Centralia High School student killed in Boone County crash

KMIZ on June 18, 2026

ABC 17 News Team

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A 17-year-old Centralia High School student and basketball player is dead after a crash in Boone County on Wednesday at 9:45 p.m.

A Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report said the 17-year-old failed to stop at a stop sign on Highway 124 at Gano Chance Road.

The Centralia Panthers basketball team posted that the victim was Hunter Hull. Hull was a junior at Centralia last year and a member of the varsity boys’ basketball team. He also played on a traveling team. A teammate was riding with him and suffered injuries.

“Hunter was an important part of our basketball family, and his loss is felt deeply by his teammates, coaches, classmates, and friends,” the team posted.

The district sent a message to families stating that district counselors will be on campus until 3 p.m. to help students, faculty and staff deal with the loss.

“Please join me in keeping this student’s family and friends in mind in the days and months ahead,” Superintendent Steven Chancellor wrote.

A 28-year-old Columbia woman driving an SUV crossed the center of the road trying to avoid the teen’s vehicle. The woman’s SUV hit the backside of Hull’s vehicle, causing the teen’s vehicle to overturn several times and throwing him from the vehicle.

Hull was taken to University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The 28-year-old woman was taken to Missouri Hospital with serious injuries.

An 18-year-old man from Centralia, Keilin Dorman, was a passenger in Hull’s vehicle, and he was taken to University Hospital with serious injuries. Dorman plays travel basketball on the same team as Hull — JC Elite. The team identified him in a post Thursday morning and said he remained hospitalized with serious injuries.

Dorman also played at Hallsville High School.

This is Troop F’s sixth death for June.

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How Founding Father Benjamin Franklin’s ideas have helped scientists understand climate change

CNN Newsource on June 18, 2026

By Brandon Goldner

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    PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (KYW) — Despite living and walking the streets of Philadelphia 250 years ago, the research conducted by America’s Founding Fathers continues to play a pivotal role in helping scientists understand how the Earth’s climate is changing.

One of those innovations can be found inside the Franklin Institute along the Parkway.

The museum is home to the first known lightning rod, which Benjamin Franklin crafted in 1749.

“Probably the most monumental, arguably, invention of Benjamin Franklin,” Susannah Carroll, the Franklin Institute’s director of collections, said. “It was very effective. It was bent twice by lightning strikes.”

Franklin’s goal for the lightning rod was to prevent fires, a topic he was familiar with because he also co-founded the nation’s first volunteer fire company.

Today, lightning rods can be found on top of skyscrapers around the world, including the iconic spire topping One Liberty Place in Center City.

Carroll said Franklin also shaped the path for present-day meteorologists, like CBS Philadelphia’s Grant Gilmore, who track a range of weather patterns, including an ongoing trend of progressively warmer temperatures due to pollution from cars and factories.

“It was our Founding Fathers who started those initial note-taking and weather observations for what we can look back on,” Gilmore said. “In 2026, our averages are about 5 to 7 degrees warmer than when they were back in 1776.”

Scientists and researchers, including Jen Brady, a senior analyst and research manager at the science nonprofit Climate Central, point to rising temperatures as being a key reason for the spike in dangerous weather patterns.

“We’ve seen a large increase in the number of severe storms, which includes these hailstorms, lightning storms, thunderstorms,” Brady said. “There is some early evidence that we are going to see more lightning as well because of climate change.”

Carroll said if Franklin were alive in the 21st century, he would’ve likely been interested in researching the effects of climate change.

“He was trying to solve a problem for humanity,” Carroll said. “He was trying to make the world a better place.”

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.

Baltimore Ravens invest $1 million in the city’s gun violence prevention initiative

CNN Newsource on June 18, 2026

By Kaicey Baylor

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    BALTIMORE, Maryland (WJZ) — The Baltimore Ravens are investing $1 million in gun violence prevention initiatives across the city.

The announcement coincided with Tuesday’s “Baltimore Together: A Violence Prevention Summit at M&T Bank Stadium,” an event supported by the Ravens as part of this investment.

“There isn’t a more important threshold, piece of work, that really the community is engaged in right now other than saving lives,” Baltimore Ravens President Sashi Brown said. “We had to educate ourselves and have a lot of conversations on how to engage as a football team because this is a really difficult issue for anybody to dive into. For us, it was really about, it’s life-saving work. Reducing from 300-plus homicides to 133. It’s 200 Baltimore citizens alive today.”

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott applauded the investment.

“They are not just a sports team in the city of Baltimore but of the city,” Scott said. “They’re involved in something as critical as reducing violence in the city of Baltimore. We would not be where we are without their investment.”

Partnerships curb gun violence in Baltimore Here are the grant recipients:

The Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE): The funding supports technical assistance from the University of Pennsylvania’s Crime and Justice Policy Lab to expand the Group Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS). This research-backed model has already demonstrated significant success in Baltimore, reducing homicides and shootings by roughly one-third in the Western District.

MedStar Health Hospital Violence Responder (HVR) Program: Funding provides emergency assistance to victims of gun violence, domestic violence, and human trafficking treated at local MedStar Health hospitals to help cover costs for shelter, clothing, food, and other essential needs. This support also expands community education efforts, including Stop the Bleed, Hands-Only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training for students, and a broader reach for gun violence prevention programming across Baltimore.

Everytown for Gun Safety: This investment will be used to finance a series of conflict resolution and gun violence prevention training tours across Baltimore high schools. This sustained investment has already demonstrated measurable impact, reaching hundreds of local students and generating nearly one million social media views to foster long-term safety within the community.

Roca Maryland: The Ravens’ multi-year investment will be used to advance Roca’s evidence-based violence intervention work in Baltimore, where the organization currently serves more than 350 of the city’s highest-risk young men annually. Roca’s proven model combines relentless outreach, Rewire CBT – a non-clinical adaptation of cognitive-behavioral therapy – and transitional employment to help young people turn away from violence, heal trauma and accomplish long-term behavior change.

University of Maryland R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center: This investment has allowed Shock Trauma to create and host collaborative forums, such as the Baltimore Together: A Violence Prevention Summit, which brings leaders from across city, state and federal government, healthcare, universities and community organizations together to foster stronger alignment of goals and forge partnerships. These efforts leverage each organization’s unique strengths, perspectives and expertise toward developing long-term solutions to gun violence.

Healing Through Storytelling: Johns Hopkins Medicine: This commitment supports the strategic expansion of the “This Is My Story” (TIMS) initiative across Johns Hopkins trauma units and the creation of the Johns Hopkins Medicine “Champions for Change” Fellowship, a paid leadership program that engages Baltimore youth impacted by violence in storytelling, advocacy and healing practices.

Baltimore Violence Prevention Summit Baltimore leaders said cracking down on gun violence takes teamwork and conversations, looking at the city’s history of violence and collaborating on ways to keep crime levels down.

“The numbers in the last six weeks are not as good as they have been in the more recent past,” said University of Maryland R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center Physician-in-Chief Tom Scalea. “We need to double down.”

Baltimore Police have recorded 44 homicides so far this year. Around this same time last year, the city marked 58.

Recent data show a 60% reduction in homicides between 2022 and 2025, with non-fatal shootings down by 50%, reflecting the impact of coordinated efforts among community groups, public agencies and healthcare partners.

“This year, we want to be better,” Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said. “The only way we can continue to do that … is by working together to cure Baltimore of gun violence.”

During Tuesday’s summit, city and community leaders gathered to address the root cause of violence and connect on ways to reduce it across the city.

“Think about what life is like now that you’ve been in this work,” Scott said. Think about what you can do to take it to the next level.”

“Having these types of resources allows us to think about how we invest upstream within our communities to form partnerships within the community that can help in the conversation around how we drive prevention,” University of Maryland Medical System President & CEO Mohan Suntha 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.

Father found dead in Boston assisted living home was ignored for 9 days, sons say in lawsuit

CNN Newsource on June 18, 2026

By Matt Schooley, Kristina Rex

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    BOSTON, Massachusetts (WBZ) — A man who died in an assisted living home in Boston went unnoticed for nine days and was decomposing when he was found, according to a lawsuit filed by his family in Massachusetts.

Felipe Dip was a resident of Chestnut Park at Cleveland Circle in Brighton when he was found dead on July 21, 2023. According to a lawsuit filed by his two sons Tuesday in Suffolk Superior Court, his body was “badly decomposed” when employees discovered him.

Dip’s sons are suing the facility’s owner, Benchmark Senior Living, and an employee who is only identified as John Doe because the family does not know the worker’s name.

Benchmark Senior Living said in a statement they “strongly disagree” with the accusations.

“The health and safety of our residents is our top priority. Though we cannot comment fully on the merits of active litigation, we strongly disagree with the description of the events and allegations contained in the lawsuit and will defend against them,” the company said.

A spokesperson for the family’s attorney, Thomas Flaws, released a statement about the lawsuit Wednesday.

“The family of Felipe Dip has filed this lawsuit to learn the truth about what happened to their father and to hold those responsible accountable,” Flaws said. “Mr. Dip was entrusted to the care of an assisted living facility that families rely on to keep their loved ones safe. The allegations in this case raise serious questions about whether that trust was honored. Our focus now is on a thorough and transparent examination of the facts. The family deserves answers, and we intend to pursue them through the legal process.”

According to the lawsuit, the John Doe “was specifically assigned the responsibility of monitoring Felipe Dip and conducting regular welfare checks to ensure his safety and well-being.” Dip’s sons said there was a motion-sensing camera system to detect any movement in his room. They claim the last time any motion was detected there was “on or about July 12, 2023.”

The sons said over the next nine days their father would have been expected to show up for regular meals. They claim 27 meals went by and no one ever checked on their father in his room. According to the lawsuit, any missed meal “should have triggered a welfare check by staff.”

Dip’s sons, Ricardo Dip Calimano and Benjamin Dip Gerber, are suing for two counts of negligence, and one count of negligent infliction of emotional distress.

“The Defendants’ negligent failure to monitor, check on, or otherwise attend to Felipe Dip for a period of approximately nine days … was conduct so far beyond the bounds of reasonable care as to foreseeably cause severe emotional distress to members of Felipe Dip’s immediate family,” the lawsuit reads.

The sons want a jury trial and are seeking judgement “for all damages available under Massachusetts law.”

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.

Foresters overwhelm Philippines Baseball Group 18 zip

KEYT on June 18, 2026

Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – It was a game to fill up the box score as Santa Barbara routed the overmatched Philippines Baseball Group 18-0.

The Foresters led 6-0 after the second inning and it was 14-0 after five innings were completed.

They had 16 hits and walked 11 times.

Addison Klepsch and Joseph Sandusky each drove in four runs.

Cole Chamberlain knocked in three runs and had the lone home run in the game.

Hunter Vincent pitched five innings of 2-hit shutout ball with 11 strikeouts. He did walk six batters.

Five pitchers in all combined for a 4-ht shutout and they totaled 19 strikeouts.

Santa Barbara has won 5 straight games to move to 9-1.

They host the San Luis Blues on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. from Santa Barbara High School.

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Madras City Council selects Brenda Fahey as city administrator

KTVZ on June 18, 2026

Spencer Sacks

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Madras City Council has identified Brenda Fahey as its preferred candidate for the position of City Administrator. The Council directed the preparation of an employment agreement for consideration at its June 23, 2026, meeting.

Fahey, who currently serves as Assistant City Manager and Human Resources Director for the City of The Dalles, brings more than 25 years of public sector experience to the role.

This decision follows a comprehensive recruitment process by the City Council. The process included community engagement opportunities, interviews with staff and external panels and formal interviews conducted by the City Council.

Fahey’s background includes executive leadership, organizational development, human resources, labor relations, public communications, budgeting and guiding organizations through periods of change and growth.

The City Administrator serves as Madras’ chief administrative officer. This role is responsible for implementing City Council direction, overseeing daily operations, supporting department leadership and advancing organizational priorities in service to the community.

The City of Madras has maintained continuity of operations through a leadership transition since January. Public Works Director Jeff Hurd served as Interim City Administrator through February. The City Council then managed the city while the recruitment process was underway. Interim City Administrator David Clyne joined the organization in April to provide leadership and support the City’s transition efforts. City employees continued to provide essential services throughout this period.

Clyne, Interim City Administrator, reflected on the recruitment process and Fahey’s qualifications. “Over the past several months, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside an incredibly dedicated team of employees and community partners who care deeply about the future of Madras. Through change and transition, our staff has continued to provide exceptional service while remaining focused on the work that matters most to our residents.”

Clyne added, “Throughout this recruitment process, the City Council, staff and community invested significant time and energy in identifying the right person to help lead Madras into its next chapter. I believe Fahey brings the experience, perspective and collaborative leadership style needed to build on the strong foundation already in place.”

Clyne expressed hope for a smooth transition, stating, “Leadership transitions are important moments for any organization. My hope is that our staff, our community and our partners will come together to welcome Brenda, share what makes Madras such a special place and give her the opportunity to learn from the people who know this community best. Madras has a long history of resilience, pride and working together and I know those qualities will continue to serve the City well in the years ahead.”

If the employment agreement is approved by the City Council, an anticipated July start date for Fahey would allow for a collaborative transition period before Clyne’s contract concludes on Aug. 1. The City of Madras extended its appreciation to employees, community partners, residents and stakeholders who participated in the recruitment process.

The City Council is expected to consider an employment agreement for Fahey at its June 23, 2026, meeting. If approved, Fahey is anticipated to begin serving as City Administrator in July.

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Yuma City Council approves $556 million fiscal year 2027 budget

KYMA on June 18, 2026

Moses Femino

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma City Council has officially approved the City of Yuma’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget, a spending plan totaling more than $556 million that will fund city operations, infrastructure improvements and long-term capital projects.

The approved budget includes more than $350 million for city operations and maintenance, covering essential services provided to residents throughout the city.

The budget also dedicates more than $215 million toward the city’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP), which outlines major projects planned from Fiscal Year 2027 through Fiscal Year 2031.

Deputy Mayor Leslie McClendon said the capital improvement investments are critical to Yuma’s continued growth and quality of life.

“All the projects affect the residents here,” McClendon said. “It’s the community that is beneficial with the CIP. It’s quality of life, it’s economic development. We could not survive as a community or grow as a community without these projects.”

The CIP includes a variety of roadway, park and infrastructure projects funded through a combination of bond proceeds and grant funding. City officials say those projects are designed to address current community needs while preparing for future development.

Mayor Doug Nicholls said one of the ongoing challenges for city leaders is balancing changes in revenue while continuing to provide essential services residents rely on every day.

“Anytime there’s change in revenue, most of those changes have to be figured out,” Nicholls said. “How we’re going to do that and not impact those critical services because they are such a large part of the budget.”

City leaders say the newly approved budget will support infrastructure improvements and other major projects across Yuma over the next several years as the city continues to invest in future growth.

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Old Time Fiddlers return to Mud Lake Museum for 11th year

KIFI on June 18, 2026

Dylan Carder

MUD LAKE, Idaho (KIFI)- The sounds of strings filled up the Mud Lake Museum in Jefferson County Wednesday night. The Old Time Fiddlers came to perform for the 11th year in a row. It has become a beloved tradition in the community. For the band, it’s also one of the highlights of their year.

Fiddle player Teresa Mortensen says Mud Lake is one of their favorite places to play because the whole community comes out. “They love us and we love them, and that’s fun.”

The event is always free to attend. The money that is collected is given to right to the band.

“It’s kind of little fundraiser for them,” says Trish Petersen, who runs the museum. “We don’t collect any money except for donations for them.”

The Old Time Fiddlers are made up local musicians from Eastern Idaho and brings people from around the area when they perform. One of the band members is 92 years old and didn’t start playing the fiddle until she was 75. Mortensen says if you’d like to learn to play, come and join them.

“Come out and hang out. Learn how much fun it is while you’re learning.”

For the Mud Lake Museum, the yearly performance is also a chance to show people the hidden gem found in west Jefferson county.

“This museum brings in a lot of people passing by or is going to Craters of the Moon or going to Yellowstone,” says museum volunteer Debbie Caudle.

This year the museum has some special events planned to go along the the America 250 celebration. You can find more information on the Mud Lake Museum and the planned events here.

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Hill Climbers will honor their fathers at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

KRDO on June 18, 2026

Rob Namnoum

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — While some dads will spend Father’s Day on the golf course. The Father-Son Duo of Dan and Trevor Aweida will be going pedal to the metal, side by side, up America’s Mountain.

“It’s unbelievable. I wouldn’t be here without my dad,” says Trevor Aweida.

Trevor started out as his dad’s crew chief, but over time, that role shifted-putting him behind the wheel as a driver himself.

While some racers will share the moment together. Others will be carrying their Fathers with them in spirit.

Ben Ryan is racing in honor of his dad, who passed away just days before his first Hill Climb run back in 2023.

“Decided to build this car as a legacy build dedicated to our dads this year, and ironically, Richard still had his dad’s original 1968 Roadrunner,” says Ryan.

Ryan teamed up with Richard Tomlin, whose father was killed in the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. Together, they built a car inspired by their dad’s favorite rides, nicknamed “Big Bird.”

The car is more than just a race machine.

“We have no expectations as far as a time. We just want to go up there, put on a show for the fans, and do it for our fathers,” says Tomlin.

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Man accused of helping Moberly murder suspect evade police gets bond

KMIZ on June 18, 2026

Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man who is accused of helping a murder suspect evade law enforcement was given a bond during a hearing on Wednesday.

Skyler Powell, 24, of Moberly, is charged with hindering a felony prosecution. He is accused of helping hide Alayna Mason after she allegedly stole a Randolph County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle.

Mason, 20, is one two people who was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Kayla Huff. Mason was also charged with first-degree kidnapping, as well as stealing a vehicle, stealing a gun and escaping confinement in the patrol vehicle theft case.

Powell was being held without bond, but it was reduced to $250,000 on Wednesday, according to court filings. He is still listed on the jail’s online roster. His next hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19.

Mason has a hearing scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, June 24.

Powell was allegedly an “overnight guest” at Mason’s residence on May 7, court documents in previous reporting say. Previous reporting shows Mason allegedly told him that she stole a patrol vehicle and Powell “permitted” Mason to hide herself in the basement of the building. He also allegedly cut Mason’s handcuffs.

Hunter Ames, 19, is also charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, tampering with evidence, second-degree burglary and first-degree property damage. He is being held at the Randolph County Jail without bond. His next hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday, July 23.

Christopher Hull, 23, is charged with kidnapping, tampering with evidence, second-degree burglary and first-degree property damage. He is being held without bond and a hearing is set for 1:30 p.m. Monday, July 6.

Julian Mason, 26, is charged with kidnapping, tampering with evidence, second-degree burglary and first-degree property damage. He is also being held without bond and has a hearing set for 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 8. A juvenile is also accused in the case.

Huff, 16, was last seen May 6 before her body was found about a week later.

A probable cause statement says Alayna Mason told investigators that she, with help from Ames and Hull, had taken Huff to the Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area in Randolph County with an unknown person in the trunk of a vehicle, where they beat and shot her. Ames allegedly told investigators that the group killed Huff, court documents in previous reporting show.

Hull, Ames and Julian Mason allegedly poured oil or antifreeze into Huff’s gas tank the night of her death, according to court documents.

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