Month: July 2026

By Jazmon DeJarnette

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    SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KSBW) — A teenage lifeguard at Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz is being celebrated for rescuing a young boy caught in rough surf, an act that has drawn national attention and praise.

California State Parks expressed pride in the lifeguard’s actions, highlighting the extensive training that prepared him for the moment.

“It’s great to see our lifeguards out there working. This is what we train them to do, and this is what they train for all year long,” said Tyler Leamer, a California State Parks Peace Officer Lifeguard.

President Donald Trump acknowledged the lifeguard’s heroism, writing on Truth Social that he wants to invite the lifeguard, his family, and the boy he saved to the White House to receive “a high civilian honor.”

“He did a great job, and we’re really proud of him,” said Leamer.

Lifeguards emphasized that such rescues are the result of years of preparation.

California State Parks and the city of Santa Cruz offer junior lifeguard programs that teach children ocean safety, build confidence in the water, and develop lifeguard skills.

“We really push on them getting into the water every single day with a positive attitude and, like, pushing themselves to be the best that they can be and, like, incrementally getting better and better in the water,” said Amos Fishbein, Lieutenant for Santa Cruz Junior Lifeguards.

As participants grow older, the training becomes more demanding, both physically and mentally, to ensure they are ready for real-life situations.

“They’re doing all of the physical things that they would need to do to try out to be a lifeguard. We have them practicing, doing the swim test that they would have to do before they could, when they want to try out to lifeguard the following year,” said Fishbien.

State Parks emphasized that this training is what enables lifeguards to act decisively in emergencies.

“It’s nice to see all the training we put in and all the hard work they put in pay off and be able to help the people that come and recreate safely in our beaches,” said Leamer.

Local lifeguards said their focus remains on the training that prepares them for moments like these and on keeping beachgoers safe.

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 James Stratton

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    MILWAUKEE (WISN) — Milwaukee police and the Milwaukee Department of Emergency Communications are investigating a home invasion and why it took nearly three hours for police to respond to a home to help a victim on Milwaukee’s south side.

Milwaukee police said at around 5:15 a.m., a 22-year-old broke into a 99-year-old’s home near 14th Street and Layton on Monday. The suspect “…forcefully entered the victim’s residence and battered the victim.” EMS took the victim to the hospital for “non-fatal injuries,” according to police.

Police say a squad was dispatched at 8 a.m.

Tony Bueno, director of Milwaukee Department of Emergency Communications, says the first call came around 5:15 a.m. Monday from a voice over internet protocol call center. VoIP is a technology that allows callers to use an internet connection to make phone calls. The call center called again, a short time later, concerned about what they heard from the person. The first call was classified as a welfare check, according to Bueno, and the second call was classified as a threat call.

The victim then called a third time about 2.5 hours later, according to Bueno, and the dispatcher classified it as a battery call, sending police and EMS immediately.

Bueno said his office is investigating the calls internally and will take appropriate action. He declined to say if anyone was placed on administrative leave or fired.

Milwaukee police said they referred charges for the 22-year-old to the Milwaukee District Attorney’s Office. MPD referred questions about the 911 calls to the Department of Emergency Communications.

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 Stephen Cohn, James Stratton

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    MILWAUKEE (WISN) — New body camera video obtained by 12 News shows the moment Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo last week.

Romo was arrested Thursday, July 23, on suspicion of operating while intoxicated.

A search warrant obtained Tuesday by 12 News stated Romo’s vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed, passing other vehicles during heavy rush hour traffic in the Marquette Interchange.

According to the search warrant, a deputy said they detected a “strong odor of an alcoholic beverage” in Romo’s breath. Video shows Romo told her he had zero drinks.

The body camera video shows the deputy coming up to Romo’s vehicle on Interstate 43, saying she stopped him for unsafe passing on the right and lane deviation. Romo tells the deputy he lives in Dallas, was heading from a golf event to his grandparents’ house, according to the video. The pair have difficulty hearing each other due to the noise of interstate traffic.

When the deputy asks Romo to step out of the vehicle, he says he’s going to call his lawyer, the video shows.

“Because I’m coming from the golf course you think that I’m drunk?” video shows him asking while exiting the vehicle.

Romo asked to record video of the incident on his phone, according to the search warrant and body camera video. Video shows him asking the deputy if he can set his cell phone on the tailgate of his vehicle once he is out of the car.

The deputy then took Romo to the Milwaukee County Jail sally port for a standardized field sobriety test, according to the video and search warrant.

Once in the sallyport at the jail, the deputy releases him from handcuffs and Romo agrees to do the field sobriety tests, according to the video.

“Can I do an exercise?” Romo says, appearing to stretch using the front brush guard on the deputy’s squad car.

“Any head injuries?” The deputy asks.

“Excuse me?” Romo responds with a small chuckle.

“Any head injuries recently, any concussions?” she asks.

“Well, over the years, yes, but not recently. No,” Romo responds.

The search warrant stated that during the sobriety test, Romo could not keep his balance, stopped walking, started too soon, missed the heel-to-toe, and made an improper turn.

When asked to submit a preliminary breath test, Romo declines, in the video.

“Oh no. We’re not doing that,” he says in the video. “I’ve heard from multiple lawyers don’t ever do that.”

The deputies then place Romo under arrest. Later, he denies giving a blood sample as well.

“No,” he said, according to the video. “Like I said, I want my lawyer, for the eighth time.”

Court records show Romo was cited for refusing to take a test for intoxication. A letter from his lawyer to the court states he was also cited for operating while under the influence, first offense. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation also filed a notice of intent to revoke Romo’s license, according to court documents.

In Wisconsin, a first-offense OWI is generally a traffic ticket, not a criminal charge. The citation typically carries a fine ranging from $150 to $300. The arrest report doesn’t indicate any blood alcohol or breathalyzer testing.

Romo grew up in Burlington and graduated from Burlington High School. He was the first Burlington High School student-athlete to be named all-state in three sports: football, basketball, and golf. The search warrant states he told police he was in town for a golf event and was driving to his parents’ house.

Romo is a four-time Pro Bowler and is part of CBS’ lead NFL broadcast team.

Romo’s lawyer did not respond to calls for comment Tuesday.

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 Farrah Reed

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    NEW ORLEANS (WDSU) — A woman in Metairie is making sure Who Dat Nation knows about a Saints rookie and his good deed in the grocery store.

Leslie Pedigo says she was standing in line at Rouses and saw a man walk up behind her with one item. She told the cashier to let him go since he only had a bag of shrimp.

She says he smiled and told the cashier to ring up all the groceries together. After she refused, she said he told her “My Momma always taught me to do good deeds, and I’d like to bless you today. Please don’t take that blessing from me.”

Moments later, the cashier told her who footed the bill. It was Saints rookie Christen Miller. The Saints drafted the Defensive End from Georgia earlier this year. She ran after him to get a picture in the parking lot.

Pedigo posted the story on Facebook and said this about Miller:

“To the New Orleans Saints—you didn’t just draft an athlete. You drafted a young man of character. And to Momma Miller… thank you. Thank you for raising a son who understands that true strength is shown through humility, generosity, and faith. Your words clearly stayed with him, and because of that, a complete stranger went home reminded that there is still so much good in this world…thank you for your kindness. You reminded me that there are still good people in this world.”

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 Patrick Talbot

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    EDMOND, Okla. (KOCO) — The Edmond Police Department is investigating the theft of $300,000 worth of collectibles.

Dustin Barton, owner of Pack Smashers Card Store, was preparing to purchase a house in Edmond with his wife using the earnings from his collection.

“It was basically our house fund. We had been looking to move that product, to be able to buy a home here in Edmond to be able to continue to grow our family,” Barton said.

His goal to buy a home has been put on hold after his entire collection of trading cards and other collectibles have been stolen from his storage unit.

Edmond police have made an arrest and are preparing to present charges. Ten percent of stolen items have been recovered, including his son’s custom signed jerseys.

Items have also been spotted online by other collectors that they believe came from the Dustin’s collection.

“It’s a trading card community. It’s in the name. It’s a community,” Barton said.

Barton is asking anyone who may have recently purchased high-end trading cards or collectibles to contact Edmond police.

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 Jodi Long

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    DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) — At 80-years old, Gary Luna is attempting to master movements in rehabilitation therapy he has not been able to perform in years.

Luna had two strokes that impaired the movement of his right arm and hand. His family said doctors warned that he might never regain full function, even with therapy.

“It’s been so hard the last two years,” Katherine Hagge, Gary’s daughter, said. “I want it to be easier for him again.”

Now, an implanted vagus nerve stimulation device is giving Luna and his family new hope. Vagus nerve stimulators have previously been used to treat people with epilepsy. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has also approved the technology for use alongside rehabilitation therapy for certain stroke survivors.

The device sends electrical pulses along the vagus nerve to the brain. When paired with repetitive rehabilitation exercises, the stimulation is designed to help the brain build and strengthen connections involved in arm and hand movement.

Simon Wright, an ENT surgeon in Des Moines, has performed hundreds of vagus nerve stimulator implant procedures. Luna, however, was his first stroke patient to receive one.

“For this kind of thing to happen, it almost seems miraculous,” Wright said.

Wright said the device, which is about the size of a key fob, could provide an option for people frustrated by long-term impairment after a stroke.

“I think Gary will think this is miraculous, and many other people like him,” Wright said. “It’s pretty impressive to see the change that he’s had already. It’s striking.”

Luna is undergoing what his therapists call a six-week “rehab boot camp” at Yonker Rehabilitation Center in Des Moines following the implant procedure. After one week of therapy, Luna’s handwriting had improved from nearly illegible marks to recognizable letters.

It’s expected the procedure will grow in popularity in the next 3 to 6 months in Iowa. Doctors say there are already patients approved for the implant procedure.

“We’re looking forward to seeing patients who thought they had plateaued, who may not have, who now have option,” says Dr. Dan Shamir, medical director at Younker Rehabilitation Center.

Luna’s results are still unfolding, and doctors do not yet know how broadly vagus nerve stimulation could be used for other stroke-related impairments.

“Until a study proves it, we don’t know,” Wright said. “But if it can help with an upper arm, maybe it can help with a lower leg. And if it can help with a lower leg, maybe it can help with a voice box.”

For Hagge, she believes her father’s progress will help other stroke survivors and their families.

“I keep telling him, ‘You’re a trailblazer,’ and he just laughs,” Hagge said. “But I’m like, ‘No, really, Dad. This could bring a lot of help to people.’”

Stroke survivors – 6 months post-stroke — are eligible for the new device. Doctors say the implant can improve function by two to three times.

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 Jason Rantala

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    MINNESOTA (WCCO) — The family of a 20-year-old victim said his life has been permanently altered after a mass shooting at a Minneapolis nightclub that left nine hurt.

According to police, a fight outside Reign Event Center in Uptown Minneapolis escalated into gunfire, as a large crowd waited to enter the venue.

Family says 20-year-old Deven Wyatt remains hospitalized after suffering severe injuries. Wyatt suffered a spinal cord injury, multiple broken ribs and a collapsed lung, with doctors saying he is not expected to walk again.

Despite the devastating prognosis, relatives said there have been encouraging signs in recent days.

“He’s off oxygen now, his chest tube is out, he’s supposed to be getting moved to a lesser floor,” Ericka Williams, Wyatt’s mother, said. “This is a mother’s worst nightmare right now.”

Williams said her son had been preparing to graduate from a construction program at Summit Academy in October.

“He just had his whole life ahead of him,” she said.

Wyatt’s aunt, Paris Holloway, described him as a caring and outgoing young man.

“He’s really a sweet boy. He’s very smart,” Holloway said. “Everyone loves him.”

Meanwhile, family said communication from investigators has been limited, as the case remains under investigation.

“Honestly, they haven’t reached out much. I heard something one time about they had a lead, but that was all I heard from them,” Williams said.

As Wyatt continues treatment in intensive care, loved ones are asking the community for prayers and support.

The family is working to raise $65,000 to help cover Wyatt’s medical expenses and future care needs.

“I just wish people would just put the guns down. It’s not worth it,” Williams said.

Minneapolis police said the investigation remains ongoing and no one has been arrested.

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.