy. Rachel Kovitch, who collects Needohs, says influencers helped push the toys into the mainstream.

“Influencers and famous TikTok accounts were posting about them,” Kovitch said.

Kovitch says she owns more than 100 Needohs and has built a large following of her own. Her TikTok account, Puttfamilly, has nearly 70,000 followers and 5 million views.

“I will post videos about my putty, unboxing them, showing them off, and showing rare needs,” Kovitch said.

For those still searching, Manoviec says supply is on the way — eventually.

“It’s coming, it’s gonna be here, we’re just waiting, we’re so far behind, the last batch we had was a backorder, from, we’re talking, February,” Manoviec said.

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

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    TULSA, Oklahoma (KJRH) — When Jeff Rule drives around the block, people notice.

“It’s a 1937 Chevy,” Rule said of his family car. “It’s got everything original.”

Everything. From the seats, to the speedometer, to the suicide doors, even the engine.

“It was bought brand new for a couple hundred bucks by my great uncle,” Rule said. “And then from there, it’s just passed down through the family.”

Jeff’s great uncle was Charlie Pribbarnow, a World War I veteran. His prized possession now in the hands of Jeff and his dad David, a Vietnam vet.

“As early as I can remember, I remember this being in the garage, and going on rides. My dad working on it,” Rule said.

Back then, they didn’t have radios in the car. They also didn’t have air conditioning. So, if you wanted a little A/C, you had to get your window at the right angle.”

“It has none of the amenities that we have in our cars now of course,” Rule said. “Big steering wheel. No power steering in it. No power brakes, it’s all muscle.”

Jeff’s dad used to take the car and drive vets around Green Country. This time, it’s Jeff driving this time capsule in the Capital Cruise, with his dad in the passenger seat.

“It’s actually been a while since me and him have been in the car riding around together,” Rule said. “This is what you would’ve been seeing driving on the original Route 66. People driving their families.”

Driving a piece of history, on America’s most historic road.

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 Alex Gaul

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    CEDARBURG, Milwaukee (WTMJ) — A Cedarburg whiskey shop is using artificial intelligence to solve one of the most common frustrations in the spirits industry: Buying a bottle you end up not liking.

Barrels on Bridge, which opened in 2024, has introduced an AI agent called BOB to help customers navigate its inventory and find bottles tailored to their individual palates.

Co-owner Brendan Ryan, a former attorney who opened the shop with his wife Tierra, says the tool was born out of two converging trends: People are drinking less overall, and when they do drink, they are more selective than ever.

“We all hate it when we go to a shop, and we buy something, hoping we’ll like it. Take it home. We end up not liking it, and it just sits on the shelf and gets dusty,” Ryan said.

BOB is pre-loaded with the store’s full inventory and Ryan’s personal tasting notes. Customers can type in preferences — or even describe who they are shopping for — and the tool generates tailored recommendations, based on tasting notes and personality.

“It really helps people take a deeper dive into their own palate as well as save money,” Ryan said.

After receiving recommendations, customers can sample suggested bottles in store — many of which are rare finds — before committing to a purchase.

“How we will weather any ups and downs is because we put the customer first,” Ryan said.

That philosophy has resonated with shoppers. Solomon Gatton, a customer who attended TMJ4’s Let’s Talk Cedarburg community event earlier this week, says the shop stands apart from others.

“There are so many shops that you could go into that could care less about you, and he does. That’s what kept me coming back,” Gatton said. “It’s nice to be able to find something unique that I can go grab right now.”

Ryan says the goal is to bring the bourbon trail experience of Kentucky and Tennessee to Wisconsin — using technology to make that possible without losing the human element.

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 Ben Jordan , Photojournalist Kyle Gustafson

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    WALDO, Milwaukee (WTMJ) — Jon Bigler has grown and sold Christmas trees on his farmland in Waldo for 30 years. A natural gas pipeline runs beneath the heart of his property, but Bigler says the trees he planted above it had never been a problem — until recently.

ANR Pipeline Company, owned by TC Energy, had trees cleared within 25 feet on both sides of the of the pipeline a few months ago without Bigler’s approval. An aerial view of the property shows a long strip of cleared land where only stumps remain.

“Instead of giving me a couple more months, they went right out and cut them down and chipped them up,” Bigler said.

Bigler says hundreds of trees that were ready for this year’s holiday season were among those removed.

“And they can’t wait until Christmas? Come on,” Bigler said.

TC Energy offered Bigler nearly $32,000 in damages — but the non-disclosure agreement that came with the offer included a significant condition. The agreement states:

“The Owner agrees not to knowingly and intentionally re-cultivate, re-seed, etc. any crops, trees or vegetation… that is subject to the ANR pipeline… as part of a commercial business.”

Bigler says he rejected the offer.

“No. No way in hell. No way,” Bigler said. “I can’t plant trees here at all. I can’t have nothing here.”

TC Energy spokesperson Suzanne Wilton agreed to an interview and said safety drove the company’s decision.

“We understand this has been difficult for Mr. Bigler, and we respect the impact that this has had on his business. Our responsibility is to keep people safe, including Mr. Bigler, his property and the surrounding community,” Wilton said.

When pressed on why the NDA would require Bigler to never grow Christmas trees over the pipeline again, Wilton said the company is required to meet regulations and that the agreement has been in place for many years. Wilton also said the trees had grown substantially over time, which is why the issue arose now.

Wilton says safety is non-negotiable, but compensation is.

“We have tried to talk with Mr. Bigler. We remain ready and willing to have that conversation, and we just need Mr. Bigler to come to the table,” Wilton said.

A right-of-way agreement obtained through the Sheboygan County Clerk shows that in 1965, the former landowner agreed to let the company bury a pipeline underground in exchange for $122. TC Energy says that the agreement gave the company the right to clear the trees without Bigler’s permission, so long as the company pays for damages.

However, the right-of-way document also states that if compensation is not mutually agreed upon, it is “to be determined by three disinterested persons” — one negotiator appointed by the company, another by the landowner, and a third mutually agreed upon by both parties.

Bigler claims that the process was never followed because he was never asked to have a third-party negotiator represent him. He also says TC Energy never contacted him to help choose a mutually agreed upon third negotiator.

“Treat me fair. Go back to your word when I started,” Bigler said. “Yes, you can plant softwoods.”

With the cleared section of land and an uncertain path forward, Bigler says he does not know what the future holds for his farm.

“How do you hope this situation ends?” Investigative Reporter Ben Jordan asked.

“I hope I can get my land back the way it was,” Bigler responded.

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 Kirk Tupaj

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    UTICA, New York (WKTV) — Two 13-year-old boys jumped into action to save a young girl from drowning while swimming.

Ayham Alzanam and his cousin Alksaam Alterri were on their way to swim when they saw a girl in water about 4 to 5 feet deep struggling.

The boys said the girl may not have realized how deep the water was and started to panic.

“So, there was a couple people here. There were a lot of people here. A lot of grownups, and there were teenagers there. There was one like right next to her. Someone like directly right next to her but did not help,” Ayham Alzanam said.

Older teenagers were nearby watching, but Alzanam and Alterri decided to help.

“I thought she was going to be dead because no one was helping. Like everyone’s just watching and standing there as she’s drowning,” Alzanam said.

The boys pulled the girl to the shoreline, called 911, and started CPR. The girl’s father was nearby and took over CPR.

Ayham’s brother Ayman Alzanam called the boys heroes.

“It’s very concerning that the girl almost died. They’re the only ones that did all the work by calling the police and the emergencies to come,” Ayman Alzanam said.

Ayham’s father Jamil Alzanam said he is proud of his son.

“Ayham is skinny, but he go in the water, and he tried to help the lady and push on her and called the police, and he tried to call me, but I’m working and can’t answer the phone, and he called his mommy,” Jamil Alzanam said.

Utica Police said after three days in the hospital, the girl is expected to make a full recovery.

“They tell me you are a superhero,” Alksaam Alterri said.

“They’re just saying you’re a hero and stuff, and I just say ok because it’s like… it’s the right thing to do. It’s not a hero. It’s the right thing to do,” Ayham Alzanam 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 Esme Murphy

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    MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (WCCO) — Monday marks six years since George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis.

People gathered at 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, also known as George Floyd Square, throughout the day to remember and celebrate his life. The somber remembrance was sprinkled with joy at the site of his death.

Floyd’s uncle, Selwyn Jones, got the news the morning after May 25, 2020.

“I basically think, going back through the time, because when I heard what happened to my nephew, on the 26th, my whole life changed. The whole world changed,” Jones said.

George Floyd’s girlfriend, Courteney Ross, delivered books to one of the many stands that held memorabilia about a man whose death changed a city and a nation.

“Floyd would like it like this. Floyd would like everybody celebrating. He never liked to see tears in anybody’s eyes. I tell everybody whenever he saw anyone in need, he would take his big arm and wrap it around them,” Ross said.

There are a few new businesses in the area, including a photo studio in which Kingdemetrius Pendleton displays his work, which focuses on the killing and destructive aftermath.

“I am asking that people don’t just come out on this particular day, but come out all particular times because this community needs their help,” Pendleton said.

Among those who lived through the trauma was Terrill Griffin, one of the Minneapolis firefighters who helped save Minneapolis from burning.

“I feel like there is a tremendous amount of growth that can take place here, a tremendous amount of healing still has to come forward,” Griffin said.

A candlelight vigil at the site took place on Monday around 8 p.m., the hour that Floyd was murdered.

The future of what George Floyd Square will look like remains unresolved. Minneapolis City Council President Elliott Payne said the council will be voting on one proposal in early June, both by a council committee and the full council.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey says work on renovating the area will begin in the summer.

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.