Month: June 2026

By Jonathan Ayestas

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    PLACER COUNTY, California (KCRA) — Westbound Interstate 80 lanes in Placer County are shut down after a big rig carrying pigs overturned, resulting in some of the swine running loose before being corralled.

Traffic going westbound is being taken off I-80 at Secret Town Road to allow for traffic to start flowing again. As of 6 a.m., KCRA 3’s Melanie Wingo observed that there were still pigs inside the trailer.

Crews are working to get those pigs out of the trailer, a California Highway Patrol officer said crews will have to cut into the trailer to release more pigs out of the trailer. Originally, the intention was to upright the trailer, but crews determined it was too heavy to do so with all of the pigs still inside.

Shortly after 7 a.m., a handful of pigs were seen being let out of the trailer, but it is unknown how many are inside in total. Around 8 a.m., crews could be seen trying to load the pigs onto a trailer that had arrived to haul the animals away.

Placer County Animal Services is also at the scene, and one of its vehicles has at least five of the pigs that ran loose loaded onboard.

While traffic is being diverted to help traffic flow, motorists should consider alternate routes while crews are still clearing up the scene. There is no estimated time of reopening.

The driver was sent to the hospital, but CHP said it does not appear that the driver suffered major injuries.

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 Krista Tatschl, Chloe Godding

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    KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KMBC) — Warning: This story discusses sexual abuse, trafficking and exploitation. Resources are listed at the bottom of this article if you need help or need to report a trafficking situation.

It’s a problem that persists year-round, but the World Cup and its influx of travelers have spotlighted the dangers and realities of human trafficking in Kansas City and around the world.

“When you’re on that corner, thousands of cars pass you every day, so you’re invisible,” Christine McDonald said. “Nobody sees your pain.”

McDonald spent 21 years forced into sex, dozens of times a day in Kansas City.

“When I was a little girl, I was like, you know, when I grow up, I want to play the piano, and I want to be a piano teacher,” McDonald said.

Traffickers used her starting at 15 years old.

“He said, ‘I got this job. I got this job. I can give you a job,'” McDonald said. “I was violently raped, locked in a room. I no longer had a choice.”

McDonald knows ending trafficking is no easy task.

“Until men are willing to stop paying for people, we’re never going to end traffickers luring and exploiting and enticing and abusing and trapping and leaving our vulnerable dead,” she said. “And that’s the truth.”

And purchasing sex isn’t the only contributor; pornography plays a major role in trafficking.

“For me, pornography was a gateway drug to me to go to strip clubs, adult entertainment theaters, that type of thing,” said Neil Getzlow. “And then ultimately in my mid-20s, you know, led me to seeking out women who were selling sex.”

Getzlow is now an anti-trafficking advocate, and he shares his story of past porn addiction and sex purchases.

He described one incident where his actions came face to face with his personal life.

“I went and found someone online to go meet, went to her hotel room and met up and was getting ready to leave,” he said. “And there was a second bedroom door that opened up, and out walks a gentleman with his cell phone in his hand. And he already had my wife’s contact information on the phone. … It was her picture, cell phone number, Facebook page. And he’s like, ‘You’re going to pay us more money or we’re going to call your wife.'”

His unmasking led to repentance and understanding of his addiction.

“I was trapped in the shame cycle, you know, and nobody loves me. I’m alone. I’m going to look at pornography or go visit someone to make myself feel better,” he said.

Now, he recognizes its role in trafficking and sexual abuse.

“If you’re looking at pornography, you’re contributing to sex trafficking,” Getzlow said. “That click you’re making is contributing to someone who’s controlling these women that are in these videos.”

Both McDonald and Getzlow credit their faith for helping them break out of their previous lifestyles. McDonald is now a mother, an author, a vibrant public speaker. Getzlow is a writer.

Authorities in Kansas City are continuing to track down traffickers and help victims be freed from that lifestyle.

There are multiple ways to report possible human trafficking or receive help.

Call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 Text the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 233733 If the situation is urgent, call 911

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 Madison Perales

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    OMAHA, Nebraska (KETV) — Teens accused of kidnapping two children are each being held on a $10 million bond after having their court hearing Monday.

Juantez Ruffin, 19, and James Barnes, 18, face the following adult charges:

Two counts of kidnapping Two counts of child abuse One count of use of a gun to commit a felony

In the court hearing, the prosecutor called the incident a parent’s worst nightmare.

Around 4:30 p.m. Saturday, police said they were responding to a call about someone being followed near Saddle Creek and Cuming. Police found the suspects with two children in their vehicle.

Officials said the kids told officers that the suspects told them to get in the car or they would get hurt.

Additional police reports also said the young men tried to involve the children in a crime and wouldn’t let them go if they didn’t cooperate.

Police said they also found an AR-15 rifle in the car.

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 Matthew Dietz

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    FRANKLIN, Ohio (WLWT) — The Franklin Ohio Division of Police is warning people of a hog that has been running loose around town.

The Humane Society of Warren County responded to the area of Route 123, near Interstate-75 on Monday morning for reports of the hog.

Officials said they thought the reports might have been a pot belly pig but they found a large farm hog that may have been in the area for as long as two weeks.

It’s not clear how the hog got loose.

The Humane Society put a feeder near a Wendy’s restaurant in Franklin as they try to safely corral the hog and get the animal to a shelter.

Officials are urging people not to feed the hog if they see him and to avoid hitting or chasing the animal if he wanders into the 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 Daisy Kershaw

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    CINCINNATI (WLWT) — Parents at Fairview German Language School are calling on Cincinnati Public School leaders to take action over concerns about racial disparities when it comes to disciplining students.

At a school board meeting Monday, dozens of concerned parents spoke up about the issue, now demanding an internal investigation into the “conduct and leadership” at Fairview.

In a letter, those behind the efforts wrote that they believe the school has breached 24 board policies, 11 Ohio State Laws and five federal regulations.

It comes after new data was released by PBIS, or Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports.

“The data revealed that African Americans as well as boys are being disciplined at a higher rate than other students,” said Sonya Swift, chair of the School Decision Making Committee for Fairview.

Fairview mom Chelsea O’Neal said the issue hits close to home.

On May 21, she says her second-grade son was accused of inserting himself in a fight at school and given a one-day out-of-school suspension.

O’Neal said it came as a shock because he has no history of violence or aggression, so she requested video of the incident.

“The video footage didn’t depict that at all; the students were playing soccer,” O’Neal said.

She said that this prompted her to dig into the school’s code of conduct policies.

“I learned that it was completely out of order for my son to receive an out-of-school suspension,” O’Neal said. “For students pre-K through second grade, there are restorative programs to prevent them from being taken out of school. Suspension is a disciplinary action of the most severe cases. Generally, for students who are removed by law, also who are evaluated by a mental professional hired by the CPS district.”

O’Neal, among those now calling for change.

“There’s many more stories like Chelsea where that has happened in that building. And we just want leadership to take accountability and address these concerns,” Swift said.

Swift said they are waiting on a response from the CPS superintendent and have been told they’ll hear back by the end of the month.

In a statement to WLWT on Monday, CPS said “Cincinnati Public Schools is aware of concerns raised by some members of the Fairview German Language School community. We take all concerns regarding student support, school culture and compliance with District policies seriously. We are working with the school’s leadership and families to resolve these concerns.”

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 Fletcher Keel

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    CLERMONT COUNTY, Ohio (WLWT) — The Bethel police chief, who was indicted on 70 counts of sex crimes, made his first court appearance Monday.

Chad Essert was given a $500,000 surety bond. Two weeks ago, a Clermont County Grand Jury indicted Essert on 56 counts of sexual battery and 14 counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.

The allegations involve one victim.

Assistant prosecutor Lara Baron Allen said the alleged crimes took place between 2005 and 2010.

“The allegations in this case are that the defendant cultivated a relationship with the victim beginning when she was approximately 12 years old and used positions of trusted authority to gain and maintain access to her,” Baron Allen said.

Prosecutors said Essert portrayed himself as an active-duty Marine reservist moving up in rank, became involved with the Young Marines program and worked at Great Oaks as a JROTC instructor, placing him around young people, including the alleged victim.

“The conduct is alleged to have continued for years and across multiple counties. The length of the alleged conduct demonstrates planning, persistence and the ability to conceal criminal behavior over an extended period of time,” Baron Allen said.

Essert’s attorney, Jay Clark, denied the allegations.

“In due course, you’ll find out the allegations are baseless,” Clark said. “He did not have an inappropriate relationship with her, didn’t groom her, didn’t have unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. He didn’t do any of that.”

The criminal case is only one part of the pressure Essert is facing.

Bethel’s mayor is calling for Essert to be removed due to “dishonesty, immoral conduct, and neglect of duty,” according to a memo sent to village council.

According to the memo, investigators found allegations that Essert had an affair with a woman he met during a traffic stop and had sex with her inside the police department.

The memo also details allegations from a former female officer who accused Essert of inappropriate conduct and sexual advances.

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 Chantelle Navarro

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    CHOCTAW, Oklahoma (KOCO) — The word “gratitude” echoed across Choctaw Monday after overnight storms damaged homes, downed trees and knocked out power for residents.

One couple’s roof was severely damaged, torn off by the powerful winds. Down the street, a tree narrowly missed a baby’s window, highlighting the dangers residents faced.

Dennis Bachhofer, a Choctaw resident, recorded video of his 16-foot tree crashing into the front of his house around 4 a.m.

“It actually sounded like a thud and just like a bunch of hail hitting the house,” Bachhofer said.

The tree landed just inches away from his 18-month-old daughter’s window.

“Our daughter’s room is right there. So, that was our first thing, was making sure she was fine,” Katie Lambert said.

The KOCO 5 First Alert Weather Team reported wind gusts reaching up to 70 miles per hour in the area.

Lambert described waking up to their house shaking.

“I looked outside, and I literally saw the mist just like going in circles. It was so crazy,” Lambert said.

A few houses down, Matthew Dowling, who works for Affordable Tree Service, was busy clearing a neighbor’s yard after more trees fell.

“While I’m cutting this up and getting this off their house, this piece fell on my trailer,” Dowling said.

Dowling said this was the first of six calls he received Monday. For him, it’s a job. But for others, the cleanup process has been challenging.

“It’s actually a bit frightening, you know, and it’s just us. So, it’s actually going to be real difficult actually trying to get it all hauled off and get it taken care of. We’ve been burning all morning,” Bachhofer said.

“Especially because we’re kind of out of pocket right now with, like, you know, proper funds, especially with a tree this big,” Lambert said.

Despite the challenges, Bachhofer expressed gratitude.

“We are 100% grateful for sure. For sure,” he said.

Residents are reminded that code enforcement may issue fines if downed trees are not removed within 10 days. Disaster relief services are available to assist those in need.

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.