Legal battle continues over Missouri’s new congressional maps, referendum process

CNN Newsource on December 24, 2025

By Chloe Godding

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    Missouri (KMBC) — A new lawsuit filed by the ACLU of Missouri is asking a court to halt the use of new congressional maps until voters can weigh in.

The ACLU filed the lawsuit in Cole County Circuit Court on Tuesday, claiming that the state of Missouri and the secretary of state have violated the right to referendum by pushing Missouri’s new congressional maps forward without input from voters.

“By attempting to enact the new maps despite receiving more than 305,000 signatures from Missouri voters demanding a referendum, the Secretary of State is denying a longstanding tradition, judicial precedent, and our constitutional rights,” said Tori Shafer, director of policy and campaigns at the ACLU of Missouri, in a news release.

The ACLU said that the signatures, submitted by the organization People Not Politicians, are nearly three times the number required.

“Ignoring the legislative power granted to the people, the Secretary of State publicly indicated that his office intends to use House Bill 1’s new congressional map in the 2026 primary and general elections,” the ACLU said.

The ACLU is asking the court to suspend House Bill 1 to prevent election authorities from using the new maps until they are approved or rejected by voters.

On the other side, the Missouri Attorney General’s Office issued a statement Monday on the referendum process, saying that People Not Politicians is engaging in a “disinformation campaign.” The statement was not in direct response to the lawsuit, but rather the possibility of a referendum and the upholding of state law.

“People Not Politicians is promoting a false narrative that the Missouri FIRST Map is ‘frozen’ upon the mere submission of referendum signatures. This narrative is wrong,” the attorney general’s office said.

The attorney general’s office said it’s not yet been determined if enough signatures have been submitted; the Missouri Constitution requires 5% of legal voters in each of two-thirds of the state’s congressional districts.

The attorney general’s office also said that a “substantial number” of the signatures were submitted before Gov. Mike Kehoe signed the map and before Secretary of State Denny Hoskins approved the referendum petition.

“Until the Secretary of State confirms that the proposed referendum has enough valid signatures to qualify, the Missouri FIRST Map will remain in effect,” the attorney general’s office said. “The contrary conclusion would allow anyone to freeze duly-enacted state laws by dropping off boxes of unverified signatures.”

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Community members bring Christmas dinner to families impacted my immigration crackdown

CNN Newsource on December 24, 2025

By Alyssa Gomez

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    NEW ORLEANS (WDSU) — As federal agents continue carrying out Operation Catahoula Crunch, many Hispanic community members are sheltering in homes to avoid any potential encounters with agents.

“They don’t want to leave even to go eat or get groceries,” said immigration attorney John Sharby Guevara.

Guevara, along with attorney Casey Cowley, teamed up with a local Hispanic restaurant to bring Christmas meals to the Hispanic community.

“We wanted to deliver quality meals and show a sense of support for these families,” said Cowley.

Volunteers brought bags full of pasta salad, croissants, cookies, ham, and more right to the doorsteps of about one hundred families in need today.

Organizers say it’s a small gesture of kindness and support for families experiencing anxiety, fear and separation during the holidays.

“Right now, there are people in the detention centers throughout Louisiana, and there are several, separated from their families, that don’t really have a chance to leave for the holidays. There have been some recent changes in the law that prevent nearly everyone from getting a bond from an immigration judge, so there aren’t many options if any to get them released,” said Guevara, adding, ” We’ve got a man whose son was just born two weeks ago prematurely and is in the NICU and so he’s going to spend Christmas center in the detention center away from his wife and newborn son.”

While organizers recognize the hardships the Hispanic community continues to face, they say they are maintaining hope for better days in the new year.

“I do believe, and I do hope that perhaps here, as we get into the new year, there will start to be movement in the community again,” said Cowley.

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‘Project Game ON’ takes a step forward after Omaha city council approves zoning changes

CNN Newsource on December 24, 2025

By Victoria Holley

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    OMAHA, Neb. (KETV) — The Omaha City Council approved zoning changes Tuesday for “Project Game ON.” The multimillion-dollar investment was announced in April 2025.

The project includes building a new stadium for North High School. It will be used for football, soccer and other sports activities. It also includes building a new Butler-Gast YMCA on 34th and Ames avenues.

Omaha city councilmember LaVonya Goodwin called Project Game ON an important investment. “I think it’s going to be a great boost not only for North High, the surrounding neighborhood and that partnership with the YMCA ensures that you also have that intergenerational mix of activities for the community,” said Goodwin.

The development is funded through local and private foundations, along with a grant from the state. Construction is expected to wrap up in 2027.

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From the archives to your kitchen: Iowa State students develop cookbook from ‘heritage’ recipes

CNN Newsource on December 24, 2025

By KCCI Staff

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    AMES, Iowa (KCCI) — Three Iowa State University students have updated 100 recipes from the university’s archive and are putting them into a cookbook.

Hadley Shatek, a sophomore majoring in food science, Ben Starling, a senior majoring in food science, and Ellie Recker, a junior majoring in dietetics, have spent this semester testing and refining recipes that will appear in that cookbook. Many of the recipes came from the Iowa State University Library Special Collections and University Archives. They include what Alex Van Alstyne, food business extension specialist with the outreach and extension’s Farm Food and Enterprise Development unit and coordinator of the cookbook project, refers to as “heritage recipes” – cherry pie, chocolate cake, The Knoll hot chocolate, and more.

The cherry pie recipe was a staple when the university held its VEISHEA festivals. Students would bake and sell the pies to raise money for departmental scholarships. The Knoll hot chocolate is a recipe that dates back to Elle Parks, the wife of ISU’s 11th president William Robert Parks. The Knoll is the presidential residence. The hot chocolate is served to students by the first family as they host students during Winterfest.

The cookbook is expected to be published in late 2026 or early 2027.

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Forsyth Park acid attack victim undergoes first skin graft surgery as fundraising efforts continue

CNN Newsource on December 24, 2025

By Tia Maggio

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    SAVANNAH, Ga. (WJCL) — Nearly two weeks after 46-year-old Ashley Wasieleski was attacked with acid at Forsyth Park, police have not announced an arrest and say there are no new updates in the investigation.

Wasieleski underwent her first skin-graft surgery Tuesday, according to friends and family. Skin grafting involves removing skin from another part of the body and transplanting it to cover burned areas, burn specialist Dr. Steven Kahn said. Recovery from severe burn injuries can require multiple procedures over weeks or even years, he said.

The surgeries can be extremely painful and costly. Kahn said treatment for extensive burns can range into the hundreds of thousands of dollars and, in some cases, reach six- or seven-figure totals.

Community fundraising to help cover Wasieleski’s medical bills has surpassed $275,000, according to organizers. More than $100,000 in reward money has also been pledged for information leading to the person responsible.

Car dealership owner O.C. Welch and attorney Mark Tate said they personally raised $81,000 for the reward. Welch, who has offered rewards in other high-profile cases, said the goal is to help bring closure to victims and their families.

The FBI is asking anyone with home security video from the west side of Forsyth Park from the night of the attack to contact investigators. Savannah police said Wednesday that there is no new information to release.

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Volunteer firefighters assist Santa during his annual visit to a Baltimore County community

CNN Newsource on December 24, 2025

By Tara Lynch

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    BALTIMORE (WJZ) — It isnt the holiday season until Santa comes in his sleigh. His visit starts in a Baltimore County firehouse, ringing in Christmas the Stoneleigh way.

December 23 is a holiday in itself in Towson’s Stoneleigh neighborhood.

In a fire hall off Providence Road, volunteer firefighters prepared for their favorite house call of the year: escorting Santa’s sleigh through neighborhoods in Baltimore County.

“It’s bringing the Christmas spirit to the neighborhoods that we serve,” said Matt Herweck, Vice President of Finance for Providence Volunteer Fire Company. “We’re not meeting people on the best day of their life. So, with this, we actually are able to meet people in a more relaxed setting and bring a little bit of joy, too.”

The fire company said it’s able to do eight or nine “Santa details” every holiday season. The group, comprised solely of volunteers, has to fully staff ladder trucks, engines and other vehicles.

Over the years, the company adjusted its strategy, building Santa his own sleigh to ride on, in case the fire trucks get called into duty.

With lights and sirens ready, and the sleigh in the rear, they set out to the neighborhood two days before Christmas so Santa Claus could bring some cheer.

Santa Claus Visits a Baltimore County Community In a fire hall off Providence Road, volunteer firefighters prepared for their favorite house call of the year: escorting Santa’s sleigh through neighborhoods in Baltimore County. CBS News Baltimore “My elves are working extra hard, but I want to come by and say a special hello to all my friends and all the boys and girls in the Stoneleigh community,” Santa told WJZ.

25-year Christmas tradition For 25 years, Santa has made his way through the streets on his sleigh with the Providence Volunteer Fire Company there to assist.

“Well, it’s a wonderful neighborhood, very close-knit, very family-oriented, and everybody really looks forward to this,” Rosemary Schneider said. “Its a great way to start the holiday.”

Children rattled off a laundry list of requests for gifts they hope to see under the tree, including a Bitzee hamster ball, bean bag chair, a Labubu and a remote control motorcycle.

With lists in tow, children asked Santa one thing: were there gifts on the sleigh for them that he would bring?

“My mom, she showed me the nice list of the reindeer camera, and I was on it,” Ellie Schneider explained.

While Santa said he believes everyone is on the nice list, others weren’t so sure.

“I thought I was going to be on the naughty list,” Ruby said.

Two sleeps from Christmas morning, neighbors bid good tidings to all. From their homes, Merry Christmas, they would call.

On Christmas Eve, the Providence Volunteer Firefighters will bring Santa throughout their district in his sleigh.

They are sharing the holiday spirit – the firehouse way.

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Marylander among 64 sickened by multi-state outbreak of Salmonella from raw oysters

CNN Newsource on December 24, 2025

By JT Moodee Lockman

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    MARYLAND (WJZ) — A Maryland resident was among 64 people across 22 U.S. states who got sick with Salmonella from raw oysters, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

As of Dec. 23, 20 people have been hospitalized after they reported eating raw oysters. No deaths have been reported.

The CDC and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating to determine if the oysters can be linked back to a common source. A recall has not yet been issued.

Multi-state Salmonella outbreak

According to the CDC, raw oysters can be contaminated with germs at any time during the year, and it is recommended to cook oysters before eating them to reduce the risk of getting food poisoning.

Data from the CDC shows that six people also got sick in Virginia, and another two in Delaware. The Salmonella cases were reported between the end of June and late November.

Multi-state Salmonella Outbreak from Raw Oysters

A Marylander was among 64 people across 22 U.S. states who got sick with Salmonella from raw oysters, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) According to the CDC, it takes about three to four weeks to determine if a person is part of an outbreak. The number of sick people involved in the outbreak could be higher, as many recover without getting tested for Salmonella.

Those infected with Salmonella typically experience diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps, according to the CDC.

Symptoms often start about six hours to six days after consuming the bacteria, and most people recover within four to seven days.

Young children and adults 65 and older may experience more severe symptoms, the CDC said.

The CDC offered safety tips for consuming raw oysters, including a reminder that hot sauce and lemon juice do not kill germs found in oysters.

To cook oysters in their shells, the CDC recommends boiling them until the shells are open or adding the oysters to a steamer for about four to nine minutes.

To cook oysters out of their shells, the CDC recommends boiling them for at least three minutes, frying them in oil for at least three minutes, broiling for three minutes or baking for 10 minutes.

Seafood should be cooked until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees for at least 15 seconds.

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Investigators find human remains in the backyard of a missing 81-year-old Jackson woman

CNN Newsource on December 24, 2025

By Richard Bourne, Chris Oswalt

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    JACKSON, Miss. (WAPT) — Investigators searching for a missing 81-year-old Jackson woman have found unidentified human remains in the backyard of her home, authorities confirmed Tuesday.

Investigators searching for a missing 81-year-old Jackson woman have found unidentified human remains in the backyard of her home, authorities confirmed Tuesday.

The discovery was made during an expanded search at the home in the 200 block of Baybury Lane, where Jackson police and other agencies brought in excavators and heavy equipment as part of the missing person investigation of Carol Ryan.

Investigators said a cadaver dog alerted to the backyard, prompting crews to begin digging. During that search, human remains were discovered. Police said the remains have not been identified, and Carol Ryan will officially remain listed as a missing person until identification is confirmed.

Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones confirmed the heavy equipment was being used to support the active search and said the investigation remains ongoing.

Authorities also confirmed that two people — Ryan’s son and daughter-in-law — have been detained by investigators for questioning. Officials said no charges have been announced, but charges are possible depending on the outcome of the investigation.

Police said they obtained a judge’s warrant to search the home and surrounding areas, including vehicles. Portions of Baybury Lane were blocked off during the operation.

Ryan was reported missing Saturday. Authorities have described her disappearance as suspicious but said there has not yet been confirmation that a crime has been committed.

“We don’t have any persons of interest at this time, because we don’t have a crime at this point,” Jones said earlier in the investigation. “But due to the circumstances, it does seem somewhat suspicious.”

Investigators said they have interviewed family members and neighbors as part of the search.

This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Jackson Police Department.

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Exclusive interview: Maine woman who pleaded guilty to abuse of friend’s corpse tells new version of story

CNN Newsource on December 24, 2025

By Jim Keithley

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    PARIS, Maine (WMTW) — A Maine woman who claimed she had buried the body of her deceased friend in her backyard years ago is now sharing a different version of events in an exclusive interview with Maine’s Total Coverage.

In September 2019, Vernelle Jackson told Maine’s Total Coverage that her friend, Mae Shelton, died of natural causes months earlier at the Norway home where they lived together. According to Jackson, Shelton’s dying wish was to be buried in the backyard.

“‘I want you to promise me, and don’t let me down, I want to be buried in your yard so I’ll be close to you,'” Jackson said Shelton told her.

Jackson told Maine’s Total Coverage that she put Shelton’s body in a tarp and dragged it to the backyard. She then spent about two days digging the hole.

“I have COPD. I couldn’t breathe that good,” Jackson said in September 2019.

On Monday, Jackson pleaded guilty to abuse of a corpse, theft and forgery in Oxford County Court.

She spoke exclusively with Maine’s Total Coverage on Tuesday and admitted that she never moved Shelton’s body and did not even touch it. Jackson, however, would not name the person who did move the body.

“The saddest part about it is I love Mae Shelton with all my heart, and I hate what happened,” Jackson said Tuesday. “I thought I was doing the right thing, but it turns out it was the wrong thing.”

For years after Shelton’s death, government checks were being deposited into her bank accounts. Jackson, who had power of attorney, admitted she wrote checks out of Shelton’s checkbook and gave money to her granddaughter.

“The truth is I did write a couple, yes. I’ll admit it. But I didn’t write all those other checks, no. My granddaughter did,” Jackson said.

Court records show that Jackson’s granddaughter, Lacey Rudd, is a co-defendant in the case.

Rudd, 40, of Mexico, Maine, pleaded guilty to theft by deception in June, and she was placed on a two-year deferred disposition. If Rudd pays $3,500 in restitution within two years, the charges against her will be reduced to a misdemeanor.

“I didn’t know it would turn out this way. There was some deception going on under my nose,” Jackson said.

Jackson said she is glad the case is over. She has Shelton’s cremated remains and while it is not what she wished for, Jackson said her friend is still close by.

Maine’s Total Coverage contacted Rudd in an effort to get her reaction to the case. Rudd simply replied: “No comment.”

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Two-year-old cancer patient in Stokes County who got a donation from Taylor Swift is cancer-free, family says

CNN Newsource on December 24, 2025

By Cren Rosenbaum

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    STOKES COUNTY (WXII) — A happy update in the story of a local girl who got support from the world’s biggest pop star.

Two-year-old Lilah Smoot of Stokes County is now cancer-free, according to her mother.

The toddler’s cancer fight made headlines after singer Taylor Swift donated $100,000 to her family.

Lilah’s mom says Swift’s music has helped their family push through tough times. Her mom shared that the family is so happy to be celebrating the holidays knowing that Lilah’s okay.

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