Family speaking up about toddler’s rare disease in hopes of helping others

CNN Newsource on February 24, 2026

By Mindy Basara

Click here for updates on this story

    BALTIMORE (WBAL) — Carmen Akras seemed perfectly healthy when she was born in August 2022.

She progressed into a loving, beautiful and vivacious toddler; however, she suddenly stopped developing and began regressing.

Now, her family looks back on memories — like when Akras was 2 years old and playing with her baby brother, Albie.

“It’s Carmen kind of reaching out to Albert to give him something or help him, and that was who Carmen was, that was her spirit,” said Tom Akras, Carmen’s father.

The family began to notice developmental delays over the course of around a year. Carmen was eventually diagnosed with a rare pediatric neurodegenerative disease called metachromatic leukodystrophy.

“When babies are born, they appear normal — really in the first 3 to 6 months of life,” said Dr. Eric Mallack, a neurologist with Kennedy Krieger.

Mallack said patients begin to regress after around 6 months.

“It is a really sad thing to monitor because once patients become symptomatic, we can’t address the disease. We provide supportive care, but patients will degenerate and unfortunately succumb to the disease — more or less in slow motion — over the ensuing next couple of years. That’s so cruel. It’s extraordinarily cruel,” Mallack said. “Nobody can even fathom, I think, what it’s like to watch a kid die.”

Doctors told the Akras family they’ve never seen a patient live past the age of 10. It was hard for the family to process when Carmen received the diagnosis in the fall of 2024.

“She could still walk and talk and eat and play and laugh and do all those things,” said Annie Akras, Carmen’s mother. “We were like, how could there possibly be anything? And they said all of these abilities that she has are going to slowly go away.”

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a gene therapy to treat MLD, but you have to catch the disease early.

“Prior to getting sick, in that pre-symptomatic phase, we treat them with gene therapy, and they go on, they develop, they maintain function, they go to school. The longest-term data for the trial, it’s probably about 10 years out now, but it’s been very promising. It’s life changing. It’s lifesaving,” Mallack said.

MLD can be diagnosed at birth with a blood test. Mallack said federal guidelines changed in December 2025, and the MLD blood test is now recommended for newborns.

Per a Maryland mandate, it must be instituted in the state within 12 to 18 months, which was way too late for Carmen.

“Just the tragedy in all this is Carmen never had a shot,” Tom Akras said.

Now, the family is speaking out in the hopes that the state can implement the MLD newborn blood test sooner — perhaps saving another family from experiencing the devastating pain they’re going through.

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.

One arrested, another taken to hospital after domestic dispute prompts large OKC police presence

CNN Newsource on February 24, 2026

By Shanice Hopkins

Click here for updates on this story

    OKLAHOMA CITY (KOCO) — Police detained several people and arrested one person after a domestic dispute led to a barricade situation Tuesday morning at a southwest Oklahoma City home.

What police say happened

Police told KOCO 5 that the incident started after a woman called 911, reporting that someone had tried to run her over near Portland Avenue and Newcastle Road, near Southwest 29th and 44th Streets.

Authorities said the situation stemmed from a domestic dispute between two women who got into a fight. One person was arrested, and another was taken to a hospital.

That second person’s condition and the nature of the domestic dispute are unknown.

The others who were seen being detained have since been released.

Sky 5, which is the only news helicopter in the air on weekday mornings, showed police with guns drawn and at least a dozen units at the scene.

Three people were seen being taken away in handcuffs. Officers had the area surrounding the home blocked off.

The large police presence wound down around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.

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.

‘The photos will speak’: mother refutes GRPD, attorney narrative of shooting after seeing son’s body

CNN Newsource on February 24, 2026

By Josh Berry

Click here for updates on this story

    GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan (WXMI) — The mother of Da-Quain Johnson was allowed to see her son’s body for the first time Friday morning, two days after he was shot and killed by Grand Rapids police in an officer-involved shooting.

“I was not prepared for what I walked into. I still have not processed what I saw,” Angelica Johnson said. “I will not rest until I get answers.”

The shooting occurred Wednesday night in an apartment complex parking lot near Eastern Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Street. According to Grand Rapids Police Department, one officer fired their department-issued weapon. Johnson later died at the hospital.

Multiple videos were released Thursday showing different perspectives of the incident. GRPD revealed three clips from officers’ body and dash cameras. Hours later, activists shared video from a bystander.

Attorney Marc Curtis confirmed via email that he’s representing the officers involved. He released a statement regarding the incident that reads in part: “Officers have the legal and moral right to protect their own lives and the lives of others when faced with an imminent threat.”

The statement goes on to say: “We also urge the community to be cautious of incomplete information and speculation circulating on social media.”

Curtis added: “Many are focused on only portions of videos, but no one is reporting or acknowledging the third video that the Grand Rapids Police Department released where the officer states, ‘I saw the barrel pointed right at my face’ at the 6 min 14 second mark of the GRPD press conference on YouTube.”

In body camera footage, an officer can be heard saying, “I saw the barrel pointed right at my face.”

Johnson’s family pushes back on that assertion, questioning how that was possible based on evidence they’ve now seen.

Friday, the family and community activists spoke publicly. Johnson’s mother shared that she was allowed to see her son’s body for the first time Friday morning.

“I don’t have too much to say on it, because the photos will speak for their self. The police won’t spin a narrative on my words or the pictures,” she said.

As the family fights for justice, Johnson’s mother has a message for the community.

“If you’re going to protest, please make it peaceful. Because if you can’t do it peacefully, please don’t March at this time and say that you’re doing it on behalf of my son, because I can’t get justice if we’re being violent, too,” she said.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Scripps editorial team 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.

TwoGuys Brewing in Wyoming & middle school students team up to feed neighbors in need

CNN Newsource on February 24, 2026

By Waleed Alamleh

Click here for updates on this story

    WYOMING, Michigan (WXMI) — A Wyoming brewery and H.O.P.E. Gardens are partnering to feed neighbors in need — and teaching middle school students valuable life skills along the way.

TwoGuys Brewing owner Tom Payne and students from Godwin and Godfrey-Lee Middle School joined forces to prepare community meals, with students learning knife skills, safe food handling, and how to make salsa and burritos.

Tom Payne, Owner of Two Guys Brewing teaching students how to safely cut vegetables. “We’re cutting a bunch of different vegetables. We’re cutting peppers, tomatoes, and we’re squeezing limes,” student Omarion said.

“We show how to roll a burrito, we are making salsa in the kitchen. So we’re going to be learning knife skills, safe food handling,” Payne said.

Payne has long made giving back to the Wyoming neighborhood a priority. TwoGuys Brewing provides more than 100 free meals every week through its community meal program.

“We provide free meals, no questions asked if you’re hungry, or if your neighbor is hungry, you come in, you get a meal,” Payne said.

TwoGuys Brewing has given out over 3000 community meals since last year.

The need in the community is real, according to Payne.

“Sadly too many of our neighbors are food deprived,” Payne said.

Julie Brunson, executive director of H.O.P.E. Gardens, said the partnership is about more than just food — it’s about rebuilding community connections.

“We just all need to start coming together, because there’s a lot that seems to divide us these days, but good food, food for everybody, right? And community can really change, change our lives,” Brunson said.

Brunson, who grew up in Wyoming, said she hopes the effort inspires others.

“People really care about their neighbors, and so, we really need that today. So I think this could just spread the joy and spread others to do the same,” Brunson said.

The students were able to make chicken burritos, salsa, and drinks for their families and the neighborhood. For students like Omarion, the experience carries personal meaning.

“I feel pretty good to do it. I like helping out different people and stuff, because I know it might be hard to live and buy food,” Omarion said.

Fellow student Eli said the work feels important.

The students also made meals for their families, with any extra food prepared during the sessions going into the community meals fridge at TwoGuys Brewing.

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.

Police say Michigan vape shop was selling marijuana to kids in candy-inspired packaging

CNN Newsource on February 24, 2026

By Randy Wimbley

Click here for updates on this story

    YPSILANTI, Michigan (WXYZ) — Ypsilanti police raided a downtown vape shop in mid-February after months of complaints that children were buying marijuana there — and authorities say the store wasn’t even licensed to sell it.

Officers shut down Ypsi Smoke and Mart, chaining and padlocking its doors. Inside, police seized marijuana packaged in ways that Police Chief Tim Anderson says could easily fool parents.

Watch Randy Wimbley’s video report below:

“Again, if you pay attention here — this packaging. Got Slimer here. This is what some of the young kids are carrying around. At first glance, you may think this is candy or cookies and cream, but what’s really inside is THC, marijuana,” Anderson said.

Anderson said the shop was allegedly selling marijuana to children who may have been coming from school or the nearby transit center.

“It was being distributed to children, maybe as they came from school or left the transit center. We were able to substantiate some of those claims through investigations, which led us to the vape shop,” Anderson said.

The shop had a sign on its door stating customers must be 21 or older to enter.

Some customers said they were shocked to learn marijuana was being sold inside at all.

“I didn’t even know they sold marijuana,” Russell Shropshire said.

Lee Tooson, who frequents the area, said he was not surprised by the enforcement action.

“Police were saying that they believe the shop was selling weed to kids. I wouldn’t doubt it — from what I saw coming in and out of here, it was nothing but kids. A lot of little kids. They jump off that bus and come over here and crowd around,” Tooson said.

Ypsilanti parents Halie Gatz and Xavier Anderson said the allegations left them stunned.

“It’s irritating because what if my child was 15 or a little older, and next thing you know, he comes home and says, ‘Mom, look what I got.’ Like, no,” Gatz said.

“That’s kind of messed up because you never know what kid might walk in there, then come home to their parents looking all high and can’t do anything for themselves. Next thing you know CPS is calling and kids get taken because they came home high,” Xavier Anderson said.

Calls to the listed owner of the building were not returned.

Chief Anderson said the bust should serve as a warning to other smoke shops in the area.

“We take these complaints seriously, we’re going to investigate, and we have no problem coming in and shutting you down when you’re involved in illicit and illegal activity,” Anderson said.

Police say this is an ongoing investigation. Their report has been forwarded to the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Scripps editorial team 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.

Detroit first responders rescue Siberian Husky stranded on ice near bridge

CNN Newsource on February 24, 2026

By Jolie Sherman

Click here for updates on this story

    DETROIT (WXYZ) — A Siberian Husky stranded on ice near the Gordie Howe Bridge in Detroit was rescued by first responders after spending at least 24 hours in bitter cold temperatures, showing signs of hypothermia in its paws.

Two fishermen, Cedric Humphrey and his uncle Walter Cross of Detroit, spotted the 2-year-old dog Sunday around 8:30 a.m. while out on the water.

The pair, who are part of group known as the Metro Detroit Walleye Stalkers, noticed the husky stuck on a sheet of ice in front of what appeared to be a culvert and immediately tried to help.

“It stood out… being a white dog with a black silhouette of a drainage tube behind it. It stood out like a sore thumb if you were pretty vigilant and you were looking,” Humphrey said.

Cross said the discovery was almost accidental.

“We hit the river and we weren’t catching anything, so we said let’s go to another area and see if there’s fish there. We were riding up river, and it was actually Cedric that spotted it,” Cross said.

Humphrey said the dog did not appear aggressive, only frightened.

“It just looked more scared than anything. Uncertain of which way to go or what to do,” Humphrey said.

The two attempted to reach the dog themselves but were unable to get close enough.

“Thought we were going to be able to pull up in there, but the pillars were too close together,” Humphrey said. “and then there was part of a seawall that was under the water… that you couldn’t see.”

Cross then contacted his wife who called an emergency rescue group known as The Karens. Co-founder Chantal Rzewnicki and her team arrived on scene but could not access the culvert because it was fenced in.

“My guess is it probably jumped down when everything was frozen. Just over the last couple of days, it warmed up and kind of broke and now it’s stuck,” Rzewnicki said.

Rzewnicki contacted Michigan Humane, and first responders arrived Monday morning. The Detroit Fire Department deployed a ladder and crews attempted to coax the dog out of the tunnel with treats, but the dog was too scared to come out at first.

After a couple of hours, crews successfully got the dog out of the tunnel and up over the wall. Michigan Humane thanked everyone involved, saying the rescue is exactly why they train.

“Michigan Humane puts resources to work for those that need it the most. Thank you to those that were the voice for this dog. Collaboration got the job done. Thank you to Detroit Police Department, Detroit Fire Department, Detroit Animal Care and Control, and our dedicated rescue team, along with supporters who help make this work possible,” Matt Pepper, Michigan Humane CEO and president, said in a statement.

It is still not clear how the dog ended up on the ice. For Humphrey and Cross, the experience reinforced a simple but important lesson.

“It could save your life, you could save someone else’s life, a dog’s life at that — it pays off to be aware and vigilant while you’re out and about not just on the water, but just in everyday travel” Humphrey said.

—————

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Scripps editorial team 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.

Missouri shootings leave three dead, including two deputies

CNN Newsource on February 24, 2026

By Dillon Hudson

Click here for updates on this story

    CHRISTIAN COUNTY, Missouri (KHBS, KHOG) — A manhunt in Christian County, Missouri, has ended with the deaths of two sheriff’s deputies and the suspected shooter, Richard Bird.

The incident began on February 23 at 3:53 p.m. when Christian County 911 received a call about a deputy down near the intersection of Highway 116, Glossop Avenue and Highland Mill, according to Christian County Sheriff Brad Cole.

Responding deputies found Deputy Gabriel Ramirez lying in the roadway, fatally shot.

A suspect vehicle was identified shortly after, and a blue alert was issued at 4:35 p.m., launching an intense manhunt for Richard Byrd, 45, of Stone County.

Byrd’s vehicle was located near the Read Springs area, leading to a nine-hour search.

At 11:30 p.m., Byrd was sighted in a wooded area near Highway 248, where law enforcement began taking gunfire from him.

Deputy Joshua Bell sustained a debilitating gunshot wound to the leg, and Webster County Deputy Austin McCall was shot four times.

Law enforcement faced continued gunfire from Byrd, preventing immediate rescue of the injured deputies.

During the rescue attempt, Christian County Deputy Michael Hyslop was shot and killed

Cole said, “At that time, law enforcement utilized an armored vehicle to approach the suspects. The suspect, who continued to fire upon law enforcement. That time, multiple law enforcement officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect and ultimately eliminated the threat.”

Cole expressed gratitude for the support received, saying, “Today is a sad day for law enforcement in our community in southwest Missouri and across the state of Missouri. I want to express my sincere gratitude for everybody that’s reached out to our agency and provided words of comfort, food, whatever it might be, to help us through this situation.”

Cole addressed questions about the initial traffic stop, stating, “We’re not clear on what the initial traffic stop was for. During a traffic stop, deputies and officers normally don’t report what they’re stopping them for, so we don’t know at this time what that stop was for.”

He acknowledged Byrd’s criminal history but had not reviewed it due to the ongoing situation, saying, “I’ve had a lot going on in the last 24 hours. I’ve not had a chance to review his criminal history. I understand he has many, in multiple arrests. Some being as recent as a couple weeks ago.”

Technology such as aircraft and drones equipped with heat-sensing systems were used to locate Byrd during the manhunt.

Cole explained, “We had aircraft from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, which we utilize, flare system, as well as multiple drones from multiple agencies, that were equipped with the same type of technology. When we got the tip that, or the sighting, we were able to launch those resources and very quickly, within just a couple of minutes, did locate a heat signature in the highway patrol aircraft.”

“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we mourn the loss of two of our own — Deputy Gabriel Ramirez and Deputy Michael Hislope — who gave their lives in the line of duty,” Sheriff Brad Cole said in a social media statement.

The department said Ramirez joined Christian County in March 2025.

“Though his time with us was brief, his commitment to serving others and protecting this community was clear from the beginning,” Cole said.

Hislope was a member of the department since October 2019.

“He was a dedicated deputy, a trusted colleague, and a valued member of our sheriff’s office family,” Cole said.

Cole continued, asking for thoughts and prayers as their community mourns the loss of the deputies.

“These men answered the call to serve, putting the safety of others before their own, including serving our nation in the U.S. Army. Their courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to Christian County will never be forgotten,” Cole said. “We ask our community to keep their families, friends, and fellow deputies in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time. On behalf of the entire Christian County Sheriff’s Office, we honor their service, their sacrifice, and their legacy.”

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.

Omaha firefighters rescue elderly woman from house during basement fire

CNN Newsource on February 24, 2026

By Victoria Holley

Click here for updates on this story

    OMAHA, Nebraska (KETV) — First responders rescued an elderly woman during a basement fire in South Omaha Monday. The fire was reported just before 4:30 p.m. near S. 50th Avenue and Y Street.

The Omaha Fire Department said the woman was standing by the front door with a walker when crews arrived. OFD said she was not able to get out of the house, which was full of smoke.

First responders took the victim to a neighbor’s house, where she was checked out by paramedics. Firefighters at the scene reported the family removed a dog from the backyard, but they were still looking for a cat.

Fire investigators believe combustible materials stored too close to the water heater sparked the flames. No firefighters were hurt. OFD estimates the flames caused roughly $54,000 in damage.

Early Tuesday morning, firefighters were called back out to the scene. It’s unclear what caused the fire to rekindle overnight.

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.

Ice boaters chase wind and smooth ice on Geneva Lake

CNN Newsource on February 24, 2026

By Gino Recchia

Click here for updates on this story

    FONTANA-ON-GENEVA LAKE, Wisconsin (WISN) — On a frozen stretch of Geneva Lake, ice boats skim across the surface when the wind cooperates. Instead of cutting through water, steel runners carve along the ice, and even a light breeze can send a boat surging forward.

For Richard Stearns, the sport has been part of his life since he was a teenager.

“I was 15, I couldn’t even drive. What was I supposed to do? But it was something to give me and it’s been fun ever since,” Stearns said.

Stearns grew up in a sailing family and said the appeal is simple: wind, speed and the feeling of acceleration that can come without warning.

“All of a sudden, out of nowhere, you didn’t hit the accelerator; God hit the accelerator. And then bam! You’re going twice as fast. Like, OK, that is pretty cool,” he said.

This winter’s cold has helped set up more opportunities for ice boating.

From Dec. 1 through Feb. 10, Milwaukee’s average temperature was 22.1 degrees. You have to go back to 2014 to find a colder stretch, a pattern that has helped support ice conditions across much of southern Wisconsin.

“I just love going out. And the power of the wind and how fast you go is pretty much fun,” Stearns said.

While some winter sports rely on snow, ice boating depends more on smooth ice and the right mix of cold nights and manageable snowfall. For Stearns, it is one more way to embrace winter in Wisconsin.

“I think that’s the best reason to get outside in the wintertime and enjoy it. There’s a lot of stuff to do here,” he said.

Ice boating also has presidential roots. President Theodore Roosevelt was a fan and raced on the Hudson River back in the early 1900s.

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.

Records show corroded steel beam that closed 16th Street viaduct

CNN Newsource on February 24, 2026

By James Stratton

Click here for updates on this story

    MILWAUKEE (WISN) — The monthslong waiting game continues for the southern portion of the 16th Street viaduct in Milwaukee near the Menomonee River after inspectors found a corroded beam and closed the viaduct back in December, due to safety concerns.

12 News Investigates obtained the most recent inspection report of the nearly 100-year-old bridge through public records. We took the report to Dr. Andrew Sen, assistant professor in the Department of Civil Construction and Environmental Engineering at Marquette University.

“If you want to think about it in terms of like a house with termite damage, the termites are physically eating away at the wood in the house, which compromises structural integrity,” Sen said. “The same thing is essentially happening here, except it’s an electro-chemical process, rather than termites. “

The inspection report, finalized in late January, says water leaked in from a bridge joint and leaked onto the beam, which “…resulted in severe corrosion…” The beam itself was likely installed in 1986; the report shows that is the last time the bridge’s substructure was replaced. Milwaukee Department of Public Works says workers inspect the bridge every year due to its condition and age, instead of every two years.

“That’s why you inspect the bridges,” Sen said. “To try to find those problems. So, that’s a good thing that we’re routinely inspecting things.”

The report states workers will also evaluate other corroded areas of the bridge before reopening.

“My focus right now is making sure that constituents know they should still feel free to come down here,” Alderperson JoCasta Zamarripa said.

Zamarripa said the closure of the 16th Street viaduct and the nearby 27th Street bridge have both put a strain on her district.

“A lot of frustration, as you can imagine, in particular from our area businesses,” Zamarripa said. “Their clientele is going to have that much more of a difficult time accessing their business.”

DPW says the workers are waiting for the particular beam to be fabricated, and then they can start work to install it. The portion of the southside of the viaduct is expected to be open sometime in April. Separately, construction on the northern part of the bridge is expected to finish in October.

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.