Month: July 2026

By Kennedy Cook

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    AURORA, Colorado (KCNC) — Khloey Pace and Peyton Soltis are the young faces behind Veronica’s Lemonade Stand at Aurora’s Day of Resilience, where every cup served honors the memory of 6-year-old Veronica Moser-Sullivan, the youngest victim of the 2012 Aurora theater shooting.

For Khloey, the stand is about more than raising money or cooling off on a summer day.

“I wish I got to meet her and hang out with her because I feel like she would have been a great cousin,” Khloey said.

Although Khloey was born a year after Veronica died, she has grown up hearing stories about her cousin’s kindness.

“They told me she was very kind, sweet, active with other people, always wanted to have fun, and loved her family,” she said.

The lemonade stand was part of the 11th annual Day of Resilience, held Saturday morning at the Aurora Municipal Center. The event honors Veronica and the 11 other victims of the theater shooting while providing a space for survivors, families and the community to come together in healing.

“We want survivors to know they’re supported and not forgotten, but also to show how strong our community is,” said Heather Dearman, CEO of the 7/20 Memorial Foundation.

The annual event featured a 5K, wellness fair, chalk walk, live music and family-friendly activities, all designed to encourage connection and support for those still impacted by the tragedy.

Dearman said the foundation continues to emphasize that healing after a mass tragedy is a long-term journey.

“The media’s there when it happens, and then after time goes away, they’re gone,” Dearman said. “But you’re here covering it, so we’re keeping it in front of people’s minds. People need to know there are still people affected by that who are still struggling, not only in Aurora, but in other communities.”

She said the Day of Resilience serves as a reminder that recovery doesn’t end after the headlines fade.

“To bring awareness to the long-term healing after a mass tragedy, there’s always someone who needs a hug or support,” Dearman said.

As families remembered loved ones and neighbors gathered in support, organizers said the event is ultimately about honoring the lives of those lost while helping those left behind continue to heal.

Peyton said the event is “less to mourn their death, but to celebrate the lives that they lived and the impact they made on the 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 Jordan Burrows

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    MICHIGAN (WWJ) — Early voting for the August 2026 primary election in Michigan started on Saturday.

The option for early voting has been available for state residents since the 2024 presidential primary. The Detroit Department of Elections on Saturday hosted a Get Out to Vote event, where voters said they loved being able to take advantage of short lines and cast their vote.

“We all come out here and support and make sure everybody’s voice is heard because that’s basically what voting is all about,” London Maiden, a voter, said.

“It’s important that your children see you doing the right thing,” Janice Winfrey, city clerk for the City of Detroit, said. “It’s important that it’s a learning opportunity for them so they can know what voting is.”

“It’s really important to have a vote because you want to be able to voice your opinion on what matters in your community,” Jordan Briggs, a voter, said.

Saturday marked the first of nine days of early voting throughout Michigan. During the early voting season, registered voters can check in during designated days and hours with an election clerk, complete a paper ballot and insert their ballot into a tabulator. Voters said they wish the state had early voting years ago. They said they feel empowered.

“People may not feel like it, but when you have a chance to be able to voice what you think is right, I feel like you should go out and take that chance every time,” Briggs said.

Voters can find the location and hours of operation of their early voting site on the state website. Some sites have different hours than others.

Voters can instead choose to vote on Election Day, Aug. 4, at their assigned polling locations or with an absentee ballot.

Winfrey is urging people to take advantage of early voting.

“Make a plan and vote because it is oh so important, in particular in this election,” she said.

Early voting goes through Aug. 2, with some jurisdictions extending to Aug. 3.

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 WCCO Staff

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    MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Thursday morning’s commute was tough for some on Minneapolis’ Highway 62.

Liquid manure covered a section of the road. The Minnesota State Patrol says it was “inches deep” in both lanes.

“There were a couple of cars ahead of me that actually slid off the road and onto the shoulder,” said Kristina Proffitt, who dealt with the spill. “I was able to stay on the freeway, but the smell lingered for miles after I had passed through the area.”

Proffitt told WCCO that despite taking her car through the car wash at least five times and parking it outside overnight to air out, the car still smells like a barn.

Proffitt now worries she’ll have to sell the car.

The state patrol says if they learn where the manure came from, the person responsible could face a fine.

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 CBS Chicago Team

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    CHICAGO (WBBM) — July 25th is officially Emmett Till Day.

Gov. JB Pritzker signed the law designating the day on Thursday.

Till would have turned 85 years old on Saturday.

Earlier in the day, a new street designation was unveiled in his honor.

A sign for “Mamie and E.L. Till Road” now sits at the corner of 71st and Kedzie, honoring Emmett and his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley.

Emmett, who was 14 at the time, was kidnapped and lynched while visiting family in Mississippi in 1955 after reportedly whistling at a white woman. The woman later recanted her story.

Local leaders were at the unveiling and spoke about.

The newly named street is an extension of Emmett Till Road, which was designated in 1991 and runs from South Lake Shore Drive to Kedzie.

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 Stephanie Stahl

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    PHILADELPHIA (KYW) — Rock climbing walls can be challenging, especially for children who are missing arms or legs or have other physical limitations. But that didn’t stop a group from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia participating in Camp Rock.

Thirteen-year-old Chanel Hollingsworth can’t walk on her own but she’s able to get out of her wheelchair and climb a wall. She’s part of the rock climbing camp for children with limb differences.

“It’s really fun,” Hollingsworth said. “It’s a nice place where people with differences can come and know that we are all the same.”

The camp is designed for children with differences affecting their hands, arms or legs. It also welcomes children with differences in function, appearance or both.

At the camp, differences are not just accepted but celebrated.

Nate Brant, 11, has a nickname for the small hand he was born with, he calls it “a lucky fin”.

Brant says rock climbing isn’t that hard for him and when asked if it’s painful: “Not really, I mean it hurts when I grab the things, the rocks obviously, but no it’s not hard,” Brant said.

Megan Pehnke, an Occupational Therapist with CHOP, said the camp is helpful for the kids physically and mentally, building self-esteem.

“Challenging them to participate in this camp and push them to set individual goals, and then exceed those goals can really give these kids a boost of confidence and teach them, and show them that they really can do anything that they want to set out to do,” Pehnke said.

Ava Zawislak, 9, had her leg amputated because bone cancer and is happy be participating in the camp.

“I was really scared on the first day but now I’m so happy that I made it to the top and stuff,” she said.

Camp Rock is all about empowering differences with the campers reaching new heights.

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 Alexa Liacko

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    ATLANTA (WUPA) — When Monica Sunny’s three sons left for college, the quiet that settled over her home inspired an unexpected second act.

Instead of taking up a new hobby, Sunny turned a family tradition into a business. Nearly a decade after she began brewing chai in her kitchen for friends and neighbors, Sunny is now the owner of The Chai Box, an Atlanta café where she hopes every customer experiences the same sense of warmth and togetherness that defined her family’s daily tea ritual.

“For years, chai was such a big part of our family,” Sunny said. “I have fond memories of having chai with my parents when I moved from India to Atlanta in the 80s, having that chai time in a brand-new country. So, it just kept me grounded. And I wanted to instill that love of chai and family and togetherness in my kids.”

After becoming an empty nester, Sunny realized she wasn’t ready to let that tradition end.

She began making chai in her home kitchen and selling it to friends and neighbors. The small operation eventually outgrew her basement, leading her to open The Chai Box in Atlanta.

“My husband and I were empty nesters, and he’s like, ‘Well, this is your fourth baby,'” Sunny said.

The café specializes in handcrafted chai made from spices sourced overseas and blended in-house to stay true to traditional flavors.

Building the business has required long days, something Sunny jokes about with a sense of humor.

“I feel like I’m pulling double shifts at Dairy Queen every day like I did back when I was 15 years old,” she said with a laugh.

The café has also become a family and community effort.

One of Sunny’s sons designed the shop, and his first drawing hangs on the wall. She also hired the daughter of a longtime neighbor, pastry chef Amber, to create pastries that blend French techniques with Indian flavors, including a samosa croissant and a pistachio rose tart.

“I’ve known Miss Monica and her family since I was, like, 12. We were neighbors,” Amber said. “When they said they were opening a café, I was like, ‘Oh my God, this would be a dream to work with them’ … and play with the flavors of Indian culture.”

Sunny still prepares the café’s signature malai herself, while every detail of the experience is designed to make guests feel welcome.

“I tried her chai, and I loved it immediately,” said Yasmeen Fareeduddin, a longtime customer. “And the real kicker was that my mom loved it, and my mother-in-law loved it. And so, when you get some pure, authentic Indian aunties and moms to love chai, you know, it’s legit.

“Everything is intentional from how it feels and how it tastes,” said Fareeduddin. “Wanting you to feel like you’re at home was obviously there.”

Other customers agree, saying that atmosphere and the chai keep them coming back.

“Just taking a minute to breathe and enjoy the warm hug that you get from chai,” customer Alexandra Castellanos said. “I love that feeling.”

For Sunny’s sons, watching their mother build a successful business after raising her family has become a source of inspiration.

“Living with someone so hardworking to make their dream come true inspires me and my brothers to work harder in our life because it shows that actually life is achievable,” said Ian Sunny.

His brother, Evan Sunny, said seeing customers embrace the café makes him appreciate his mother’s work even more.

“We’re very proud of our mom,” Evan said. “You don’t see behind the scenes how good of a mom she is. What makes it extra special is knowing that we come home, we have a tremendous mom waiting for us.”

Ian hopes visitors leave with the same feeling his family experienced growing up.

“I hope they experience the homey feel that our mom’s created through the business,” he said. “That they can kind of feel the same love and experience that she gives everyone.”

For Sunny, The Chai Box is an extension of the home she built around her family.

“When people come in here,” she said, “they’re coming into my house.”

Today, that house serves chai and a sense of belonging to customers from across metro Atlanta.

The Chai Box will have a grand opening celebration on Sunday, Aug. 9, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1963 Howell Mill Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318. There will be free chai and live music.

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 Marissa Muniz

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    LA’IE, Hawaii (KITV) — Following the Kona Low floods, the Girl Scouts of Hawaii and American Savings Bank partnered to donate more than 4,000 boxes of cookies to affected communities.

Families around the area are still rebuilding their homes after severe damage caused them to move out or lose their belongings, but today offered a sweet treat in the rebuilding process.

This idea actually began during the floods, while girl scouts were selling cookies in the rain.

Customers and Girl Scouts across the state purchased extra boxes to hand out to those affected.

Members of the community are grateful for the support that has been shown.

“I think the community is still trying to recuperate, and I have a lot of friends who, you know, their houses are damaged, really damaged. I don’t think they’ve moved back in yet,” Margot Howlett, La’ie resident, said.

The Girl Scouts of Hawaii want the community to know they are with them, even if it’s just by a box of cookies.

A second distribution will be held this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the American Savings Banks locations in Wahiawa and Haleiwa.

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.