Month: August 2026

By Jazmon DeJarnette

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    SALINAS, Calif. (KSBW) — Artificial intelligence and robotics are being introduced to farming in the Salinas Valley, with Reservoir Farms hosting its first-ever “Ruggedize Forum” to showcase cutting-edge technology designed to tackle challenges faced by farmers.

The event featured equipment such as laser weeders, multifunction harvesters, and AI-powered strawberry sprayers, each with unique capabilities to address agricultural needs.

“At this point, technology for agriculture is just not optional. In order for us to have resilient agricultural ecosystems, we need technology. It’s the only way that we’ll be able to continue to farm in California, Monterey County,” said Danny Bernstein, CEO of Reservoir Farms.

Carbon Robotics presented its laser weeder, which uses powerful lasers to eliminate weeds.

“Fundamentally, this is an AI robot because how do you detect the weeds? How do you put the lasers on the weed? It’s all about these AI systems, cameras, lights, intelligent processing GPUs on their Nvidia GPUs on their, of course, machine kills these weeds,”said Paul Mikesell, Founder and CEO of Carbon Robotics.

The laser weeder aims to provide farmers with an alternative to chemical weed control.

“The chemicals hurt the plants. It hurts the crops. So you find when you do laser weeding instead, you get a yield improvement—30%, 40%, 50% more crops out of the same acreage with less water, less fertilizer, because again, you’re not beating those crops up. And that makes farmers more profitable and more consistent in their operations,” said Mikesell.

Sami Robotics has been testing its multifunction harvester in the area for the past two months.

“What we wanted really to target are vegetables like broccoli and leafy greens like romaine and iceberg. I really wanted to go where labor is really being an issue,”said Pascal Lebrecque, Co-Founder of Sami Robotics.

The harvester can identify vegetables ready for picking and harvest them in under three seconds.

Bonsai Robotics showcased its strawberry sprayer at the forum.

“This machine specifically is a strawberry sprayer. So it’s electric or hybrid electric option. You reduce the cost of the machine by significant amounts. You reduce the cost of diesel and run without labor. So it’s an all-in-one package that really drives the value down to the grower to make farming more economical,” said Tyler Niday, Co-Founder and CEO of Bonsai Robotics.

Reservoir Farms hopes the forum demonstrates the possibilities of integrating technology into agriculture.

“Anything is possible in agriculture, that automation is possible, that upskilling of the workforce is possible, that replacing and reducing chemicals is possible, and maybe even that it’s achievable,” said Bernstein.

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 Ricardo Tovar

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    MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KSBW) — A new vegetation fire has been reported in the Big Sur area, about 30 miles south of the Timber Fire, which has grown to nearly 18,000 acres.

The new fire is east of the community of Plaskett, and wildfire cameras have captured smoke in the area. The fire is being called the Plaskett Fire.

The fire is located off Forest Road 23S10, east of Los Burros Road.

CAL FIRE says the fire has burned 40 acres and threatened structures.

There are 18 structures affected mainly on Los Burros Road and Plaskett Road. In total, 28 people have been displaced from their homes, and the fire is 3 miles up from Willow Creek/Highway 1.

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has issued an evacuation order for the Plaskett Fire. People in zone MRY-F036 are being told to leave the area “now due to an immediate threat to life and property.”

There are also evacuation warnings that have been issued for zones MRY-F035 and MRY-F037. Evacuation warnings mean that residents should assume an order could follow and be ready to leave if ordered to.

Crews from the Timber Fire are being sent to help battle the new fire. A full wildland response is underway.

The cause of the fire is 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.

By Nick Sloan

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    KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KMBC) — Parents of a 4-year-old boy who died after being struck by an Amazon delivery vehicle in Kansas City have filed a wrongful death lawsuit.

The lawsuit, filed in Jackson County Circuit Court this week, lists the driver and company that employed her.

Amazon is not named as a defendant in the case.

Daval Express LLC is described as an Amazon “Delivery Service Partner” in the lawsuit.

Tadens Joseph was playing on a sidewalk near a park in the 1800 block of East Third Terrace when Kansas City police say he entered the roadway and was struck by a marked Amazon vehicle.

The child died at the scene, according to police.

“There is no reasonable justification for (the driver’s) failure to perceive and avoid striking a four-year-old child standing in the immediate vicinity of the area of which she had just made an Amazon delivery, nor for her failure to stop and render aid after striking him,” the lawsuit states.

The driver has not been charged in connection with the deadly crash.

The lawsuit accuses Daval Express of negligence in hiring, training, and supervising the driver.

The family is seeking damages for their son’s death, including funeral and burial expenses.

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 Tim Nazzaro, Jennifer Peñate

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    NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WCVB) — Days after a heated debate over the use of Flock Safety cameras caused the New Bedford City Council to end its weekly meeting early, the council was back in the chambers on Tuesday night to pick up where they left off.

New Bedford City Council President Ryan Pereira issued a warning at the beginning of the meeting to all attendees.

Last week, the council meeting ended in chaos as boos and shouts from attendees drowned out a councilman making a case to keep Flock cameras in the city.

On Tuesday night, tabled discussions on the license plate reader technology went on uninterrupted.

The councilors voted unanimously in favor of drafting an ordinance to get rid of the controversial cameras.

“We expect a veto from the Mitchell administration,” one councilor said.

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell’s Office released a statement Tuesday night, saying in part:

“The police department is evaluating potential regulations on the use of license plate reader technology to better ensure appropriate use by law enforcement while respecting privacy interests.”

City councilor Brian Gomes said he would like to keep the Flock cameras with new safety parameters.

“I believe that for the time being, suspend them until we get all the information,” he said.

New Bedford police Chief Jason Thody recently suspended the automatic license plate readers across the city after a review found an officer allegedly used the technology to track her ex-girlfriend.

Residents protesting the cameras said privacy is a major concern.

According to Pereira, there will be a hearing in the ordinance committee for councilors to begin drafting legislation to remove Flock and any other license-reading technology.

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 Steven Yablonski, Sergio Candido

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    MIAMI (WFOR) — Authorities in South Florida are urging residents to be aware of their surroundings after a dog was attacked and killed by a crocodile early Thursday morning.

The attack occurred in the 6200 block of Southwest 64th Court in South Miami, and the South Miami Police Department said residents in the area need to exercise “extreme caution.”

“Residents, pet owners, and visitors in the area are advised to remain vigilant around nearby canals, waterways, ponds and other bodies of water where a crocodile may be present,” police said in a statement.

Police are reminding residents to keep dogs and other pets on a leash and away from the water, and to keep children under close supervision.

The American crocodile is protected under both state and federal law, and the public is reminded to not attempt to injure, capture, harass or relocate a crocodile.

What to do during a Florida crocodile encounter To stay safe around crocodiles, the FWC has several tips on how to do so:

Keep your distance: If you see crocodiles, stay at least 20 feet away from them.

Avoid the water at night: Crocodiles are the most active at dusk and dawn.

Swim in designated areas: Only swim in areas where it’s safe to do so.

Keep pets away: Keep your pets leashed and away from the water.

Don’t feed them: It’s illegal and dangerous to feed crocodiles.

Dispose of fish scraps properly. Throw away any fish scraps in designated containers and not in the water.

If a crocodile attacks you, the FWC said you should fight back if you can and make a lot of noise. If you’re able to move, hit and kick the crocodile or poke it in the eyes to escape. Once you’re away from the reptile, seek immediate medical attention.

If you are concerned about a crocodile, call the FWC at (866) 392-4286.

How to tell Florida’s crocodiles and alligators apart

While American crocodiles and American alligators may look similar at first glance, several distinct traits make it easy to tell them apart once you know what to look for.

Build and snout: Crocodiles are leaner and more streamlined, whereas alligators have a bulkier, heavier frame. The most obvious clue is in the snout. Crocodiles have a long, pointed snout, while alligators’ are wider and rounded at the end.

Teeth: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission notes that a crocodile’s fourth tooth on each side of the lower jaw stays visible even when its mouth is shut. In alligators, that same tooth disappears when the mouth is closed.

Color: Crocodiles tend to have a lighter gray or olive tone, while alligators are darker, almost black, which helps them blend into murkier freshwater environments.

Habitat: Crocodiles favor South Florida’s coastal zones and brackish waterways such as mangroves, canals and estuaries. Alligators, by contrast, are freshwater dwellers that populate lakes, ponds and marshes across the state. As a result, crocodiles are rarely spotted far from saltwater, while alligators are common well inland.

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 Rachel Henderson

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    KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KSHB) — Campus Boulevard on Kansas City Kansas Community College’s main campus has been renamed Officer Hunter Simoncic Boulevard, exactly one year after the Kansas City, Kansas police officer was killed in the line of duty.

The street sign sits yards from where a suspect struck Simoncic on State Avenue.

The site is now decorated with blue flowers.

Simoncic’s family sprinkled holy water on the flowers as a part of their Catholic tradition.

During Wednesday’s dedication ceremony, Simoncic’s family donated to the Lead to Read program, which Hunter had participated in by reading to elementary school students.

The family had just received this check from the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office.

Hunter was recruited into the program while working off-duty at Walmart and read to students at Banneker Elementary on Wednesdays.

Lead to Read operates in 33 schools across the metro.

“We would like to give the Lead to Read program this check in honor of Hunter,” Simoncic’s mother, Christine Brungardt, said during Wednesday’s dedication.

Radell Oakman, the Lead to Read site coordinator at Banneker and wife of KCK Police Chief Karl Oakman, remembered Hunter’s dedication to others.

“He was always concerned about others,” Oakman said. “The students all miss him, the mentors all miss him.”

Radell Oakman said Hunter’s involvement extended beyond his own participation in the program.

“He was not just an officer who was out serving and protecting, but he also showed a lot of the other officers that they also should give back to the community,” Oakman said.

She reflected on the lasting impact of officers building relationships with young people through programs like Lead to Read.

“That is our mission as husband and wife that if we get to know the children young, the officers get to know them, that is going to have an impact that is going to last them for life, and the relationship that they have with the police will be such a strong one,” Oakman said.

Radell Oakman said Hunter’s memory will endure, especially through his family.

She shared that they’ve supported the Lead to Read program in the past.

“Once I met them, it allowed me, and everyone around to see why Hunter was the special young man that he is,” she said.

Chief Karl Oakman spoke to the character of the Simoncic family and the kind of officer Hunter was.

“They’re always concerned about everyone else but themselves,” Oakman said. “We can see that because that’s how Hunter was.”

He was one of several speakers Wednesday, including Mayor Christal Watson and Senator Roger Marshall.

“Even with all of this happening, if you ask Hunter, would he do it again, he would say absolutely,” Oakman said.

Tiara Ming, the wife of Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Deputy Elijah Ming, also attended Wednesday’s dedication ceremony.

Elijah Ming died in the line of duty exactly one month before Hunter Simoncic.

“Unfortunately, their deaths brought us together,” Ming said.

Ming described the bond that has formed between the two families as they navigate their shared grief, including the stress of ongoing court proceedings.

“We’ve kind of talked with one another about that and just like kind of how we’re coping with everything because everything still feels fresh,” Ming said. “We’re still just trying to figure it out, and I think we need each other to figure it out together.”

Ming said she hopes the connection between the two families will show her son the strength of community support.

“That’s also important for me because I can show my son that,” Ming said. “Like you have a community, not just your family, you have a community behind you as well that’s here to support you and you growing up, they’re going to be here.”

Ming also reflected on how the losses opened her eyes to the frequency of line-of-duty deaths.

“I don’t think I realized how many line-of-duty deaths there were until it happened to my husband, and then a month later it happening to Hunter,” Ming said.

Tiara’s mother, Vicky Lynch, said the timing of the two deaths deepened the connection between the families.

“Which made her probably connect to Hunter’s mom even more,” Lynch said. “It was that exact month, and it was kind of weird.”

One thing Wednesday solidified for certain was that they’re not traveling this road alone.

“Everyone cares about Hunter, and it means that he will never be forgotten,” Radell Oakman said.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. KSHB’s editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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 Francis Page Jr.

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    August 27, 2026 (Houston Style Magazine) — HOUSTON — Before anybody reaches for a driver, studies a putt or starts blaming the Houston humidity for that mysterious slice, Precinct2Gether is giving supporters a chance to warm up the most important part of this year’s TeeUp2Gether Charity Golf Tournament: the community.

The action begins Wednesday, September 2, 2026, from 6–8 p.m. with the TeeUp2Gether Pre-Social Happy Hour at East River 9, 65 Hirsch Road in Houston. RSVP is required for the gathering, which is designed for golfers and non-golfers alike—especially supporters who may not be able to attend the October tournament.

And the momentum continues the very next day: Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia headlines the 2026 State of the Precinct Luncheon on Thursday, September 3, from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. at the Pasadena Convention Center, joining business and community leaders for updates on infrastructure, economic development, major initiatives and Precinct 2’s future—register here through the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce.

photo Precinct2Gether Adrian Garcia P2G Board Members

Guests can expect complimentary light bites, beverages, networking and an opportunity to meet local leaders, sponsors, golfers and community supporters while learning more about the people and programs powered by Precinct2Gether.

And the setting could hardly be more on-theme. East River 9 is Houston’s illuminated nine-hole, par-three golf destination near Buffalo Bayou, complete with a driving range, social putting areas and gathering spaces. Its Birdies Icehouse currently operates at the same 65 Hirsch Roadaddress, making the property a natural spot to mix business, philanthropy and a little pre-tournament golf energy.

Then comes the main event.

On Monday, October 5, 2026, Precinct2Gether will host its 4th Annual TeeUp2Gether Charity Golf Tournament at Bay Oaks Country Club, 14545 Bay Oaks Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77059. The official tournament schedule starts with check-in and driving-range practice from 7:30–8:30 a.m., grab-and-go breakfast and coffee from 8–8:45 a.m., followed by the 9 a.m. tee-off. Lunch and awards are scheduled for 2 p.m.

But TeeUp2Gether is about considerably more than scorecards.

Precinct2Gether is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving Harris County Precinct 2 through multigenerational programs focused on education, youth development, seniors, veterans, workforce opportunities, transportation, health and community resources. The organization says its work reaches a Precinct 2 community of more than 1.2 million residents and is rooted in a straightforward mission: engage, educate and empower neighbors while expanding access to opportunity.

That makes every sponsorship, foursome and contribution another swing at something bigger.

There is history behind the formula, too. Precinct2Gether reported that its 2024 TeeUp2Gether tournament raised more than $100,000, with an additional $15,000 generated through its inaugural TeeUp Social at East River 9. Those proceeds supported programs benefiting veterans, seniors, youth and community health initiatives.

For 2026, the official tournament page lists Premier Partner sponsorships at $5,000, Circle of Friends at $2,500, plus additional opportunities including beverage cart and tent sponsorships at $1,000 and hole sponsorships at $500. Single-player registration is listed at $250, with a September 15 sponsorship commitment deadline. The live Qgiv registration portal currently highlights sponsorship options ranging from $2,500 to $5,000, so organizations considering one of the remaining major packages would be wise not to wait until the back nine.

Houston businesses, civic leaders and community-minded residents can explore tournament details at: Precinct2Gether’s official TeeUp2Gether page

To secure available sponsorships or registrations page: TeeUp2Gether 2026 Registration Portal

The golf may happen on Saturday, October 5, but the mission begins long before the opening tee shot. On Wednesday, September 2, Houston has an invitation to raise a glass, build a relationship and help tee up a stronger Harris County—together.

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.

Kierra Lee
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By Bonnie Bishop

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     Bonnie Bishop (WMTW) — Pam Leo, like many, is grieving the loss of Dolly Parton, who died Tuesday at 80-years-old. Parton’s family said the singer passed peacefully in Nashville after a brief battle with cancer.

“She’s been like a lighthouse for me, you know, to just watch what she does,” Leo said.

For Leo, she’ll miss the country music legend for more than just her hit songs. She says Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library helped inspire her to get more children to read.

“I knew I couldn’t do it at her level, but I thought, I can do it in my community, and it can spread,” Leo said.

Parton’s library took off in 1995, gifting free books to children up until their fifth birthday. Decades later, the program has gifted millions of books, many landing in the hands of Maine children.

Leo has been doing similar work out of Maine, donating books to families who need it most through her Book Fairy Pantry Project. The initiative has been going on for a decade.

“Their whole future standard of living and quality of life is going to depend on their ability to read, and their ability to read is pretty much going to depend on having books in the home in the first five years of life,” Leo said.

“The best way I can honor Dolly is to carry on her work through this work.”

Leo says she’s open to book donations to keep her project going.

“The best way I can honor Dolly is to carry on her work through this work.”

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 Kalea Gunderson

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    PITTSBURGH (WTAE) — Pittsburgh police are investigating a home invasion in the city’s Greenfield neighborhood.

Maddy Durmis, one of the residents, said she was awakened just after midnight Wednesday by the sound of a crash and ran into the hallway to investigate.

“I just remember seeing a strange man in my house and being like, Oh, hell no,” Durmis said.

Durmis said the crashing sound was her front door, which was still deadbolted, ripped from its hinges, and lying in the entryway.

“I see a man start to come up the steps, and I make eye contact, and I say, ‘Who are you?’ And he goes, ‘State police, you’re under arrest.’ And he started to come up a little bit closer. I gave him a little shove, and he goes down, and he starts running,” Durmis said.

Durmis said she grabbed a curtain rod and chased the man down the sidewalk.

“I have it in my hand. And we make it to, like, right about here where I trip on my bottom step. And when I fall, I fall onto the sidewalk, and I can see him running down around the corner,” she said.

Pittsburgh police said the man ran toward Murray Avenue.

The man fled with only her car keys, but her roommate guarded the car until police arrived.

“We had about four to five officers here. They were walking around looking for him to see if they could find him. They had the crime unit come and look to see if they could get any prints,” Durmis said.

Durmis described the man as thin, 5 feet 8 inches tall, around 150 pounds, with short brown hair. She said he was wearing a black tank top and dark jeans.

“I’ve never seen him before. And, like, we will sit on our porch, and we’ll do, like, the little people. Watch me. You know, like our neighbors. We know what they look like. We know their pets. We’ve never seen him before,” Durmis said.

Police said no arrests have been made, but the investigation is 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.