Justice Department accuses UC Davis of discrimination in medical school admissions

CNN Newsource on June 11, 2026

By Melissa Joseph

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    SACRAMENTO, California (KCRA) — The U.S. Justice Department has accused UC Davis Medical School of discriminatory practices in its admissions process, claiming the university used race-based methods that violate anti-discrimination laws.

In a six-month investigation, the Justice Department alleged that UC Davis Medical School discriminates based on race when admitting applicants and circumvented a Supreme Court decision banning affirmative action by using class-based variables as proxies. The department stated that the medical school created a “Davis Scale” to adjust the impact of GPA and MCAT scores.

The Justice Department claims Black and Hispanic applicants were admitted to the medical school at rates up to six times higher than White and Asian applicants, despite having lower academic qualifications on average.

The department said it plans to begin settlement talks with the school and, if compliance is not reached, intends to sue.

In a statement, UC Davis Medical School said,”The report’s findings do not accurately reflect the school’s rigorous, individualized, and merit-based admissions process and our firm commitment to complying with applicable federal and state anti-discrimination laws.”

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.

2 sentenced after pleading guilty for roles in viral downtown Cincinnati brawl

CNN Newsource on June 11, 2026

By Fletcher Keel

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    CINCINNATI (WLWT) — Two people who pleaded guilty to their role in last summer’s viral brawl in downtown Cincinnati were sentenced on Wednesday.

Aisha Devaughn was given a sixth-month sentence at River City Correctional Center, with four years of community control. She was then told by a judge to get a job or go to school and do 200 hours of community service.

Gregory Wright was sentenced to three years of community control, 200 hours of community service, ordered to maintain employment or education and a $500 fine.

Jermaine Mathews was also slated to be sentenced Wednesday, but his case was continued.

All three pleaded guilty last month to various charges, including aggravated riot, aggravated assault, and attempted felonious assault.

Mathews, Devaughn, and Wright were all involved in the brawl at 4th and Elm streets last summer that went viral online.

Two others linked to the case have already been sentenced, and two still have their case moving through the courts.

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Man accused of using magnet to steal diesel fuel across the Gulf Coast

CNN Newsource on June 11, 2026

By Kyle Schmidt

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    LEHIGH ACRES, Florida (WBBH) — The Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement arrested a man accused of stealing diesel fuel from multiple gas stations across the Gulf Coast.

Investigators said Juan Reyes-Tellez reportedly stole diesel fuel 10 different times, including at a 7-Eleven off State Road 82 in Lehigh Acres. When he was caught and arrested on June 8, investigators said he was accused of stealing 261 gallons of fuel, totaling over $1,300.

“It must be the gas price, just the economy, everything is expensive now,” Micah Albert of Lehigh Acres said.

Investigators said Reyes-Tellez reportedly carried out the thefts by using a large magnet to manipulate the fuel dispenser, allowing him to fuel up without paying. According to the report, law enforcement found the device behind the driver’s seat of his semitruck.

“I’ve never heard of something like that happening. I know times are tough right now with the gas prices being what they are. I just think that’s crazy,” Jacqueline Nunez of Lehigh Acres said.

Investigators said the reported theft was caught on surveillance video.

Reyes-Tellez is facing charges of three counts of larceny and a moving traffic violation.

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.

‘100% instinctual’: Police officers describe saving 4-year-old from house fire

CNN Newsource on June 11, 2026

By Beth Carlson

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    OMAHA, Nebraska (KETV) — The two Omaha police officers call rescuing a 4-year-old from a house fire “100% instinctual.”

Omaha police released photos from body-worn cameras showing what happened during the rescue near 69th and Mason streets on Tuesday morning.

Officers David Eckstrom and Ian Baxter were responding to an abandoned car in the street near 72nd and Pacific streets when they saw an explosion and a large fire.

“I just kind of glance over to the east, well just east of us, and saw an orange glow, small, and at first thought it was like a little bonfire or something like that,” Baxter said. “It grew extremely rapidly to the point where it ended up being a big fireball.”

Baxter said he radioed to Eckstrom and asked him to go check it out. At the scene, residents told the officers that their 4-year-old son was still in the basement, officials said. Eckstrom kicked out a basement window and called for the child.

“I’m a dad before a cop,” Eckstrom said. “Every kid I see reminds me of my own kids. So just did what I could. It all happened so fast. It’s nothing you can really plan for.”

Omaha police said the child followed the sound of the officers’ voices to the window, where Eckstrom pulled him to safety.

Eckstrom suffered lacerations to his forearms from the broken glass during the rescue.

Officials said the child was treated at the scene for possible smoke inhalation, but otherwise was not injured.

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.

70-year-old man accused of killing his wife

CNN Newsource on June 11, 2026

By Adam Roberts

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    SULPHUR SPRINGS, Arkansas (KHBS, KHOG) — A 70-year-old Sulphur Springs man is accused of capital murder and aggravated assault after police say he shot and killed his wife and then shot himself.

Mark Lee Bramel faces charges of capital murder and aggravated assault, according to court documents.

On June 4, a witness told police that Mark Bramel was looking for remedies for severe abdominal pain when he said, “I got one right here,” and shot his wife, Mary Bramel, in the head, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

The witness and Mark Bramel struggled over the gun before the witness ran outside to call 911. He heard two gunshots from inside the house.

Police arrived and found both Mary and Mark Bramel alive but suffering from gunshot wounds.

Mark Bramel told police that he shot his wife because he was in pain from his cancer and he didn’t want to leave her behind, according to the affidavit.

The affidavit also states he told police his “cancer had gone all the way across” and “I can’t stand the pain no more.”

Mary Bramel had died by June 10, according to the Benton County prosecutor.

Mark Bramel’s court date was scheduled for July 13. A bond was set at $1 million, and a public defender was appointed.

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.

Community gathers to honor life of flight nurse killed in New Mexico plane crash

CNN Newsource on June 11, 2026

By Abby Smith, Marina Garcia

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    COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (KRDO) — The community gathered on Wednesday to celebrate the life and legacy of Jamie Novick, a flight nurse and Air Force veteran who was killed in a medical plane crash on May 14.

Novick died along with three other people when their medical plane went down.

According to ABC, four people on board a medical plane were killed when the flight crashed near Ruidoso, New Mexico. Officials say the Beechcraft King Air 90 had departed from Roswell Air Center and was headed to Sierra Blanca Regional Airport when it crashed around 4 a.m.

Jamie Novick’s family says that before becoming a flight nurse, Jamie spent five years as an ER nurse.

“When we came into the hospital, and we saw Jamie, we knew that the patient was in good hands. It’s a huge loss for our community to be without Jamie,” says Austin Pugh, who worked with Jamie for years as the deputy commander for the Colorado Springs Fire Department honor guard.

The celebration of life ceremony in Colorado Springs was well-attended, with family, friends and people from across the state filling the room.

Jamie’s uniform was displayed at the ceremony, symbolizing her dedication to nursing and blessing others.

Greg Bunch, Novick’s father, reflected on his daughter’s life, emphasizing her role as a mother. “It was truly a privilege and an honor to be Jamie’s dad. She was absolutely amazing, kid. She was worried about being a good mom. And I said, you know, when you’re worried about being a good parent, those are the ones that are good parents. And I was reminded of that as I wrote that in her Mother’s Day card, gave it to her. And that was the last time I saw her alive.”

Novick is survived by her husband and two kids.

Novick’s husband recalled meeting her when he was just 15, knowing immediately she was the one he wanted to get to know. He also spoke of her strength as a mother, noting she would cheer her children on and lift them up to be the best versions of themselves.

Loved ones stated that Novick’s infectious personality stemmed from her deep love for God.

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.

Yellowstone sees record-breaking May visitation as Grand Teton announces major tourism investment

KIFI on June 11, 2026

Danielle Mullenix

YELLOWSTONE (KIFI) – As the summer travel season ramps up across the West, two of the region’s most popular national parks are already experiencing signs of increased visitor activity.

Recent visitation statistics reveal that Yellowstone National Park received 570,272 recreational visits in May 2026, making it the busiest May on record for the park.

The National Park Service reports that May visitation rose by 1% compared to May 2025 and was 20% higher than in May 2021, Yellowstone’s previous record-breaking year when the park exceeded 4.8 million visitors.

During the first five months of 2026, Yellowstone hosted 773,653 visitors, up from 762,672 over the same period last year. Park officials believe these numbers signal another robust tourism season as the peak summer months approach.

These latest numbers reflect a continued trend of rising interest in Yellowstone, following years of recovery and growth after pandemic-related disruptions and the historic 2022 flood that temporarily closed parts of the park.

Park officials encourage visitors to plan ahead, review park regulations, download the free National Park Service mobile app, and practice safe wildlife viewing during their stay.

Major investment announced for Grand Teton National Park visitors

At the same time, the National Park Service has announced a new long-term agreement expected to shape the visitor experience at Grand Teton National Park for years to come.

The agency has selected Grand Teton Lodge Company to provide lodging, dining, retail, campground, marina, transportation, and recreation services under a new 15-year concessions contract starting January 1, 2027.

This contract is the largest concessions agreement in Grand Teton National Park and ranks among the most significant visitor services contracts in the entire National Park System.

Officials estimate the agreement will serve more than 50 million visitors during its lifetime, generate more than $1 billion in gross receipts, and support approximately 1,000 jobs in surrounding communities.

“This contract helps ensure that visitors continue to enjoy the memorable experiences that make Grand Teton National Park one of America’s most treasured destinations,” said Grand Teton National Park Superintendent Chip Jenkins in a statement.

Improvements planned throughout the park

With the new agreement, visitors can expect several upgrades focused on improving accessibility, safety, and the overall visitor experience.

Planned projects include:

Construction of new employee housing

Improving fire protection systems

Additional RV electrical hookups at campgrounds

Introducing two new tour boats with enhanced accessibility features

Expansion of the park’s boat rental fleet

Bear spray rental services

Continued maintenance of more than 400 park buildings, including historic landmarks

The agreement also includes measures to reduce wildlife interactions in campgrounds, protect dark night skies through improved lighting management, and expand educational programs for visitors.

Grand Teton Lodge Company is already one of the largest summer employers in Teton County, Wyoming. Park officials say the new agreement will bolster local economies while helping preserve the park’s natural and historic resources.

As Yellowstone posts record visitation numbers and Grand Teton invests in long-term visitor improvements, tourism leaders anticipate another busy summer season across the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem.

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Four blocks of Uintah Street east of downtown Colorado Springs closed for emergency repairs

KRDO on June 11, 2026

Scott Harrison

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — Officials are assessing the condition of a bridge over Shooks Run Creek on Uintah Street to make emergency “utility and bridge repairs,” according to a city release issued late Wednesday afternoon.

The closure of four blocks of Uintah, between Institute and Prospect Streets, happened around 4 p.m. Wednesday.

“I was probably gone about two hours,” said Heather Laney, a neighbor who was walking her dog early Thursday morning. “Whenever I came back, it was all shut down with no real word. It happened very quickly.”

Around noon on Thursday, a city spokesman revealed that a Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) crew conducting routine maintenance on the bridge reported a void in the drainage tunnel under the bridge, and that void compromised a utility line.

The report came on Tuesday, and officials closed the bridge the next day.

Crews are actively working on repairs, with the first response last night and a larger response on Thursday.

Uintah is a vital traffic corridor; it’s one of the city’s few east-west routes that crosses nearly the entire city, from Academy Boulevard to Interstate 25, to just east of Manitou Springs.

This is the second time since last fall that the city has closed a bridge over the creek for repairs

In October 2025, KRDO13’s The Road Warrior reported on the bridge closure on Cache La Poudre Street several blocks south of the Uintah bridge for a scheduled maintenance project between El Paso and Prospect streets.

Work on the century-old bridge was delayed, but eventually completed, after the city issued a stop-work order to the contractor amid concerns about code violations relating to erosion control and other issues.

Many neighbors and drivers woke up on Thursday morning, surprised to find the street closed.

Among them were retirees Ken & Terry Laura, who were riding their bicycles in the area.

“That this has all of a sudden come up, and we’ve had no warning about it, makes me wonder what’s going on and if it’s safe,” she said.”

In Wednesday’s press release, officials said that they hoped to have the street reopened by the end of the week, but that timetable may change.

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Woman pushes through pain; inspires others

KVIA on June 11, 2026

Hillary Floren

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Sarah Zambrano is the epitome of strength and determination. She’s a crossfit competitor, a runner, and a mother of two. What you can’t see on the surface is how much she’s dealing with on the inside. She has been diagnosed with severe rheumatoid arthritis, and lives with chronic, debilitating pain. Her mental strength is to be admired, as she pushes forward to live her best life – for herself, and her family.

“I feel like i look so active and ok, but inside I’m dealing with this and it’s hard for me to like let people know I’m going through this. It messes with my mind, too. I have stiffness in my hips, knees, neck, wrists, shoulders…literally everywhere,” Zambrano says.

Zambrano is 34 now, but was diagnosed at the age of 22. She says living with this kind of pain requires a lot of down time and rest, which is not always good for her mental state. She also has mom guilt.

“It gets really dark.  As you’re going through these symptoms, your mind is also playing games with you.  You feel useless, like there’s not a lot you can do to help your kids out. Your mind plays so many tricks on you as you’re in a flair.  You start thinking what’s the point of going anywhere?” Zambrano says.

Thankfully, there are medications to ease the pain, and she listens to her body. As hard as it is for her, she has to make herself rest.

“As a mom you wanna be there for your kids and it’s tough but I’m very grateful for them. My daughter has helped so much when it comes to helping me with flares.  My husband works for the fire department and is gone for 24 hours and my daughter would take charge and make dinner, make sure what needs to gets done,” Zambrano adds.

Even on the hardest days, she and husband Alonzo are regulars at the gym. He says it’s her routine, and he just follows along.

Sarah Zambrano is at the point in her health struggles that she’s finding her voice. She’s raising awareness about Rheumatoid Arthritis, by speaking out about her experience. She recently participated in the Walk to Cure Arthritis, and shared her story onstage with participants. She also posts on social media, sharing workouts. Recently she featured her 10-year old son Daniel, who often helps with her shots.  port helps me.

The entire family pitches in to help when mom is having a flare-up.

“Her illness can bring everybody down. But it’s built our relationship. We’ve gotten to know each other , work together on her ups, downs…it’s solidified us. So keep up the cheer, keep up the smiles,” says husband Alonzo.

For more information on Rheumatoid Arthritis, click here: Rheumatoid arthritis – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic

To find out how it affects mental health and daily living, click here: Arthritis Pain

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Autism parent gives free water sport lessons to children on the spectrum

KRDO on June 11, 2026

Bradley Davis

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) – The founder of the non-profit “Autism Mana” is hosting free paddleboarding, kayaking and duck boat lessons for children with autism at the Lake Elizabeth Pavilion on Saturday.

“It’s a very sensory-rich activity. You’re going to see it. You’re going to hear it. You’re going to feel it,” Autism Mana founder Kevin Blunt said.

Blunt founded Autism Mana in partnership with The Denver Foundation (TDF) five years ago after moving to Pueblo from Hawaii with his son Makai, who has autism. He said he couldn’t find any recreational programs for children like Makai, so he created his own.

“It’s tough when you have a special needs kiddo who’s non-verbal,” Blunt said. “Just a week or two ago, when we were wrapping up our exercise program, I had a father come up to me, and he said thank you for creating something that me and my kids can bond over.”

It’s the second summer Blunt has hosted free assisted water sports lessons at Lake Elizabeth off the Riverwalk. It’s from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Blunt asks parents to RSVP their child by emailing him at AutismManaCO@gmail.com.

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