Many California drivers to retake written DMV test after receiving letter that stated “irregularities”

CNN Newsource on July 4, 2026

By Steve Large

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    California (KMAX, KOVR) — Thousands of California licensed drivers who already passed their tests are receiving letters from the DMV stating their licenses are about to be cancelled.

The DMV confirms 11,000 drivers have received the letter, saying the written test results from these drivers showed “irregularities.”

Recipients of the letter are warned that they must retake the written test within 30 days or they will lose their license.

Sacramento’s David Specht received the DMV warning letter, stating his “written driver’s license test results indicate non-compliance with the driver testing criteria required by state law.”

“I know I didn’t cheat,” Specht said. “And I presume many of the other 11,000 residents of California who received the letter also didn’t cheat.”

The DMV confirmed 11,000 people who took written driver’s license tests between July 2025 and April 2026 have been identified as needing to retake the tests within 30 days, or have their licenses canceled.

“Ensuring the integrity of our testing process is essential,” the DMV said in a statement. “Knowledge tests play a critical role in confirming that drivers understand the rules of the road before they are licensed to drive in California.”

Specht called the DMV to ask what the irregularities on his test were.

“And they said a lot of people received it, we don’t really have an answer for you,” Specht said. “They didn’t accuse me of cheating directly.”

“But you’re inferring that they’re saying you cheated?” CBS Sacramento reporter Steve Large asked.

“I would imagine so, I mean, my other thought is that something is wrong with their system on the back end. Maybe they botched some data and now they can’t tell who passed, who failed,” he said.

Now thousands are forced to retake their written tests or lose their license to drive.

The 11,000 licensed drivers will have to make an appointment to retake their written tests within 30 days. The paperwork also said no walk-ins, there must be an appointment and they must show up with the letter.

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.

Storm damage cancels Salute to America concert, but parade and fireworks move forward

KMIZ on July 4, 2026

Marie Moyer

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Salute to America concert scheduled for Saturday night in downtown Jefferson City was canceled after storms damaged the event stage, according to organizers.

Salute to America spokeswoman Taylor Wolz said severe weather caused damage to the stage, making it unsafe to continue with the concert.

Despite the cancellation, the rest of the evening’s festivities continued as planned.

Dangerous heat prompted Jefferson City officials to move the city’s Fourth of July opening ceremony indoors Saturday, as much of Mid-Missouri remained under an extreme heat warning.

The opening ceremony had originally been planned for the north side of the Missouri State Capitol, but organizers decided to relocate the event indoors to protect attendees from the heat.

According to a Salute to America Facebook post earlier this week, the 10 a.m. ceremony will honor Missouri veterans and include a performance by the 135th Army Band.

The National Weather Service warned that multiple communities across Mid-Missouri could see heat index values as high as 105 degrees. Forecasters said the combination of high temperatures and humidity significantly increased the risk of heat-related illnesses, especially for people spending extended periods outdoors.

The National Weather Service encouraged residents to drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned spaces when possible and avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.

“We were gonna do outside because of the river and all the beauty,” Vice Chair of America 250 Missouri Commission Pat Thomas said. “But as we looked at the heat, we just wanted to make sure that we were more than safe and keeping people comfortable.”

To help people beat the heat, the city made cooling stations, water refill locations and shaded areas available throughout downtown.

Jefferson City Mayor Ron Fitzwater said public safety was the city’s top priority while people gathered downtown for the Independence Day celebration.

“There’s a lot of shade downtown,” Fitzwater said. “It’ll be a bit spotty because we anticipate large crowds. But stay hydrated, try to find a place to sit.”

Other events will be taking place throughout the day, both downtown and on the Capitol lawn:

Coca-Cola Food Court – 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the corner of Jefferson and E High Street

Ameren Marketplace – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on East High Street

Avenues of History – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Madison Street and the Southeast Lawn

Missouri Farm Bureau’s Kid Zone – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Broadway Street

Stars, Stripes and Surprises Scavenger Hunt – Noon to 5 p.m. Check-in on E High Street

Remembering Missouri’s Fallen – Noon to 5 p.m. in the Selinger Center

Socket Classic Cars Cruise – Noon to 5 p.m. North side of the Capitol

135th Army Band performance – 2 p.m. in St. Peter’s Church

Beer Garden – 5 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. on E High Street

Red, White and Boom Fireworks – 9:45 p.m. North side of the Capitol

Yard games and historical reenactors will also be around the festival area. Cooling stations are located on Broadway Street and E High Street. Water refill stations are also on W Capitol Ave.

Restrooms will be located on Broadway Street, E High Street and Madison Street.

The Main stage is located on the Capitol steps and will feature concert performances and festival announcements.

Courtesy: Salute to America

A parade and military flyover are set for 6 p.m. The parade will move through E Miller Street, Jefferson Street, E High Street, Monroe Street and E McCarty Street.

According to a press release from the Jefferson City Police Department, roads near the Capitol grounds and around the festival will be blocked off from 5 a.m. on July 4 to 2 a.m. on July 5. JCPD reminds drivers to be mindful of pedestrians in the area and plan for extra travel time.

Fitzwater said all roads will be back open Saturday night after the fireworks show.

The extreme heat warning is in effect until 8 p.m..

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Residents used rat poison to deter dogs from peeing on their property, AG suit says

CNN Newsource on July 4, 2026

By WCCO Staff, Frankie McLister

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    Minnesota (WCCO) — The Minnesota attorney general said he is suing two Mankato residents after they allegedly put rat poison outside their home in an effort to stop dogs from urinating on their lawn.

According to the lawsuit, at least one dog ingested the rat poison blocks while on a walk and the owner had to induce vomiting.

Amber Massaglia, whose Husky Tikka ingested the poison said her dog had to undergo lab testing and will be on vitamins twice a day for the next 30 days. The ordeal cost her over $1,000, she said.

“He didn’t just poison my dog, he poisoned this neighborhood a little bit because I lived here as a kid, it’s always been a magical place and now I don’t know if I can walk in my neighborhood,” said Massaglia

Pictures included in the lawsuit show bait blocks next to the sidewalk and a large sign stating “no dog piss” on a fence outside the home. Another sign underneath a camera indicated that anyone walking by was being livestreamed.

It points to a website that people can access to “see yourself and your dog invading private property,” but it appears that someone is using the domain to advocate against the homeowner.

The lawsuit states that a Department of Agriculture investigator tried to speak to the residents, but they refused to talk to him. The inspector however noticed blocks of rodenticide on the inside of the fence in the front yard.

The two residents are charged with failing to use rat poison in a manner consistent with Environmental Protection Agency regulations. The attorney general’s office says the EPA prohibits the use of bait blocks outside and above ground, unless they’re placed in a container that can’t be opened by pets or children.

The lawsuit also asks the court to impose a civil penalty of $7,500 for each day of the alleged violation.

The court granted a temporary restraining order on Thursday requiring the residents to remove the rat poison and ordering them to allow a Department of Agriculture investigator to inspect the property.

Stephanie Scharbach, who lives across the street and owns a dog, said the couple “don’t like dogs, so I’m worried they’re now going to throw rat poison over here.”

A neighbor who didn’t want to go on camera told WCCO the couple who lives in the home are “nice enough” and was surprised they’d do something like this.

According to the online pet supply store Chewy, if you suspect your dog ingested poison, “call a pet poison hotline or go to an emergency vet rather than ‘waiting to see.'”

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.

Georgia teacher disciplined over Charlie Kirk posts and school district reach settlement in federal lawsuit

CNN Newsource on July 4, 2026

By Dan Raby

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    Georgia (WUPA) — A former Georgia Teacher of the Year finalist has reached a settlement with her school district after she claimed she was punished for making social media comments about conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

English teacher Michelle Mickens had sued the Oglethorpe County School District in 2025, claiming she was placed on leave and asked to either resign or be terminated because she discussed Kirk’s political positions on her private Facebook page.

On Friday, the Southern Poverty Law Center and it co-counsel announced that Mickens and the school district have reached a settlement.

Teacher claims Charlie Kirk post led to punishment

According to the complaint, Mickens posted a direct quote from Kirk hours after his assassination on her private account, which she claims was only viewable by close friends.

“I think it’s worth it. I think it’s worth to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God-given rights.- Charlie Kirk,” the post read.

The next day, Mickens says she was called to the office, where she was informed the school has received a complaint from someone over the post. She later learned from a friend that a former classmate had taken a screenshot of her post and shared it publicly on X, calling on readers to contact the principal at her school.

When she later spoke to the principal and the school superintendent, Mickens says they suggested she delete the post and issue an apology, but she told them that she wanted to consult her attorney before responding. The next school week, she was asked to remain home and found out her access to school emails had been removed.

Mickens had worked in Georgia high schools for 24 years and had been a finalist for the 2022 Georgia Teacher of the Year. The complaint says that she had never received a formal complaint about her professional conduct before this incident.

When reached for comment at the time of the lawsuit’s filing, a spokesperson for the school district said that some of the facts in the case were “inaccurate or incomplete” but chose not to give specifics due to the pending litigation.

A confidential settlement is reached

In her lawsuit, Mickens had asked the court to restore her job and remove any reference to policy violations. The settlement that was reached remains confidential, and it is not clear whether Mickens will return to work at her former school.

“We are pleased to reach a mutually amicable settlement of this matter,” said Sam Boyd, the SPLC’s senior supervising attorney. “As courts across the country have recognized in other cases involving firings over comments about Charlie Kirk, and many other topics, ‘public school employees, including teachers, have a constitutionally protected right to free speech.'”

After the settlement was agreed upon, a motion to dismiss the case was sent to the court on Wednesday.

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Arkansas man says puppy scam costs $16K

CNN Newsource on July 4, 2026

By Gabrielle Parish

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    SHREVEPORT, Louisiana (KTBS) — What started as a $600 dream of bringing home a new puppy turned into a $16,000 nightmare for an Arkansas man who says he never received the dog he was promised.

Grant Tomlin says he was finally ready to get another dog after losing his chocolate Labrador retriever to cancer four years ago.

“She was pretty much my best friend,” Tomlin said.

“Went with me everywhere, did everything I did. So it took me four years to get to the point where I wanted another dog,” he said Friday.

Tomlin said he started looking on TikTok and found a breeder called Prestige Retrievers in Shreveport. According to Tomlin, the breeder had a chocolate Lab puppy named Maggie available for $600.

He said he paid a deposit, but the breeder could not meet him on Father’s Day. The breeder offered to ship the puppy instead.

That’s when, Tomlin said, the fees started piling up.

“Every time I turned around, they were needing more money for this or more money for that,” he said. “And their messages were always followed up with, ‘If you pay this, the puppy is on its way.'”

Tomlin said he paid $1,000 for a crate rental, another $1,000 for paperwork, and additional fees that continued to add up. Each time, he said, he was promised Maggie was on the way and was even provided a tracking app showing the puppy en route.

But Maggie never arrived.

The excuses went on for two weeks. By then, Tomlin said he had spent more than $16,000 and still had no puppy.

KTBS 3 called the breeder but didn’t get an answer.

A visit to the breeder’s listed address on Hartman Street in Shreveport raised more questions. The house was vacant, and a man moving into the home said he had never heard of Maggie or Prestige Retrievers.

“Money is secondary. We’re upset about that, but we’re more concerned for the safety of the puppy and the welfare of the puppy,” Tomlin said.

KTBS 3 also looked into the shipping company, Laser Ship On Track. Its listed phone number does not work, and online reviews are mixed. Some people reported the company to the Better Business Bureau as a scam, while others said it is legitimate but takes a long time to ship items.

When asked how he would feel if he never gets to meet Maggie, Tomlin said he would be heartbroken.

“I would be devastated,” he said. “You know, like I said, it’s been four years. Our main concern is the safety of the puppy. I want to bring Maggie home.”

Tomlin said all communication was through WhatsApp and email, and he made payments using Cash App, Zelle, Apple Pay and an overseas bank account.

Consumer experts say if someone you’ve never met insists on those payment methods, it’s a major red flag and could indicate a scam.

Tomlin plans to file a complaint with the Shreveport Police Department and Louisiana Attorney General’s Office.

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.

3 children killed after boat capsizes during storm on Geneva Lake

CNN Newsource on July 4, 2026

By WDJT Staff

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    LAKE GENEVA, Wisconsin (WDJT) — Authorities have released additional details after three children were killed when a boat capsized on Geneva Lake during severe storms Friday afternoon.

According to the Lake Geneva Police Department, a privately owned recreational motorboat carrying 10 people – six adults and four children – was attempting to reach safety as weather conditions rapidly deteriorated.

Investigators say the boat was overwhelmed by strong winds and large waves, took on water, capsized and sank.

Emergency responders launched an immediate rescue operation. Six adults and one child were rescued from the water.

Authorities were then informed that three children were still missing. Following an extensive search, all three were located and recovered from the lake.

Despite lifesaving efforts at the scene, all three children were pronounced dead.

Officials confirmed all four children aboard the boat were wearing life jackets at the time of the incident.

The incident remains under 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.

Restaurant guests restrain man accused of threatening staff with a firearm: police

CNN Newsource on July 4, 2026

By Dean Hensley & Deanna Sipe

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    BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. (WLOS) — Police are thanking restaurant guests after they restrained a man who was reportedly threatening employees with a firearm in a Black Mountain restaurant on Thursday, July 2.

According to a July 3 news release from the Black Mountain Police Department, witnesses said guests at Trailhead Restaurant held down the man until law enforcement arrived.

Police said the man, identified as 76-year-old Charles Donald Wilson, had left the restaurant after threatening an employee earlier in the day and returned later, brandishing a firearm.

According to the release, police arrived at 5:37 p.m. on July 2 at the Trailhead Restaurant located at 207 West State Street.

Police arrested Wilson on the following charges:

Going armed to the terror of the public Brandishing a firearm Intoxicated and disruptive behavior

According to police, Wilson was reportedly asked to leave the establishment after an interaction involving inappropriate and disparaging comments made toward an employee. It was further alleged that Wilson made statements indicating he would return with a firearm and harm individuals inside the restaurant.

“While leaving, he made some comments threatening them that he would be back, possibly with a firearm,” said Chris Kuhn, deputy chief of Black Mountain Police Department.

Upon returning to the business, Wilson allegedly entered the establishment while armed and made actions and statements that caused immediate concern for the safety of those present. During the incident, several citizens acted quickly to intervene and restrain Wilson until law enforcement officers arrived and secured the scene.

Police said Wilson was taken into custody without further incident and transported to the Buncombe County Detention Facility. Wilson was issued a $20,000 secured bond. His next court hearing is set for July 6.

Kuhn says that through talking with staff from Trailhead, they were distressed by the incident.

“I also know that the staff was pretty traumatized from talking to them this morning[…] especially the young staff over there were very traumatized by this event,” Kuhn said.

News 13 reached out to the business requesting an interview, but they declined. The friend of another local business owner said he was at the scene when Wilson returned with the gun.

“He was walking out, closing the door, and heard someone walk in. He said that the gentleman bumped him and he thought, ‘That’s weird,'” said Scott Counce, co-owner of Merry Wine Bar. “He turned around and saw the guy with the gun above his head.”

“It took a split second, but someone else already jumped up, grabbed the guy, had engaged another person who had come behind, had his arm around the gunman’s neck,” said Counce.

Despite the incident, Counce says he still feels safe, saying Black Mountain is not the typical place where incidents like these occur.

“It’s never been here. This is not the place for that, and I’m sad that that’s happening here,” Counce said.

Black Mountain Police issued this statement:

“The actions displayed by members of our community exemplified extraordinary courage and selflessness under difficult circumstances. While incidents of this nature are extremely rare in Black Mountain, they are inherently dangerous and unpredictable.”

Police said the investigation remains ongoing.

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.

Time capsule with items from all 50 U.S. states to be buried in Philadelphia on U.S.’ 250th anniversary

CNN Newsource on July 4, 2026

By Wakisha Bailey, Joe Brandt

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    PHILADELPHIA (KYW) — Don’t open this until 2276: a time capsule with items from all 50 U.S. states and five territories is being buried in Philadelphia on America’s 250th anniversary.

The goal is for the Americans of the future to open this capsule on the nation’s 500th anniversary — July 4, 2276.

The significance of the event, and thoughts of the nation’s distant future, drew emotion from several who attended.

“Full of emotions, really, just thinking about 250 years from now what the city’s going to look like, what Philadelphia’s going to look like,” said Johnathan Weissman, who visited the ceremony with his daughter.

“The meaning behind it, for future generations, it’s just so meaningful,” said Delsea Duffer, who was visiting from Atlanta.

The burial ceremony took place on Independence Mall and an art installation based on Ben Franklin’s “Join or Die” cartoon will be placed over top of it.

Items in the time capsule from across the country and territories include a Philadelphia Phillies lineup card, a letter from Gov. Josh Shapiro, an archival booklet of Pennsylvania’s history, a stainless steel plaque from New Jersey and handwritten notes from 12 Delaware residents about what The First State means to them.

The capsule is designed to repel water and is built to last two and a half centuries.

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.

Massive raw sewage discharge into Hudson River prompts health advisory in NYC and Westchester County

CNN Newsource on July 4, 2026

By Tony Aiello, Jesse Zanger

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    New York (WCBS, WLNY) — A health advisory in Westchester County couldn’t have come at a worse time, considering the holiday weekend and the heat wave.

Westchester County health officials say people should avoid recreational activities along a stretch of the Hudson River until further notice.

A power equipment failure at the Yonkers Sewage Treatment plant resulted in hundreds of millions of gallons of untreated, raw sewage discharging into the Hudson River. Even when power is restored the advisory will remain in place until testing shows the water quality has returned to acceptable levels.

“The water’s been smelling very, very terrible,” one person said.

So from New York City north to Tarrytown, people are advised to avoid any contact with Hudson River water.

Westchester County officials say the following communities could be impacted:

New York City Yonkers Hastings-on-Hudson Dobbs Ferry Irvington Tarrytown Sleepy Hollow Briarcliff Manor

“If you’re swimming, or you’re in the water, there’s a chance that you could swallow water, you could get contaminated water in your eyes or your nose, or open wounds. A person could experience [gastrointestinal] symptoms if they consume the water. If they have an open wound, the wound could become infected,” Westchester County Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler said.

Because of the risk from the raw sewage, the county has closed the Philipse Manor Beach Club in Sleepy Hollow.

“It’s definitely a danger, being in the water at this time. And it couldn’t come at a worse time, this weekend with the worst heat wave we’ve had in quite a while,” said Chris Cawley.

At JFK Marina in Yonkers, boaters and those hoping to go out on personal watercraft were being turned away from launching.

The county says the risk may be low, but there is a risk, and advises avoiding all contact with Hudson River water, including swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, boating, fishing – anything involving contact with the Hudson River.

Some people will decide the lure of the water is too strong to heed the advisory.

“What I can tell you is there’s a chance it’s not safe, and so it’s just not wort the risk,” Amler said.

Tony Aiello contributed to this report.

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1 killed, 3 injured in lightning strike at popular Florida beach Friday, officials say

CNN Newsource on July 4, 2026

By Steven Yablonski

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    Florida (WFOR) — One person was killed and three others were injured when they were struck by lightning on a popular Florida beach Friday, according to officials.

The Fort Myers Beach Fire District said in a Facebook post that around 3 p.m. crews were dispatched to the 6600 block of Estero Boulevard in Fort Myers Beach to respond to reports of a lightning strike involving multiple people.

When emergency crews arrived, they said they found one person unresponsive, and three others who needed to be rushed to a hospital.

Officials said that a bystander was able to use an AED and was performing CPR on the unresponsive person when they arrived.

However, officials said that due to the severity of those injures the efforts were not successful and the person was pronounced dead.

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.