Author: CNN Newsource

By Web Staff , Anthony Sabella

Click here for updates on this story

    NORFOLK, Virginia (WTKR) — The Virginia Stage Company is now assessing damage and beginning cleanup after Thursday’s severe rain caused damage to Wells Theatre.

Water poured through parts of the ceiling during the storm, causing ceiling tiles to fall and damage the building, according to VSC. The video released by the company — seen below — shows some of the damage.

“Virginia Stage Company crew and staff worked throughout the incident to contain the water, protect the theatre and its equipment, and begin cleanup efforts,” the theatre company said in a release.

News 3 visited the theatre Friday afternoon and was told damage assessment is still happening. Company staff say they believe standing water had pooled on the roof and weakened the structure. A restoration company was seen working in the building and News 3 was told the roof is being looked at.

Saturday performances have been canceled, but VSC says upcoming performances of ‘Come From Away’ scheduled to run from September 2-20 are slated to move forward. If impacted, ticket holders will be contacted by the Virginia State Company with any information.

“Virginia Stage Company has received an extraordinary outpouring of messages, well wishes and offers of assistance from throughout the Hampton Roads community. The organization is grateful for the support and is continuing to assess the damage before determining what additional assistance may be needed,” the company 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 Ja Nai Wright

Click here for updates on this story

    ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, Maryland (WMAR) — Joseph and Benjamin Toms were visiting their father’s home when a massive explosion collapsed their neighbor’s house. The brothers rushed over without hesitation, pulling the victims from the debris before first responders arrived.

Benjamin Toms said he and his brother felt the blast before they even knew what had happened.

“We just all of a sudden felt this like, huge shake and a huge boom, and the whole house rattled, and we all were kind of like, what the hell was that,” Benjamin said.

The brothers ran outside and saw their neighbors’ house had collapsed from an explosion. Joseph Toms, a Navy corpsman, said he immediately spotted a survivor and sprang into action.

“I ran. I saw feet. I yelled at him, and I’m in the Navy; this is stuff I am trained to do as a Navy corpsman. He is a teacher, so he didn’t hesitate, and I am so proud of him, and other people were hesitant to come in. I yelled, ‘We have a light pulse,’ we saw her feet. We both grabbed part of the roof and lifted it up. We started to try to get her out, and then finally two other neighbors rushed in, and they helped us lift it up, get her out, and that’s when the first responders came in,” Joseph said.

Fire officials made multiple attempts to save 76-year-old Linda Synowcynski’s life, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

After pulling Linda from the rubble, the brothers shifted their focus to finding her husband, Stan Synowcynski.

“As soon as the police officers showed up, they started CPR on Mrs. Linda. We were able to shift focus. Myself, Ben, and another neighbor, we jumped in the rubble. We started looking for Stan; we were calling out for him. It took a few minutes, but we finally heard after like three or four minutes; he must have come to, his voice,” Joseph said.

Fire officials were able to get Stan out of the rubble. He was airlifted to Bayview Burn Center and remains in critical condition.

Benjamin said that even in shock, he knew helping was the right thing to do.

“If my family were ever in a situation like that, I would hope neighbors would do the same thing,” Benjamin said.

The brothers said they were only in town for Benjamin’s wedding this weekend, but they are grateful they were at their father’s house when the explosion happened so they could help.

Portions of Green Holly Drive remain closed as the investigation into the explosion remains ongoing.

Authorities say there is no threat to the community and the scene is expected to remain active.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. WMAR verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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 Karolina Buczek

Click here for updates on this story

    FRANKFORT, Kentucky (WLEX) — Kentucky lawmakers honored a 12-year-old Lexington boy who saved a man from drowning earlier this summer.

Avory Woolery received a citation of achievement from the Kentucky House of Representatives on Wednesday and met with the governor to celebrate his heroic actions.

LEX News first introduced Woolery at the beginning of July, when he jumped into a pool at his apartment complex and saved a man from drowning without any hesitation.

“He was drowning, and I’m not going to let somebody drown,” Woolery previously told LEX News.

Since then, Woolery has started a brand new school year — and his classmates have already heard about what he did.

“At school [I’m] overwhelmed. I’m getting bombarded with questions,” he said.

At the award ceremony, lawmakers told Woolery they hope his action inspires others.

“We hope somebody out there will see this and they’ll think when they’re in the same situation to be a little bit more like Avory,” Rep. Chad Aull said.

Woolery said the path to doing that is simple.

“Try and be the best person you can be whenever someone is in danger or someone just needs a friend,” Woolery 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 Carlee Hogsten

Click here for updates on this story

    JESSAMINE COUNTY, Kentucky (WLEX) — Four World War II veterans are celebrating milestone birthdays this year, and Wilmore leaders are asking the community to help honor them with birthday cards.

Thomson-Hood Veterans Center and Wilmore Mayor Harold Rainwater are collecting cards for the veterans — with a goal of collecting enough to match each veteran’s age. Cards can be sent to Wilmore City Hall at 210 South Lexington Avenue, Wilmore, KY 40390.

“It’s very important to hear their stories. It’s important to honor them. It’s important that they feel appreciated,” Rainwater said.

With only about 500 World War II veterans remaining in Kentucky, each one holds special significance.

“There’s so few of them, and I think there’s still nine in this facility,” Rainwater said.

The first veteran celebrating a 100th birthday is Glenn Cummins, who served in the Philippines during World War II and later as a paratrooper in Japan.

“I stayed there a year. Where the temperature is 110, and it’s misery,” Cummins said.

Vincent Gualliardo is turning 101. He served four years in the Navy and was sent to Japan after the war.

“The secrets of life is, well, you always try to help the other person,” Gualliardo said.

Ronald Grimes is also turning 100. He volunteered for the Army, knowing he would likely be drafted anyway.

“Well, they were taking everybody if they could breathe,” Grimes said.

While Cummins, Gualliardo and Grimes live at Thomson-Hood, the celebration also extends to Corbin, where 103-year-old Paul Jones is also waiting for cards.

Sam Hutchinson, administrator at Thomson-Hood, said cards will be distributed to each veteran on their birthday.

“Send it to the Wilmore City Hall, and we’re going to disperse those to each veteran on their 100th birthday to make sure that they know that the country still remembers them,” Hutchinson 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 Matteo Iadonisi

Click here for updates on this story

    PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — It’s a novel concept: Over 50 independent bookstores across the Philadelphia region are hosting a day full of page-turning excitement.

The ‘Philadelphia Bookstore Crawl’ is celebrating its fourth annual event today, Saturday, August 22, 2026. It runs for this one day only until each business’ closing time.

Author signings, discounts and giveaways could be discovered across 18 neighboring areas.

To keep up with the next Philadelphia Bookstore Crawl, and for a list of bookstores that participated, visit their website.

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 Connor Steffen

Click here for updates on this story

    CINCINNATI (WCPO) — A Metro bus driver is being hailed as a hero after she stopped her bus, called 911 and performed chest compressions on a 14-year-old boy shot in the head on Warsaw Avenue in East Price Hill.

The shooting happened Tuesday when, according to a witness, the boy and friends were throwing rocks at a home on Warsaw Avenue. A man came out of the home and shot the boy in the head. The witness said the man then ran away from the scene and more people inside the house at the time ran out the back.

Briona Akins was driving her bus route through Price Hill when she came off Glenway Avenue onto Warsaw Avenue and spotted something was wrong.

“I seen a commotion, some teens, some adults running and screaming,” Akins said. “I seen a young boy laying in between the curb and the street. He had blood coming out of his head.”

She said she turned on her hazard lights, pulled the parking brake, secured her bus, called 911 and ran to the boy. Akins, who has received CPR training, turned him over and began chest compressions.

“I knew that I was going to have to help this young man’s heart beat. I can’t seem to get over how little his chest was,” Akins said. “I didn’t want to do the compressions too hard because I didn’t want to hurt the young man further than what he already was hurt.”

Her actions, she said, encouraged others nearby to step in and help. A coworker from the Queensgate garage came over and took over the 911 call. A passenger got off Akins’ bus and continuously checked the boy’s pulse while she performed compressions. Another bystander used a T-shirt to apply pressure to his wound. Akins continued chest compressions until paramedics arrived and took over.

“I don’t know what had me dialed in like that, but I was on it,” Akins said.

It was only her second day on the route. Akins said she believes divine intervention put her in the right place at the right time.

“Before I pull this bus out of this garage, I say the same prayer. I ask God that He be a fence of a shield around this bus of protection,” Akins said. “God makes no mistakes, none at all.”

Akins said she has not yet been able to speak with the boy’s family, but hopes to one day.

“I would love to even have a relationship with the child if they would allow that in the future,” Akins said.

Akins’ parents, both retired bus drivers, said they are beaming with pride.

“When I heard the whole story, I was amazed,” Renee Akins, Briona’s mother, said. “I know she was crying when she called, so she went through some stuff.”

According to family, the 14-year-old is still being treated at the hospital. Cincinnati Police are actively investigating the shooting and did not have an update Thursday, including any information about a suspect.

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 Forrest Sanders

Click here for updates on this story

    LEBANON, Tennessee (WTVF) — I’ve always loved an unusual fair competition. The Wilson County – Tennessee State Fair definitely has those.

This year, the fair hosted something new, something that drew in Cheyenne Genberg and Justin Franiak.

“It’s the Wilson County Fair-lympics!” Franiak laughed.

They work for Cumulus Media. Franiak hosts The Overnight Ride.

The fair this year has a focus on forestry. That’s led to this special competition.

“You have never shouted Timber?” I asked.

“Just during the Kesha song!” Franiak answered.

“TIIIIMBEEEER!” a man shouted into a microphone, launching the fair’s Timber Yelling Contest.

Not just anybody’s going to have the pipes for this, but I guess if anybody does, it’s going to be people at the fair.

“HOOOWDYYY! Just so proud to be here!” shouted a woman playing Minnie Pearl at the competition.

Generally, the timber yelling was all about volume. However, one competitor took on cutting a tree without HOA approval.

“Timbeeerrrr,” he whispered to the laughs of the crowd.

Not bad, but competition was on the way; a metro school bus driver. Oh, she’d been training her whole life for this.

The bus driver held her “timber” for a full 18 seconds.

Franiak went up.

“I don’t sweat this much when I cut trees!” he laughed. “The bigger they are, the harder they fall.”

Franiak went back and forth with the crowd.

“When I say TIM, you say BER!” he called. “TIM! BER! TIM! BER!”

“I won!” Franiak said.

“I got third in the husband calling!” Genberg added. “This is better than my wedding day!”

It’s all just part of the beauty of the fair. Where else can you pick up a donut bacon burger and rest a spell to the dulcet sounds of TIIIMMMBBBBEEERRRR?

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 Robb Coles

Click here for updates on this story

    NASHVILLE (WTVF) — A night at the Wilson County Tennessee State Fair turned frightening when a popular ride appeared to malfunction, sending several riders to the emergency room.

Officials said nine people were involved in an incident on the Wave Swinger ride, where they came in contact with the surrounding fence as the swings came down.

Four were taken to the emergency room, and all four have since been released.

Five others were treated for injuries at the medical center at the fair.

Jamie Nowak watched her husband and 2 kids on the ride when the incident happened.

“I think I blacked out, I’m so thankful my 5-year-old was not on the outer row,” said Jamie Nowak.

The Wave Swinger is a spinning ride with swings.

Her husband, Tim, rides it often — 4 to 5 times that night alone — but both said something felt different this time.

“It was coming down too fast and it was still spinning too fast,” Jamie said.

“This feels a little stranger compared to the other times,” said Tim Nowak.

Then the swings crossed over the fence surrounding the ride.

“As the outside row got closer to the rail, we realized they’re not in the ride; they’re not inside the gate,” Jamie said.

“Pretty much the entire outer row as I observed, it starts banging against the top of the rail, and then the majority of those people end up on the outside of the rail,” Jamie said.

While Tim and his youngest child were on an interior row, their 10-year-old was on the outside, close to the fence.

“I was like, ‘What things are on the other side of this that he could potentially run into?’ My biggest worry was a leg getting stuck in one of those — in the fence,” Tim said.

Crews and bystanders rushed in to help.

State fair officials said medical teams arrived immediately.

Following the incident, state officials stopped allowing the Wave Swinger to operate until manufacturers take a closer look.

According to the state, an inspector examined the ride on August 12 and after the accident and did not find anything abnormal about it.

No one in the Nowak family was hurt, but Tim said it will be a while before they ride the Wave Swinger again.

“I think it might take a little time, especially for my little guy,” Tim said.

State fair leaders said nine people were treated for injuries after the incident.

Five of those were released after receiving care at the fair’s medical center, the other four were taken to the emergency room and later released.

Below is a statement from both the Wilson County-Tennessee State Fair and Reithoffer Shows.

Statement from Reithoffer Shows:

“We are aware of an incident involving our Wave Swinger ride. The ride stopped, and as it was coming down, a few guests came into contact with the surrounding fence.

A state inspector is currently examining the ride and, at this time, has found no abnormality with the ride.

We do not have any additional information to report at this time and will provide further updates when more information becomes available.”

Statement from Wilson County-Tennessee State Fair:

“Nine guests were involved in an incident. Five guests were released at the fairgrounds and four guests were transported to the hospital for further testing.

Response was immediate and all guests were provided professional medical attention. They were taken to our new on-site medical facility adjacent to the amusement rides and received care immediately from staff by Wilson County Emergency Management Agency and Ascension Saint Thomas professionals.”

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 Forrest Sanders

Click here for updates on this story

    NASHVILLE (WTVF) — The Wilson County Tennessee State Fair’s got all sorts of things commanding attention. Still, Sarah Kaufmann was up to something in the Made in Tennessee building this week the crowds really couldn’t believe.

“I’m from Ireland,” one man told me as he walked closer to see Kaufmann work.

“You ever see anything like this?” I asked him.

“No! We don’t have this back home!”

Kaufmann was sculpting, but what was it?

Well. People say you are what you eat, and Kaufmann is the Cheese Lady.

“Can I use that?” she asked me with a laugh.

“You can use that. That’s a freebie.”

“I bring crackers and apples,” Kaufmann continued. “I have a snack! I’ll never be a starving artist.”

She turned her attention to the mountain of cheese in front of her.

“I’m carving this beautiful 500-pound barrel of cheese from Bongards.”

How did Kaufmann find out she can do this?

“I hailed from Wisconsin, born and raised,” she began. “Native cheese head!”

Kaufmann worked in advertising for Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin. Doing some work for them, she discovered the talent.

“I’ve been carving cheese for about 30 years,” Kaufmann nodded.

Now, she does her sculptures everywhere.

“I just carved at the Grammy’s,” Kaufmann continued. “I carve at the Kentucky Derby. The NFL.”

It was at this fair last year, she sculpted cheese Dolly Parton.

“I take cheese and make putty, I add food coloring and inlay it into the sculpture,” Kaufmann said, describing her process of creating color in her sculptures.

“What particular kind of cheese do you use?” a woman asked while watching Kaufmann.

“I use a lot of cheddar,” she answered.

And yes, let’s get this out of the way. Kaufmann does get asked that question.

“Who cut the cheese?” she laughed. “I say, ‘I cut the cheese professionally. I cut the cheese all the time. I get paid to cut the cheese!'”

In coming to the fair this year, Kaufmann had to come up with a piece to sculpt that would be right to celebrate America 250.

Six days after the first time I met Kaufmann, I went back to see her again and catch just how much she’d sculpted in those days.

She’d created an elaborate scene including a frontiersman and his dog.

“Saluting the 250th birthday of America!” Kaufmann said. “It’s combining that Tennessee heritage, that Tennessee pride. What is a man without his blue tick coon hound? The long rifle. I made sure that’s an 1812 era.”

Cheese is her job. Cheese is her art. Cheese really is Kaufmann’s chance to meet so many people. Y’know. It really is good to be The Cheese Lady.

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 Nijzel Dotson

Click here for updates on this story

    LINCOLN, California (KCRA) — A man is in custody after five workers at Thunder Valley Casino were stabbed on Wednesday night, officials said.

Joseph Naugle, 22, was booked into the Placer County Jail on attempted murder charges, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office said. The agency expects more charges in connection with the attack.

Officials said the stabbing was reported around 7 p.m. at Dos Coyotes Border Cafe inside the casino. The Placer County Sheriff’s Office said it appeared the suspect knew all of the people who were stabbed.

When deputies arrived on the scene, they took the suspect into custody within minutes. A KCRA 3 news crew saw a man with an apron in handcuffs and placed him into a patrol vehicle.

One person was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The four other victims were treated at the scene by Thunder Valley emergency personnel and Cal Fire. None of their injuries were life-threatening.

Thunder Valley officials confirmed the stabbing involved employees and happened in the kitchen area of the restaurant. Photos shared to KCRA 3 showed the workers getting treated by paramedics on the casino floor.

The sheriff’s office also confirmed on Thursday that Naugle and the five people stabbed were all Dos Coyotes employees.

There were no additional outstanding suspects and no active threat to people at the casino, officials said.

Thunder Valley added that the casino was not evacuated. The restaurant closed while the casino remained open for the evening.

On Friday, Naugle made his first court appearance in connection with the stabbing. He is ineligible for bail, and the Placer County District Attorney’s Office said five separate criminal protective orders were filed against Naugle.

KCRA 3 received a statement from Naugle’s family on Sunday regarding the stabbing:

“We want to express our profound sorrow and deepest sympathies to the Thunder Valley employees and their loved ones who are suffering following Wednesday’s events. We are praying continuously for their recovery and peace of mind. Joseph is a young man who has battled severe physical and mental health issues for a long time,” the statement reads in part. “While we cannot speak on the details of the active legal case, we hope there will be an understanding of the complex medical realities involved.”

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.