Author: CNN Newsource

By Allison Petro

Click here for updates on this story

    ORLANDO, Florida (WESH) — After years without answers, the Orlando Police Department has finally identified human remains that were discovered decades ago.

The new findings were made possible by advances in modern DNA analysis and genetic genealogy, according to police.

1982 case The first case dates back to 1982, when a man’s body was discovered at a construction site in downtown Orlando, according to police.

The man’s identity remained unknown for more than four decades.

In recent years, the Cold Case Unit revisited the case using new forensic science tools.

Detectives, working with the District Nine Medical Examiner’s Office and Othram Inc., used DNA and family reference samples to identify the remains as Vincent Todd Peterson, who was 16 when he died.

1996 case On Sept. 15, 1996, witnesses discovered a man lying face down in a field on Middlebrook Road, according to Orlando police.

Authorities found no signs of trauma and determined he died of natural causes.

The case was considered closed as unfounded for nearly 30 years.

But after advanced DNA testing, detectives contacted the family of 49-year-old Keith Lloyd Landis.

His identity was confirmed through a DNA match with his sister, who said she had not heard from Landis since the mid-1990s, according to police.

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 Denzen Cortez

Click here for updates on this story

    ROSEVILLE, California (KCRA) — A Roseville woman celebrated her 100th birthday Thursday by continuing a tradition that began two decades ago: jumping out of an airplane.

Ruby McNally took to the skies at SkyDance SkyDiving in Davis, joined by six family members and friends.

McNally’s first jump came on her 80th birthday after her grandson challenged her to try skydiving.

“My grandson challenged me and, jokingly, I said yes, never expecting him to hold me to it,” McNally said.

She returned for another jump at 90 and promised she would be back when she turned 100.

Her family said there was little chance of convincing her otherwise.

“At 100, you learn you’re not talking her out of anything,” daughter Sharon McNally said.

McNally said she doesn’t spend much time worrying about the risks.

“If you sit and worry about it, then you’re going to talk yourself out of it,” she said.

Several of McNally’s grandchildren joined her for Thursday’s jump. After landing, one granddaughter reflected on the unusual experience.

“There’s not that many other people on planet Earth that can say, ‘Hey, I’m going skydiving with Grandma that’s 100,’” April Bartok said. “I mean, it’s pretty special.”

McNally said she hopes the younger generations continue the tradition. Her granddaughter suggested they may not need to wait another decade, proposing they make the jump an annual event.

As for whether McNally will return for another milestone birthday, she isn’t ruling it out.

Asked whether she would skydive again at 110, McNally replied, “I’m aiming for it.”

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 Micheal Bolger

Click here for updates on this story

    SAN JUAN COUNTY, New Mexico (KOAT) — The Region II Narcotics Task Force announced a crackdown on drug trafficking operations across San Juan County during 2024 and 2025.

According to a release shared by the Farmington Police Department, investigators disrupted 20 drug trafficking organizations operating in the region.

Authorities say seizures included more than 108,000 fentanyl pills, fentanyl powder, 47 pounds of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, $108,000 in cash, and 149 firearms.

Officials describe the effort as intelligence-driven, targeting mid- and high-level traffickers.

Sixteen defendants have been federally indicted in partnership with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico. If convicted, those defendants could face mandatory minimum prison sentences ranging from five to more than 20 years.

The task force says additional federal indictments are expected as investigations continue. Community members can submit anonymous tips by calling 505-334-6100.

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 James Ganley

Click here for updates on this story

    MILWAUKEE (WISN) — An outpouring of community support has given Lincoln Avenue School students and teachers the supplies they need to start the new school year, less than two months after a devastating fire destroyed the building.

Milwaukee Public Schools announced Friday that it is no longer accepting donated supplies for the school because its immediate needs have been met.

“The response to the devastating fire at Lincoln Avenue School has shown the very best of Milwaukee and MPS,” Superintendent Brenda Cassellius said in a statement.

The MPS Foundation will continue accepting monetary donations through its Lincoln Avenue School Fund to help cover future needs.

The donations follow the June 30 five-alarm fire that destroyed the 109-year-old school near 18th Street and Lincoln Avenue. Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski said chemical-soaked rags placed in a garbage can sparked the accidental fire.

The fire forced MPS to find a new home for nearly 500 Lincoln Avenue students ahead of the school year. The district decided to move the school into dedicated space at Casimir Pulaski High School, where Lincoln Avenue students will have their own entrance, classrooms and cafeteria.

Lincoln Avenue students are scheduled to begin classes at Pulaski on Sept. 1.

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 Nick Sloan

Click here for updates on this story

    ANDERSON COUNTY, Kansas (KMBC) — KBI agents on Thursday arrested an Anderson County, Kansas, daycare provider after two children were allegedly injured while under her supervision.

Tregon Guernsey, 28, was arrested Thursday afternoon.

She faces two counts of child abuse, one count of aggravated child endangerment and two counts of making false information.

A $500,000 bond has been set in the case.

One of the victims was described by the KBI as a 5-month-old infant.

Guernsey is accused of severely injuring the infant on Nov. 19, 2025.

During the investigation into those injuries, KBI agents learned of a separate incident in which Guernsey allegedly injured a 4-year-old child on July 17, 2024.

Both children were in daycare when the alleged incidents happened.

The KBI says the Anderson County prosecutor’s office is expected to file charges.

State records show the state investigated a complaint involving the daycare as recent as Nov. 6, 2025.

Among the violations, inspectors found unsafe sleeping conditions involving infants.

Records say a 5-month-old was swaddled in a blanket while sleeping and was found in a playpen surrounded by blankets and toys.

A 9-month-old was also found sleeping with blankets. Inspectors said those issues were corrected at their request.

On Jan. 5, 2026, the state issued an emergency order suspending the daycare’s license for what records describe as “inappropriate discipline.”

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 Emma Burch

Click here for updates on this story

    TULSA, Oklahoma (KOCO) — An Oklahoma teen marked his 18th birthday with a once-in-a-lifetime moment, receiving a personal blessing from Pope Leo XIV during a family trip to Rome.

Braden Cusick, who turned 18 on Aug. 5, said he had one goal for his birthday: “I knew I wanted to see the Pope on my birthday.”

Cusick and his family woke up early and headed to the Vatican, securing seats near the aisle to increase their chances of meeting the pope.

“I was just in the video. You can see me, my hand shaking,” Cusick said, describing the moment Pope Francis approached him.

Cusick said people around him encouraged him to speak up when the pope came near. “I had people who had been there multiple times next to me say, ‘You, you have to tell him it’s your birthday. You have to ask him to bless your birthday.’”

When the moment arrived, Cusick said, “I was like, Holy Father, it’s my birthday.”

The pope responded warmly, saying, “Oh, happy birthday,” before asking Cusick how old he was and where he was from.

“He knew, like, Oklahoma City, Tulsa. He knew that, and I thought that was really cool that he just knew where we were from,” Cusick said.

The pope also gifted Cusick a rosary, adding to the unforgettable experience.

“I could barely open the rosary box to see because I was like, still shaking from meeting him because I could not believe it,” Cusick said.

Now back home and starting his senior year at Verdigris High School, Cusick said his classmates have been eager to hear about his experience.

“I’ve had a lot of people on school day that asked me how it was, like what I was doing, how did I get to meet the pope?” Cusick said.

Reflecting on the moment, Cusick said, “It was an unbelievable experience.”

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 Fletcher Keel

Click here for updates on this story

    CINCINNATI, Ohio (WLWT) — The three people indicted for their alleged roles in the death of a 7-year-old boy in Oakley all pled not guilty to new charges on Friday.

Kaitlin Evans, Nessa Keaney and Kirby Rankin all pleaded not guilty Friday to more than a dozen new charges, including conspiracy and aggravated murder. The new charges stem from a 13-count indictment that was handed down Thursday.

Detectives say William Evans-Ellis was found dead in a closet last week, bound with duct tape and showing signs of abuse.

One of the indicted, Kaitlin Evans, was William’s biological mother.

The Hamilton County Coroner says he died from blunt force trauma to the head.

In court Friday, a judge did not raise the bond of the three, saying the bonds issued last week were appropriate. Secured bonds of over $1 million were issued to each of Evans, Keaney and Rankin.

In addition to the not guilty plea, Keaney’s attorney asked for a competency hearing. This is the second request for a competency hearing filed in the case.

Last week, attorney’s for Kirby Rankin requested a competency hearing. A Sept. 4 hearing was set for those results to be announced in court.

Court documents say the three exchanged messages on the Signal app between July 1 and Aug. 6, allegedly planning or agreeing to commit the crime. The documents do not reveal what, specifically, was said.

“As for all of these monstrous crimes that were committed, I’m going to do everything I can to make sure these people never again see the ight of day and never again have the opportunity to harm another child,” Hamilton County prosecutor Connie Pillich said at a press conference Thursday.

Pillich says the investigation is still underway to determine whether the case could qualify for the death penalty.

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.