Casket wrapping service customizes the burial experience

CNN Newsource on July 1, 2026

By Laurie Perez

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    CARSON, California (KCAL, KCBS) — There’s a growing trend in the funeral industry called casket wrapping, which offers decked-out, decorated coffins.

One South Bay couple shares how they blend creativity with compassion through their business, Parting Wishes, helping families fulfill their loved ones’ wishes.

For Chastity and Douglas Mulipola, a casket is a canvas. With a computer and a digital cutting machine, they create and apply vinyl wraps, just like the ones for cars, except these are for your loved one’s final vehicles.

“It truly is heart work, cause it’s a lot of heart that goes into it,” Chastity said.

They post the gallery of their work on social media, showing their trademark blend of photos and ethnic design, as visual storytelling is part of their Polynesian heritage.

“We’re Samoan and our people, we put tribals on everything…,” Chastity said, and they have put just about anything you can imagine on the exterior of metal, wood, and even cloth caskets destined for cremation.

Each job begins with a conversation about the life they are helping to celebrate.

“We ask them about their loved one, what they liked, what they were into, their favorite colors.” They say football team designs are popular, as well as the typical heavenly clouds.

“Whether I’m designing it or she’s designing it, I could be doing it late at night, and you know, I start to get a little emotional here and there, you know, just cause memories of the person,” Douglas said.

They started making casket wraps seven years ago, and it has taken them across the country, from Texas and Utah to Washington and Hawaii.

Start to finish, it takes a few days and costs anywhere form $1,500 to $3,000 and up.

“You really feel good about yourself helping that family send their loved one off right,” Douglas 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.

AFROPOP PAINTS PORTRAIT OF VISIONARY BLACK ARTIST NELLIE MAE ROWE Black Public Media’s This World Is Not My Own Premieres July 2, Celebrating the Boundless Genius of a Self-Taught American Original

CNN Newsource on July 1, 2026

By Francis Page Jr.

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    July 1, 2026 (Houston Style Magazine) — Just in time for America’s birthday, Black Public Media is giving the nation a dazzling reminder that freedom has always carried an artist’s fingerprint. On Thursday, July 2, 2026, BPM’s Peabody Award-winning series AfroPoP: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange continues its 18th season with the premiere of This World Is Not My Own, a genre-blending documentary celebrating visionary Black folk artist Nellie Mae Rowe. The film premieres on Black Public Media’s YouTube Channel, marking a major digital moment for AfroPoP and for public media storytelling.

Born on July 4, 1900, Rowe lived an American story that was anything but ordinary. The daughter of a sharecropper and formerly enslaved father, she transformed memory, hardship, spirituality, and imagination into a visual language all her own. Long before “immersive art” became a museum buzzword, Rowe was building her own universe inside her famous “Playhouse,” filling it with drawings, handmade dolls, chewing gum sculptures, found objects, bold colors, and a spirit too large to be framed by convention.

Directed by Opendox filmmakers Petter Ringbom and Marquise Stillwell, and executive produced by Stillwell and acclaimed filmmaker dream hampton, the award-winning documentary arrives with festival shine. The film won the Jury Award for Best Documentary at the Mendocino Film Festival, received a Best Documentary Award Special Mention at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, and earned the Best Cinematography Award at the Atlanta Film Festival. That is not just applause—it is a standing ovation with paperwork.

photo Opendox Petter Ringbom Marquise Stillwell

The documentary’s magic comes from its refusal to fit neatly into one box. This World Is Not My Own blends traditional documentary storytelling with animation, scripted scenes, and richly constructed sets inspired by Rowe’s Playhouse. Three-time Emmy Award winner Uzo Aduba and Broadway veteran Amy Warren bring voice, movement, and emotional depth to Rowe and her friend, arts patron and gallery owner Judith Alexander. Civil rights leader Andrew Young also appears, adding historical weight to a story that stretches across race, class, gender, religion, art, and the long shadow of the American South.

At the film’s heart is the unlikely friendship between Rowe and Alexander—two women from very different worlds who found common ground in creativity and courage. Alexander, who came from one of the South’s prominent Jewish families, helped introduce Rowe’s work to a broader national audience. Their relationship gives the film its emotional center while inviting viewers to consider who gets discovered, who gets overlooked, and who gets to define American genius.

For Houston audiences, especially those who value culture as community memory, Rowe’s story lands with power. She made art from what others discarded. She turned limitation into language. She took the scraps of the world and made them sing. In a city like Houston—where neighborhoods, faith, family, and creativity often collide into brilliance—Rowe’s legacy feels right at home.

“As the nation approaches America 250, This World Is Not My Own reminds us that the American story has always been shaped by artists like Nellie Mae Rowe,” said Leslie Fields-Cruz, executive director of Black Public Media and executive producer of AfroPoP. “Her work is a radiant example of the Black creativity that has enriched our nation, and this film captures the beauty, complexity and power of her legacy.”

Since premiering in 2008, AfroPoP has remained the only U.S.-based public media program solely devoted to independent documentaries and narrative films about contemporary life, art, and culture across the African diaspora. Season 18 continues that mission while moving toward the series’ 100th film presentation—proof that powerful storytelling can survive challenges, budget battles, and cultural gatekeeping.

Nellie Mae Rowe once created a world no one could take from her. On July 2, AfroPoP invites the rest of us inside. Watch: Black Public Media YouTube Channel Learn More: AfroPoP: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange More on BPM: Black Public Media Film Background: Judith Alexander Foundation – This World Is Not My Own

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Kierra Lee
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Teen has emergency surgery after unknowingly swallowing wire bristle during backyard barbecue

CNN Newsource on July 1, 2026

By Nick Lunemann

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    STILLWATER, Minnesota (WCCO) — A Minnesota family is sharing its story after a backyard barbecue ended with emergency surgery for their son.

Noah Walden said he unknowingly swallowed a tiny wire bristle from a grill cleaning brush while eating a hamburger on May 26, the day after Memorial Day. The burger had been cooked on his family’s backyard grill.

He didn’t notice anything unusual while eating. About three days later, he began experiencing stomach pain that continued to worsen over the next several days.

On June 3, Walden went to the hospital, where a CT scan revealed the metal bristle had become lodged in his bowel and had begun puncturing his intestine.

The following day, June 4, doctors performed emergency surgery, removing about three inches of his bowel.

Walden said he spent two days hoping the object would pass on its own before learning surgery was necessary. He remained hospitalized until June 7.

His mother, Amie Walden, said the family immediately threw away its wire grill brush after learning what caused the injury.

She now encourages others to replace wire bristle brushes with safer alternatives, saying the tiny metal wires can be difficult to see if they break off and remain on a grill.

The Waldens hope sharing Noah’s experience will help prevent another family from facing a similar medical emergency.

Earlier this year, the Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled more than 13 million Weber and Nexgrill wire brushes. The commission recommends switching to a non-wire alternative like wooden scrapers, a steam cleaner or a rolled-up ball of aluminum foil.

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.

Crash closes intersection at Gene Autry Trail and Vista Chino in Palm Springs

KESQ on July 1, 2026

Julia Castro

Update 07/01 7:20 A.M.

Southern California Edison officials say all lanes at the intersection of North Gene Autry Trail and East Vista Chino will be closed until 8 P.M. following an early morning crash in Palm Springs.

Around 2:15 Wednesday morning, Palm Springs Police Department officers responded to a traffic collision at North Gene Autry Trail and East Vista Chino.

When officers arrived, they found that a vehicle had collided with a power pole, causing the pole to shear off and multiple high-voltage power lines to fall into the roadway.

The driver was contacted at the scene and detained.

During the investigation, the driver displayed objective signs of alcohol impairment. A DUI investigation was conducted, and the driver was subsequently arrested.

Due to the severity of the collision and the hazards created by the downed power lines, Southern California Edison responded to the scene to address the damaged power pole and electrical lines.

Edison advised that repairs would take several hours before power could be restored to the affected area.

Once the roadway is reopened, the Palm Springs Police Department will update the community via Everbridge. Law enforcement reminds the public to avoid the area while crews continue repairs, and roadway closures remain in place.

Anyone with additional information regarding this collision is encouraged to contact the Palm Springs Police Department at 760-327-1441.

Original report 07/01 5 A.M.

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — All lanes at the intersection of Gene Autry Trail and Vista Chino are closed Wednesday morning following an early morning traffic collision, Palm Springs police said.

Police sent out an alert about the crash just before 3 a.m. and warned of downed power lines in the area.

Traffic is being diverted from Vista Chino through Executive Drive to Via Escuela.

Utility crews are on scene working to repair the power lines. Southern California Edison is also reporting a power outage in the area, affecting about 240 customers. News Channel 3 crews also witnessed a nearby transformer explode Wednesday morning.

Police have not said when the roadway will reopen or whether anyone was hurt in the crash.

News Channel 3 has reached out for more information.

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PPLD creates fun 4th of July activity that’s safe during fire bans

KRDO on July 1, 2026

Bradley Davis

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – The Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) programming department created a new craft to help people get decorative with their 4th of July celebrations.

PPLD Senior Library Associate in Programming, Bradley Butzin, will walk participants through his original marbling technique to create unique American Flag decorations. The class is no-cost to participants.

For programs like this one, PPLD adds a literacy component to highlight resources offered by the library. For this class, Butzin will help participants use the library’s databases and research tools to learn more about the history of the American Flag.

Wednesday’s class is full, but there is a waitlist. He will also host more flag marbling classes throughout the Summer. He created printable step-by-step instructions for families to make the flag at home. You can find that here.

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Day 3 of Aspen Acres Fire in Pueblo County expected to bring more red flag conditions

KRDO on July 1, 2026

Scott Harrison

PUEBLO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — Firefighters are hoping for some level of containment Wednesday on the wildfire that grew far less on Tuesday than when it erupted on Monday.

LATEST FIRE STATS & EVAC ORDERS: https://krdo.com/news/2026/07/06/aspen-acres-wildfire-updates-evacuations/

Authorities revealed on Tuesday that the fire has grown from 23,000 acres to more than 28,000 as of 3 p.m., with containment at 0%.

But firefighters expect another day of red flag conditions that will bring temperatures in the 90s, with strong winds and a continued high fire risk.

KRDO 13 has a crew roughly halfway between Beulah and Colorado City, at the three-way intersection of Burnt Mill Road, 3R Road and Crow Cutoff.

That’s where a checkpoint remains in place by the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office, and where fire crews are gaining access to the fire via 3R Road.

On Tuesday, the fire was moving in two directions: west and north; as of 9 a.m. Wednesday, a smoke plume re-formed on the west end where the fire burned previously.

KRDO 13 spoke with a property owner who decided against evacuating, and said that strong winds blew some of the flames past his home — a home he’s had for ten years, and now hopes to sell it.

Monday’s strong winds, which prevented the use of aerial resources, subsided enough on Tuesday to allow two planes to drop retardant on the fire.

There were some new evacuations in the area on Tuesday, and only property owners with livestock could opt to remain.

The air was fairly thick with smoke at dawn on Wednesday, obscuring the full moon and turning the rising sun to a deep red.

Late Tuesday night, the Custer County Sheriff’s Office announced that the official investigation into the fire’s cause has begun and will be conducted by the U.S. Forest Service and the Colorado Department of Public Safety.

The office also said that crews expected to finish building a temporary bridge late Tuesday night to replace a century-old Colorado Department of Transportation bridge that burned and collapsed during the fire.

KRDO 13 will provide updates as they become available.

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‘God … told him to’: Idaho man charged with arson for lighting parents’ house on fire

CNN Newsource on July 1, 2026

By Daniel V. Ramirez

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    REXBURG, Idaho (eastidahonews.com) — A 22-year-old man is facing an arson charge after police say he lit multiple fires in a home because he believed God asked him to.

Preston Blaine Rossberg is charged with one felony count of first-degree arson, which carries the possible punishment of up to 25 years in prison or a fine of up to $100,000.

EastIdahoNews.com reached out to Rossberg’s attorney, Jeromy Stafford, but did not receive a response by the time of publication. We will update if we hear back.

According to court documents, on May 9, officers with the Rexburg Police Department received a call from a home in the 100 block of Rosewood Drive; the caller identified himself as Rossberg.

Rossberg told dispatch that “he lit his house on fire because God had told him to,” the police booking affidavit states.

When police officers arrived at the home, they located Rossberg and detained him. The officers say he also told them that he started the fire because “God had told him to.”

Police say Rossberg informed them that the house belonged to his parents, who were out of state at the time.

Asked how he lit the fire, Rossberg reportedly said that he found a lighter and used it to light multiple fires in the home, both upstairs and downstairs.

The officers said they took Rossberg to Behavioral Health Center for a mental evaluation, and a warrant for his arrest was obtained upon his release.

EastIdahoNews.com previously reported that the fire caused an estimated $400,000 in damage.

The 22-year-old man had his first court appearance last week and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing at 1:30 p.m. on July 8 before Magistrate Judge James Howard Barrett Jr.

Though Rossberg has been charged with this crime, it does not necessarily mean he committed it. Everyone is presumed innocent until they are proven guilty.

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.

New Hawaii law requires stores to label where ahi fish comes from

CNN Newsource on July 1, 2026

By Kayli Pascal-Martinez

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    HONOLULU (KITV) — A new law requiring country of origin labels on raw processed ahi products at retail stores will take effect on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.

Act 238 (2025) mandates that retail establishments selling raw processed ahi must display where the fish was landed. According to the state, local tuna fisheries and seafood markets are an important sector of Hawaii’s economy and food production, and identification of foreign imported tuna is critical to inform and safeguard consumers.

“Consumers deserve clear and accurate information about the food they buy. This law provides shoppers with country-of-origin information at the point of sale while recognizing the value of Hawaii’s commercial fishing industry,” said Chairperson Sharon Hurd.

The law applies to retailers licensed under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act of 1930, which includes establishments that purchase more than $230,000 of fresh or frozen produce.

Covered retail establishments may not keep, offer, display, expose for sale or solicit the sale of raw processed ahi without a label stating the country in which the ahi was landed.

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.

New Louisiana law increases penalties for marijuana use near schools, college campuses

CNN Newsource on July 1, 2026

By Shannon Brinias

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    SHREVEPORT, Louisiana (KTBS) — Starting Aug. 1, people caught using marijuana on or near school and college campuses in Louisiana could face significantly tougher penalties under a new state law.

The measure, passed by the Louisiana Legislature and signed by Gov. Jeff Landry, increases the maximum penalty for marijuana use within designated drug-free zones to up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

The law also delineates drug-free zones around schools and campuses to a 2,000-foot radius, giving law enforcement broader authority to make arrests for violations in those areas.

Shreveport Police Department PIO Cpl. Chris Bordelon said the law changes how officers can respond to marijuana use near campuses.

“Previously, in many cases, marijuana possession or use resulted only in a summons, meaning officers often did not have the authority to arrest someone and take them to jail,” Bordelon said. “Under the new law, officers can arrest an individual and book them into jail. That becomes especially important during sporting events and other situations on college campuses where local police are called to assist campus officers.”

The bill’s House sponsor said the legislation is intended to give law enforcement and prosecutors stronger tools when someone is openly smoking or vaping marijuana or other illegal drugs within a school zone.

The change could have a noticeable impact in northwest Louisiana, where Shreveport and Bossier City are home to numerous colleges, universities and satellite campuses. Observers will be watching to see how aggressively the new law is enforced.

Marijuana advocates have criticized the legislation, arguing it unfairly targets marijuana users.

Dr. Jaya Mcsharma, known locally as “The OUI Doctor,” questioned why marijuana is being singled out while other legal but impairing substances are not.

“Are we going to test everyone within a 2,000-foot radius if they’ve taken Klonopin, Xanax or oxycodone?” Mcsharma said. “Are we going to penalize someone for smoking nicotine within that same radius? I think this unfairly targets the marijuana population because many people don’t understand the drug.”

The legislation passed despite opposition from roughly one-third of Louisiana lawmakers, with about one-third of state senators and representatives voting against the measure.

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.

Bob Uecker mural in downtown Milwaukee unveiled with tailgate-themed celebration

CNN Newsource on July 1, 2026

By Kathryn Merck

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    MILWAUKEE (WDJT) — Those who knew Bob Uecker said he was larger than life. With the completion of an 80-foot by 100-foot mural with his face on it, it proves exactly that.

A tailgate-themed celebration on Tuesday, June 30, marked the completion of “Mr. Baseball,” by Mauricio Ramirez. The mural depicts Bob Uecker in his renowned role as play-by-play announcer for the Milwaukee Brewers – a position held by Uecker for 54 seasons.

“I’ve painted all over the country for the past 10-15 years and I have to say Milwaukee is my favorite city to paint in,” Ramirez said before he signed his completed work.

The party outside of the Wintrust building on Jackson St. in downtown Milwaukee included remarks from Mayor Cavalier Johnson, mural sponsors, Mauricio Ramirez, and representatives from the Milwaukee Brewers. Members of the Uecker family were also in attendance.

“His voice, his humor, his heart, all those things became a part of us, they all became a part of Milwaukee,” Johnson said.

As part of the program, Brewers Manager Pat Murphy and Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich shared memories of Mr. Baseball.

“Something Bob would probably get a good laugh at is that his face is blown up on a giant building in downtown Milwaukee,” Yelich said. “Mauricio did him justice, it looks amazing, it was really cool to be part of today.”

“People all over the country know him and he’s a national figure, but he’s ours,” Murphy said.

The first 500 guests of legal drinking age were able to enjoy a can of Miller Lite for a celebratory toast. 500 brats were also distributed.

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.