Month: September 2026

By Meredith Hackler

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    MADISON, Wisconsin (WDJT) — The closing of Ridglan Farms led to the release of over two thousand beagles that were used for animal testing. That closure captivated the nation. To celebrate that closure dozens of animal activists and lovers gathered in Madison on Saturday for a reunion with a renewed focus to free more beagles from another facility with steps to do so already taking place.

The group’s next target is to shut down Marshall Bioresources, which breeds an estimated 16,000+ beagles annually for U.S. laboratories, according to the activists.

“We just released a criminal complaint against the largest facility of them all in upstate New York showing that dogs are literally injected with toxic chemicals leaving them thrashing and screaming on laboratory and breeding facility tables as if they burned alive,” said Wayne Hsiung, the Co-Founder of the Simple Heart initiative.

Wayne Hsiung has been an animal activist for years. His organization, The Simple Heart Initiative, is an organization dedicated to ending all animal testing. On the organization’s website it states that it is a nonprofit organization that uses storytelling, training, and impact litigation to build a world where animals are free from exploitation and cruelty.

“The more people know about what’s happening at Marshal and Ridglan, the better off we all are,” Hsiung said. “I mean I was struck by the representative saying even he who lives a few minutes from Ridglan didn’t really know much about the facility until these demonstrations brought the public attention to the fact that thousands of dogs are trapped in cages and suffering criminal abuse.”

Hsiung was in attendance on Saturday in Madison. Many credit him for bringing awareness to Ridglan Farms and its ultimate closure by leading an open-air rescue that caught the nation’s attention, including Congressman Mark Pocan who has now authored legislation to stop animal testing in the United States.

“Working with Rep. Nick Langworthy of New York, a Republican, we want to show that there is strong bi-partisan support to stop testing on cats and dogs there are enough other methods in 2026 that you can do to have actually even more scientific validity for tests,” Congressman Pocan (D) Madison said.

While those in attendance acknowledge Ridglan closing is a happy ending, some are still facing felony charges. Hsiung is facing several felonies in Dane County due to the open-air rescues attempt, which he says he is ready to face.

“I would like to go to trial that might sound a little crazy because I am facing 31 years in prison but my view the more the public actually get to deliberate on these issues the more our side wins,” Hsiung said.

Congressman Mark Pocan wants to see those charges changes, he says he has been getting calls to his office about Hsiung from his constituents.

“I would hope that the DA would understand that Dane County standards are definitely not where the charges are at and I hope that they will look at that and realize there is a better path forward,” Pocan said.

As for this movements momentum the activists say they aren’t stopping until every dog in a testing facility is free and living in their forever home.

“We are planning to use every tool in the tool kit but fundamentally we are planning to harness the compassion of Americans because this is a nation of animals lovers this is a nation of dog lovers,” Hsiung said.

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 Allen Devlin

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    NEW YORK (WCBS) — While many ran away from danger on 9/11, thousands of brave FDNY, EMS and NYPD officers ran towards it, and one of those officers’ legacies is now forever etched in New York infrastructure.

In 2001, NYPD Officer John William Perry was preparing to retire and practice law after a long tenure with the NYPD. The morning of Sept. 11, 2001, he had the day off, but then he heard that an airplane struck the north tower.

“I said, my brother’s, he’s going to be there. I know John. If there’s something serious happening, he’s going to be there,” sister Janice Perry-Montoya said.

“I’m sure my brother took it personal that we were being attacked,” brother Joel Perry said. “It was an attack on him. It was an attack on his city, the city he loved, the city he served.”

John William Perry was on site when the north tower collapsed. He was killed along with the nearly 3,000 other people that day.

Saturday, his memory and legacy of service were permanently honored. The corner of East 101st Street and Madison Avenue is now named John William Perry Way.

“Officer Perry reminds us that courage is not always loud. Sometimes courage is simply seeing someone in need and choosing to help,” New York City Council Member Elsie Encarnacion said.

“I think it’s so cool that he’s gonna be a part of New York City forever,” Perry-Montoya said. “This is such a great honor, and like I said, he’s a legend now. I’m like wow. I’m just the big sister, I could live to be 100 and never do anything like what he has done. I’m so proud.”

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 Dave Carlin

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    NEW YORK (WCBS) — Trinity Church is commemorating 9/11 with a large-scale origami installation at St. Paul’s Chapel in Lower Manhattan.

The exhibit, titled “Ever Present,” features paper cranes in four shades of blue hung from the ceiling in the shape of an infinity symbol. The 2,977 paper cranes, honoring the 2,977 people who were killed on 9/11, were folded by volunteers.

“We find just in the process of folding peacefulness,” artist Talo Kawasaki said. “I find origami just makes people happy, whether they’re folding it or just viewing it … and find some peace, some distraction from their cares and troubles.”

Kawasaki was working at a New York advertising agency on 9/11.

“I heard the screams of just people on the street reacting,” he said.

In the days after the attack, St. Paul’s became a second home for first responders and was filled with letters, drawings and more words of encouragement sent from around the world.

Twenty-five years later, Kawasaki’s origami installation brings a new comfort to visitors.

“My impression when I walked in was, there were all of those lighter color blues,” visitor Lorraine LaHuta said. “What really drew my attention, the cranes moved into … getting darker.”

Kawasaki said it took just three months to put the installation together.

“Ever Present” will remain on display inside St. Paul’s Chapel for the entire of the month of September.

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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    FAYETTE COUNTY, Pennsylvania (KDKA) — A fight involving a Dunbar, Fayette County, council member broke out at a memorial event for 9-year-old Renesmay Eutsey, the girl who was found dead a year ago in the Youghiogheny River.

Council member Lynn Hall, unhappy, had approached the speakers, the organizers of the event; she said they had incorrectly claimed that some council members had voted against renaming the park for Renesmay.

As she and the organizers argued, another woman, whom KDKA-TV hasn’t been able to identify, approached. She and Hall then traded punches until the borough’s police chief broke it up.

Hall said she was left with a bloody finger, broken glasses and scratches on her neck. It’s unclear what injuries, if any, the other woman who was primarily fighting with Hall sustained.

“They kept saying I need to move back, and of course, I said, ‘Move me,'” Hall told KDKA-TV. “For that false information to get out to so many people reflects badly on the borough and it’s not true; it’s not something that should have been said here.”

Borough Mayor Norman Gordon said council had unanimously voted to rename the park last week. He did acknowledge that previously, council members had not all been enthusiastic about the name change.

“The council is not helpful at all,” said organizer Ebony Floyd. “They voted to not rename it.”

She and other organizers said they are not borough residents and did not attend the council meetings, explaining they learned about how the council voted through other means.

They took issue with how Hall interrupted their speeches, rather than discussing it after.

“I put all my heart and soul into things like this, and for one bad apple to do that and not have the courtesy to speak about it after is just real vile,” said Floyd.

For both her and organizer Jessica Richter, who, during her speech, had mentioned that not all voted to rename the park, the fight was the last thing they hoped for during the event.

“If you want to have a discussion, a conversation afterwards, why something like that was brought up, then do it afterwards. Don’t do it during an event where you’re trying to honor a little girl whose life has been cut short,” Richter said.

The fight highlights the divisiveness in the small borough over Renesmay’s death. It’s divisiveness neither the organizers, Hall, nor Mayor Gordon can easily explain.

“This is almost like Washington, D.C. here right now,” Mayor Gordon said. “There’s people who just don’t like what’s going on, and they run their mouth, and it gets back, and they get mad, and one person gets mad, and next thing you know, nobody’s talking, and we’re fighting.”

When we asked for more specifics, he said it’s hard for him to say because he’s in the middle of it.

“Our community is divided, and it breaks my heart to see it that way, and I would love to see everyone come together,” Gordon said.

The borough’s police chief said minor charges stemming from the fight can be expected. The fight followed the official renaming of the park for Renesmay, including the unveiling of a memorial stone.

Eutsey’s caregivers have since been charged in her death. They are awaiting trial.

“It feels like time for her is standing still until we get a death penalty verdict,” Floyd said.

Gordon told the crowd he knows many have wondered why someone didn’t do something to prevent her death.

“I’m somebody, you are all somebody, and we all have the responsibility to protect these children,” Gordon said.

District Attorney Mike Aubele also spoke at the event and was visibly emotional. He explained how Eutsey was failed by her family members.

“I think about this girl every single day,” Aubele told the crowd. “Three hundred sixty-six days ago, I had the worst day of my life. One of the worst things that has happened in the county this century, if not the worst.”

He promised that Renesmay would not just fade away.

“I think it’s a wonderful thing that we’re all here, a year and a day after she died. And we all still remember her,” Aubele said. “And we’re never going to forget her.”

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 Derek James

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    MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — For Jeena Gurung Vomhof, the Minnesota State Fair was supposed to be a celebration.

A chance to share the art and traditions of the country she still calls home.

Then came devastating news from Nepal.

“I was almost done with the set up to be selling at the 2026 Minnesota State Fair. Excited, pumped, you know, new space, new energy, and I couldn’t, I couldn’t see my social media, like what’s happening. It was like, that was not real to me. And I just called my mom and said what’s happening,” said Gurung Vomhof.

Gurung Vomhof is originally from Kathmandu.

Nepal is home to Gurung Vomhof’s family, her memories, and the women whose work she brings to Minnesota.

“Nepal is a beautiful country. It’s an Asian country, right below China and above India, surrounded by beautiful mountains, beautiful people, the tradition, the culture, the love, the humanity that is there in the country I still miss and I try to bring that wherever I go,” explained Gurung Vomhof.

Through her business, Namaste Brows & Boutique in Roseville, Gurung Vomhof employs sixteen women in Nepalmaking — hand-crafted earrings, cashmere shawls, hemp, and felt gift items. 100% of the proceeds go back to the makers.

“Each and every piece that I sell has a story,” said Gurung Vomhof.

But right now, she’s carrying a story of loss.

“My friends, my family, who are far and close, are still back home and we have lost two cousins, 21 and 35, who were going trekking. They’re missing,” said Gurung Vomhof.

She talks with family every day, trying to stay connected while holding herself together.

At the fair, people she doesn’t know are giving her something she needs right now.

“My favorite thing right now is hugs. You know, when I’m holding all of this, I don’t know how, I have the right word physically, emotionally. Joy, hurt? That hug means so much,” said Gurung Vomhof

Those moments are helping her keep going.

She’s already thinking beyond the immediate crisis – about children, education, and rebuilding.

“Education is the root of everything, everything. For me, maybe I can build a classroom, but I can’t do it alone. I need all of you,” said Gurung Vomhof.

For now, she’ll keep standing for Nepal, sharing its culture, and believing in the people standing with her.

“I am at the grandstand at the lower level, row number nine, wide open with colors, with joy, and I’m going to be standing here every single minute,” said Gurung Vomhof.

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 Karen Morfitt

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    COLORADO (KCNC) — CBS Colorado has been investigating several cases involving families who, despite having health insurance, have been hit with massive medical bills after their babies spent time in neonatal intensive care units.

The claims remain unpaid because of confusion surrounding Colorado’s “birthday rule,” which applies when parents are covered by different insurance providers. Under the rule, a newborn is automatically added to the policy of the parent whose birthday comes first in the calendar year.

Kelsey Pond and her husband, Travis Pond, said preparing for twins meant double the planning for nearly everything — except this.

“Both babies were born at 32 weeks, and then they went directly to the NICU,” Kelsey told CBS Colorado.

Their son, Duke, was eventually flown to Children’s Hospital Colorado. Their daughter, Carsyn, followed.

“We were in the NICU for a little over two months,” Kelsey said. “Our son actually ended up having to have surgery while he was there.”

Kelsey said she planned ahead for insurance coverage, including Colorado’s “birthday rule,” which automatically assigns a newborn to the health insurance policy of the parent whose birthday comes first in the calendar year. In the Ponds’ case, that made the twins’ father the primary policyholder.

“When we found out we were having the twins, we knew that we were going to put them on my insurance,” Kelsey said. “But I knew about the 30-day rule, so when we were at the hospital, I made sure that they had his insurance on file.”

But the claims did not go as expected. Kelsey said her insurance company was billed first, and the claims were paid. She said the payments were later reversed, creating a lengthy delay before claims were rebilled. When claims were submitted to Travis’ insurer, Kelsey said they were denied because they were not filed on time.

“So right now, we owe over $1 million,” Kelsey said.

At least one of the bills has been sent to collections, and each new notice has brought more confusion.

“I got a bill from Children’s that had no insurance coverage at all,” Kelsey said. “Every place that I’ve called so far, I have had to explain this 30-day rule to all the billing departments.”

Duke and Carsyn are both now 2 years old.

Travis said the uncertainty surrounding the medical bills has left the family in financial limbo.

“For six months, we didn’t hear anything. We thought everything was good, and then we get a half-a-million-dollar bill for each baby,” Travis said. “It’s like, ‘Hey, go ahead and pay this for us,’ with no explanation.”

The Ponds are not the only parents who have contacted CBS Colorado.

Since CBS Colorado first reported on the birthday rule, multiple families with children who required neonatal intensive care have shared similar insurance issues.

One mother told CBS Colorado she had twins, but only one child required NICU care. She said insurance paid claims for one child, but the higher-cost NICU claims triggered the birthday rule for the other child.

The cases are raising questions about whether the rule should be changed.

“What we have right now is a situation where people aren’t being protected,” Democratic state Rep. Kyle Brown told CBS Colorado. “This rule is not serving these folks, and they end up with gigantic bills even when they have a plan that would cover it. That doesn’t work for people.”

Brown said there is no simple solution.

“I don’t know how you fix the current situation in a way that doesn’t have other consequences,” Brown said. “If you require people to designate a plan and they forget to do that, and then suddenly the child is not covered, that could create even bigger problems for people.”

Still, the state lawmaker said the cases highlighted by CBS Colorado warrant attention.

“I think what these stories have raised is something that we as legislators need to think about,” Brown said. “Is this an opportunity for us as legislators to draft legislation? Is this something where we need to be working with our agency counterparts and pushing them in the right direction? Because that’s ultimately our job.”

Brown also said there are questions about accountability.

“If insurance companies are using their discretion on whether they are applying the law or regulation in Colorado, that would be very concerning to me,” Brown said. “Either the rules apply or they don’t.”

Kelsey Pond said she believes she did everything she was supposed to do. She said she simply wants the insurers and the hospital to agree on who is responsible for paying the claims.

CBS Colorado reached out to each of the hospitals involved, as well as both insurance companies, for comment on why the claims dispute remains unresolved more than two years later. Advent Hospital told us that, because coordination of benefits is between the insurance companies, they are best positioned to address claims.

In a statement, CU Medicine said in part, “When insurance companies reverse payments or disagree on policy, we reach out to the patient for any additional information or authorization needed to support them in resolving the claim.”

In a statement to CBS Colorado, a spokesperson for Children’s Hospital said in part, “Our hearts are with families facing the uncertainty and stress that can accompany insurance-related challenges. We recognize how difficult these situations can be, and supporting patients and families through them remains a top priority at Children’s Hospital Colorado. We have teams across our organization actively reviewing and investigating the concerns raised in the Pond family’s situation.”

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas has been communicating with us about the case, but has a standing policy not to discuss clients.

A spokesperson for Cigna sent a statement saying in part, “We understand how stressful and frustrating unresolved medical bills can be for patients and families and remain available to work directly with the patient to review and resolve any outstanding issues.”

The Colorado Division of Insurance has previously told CBS Colorado it is examining whether the “birthday rule” should be changed. However, officials said the process is still in its early stages.

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.