Author: CNN Newsource

By Frankie McLister

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    ALEXANDRIA, Minnesota (WCCO) — Could you have a life-saving kidney? A Minnesota woman says she needs one.

“The journey has been a bit of a rollercoaster,” said Laura Bachmeier.

Last winter, Bachmeier was told she had end-stage renal disease and that her kidneys are operating at less than 10%.

“A good way to explain it is I just had no energy whatsoever,” she told WCCO.

The 34-year-old grew up in Apple Valley, Minnesota, and works in the agriculture supply chain field. Bachmeier says the diagnosis hit another wound.

“I’ve had diabetes for over 30 years, but this adds a whole other layer to it,” she said.

Six months later, Bachmeier is on a lifesaving list for a perfect organ and says she’s waiting on a perfect organ match.

“I’m on dialysis seven days a week, every night,” she said.

Bachmeier needs a match with Type O blood and a matching tissue type. She’s also looking for a pancreas that would cure her diabetes.

“Sometimes if my blood sugar is low, is it because of my diabetes or is it [because] I’m not feeling good because of my dialysis?” Bachmeier said.

She says she could get a call any time of the day or night saying there’s a match. When she gets that call, she’ll need to drive from Alexandria, Minnesota, to her doctors in the Twin Cities within hours.

When WCCO told her, “You seem very optimistic,” she responded by saying, “I’m very optimistic.”

She added that there were times she didn’t feel that way.

“Being a burden on the family, things like that, or, ‘Do we have to accommodate Laura differently than we did before?'” Bachmeier said.

Donate Life says 13 people die daily waiting for a transplant. A journey changing her life perspective.

“I’m hopeful,” said Bachmeier.

You can register to be a living donor on M Health Fairview’s website. The program allows you to specify Laura’s name.

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 S.E. Jenkins

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    DALLAS, Texas (KTVT) — A cat has been resuscitated, and a firefighter was injured after a Dallas house fire Sunday evening, officials said.

Dallas Fire-Rescue units were called to the house in the 6900 block of Echo Bluff Dr. just before 6:30 p.m.

When they arrived, firefighters saw heavy fire conditions in the back of the one-story home. They launched an offensive attack, DFR said, but the fire spread to a neighboring home, and a second alarm was called.

A cat from inside the original home was resuscitated by DFR personnel and one firefighter was taken to the hospital after a non-life-threatening injury while working to extinguish the fire, DFR said. None of those who lived in the homes were injured.

DFR said the fire was under control around 7:15 p.m.; however, they continued working to make sure all hot spots were out.

The original house sustained severe damage, DFR said, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

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 Neal Riley

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    BOSTON, Massachusetts (WBZ) — Federal agents boarded two cruise ships in Boston and arrested 11 foreign workers who are suspected of possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material, immigration authorities say.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection said it conducted “Operation Tidal Wave” between Aug. 14 and 16. Border Patrol agents and investigators from the Department of Homeland Security boarded the cruise ships Volendam, which is operated by Holland America Line, and Norwegian Breakaway.

Nine of those arrested are from the Philippines, one is from Indonesia, and the other is from Nicaragua.

“Following a comprehensive search of the subjects’ living quarters and electronic devices, and consultation with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, all 11 individuals were processed for removal under Section 212(a)(2)(A)(i)(I) of the Immigration and Nationality Act for crimes involving moral turpitude,” CBP said in a statement. “The individuals were processed with the assistance of the shipping agent and are scheduled to depart the United States.”

Previous “Operation Tidal Wave” actions in San Diego and Puerto Rico earlier this year resulted in the arrest of 41 crew members from nine ships, the agency said.

“Protecting children from exploitation is among our highest priorities, and this operation demonstrates the critical role CBP officers play in identifying and stopping individuals who pose a threat to public safety,” said Julio Caravia, the agency’s acting director of field operations in Boston.

Both cruise lines involved in the Boston arrests said they are cooperating with law enforcement. Holland America said it “immediately terminated the individuals involved.”

“These allegations are deeply disturbing, and we have zero tolerance for criminal behavior,” a Holland America spokesperson said.

“We are aware of the situation and take this matter very seriously,” a Norwegian spokesperson said. “The safety, security, and well-being of our guests are of paramount importance, and we remain committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment across our fleet.”

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 Neal Riley

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    BOSTON, Massachusetts (WBZ) — Boston Symphony Orchestra musicians have voted to authorize their first-ever strike as the decision to remove longtime music director Andris Nelsons continues to cause controversy.

The Boston Musicians Association said the decision to authorize a strike was unanimous. Their contract was set to expire at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday. On Sunday afternoon, a spokesperson for BSO said the sides have agreed to a 48-hour extension of their current labor agreement, meaning it is now valid through 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday.

“In spite of the turmoil of the last six months caused by BSO leadership’s decision to terminate the Orchestra’s music director, they have failed to agree to a collective bargaining agreement that would begin to restore the trust that they have destroyed and offer a fair contract to the musicians who are the heart and soul of the BSO,” the association said in a statement.

The association said management has not yet agreed to a proposal to bring in a professional mediator.

BSO music director Andris Nelsons The orchestra announced in March that Nelsons is being forced out next summer after 13 seasons. CEO Chad Smith said the board decided not to renew the Grammy winner’s contract because they “were not aligned on future vision.”

Nelsons responded that it was “not the decision I anticipated or wanted.” The Boston Globe reported that orchestra members have been wearing red flowers at Tanglewood this summer in support of Nelsons.

Nelsons made his first appearance for the orchestra in 2011, replacing previous music director James Levine.

Boston Symphony Orchestra responds A BSO source familiar with the negotiations said the vote is a standard and not unexpected step as the contract deadline approaches. A strike has not yet gone into effect.

“We respect the musicians’ right to take this step as part of the negotiating process. Our focus remains on the negotiations and the ongoing constructive conversations,” Smith said in a statement. “We are committed to reaching an agreement with competitive pay and benefits that enhances collaboration with the Players.”

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 Drew Aunkst

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    HARFORD COUNTY, Maryland (WJZ) — A new annual soccer game is helping keep the memory of a 16-year-old girl killed in a Harford County car crash last year alive.

The inaugural “Blake Elliot Cup” was played Sunday at UMBC’s Retriever Soccer Park, where UMBC and Loyola renewed their soccer rivalry for the first time in 10 years.

But the game was about more than soccer. It was a tribute to Blake Elliot, who was killed nearly one year ago in a crash that also seriously injured her boyfriend, Zachary Griffin.

“It’s only been 11 months since we lost Blake, so there’s an extreme amount of sadness that comes along with this,” said Blake’s father, Rob Elliot.

Elliot and Griffin were pushed into the path of a school bus on Route 543 in Harford County by another driver. Court records show the driver, John Gaeta, was using his cellphone at the time of the crash. Gaeta was recently sentenced to three years in prison.

Blake’s parents remember her as a loving, energetic and funny teenager.

“She was just a great kid — a loving, super energetic, funny, loving kid,” her father said. “We miss her every second, every day.”

The past 11 months have been unimaginably painful for the Elliot family, but they said the community has consistently supported them.

“That’s why this event is so amazing, because when we couldn’t care for ourselves, the community cared for us,” the family said.

Blake’s father, Rob Elliot, played soccer at both UMBC and Loyola. On Sunday, the schools battled for a trophy bearing his daughter’s name.

“Baltimore has a really strong soccer tradition. It always has,” UMBC coach Anthony Adams said. “We support our own and we take care of our own. Rob Elliot is one of our own, and Belinda is part of that. We’re just here to remember Blake.”

The Elliot family also recently formed a foundation that supports causes reflecting Blake’s interests.

The foundation aims to help families in need, youth athletics and animals — causes Blake cared deeply about.

Blake’s father said the family believes the three-year sentence given to Gaeta was not enough.

On the field, UMBC took home the first Blake Elliot Cup.

For Blake’s family, though, the trophy represents much more than a soccer victory. It is a way to keep her memory alive and honor the community that has stood by them since her death.

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 Jessica Riley

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    MCMURRAY, Pennsylvania (KDKA) — A vigil was held on Sunday evening in remembrance of Karoline Heintz, the 18-year-old college soccer player who authorities say was fatally stabbed by her boyfriend last week.

Dozens gathered at Trinity United Methodist Church in McMurray, Washington County, to remember and honor the recent Peters Township High School graduate and PennWest California freshman with a candlelight vigil.

Several vehicles had already filled the church parking lot more than an hour before the scheduled 6 p.m. start time, and a bus full of Heintz’s teammates from PennWest California also attended the service.

“Karoline had a lot of support from the community. It was really clear there were a lot of people who knew her. It was also very clear that there were a lot of people who were here to support the family and support her,” said Alexandra Brooks, the chief operating officer with Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Heintz’s family is now facing what they call a “parent’s worst nightmare” after police say Heintz was found dead in a vehicle on Thursday morning after allegedly being killed by her boyfriend.

Both the boyfriend, Royce Moser, and his mother, Rachel Moser, who police say helped clean up the body, have been arrested.

Those who knew Karoline say she was so much more than this situation, and they are choosing to remember her as an athlete with a “sweet, beautiful soul.”

“It’s really important that we surround our community with support. We wanted to be here in case anybody needed to talk,” Brooks said at the event.

Another vigil was also planned at the Central Highlands Community United Methodist Church in Elizabeth, Pennsylvania, as communities from across the region come together to honor Heintz’s life and support her family.

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 Eva Andersen

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    PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (KYW) — With just two days until the start of the school year, Kensington High School families got their first look Friday and Saturday at the building students will temporarily call home after asbestos concerns forced them out of their usual school.

The School District of Philadelphia held two open houses at the former Austin Meehan Middle School in Northeast Philadelphia, giving families a chance to tour classrooms, meet staff and learn more about transportation and accommodations before classes begin Monday.

Among those who attended Saturday’s session was 14-year-old Jack Mott, an incoming freshman, who says the first day of school can’t come soon enough.

“I feel excited,” Jack said.

His mother, Monica Mott, however, is a bit anxious.

“We’re very nervous,” she said.

The Mott family lives near Kensington High School in Port Richmond, but Jack will now travel more than 7 miles to Northeast Philadelphia each day. Mott said the last-minute change is particularly concerning because her son is in autistic support.

“So there’s extra concerns for us,” Mott said.

Addressing families gathered in the Meehan cafeteria Friday, Deputy Superintendent of Operations Oz Hill acknowledged how quickly the plans changed.

“Two weeks ago, nobody thought that they would be starting their school year right here, and for that, we apologize,” Hill said.

Families also learned more about transportation between Kensington and the temporary school.

Students will be able to take district-provided transportation from the Kensington High School location on Cumberland Street to the Meehan building in Northeast Philadelphia.

For the Mott family, that means a significantly earlier start to the day.

“His pickup time historically has been 7:45. It’ll now be 6:30,” Mott said. “He’s not a morning person, so we’ll see how that goes come Monday.”

For another mother, Paula Louis, the distance raises concerns about how quickly she could reach her son in an emergency.

“And I don’t drive, so it’s taking two buses to get all the way here,” Louis said.

Her son, Fabian, is also entering ninth grade.

Kensington High School Principal Jose Lebron told families the Meehan building was selected with students’ safety and needs in mind.

“Austin Meehan, as far as it may be, is the safest, secure, clean environment for our kids to be at,” Lebron said.

District officials also said the building is accessible for students with special needs. For Monica Mott, that means safety for her son.

“They’ve actually set up — very well — all of the classrooms with amenities and things that they need,” Mott said. “Refrigerators, microwaves, there are sensory items.”

Other parents said simply getting inside the building and meeting the people who will be there with their children made a difference.

“They showed me around. I feel comfortable knowing that he’s in good hands,” Louis 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 Joe Brandt

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    PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (KYW) — A South Philadelphia taqueria is already back open after a driver crashed through the front of the restaurant early Saturday morning.

Before 3 a.m., the La Catrachita location on 1600 S. Columbus Boulevard suffered serious damage after an SUV smashed through the front window and door.

The owner, Carlos Gomez, tells us in an Instagram message that thankfully, nobody was hurt.

The crash didn’t keep the restaurant from opening for business. Gomez’s father-in-law built a temporary front window and door to the building, and the shop is already back to serving food.

On social media, they lightened things up with a bit of humor.

“Sorry we don’t have a drive-thru yet,” they posted on Instagram.

It’s not clear if the driver, who has not been identified, will face any charges in connection to the crash.

We’ve reached out to police for more information and we’re waiting to hear back.

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 Andrew Ramos

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    WEEHAWKEN, New Jersey (WCBS) — A New Jersey woman is trying to understand how a shocking message was left on her birthday dessert at a local restaurant.

Antonia Sinibaldi, who is a singer-songwriter, was diagnosed with a cervical spinal injury when she was 2 years old – the result of a car accident involving a drunk driver. She has relied on a motorized wheelchair and ventilator for most of her life.

Back on June 20, Sinibaldi went out with friends and family to celebrate her 29th birthday at Blu On The Hudson in Weehawken.

When it was time for dessert, she was served a message that was far from sweet.

“My cousin and I ordered the same thing,” Sinibaldi said.

But on Sinibaldi’s plate was written, “Happy Wheel Chair Birthday!” The message stunned the table and the birthday girl.

“It took me by surprise,” she said. “I shouldn’t be reminded of something that I already know.”

Sinibaldi said they called management over for an explanation, but she said things just got worse.

“He offered to send me more drinks, more drinks, more drinks,” she said. “What good will that do?”

A spokesperson for Blu On The Hudson sent CBS News New York the following statement:

“We at Blu on the Hudson are aware of the recent video circulating on social media, and we are deeply saddened by what occurred. We sincerely apologize to the guest and to everyone who was hurt or offended by this incident which took place on June 20, 2026. Treating every guest with dignity, respect, and care is fundamental to who we are as a company.

“We want to provide some context regarding what happened, not as an excuse, but to explain how this unfortunate mistake occurred.

“Our standard operating procedure is to use table and seat numbers on tickets to identify where each dish should be delivered. In this instance, the word “wheelchair” was used as a reference to identify where a birthday dessert with a candle should be delivered. Unfortunately, that notation was misunderstood and was written on the plate itself. There was absolutely no malicious or disrespectful intent behind the notation. However, we fully understand how seeing that word written on a plate could be deeply hurtful and upsetting.

“Since the incident, we have reinforced with our team the importance of following proper ticketing and communication procedures and have taken steps to ensure that something like this does not happen again. We have also made an attempt to reach the guest directly to personally apologize, although we have not yet been able to connect with them.

“We understand that an apology cannot undo the hurt or frustration caused by this incident, but we sincerely hope it conveys how deeply sorry we are. Blu on the Hudson is proud to be a part of the Hudson County community, and we are committed to being a place where every guest feels welcomed, respected, and valued.

“We are deeply sorry for this occurrence, have learned from it, and are committed to doing better moving forward.”

Sinibaldi says she will never go to Blu On The Hudson again.

“My family is angry, my friends are angrier, but me, I’m, I am just baffled,” Sinibaldi said.

CBS News New York asked Sinibaldi what she would like the owners of the restaurant to know.

“That’s a dangerous question,” she said, laughing.

While she says it was hurtful, Sinibaldi is hoping the incident is a teaching moment for the restaurant and others.

“Don’t bring my disability [up] in every sentence, is what people, they should know,” she 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 Nakell Williams

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    ATLANTA, Georgia (WUPA) — NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement selected Georgia Tech to participate in a partnership designed to address a shortage of skilled technicians in the aerospace industry.

Elaine Ho, NASA’s associate administrator for STEM engagement, said there is an urgent need for workers in roles including welding and machining. The initiative includes six other institutions and aims to reach students who may not pursue traditional four-year degrees.

“The whole idea behind these state hubs is to bring everyone together so that we can have more students going into these skilled technician roles faster,” Ho said.

Georgia Tech was selected partly because of its relationships with technical colleges, high school programs and aerospace employers.

“When anyone thinks of NASA, you think of our exciting missions, and you often think about who does them and say, well, astronauts and rocket scientists. In reality, we really need people to build the hardware that we are using to go to the moon and to Mars and to explore the universe, and so we need welders, electricians, machinists and fabricators, and not enough students are going into those careers,” Ho said.

NASA funded the program with $10.5 million to be distributed over three years. Ho said officials expect to see results after the first year.

The partnership is expected to establish a faster path for training students for high-demand, well-paying jobs in the aerospace industry.

“The goal is to reach students across the state of Georgia through these collaborations,” Ho said.

The program will also help pay for students’ courses if needed.

Georgia Tech officials said the program will offer courses leading to short-term certificates and associate degrees through partnerships involving Georgia Tech, the Technical College System of Georgia, Georgia Southern University and industry partners.

Stephen Ruffin, interim chair of Georgia Tech’s School of Aerospace Engineering, said the program will offer courses that are typically shorter than those required to earn a degree.

“Many will be online and some in-person,” Ruffin said.

“Georgia Tech has a manufacturing pilot facility. That facility right now does hands-on education for high school students that may go into the skill trades. Some of those students may choose to go into degrees too,” he said.

The program will also provide internships in space-related industries and hands-on learning for people pursuing associate degrees. It will also serve industry workers who want to be reskilled in new technologies, including advanced manufacturing and AI-enabled manufacturing.

“We have a Space Research Institute that brings faculty that are experts in aerospace fields, and they will be directing their energy to this effort,” Ruffin said.

NASA also funds the Georgia Space Grant Consortium, which Ruffin leads.

“We have been focused on kindergarten through Ph.D., but not really targeted at the skilled workforce training,” he said.

Ruffin said he is excited to help get the program started and develop curricula aimed at strengthening the country’s competitiveness in the aerospace industry.

“One of the reasons I am excited to operate this program in Georgia is because Georgia is a leader in aerospace. The number one export of Georgia is aerospace products, and that is an $57B industry in Georgia that supports over 800 companies in Georgia and 200,000 residents that are working in the aviation space, manufacturing, repair and operations,” he explained. “So when we think about what is getting supported in this program, some of it will go to NASA’s missions going to the moon and to space, but it is also going to be building and supporting the workforce in Georgia that is critical,” Ruffin said.

The Georgia Aerospace and Defense Alliance is also a partner in the program.

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.