Emmett Till’s cousin, Jim Crow architect’s great-great-great-grandson inspire others with friendship

CNN Newsource on May 25, 2026

By Lissette Nuñez

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    SUMMIT, Illinois (WLS) — Emmett Till’s cousin and the great-great-great-grandson of the Jim Crow laws architect hope to inspire others as they share their friendship.

It was reunion that some would not expect during Memorial Day weekend.

“I can remember when Emmett was kidnapped and murdered. I was there when they took him,” said Till’s cousin, Argo Temple Church of God in Christ Rev. Wheeler Parker Jr.

Parker came together with Charles Sims, the great-great-great-grandson of James Z. George, a late U.S. senator from Mississippi.

“My great-great-great-grandfather authored the 1890 constitution, which he became the primary author of the Jim Crow law. So, for me, coming here, I think, it is long overdue,” Sims said.

The two met in Washington, D.C. last year at the Smithsonian. Parker invited Sims to his church in Summit to worship and speak at his congregation, something that Sims took him up on.

The two families’ histories are worlds apart and filled with pain, but Sunday was about healing.

“That’s why I’m here, I think, to show the unity in the community, to show brotherhood, and to show that we can reach across party and racial lines,” Sims said.

“Having Charles here and willing to stand up and come forth and acknowledge the wrongs, without any animosity or real hate, just to talk about history, shows how far we’ve come and how much work we still need to do,” Parker said.

Their message on Sunday is meant to inspire hope that even through divisive times, love can win.

“Love is stronger than pain, that we all have the ability to sit down to show love and bring that unity back to the community, even if it took 80 years or 150 years,” Sims 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.

Search underway after jet ski found adrift in Hawaii

CNN Newsource on May 25, 2026

By Island News Web Staff

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    HONOLULU (KITV) — The Coast Guard and partner agencies are searching for a missing man in the water off the North Shore of Oahu after an unattended jet ski was found adrift in Haleiwa waters.

56-year-old Anthony Empting was last seen departing Haleiwa Harbor on Saturday morning riding a personal watercraft. A boater found the watercraft near Dillingham Airfield in Waialua.

Empting is described as 6’1” and 150 lbs. Honolulu Ocean Safety Department personnel discovered keys in the ignition with a life jacket and personal effects on board the watercraft.

Missing man on jet ski

Coast Guard Sector Honolulu command center watchstanders received a report at 10:50 a.m. Saturday from Ocean Safety crews of an unmanned and adrift black jet ski approximately 1 mile offshore.

Watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and coordinated the launch of a helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point.

The crew of fast response cutter USCGC Joseph Gerczak was also diverted to assist. Multiple agencies are involved in the search, including Coast Guard Sector Honolulu, Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, USCGC Joseph Gerczak, Honolulu Fire Department and Honolulu Ocean Safety Department.

Anyone with information that may assist in search efforts should contact the Coast Guard VHF-FM channel 16 or call the Sector Honolulu command center at 1-800-552-6458.

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.

Atlanta Dream hold off Phoenix Mercury 82-80 to remain WNBA’s top team at 4-1

CNN Newsource on May 25, 2026

By Christopher Harris

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    ATLANTA (WUPA) — The Atlanta Dream refused to lose Sunday, rallying from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Phoenix Mercury 82-80 in front of their 47th consecutive sold-out crowd at Gateway Center Arena.

Rhyne Howard led Atlanta with 21 points and eight rebounds. Allisha Gray added 18 points and Jordin Canada contributed 11. Angel Reese recorded her third double-double of the season, finishing with 17 points and 10 rebounds.

The comeback was anything but clean. Atlanta trailed by as many as 10 in the fourth quarter before head coach Karl Smesko called a timeout to regroup. What followed was a series of clutch plays from the Dream.

Isobel Borlase hit a huge three-pointer off the bench that ignited a 7-0 run and pulled Atlanta within two with 1:29 remaining in the game. Howard then drilled back-to-back threes, including a go-ahead three with 24.9 seconds left that put Atlanta on top 79-75. Canada added a three-point play to stretch the lead to 76-75 before Howard’s decisive shot.

Phoenix did not go quietly. Kahleah Copper answered Howard’s go-ahead three with one of her own to pull the Mercury within one at 79-78. After getting fouled, Allisha Gray then stepped to the line and knocked down two clutch free throws with eight seconds remaining to push the lead to 84-80. The Dream then fouled Copper, who made two of three free throws on the final possession to cut the deficit to two, but Angel Reese sealed the win with a steal on the game’s final play.

Smesko said his team’s ability to stay composed under pressure was the difference.

“That was high-level intensity from the jump,” Smesko said after the game. “Phoenix came out and they were playing at a playoff intensity. They took it to us early. They got the lead in the fourth to double digits. Sometimes we let some calls and stuff get to us, but we regrouped just in time. So many players made big plays down the stretch. Borlase hit a big shot, Rhy hits those big threes. You put Naz in the game to try to rebound a free throw. She gets the offensive rebound, gets it out to Lish who makes both free throws. So many great plays and we needed every last one of them.”

Smesko also credited Phoenix for pushing his team to the brink.

“Phoenix came out and they were ready,” he said. “They were hitting tough shots, they made plays and they hung around. Fortunately, we had the last run of the game.”

Reese credited the collective effort and singled out Borlase’s bench contribution as a turning point.

“We try to dominate our matchups as best as we can,” Reese said. “Shout out to Izzy, she came in off the bench and gave us some big shots. Everybody contributes in their small little ways and everybody just shows up. That’s what Atlanta basketball looks like.”

Canada, who finished with 14 assists and three steals in addition to her 11 points, kept perspective on being the league’s top team despite the close call.

“It feels good but it’s the start of the season,” Canada said. “We just want to continue getting better. That’s what we preach every day. We can’t get complacent, it’s only been five games, but we want to continue playing our best.”

For Phoenix, Copper and Alyssa Thomas each finished with 20 points, but it was not enough. The Mercury fall to 2-5 on the season. Atlanta improves to 4-1 and remains the No. 1 team in the WNBA.

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.

New Details: A 6-year-old girl dies after trailer incident near Suttle Lake

KTVZ on May 25, 2026

Tracee Tuesday

JEFFERSON COUNTY (KTVZ) — A 6-year-old child died on May 23, 2026, after being struck by a vehicle towing a travel trailer near Link Creek Campground at Suttle Lake. The child was transported via air ambulance to St. Charles Bend, where they were later pronounced deceased. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is leading the response to the incident.

Emergency services were alerted at approximately 1:52 p.m. regarding a medical emergency involving a child unconscious and not breathing after being struck. The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and cooperated fully with authorities. Investigators have found no indication of impairment or criminal behavior in connection with the incident.

Family members and nearby campers immediately initiated life-saving efforts after the incident. Adults from nearby campsites assisted in providing aid while family members transported the child to a designated landing zone for the air ambulance. Deputies arrived at the intersection of Highway 20 and Suttle Lake Road at approximately 2:30 p.m., where the child was transferred to an air ambulance for transport to St. Charles Bend. A Five-year-old child witness, who was with the 6-year-old, provided information about the events leading up to the incident.

According to the child witness, the two children had run from the lakeshore area to their campsite to retrieve a stuffed animal. They were returning toward the lake area when the incident occurred. The child witness stated she stopped when she observed a vehicle towing a travel trailer approaching. Based on the investigation, authorities believe the 6-year-old child unknowingly entered the area between the tow vehicle and travel trailer combination, resulting in contact with the trailer. Witnesses reported that the vehicle and trailer were moving at an extremely slow speed at the time. Information gathered indicates the children approached from the right rear area of the tow vehicle and trailer combination. Investigators believe this area may have limited the driver’s visibility, contributing to the driver not realizing an impact had occurred. The driver, a man from the Portland area, cooperated with responders.

Responding agencies, including the Oregon State Police, Black Butte Police Department, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District, documented the scene and assisted medical personnel. Deputies remained with the child’s family, who are from the Redmond area, providing support alongside hospital chaplains and Oregon State Police personnel. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office extends condolences to the family and those affected by the tragedy and will not release identifying information regarding the child or relatives, out of respect for the family’s privacy.

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Identical twins graduate number 1 and 2 in Vista Ridge High School class

KRDO on May 25, 2026

Michael Logerwell

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Every high school class across the country has a valedictorian and a salutatorian, but how often are those positions earned by identical twins?

This weekend, Eva and Ella Paddock added their names to that exclusive list. Ella, the valedictorian, and Eva, the salutatorian.

“We’re always like striving to be the best, but it’s hard when there’s someone who’s exactly like you doing the exact same stuff, so she always keeps me on my toes, and she always makes sure we’re like achieving as much as possible,” Ella said.

Both are attending Colorado State University in Fort Collins this Fall. Eva will be studying to become a biomedical engineer, and Ella a sports nutritionist. Staying in the same state, let alone country, to continue their studies has been a rarity for the twins so far.

The pair was born on a United States Air Force base in the United Kingdom. That was where they first started their education. Then they ping-pongged around the globe, going to Texas, then New Jersey, then Germany, before finally coming to Colorado Springs.

The whole time, pushing each other to achieve and supporting each other.

“I get asked a lot how I feel about being like the second because she’s the 1st and, you know, comparison and all that,” Eva said. “But honestly, I see all the work that she’s put in, and I don’t think, even including myself, I don’t think there’s a more deserving individual out there to be valedictorian.”

Congratulations to Eva, Ella, and the rest of the Vista Ridge graduating class of 2026!

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Soldiers killed in Iran will be honored at Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony

KMIZ on May 25, 2026

Alison Patton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The United States Exercise Tiger Foundation will honor six U.S. Army soldiers from an Iowa unit who died during the Iran conflict in March at a Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony Monday morning in Columbia.

“No matter what anybody may think of what we’re doing or why we’re doing it. We honor the sacrifice the men and women who are somebodies fathers, sons, daughters who are lost. Those six from Iowa are the closest that we know of today, and so we’re honoring them and the others as well,” Walter Domanski, a USETF public affairs deputy director, said.

The Iran conflict started at the end of February, and negotiations to end the conflict have been ongoing.

The wreath ceremony will also honor Columbia’s own Sterling Wyatt, who was killed in Afghanistan, Domanski said.

Wyatt’s mom, Sherry Wyatt, brought back the Gold Star Memorial Parade last year after a six year hiatus, according to the parade website.

“When a family loses a family member while in service to our country, the family becomes a Gold Star family. Thus, the reason for changing the name of the parade to the Gold Star Memorial Day Parade is to recognize the sacrifice of our loved ones’ deaths and to remember, honor and recognize them for their service to our great country,” Sherry Wyatt wrote.

The day will start with the Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony at 9 a.m. at the Boone County Courthouse. The ceremony is expected to last about 40 minutes, with local veterans’ organizations presenting wreaths and music from the Columbia Community Band, the Boone County Fire Protection District Pipes and Drums, and the American Legion Post 202 Honor Guard will do the military fire arms salute.

The parade will follow that ceremony, starting around 10 a.m., and it will step off on East Broadway Street, with VIP seating in between North Eighth and Ninth Streets.

Parade map courtesy of the CoMo Gold Star Parade.

The Gold Star Wreath Laying Ceremony will follow the parade and is estimated to start around 11:15 a.m. back at the Boone County Courthouse. This ceremony will be for gold star families.

The title “Gold Star” is reserved for families of military members who died in the line of duty. It is meant to honor the service member’s ultimate sacrifice while acknowledging their family’s loss, grief and continued healing.

A flag ceremony and the 21 gun salute will follow.

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The importance of Memorial Day – What it means for local Veterans

KIFI on May 25, 2026

Kaelyn Blessinger

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Memorial Day is a time for us to honor the brave veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice and gave their lives for our freedom.

There are over 16,000 Veterans in Southeast Idaho, and thousands more across the state, all who are taking the time to remember their fallen friends this weekend.

“We don’t want to forget our veterans,” Robert “Bob” Skinner, a retired U.S. Navy Veteran, said. “The veterans have fought for our freedom. Some have even died for our freedom. And the veterans write a blank check when they start military service, payable up to and including their life.”

Idahoans are remembering the many veterans that are no longer with us. From placing American flags on their graves, to remembrance speeches, and many gathering together to remember the lives of the departed Veterans.

“I’d like to honor Staff Sergeant Daniel Kerr. He was one of our groomsmen that we served with in the Air Force at our first duty assignment was in our wedding, and he served for eight years,” Mindi Anderson, a retired U.S. AirForce Veteran reflected. “He came back with a lot of trauma from the war. We could see that he was struggling after he got out of the military. And unfortunately, just over time, it really was too much to bear for him and not getting the resources and the services that he needed. He ultimately ended up committing suicide.”

“I went to recruit training with Sean Cordell, he didn’t come back from Iraq,” Scott Brown a retired U.S. Marine Corps Veteran reminisced. “He was kind of the class clown of the platoon. He was always doing funny things. Wild, out of control things that if the drill sergeant ever found out what he was doing, we all would have got in trouble.”

Memorial Day is a day to remember but honoring and reflecting doesn’t always have to be somber.

“I don’t want Memorial Day to be just, you know, remembering those who have just paid the price,” Brown said. “Let’s celebrate the individuals themselves and remember who they were as a person, before they were in the service. And, you know, sharing stories of fallen service members is fantastic.

Telling stories, recounting memories, reliving moments; that is what Memorial Day is really about. Remembering our fallen veterans for who they were and the impact they’ve left on our lives.

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Colorado Springs Police investigating homicide at Old Colorado City gas station

KRDO on May 25, 2026

Michael Logerwell

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Yellow police tape and a swarm of police cars took over the 7/11 gas station along 21st Street on Sunday afternoon.

Colorado Springs Police confirm one person is dead after a shooting. One person is in custody in connection with the shooting. They have not been publicly identified and we’re still waiting to learn what specific criminal charges they stand to face.

No police officers or bystanders were injured in the shooting. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

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Mill 3 Fire in Jefferson County near Warm Springs

KTVZ on May 24, 2026

Claire Elmer

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Mill 3 Fire, burning in the northwest region of Jefferson County near Warm Springs, was first reported on May 23, 2026, at 6:42 p.m. The single update from Watch Duty notes the size at six acres with the cause of the blaze currently undetermined.

Additional incident details from the Western Fire Chiefs, IRWIN, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) indicate the Mill 3 Fire has grown 14 acres, reaching 20 acres. The last update was at May 24, 2026 at 1:42 a.m. PDT.

The containment status for the Mill 3 Fire is currently not provided. KTVZ News will continue following this fire and will keep you updated with any additional information.

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YPD urge drivers to avoid impaired driving this Memorial Day weekend

KYMA on May 24, 2026

Lauren Duffel

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – With Memorial Day coming up, the Yuma Police Department (YPD) is urging drivers to practice safe driving this weekend.

It only takes one bad decision to end up in this position, which is why YPD is urging locals to practice safe driving this weekend.

Officer Hayato Johnson with YPD said, “It’s all for safety. The normal reaction time…normal thought process isn’t right when you’re drinking and impaired so if you’re out there on the road, you’re a hazard not only to yourself but others.”

Impaired driving is one of America’s most common and deadliest crimes, but also one of the most avoidable by properly planning ahead to avoid serious consequences.

“If you’re having a few drinks probably consider a DD or Uber, Lyft. Again, we can’t stress enough that a $20 Uber ride is better than thousands of dollars in court fees if you get pulled over for DUI,” Officer Johnson said.

By planning ahead this weekend, we can all make Yuma a safer place to drive for everyone in the community.

One local urged other drivers on the road to be safe, saying, “Slow down, drive safe, and don’t drink and drive.”

As the holiday weekend continues, there’s a safe way to celebrate Memorial Day. Stay safe on the road and look out for one another.

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