Morton Williams grocery store worker dies after confronting shoplifter in Hell’s Kitchen

CNN Newsource on September 30, 2025

By CeFaan Kim

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    NEW YORK (WABC) — An investigation is underway after an employee at Morton Williams died after confronting a shoplifter in Friday night in Manhattan.

It happened at the store located at 917 Ninth Ave. near Columbus Circle just before 9:30 p.m.

Leobardo Hernandez, 64, collapsed after the incident and was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai West on Friday night.

The father of four, including three sons and a daughter, worked at the Morton Williams in Hell’s Kitchen to help make ends meet.

His sons say he was punched in his chest by the suspect and then found later at work lying on a milk crate.

On Monday, two of the victim’s sons, Henry and Harold Hernandez, spoke out about his family’s unimaginable loss.

“Very lovable, very very kind-hearted…everybody he met, everybody ended up loving him because of the person he was,” Henry said.

They said their father was a hard-working man who rarely got angry.

“He was a family man, he was always there for us, very supportive,” Harold said. “He was just always happy. I’ve never seen him upset ever.”

An autopsy on Hernandez showed signs of a slightly enlarged heart, plaque and prior heart issues. Police are looking into whether stress from the incident contributed to his death.

The shoplifter ran away and has not yet been caught.

“We do have a lot of questions as well, what’s the actual story, that’s what we want to know, we heard different stories, trying put the pieces and puzzle together,” Harold said.

Police are not ruling out that the case could turn into a homicide investigation.

Morton Williams released the following statement:

“We are heartbroken by the loss of Leobardo Hernandez, our beloved colleague and a treasured member of our Morton Williams family. He was a dedicated team member for more than ten years, and our prayers are with Leo’s family and friends at this difficult time.”

Hernandez’s family has a GoFundMe to help with funeral costs.

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Girls with Leukemia become best friends during cancer treatments

CNN Newsource on September 30, 2025

By Joi Fultz

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    RICHMOND, Virginia (WTVR) — Born just months apart, friends Peyton Arthur and Makayla Hall consider themselves more like family. While their social spirits and shared interests have kept the pair inseparable, it was a devastating diagnosis that first brought them together.

Exactly 3 months apart in 2023, the then 12-year-old Peyton and Makayla were each told by doctors they have lymphoblastic leukemia, a blood cancer that affects white blood cells.

“I was asking my mom am I going to die, will I be able to grow up and get married and have kids and do all of these things I’m supposed to be able to do?” Peyton recalled.

Because of the treatment, Peyton and Makayla were often isolated.

So when their medical team at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU suggested the girls meet, their moms were hopeful the young patients would become friends.

The moms had nothing to worry about. The girls’ conversations were full of words of encouragement.

“If she’s doing it, I can do it, we’re going to get through this together,” Peyton said.

Their interactions serve as a consistent source of care and compassion.

“She’s very kind and beautiful and also she’s really brave,” Makayla said of her new friend.

Their days together are spent with lots of laughs.

Despite the difficulties cancer brought into their lives, Peyton and Makayla say they’re both grateful for how this life-altering diagnosis helped create a special lifelong friendship.

Both girls say they look forward to all the activities they will do together in the future including more sleepovers. They especially look forward to the day they can ring the cancer free bell together.

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Jack Daniel’s scraps partnership with farmers in this Tenn. county, local livestock operations left scrambling

CNN Newsource on September 30, 2025

By Amanda Roberts

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    MOORE COUNTY, Tennessee (WTVF) — For decades, the Jack Daniel’s distillery and farmers in Moore County, Tennessee, maintained a mutually beneficial relationship that helped both parties thrive.

The distillery provided its corn slop byproduct to local farmers at zero or low cost through what’s known as the Cow Feeder Program, giving livestock operators an affordable feed source while helping the company dispose of its waste.

That partnership is coming to an end on March 31, leaving farmers devastated and scrambling for alternatives.

Terry Holt has made the daily drive to the Jack Daniel’s distillery since he was 20 years old, hauling back tens of thousands of gallons of slop to feed his hundreds of head of cattle. For 45 years, he’s made this trip every single day.

“I’ve been at it 365 days multiplied by 45 and you’ll find how many days I’ve hauled it,” Holt said.

The routine has been essential to his operation and livelihood.

“I don’t miss any day hauling my slop. It’s that important to me. It was important to Jack Daniel’s. We get it gone, and that’s what I thought, that it was important,” Holt said.

But Jack Daniel’s is scrapping the Cow Feeder Program. Instead of providing the slop to local farmers, the company has contracted with Three Rivers Energy, an energy plant that converts the byproduct into renewable gas and fertilizer.

“All I know is that’s gonna destroy us,” Holt said.

The distillery’s decision will affect the entire county. According to the most recent USDA data, 89% of the farms in Moore County are livestock operations.

Farmers are already selling their lands and livestock. Holt worries for the future and feels the company he used to work for, retired from, and continued to support by working his farmland from dawn to dusk, no longer cares about its neighbors.

“Can we not get someone to hear us? Can we not get someone from Brown Foreman to hear me and say, ‘Hey, we may need to look at this again,'” Holt said. “Jack Daniel’s grew up with the people here. You’ve used those images to grow, and then now you wanna take that image and go away with it.”

What used to be a golden friendship now feels like a turned back to many farmers.

“I pray that what words I use today, it will touch the hearts of someone out there that will hear me and be willing to talk to us because I tell you it will absolutely destroy our little town,” Holt said.

Jack Daniel’s said in a statement that they understand the change is significant and “we remain dedicated to our neighbors as we adapt to this new era.”

The company confirmed the program will formally conclude on March 31 as they transition to a new, long-term sustainability solution. The decision follows years of careful consideration and was communicated with advance notice, starting with an initial announcement in March 2022.

The evolution is driven by a partnership with Three Rivers Energy that allows the company to achieve key environmental standards and secure the future of its brand, ensuring continued ability to market and sell Jack Daniel’s globally.

The new anaerobic digester facility requires a consistent, high volume of spent grain. The company is contractually obligated to provide between 350,000 and 500,000 gallons of spent distiller’s grain per day, necessitating the redirection of all current volume of slop.

The UT Institute of Agriculture is co-hosting a meeting to discuss other options with farmers.

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

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Fort Hays State University reviewing professor’s alleged social media posts on race, violence

CNN Newsource on September 30, 2025

By KAKE Staff

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    HAYS, Kan. (KAKE) — Fort Hays State University says a review is underway after a social media post from a faculty member regarding race and the murder of Charlie Kirk surfaced over the weekend.

Conservative X account Libs of TikTok tagged the university in a post on the platform on Sunday evening. The post, a series of screenshots, shows a Facebook post on the murder of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.

“Me thinks the word ‘karma’ is appropriate. Sad all the way around,” the Facebook account, NuNu LA Chance, posted on September 10, the day of the fatal shooting.

Libs of TikTok, founded by Chaya Raichik, alleges the LA Chance account belongs to Dr. Nuchelle Chance, a psychology professor at Fort Hays.

While the University did not explicitly say the account belonged to Chance, it said, “Fort Hays State University is aware of a social media post on a Libs of TikTok social media page attributing social media statements relating to race and violence to one of our faculty members.”

“Individuals who post commentaries to their personal social media accounts do not speak for the University, nor does their commentary reflect the views or values of this university,” the university said in a statement on Monday.

Libs of TikTok also found a screenshot of the Facebook page saying, “But when we tell y’all that statistically… White American men are the most dangerous animals on the planet we’re wrong. Let’s not be hasty they say.”

The university said,” We are reviewing this situation as a confidential personnel matter and ask for your patience as we address it with the seriousness it warrants.”

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Milwaukee deputies stop two men riding Lime scooters on Hoan Bridge

CNN Newsource on September 30, 2025

By James Stratton

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    MILWAUKEE (WISN) — Two men riding Lime scooters on the Hoan Bridge in Milwaukee were stopped by Milwaukee County sheriff’s deputies after mistakenly entering the interstate, thinking they were in a bike lane, body camera and Wisconsin Department of Transportation video shows.

The incident unfolded just after 7:30 p.m. Sunday, as the men traveled northbound toward downtown, riding in the emergency lane for at least 3 miles before deputies caught up with them near the Summerfest entrance.

Deputies quickly detained both men. Body camera video shows one of them telling deputies he is an international medical student from Jordan doing rotations at Froedtert Hospital and explained he had been in the area for four weeks. The other man said he had been in Milwaukee for two months and the pair lived together.

The situation transitioned from detainment to confusion as the men explained they believed they were riding in a bike lane. Deputies informed them that the area was part of the interstate system, where vehicles travel at high speeds, making it especially dangerous for scooters.

The pair told deputies they got on Interstate 794 somewhere near the lake, 10 minutes away, thinking they were in a bike lane.

Body camera video shows one man telling them, “When we realized we were on the highway, we didn’t know what to do.”

Sheriff’s deputies taught them where they can and cannot ride, explaining what a bike lane looks like.

“You need to see a picture with the bicycle in it,” one deputy explained.

Deputies let the pair go on their way and did not write any citations, according to body camera video. WISN 12 News is not identifying the pair because no citations were issued.

“If we can turn it into an educational lesson, so it doesn’t repeat itself, I’m totally comfortable with that,” one deputy told them.

WISN 12 News emailed Lime, the company that owns the scooters the pair were riding, to ask if the company can stop scooters from entering the interstate using geolocation.

“Lime works with the city to geofence certain areas throughout Milwaukee, designating them as either no riding zones or areas with specific parking requirements,” a Lime spokesperson said via email Monday night. “We’ll take a look at this area along with the city’s Department of Public Works to see if there’s anything we can do to educate riders or adjust the geofencing in the future.”

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Kansas City man sues Family Dollar following alleged injuries from roof collapse

CNN Newsource on September 30, 2025

By Nick Sloan

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    KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KMBC) — A Kansas City man has filed a lawsuit against Family Dollar and a property management company, alleging he suffered serious injuries while trying to rescue others after the roof collapsed at a Kansas City store in July.

The petition, filed Sept. 26 in Jackson Count, names Family Dollar Inc., Family Dollar Stores of Missouri LLC, and Arthur Fels Company as defendants.

According to the lawsuit, Charles Ochlech was shopping at the Family Dollar at 3726 Broadway on July 27 when the store’s roof gave way, sending heavy debris crashing down on several customers.

Ochlech attempted to help trapped customers but says he was injured in the process.

The filing states Ochlech suffered permanent injuries to his neck, back, and legs, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and emotional distress.

He also claims he continues to face medical bills, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity.

The lawsuit argues the collapse was preventable.

It alleges the building was structurally unsound and that a support pillar damaged in 2016 had never been repaired.

The suit also claims employees and customers had reported roof problems before the collapse, but the store remained open.

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‘The best dad’: Family left devastated after father was killed when wife crashed into his car

CNN Newsource on September 30, 2025

By Chantelle Navarro

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    MAUD, Okla. (KOCO) — Family members spoke out after a man was killed after his wife crashed her car into his on Saturday near Maud.

While the investigation is still underway to determine what exactly happened, family members of Justin Wood are grieving the hardworking, family man who died in the crash.

“He’s the best dad that I could ever ask for,” Wyatt Wood, Justin’s 13-year-old son, said.

Wyatt and his sister asked to make a statement about the hole left in their hearts after their father died.

“He’s the reason I am the way I am and the reason I play sports and love basketball,” Wyatt said.

Family said Justin had just left his son’s basketball game earlier that day. Not long after, troopers found his car flipped over on the side of the road at State Highway 59 and East-West 1290 Road.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol said Justin’s wife, Tamara Wood, was following him on that road when she hit the back of his vehicle, causing it to flip.

Justin died, and Tamara stayed on the scene to wait for law enforcement to arrive. Tamara has not yet been charged in connection to Justin’s death.

“It could be months before we come up with a finalized answer before we submit our case to the district attorney’s office. That is not out of the ordinary on these,” Lt. Mark Southall with OHP said.

While OHP works the case, his family works to wrap their minds around what happened. He was a hardworking, third-generation oil worker.

“He liked to help people. He worked for his kids,” Cassidy Flent, Justin’s sister, said.

He was someone whom his loved ones will miss dearly.

“When he walked in the room, everyone just automatically loved him for the person that he was. He was just a great human being. He could cut up with anyone, and you could talk to a wall for days. He could just talk and talk and make everyone laugh. He was just a great dad and a great person in general,” Abby Wood, Justin’s daughter, said.

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‘Getting my self-confidence back’: Patient receives free surgery for a new smile

CNN Newsource on September 30, 2025

By KETV Staff

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    PAPILLION, Neb. (KETV) — Not many people look forward to surgery, but Kaitland Simpson has been waiting for this one for 30 years.

Simpson lost all her teeth as a child to Sjögren’s Syndrome, an autoimmune disease that attacks her salivary glands.

“I didn’t think I would get here. It’s been a long time,” Simpson said.

Oral Surgery Associates and maxillofacial surgeon Stephen Coffey are changing her life, one implant at a time. Omaha’s News Leader highlighted Dr. Coffey’s work in 2020, when he helped a local mom and mentor with a new smile.

“We’re putting multiple dental implants into somebody’s mouth that will ultimately support a dental implant-supported full bridge of teeth,” Coffey said.

Simpson started her journey to a new smile with surgery on Monday. It’ll be an almost four-month process, but it will come at no cost to her thanks to the Give a Smile program.

“We try to identify people in need that need this procedure but may not otherwise be able to achieve it because of financial reasons,” Coffey said.

“I will never be able to thank him enough,” Simpson said. “There was no way I could have afforded it on my own, and him doing this is just amazing and incredible. He is truly an angel.”

While Simpson’s journey just started, she knew of Coffey before even hearing about the program.

“I remembered Dr. Coffey’s name from when I worked at Blue Cross,” Simpson said. “They would always call in to get benefits and claim status, and I always remembered the name. I said, ‘If I ever have to have oral surgery, he’s who I want to go to.'”

And out of all the referrals, Coffey selected Simpson.

“Kaitland is a very kind person. She’s a very young person. She lost her teeth at a young age really due to no fault of her own, and it’s just a really nice opportunity to help somebody in need who is as young as she is,” Coffey said.

Simpson won’t get her final teeth for another four months, but she’s ready for two things: eating her first steak and being herself.

“I’m looking forward to getting my self-confidence back,” Simpson said.

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Man accused of going 124 mph, tells troopers he ‘had to use the bathroom’

CNN Newsource on September 30, 2025

By Muhammad Abdul Qawee

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    LEE COUNTY, Florida (WBBH) — A reported late-night street race at the Midpoint Bridge ended with one driver in jail, his car impounded, and troopers still searching for a motorcyclist accused of reaching speeds topping 140 mph.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, at about 3 a.m. Sunday, troopers spotted a Toyota Camry and a motorcycle stopped side-by-side at a traffic light near Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers. Troopers say the pair suddenly started to accelerate before the Midpoint Bridge, and they were accused of racing across the span at extreme speeds.

The Camry was clocked at 124 mph, while the motorcycle hit more than 140 mph.

Troopers later stopped the Camry near Country Club Boulevard and Veterans Parkway in Cape Coral. Inside were a male driver, identified as David Stone, 24, and a female passenger.

When asked why he was driving so fast, Stone told troopers he “had to use the bathroom.” FHP noted he had passed several gas stations before being pulled over.

“The Camry driver did not have a license. That’s red flag number one. Number two, this is all happening at three in the morning,” said Lt. Greg Bueno of the Florida Highway Patrol. “Horrible decisions all over the place.”

Stone was arrested and faces charges for driving without a license, excessive speed, and racing. Under Florida law, his Camry will be impounded for 30 days at his expense.

The motorcyclist, whose license plate was not visible, has not yet been identified. Troopers say charges are waiting once the rider is caught.

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‘Completely made up’: Teen lied about being taken, shot himself in leg, sheriff says

CNN Newsource on September 30, 2025

By Dacia Johnson

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    MARION COUNTY, Florida (WESH) — The 17-year-old who was reported missing in Marion County last week is accused of making the entire thing up and shooting himself in the leg to cover it up.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office on Monday shared an update in the case that has drawn a lot of attention after it was first reported the teen was taken by a group of men.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement issued an Amber Alert on Thursday evening for a 17-year-old. But at noon on Friday, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said the teen remained missing but that the original claim appeared to be not true.

A short time later, deputies announced the teen had been located. The Williston Police Department said officers located him in Levy County, northwest of Ocala.

FDLE said the teen might have been taken by or was in the company of four unknown males, but determined that was not true.

“The initial details that (the teen) texted to his family, were proven to be false,” Sheriff Billy Woods said in a Facebook video. “Completely made up. We did find evidence of a single gunshot where (the teen) left his truck. However, his claims that he had been shot and abducted were quickly disproven. We then learned that he had purchased a bicycle, tent and camping supplies just prior to him reporting this.”

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office shared on Thursday that it was investigating a shooting around 4 p.m. in the same location where the teen was last seen.

When deputies arrived, they located a vehicle that belonged to the teen, but he was not present.

“There were an alarming amount of red flags initially but, we also have to fully investigate until we know otherwise,” Woods said.

The sheriff’s office said the teen “rode away towards Williston while the rest of us were left to think the worst and my team was working in overdrive to solve this case.”

The sheriff went on to say:

“To continue the ruse, (the teen) who had a handgun with him since the beginning of all of this, chose to shoot himself in the leg, causing a non-life-threatening injury just prior to walking out to the roadway where he would be located by citizens in Williston.”

The teen could face charges, the sheriff said.

WESH 2 is not naming the teen because of his age.

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