Month: October 2026

By Kelly Sasso

Click here for updates on this story

    PITTSBURGH (WTAE) — Families at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit are celebrating Halloween with handmade costumes for their babies, thanks to the efforts of NICU nurse Riley Smolksy.

Baby Ezra, born Monday at just 33 weeks, wore his first Halloween costume inspired by his big sister.

“Ezra’s older sister is obsessed with Elmo, and she got to meet him yesterday, and she kept saying, ‘Baby Elmo, baby Elmo,’ so we’re really excited for him to be dressed up as Elmo for Halloween here,” said Ezra’s parents, David and Megan Schmiech.

Elmo was one of around 80 costumes Smolksy created with help from her mother, friends and the Duquesne women’s club soccer team.

“This is the first time we have an individual costume for every single baby, so we’re going to go around and give some out and hang out with families and parents and get to give them a little bit of normalcy around the holiday while they’re spending time in the NICU,” Smolksy said.

Looking for more news in your area | Subscribe to the WTAE YouTube Channel

The costumes included creative options like candy bars and ketchup and mustard for twins, catering to babies of all sizes.

Owen, born 11 weeks early, celebrated his first Halloween dressed as a hot dog.

“The fact that the team was able to do that here is really heartwarming. It makes us feel like they’re a part of our family, which is really nice,” said Owen’s mothers, Sarah and Zoe Kreinberg.

For Smolksy, the effort was about brightening the families’ days.

“I think doing stuff like this maybe makes their dark days a little bit brighter,” she said.

Smolksy, who has been a nurse for six years, also creates keepsakes to mark the babies’ milestones, giving families something to take home from their time in the NICU.

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 Hunter Sowards

Click here for updates on this story

    LOS ANGELES (KCAL, KCBS) — Halloween takes on a much bigger meaning for 6-year-old Elijah Sol, who’s using his costume to teach others about his cerebral palsy.

“He’s just like any other kid,” his mother Reena De Asis said. “He wants to have fun and participate.”

Every year, Elijah’s creative Halloween costumes become a way to teach others about living with cerebral palsy. This year, his mom turned his love for all things water into a costume called “Elijah’s Ripple Effect.”

“He invites kids to either press the buttons or spin the knobs,” De Asis said.

That ripple effect is a chance to make a difference, one small wave at a time, with a message of kindness and inclusivity. He teaches others about the importance of making everyone feel like they belong.

The 6-year-old’s mom is his biggest advocate, using the night where every kid has a chance to be whoever they want as a way to raise awareness for what some live with every single day.

“I think for kids who aren’t used to being around kids with disabilities, it can be daunting,” De Asis said. I think it’s up to parents and caretakers to really be able to have that curiosity, ask questions.”

Luskin Orthopedic Institute knows the importance of representation and inclusion.

“Some of these kids are patients or have been,” Luskin ambassador Nayah Damson said. “For them to come back here, and have a happier experience.”

For kids like Elijah, who have spent their fair share of time in a hospital room, it gives them a chance to make better memories.

“Elijah is such a special kid,” said spokesperson Pilar Freeman. “To be able to welcome him, for him to be able to spread the word to other kids, it really is their own playground. This is a place where they can come and be free and be who they are.”

Roughly 500 kids got to come out and enjoy themselves. The hospital said it’s free and open to the public every year.

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 Heath Kalb

Click here for updates on this story

    DETROIT (WWJ) — If you look down the street on Westmoreland Road on Detroit’s west side, it doesn’t look pitch dark anymore at night.

Mayor Mary Sheffield announced Wednesday that 2,000 new midblock street lights have been installed, creating hundreds of brighter, safer blocks across the city.

Sheffield announced Wednesday that 2,000 new midblock street lights have been installed, creating hundreds of brighter, safer blocks across the City.

“So installation is now complete in Districts 1,3, and 6. And work now begins in 2, 4, and 5, followed by District 7, which will begin in mid-November,” said Sheffield.

And the timing of these new lights seems strategic, as Halloween is just three days away. And this neighborhood’s trick-or-treaters, already in their costumes, seem to be excited about the new lights.

“I’m so excited for Halloween, and I’m going to have more fun because there’ll be street lights all around me so I can stay safe,” one child said.

The street lights are part of an initiative by Sheffield and the Detroit Public Lighting Authority called Brighten Up the Block, in which 3,000 additional midblock lights will be installed by the end of the year.

“It’s really about being able to just look down the street and be able to see what’s going on. For some people, it’s that simple that improves the quality of life,” said Detroit City Council President James Tate Jr.

“I’m a walker in this neighborhood every morning at 7 o’clock, and this has really made me feel safer to walk down Westmoreland,” said one resident.

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 Jamal Goss

Click here for updates on this story

    ATLANTA (WUPA) — The Atlanta Dream will play one of the biggest games in franchise history Thursday afternoon, but the unusual start time is raising questions about whether arena scheduling has kept pace with the growing popularity of women’s basketball.

Game 6 of the WNBA Finals against the Golden State Valkyries tips off at 12:30 p.m. at State Farm Arena. The Dream trail the best-of-seven series 3-2 and must win to force a decisive Game 7 in California on Saturday.

Despite the midday start, the Dream announced Wednesday that the game is sold out. According to the team, more than 10,000 tickets were sold within the first 90 minutes after tickets became available Monday.

The sellout comes amid controversy over a scheduling conflict with the Atlanta Hawks, who host the Cleveland Cavaliers at 8 p.m. Thursday at the same arena.

Game 6 was originally scheduled for 8 p.m. at Gateway Center Arena in College Park, where the Dream have played most of their home games since 2021. That facility seats approximately 3,500 fans, compared with about 17,000 at State Farm Arena.

Moving the game downtown allows thousands more fans to attend, but it also means playing during the workday, potentially creating challenges for fans with jobs or school commitments.

In an open letter to fans, Dream ownership said it raised concerns with the WNBA about potential scheduling conflicts two months ago, when the league finalized its postseason schedule.

The ownership group said those concerns did not receive the attention they deserved, although it thanked the Hawks and arena officials for making adjustments to accommodate the Dream’s championship run.

For one Georgia Tech expert, the controversy highlights an issue that extends beyond Thursday’s game.

Dr. Mary McDonald, Georgia Tech’s Homer C. Rice Chair of Sport and Society, told CBS News Atlanta that the scheduling challenges reflect a longstanding imbalance in how men’s and women’s professional sports are treated.

“However, we still see this legacy of prioritizing men and men’s interests,” McDonald said.

She believes the issue is particularly significant because of the Dream’s history at the downtown arena.

The team played at what was then Philips Arena from 2008 through 2016 before temporarily relocating to Georgia Tech’s McCamish Pavilion during renovations. The Dream returned to State Farm Arena in 2019 before eventually making Gateway Center Arena their primary home.

McDonald said that history raises broader questions about how cities and public authorities negotiate agreements involving professional sports venues.

She believes future arena agreements should consider the needs of multiple teams, including women’s professional franchises, rather than treating their scheduling requirements as secondary.

But another expert sees the controversy less as a failure by any one organization and more as a sign of how quickly women’s basketball is growing.

Dr. Mike Lewis, a sports business professor at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, told CBS News Atlanta that the popularity of women’s basketball is creating challenges for leagues and organizations accustomed to operating under older business models.

“I don’t view this as really anything where any party is to blame,” Lewis said. “I think it’s just the world is moving so quickly and there’s so much hype and attention that the organizations are really struggling to keep up.”

Lewis said the challenge is adapting operations and scheduling to growing demand while making games accessible to fans.

That demand is already influencing the Dream’s future.

Earlier this month, the franchise announced a multiyear agreement to play all its home games at State Farm Arena beginning with the 2027 season. The move will significantly expand seating capacity and give the team a larger stage in downtown Atlanta.

However, questions remain about how scheduling conflicts will be handled when the Dream become full-time tenants.

CBS News Atlanta has contacted the Atlanta-Fulton County Recreation Authority, the public authority responsible for the arena, seeking clarification on whether the new agreement includes provisions addressing scheduling conflicts, particularly during the WNBA playoffs.

For now, the focus returns to the court, where the Dream will attempt to extend their championship hopes in front of a sold-out crowd.

Fans attending Thursday’s game are encouraged to wear blue. The Dream plans to provide blue T-shirts, with rally towels also expected for the first 10,000 fans.

Doors open at 11:30 a.m. State Farm Arena recommends having mobile tickets ready before arrival and reviewing parking and bag policies in advance.

For fans unable to attend, Game 6 will air nationally on USA Network and stream on Peacock.

A victory would send the Dream to Game 7 on Saturday, Oct. 31, while a loss would end their season one win short of a deciding game for the WNBA championship.

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 Noel Brennan

Click here for updates on this story

    BRAIDWOOD, Illinois (WBBM) — A teenager in the far southwest suburbs has been putting in the miles for a good cause.

A short run is the least he can give to recognize people who’ve given everything.

A mile-long run down on Main Street in Braidwood, Illinois, won’t set any records, but for 17-year-old Zach Pruss, every step jogs a memory of why he runs and writes.

“I would say in terms of connecting with the family, this is probably the hardest part,” he said.

From his kitchen table, he puts himself in the shoes of a family member grieving the loss of a first responder — writing letters by hand and from the heart.

He’s written 124 letters and performed 124 runs, all supporting a nonprofit called Running 4 Heroes.

“We carry a flag, whether it be red line, blue line, grey line, green line, K9 flags and we carry them one mile, and the one mile is our honorary run and dedication to those who lost their lives in the line of duty.”

The organization has donated over $1 million in first responder grants. Zach had been running and raising money for two and a half years.

He calls it a team effort with the support from his hometown police officers and firefighters.

“This small, beautiful, little rural community has one of 14 runners across the country. That’s pretty neat,” said Braidwood Police Chief Eric Allen.

“It’s extremely heartwarming because I feel like first responders in general, especially police, have been so demonized over the last recent history,” said firefighter and Zach’s father, Ron Pruss.

Zach says that, out of all of the different things that someone can do to honor first responders, putting his body on the line is just one more way to show support for them.

Kids like Zach can run for the nonprofit until they turn 17 — meaning his 125th run in Braidwood will be his last.

It’s the first time he’s had support on the ground and up in the air, with a flyover courtesy of local pilots.

First responders have Zach’s back as they always have since before he could walk, let alone run.

“If I was going to say one thing today, it was just how proud I am of Zachary,” Ron said. “I consider him to be, you know, my hero.”

One mile never held so much meaning for Zach. A run measured not in distance or by time — but in the weight of a hero’s sacrifice.

Zach plans to be a youth advisor with Running 4 Heroes to help mentor new runners. He aspires to be a commercial pilot 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.

By Madeline Burke

Click here for updates on this story

    BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Football excitement was brought to Medstar Franklin Square Medical Center on Wednesday afternoon, with Baltimore Ravens alumni visiting to celebrate cancer survivors and their medical teams with a special tailgate party.

It was part of the NFL’s Crucial Catch campaign, which highlights the importance of early detection. October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“It’s important for people to take care of their health,” said breast cancer survivor Nicole McFadden. “To check with yourself, with your body, to know what’s normal, what’s not normal. And to advocate, self-advocate, with your doctors.”

McFadden says she was only 34 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, earlier than when doctors usually start testing for it. She found the lump herself.

“I just went in just because it felt different,” said McFadden, urging people to go get checked out if anything feels amiss.

The Ravens alumni weren’t alone in their visit. Cheerleaders and the pep band helped bring the party to patients who can’t attend games because of their ongoing treatment.

There was also classic tailgating food and a photo booth to take pictures with former players like WJZ analyst Qadry Ismail, whose mother had a bout with breast cancer.

“It is important for me to recognize that hey, if we can make someone’s life a little easier, just for a brief moment, while they’re going through their trials, then it’s well worth it,” Ismail said.

Stuart Levine, the Senior Vice President of Medstar Health, says this is their second year hosting.

“It means everything to the community when you’re going through something like a cancer diagnosis, especially through treatment, having that little bit of hope, having those things to look forward to, to know there’s light at the end of the tunnel,” Levine said.

Levine added that the Ravens are influential to Medstar Health’s patients and the Baltimore community.

“Having them come out here to partner with us just to give a little bit of cheer, a little bit something to smile for, to smile at, it just means the world to them,” Levine said.

Ismail shared the sentiment, wanting to give patients and staff some hope and fun.

“We got Poe here, we got the cheerleaders, we got the band,” Ismail said. “So give them an opportunity to take their mind off the treatment and sit back and enjoy themselves for a bit. Get some great food and have a good interaction with one another.”

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 Dennis Valera

Click here for updates on this story

    MOUNT AIRY, Maryland (WJZ) — A Mount Airy, Maryland family claims they are being harassed by a neighbor who lodged numerous dog barking complaints against them.

The Davis family said this has been going on for nearly a year, and it has evolved into an ongoing legal battle.

The family argued they needed a guard dog to protect their home, but in court documents, their neighbor contends the dog’s barking has been too much to handle.

A guard dog’s bark Jennifer and Steven Davis moved to Mount Airy in 2022 for the space.

“Where we lived before, it was a townhouse. The driveway was about as long as [our] table, and then you were in the street,” Steven said.

They also wanted to become self-reliant, starting their own orchard and a poultry operation in their backyard. To ensure their animals and children can stay safe, they got their dog, Suki, last summer.

“If you want to do free-range, you have to have a livestock guard dog,” Jennifer said.

The family had Suki trained, and they also put up new signs warning passersby she would bark.

However, in December, and for the next few months, Howard County Animal Control posted numerous citations on the family’s home. They all charged Jennifer with disturbing the public peace, because of Suki’s barking.

“I was confused and angry,” Steven recalled. “We’re not the only people to have dogs in this neighborhood, and dogs bark all the time. There are a lot more that bark more than ours did.”

The citations were made off of complaints by Eileen Stewart, one of the Davis family’s neighbors.

Stewart did not accept an interview request from CBS News Baltimore, but in one of her affidavits, she claimed Suki was “observed barking day and night.” Her complaints also had a detailed log of all of the times she claimed she heard Suki barking.

All complaints to Howard County Animal Control need to include evidence, according to a county spokesperson. Animal Control doesn’t need to investigate before citing someone, but if it’s contested, the Animal Matters Hearing Board listens to the case.

Going to court Jennifer decided to contest the citations when she saw the video evidence that Stewart had submitted.

In one of the videos Jennifer shared with CBS News Baltimore, Stewart was filming Suki barking in the Davis family’s front yard behind their fence. It appears Stewart was filming from the yard directly across the street.

“Filming our dog, our guard dog, barking at her,” Jennifer said. “That was her evidence of our dog barking excessively.”

The Davis family has since found Suki a new home, but they’re also arguing the state and county’s Right-to-Farm laws should have protected Suki’s barking.

Jennifer has a trial scheduled for two of the citations in January. She was found guilty for one of them earlier this year – which is something she’s also trying to overturn – and one of her citations has been dropped.

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.