Month: September 2026

By Jeff Tavss

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    SALT LAKE CITY (KSTU) — Rep. Trevor Lee announced his resignation from the Utah State House of Representatives on Monday, hours after being charged by the Utah Attorney General’s Office on multiple counts, including fraud and forgery.

“Due to personal circumstances that require my attention, I no longer feel I can give my constituents the time, attention, and service they deserve,” said Lee in a statement.

Lee faces one count each of Communications Fraud, Mortgage Fraud, Forgery, and Possession of Forgery, which are connected to his alleged attempt to illegally obtain a loan, with the investigation into the Layton representative’s activities beginning in April.

An oft-controversial political figure, Lee served as the District 16 representative for over three years, but lost in this year’s GOP state primary election and was set to leave office early next year.

At the start of the investigation, the lead investigator was given two videos and screenshots of conversations “relating to a prior check-fraud incident,” the documents state.

One of the videos allegedly showed Lee requesting a $93,000 cash advance from Trent Spafford, the CEO of Enevive, a local water treatment company, and promising to make the executive “whole” by getting the company a government contact at Hill Air Force Base.

Spafford told investigators that Lee needed the advance to finance a new home.

Documents obtained from the lending company featured an agreement and offer letter from Enevive with a monthly salary of $168,000 a year. The CEO told investigators that the document was “fraudulent and that his signature was forged.”

In an interview with FOX 13 News, Stafford shared his thoughts on Lee and their interactions.

“My experience of Trevor Lee is that he is all about Trevor Lee, and not about the people, that it was all about him,” he said.

Another document was an offer letter from Blue Logic claiming Lee was a full-time employee at $190,000 per year. However, a company official said that while the offer had been made to Lee, he never accepted and was a contract employee, not full-time.

The Blue Logic executive said the letter was “prepared to help Lee as a friend and was not accurate.”

In an interview with investigators at his Utah State Capitol address, Lee admitted forging Spafford’s signature after first denying the accusation.

“Angry, misrepresented, lied to, that’s how I feel about it,” Spafford told FOX 13 News. “When I found out he had forged my signature and he had misrepresented so that he could gain for whatever reason, especially after he has taken.”

Lee also admitted that the Blue Logic salary was not accurate.

The Davis County Republican Party said it will hold a special election to fill Lee’s district for the remainder of the term.

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 Ben Winslow

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    PROVO, Utah (KSTU) — Former death row inmate Douglas Stewart Carter was released from jail on Monday after a judge granted him bail as Utah County prosecutors weigh a retrial in light of newly discovered DNA evidence that does not place Carter at the scene of the murder he has been accused of committing.

Carter left jail at 7:45 p.m. with a smile while partially covering his face before getting into an awaiting vehicle. After some of his belongings were packed up, the vehicle drove off as he continued to smile in the front seat.

On Monday, Carter sat quietly in court as his lawyer and a prosecutor discussed conditions of bail, should he be released.

“There were DNA results that did not include the defendant, so at this point the state is reassessing the remaining evidence in the case,” said deputy Utah County Attorney Erwin Petilos. “With that in mind, the state believed a reassessment of the bail was necessary and fair.”

Carter, was ordered to wear a GPS monitor and will leave jail and stay at a location near his son’s home.

Neal Hamilton, Carter’s defense attorney, told the Associated Press that his client will need therapy to deal with his extended incarceration.

“It’s not just as simple as, ‘Let’s let him go,'” Hamilton said. “He’s being released with 41 years of state-induced trauma and the effect it will have on him is very real.”

Last week, the Utah County Attorney’s Office abruptly announced it had withdrawn its intent to seek the death penalty for Carter in his retrial in the 1985 murder of Eva Olesen. It was based on the DNA evidence.

“Eva’s blood is on the blade and on the handle there’s two profiles. One of the profiles is Eva. So we are confident the killer stabbed her, cut himself, and left his blood behind,” Hamilton told reporters outside court before the ruling. “That’s not Doug. None of it Doug. We all know Doug didn’t do this. It’s what he’s been telling everyone for 40 years.”

Carter had been on death row for more than 40 years when his aggravated murder conviction was overturned over accusations that Provo police mishandled the case and bribed and threatened witnesses. Carter’s lawyers have also argued that his own confession to the murder was coerced. The Utah Supreme Court ordered a new trial, and Utah County prosecutors were gearing up to try Carter again.

During Monday’s hearing, Hamilton agreed that should Carter be released, he would have no contact with the Olesen family.

But the Olesen family does not want him released. They submitted numerous statements to 4th District Court Judge Derek Pullan asking for Carter to remain in custody.

“The current findings do not exonerate Carter,” Theresa Olesen, Eva’s daughter-in-law, told the judge.

She argued a jury heard the evidence and rendered its verdict.

“I understand where we are here, and it’s disheartening. Because while in 2026 DNA is very critical and we have videos and all these things and, by golly, we were hoping for concrete match. But that doesn’t mean he wasn’t there,” she said. “But I’m not an expert on that. What I am is an expert on my feelings, and it’s very hard to hear things being said, especially by people who weren’t there and don’t know what they’re talking about.”

She expressed concerns about TikTok videos posted by a relative of Carter’s about the case, which Judge Pullan said could be alleged to be indirect contact. Hamilton said those videos would stop if Carter is released.

Utah County prosecutors have until November to decide whether to continue to pursue a new trial against Carter. Hamilton said outside of court he wanted the case thrown out.

“We want it yesterday. Because until that happens, Doug is still being held captive by this. This is still hanging over his head; it’s guiding and directing his life,” he said.

If the prosecution dismisses the case, Hamilton said he would pursue a factual innocence petition, which allows a wrongfully convicted person to receive some financial compensation from the state.

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) — A special group is taking part in a cross-country journey by biking for cancer research. Among them will be a rider from Philadelphia who’s pedaling in honor of his grandmother.

Denny Lai trained on the Schuylkill River Trail, getting ready for the Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer ride.

“I’m doing this for my grandmother,” Lai said. “She was diagnosed with breast cancer back in 2014. And due to the vigilance of her medical team, she was able to go into remission within a year.”

Lai works for Bristol Myers Squibb, which sponsors the 3,000-mile cross-country ride from Oregon to the Jersey Shore. Hundreds of its employees are biking to raise money for the V Foundation for cancer research.

“It basically is to fund different NIH grants for cancer research, just to be able to allow the scientists to do the bench work behind being able to find a cure,” Lai said.

Lai, who’s never done a long-distance, multi-day bike ride, has been intensely training.

“I went from going like 12 to 13 miles an hour, now around 20 on straightaways. So yeah, over the last four months a lot has changed,” Lai said.

Lai will be riding with eight colleagues. Their 250-mile portion of the 3,000-mile relay will be through Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia, ending in Pennsylvania.

“The last day will be about 4,000 feet of elevation gain, getting up to that hill in Pittsburgh,” Lai said. “The streets around Philly, Wissahickon, the Valley Forge rolling hills, they prepared me and I’m ready to kick off and do this.”

Lai said that compared to the challenges cancer patients face, the bike ride should be a breeze. He’s raised more than $5,000 of the $1 million that will go to cancer research. His biking team is called Tour de Cure.

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 Cameron Polom

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    SCOTTSDALE, Arizona (KNXV) — For more than 30 years, Vicki Aime has been helping cancer patients navigate some of the hardest days of their lives.

As an oncology nurse with HonorHealth in Scottsdale, she’s spent decades offering comfort, answering questions, and helping patients find hope during treatment.

Then, two years ago, everything changed.

After discovering a lump just weeks after a routine mammogram came back normal, Vicki was diagnosed with aggressive triple-negative breast cancer.

Suddenly, the nurse became the patient.

The months that followed included chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, and additional treatment after doctors discovered the cancer had spread to her lung.

But Vicki never stopped showing up.

She continued caring for patients throughout her own cancer journey, often finding purpose in helping others even on her toughest days.

What she didn’t expect was how much her patients would help her in return.

As word of her diagnosis spread, many began checking on her, praying for her and encouraging her through treatment. The bond between nurse and patient became something deeper — a shared understanding of the fear, uncertainty, and hope that come with a cancer diagnosis.

Today, Vicki’s cancer is in remission.

Her experience has changed the way she cares for patients, giving her firsthand insight into the emotions they face every 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.

By Madilyn Destefano

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    LEE COUNTY, Florida (WESH) — K9 Dundee with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office on Florida’s west coast died Monday while assisting deputies with the apprehension of a suspect.

Multiple agencies across Florida, including the Florida Highway Patrol, Fort Myers Police Department and Cape Coral Police Department, came together Tuesday morning to honor the 4-year-old K9.

Dundee died while responding to a scene in the Island Vista Estates neighborhood on Eland Drive in North Fort Myers, LCSO said.

Deputies were patrolling the area shortly after midnight due to recent burglaries and reports of suspicious individuals, according to the LCSO arrest report.

While patrolling, deputies located a gray Nissan Altima parked facing the wrong way in the roadway. Deputies approached the car and immediately smelled burnt marijuana, the report said.

The car was occupied by five people, one of whom ran from the scene after deputies approached.

Dundee was called in to apprehend the individual who ran, and he successfully tracked them to a nearby wooded area, where he was successful in apprehending them.

K9 Dundee then went unresponsive and, after a profound effort from deputies and medical staff, was pronounced dead.

Inside the car, deputies identified four additional individuals, one of whom has not been publicly named due to their age.

The other three people were identified as Brooklyn Simison, 19, Zahquavion Jackson, 19, and Aaron Silva-Fernandez, 18.

Deputies searched their vehicle and located a BB gun and a black ski mask, as well as marijuana in the front and rear passenger seats, the report said.

Simison was arrested and faces a charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Silva-Fernandez was arrested and faces charges of possession of marijuana, child in violation of imposed conditions and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Jackson was arrested and faces charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and possession of marijuana.

LCSO held a procession, followed by a news conference outside the BluePearl Pet Hospital.

Dundee joined LCSO in February 2024.

He was certified in both patrol and narcotics detection and, during his career, completed 174 deployments and was directly responsible for 28 apprehensions, LCSO said.

“Dundee was more than a K9. He was a member of our LCSO family. He ran toward danger without hesitation, trusting his handler and his brothers and sisters in this agency to be there beside him,” the agency added.

Deputy Chala was Dundee’s handler and partner, but he was also his family.

LCSO has extended its condolences to Chala, his family and any K9 handler who worked with, trained and stood beside Dundee.

“The bond between a handler and his K9 is one that few can truly understand, and the loss being felt today is immeasurable,” LCSO said.

LCSO will honor Dundee’s service, remember his sacrifice, and never forget the courage he showed in protecting others, it said in a social media post.

>> WESH 2’s sister station, Gulf Coast News, contributed to this reporting.

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 Kayla James

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    DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) — Nearly three decades after a Des Moines man was killed in a hit-and-run, police say the suspected driver has been arrested.

Leslie Ruby, 64, died after he was struck outside his home on Easton Boulevard on Sept. 29, 1997. Police identified Gerardo Garcia-Michel, who was 28 at the time, as the suspected driver, but investigators said he left Iowa before he could be arrested.

Dan Anderson, who still lives next door to Ruby’s former home, recalled what happened that day. Anderson’s wife had been inside their home when Ruby was hit.

“Les had been at his daughter’s house with his riding lawn mower and was on his way back,” said Anderson, who said Ruby was mowing his daughter’s lawn. “He was hit in front of the driveway to the house next door and ended up in front of our driveway, so he was carried about 150 feet by the impact.”

Des Moines police Sgt. Paul Parizek said investigators in 1997 did not have access to the technology commonly used today.

“We didn’t have video evidence from Ring cameras. We didn’t have traffic cameras,” said Parizek. “So this was officers talking to witnesses.”

Those interviews led detectives to an officer on patrol days later, eventually finding a vehicle matching the description of the one involved, but it was abandoned. After working with what they knew, police later identified Garcia-Michel as the suspected driver.

“He apparently didn’t waste much time getting out of town, and the leads told us that he’d gone to Southern California,” said Parizek.

The warrant remained active for nearly 30 years. Sometime after the incident, there was an “America’s Most Wanted” profile done on the case.

The case changed this August after someone watching a rerun of the episode submitted a Crime Stoppers tip.

“It was from a person who said, ‘I’m watching a rerun of ‘America’s Most Wanted,’ and I recognized the guy as being a person who lives in my building,’” said Parizek. “We were super excited about it. This is how it’s supposed to work. This is why we tell these stories to raise awareness. As we read further down, this guy’s in New Jersey.”

Garcia-Michel, who police said has been living in New Jersey, was arrested by U.S. marshals on Aug. 26. He is awaiting extradition to Iowa.

“Kudos to the people for keeping track of this for 30 years and hopefully it works out as it should,” said Anderson.

Parizek said Ruby’s wife and daughter have died since that day in 1997, but police were able to notify his granddaughter.

“One of the things she said is that it was nice to know that justice was going to be served,” said Parizek. “And it was also nice to know that they weren’t forgotten about.”

KCCI did reach out to Ruby’s granddaughter, but did not hear back.

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.