Author: CNN Newsource

By Dean Hensley

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    BOONE, North Carolina (WLOS) — Surplus North Carolina sweet potatoes that were usually left to rot in the fields and cost farmers millions of dollars are now being put to good use, thanks to an Appalachian State University professor and his research team.

Professor Dr. Brett Taubman and his team received an NCInnovation $1.8 million grant to transform the sweet potatoes into a first-of-its-kind plant-based milk, according to a news release. On average, each year approximately 63 million pounds of sweet potatoes are left to rot in the fields, and that costs farmers an estimated $13.2 million each year.

But with this new initiative, which the team is calling Rootsii, this will forever change.

“The Rootsii project brings home the value of public impact research at App. State,” said Dr. Christine Ogilvie Hendren, vice chancellor of research and innovation at App State, in the news release. “NCInnovation’s funding lends critical support to this novel approach of converting the unused material of a key North Carolina crop into a viable and nutritious product line.”

Taubman founded Rootsii in partnership with Fermentation Sciences Lab manager Daniel Parker.

According to the university, Rootsii will have more options than just milk. It will also produce creamers, ice cream, yogurt and other fermented foods such as sweet potato-based miso and fermented hot sauce, the release said.

The bi-regional production model features a bulk processing facility in Eastern North Carolina, where the majority of sweet potatoes are grown, along with a production facility in Boone, the university said.

The project, which has been under development since June 2024, is currently in the proof-of-concept stage, with an aim of being market-ready within two years. Taubman said he’s optimistic that the company, at scale, could create hundreds of jobs and seize a portion of the expanding plant-based milk market, which is projected to grow from $22.5 billion globally in 2025 to more than $40 billion by 2035, according to market estimates.

“The larger plant-based milk industry is already a multibillion-dollar industry, and in the next 10 years, it is expected to almost double. So it’s a huge growth industry,” said Taubman, who directs the fermentation sciences program in App State’s Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences.

Four undergraduate student researchers have worked on developing the milk and related products, helping test production processes and formulations for yield, nutritional content, flavor, texture and other factors. The NCInnovation grant will fund four student researchers for a total of 1,800 hours per year over two years.

More information about Rootsii is available at the Appalachian State University website.

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 Dillon Thomas

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    DENVER, Colorado (KCNC) — The Drake Center in Northern Colorado was filled with joy, hope, and tears this week, not because of the loss of life, but because of lives saved.

Poudre Fire Authority’s annual Survivors Event in Fort Collins reunited people who survived life-threatening emergencies with the first responders, dispatchers and medical teams who helped save them.

Among the stories shared was that of Irene Catania, who was seven years old when she was bitten twice by a rattlesnake while hiking with her mother at Lory State Park.

“My daughter Irene, who was seven at the time, we’re going down trail, and she runs up to me, freaked out, and she’s been bit by a rattlesnake twice,” said Sara Bartel, Irene’s mother.

Fortunately, the family had cellphone service and called 911.

“So it’s pretty urgent to get there,” said Lincoln Jacoway, a park ranger with Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Jacoway was the first responder to arrive on the scene. As Irene’s condition worsened, responders worked quickly to get her off the trail.

“With how rapidly she was deteriorating, we decided to just put her in what we call a big wheel, and then wheel her out of the Well Gulch (Natural) Trail to a landing zone,” Jacoway said.

“She started reacting by that point, and then the helicopter came,” Bartel said.

UCHealth’s LifeLine team flew Irene to Children’s Hospital Colorado, administering antivenom during the flight.

“She was walking a few weeks later and has made a full recovery and is doing really great,” Bartel said.

At the Survivors Event, Irene and her mother reunited with the people who helped save her life.

“Nobody contacts them after to say she’s okay, we’re fine. So it was really special to be able to thank them,” Bartel said.

For first responders, the event also served as a reminder of why they do the job.

“Usually you kind of just focus on the bad ones, and today you get to really focus on the good ones,” Jacoway said. “Getting to help people is why I do what I do, and so seeing the people you get to help really helps keep that fire going.”

Inspired by the park rangers who first responded to the emergency, Irene now says she wants to become a park ranger when she grows up. Those with CPW honored her at the event with a “future park ranger” award and stuffed animal.

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 Stratton

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    MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin (WISN) — Already in jail for domestic abuse, Amier Jones Jr. now faces felony murder and threatening a police officer charges in two new, separate cases.

Prosecutors say Jones Jr. helped plan and carry out an armed robbery that ended with a homicide in a parking lot at 84th Street and Bender Avenue on Jan. 13.

Jones is already in jail, accused in three separate felony cases in Milwaukee County, including stalking, hitting and pointing a gun at the mother of his child.

Prosecutors say he violated a no-contact order, trying to contact her more than 1,500 times since his January arrest.

Thursday, prosecutors charged Jones with threat to cause harm to certain individuals involved with a court or legal system. Prosecutors say he threatened the officer investigating his domestic violence case from his jail tablet.

“…u already on my hit…” he said on his jail tablet, referencing the officer, according to court records.

On May 7, prosecutors filed a motion to suspend his communication privileges, citing the threats to the victim and to the officer.

“The State asserts that Jones’s communication privileges must be rescinded to prevent further intimidation and dissuasion,” Assistant District Attorney Jessica Behling wrote in the motion and also verbally motioned to increase his bail to $75,000.

Judge Ana Berrios-Schroeder denied both requests, according to court records. The move prompted a call for change from Milwaukee’s Fraternal Order of Police Cream City Lodge #8.

A transcript for the May 7 hearing shows Judge Berrios-Schroeder “hesitantly” denied taking away the communication privileges.

“You go into your cell now, and you think it’s smart to send one more message like this one, against anyone; you will pay the price. Clear?” the judge said.

“Yes, ma’am,” he responded.

The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office took away his ability to communicate and restricted his access to attorney-client contact, a sheriff’s spokesperson told WISN 12 News.

“It is very common for people in jail to use coercion and control directly through phone calls, text, or through a third party to get the person to change their story, make the person feel guilty, have them not show up in court,” said Carmen Pitre, CEO of Sojourner Family Peace Center. “We see that there’s a pattern that begins in the communication. The amount, the 1,500, is excessive, which says to me that’s a dangerous situation.”

Pitre says that the break in communication is designed to stop coercion and control of domestic violence survivors.

“Survivors need safety, and protection, and options,” she said. “Also, people who cause harm need to be held accountable and given opportunities to change behavior.”

Domestic Violence survivors can come forward and get help by calling Sojourner at 414-933-2722 or texting 414-877-8100. The 24.7 national hotline is 800-799-7233. For specific resources in southeastern Wisconsin, click here.

A bail hearing for Jones Jr. is set for Tuesday.

Judge Berrios-Schroeder did not respond to a request for comment on the case or the decision. Chief Judge Carl Ashley did not comment on the open case, either.

Ashley appointed Judge Berrios-Schroeder to lead the court’s misdemeanor and domestic violence division, and she will start Aug. 1.

Chief Judge Carl Ashley sent the following statement to WISN 12 News.

“The presiding judge for misdemeanor domestic violence court holds an administrative assignment that includes managing a full court docket. This role requires experience, sound judgment, strong courtroom management, and the ability to oversee a high-volume calendar involving sensitive and complex matters.

“I selected Judge Ana Berrios for this role because she possesses the qualifications, temperament, and professional experience required for the assignment. Her prior service as Milwaukee County Family Court Commissioner, where she supervised the Deputy Family Court Commissioner and 10 Assistant Family Court Commissioners, along with her experience as a circuit court judge, have prepared her well for this responsibility.

“Judge Berrios began her service in the Family Court Commissioner’s Office in 2001 as an Assistant Family Court Commissioner. She was promoted to Deputy Family Court Commissioner in 2012 and became the Family Court Commissioner in 2016. In 2023, she was elected to the Circuit Court Judiciary and is currently assigned to the Criminal Domestic Violence Court.

“She completed the mandatory Domestic Violence National Training while serving in the Family Court Commissioner’s Office and participated in annual domestic violence training sessions provided by Sojourner and Legal Action of Wisconsin.

“Judges make thousands of decisions throughout their service, many of which are difficult and based on urgent circumstances and the specific record before the court. I appointed Judge Berrios to this administrative role because of her extensive record of service, her qualifications, and my confidence in her ability to handle these cases seriously, fairly, and in accordance with the law.”

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By Allie Ware

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    JACKSON, Mississippi (WAPT) — Archaeologists at the University of Mississippi Medical Center have unearthed 1,070 graves from the site of the former Mississippi State Lunatic Asylum, uncovering artifacts and insights into life at the institution more than a century ago.

The excavation, part of the Asylum Hill Project, began in 2022 and has been hindered by Yazoo clay and poor drainage, which have left little preserved over the past 100 years. A construction crew digging for a road initially came across the caskets in 2013.

“We have a few bone fragments, a few teeth, and the nails from the wooden coffin,” said Jennifer Mack, lead archaeologist.

The team is working under strict legal and ethical protocols, aiming to eventually reunite the remains with their families. However, records from the 18th and 19th centuries are limited, and families who were not nearby often lacked the means to retrieve their loved ones.

“It seems if the family was not contacted in 24 hours, they were buried in the cemetery,” Mack said.

While death certificates from 1912 to 1935 exist, no cemetery map or markers remain to positively identify the remains. Archaeologists noted that the burials appeared to have been conducted respectfully.

“Every single person buried here was in his or her own coffin and in [their] own grave, and they were lined up neatly,” Mack said.

The findings are shedding light on the lives of individuals who lived at a time when mental illness was poorly understood and care for many diagnoses was limited.

“Someone may have depression, but they may have a heart condition, so there were many comorbidities and a lot of elderly people that came here,” said Lida Key, director of the Medical History Museum.

“Most fascinating to me is what demonstrates personal relationships in the asylum,” Mack said.

Artifacts such as coins, jewelry, and makeshift formal clothing have been found in many of the graves, suggesting care and connection.

“That’s not something you do for a random stranger,” Mack said.

“What we have learned is there was good and bad, and we want to learn from that and see what we can learn from mental illness today,” Key said.

UMMC researchers are asking families to share photographs, letters, memories, or stories about loved ones connected to the asylum. With an estimated 7,000 graves on the grounds, much work remains to uncover clues and restore lost names.

Plans are underway to build a mausoleum to house unclaimed remains and showcase possessions found, providing a final resting place and preserving the stories of those buried at the site.

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By Grace King

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    ATLANTA, Georgia (WXIA) — Travelers flying out of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport may notice a new security measure before they even enter the terminal: concrete barriers now line parts of the drop-off and pickup areas.

Airport officials say the barriers, installed over the past few weeks, are part of an expanded security focus as Atlanta prepares for a busy summer travel season and the upcoming World Cup.

With about 2.7 million passengers expected to pass through the airport during the Memorial Day travel period, airport leaders say safety remains a top priority.

“We are the world’s busiest airport, so operationally we are always ready,” Monica Coleman, the airport’s marketing director, said. “Safety and security are first on our agenda.”

Coleman said the airport’s emergency management team has spent the past two years preparing for FIFA-related events in coordination with federal law enforcement partners and local agencies.

Some passengers said the barriers were inconvenient but understandable.

“It was a little bit hard because we were trying to find my brother, and we were over there, and then I was, wait a minute, I can’t just cross wherever I want to cross,” one traveler said.

Another passenger added, “I didn’t really notice it until we started talking about it. Now it’s a little bit of an obtrusive thing in a way. I would probably rather it not be there, but I guess if it’s for safety, it’s better.”

Officials said the barriers create a larger buffer between vehicles and pedestrian areas and were installed, in part, to prevent incidents like a January crash at Detroit’s airport, where a vehicle entered a secure area.

Atlanta’s airport staff also have hosted extra training exercises to ensure they are prepared for heightened summer travel and special events.

The airport plans to release more details soon about its security plan ahead of the World Cup and urged travelers to allow extra time as they navigate the updated traffic patterns.

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By Reeves Jackson

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    ATHENS, Georgia (WXIA) — The University of Georgia Athletic Association has received the largest philanthropic commitment in its history after UGA graduate and Adam Wexler donated $10 million to the school’s men’s basketball program.

University officials announced the historic contribution this week, saying the gift will help fund personnel, operations and future growth for Georgia basketball.

Wexler, the founder of PrizePicks, is a University of Georgia alumnus and one of the most prominent business figures connected to the school in recent years.

The university said the donation represents a landmark moment for the athletic department as Georgia looks to continue investing in and expanding its basketball program within the Southeastern Conference.

School officials did not immediately release details on how the funding will be distributed, but said the investment is expected to support both immediate needs and long-term development for the program.

The contribution surpasses previous athletic donations to the university and sets a new benchmark for philanthropic giving within the UGA Athletic Association.

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By John Dodge

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    ATHENS, Georgia (WXIA) — A trash truck fire sparked by improperly discarded batteries forced sanitation workers to dump a full load of garbage in a residential neighborhood, highlighting ongoing safety concerns for waste crews and the public.

Officials said the fire broke out while crews were on their collection route, requiring the driver to immediately unload the truck’s contents to access and extinguish the flames. The incident occurred in the Country Club Estates area.

No injuries were reported, and crews later returned to clean up the debris.

Waste management officials say the fire was caused by batteries improperly discarded — a growing issue that has led to multiple fires in garbage trucks across the country in recent years.

“These fires put our drivers, first responders, and the public at risk,” officials said in a statement, urging residents to take proper precautions when disposing of batteries.

Authorities stress that batteries must be removed from devices and taken to designated recycling locations rather than placed in household trash. Improper disposal can lead to fires that damage equipment and endanger lives.

Free battery recycling is available at several locations in Athens-Clarke County, including the CHaRM facility on College Avenue, the Solid Waste Department on Hancock Industrial Way, the county landfill on Lexington Road, and fire stations on Cleveland Road, Danielsville Road, and Jefferson Road.

Officials warn that a single mistake can have serious consequences and are urging residents to follow proper disposal guidelines.

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By Jesse Zanger, Andrew Ramos

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    STATEN ISLAND, New York (WCBS) — One person died and over 30 people, mostly members of the New York City Fire Department, were hurt in an explosion and fire at a Staten Island shipyard Friday.

The person who died was a civilian, according to officials. One other civilian was injured, along with at least 34 FDNY members, including a fire marshal who was critically hurt and a firefighter who was seriously hurt, officials said.

All of the victims were rushed to area hospitals.

The fire broke out around 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time in the basement of a metal structure in the rear of a shipping dock, which is located on Richmond Terrace between Lockman and Andros avenues, FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said.

Bonsignore said responding crews were met with limited visibility and heavy smoke, and they were told two workers were trapped in the basement.

“Confined spaces are very dangerous operations for any rescuers,” FDNY Chief of Department John Esposito said.

The fire quickly grew to two alarms, and an explosion rang out shortly after emergency responders arrived.

“I was coming down Richmond Terrace towards my house, and as I was driving close to this area right here, I heard an explosion, and I kind of jumped,” one area resident said. “I didn’t see any fire, but I did hear the explosion.”

“We had firefighters inside conducting searches and on top of the barge and adjacent to the barge,” Esposito said. “We had several that were injured.”

After the explosion, one civilian was found dead at the scene, officials said.

The fire was brought under control around 7:20 p.m. Over 200 first responders were sent to scene.

The cause of the fire and explosion are unknown at this time.

The fire marshal suffered head trauma, including a small fracture and a brain bleed, officials said. As of Friday evening, he was intubated in the hospital.

One firefighter arrived at the hospital in serious condition, but officials said he was doing “very well” Friday evening and is being observed to make certain there is no muscle injury.

“They’re suffering from something that is silent, which is a blast energy. In a confined space, that energy hits you and can penetrate organs,” a doctor said. “Thankfully, both of these firefighters do not have penetrating injuries, and they do not have blast injury damage to their organs, to their heart, lungs or abdomen.”

“Let’s stick together. Let’s keep these folks in our prayers. Let’s make sure that this can’t happen again,” Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella said at a press conference Friday evening. “But let us know one thing – that this fire department and New York City EMS, there is nobody better, and let’s pray that these men walk out of [the hospital] on their own two feet in the not-too-distant future.”

“Praying for everyone injured in today’s Staten Island shipyard explosion, including the FDNY firefighters who rushed toward danger to save lives. State agencies are coordinating with city officials as investigators work to determine the cause,” Gov. Kathy Hochul wrote in a post on X.

The civilian who died has not yet been identified. A second civilian suffered serious injuries.

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By WLKY News Staff

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    FORT WAYNE, Indiana (WLKY) — An Indiana woman is speaking out after her mother died following a fight inside a restaurant.

Investigators say 75-year-old Anita Grayson got into a fight with a teenage worker at the Tim Hortons in Fort Wayne.

A shift lead then stepped in and told Grayson to leave, which is when a fight broke out.

Video provided by Fort Wayne police shows Grayson sitting down then collapsing in the store.

She was rushed to the hospital, where she died.

Family and supporters gathered for a protest, accusing the city of editing the video and not being transparent.

“I want justice for my mom. Y’all cannot deny it. That everybody that seen what happened to her. Is that how we treat the elderly people in the community?” said Tawnda Grayson, Anita’s daughter.

Police say the incident is still under investigation.

The coroner has not yet determined her cause of death.

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By Kelly Kendall

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    WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina (WXII) — As warmer months bring increased wildlife activity in North Carolina, experts are sharing advice on how to safely handle encounters with local animals.

“For a lot of wild animals, this is breeding season,” Wildlife extension biologist Falyn Owens said.

“The mamas are out looking for food, and the babies are getting ready to leave the nest,” Davie County Animal Services director Lisa Nielsen said.

Residents may encounter animals such as cats, skunks, foxes, and raccoons more frequently during this time of year. Experts say it’s important to watch out for these mammals because they can transmit rabies to humans.

“The main rabies vector in North Carolina are raccoons,” Nielsen said.

Owens and Nielsen say it’s not unusual to see animals thought of as nocturnal during the day this time of year. However, people should watch for signs of strange behavior, including stumbling, drooling, aggression, or symptoms of brain damage such as seizures or paralysis.

“That is definitely an animal that you want to stay away from and potentially get help,” Owens said.

“If you’ve been bitten, try to keep eyes on the animal, because that way we can quarantine it for the ten days and hopefully keep you from needing rabies vaccines,” Nielsen said.

Nielsen says rabies vaccines can be expensive, but those who can’t afford them can apply for financial assistance through the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

She added that the best way to prevent rabies from spreading is by vaccinating your pets.

Nielsen also emphasized the dangers of ticks, calling them “the scariest animal out in the woods.”

She recommended checking yourself and your clothes for ticks after spending time outdoors and using tick repellent beforehand.

“The repellent sprays are very effective,” she said. “And as long as you remove the tick within 24 hours, then it’s very unlikely that any diseases would be spread,” Nielsen said.

For snakes, the advice is simple: leave them alone.

“They’re secretive. They want to be left alone,” Owens. “And if you see any kind of snake, regardless of which kind it is, if you leave it alone, it’s going to leave you alone.”

Owens recommends being cautious around areas where snakes could be hiding, such as log piles, garden pots, piles of bricks or sticks, etc.

Owens says people may also come across more baby animals this time of year, such as newborn deer, bird fledglings, juvenile bunnies, and more.

“If you see a young animal that looks like it might be orphaned or abandoned, don’t assume that because the parents are not necessarily nearby all the time,” Owens said. “And if you try to help by picking it up or taking it inside, you could actually do harm, so always contact a wildlife professional before you try to intervene if you find a baby wild animal.”

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.