Milwaukee veterans take flight in World War II-era biplane

CNN Newsource on August 21, 2026

By Hannah Hilyard

Click here for updates on this story

    MILWAUKEE (WISN) — Eight Milwaukee-area veterans got the trip of a lifetime in a World War II-era biplane Thusday, thanks to the nonprofit Dream Flights.

One of those veterans: 87-year-old Wisconsin native and Army veteran Bernie Huizenga.

“I’ve been in small planes but never a biplane, never an open cockpit,” he told WISN 12 News. “I’m excited about it, quite interested in seeing this.”

The flight was organized by Dream Flights, a national nonprofit that provides free flights in military planes to veterans as a way to say thank you for their service.

Darryl Fisher, founder, president, and pilot of Dream Flights, described the emotional impact these flights have on veterans.

“Right before your eyes, you’ll see somebody go up at 85 or 90, and then in spirit, they’re in their twenties. It somehow invigorates them and gives them energy that they didn’t have before. And it’s just a beautiful thing,” Fisher said.

Fisher started Dream Flights in 2011, with Milwaukee-based Direct Supply providing the nonprofit’s initial funding.

“This really connects what we believe in, which is not only improving lives of America’s seniors but also getting out in the community and partnering with our customers,” said Matthew Koch of Direct Supply.

Since then, Dream Flights has provided more than 8,500 flights to veterans across the country.

“It never gets old. I have to pinch myself every morning when I get out of bed. I actually get to do this,” Fisher said.

Huizenga was the first veteran to take flight Thursday.

“I think it’s a wonderful idea. I’m really pleased to, honored to be chosen for this,” Huizenga said.

His smile after the flight said it all.

Dream Flights operates six planes and has nearly 20 pilots offering this opportunity nationwide.

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.

Wildfire contained after burning almost 1,000 acres near Gracemont: What we know

CNN Newsource on August 21, 2026

By Addison Kliewer

Click here for updates on this story

    CADDO COUNTY (KOCO) — Crews across the state worked to extinguish grass fires on Thursday, including a wildfire in Caddo County that burned hundreds of acres.

Gracemont fire A fire originated east of County Street 2690 and north of County Road 1290, and the fire progressed north and east. There were some structures near County Road 1270 that were threatened, but firefighters contained the flames.

Anadarko Fire/EMS said the initial estimate is that around 900 acres burned.

The city manager said this was in Gracemont’s fire district, but Anadarko fire officials helped fight the fire.

Sky 5 was over the scene, where massive flames were seen coming from the rural area.

The flames were moving toward a wooded area, making it difficult to put out the fire.

The fire was near the site of a massive wildfire that burned four homes just days ago in Anadarko.

Payne County fire About 40 acres of land burned after a grass fire broke out in the area of 104th Street and Karsten Creek. Multiple agencies responded to the fire and were able to contain the flames.

No structures were involved in the fire, according to the Payne County emergency manager.

As of 5:30 p.m., crews were extinguishing hotspots in the area.

NE 63rd Street fire A grass fire spread to a shed on Thursday afternoon, destroying the building. The fire sparked near Northeast 63rd Street and Jericho in Oklahoma City.

No one was injured in the fire, according to the Oklahoma City Fire Department

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 filing disputes claim Alex Murdaugh passed polygraph ‘with flying colors’

CNN Newsource on August 21, 2026

By Brooke Butler

Click here for updates on this story

    South Carolina (WJCL) — South Carolina prosecutors are pushing back on a claim made by Alex Murdaugh’s defense attorney, Dick Harpootlian, who said in court last week that Murdaugh had passed a polygraph test “with flying colors.”

Harpootlian made the statement on Aug. 14 during a discussion of a polygraph given to Eddie Smith by two SLED examiners prior to the first trial for the murders of Paul and Maggie Murdaugh. He said, “I will tell you, Mr. Murdaugh passed a polygraph, flying colors. The same polygrapher. So, it may play a role in this trial.”

In a four-page filing, prosecutors asked the court to correct what they called “factually inaccurate statements” made by Harpootlian.

The state said Murdaugh never took a SLED-administered polygraph, either about the murders or any other subject. Prosecutors also said the two SLED examiners who tested Smith never examined Murdaugh, despite Harpootlian’s suggestion that Murdaugh had been tested by the “same polygrapher.”

However, prosecutors revealed Murdaugh did take a polygraph administered by the FBI in October 2023, several months after his first murder trial. According to the state, that test was not related to the murders. Instead, it focused on financial matters, including whether Murdaugh had hidden assets and whether he had told another attorney he was stealing money.

Prosecutors said Murdaugh failed that FBI test.

The Attorney General’s Office said it was not involved in or aware of the FBI polygraph when it was administered. Prosecutors said the FBI provided them with the results for the first time Wednesday, Aug. 19.

The state emphasized that even though Murdaugh took that FBI test, it does not support Harpootlian’s claim that Murdaugh passed a government-administered polygraph, much less one concerning the murders.

A judge has already ruled that polygraph results will not be admissible at trial. The ruling also bars evidence about whether a defendant was willing to take a polygraph or refused to take one.

In a response filed by Murdaugh’s defense on Thursday, Harpootlian acknowledged that his statement in court was incorrect.

“I realize I mistakenly conflated several facts and my statement was incorrect,” Harpootlian wrote.

He apologized to the court and the state for any confusion he may have caused, but said he could not disclose further details about any polygraph testing involving Murdaugh.

Harpootlian also argued that his incorrect statement did not affect the judge’s ruling because the court had already decided that polygraph evidence would not be allowed at trial.

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.

Massachusetts woman sentenced for selling body parts stolen from Harvard morgue

CNN Newsource on August 21, 2026

By Nicole Poitras

Click here for updates on this story

    CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (WMUR) — A Massachusetts woman will spend two years in prison for selling body parts stolen from the morgue at Harvard Medical School.

Investigators say Katrina Maclean, who owns Kat’s Creepy Creations in Peabody, bought some of the stolen body parts before selling and shipping them to others.

Back in 2023, Cedric and Denise Lodge of Goffstown were also charged in connection with the scheme. They were sentenced to prison last December.

Cedric is the former manager of the Harvard Medical School Morgue. He is spending eight years in prison.

Denise pleaded guilty to selling the remains to buyers across the country and was sentenced to one year and one day.

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.

Two North Carolina girls abducted in separate towns found safe in Georgia after multistate search, Sheriff’s Office says

CNN Newsource on August 21, 2026

By Michael Pardee

Click here for updates on this story

    YADKIN COUNTY, N.C. (WXII) — Two children who authorities said were abducted in separate North Carolina communities have been found safe in Georgia, and a 21-year-old South Carolina man is facing extradition back to North Carolina.

The Yadkin County Sheriff’s Office said it was notified Aug. 18 about the abduction of a 15-year-old girl from the Rockford community.

Driver Arrested Deputies and detectives began investigating and identified a suspect vehicle with help from a neighbor. Investigators later identified the suspect as Seth Zachary Tallmadge, 21, of South Carolina.

China Grove Abduction Authorities then learned Tallmadge was also suspected in the simultaneous abduction of an 11-year-old girl from China Grove.

According to the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia, deputies there received information from the Georgia State Patrol that a possible kidnapping suspect was headed toward Bulloch County from North Carolina.

Flock Camera Locates Vehicle Deputies were given the tag number associated with the suspect vehicle and used the Flock Safety camera system to locate the vehicle and determine its direction of travel.

Bulloch County deputies and investigators then stopped the vehicle on Highway 67 near Josh Deal Road.

Authorities said all occupants were safely detained while investigators contacted the Yadkin County Sheriff’s Office and China Grove Police Department.

Investigators confirmed that the two girls, ages 11 and 15, had been reported kidnapped and that Tallmadge was the suspect in both cases.

Tallmadge was eventually located and taken into custody in Bulloch County, Georgia, by the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office and Georgia State Patrol. He was arrested on a kidnapping warrant issued in Yadkin County.

Both children were safely reunited with their families.

Tallmadge is now facing extradition back to North Carolina and is expected to face charges related to the abduction investigations in Yadkin County, as well as charges in Rowan County. He will appear at a hearing in Bulloch County to determine his return to North Carolina.

The investigation remains active and 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.

Mom helped son clean up after he allegedly stabbed 18-year-old PennWest California girlfriend, police say

CNN Newsource on August 21, 2026

By Raquel Ciampi, Jordan Cioppa

Click here for updates on this story

    CALIFORNIA, Pa. (WTAE) — A mother and son are facing charges in connection to the death of an 18-year-old PennWest California student, Pennsylvania State Police said Thursday.

Authorities say Karoline Heintz was found dead inside her parked vehicle near the California Borough Library around 12:24 a.m. on Thursday.

Royce Moser, 18, is charged with criminal homicide, and his mother, Rachel Moser, is charged with hindering apprehension, tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse and obstruction, Trooper Rocco Gagliardi said at a news conference.

Both suspects were taken outside separately in handcuffs and placed into police vehicles at the PSP station in Washington on Thursday night.

Royce Moser did not comment as he was being taken away by state troopers.

“My son took a life” Rachel Moser said, “I’m sorry,” as she covered her face with her hands. Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 reporter Jordan Cioppa said, “Tell us why you’re sorry.” Rachel Moser said, “That my son took a life.”

Victim was a recent high school graduate in Washington County According to Peters Township School District, Heintz was attending PennWest California after signing a National Letter of Intent for soccer.

Heintz was a recent graduate of Peters Township High School who was set to begin classes at PennWest as a freshman.

According to officials, Heintz had been with family earlier on Wednesday and was returning to campus housing at Pennsylvania Western University California.

When Heintz did not check in with her family, they tracked her location to her vehicle on Wood Street in California and called 911.

Police say that was when they found her dead inside the back hatch of the vehicle. Sources close to the investigation told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 that Heintz had been stabbed.

“We knew right away that this was a very serious case, but an isolated one,” Gagliardi said.

According to a criminal complaint, Heintz left her family’s home in Peters Township around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday night.

The victim’s father told police he tracked her location and noticed she stopped at her boyfriend’s house in North Strabane Township.

That’s where investigators say Royce told them the couple got into a discussion in the victim’s car.

“Towards the end of that conversation between boyfriend-girlfriend, he goes inside and grabs a large knife from the kitchen, comes back out, and proceeds to stab her in the chest area,” Gagliardi said.

“Demon took over” The criminal complaint said Royce allegedly told police he was angered by something the victim said and claimed he had a “demon take over” him before he stabbed Heintz.

Gagliardi said Royce put the victim in the back hatch of her Jeep Cherokee before driving the vehicle to his mom’s house in Beallsville Borough.

In an interview with police, Royce said his mom offered to help clean the car with disinfectant spray. She also allegedly gave her son latex gloves.

“They try to clean clothes, they try to clean the car up, they try to get rid of any blood stains possible,” Gagliardi said.

According to state police, the mother and son drove separately to California Borough, where they dumped the Jeep.

Rachel, according to the complaint, allegedly told Royce to “take a bath and then shower,” upon returning to her house.

The complaint later states that Rachel put the knife used to kill Heintz in a garbage bag and put her son’s clothes into the washing machine.

Statement from PennWest California “PennWest University is deeply saddened by the tragic death of Karoline Heintz, who was a first-year student at the California campus. Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family, friends, and all those affected by this tragedy.

Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the incident, which occurred off campus, and PennWest University police are cooperating fully with the 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.

Three charged after 6-year-old mauled by two dogs in Lebanon County, police say

CNN Newsource on August 21, 2026

By Rachael Lardani

Click here for updates on this story

    SOUTH LEBANON TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WGAL) — Three people are facing charges after a 6-year-old girl was mauled by two dogs in Lebanon County, according to detectives.

Police said the girl was attacked by the dogs at a home in the 800 block of South 14th Avenue in South Lebanon Township on Monday, Aug. 10.

According to detectives, the following three people were charged:

Rebecca Hresko, 31 Debra Hresko, 61 Andrew Hresko, 70 Investigators said all three individuals live at the home and were present or on the property when the attack happened.

Child’s ear bitten off, police say According to the affidavit, the girl was attacked by two dogs, named “Chip” and Zeus.” She suffered injuries to her upper body and torso, and the lower portion of her ear was bitten off, officials said. She was transported to Hershey Medical Center.

Police said the missing portion of the child’s ear was found inside the home and taken to the hospital so medical staff could attempt to reattach it.

Child not related to suspects, police say According to detectives, the girl is not related to any of the suspects and was being supervised by Rebecca at the time. Police said Rebecca picked up the girl that morning and was supposed to take her to Hersheypark.

The girl’s mother told investigators that she knew Rebecca had to stop at her house to pick up some things but did not know her child would be there for an extended time, according to the affidavit. Police said the mother stated that she warned Rebecca not to allow the girl near the dogs.

Before the attack “Rebecca gave statements to Ofc. McCarrick on scene stating she was inside the address with the victim child, and the dogs were outside of the address,” the affidavit stated. “She saw the dogs anxiously watching the victim child through a glass door as the victim child was running around inside and the dogs became increasingly excited. She closed a set of blinds covering the glass door in attempts to settle the dogs down. She, at one point, cracked open the mentioned door with the glass window when ‘Chip’ and ‘Zeus’ rushed through attacking the victim child.”

According to police, investigators reviewed surveillance footage in the home that showed the dogs acting aggressively toward the girl. Detectives said the footage appeared to be before the attack because the child was not visibly injured or crying.

Rebecca, Debra and Andrew were all charged with recklessly endangering another person, according to police. Rebecca was also charged with aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of children.

Same dogs attacked baby in 2024 According to police, the same two dogs had attacked and severely injured a 22-month-old boy at the same home in September 2024. He was transported to Hershey Medical Center to be treated.

Authorities said the investigation ended in that case after the mother declined to continue working with law enforcement.

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.

University of Maryland professor denied bond, remains in ICE custody

CNN Newsource on August 21, 2026

By Marshall Keely

Click here for updates on this story

    BALTIMORE (WBAL) — A University of Maryland School of Pharmacy professor, Berhanu Kibret, remains in ICE custody nearly a month after being arrested at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport while returning from receiving a national teaching award.

Kibret’s attorney said he should not have been arrested and argued for his release during a bond hearing on Friday.

The federal immigration judge handling the case denied the request on Monday night.

The attorney said Kibret has valid work authorization and was on a period of authorized stay after applying for relief on his J-1 visa. ICE said Kibret, an Ethiopian national, entered the U.S. legally, but his visa expired in May 2024.

During Friday’s hearing, lawyers submitted 18 letters of support for Kibret, many from colleagues at the University of Maryland and his former workplace, William Paterson University in New Jersey.

“During this process of receiving this award and returning back, he was arrested and detained and transferred I believe to Oklahoma. You can see how disturbing, scary, annoying this is,” said Emmanuel Onaivi, a professor of biology at William Paterson University and Kibret’s former colleague.

Kibret has been held at the Diamondback Correctional Facility in rural Oklahoma since his arrest on July 21.

His former colleague said Kibret has a wife and two children in Africa and praised his research on drug abuse.

In a statement, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy Dean Dr. Sarah L. J. Michel said:

“The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy is disappointed by the news that Dr. Berhanu Kibret was not granted bond and remains in detention. We are concerned for his welfare but remain hopeful this matter will be resolved soon. We are continuing to monitor this situation and evaluating the impact on the fall semester and on the students who Dr. Kibret serves.” Kibret’s attorney said the judge provided a reason for the bond denial but could not share further details about the case.

ICE released the following statement on Kibret’s case that read in part:

“Berhanu Geresu Kibret is an illegal alien from Ethiopia. He entered the United States lawfully on June 21, 2021, at Newark, New Jersey, but violated the terms of his admission by remaining in the United States for more than two years after his authorized stay expired on May 31, 2024.” “ICE Dallas arrested Kibret without incident on July 21 at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. He remains in ICE custody pending the outcome of immigration proceedings. Kibret had an immigration hearing on Aug. 17 and was denied bond due to potential flight risk.”

Immigration court records for Kibret’s case do not list any future hearing dates.

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.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Do you support law enforcement dropping Flock contracts?

KMIZ on August 21, 2026

Matthew Sanders

A Mid-Missouri sheriff’s office ended its contract with a controversial camera system operator this week.

The Pulaski County sheriff said Thursday that his department has canceled its contract with Flock to operate license plate reader cameras. The move came as public concern continues to grow about the cameras’ potential for abuse — a feeling the sheriff acknowledged in his statement.

Do you support the decision? Let us know by voting in the poll.

Click here to follow the original article.

Local Sports Results for Thursday, August 20

KEYT on August 21, 2026

Mike Klan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) –

High School Football: Atascadero 33, Delano 14; McFarland 36, Santa Maria 21; Castaic 40, Buena 27

Girls Flag Football: Santa Barbara 39, Cabrillo 0; Dos Pueblos 37, Lompoc 0

Girls Volleyball: Newbury Park 3, Santa Barbara 0; Santa Ynez 3, Dos Pueblos 0

Girls Tennis: Dos Pueblos 12, Cabrillo 6

Women’s College Soccer: UCSB 1, San Jose State 0

Men’s College Soccer: Cal Poly 2, Denver 2

Click here to follow the original article.