Author: CNN

KTVT

By Trevor Sochocki

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    MCKINNEY, Texas (KTVT) — Tonja Moon walked with purpose into the lobby of Golden Grace Assisted Living in McKinney, holding the baby in the crook of her arm.

“Hey everybody,” she cooed to the residents seated on the couches and chairs. “Look what we have.”

As Moon and the other volunteers with the Grand Baby Project passed out the rest of the babies to the memory care patients, some of them caught on.

“Is she a real baby?” a resident asked.

“If you want her to be,” Moon replied.

Strictly speaking, no — the handful of baby dolls the grandparents doted on are not living. But Moon said some of her clients don’t know that.

“We just want to give them the opportunity to have purpose every single day,” Moon explained. “Dementia doll therapy is really just a way for residents to have purpose and connection.”

For the last five years, Moon and her Texas-based nonprofit have been going around the country, giving dolls to memory care units and residents. Though the practice of giving dolls to the elderly is common overseas, it was a foreign concept to Moon when she first heard about it.

She started the project after seeing how her grandma reacted.

“We literally wrapped up this tiny little doll in a nursing home towel,” Moon recalled. “She thought she’d been handed a newborn.”

The project delivered 3,000 baby dolls last year around the world. Moon equates it to pet therapy — she said it gives residents a reason to be healthy and embrace their nurturing instinct.

“Depending on where they are,” said Golden Grace Assisted Living’s Erika Brown. “They take the baby and they love on them, because it reminds them of a time where they held their own baby or their own grandbaby.”

Moon said she’s seen improved outcomes across the board due to the dolls.

“You can see the smiles yourself of how wonderful it really, truly is,” Brown said. “Even the guys, even though you don’t expect them to really get involved, they really go for it.”

The dolls at Golden Grace will stay there for the residents to take care of for the rest of their lives — and Moon will be back in a year to celebrate all the babies’ birthdays.

“Fills your cup,” Moon said. “But man, it breaks my heart every single time — in a good way.”

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KYW

By Eva Andersen

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    FISHTOWN, Pennsylvania (KYW) — Wrestling chants and sandwich samples collided Sunday in Philadelphia, where the first-ever Hoagie Throwdown paired professional wrestling with a battle of the city’s best sandwiches.

The event, hosted by Chef Eli Kulp and the Delicious City Philly Podcast team at Other Half Brewing in Fishtown, drew hundreds of fans for an afternoon that was equal parts food festival and wrestling show. Wrestlers from Pro Wrestling Entertainment delivered high-energy matches — including one where a competitor entered wearing a Dallas Cowboys jersey, prompting loud boos and Eagles chants from the Philly crowd.

“It’s not a grinder, it’s not a po’ boy, it’s not a sub — it’s a hoagie!” David Wesolowski, co-host of Delicious City, said. “It’s a battlefield of delicious sandwiches!”

Alongside the action in the ring, more than a dozen hoagie makers competed for the title of “Delicious City’s Hoagie Champion.” The lineup featured shops such as Angelo’s Pizzeria, Farina Di Vita, Breezy’s Deli, Reuby Indian Taqueria, Càphê Roasters and Upper Darby’s Wilson’s Secret Sauce. Attendees sampled sandwiches and voted for their favorites by dropping coins into ballot boxes.

Vendors embraced the playful spirit. Breezy’s Deli chef Chad Durkin hyped his porchetta sandwich in full wrestling persona as “The Mouth Jumper,” wearing a costume with fake muscles.

“You can try the rest, but now it’s time to try the best!” Durkin yelled to customers. “Come to the ‘House of Porchetta!'”

Wilson’s Secret Sauce offered “The Cena,” named after WWE star John Cena. In this case, “Cena” was also a play on words.

“You haven’t seen it before!” said Steve Wilson, chef and owner.

The most eye-catching entry came from Reuby Indian Taqueria: a hoagie with a hot pink roll filled with tandoori chicken salad and salsa verde chutney.

“I have a Michelin background from New York City, but I wanted to do my own thing, which is Indian-Mexican food,” said Reuben Asaram, chef and owner. “My friends and following that I have know that my food is vibrant – I’m known for bright colors, so I had to bring it here for the Hoagie [Throwdown].”

As for what made the bun pink? It’s still a mystery.

“I can’t say because it’s a secret, but it is all natural,” Asaram said. (He did add that the bread has roasted long hots and pecorino inside.)

General admission tickets included hoagie tastings, a beer from Other Half Brewing, entry to the wrestling matches, meet-and-greets with wrestlers, live entertainment and access to a vendor marketplace. A VIP package offered early entry, exclusive sandwiches and a private lounge.

By day’s end, Shaun “Too Smooth” Smith scored the victory in the ring, while Reuby Indian Taqueria claimed the Hoagie Throwdown’s inaugural winning belt.

As Asaram held the belt alongside two of his teammates, his speech was simple:

“Go Birds!”

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WCBS

By Elijah Westbrook

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    BROOKLYN, New York (WCBS) — A deadly crash left a devastating scene overnight in the Flatlands section of Brooklyn. Police sources say the vehicle involved had been reported stolen.

The crash happened shortly before 1:45 a.m. Monday on 35th Street at the intersection of Flatbush Avenue.

Flatbush Avenue crash leaves intersection littered with debris

Surveillance video showed the black Honda Civic jump the curb and slam into the side of a building, splitting the car in two pieces and scattering debris across the roadway.

It plowed through garbage bags set on the sidewalk and narrowly missed a U.S. Postal Service mailbox. The impact left the intersection littered with trash among the wreckage.

“This is crazy — crazy and other words that you can’t put on camera,” one resident said after waking up to the damage.

“I thought it was a multi-vehicle accident until I realized that it was actually just one vehicle in several parts,” another resident added.

Police sources said the car, which had a TLC livery license plate, had been left running at Regent Place and Flatbush Avenue, about a mile and a half north of the crash scene.

“A car just flew past me, it literally flew so fast that my whole car shook,” one witness said.

“This could’ve been a lot worse. He hit a building where people live,” said another. “People could’ve been coming out of their house.”

The 41-year-old man behind the wheel was found lying in the street, police said. He was taken to Kings County Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His name has not been released.

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KCNC

By Tori Mason

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    Colorado (KCNC) — A quiet street in Colorado filled with water Friday, after a 12-inch water main burst, blasting water more than 40 feet into the air.

Ronald Wright has lived on Easter Avenue in Centennial for 45 years, and said he’s never seen anything like it. He had just dropped his son off at work when he stumbled upon the scene.

“I came around that corner and it looked like Old Faithful in front of my house,” Wright said. “It was about 45 feet in the air, and I didn’t know what was going on. Of course, I couldn’t get in my driveway.”

He immediately called 911.

Even the utility crew was stunned by the scale of the geyser.

“The guy from the water department, he’s been there 35 years. He’s never seen anything this serious or this big,” Wright said.

The eruption forced water, rocks, and debris down the street. Wright’s home took the brunt of it.

The pressure was so strong that it exploded through the pavement, leaving a massive hole and chunks of pavement in his driveway. His mailbox is buried in a crater.

“It does look like a volcano happened here,” Wright said. “You see all these rocks around here, looks like lava rocks. Getting hit by one of these wouldn’t feel so good!”

Luckily, no one was injured.

The break came from an aging main. Wright said he was told the pipe would need to be replaced. Crews also told him the utility would take responsibility for the cleanup and any damage.

“I just had a new roof put on, and I’m hoping it’s okay, because it was not cheap,” he laughed. Some water made its way to his basement and garage.

The street was closed, and homes were without water for six to eight hours.

Despite the disruption, Wright kept his sense of humor.

“Things happen, you know? It’s just luck. It’s not good, bad luck, but it’s the way it is,” he said. “I guess I won’t be getting mail for a while, though.”

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KCNC

By Karen Morfitt

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    Colorado (KCNC) — A Colorado boy is heading home after a terrifying medical emergency at recess, one that doctors say is like what happened to NFL player Damar Hamlin.

Twelve-year-old Jordan Palomar of Fort Morgan collapsed on the playground last week after going into sudden cardiac arrest. He was flown to HCA HealthOne Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at Presbyterian St. Luke’s.

While there, doctors implanted a device to regulate his heart rhythm. Jordan is now recovering and reunited with his family, just in time to celebrate his 13th birthday with his twin brother.

“I didn’t even know why I was in here,” Jordan said Friday morning from his hospital bed.

His parents said the call from the school was one they’ll never forget. Jordan, an active soccer player and sports fan, had open heart surgery as an infant but hadn’t had any issues since.

“I just remember going as fast as I could, just trying to get to him,” his father said.

Doctors say immediate CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) on the playground helped save Jordan’s life.

“We’re still working to understand the exact cause,” said Dr. Ian Milligan.

Jordan’s case mirrors that of Damar Hamlin, the Buffalo Bills player who collapsed during a game in 2023. Both incidents have underscored the importance of having emergency plans and life-saving equipment in schools and public places.

“I think awareness and having a plan in place, having the right people and training and devices in the right places is the best thing we can do for our children,” Dr. Milligan added.

A school nurse, a school resource officer, who also happens to be a close family friend, and a student who ran for help are all credited with saving Jordan’s life.

“They did everything perfectly right at the right time to save my life,” Jordan said.

As he recovered in the hospital, Jordan was surrounded by support from his classmates, including handmade cards and letters. His care team even helped him celebrate his 13th birthday in the hospital alongside his twin.

“Things could have gone a lot differently,” his mom said. “He might not have been here to celebrate that birthday.”

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WFOR

By John MacLauchlan

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    MIAMI, Florida (WFOR) — A call to 911 reveals the frantic moments after an 8-year-old boy was attacked by a shark off Key Largo on Monday, Labor Day.

According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, it happened shortly before 3:30 p.m. near the Garden Cove Marina while the boy was snorkeling with his family. The boy was bitten on his leg.

A nearby boater heard the call for help on the radio. He helped the family get to shore while as someone called 911.

“We’re offshore, a shark bite,” the man said.

“A shark bite, are you guys able to bring the patient back in?,” the 911 operator asked.

“Yeah, we’re on the boat. Keep his leg up,” the man said to someone on the boat.

“Is he awake and breathing?” the operator asked.

“Yes, he’s breathing and awake. Hold his leg up like this, yes,” the man said.

“Is there a tourniquet on his leg?” asked the operator.

“A tourniquet is on his leg, yes,” the man replied.

Once the boy was brought to shore, he was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center in Miami where doctors were able to save his leg.

Officials haven’t confirmed what type of shark attacked him, but in the call someone is heard saying it was a reef shark.

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KPIX

By Amanda Hari

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    San Francisco (KPIX) — A mural that has captured the attention of people in Oakland for nearly two decades may be painted over soon.

The artwork is located on the corner of 41st Street and Piedmont Avenue. It depicts Ohlone Native Americans interacting with Spanish Missionaries, but property managers say they received complaints about the nudity in the image.

Neighbors like Andrea Hackl don’t see the problem.

“It doesn’t speak of Oakland’s values to destroy art,” Hackl stated.

Hackl has been walking her dog past this mural nearly every day for the last three years. Each time, she stops to take it in.

“For me, it means Native Americans being robbed of their land, and there’s already a plan in place of what’s going to happen to the land, no matter what anyone thinks, but those parts especially, they get me every time,” said Hackl about her interpretation of the mural.

She was disappointed and a little disturbed to hear it would be painted over. Hackl is originally from Austria, so she didn’t grow up learning about California history, but she’s learning now.

“For me, it’s been an amazing educational tool as well,” said Hackl. “You don’t just look at amazing art, but it tells a story. It tells a really important aspect of history.”

The mural is titled “The Capture of the Solid, the Escape of the Soul.”

The work, painted by Rocky Rische-Baird, depicts the Ohlone tribe being given smallpox-infested clothing and blankets by the Spanish missionaries. A green, diseased man shows the death and destruction it caused.

The mural has many images within it.

Wolf Clifton lives in a different neighborhood of Oakland. When he heard about the removal of the mural, he knew he needed to come see it himself.

“The level of detail, and the surrealism of much of it,” Clifton observed. “The gas pump with the snake head. It’s impressive.”

After seeing it, he doesn’t understand why someone would be offended by the small amount of nudity.

“It’s so prudish, frankly, and I have to wonder does it have more to do with it being an honest portrayal of colonialism and the destruction that it brought on the indigenous people of the area,” Clifton questions. “Is that really what’s going on?

Resident of the building, Julie, received the email from SG Real Estate Co. that they will be painting over the mural because they’ve received complaints that the naked native man is distasteful.

“They were going to paint it over because so many people have complained about it,” said Julie. “Which is not true! I know of one person.”

She said she’s fighting to keep it.

“I’ve been at it all day,” Julie explained. “Actually, for many days, and I’ve had lots and lots of emails. I don’t want anything to happen to this.”

The people CBS News Bay Area met and spoke with all said they support the mural, and dozens of people came by to look at it and take pictures.

Hackl believes removing the mural will set a bad precedent.

“We don’t want to paint over art that tells such an important part of history, that makes people think and makes people reflect,” said Hackl. “That’s just a sign of society going backwards and that is never a sign of a health society.”

CBS Bay Area reached out to SG Real Estate and Co. We did not hear back at the time of this report.

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WBBM

By Noel Brennan

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    OAK BROOK, Illinois (WBBM) — At a fashion show in Oak Brook, Illinois, the models don’t need designer looks to show off their style. For them, fashion is about feeling.

“Intrinsically, I have the knack for fashion and I did not lose that when I lost my sight,” said Monty Rogers.

Rogers and Takela Allen are already model students at the Illinois Center for Rehabilitation and Education, but Sunday they walked their first runway. They’re among 10 models, all blind or visually impaired, who paired up with a stylist at a nearby Nordstrom to find the perfect fit based on feeling.

The opportunity was made possible by jewelry store CD Peacock, the nonprofit Beautiful Lives Project, and a gem of an idea.

Aria Holtzman, 16, teamed up with Bryce Weiler from the Beautiful Lives Project, which creates events for people with disabilities, to create this fashion show.

“Starting a fashion show was always something that I wanted to do,” Weiler said.

After weeks of planning, it was showtime and the models didn’t need to see their clothes to know they looked as good as they felt.

CD Peacock covered the cost of the outfits for the models, and each of them went home with brand-new clothes from Nordstrom.

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