Month: October 2026

By Richard Bourne

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    OXFORD, Mississippi (WAPT) — Advocates for Kratom want to set the record straight when it comes to the substance following the deaths of two Ole Miss students.

A representative of the American Kratom Association spoke in front of the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office in Oxford Wednesday.

Law enforcement originally said that kratom was found at each scene of the students’ deaths last week. They now say there was packaging associated with kratom-related products.

The American Kratom Association wants the public to be very clear on the difference.

“We’ve heard this media frenzy for the past two weeks about kratom was associated with these tragic deaths here at Ole Miss University, and we find out now it’s not. What that product is is a federally controlled, as of the third week in August, synthetic opioid that is illegal federally,” the AKA representative said.

Experts say when used correctly and responsibly, kratom can assist in pain relief, mood enhancement and opioid withdrawal.

On Aug. 26, 2026, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration temporarily placed three synthetic opioid compounds into Schedule I of the federal Controlled Substances Act: Mitragynine pseudoindoxyl (MGPI), MGM-15 (dihydro-7-hydroxymitragynine) and MGM-16 (9-fluoro-dihydro-7-hydroxymitragynine).

Lafayette County Metro Narcotics said investigators are still waiting on official autopsy and toxicology findings from the Mississippi State Medical Examiner’s Office to determine how Aidan Hamilton, a freshman from Englewood, CO, and Robert Strang, a junior from Atlanta, GA, died.

Lafayette County Metro Narcotics is urging the Mississippi Legislature “to address synthetic kratom-related products with the urgency this public safety issue demands.”

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 Rachael Perry

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    STUART, Florida (WPBF) — A Treasure Coast nonprofit is adding a new four-legged resource to its work helping child victims of sexual exploitation and trafficking.

Catch the Wave of Hope is an anti-exploitation and anti-trafficking organization focused on awareness, education and survivor support. The organization works with children, parents, law enforcement, and other community professionals while also connecting survivors with therapy and other resources.

Now, Hanalei, a certified therapy dog, is joining that effort. Hanalei was rescued from Big Dog Ranch Rescue at three months old. She is a Labrador-Boxer mix and will turn two in November.

Sarah Marie Henry, the executive director, is Hanalei’s owner and handler.

“We have just kind of heard this overwhelming need for more therapeutic options, especially for children,” Henry said.

Hanalei will work with children at the Treasure Coast Child Advocacy Center, where some children go through the forensic interview process. She will also be available during therapy sessions and potentially during court proceedings.

“She is there to be a support to really help them feel safe and comforted,” Henry said.

Henry said Hanalei was a natural fit for the role because she has always responded well to children. She was trained and assessed before becoming certified through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs.

Henry said children have already responded positively to Hanalei, including children with different learning disabilities.

“It’s almost instilled in them that she knows and is excited to see them and really gets down on their level and is just available,” she said.

Hanalei is also a rescue, something Henry said gives her story another meaningful connection to the children she serves.

“I think that she just has a different understanding because of where she came from and what she’s overcome to now be here,” Henry said.

The organization plans to add two more therapy dogs, with one already in the process.

For Henry, the goal is to give children another source of comfort as they work through difficult experiences.

“She’ll be there to help encourage communication when kids are having a harder time articulating what maybe happened to them,” she said.

And while the work can be difficult, Henry said the message behind Hanalei’s role is simple:

“What’s happened has happened, but there is hope,” she said.

Catch the Wave of Hope has a list of educational resources on their website, along with ways for people to seek help.

People can also follow Hanalei’s journey through an Instagram page.

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 Lisa Crane

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    KIMBERLY, Alabama (WVTM) — A North Jefferson Middle School parent says a school employee made an inappropriate, sexually suggestive comment to his 12-year-old son in front of classmates. The Jefferson County School Superintendent said the comments were unacceptable and the matter was reviewed and addressed under district policy.

Austyn Mayes said the incident happened in the school library while his son was horsing around with another student. Mayes said his son reported the comment to the principal.

“He said, ‘You boys have a seriously strange relationship. Why don’t you just go ahead and grab each other’s crotches?’” Mayes said.

More than a week later, Mayes and the boy’s mother met with the principal and the employee. The family recorded the meeting, which lasted more than an hour.

During the conversation, Mayes challenged the employee’s handling of the incident. The employee described it as an effort to embarrass the students.

“Wasn’t a bully issue; it was an embarrassment issue. I thought if I embarrassed the two of them,” the employee said.

“So that was your solution was to embarrass him in front of a classroom because you were, because he had behavior issues,” The student’s mother replied.

In the recording, the employee later said, “I understand you’re upset, and, yeah, I probably shouldn’t have said what I said.”

According to Mayes, the principal suggested the employee review the school handbook and receive support from a classroom behavior specialist. Mayes said that response did not go far enough.

Jefferson County School Superintendent Dr. Walter Gonsoulin said in a statement:

“We hold our faculty and staff to high standards of conduct and professionalism. Certain comments made in this situation were unacceptable and fall well short of our expectations for how employees interact with students. The matter was thoroughly reviewed and addressed in accordance with district policy, and while privacy considerations limit further detail, Jefferson County Schools remains committed to ensuring every classroom provides a safe, respectful environment for our students.”

Mayes said he may file a lawsuit to push for changes at the school.

“I will not accept a dime from the school. All I want to see is reform,” Mayes 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 Charlotte Hancox

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    BURLINGTON, Vermont (WPTZ) — ReSCUED is a new UVM-led research project aimed at patients in the intensive care unit. Researchers will use artificial intelligence to create what they call a “digital twin” of a patient’s immune system.

By collecting blood samples and monitoring a patient’s condition, the system would create a virtual model that updates in real time.

“[It] gives us a platform to be able to evaluate, discover and test potential therapies, often requiring multiple medications,” said Dr. Gary An, the vice chair of surgical research.

An said while today’s technology can keep more critically ill patients alive, some can become stuck in the ICU when their immune system struggles to recover. He said that immune response can be too complex for any one person to fully analyze in real time, and that’s where the AI system comes in.

“It processes that information and says, ‘oh, I’ve seen this before. If we don’t do anything, this patient will go this way, but we can do X, Y, and Z, and maybe that will make them better,'” said An.

The five-year project is the largest research award in UVM history, with federal funding worth up to $38 million.

“This is our mission to do good in the world. This is our common ground values, our commitment to our state and to people all over the world. And it’s going to save lives,” said Marlene Tromp, the president of UVM.

The patient data will not be collected in Vermont. Instead, three partner sites around the country will collect information from a broader range of patients including Wake Forest University, the University of Alabama, and Washington University.

At UVM, researchers will lead the project and develop the model behind the digital twin.

“This may improve survival from critical care illness. It may then also shorten the time in the ICU shorten their hospitalization. This could reduce health care costs,” said Richard Page, the Dean of Larner College of Medicine.

With the hope that by the end of the project, the technology will be ready for clinical trials. The ultimate goal is to reduce ICU stays by at least 25 percent and improve outcomes for some of the most critically ill patients.

And while this project is specifically focused on ICU patients, researchers said if the digital twin model proves successful, it could be applied to any health care problem.

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 Jenyne Donaldson

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    BALTIMORE (WBAL) — A Baltimore nonprofit founded by military veterans is revitalizing vacant lots into green spaces and urban farms, transforming communities and addressing food access challenges.

The 6th Branch, established in 2010, has converted more than 23 acres of vacant lots into thriving green spaces and urban farms. Terrell Williams, a Marine Corps veteran and board member, emphasized the importance of creating hope in neglected areas.

“I think it’s really hard to give people hope when there’s trash all around you,” Williams told WBAL-TV 11 News.

The nonprofit works closely with communities to ensure its projects align with their needs. Curtis Ritz, executive director of The 6th Branch, explained their collaborative approach.

“We don’t go into a space unless we’re invited and asked to. And then, we’re sitting and listening for probably the first year or so to understand what the community wants and then we help make that vision a reality with the community,” Ritz told WBAL-TV 11 News.

In Johnston Square, where blocks of homes were once demolished, the area has been transformed into a vibrant space. Residents can now access fresh produce grown on-site.

“Every Thursday you can get a bag of collards and squash and green peppers and red peppers and hot peppers, which are my favorite, and they’re straight right from the ground,” Williams told WBAL-TV 11 News.

Grace Champion, community farming director, oversees three urban farms that distribute thousands of pounds of free produce annually.

“In addition to the kales and collards, we do Swiss chard. We also do a lot of root vegetables — tomatoes, eggplant — really kind of listening to the climate and doing what will want to perform here,” Champion told WBAL-TV 11 News.

Champion said the farms focus on harvesting produce weekly to share with the approximately 100 families they serve each week in this food desert.

“I think it’s really powerful to interact and be close to green spaces and be more connected to food. If you noticed, they’re not seeing a lot of fresh produce in these areas,” Champion told WBAL-TV 11 News.

The nonprofit also sells compost and honey and offers programs in food access, canopy development, and workforce development.

Williams highlighted the impact of their work on the community.

“If you go over to the Henrietta Lacks Educational Park, it’s an incredible space, and it gives me joy because every time I drive by — and I drive by daily — there are families in that park, and I’d never seen families in the park before,” Williams told WBAL-TV 11 News.

The 6th Branch continues to bring hope to Baltimore neighborhoods, one seed at a time.

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By Pattrik Perez

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    SEMINOLE COUNTY, Florida (WESH) — Two more dogs died overnight from injuries they suffered in a Geneva house fire that investigators say was intentionally set, bringing the total number of dogs killed to 15, according to Seminole County officials.

Terrance Banks, 40, is accused of setting his home on Snow Hill Road on fire Monday morning with multiple dogs inside, according to an arrest report from the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies say Banks admitted to starting the fire by “pouring gasoline on the floor in every room of the house. He then used a lighter to light a piece of paper (on) fire, which he then used to ignite the gasoline,” the arrest report states.

Investigators discovered six dead dogs in the hours after the fire Monday. On Tuesday, they found another seven deceased dogs inside the home. Banks told deputies there were 19 dogs inside the house.

“We were optimistic yesterday, if you will, that there wouldn’t be any more deceased animals. And unfortunately, his number was pretty accurate,” said Alan Harris, Seminole County’s emergency manager.

Seminole County Animal Services initially took in four dogs that survived the flames, but two of them died from their injuries overnight. The two surviving dogs are continuing to receive care at the shelter in Sanford, where video shows burns on their faces and bodies.

“We’ve dealt with injuries, and this is certainly a very, very bad (case) because of the amount of animals that we’re talking about, so it’s going to take some time of healing for our staff and for the two dogs in our custody,” Harris said.

Harris says one dog remains at large. Crews are actively trying to find and rescue the dog so it can receive care.

So far, Banks faces 11 counts of aggravated animal cruelty and one count of second-degree arson. He appeared in court Tuesday afternoon, where a judge ordered him to undergo a mental health evaluation at the jail and barred him from possessing animals.

He remains in the Seminole County jail, held without bond on the arson charge and with bond set at $5,000 for each animal cruelty count.

Banks’ attorney, Richard Hornsby, claims he was suffering a “serious mental health episode” and may have been hallucinating.

“For reasons I don’t understand, even though law enforcement was made explicitly aware of this information during their investigation, they inexplicably omitted any mention of it in the arrest report and if not brought to the court’s attention would have resulted in jail personnel and the court not taking appropriate mental health intervention. “As we work towards a resolution to the case, we will take steps to stabilize and get Mr. Banks the mental health treatment he needs.” The sheriff’s office says Facebook Live videos Banks recorded after the fire, but before his arrest, are part of its investigation. In one video, Banks says, among other things, “There need to be investigations within the church system. Definitely the Baptist church system using witchcraft and all that stuff.”

Banks’ arraignment is scheduled for Nov. 10.

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By Brandon Hogan

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    VOLUSIA COUNTY, Florida (WESH) — An Oak Hill man arrested Tuesday is accused of neglecting and starving his dog, according to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office.

Johnathan Meyers, 31, faces charges of aggravated animal cruelty, resisting officers without violence, and possession of drug paraphernalia, the sheriff’s office said on social media.

The dog, Tanner, was weak, sick, covered in sores and in desperate need of help when first reached by Volusia County animal control, the post states. Meyers relinquished ownership of Tanner, who thus underwent emergency medical treatment at a shelter, the sheriff’s office said.

“Sheriff’s detectives joined in the investigation, reviewing veterinary records and conducting interviews, establishing that Meyers subjected Tanner to a prolonged pattern of neglect,” the post states.

Tanner has gained more than 15 pounds since arriving at the shelter, the sheriff’s office said, adding he had either recovered or improved from multiple infections. Tanner weighed less than 34 pounds when he was admitted to the shelter, the post states.

“Tanner still has a long road to recovery, but he will not travel it alone. Animal Services will continue providing the support he needs as he regains his health and strength, and the opportunity for a much brighter future,” the sheriff’s office said. “Tanner is expected to make a full recovery and, when the time is right, will be available for adoption and the chance to find a loving home.”

Meyers was booked around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday on $3,500 bond, which he posted within several hours to be released, records show.

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By Denzen Cortez

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    CALIFORNIA (KCRA) — A new California law will crack down on third-party brokers that reserve tee times at publicly owned golf courses and then resell them to golfers at higher prices.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1954, known as the Protecting Access to Reservations Act, on Sunday. The legislation was authored by Assemblymember Chris Ward, D-San Diego, and sponsored by the California Alliance for Golf.

Under the new law, a person or third-party golf reservation platform will need a written agreement with a course operator before listing, advertising, promoting, selling or transferring reservations at publicly owned golf courses.

The law takes effect Jan. 1.

The California Alliance for Golf says there are more than 220 municipally owned golf courses across California. Those courses are owned by cities, counties, charter cities and the state and often provide access to golf for residents, seniors, juniors, school athletes and community organizations.

The group says unauthorized brokers can use technology to quickly reserve sought-after tee times and then offer those reservations to golfers at higher prices.

“Municipal golf courses are integral to ensuring access to golf across the state for seniors, youth, and residents who might otherwise not have access to the game,” Craig Kessler, executive director of the California Alliance for Golf, said in a statement announcing the bill’s signing. “AB 1954 enables cities and counties to combat booking practices that make access to public golf courses extremely difficult and costly for residents.”

A federal case filed last year provides one example of how tee-time brokering has operated.

Federal prosecutors charged identical twin brothers Se Youn “Steve” Kim and Hee Youn “Ted” Kim in September 2025 with tax-related offenses after authorities said they failed to report more than $1.1 million in income.

According to the federal indictment, the brothers operated a tee-time brokering business between 2021 and 2023, reserving thousands of tee times for resale at golf courses nationwide, including at least 17 public courses in Southern California.

Federal authorities said the brothers targeted sought-after early morning tee times, sometimes securing them within seconds of their release to the public. They then resold reservations for an additional fee, according to the indictment.

Authorities said the brothers marketed and communicated with customers through social media platforms, including KakaoTalk, an instant messaging app. Customers were often directed to pay reservation fees through personal Venmo and Zelle accounts, according to federal prosecutors.

The brothers earned nearly $700,000 from the tee-time brokering business between 2021 and 2023, prosecutors allege.

The charges against the brothers involve alleged tax violations and are separate from AB 1954. An indictment contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Ward’s office said the new California law is intended to give publicly owned courses a way to address unauthorized brokering directly.

“Public golf courses belong to the public, and residents shouldn’t have to compete with brokers buying up tee times just to turn around and sell them at inflated prices,” Ward said in a statement.

The law does not prohibit all third-party booking services. Platforms that have written agreements with course operators can continue offering reservations. Kessler told KCRA 3 that established services such as GolfNow operate through agreements with participating courses and are not the type of unauthorized brokering targeted by the legislation.

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