From Google Maps to Houston Classrooms: Dr. Travis McPhail Headlines The Imani School’s Convocation 2026

CNN Newsource on September 21, 2026

By Francis Page Jr.

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    September 21, 2026 (Houston Style Magazine) — The Imani School is preparing to turn its 2026 Convocation into something bigger than a ceremonial start to the school year. On Tuesday, September 22, students, parents, educators and community supporters will gather at The Community Collective for a morning centered on faith, excellence, technology and possibility — with Google engineering leader Dr. Travis McPhail delivering the keynote message.

McPhail serves as Engineering Director for Google Maps & Immersive Experiences, helping guide the technical vision behind mapping and geospatial tools used around the world. For young scholars who have grown up tapping a phone for directions, exploring neighborhoods digitally or watching technology blur the line between the physical and virtual worlds, his work makes an important point: the future is not some distant destination. It is already in their hands.

Even more powerful is the example standing behind the technology. McPhail is a Rice University alumnus whose academic journey includes undergraduate degrees in computer science and electrical engineering, a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in computer science. Rice honored him with a 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award, recognizing his leadership in the geospatial field and his efforts to expand opportunity and inclusion in technology.

His résumé also connects innovation with cultural storytelling. Rice has highlighted McPhail’s role in spearheading a 3D project with Google designers and engineers for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture — a reminder that cutting-edge technology can preserve history, deepen understanding and help communities see themselves more vividly in the digital age.

That makes his appearance especially fitting at The Imani School, an institution with deep Houston roots. Founded in 1988 with just 25 young children, Imani has spent nearly four decades building an educational culture around faith, self-confidence and academic achievement. Its 2026 Convocation continues that tradition while asking a distinctly modern question: How do families prepare children not merely to consume tomorrow’s technology, but to create, lead and shape it?

photo The Imani School – School Building Image

Parents are being encouraged to attend alongside their children — and that may be one of the day’s most meaningful features. Artificial intelligence, immersive technology, advanced mapping and careers that did not exist a generation ago are rapidly changing the landscape students will inherit. Convocation offers families a chance to hear directly from a leader working inside that transformation.

The morning will also celebrate Imani’s distinctive community spirit. Rev. Alexander Johnson is scheduled to deliver the invocation, Pastor Derrick Smith the benediction, and Texas Southern University’s celebrated Ocean of Soul Marching Band will continue its beloved Convocation tradition with the kind of energy that can make even a 9 a.m. program feel like halftime at homecoming. Houston-based Three Keys Coffee is also supporting the event as a sponsor.

Convocation 2026 begins at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 22, at The Community Collective, 12401 S. Post Oak Road, Houston, TX 77045.

For The Imani School, the message is clear: excellence has history, innovation has a future, and Houston’s children deserve a seat at both tables.

LEARN MORE: The Imani School — Convocation 2026

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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Oregon Health Plan members to receive notices on changes to Medicaid

KTVZ on September 21, 2026

Claire Elmer

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — About 600,000 Oregon Health Plan members are beginning to receive notices about federally required changes to Medicaid coverage, including new work or activity rules that will affect some adults beginning January 1st, 2027.

The Oregon Health Authority said the notices being sent this month are informational only, and members do not need to take action yet. The agency said members will receive more specific instructions before their next coverage renewal if information is needed.

Who may be affected

Starting January 1st, some Oregon Health Plan members ages 19 through 64 will need to meet work or activity requirements when applying for or renewing coverage.

Those requirements can be met through work, school, volunteer service, caregiving, job training or other qualifying activities. State information says people may meet the standard through at least 80 hours a month of qualifying activity, enrollment in school at least half-time or household income above $580 a month before taxes and deductions.

However, many members will not be subject to the new rules or may qualify for an exemption. The rules do not apply to several groups, including children and teens, people who are pregnant, people with Medicare or Supplemental Security Income, and people who qualify for Oregon Health Plan coverage based on disability or other factors.

Oregon also must send the initial notice to people who may ultimately qualify for exemptions, such as parents or caregivers of children younger than 14.

What members should do

OHA is encouraging Oregon Health Plan members to make sure their mailing address, phone number, and other contact information are current so they do not miss future notices.

Members can update their information through Benefits.Oregon.gov, by calling 800-699-9075, through the ONE Mobile app or by visiting a local Oregon Department of Human Services office.

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Motorcyclists of Central Oregon’s Teddy Bear Run for pediatric patients across High Desert

KTVZ on September 21, 2026

Claire Elmer

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Motorcyclists of Central Oregon will hold its 28th annual Teddy Bear Run on Saturday, September 26th, collecting and delivering hundreds of new stuffed animals for pediatric patients at St. Charles hospitals across Central Oregon.

The event begins with registration at 9:00 a.m. at Cascade Motor Sports, 63028 Sherman Road in Bend.

Riders are scheduled to leave at 10:00 a.m. and travel as a group to all four St. Charles hospitals, making their first teddy bear drop-off at St. Charles Bend.

Organizers are asking participants to bring a new teddy bear or stuffed animal to donate. Motorcyclists of Central Oregon, also known as MOCO, has purchased more than 500 additional teddy bears for this year’s event.

Money raised during the ride will also benefit the St. Charles Child Life Specialist program, which supports children and families during hospital care.

The ride will wrap up at General Duffy’s Waterhole in Redmond, where organizers plan live music from Sagebrush Rock and other festivities.

Newport Avenue Landscaping is the title sponsor for this year’s Teddy Bear Run.

For more information, email MOCORiders2026@gmail.com or call 541-280-0478.

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Bear captured on Ring camera near Sunriver area

KTVZ on September 21, 2026

Claire Elmer

SUNRIVER, Ore. (KTVZ) — A neighborhood near Sunriver received a late-night visit from a black bear Saturday.

A viewer shared Ring camera video with KTVZ News showing the bear outside a home on Lazy River Drive, about a mile south of Thousand Trails and roughly five minutes from Sunriver.

The video shows the bear walking across the property, hopping over a fence, and running away.

The sighting comes amid several recent reports of bears near residential areas across Central Oregon. Residents are encouraged to stay alert, secure garbage and other potential food sources, and give bears plenty of space if they encounter one.

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Eligible Oregon Pacific Power customers may qualify for a generator rebate

KTVZ on September 21, 2026

Claire Elmer

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Pacific Power is reminding eligible Oregon customers about available rebates for backup power equipment as the state transitions from wildfire season to winter storm season.

The program provides up to $1,000 for income-qualified residential customers who rely on medical equipment and up to $4,000 for licensed care facilities.

The Oregon Backup Electric Power Rebate Program covers qualified portable power stations, batteries and permanent backup generators.

To qualify for the residential rebate, applicants must hold an active Pacific Power account and be enrolled in both the utility’s Medical Certificate program and the Oregon Low Income Discount program.

Licensed residential care homes, care facilities, adult foster homes and hospices can qualify for the facility rebates of up to $4,000. To be eligible, facilities must have an active Pacific Power account number either directly or through a customer whose property they occupy.

Jurisdictions submitting applications for multiple facilities can use a batch application process. In 2025, Linn County utilized this option to assist 27 care facilities in securing $4,000 each, totaling $108,000 in rebates.

Carrie Laird serves as the vice president of wildfire mitigation and emergency operations for Pacific Power.

“We prioritize emergency preparedness education and communication in our communities so our customers are prepared in the event an outage whether related to wildfire safety or seasonal storms,” Laird said. “We want eligible customers and care facilities to know this assistance is available and encourage them to apply before the upcoming deadlines so that they can take advantage of these helpful programs, which can offer peace of mind.”

Pacific Power launched the Oregon Backup Electric Power Rebate Program in 2023. Since the program began, the utility company has issued 421 rebates totaling more than $1.2 million across Oregon.

Eligible backup power equipment must be purchased by December 31st, 2026. Pacific Power must receive completed applications and purchase receipts by January 31st, 2027. Rebates are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until annual program funding is exhausted.

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Family wants answers after 7-year-old student dies while on bus

CNN Newsource on September 21, 2026

By Danielle Dindak

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    CINCINNATI (WLWT) — A Cincinnati family is demanding answers after their seven-year-old daughter died while on a school bus on her way home.

The girl, 7-year-old Ngone Talla, attended Roselawn Condon School, according to Cincinnati Public Schools. Her family says she was discovered unresponsive in her wheelchair when the bus arrived at their home.

The coroner reported that there were no traumatic injuries or signs of harm related to her death.

“She became unresponsive in her wheelchair on the bus, but she has extensive medical history including cerebral palsy. There was nothing traumatic and no injuries were related to the death,” the coroner’s office said in a statement.

WLWT confirmed that the bus involved was operated by First Student, which released a statement saying, “All of us at First Student are deeply saddened by the death of a student on one of our buses. Our thoughts and prayers are with the student’s family, classmates, school community and all those impacted as they navigate this difficult time.”

There were two adults on the bus at the time – the driver and a bus monitor. The monitor worked for First Student, not CPS.

WLWT has reached out to First Student, asking when the driver and monitor realized there was a problem and if it was before they arrived at the girl’s home.

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.

FBI says 35 potential new victims step forward in ‘fake 49er’ case

CNN Newsource on September 21, 2026

By Esteban Reynoso

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    CALIFORNIA (KCRA) — Daejon Love, a California native, has been arrested on charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud after allegedly scamming over a dozen women out of more than $1 million by pretending to be a San Francisco 49er.

“The number of victims can change, the financial loss can change, and obviously the damage of the overall scheme, we get a better idea as we work the case,” Douglas Olson of FBI’s Portland office said.

The FBI says investigators have identified 35 additional potential victims since Love’s arrest, all of them women, and believe there could be even more victims.

“Fraud can happen to anyone,” Olson said. “The victims in this case were targeted because they were trusting, responsible people. They believed they were building genuine relationships and legitimate financial futures.”

Love allegedly worked with a co-conspirator, 18-year-old Taylor Chan, using fake social media accounts, fabricated football workout videos, and falsified bank statements showing millions of dollars to gain the trust of their victims.

“[This case] has drawn a ton of attention from the public,” Olson said. “Unfortunately, some of that attention has included jokes, mockery, commentary that are unfairly targets and blames the victims in this case.”

“Victim blaming is unjust and harmful, and overlooks the calculated, highly manipulated lengths these individuals went to, to exploit and manipulate others,” Olson added.

Public records show Love has addresses in Stockton, Walnut Creek, and Southern California.

“He grew up in that Northern-Central region of California, I don’t know if it was specifically Stockton,” Olson said.

Investigators also revealed that Love used artificial intelligence to manipulate Google search results, making it harder for potential victims to uncover the truth.

“I think you can exercise some healthy skepticism, but also verify with other real people and individuals, not just on the internet,” Olson said.

Love and Chan remain in federal custody in Idaho. Both face one count of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, charges that carry a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.

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.

Couple hit by lightning on trail answers questions on road to recovery

CNN Newsource on September 21, 2026

By Dacia Johnson, Justin Schecker

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    WINTER GARDEN, Florida (WESH) — The couple who survived being struck by lightning on the West Orange Trail in Winter Garden took questions live on Friday as they work to recover.

“Words cannot adequately express our gratitude to the four good Samaritans, the first responders, and the medical professionals whose actions helped save our lives,” Aaron and Clare Walenga said in a statement last week.

Body camera video released by police shows an officer running to the couple, who were both face down on the ground.

“They were struck by lightning,” the woman who called 911 tells the officer. “Their umbrella was struck by lightning, and then they were both on their face.”

Other good Samaritans on the trail rushed to help and performed CPR on Clare before first responders arrived.

“He’s never been not breathing,” the 911 caller said in the body camera video. “She was blue.”

Aaron was alert, but struggling to move and speak.

“Stay on your side,” the officer tells Aaron. “I know it hurts.”

According to the incident report, Aaron told police he remembered holding hands with his wife when they got hit by lightning.

Aaron and Clare ended up at Orlando Regional Medical Center.

They both work at Foundation Academy in Winter Garden, where their three children go to school.

“I get to, you know, be your wife and the mom to my three precious children and it’s because of your actions that you took,” Clare said Friday at Foundation Academy.

The Walengas said they usually go for walks Wednesday nights near downtown Winter Garden after dropping their children off at a church youth group.

Two weeks ago, Aaron said he checked a weather app and noticed a storm brewing on the other side of town.

“We couldn’t see any of the lightning,” he said, “or I don’t remember hearing any of the thunder. And so, we decided to walk back.”

Charlotte Sachetti Weyand and Amber McManus had just passed the couple on the trail when lightning struck them.

“There’s a fence along the West Orange Trail right where we were and sparks kind of came off of it along the way, which we could see in our peripheral vision, and then so then we turned around,” Amber McManus said.

Charlotte immediately called 911.

“We are on the West Orange trail I think I may need medical assistance,” she’s heard saying in the call.

Aaron said he remembers being down on the ground after falling face first.

“I couldn’t move my limbs,” he said. “I couldn’t, respond the way I wanted to. I wanted to get to Clare, and I just couldn’t get up. I couldn’t really move. And I was in, the worst pain of my life.”

The good Samaritans said Clare had stopped breathing and she turned blue.

“Instinctually, I started to CPR, which instinctually is not something I do every day,” Michael Sachetti Weyand said. “I’ve never done CPR before in my life. But in that moment, I knew that I had to start.”

The Walengas only spent a few days in the hospital. The wounds on Aaron’s face are healing and Clare has overcome short-term memory loss from a concussion.

Now, they are leaning on their faith during their road to a full recovery.

“There were so many miracles that we witnessed from Clare being brought back to life,” Aaron said, “to the four of you being there on that trail at that time.”

While they have not been back yet, Aaron and Clare say they will absolutely be going back for another Wednesday night walk on the West Orange Trail.

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.

Neighbors fighting over drone turns into murder-for-hire plot, docs show

CNN Newsource on September 21, 2026

By Dacia Johnson, Avery Everett

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    CLERMONT, Florida (WESH) — A man in the Lake County Jail is accused of plotting to kill his neighbor, and trying to hire a fellow inmate to carry it out.

David Butka, 69, is charged with one count of solicitation to commit murder.

It started on July 22, when the Lake County Sheriff’s Office said Butka was first arrested. Deputies responded to a home in Clermont where a man said Butka was flying a drone over homes, which was “an ongoing civil issue.” Butka then allegedly threw a rock at a victim’s truck.

Another witness told deputies they saw Butka throw a rock at a truck.

An arrest document said deputies found Butka that day “had the intent, opportunity, and the ability to cause harm with the rock striking fear into the victim.”

Then, on Sept. 16, an inmate at the Lake County Jail told a detention supervisor that he had been approached by a fellow inmate, Butka, and asked to commit a murder, LCSO says.

Receipts show Butka had put $300 into the inmate’s account and had given his credit card to the inmate’s wife, docs show.

LCSO said the inmate was able to provide physical evidence, and Butka was charged with one count of solicitation to commit murder.

The intended target was one of Butka’s neighbors, who was a witness in his aforementioned criminal case, docs show.

Butka had been scheduled for court and release on Sept. 17, but was arrested again. Online records show his bond for the new charge was set at $25,000.

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.

Annual giant pumpkin weigh-in draws competitors from across the region

CNN Newsource on September 21, 2026

By Charlotte Hancox

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    COLCHESTER, Vermont (WPTZ) — Giant pumpkins began rolling in Saturday morning, with the help of heavy equipment to get them onto the scale at Sam Mazza’s annual Giant Pumpkin Weigh-In.

The event brings together growers from across the region to see who can claim the heavyweight title.

“I just like seeing all the people,” said Jenna Baird, co-president of the Vermont Giant Pumpkin Growers Association. “I love seeing all the work that people have put into these pumpkins every year come together at the end. It’s not an easy thing to do to get one of these to the scale, so it’s just exciting to celebrate that with everybody.”

The weigh-in also drew crowds looking to check out the craft fair and get an up-close look at some of the biggest pumpkins around.

“I’ve seen big pumpkins before, but I don’t think I’ve seen them all in a row like this. They are really cool,” visitor Marcy D’Agostin said.

Wilbur Horton took home the crown for the heaviest pumpkin at 1,730 pounds.

For some competitors, just getting one of the massive pumpkins to the scale is an accomplishment of its own.

Growers said they are already looking ahead to next year’s competition.

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.