Woman celebrates 100th birthday with honorary diploma from Saguaro High School

CNN Newsource on June 12, 2026

By Elenee Dao

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    SCOTTSDALE, AZ (KNXV) — This week, Mae Defiel received a surprise of a lifetime: At 99 years old, she finally got her high school diploma!

Defiel attended high school in Cleveland, but her mother pulled her out of school to help the family and work.

Her then-future husband served the country in World War II. After getting married at 21, she and her husband lived in Scottsdale, where they became business owners.

When Defiel’s family asked what she wanted for her 100th birthday in about two weeks, all she said was that she wanted to get her high school diploma.

During the Scottsdale Unified School District’s board meeting this week, Defiel finally got her diploma, complete with a cap and gown. She also became an honorary member of Saguaro High School’s first graduating class.

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.

UPDATE: Widespread Meta outage impacting Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram appears to be resolved

KTVZ on June 12, 2026

Kelsey Merison

(KTVZ) — UPDATE: As of 8:15 a.m., the outage appears to have been resolved.

ORIGINAL REPORT:

If you’re experiencing issues with Meta platforms this morning, you’re not alone.

A wave of access issues affected users of several Meta platforms on Friday morning, with people across multiple countries reporting difficulties using Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger.

Complaints began surfacing early in the day as users encountered unexpected logouts, failed login attempts, and error messages. Others reported that pages would not load properly or that key features were unavailable on both mobile apps and desktop browsers.

By mid-morning, outage-monitoring services showed a sharp increase in reports linked to Meta’s platforms. One tracking site indicated that thousands of users had flagged problems and categorized the situation as a potential service disruption.

Despite the growing number of complaints, Meta had not issued an official statement confirming a widespread outage. Industry observers noted that outage-tracking platforms rely largely on user-submitted reports, meaning the exact scale and cause of the issues remained unclear.

Reports appeared to come from a broad range of regions, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and the Philippines. Many affected users said they had been signed out of their accounts without warning and were unable to regain access despite multiple login attempts.

As users waited for answers, social media platforms outside Meta’s network saw an increase in posts from people seeking updates and sharing their experiences with the disruption.

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Facebook Back Online After Widespread Morning Outage

KIFI on June 12, 2026

News Team

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — If you couldn’t access Facebook this morning, you are not alone. People across the nation are reporting outages with Downdetector.com documenting 123,864 reports of Facebook issues as of 7:47 a.m.

As of 8:21 a.m. Facebook appears to be working once again. Meta confirmed earlier today that they were aware of the outage and were working on the issue, though there is no word yet on the cause.

This is a developing story. Local News 8 will provide an update as more information becomes available.

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Man airlifted to hospital after ‘cave in’ after digging 9-foot hole

CNN Newsource on June 12, 2026

By Michael Martin

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    MAPLETON, Utah (KSTU) — A 24-year-old man is recovering in the hospital after a trench collapsed on him in Mapleton on Thursday evening.

Rescuers said the man was around 9 feet below the ground, working on a residential sewer line, when the trench collapsed and completely buried him.

Mapleton Fire crews were called to the area and, shortly after their arrival, established verbal contact with the man, despite him being almost completely covered in dirt.

City officials also responded to assist in moving approximately 5 yards of earth, and the worker was rescued after about an hour and 40 minutes and transported to the hospital in critical condition.

“A special thank you goes to the Utah County SRT Team, made up of highly trained rescue specialists from agencies throughout the county, who come together to serve our communities during these high-risk, low-frequency technical rescue incidents,” Mapleton Fire posted on social media. “Their skill, technical expertise, and dedication made a tremendous difference and saved a man’s life last night.”

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.

Organ donations are lasting gift from girl killed by falling tree at Pineview Reservoir

CNN Newsource on June 12, 2026

By Jeff Tavss

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    NORTH OGDEN, Utah (KSTU) — The family of a 13-year-old girl who died days after she was hit by a falling tree while visiting Pineview Reservoir said matches have already been made for her organs, which are being donated to help others.

Leina Capanna was with her mom, sister and aunt at the reservoir on Saturday, and had just finished a paddleboarding lesson when she was struck in the head by the tree.

According to a GoFundMe page created by the family, Leina was immediately knocked unconscious and was unresponsive when first responders arrived within minutes and administered lifesaving measures.

Leina was immediately transported to Ogden Regional Hospital, where her family said she “received scans and imaging that were conclusive that the injury was unsurvivable.”

The teen was then taken to Primary Children’s Hospital where it was confirmed that she would not survive, and later died on Tuesday.

Leina’s family shared how she played soccer and volleyball, and was a cello player who had been accepted into the North Ogden Junior High School chamber orchestra.

“She worked just as hard at her music as she did at her sports,” the family said in the GoFundMe. “Above all of this, she was an excellent teammate and friend to everyone on any team she was a part of. She loved people with the same fiery intensity she attacked everything else in her life.”

According to Leina’s family, since the decision was made to donate her organs, matches have already been set for her heart, liver, and both kidneys.

“We appreciate all the love and support we have been given by family, friends, doctors, nurses, and staff that took great care of Leina,” the family wrote. “Our hearts are broken but we know we will see our sweet girl again.

“Smile Like Leina.”

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.

Utah resident caught in drama after building pickleball court

CNN Newsource on June 12, 2026

By Mythili Gubbi

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    SOUTH OGDEN, Utah (KSTU) — A South Ogden resident is in hot water, ordered to reimburse the city for demolition costs after building a pickleball court on city property without the city’s permission.

Manny Cypers has lived in South Ogden for most of his life, and 20 years ago, he moved into the Fox Chase subdivision and maintained the land beyond his property line because he saw what he believed was neglect by officials.

“Every summer the weeds would get this tall, then go away in the winter, and every summer it would come back,” Cypers said. “So that’s what spurred the cleaning it up and neighbors started chipping in.”

Five years ago, Cypers decided to do more than just tidy up and instead built a pickleball court.

“I should have looked into it a little bit more, because this was on the master plan, before this subdivision was ever built, this whole area was supposed to be a Fox Chase HOA park,” he said.

Eventually, city officials caught wind of the project and, according to South Ogden city manager Matthew Dixon, were surprised to find the pickleball court.

“It came to the city’s attention back in September of 2025 that there was a pickleball court constructed on city property,” said Dixon.

Dixon said after months of weighing options such as letting the neighborhood lease the property from the city or making other accommodations, they decided to remove the court entirely due to public infrastructure needs.

“In the event we have to get access to those wetlands, the pickleball court is right in the way and we would have to roll heavy equipment right over the pickleball court,” said Dixon.

To Cyper’s disappointment.

“We have a beautiful park and a great pickleball court and I don’t know what you replace that with that would even come close to how it serves and provides something tangible and fun and it isn’t an eyesore on top of all of that,” he said.

Cypers admitted that while he is a general contractor, he did not know he would need a permit to build the court. He also offered to remove the court himself if he had to, but the city insisted on hiring an outside company to demolish the court and have Cypers reimburse the city.

“We intended it to be, you know, for the benefit and pleasure of everybody, and now it’s just really turned into a nightmare,” he said.

Dixon admitted that while the pickleball court did provide value to the city, access to the wetlands for heavy infrastructure would be more valuable in the end.

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.

Good Vibes Only: 8-year-old participates in national contest, raises funds for wildlife

KVIA on June 12, 2026

Rosemary Garcia

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)— Lily Rodriguez continues to raise money for wildlife following her participation in Colossal’s JR. Ranger Competition. It’s a nationwide campaign that raises awareness and funds for the National Wildlife Federation.

The 8-year-old campaigned around her neighborhood and raised funds to advance in the donation-based competition.

The winner earns $20,000 and enjoys an exclusive wildlife experience with Jeff Corwin.

Lily promised that if she won, she would donate 10% of her winnings to Second Chance Wildlife Rescue in Canutillo.

Out of 80,000 participants, her mother said she advanced to the top 1%. While she did not make it to the final round, Lily continues to raise funds for Second Chance Wildlife Rescue. It’s a nonprofit in Canutillo dedicated to helping injured, abandoned or ill wildlife.

Lily is passionate about nature. When she’s not busy with her schoolwork, you’ll find her outdoors and likely saving any critters she finds alongside her three siblings. Many times it’s her own neighbors who call on her for assistance!

“I like rescuing them,” she told ABC-7.

Lily has already helped save three birds and nurtured them back to health. She then drops them off at Second Chance Wildlife Rescue. It’s there she’s been able to learn from professionals firsthand and deepen her passion for conservation.

“The first one was a little male sparrow I found in my neighbor’s backyard. And then the second one was a pigeon that was stuck,” she explained when asked about the animals she’s helped take care of.

This eagerness is what led Lily’s mother to enter her into the JR. Ranger Competition.

While all four of her children wanted to participate, she didn’t want them to go against each other. So, this year was Lily’s turn to compete.

“It was fun for her. But it has driven her to learn more about wildlife and about how to care, how to respect, how to leave animals in their habitat,” her mother told ABC-7. Lily and her siblings visited neighborhoods asking for donations.

Vicky Fileto, an assistant rehabilitator at Second Chance Wildlife Rescue, said it’s exciting to see young children like Lily so passionate about wildlife and conservation.

“I feel like she’s on a positive trajectory, and I’m excited for her!

Rodriguez said she’s excited to see her daughter leading the way and inspiring others to be the change!

“I feel like I’ve heard her say, she likes to help those who can’t help themselves. She feels a lot of pride.”

Lily said she just wants to make a difference and help Second Chance Wildlife Rescue.

“A lot of animals get hurt every day, and lots of people need somewhere to take them to. But they have nowhere until they come here,” she added.

Rodriguez said she is eager to help another one of her children compete next year.

To learn more about Second Chance Wildlife Rescue’s mission, click here.

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Prehospital blood program already saving lives across central Kentucky

CNN Newsource on June 12, 2026

By Annie Brown

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    Kentucky (WLEX) — Four central Kentucky EMS agencies are already seeing life-saving results from a new prehospital blood transfusion program — and organizers hope to expand it statewide.

Through a partnership with the Kentucky Blood Center and UK Healthcare, the Lexington Fire Department and EMS agencies in Madison, Scott, and Jessamine counties are now equipped with blood and trained to transfuse it while en route to the hospital.

“If you’re bleeding out the time you need blood is as soon as possible, not later,” Jessamine County EMS Assistant Chief Floyd Miracle said.

Each agency keeps a cooler with one unit of universal donor blood in its supervisor vehicle. When a trauma or bleeding call comes in, blood is rushed to the scene. Unused units return to UK Hospital a week before expiration, ensuring nothing goes to waste.

Since the program launched last June, crews have administered prehospital blood in 79 cases across all four departments.

“We are just astonished at how much one unit of blood improves vital signs and improves patients’ outcome,” Miracle said.

The results have exceeded expectations.

“We have seen patients that we thought, historically in the past, that would not live, would have no chance of recovery or a meaningful outcome, walk out of the hospital,” Miracle said.

The initiative took more than five years to develop. Now, organizers are focused on bringing the program to other parts of Kentucky.

“We can’t operate in a silo, we want to lift everyone up and we’re here for support to help any EMS agency carry this product,” Miracle said.

“For us, very few things come up in healthcare and EMS, where we’re like, ‘This is a game changer, this is going to make a big difference for our patients,’ and this is one thing that is that, that we just know, we believe, makes a huge difference,” Miracle said.

A prehospital blood academy is in the works for this fall. If you are part of an EMS agency that would like to get involved, contact Jessamine County EMS at fmiracle@jessamineky.gov

The best way to help save a life is to donate blood. If you’re interested in donating, you can learn how to donate through the Kentucky Blood Center.

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.

Woman facing charges for grabbing, hurting duck from Venetian Fountain, LVMPD says

CNN Newsource on June 12, 2026

By KTNV Staff

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    LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — A woman if facing charges connected to hurting an animal after police say she took a duck from a Las Vegas Strip property.

It happened on June 9 and started around 12:15 p.m., according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

LVMPD received a call from security at the Venetian saying a woman had climbed into the fountain and grabbed a duck, which police referred to as “Daffy” through its arrest report.

Security said they tried to get her on video but lost sight of the woman, but later called police back around 1:29 p.m. saying they saw the lady still had the duck.

In the arrest report, police said Reyes was seen on video surveillance throwing the duck back and forth over 50 times, dropping it to the ground and deliberately spreading its wings without regard to its safety.

Police responded and made contact with the woman, identified as Destiny Reyes. Police said she was immediately uncooperative was placed in handcuffs.

The officers took the duck from her, which appeared to have injuries to its right wing.

When officers tried to speak to Reyes, she was “uncooperative, belligerent and refused to speak about the incident,” according to the police report.

Reyes was arrested on booked on two charges of willful/malicious torture/maim/kill an animal.

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.

Argument between coworkers leads to fatal shooting in downtown Las Vegas, police say

CNN Newsource on June 12, 2026

By KTNV Staff

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    LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Police are investigating a fatal shooting in downtown Las Vegas Friday morning.

It happened around 6 a.m. in the 400 block of N 7th Street, near Las Vegas Boulevard and I-11, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

According to Homicide Lt. Robert Price, LVMPD Dispatch received a 911 call from the suspect saying he had just shot his coworker.

When officers arrived, they found a man inside a business suffering from a gunshot wound. He was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene.

Price said it appears the two were maintenance workers for the city of Las Vegas who had been in an ongoing dispute. That morning, an argument ensued, and one person pulled out a gun and shot the other.

The suspect stayed at the scene and was taken into custody without incident.

This is an ongoing investigation.

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.