Month: August 2026

By Steve Large

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    STOCKTON, California (KOVR) — California adoptees are pushing for a bill that would give them access to their birth certificates, which are currently sealed by the state when adoption is finalized.

“I was born in Fort Bragg, California, and was given another name,” said Paul Kimball.

Kimball, 63, is on a mission to see his own birth certificate in his lifetime.

“This is something that states that I am a true full human being, and at 63, I still don’t want the state to have that control over something that’s mine,” he said.

For nearly 100 years, California has sealed adoptee birth certificates in an effort to protect the identity of birth mothers.

Kimball was adopted at 1. He described his upbringing in his adopted family as fantastic. Still, seeing his birth certificate would give him a sense of completion.

“It’s almost this biological pull and holding that piece of paper in my hand would just mean the world to me,” Kimball said.

Kimball testified along with others supporting a proposed law that would allow California adoptees access to their birth certificates.

Despite no formal opposition, state Democratic Sen. Caroline Menjivar expressed concern for birth mothers who were not voicing opposition.

“It would be very difficult to come here and say I’m against this bill because I gave up someone at adoption,” Menjivar said. “We’re not going to hear that side of the story for this bill.”

Supporters said DNA testing, now available through Ancestry.com and 23andMe, allows adoptees to find biological relatives without seeking vital records. A point Kimball said lawmakers should consider.

For now, this legislation is not getting Kimball any closer to his own birth certificate. Legislative leaders are not calling it to the full floor for a vote.

“It would mean a sense of wholeness of who I am,” Kimball said.

Kimball said he is hoping that this bill will be sponsored by another lawmaker to take it over the finish line in the next legislative session, to help adoptees like him find that closure.

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 Christina Fan

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    NEWARK, New Jersey (WCBS) — Thirteen people were hurt when a shuttle bus crashed at Newark Airport early Monday morning, according to transportation officials.

A Port Authority spokesperson said an employee shuttle bus was involved in an accident at 3 a.m. on the Terminal B Departures Level 3 roadway.

Video from the scene shows the bus appears to have hit a concrete wall as it was trying to exit the terminal. The windshield and passenger door were mangled, and the front wheel well was heavily damaged.

Police and EMS responded to the scene and found multiple people with non-life-threatening injuries. They were transported to the hospital for treatment, a spokesperson said.

Transportation officials are investigating the incident. The Level 3 roadway was closed while crews worked to clear debris but reopened at 9:30 a.m.

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 Ricky Sayer

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    WESTMORELAND COUNTY, Pennsylvania (KDKA) — A Westmoreland County man who police say killed his mother outside her home surrendered to police on Sunday evening after an hours-long manhunt.

Police believe Jakob Michael Korber killed his mother, who was identified by the coroner as Christin Hamilton. Police had released a photo of Korber from around the time the incident took place, asking for the public’s help in finding him.

Neighbors called police around 6:45 p.m. after spotting Korber in the same clothes walking down the street toward the residence.

A KDKA-TV camera captured exclusive video of Korber approaching the driveway to the home. He stared at the camera before being met by police who had rushed to the driveway. He knelt down and put his hands over his head, before police told him to get on the ground. He was taken into custody without incident.

“I’m glad that it’s over,” said Connie Underwood, whose home is next to where Hamilton lived. “It’s been a hectic day, a worrisome day.”

Police were alerted to an incident along Herminie West Newton Road in West Newton around 9:30 a.m.

Upon arrival, state troopers found an unresponsive woman on the property who was declared deceased.

The manhunt featured a helicopter in the air and K9 units on the ground, along with officers combing through the woods.

“The officer told me to stay in our house, lock our doors,” said Connie’s husband John. He got his gun. “When you don’t feel safe in your own yard, you start worrying about stuff like that.”

For Connie, she’d lost more than a neighbor. She’d lost a friend.

“I couldn’t believe it. I was just talking to her in my driveway,” she said. “She was a nice neighbor. A nice girl. Really was.”

A source close to the family told KDKA-TV that Jakob was schizophrenic, and that some family members had tried to get him help.

“There has always been something wrong with him,” Connie said.

Tragedy is nothing new to the Korber family.

According to an obituary, Jakob’s 16-year-old sister, Kylee, was among four Yough High School students who were killed in a crash in March 2026.

“Nobody should have to go through that, nobody,” Connie said.

She explained that both Christin’s husband and sister had died previously, which obituaries confirm. She said this latest incident brings her a lot of heartache, and that she’s worried about their remaining kids.

“I’m so sorry that she’s gone,” she said. “I mean, that’s devastating. But there’s two children left here that are without a dad, without an aunt, without a mom. It’s devastating.”

She told KDKA-TV that she hopes Korber will now get the help he needs.

Police did not specify how Korber allegedly killed his mother.

He’s being held at the Westmoreland County Prison and did not say anything to reporters as he left the police barracks.

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 Wakisha Bailey

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    PHILADELPHIA (KYW) — At just 9 years old, Tanya Sinha is already making her mark in the world of chess — but for her, winning is only part of the game.

The young Philadelphia chess player is using her love of the game to encourage a new generation of players, especially girls, to give chess a try.

Tanya started learning chess around the age of 5, when her father began teaching her the basics in kindergarten.

Since then, she’s competed in tournaments and played with her school’s chess club. In 2025, Tanya took first place in the Philadelphia Girls Chess Tournament. This year, she earned another first-place finish at the Pennsylvania State Tournament.

But as Tanya spent more time around the chessboard, she began noticing something.

“At my chess club there aren’t many girls,” Tanya said. “And I want them to realize chess is a very fun sport.”

Tanya is already doing something about it.

She recently returned to Amigos Spanish Immersion Preschool, where she once attended school, to teach a group of 4- and 5-year-olds she calls her “Chess Explorers.”

“I’m going to be teaching you all chess and how I want everyone to play, especially girls,” Tanya told the group.

It’s a full-circle moment for the 9-year-old. Many of the children she’s now teaching are about the same age Tanya was when she first learned how to play.

Her mission has also taken her beyond the classroom.

During the summer, as Philadelphia welcomed visitors from around the world for the World Cup, Tanya and a friend set up a chessboard and lemonade stand on historic Elfreth’s Alley.

They invited strangers to stop, sit down and make a move while raising money for Tanya’s chess club — using the game to connect with people from different places and backgrounds.

For Tanya, it’s another example of what she loves about chess and why she wants other children to experience it.

Her message to girls who may have never considered picking up a chess piece is simple:

“Maybe you should try it once to see if you like it,” she said.

Tanya also has her own website, where she shares more about her chess journey and her mission to encourage more young people to learn the game.

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 Paul Burton

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    MASSACHUSETTS (WBZ) — With less than two days to go before the Sept. 1 Massachusetts primary election, the gubernatorial race continues to heat up.

Incumbent Gov. Maura Healey and Mass GOP candidates Mike Minogue and Brian Shortsleeve have been relentlessly holding rallies, meeting voters and knocking on doors.

Canvassing for Sen. Will Brownsberger and State Rep. Dave Rogers in Belmont, Healey talked about her record as governor, focusing on holding ICE accountable, healthcare and public transportation.

“Who your governor is matters more than ever before,” Healey told voters. “We turned around public transit in the last three years. Together we got rid of slow zones on the T, we’ve opened up new Commuter Rail lines, and got better service – all things that are important.”

Army veteran, businessman, and former CEO Minogue was featured on Keller at Large Sunday morning with WBZ-TV political analyst Jon Keller. Minogue, who has the backing of the Massachusetts GOP, says Massachusetts is overspending.

“We are going to spend this year over $70 billion this year for about seven million people. What I will do is bring in a third party outside auditor, just like public companies have. I will go look at the whole budget and find waste, fraud, and corruption. I’m also going to budget and audit the healthcare system,” Minogue said.

Meeting voters at Saint Anthony’s Feast in the North End, Shortsleeve, a Marine veteran and small business owner, said voters are looking for change.

“Independents who are fed up, Democrats who feel left out, they know Massachusetts can do better. They are looking for change. We have a great tradition in this state of Republican businessmen serving as governor,” he said.

The Massachusetts primary election takes place on Tuesday, Sept. 1. Polls across the state are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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 Matt Schooley

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    BOSTON (WBZ) — Celtics fans packed Boston Common on Sunday as recently traded Jaylen Brown returned to the city he called home for 10 seasons.

Brown was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers earlier in the offseason. He hosted a block party that drew hundreds of people as his way to say goodbye to Boston.

The event included some back-to-school giveaways, games, food and music.

Brown took the stage at one point, adding some heartfelt words for the fans who spent a decade cheering for him.

“I’m so grateful that there’s so many people here showing us love. Just know the feeling is mutual,” Brown told the crowd. “Boston, I love you. I f—k with you. Boston, thank you.”

Brown had the championship trophy and Finals MVP trophy he won on hand to show fans. He made his way around the crowd signing autographs.

Mayor Michelle Wu spoke to the crowd, giving the former Celtics star his own “Jaylen Brown Way” street sign.

The 76ers sent Paul George, two first-round draft picks, and two second-round draft picks to the Celtics in exchange for Brown in July after a failed pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Brown was the third overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft, averaging 20.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in 10 seasons with the Celtics. Brown made five All-Star teams and was named second-team All-NBA twice.

During his time in Boston, Brown was active in the community. When he signed his $304 million extension in 2023, Brown declared that he wanted to bring Black Wall Street to the city and bridge the wealth gap for people of color.

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.