Author: CNN Newsource

By Denelle Veselik , Pat Parris

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    TUCSON, Arizona (KGUN) — A Tucson gun shop owner is defending helping the FBI in the Guthrie case.

Phillip Martin, Co-Owner and Manager of Armor Bearer Arms, says an FBI agent visited his gun shop on the Southside last week.

He’s now having to defend helping the FBI in the Nancy Guthrie abduction, after facing criticism over privacy concerns.

An FBI agent recently came to his gun shop with a list of possible suspects.

Martin says the agent gave him a list of names and asked if anyone on the list had been a recent customer of his.

“Well, to be honest, the FBI got no information from me. We gave no information. We provided no documents, we provided no names, less than 20 people were given to us,” Martin said. “And just said, hey, have any of these people been into your shop in the last year? I checked. I said no, slided them the paperwork back, and told them have a good day. No information was provided.”

After checking to verify the person was indeed an FBI agent, he says he looked at the list and checked.

After checking, he says none of those names had bought a gun from him.

Martin says working with the FBI was the right thing to do.

“I think it’s ridiculous that a lot of these quote-unquote patriotic Americans think that it was un-American for me to assist in a kidnapping case, ” Martin said. “Because if they if it was their mother or their daughter. I’m sure that they would want that gun shop owner to help.”

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 Marc Monroy

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    ORO VALLEY, Arizona (KGUN) — A flower shop in Oro Valley has become an unexpected hub of community support as neighbors rally around the search for missing Nancy Guthrie.

Casas Adobes Flower Shop, located about 10 minutes from Guthrie’s house, is experiencing a surge in sales as people from across the area purchase flowers to show their solidarity with the family.

For the past two weeks, the shop has seen a steady stream of community members dropping off flowers as a gesture of hope and support during the ongoing search efforts.

Shop owner Matt Biggs said he’s grateful to help serve the community during this difficult time.

Related: 88-Crime reward in Guthrie search increased after anonymous donation

“We’ve seen some definite support from the community – reaching out in efforts to generate some hope through some flower deliveries, things like that,” Biggs said.

The outpouring of support has included neighbors of all ages, with even young children participating in the flower deliveries to show their care for the Guthrie family.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. KGUN’s editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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 Don Davis

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    TUCSON, Arizona (KGUN) — A federal grand jury has returned a 12‑count indictment accusing U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Richard Stefon Ramroop, 35, and his spouse, Manuel George Madrid, 32, both of Tucson, of a years‑long scheme to defraud the Department of Defense of millions of dollars and use the proceeds to finance a lavish lifestyle, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Arizona said Thursday.

The indictment alleges the scheme ran from January 2022 through about December 2025. Prosecutors say Ramroop, who worked in the pharmacy at Davis‑Monthan Air Force Base, used his position to buy thousands of medical devices with taxpayer funds and then diverted those devices for resale. Court records show bank accounts controlled by Ramroop and Madrid received more than $11 million in proceeds from resale of medical test strips and devices while the orders placed with government funds cost the Department of Defense more than $3 million.

According to the indictment, the couple used alleged fraud proceeds to purchase high‑end real estate and vehicles. Prosecutors say purchases included a million‑dollar home in Tucson bought in February 2024, a 2024 Porsche Cayenne SUV for $141,443.34 and a BMW i7 SUV (pictured above) for $195,397.59. Officials say those vehicles and others were seized during a Jan. 15, 2026, search warrant execution.

“The defendants allegedly stole millions in taxpayer dollars from the U.S. Department of Defense to bankroll a lavish lifestyle, diverting critical resources away from their intended purpose,” U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine said in a statement announcing the indictment. He added that the U.S. Attorney’s Office and law‑enforcement partners will hold anyone who “profits illegally at the expense of the American people” accountable.

Ramroop and Madrid are charged with Conspiracy to Commit Theft of Government Property, Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, Wire Fraud and Money Laundering. Convictions on the counts carry maximum penalties ranging from up to five years for theft of government property to up to 20 years for wire fraud and up to 10 years for money laundering. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Tucson is handling the prosecution.

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 Jennifer McRae

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    COLORADO (KCNC) — The Delta County Sheriff’s Office discovered more than 150 animals, including livestock and companion animals, in unsanitary conditions without proper access to food and water. Investigators said deputies were called to a residence on Peach Valley Road in Delta County on Colorado’s Western Slope on Feb. 5.

When deputies arrived, they began an investigation into alleged animal neglect and cruelty. Investigators said Mikaela Rivas, 40, of Delta, was charged with 141 counts of cruelty to animals.

Deputies worked in conjunction with the Colorado Department of Agriculture, Humane Colorado, and High Country Environmental Grazing to seize the animals. They were relocated and received immediate medical evaluations, veterinary care, and pain management. Investigators said they also found multiple deceased animals on the property.

The Delta County Sheriff’s Office said it is grateful to the community members who alerted law enforcement to this issue, and for the partner agencies that assisted with the transportation and care of all animals.

Investigators said additional charges will be announced pending the outcome of the 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 Peyton Headlee

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    SACRAMENTO (KCRA) — A former Sacramento classroom teacher is tackling the nation’s literacy crisis. In 2020, Chandra Roughton founded Luminous Minds, an educational website and early learning platform.

The platform offers online resources for parents and teachers to improve children’s ability to read. It partners with districts and schools to support primary classroom and intervention teachers with supplemental reading and literacy resources.

Roughton hosts family literacy nights and workshops to empower parents with reading strategies and activities they can do at home.

Tyla Brown, a parent at Oak Hill Elementary in Antelope, attended one such event in January — seeking guidance on how to better teach her daughter to read.

“I learned a lot of activities that I never even thought of. I learned how to break it down in a fun way,” Brown said.

The platform aims to build foundational literacy skills at a time when national reading scores are falling short. Roughton addressed Congress in September at an informational session on the science of reading about the implications of low literacy rates.

“According to the most recent NAEP data, only 33% of fourth graders in the United States are reading at or above proficiency,” Roughton said in her testimony. “That means 67%, two out of every three children, aren’t.”

That’s why school districts like Center Joint Unified are investing in literacy initiatives.

“One of our districtwide focuses is literacy. And so how do we build that love of literacy, love of reading, and really help our parents with understanding how to help us and partner up with building those reading foundational skills,” Oak Hill Elementary Principal Parveen Saenz said.

Parents like Tyla Brown appreciate the support.

“They’re here because they genuinely want to help each kid grow. And I am just so grateful,” Brown 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 Lee Anne Denyer

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    SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KCRA) — From sweeping for explosives to apprehending a wanted subject, the Sacramento Police Department’s Canine Unit serves a critical need for the department.

“The dogs are willing to sacrifice themselves for not only us as officers, but for the community at the drop of a hat,” said K-9 Officer Zachary Yasonia, president of the Sacramento Police Canine Association. “The dogs have an overwhelming drive and desire to be at work. I mean, their happy place is being in the back of a police car.”

When police dogs age out of the unit or become medically unable to continue in their job due to illness or injury, they retire. It’s then that the Sacramento Police Canine Association steps in to cover the cost of their care.

“We need to respect the dogs and look out for the dogs in retirement and provide them the best retirement we can,” Yasonia said.

At 10 years old, Czech Shepherd Jax still enjoys driving around in the back of a police cruiser, chasing his ball and spending time with Yasonia, his handler. Jax actively served with him on the K-9 unit for six years.

“I’ve trusted my life with him and he’s trusted his life with me,” he said. “We truly have a special bond.”

Yasonia, however, has been a Sacramento Police K-9 Officer for more than a decade, working with three dogs during his tenure with the department.

“He’s my second dog that I’ve had retired, so I truly am thankful and grateful for the association,” he said. “It wouldn’t be possible if it wasn’t for the support that we have in the community.”

The association is a nonprofit organization separate from the police department, relying on fundraising efforts and private donations for its budget. The association pays for food, medical expenses, and — in time– burial expenses as the retired dogs live out their years.

The organization is currently financially supporting nine retired police dogs.

The Sacramento Police Department currently has eight active handler/dog teams. Sgt. Darby Lannom oversees the unit.

“I’ve really seen the joy that the dogs bring, not only to the community but the handlers,” said Lannom. “To extend that through retirement years is great — and that wouldn’t be possible without the Canine Association.”

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 Felix Cortez

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    SAN BENITO COUNTY, Calif. (KSBW) — A search and recovery mission was carried out on Wednesday morning off Panoche Road in San Benito County after the driver of a small sedan tried to cross a flooded Tres Pinos Creek.

“I know the river level rose, and sometimes it’s unpredictable. You leave for running errands, and you can make it, and you come back, and the river rises, and you don’t realize it, and you get swept away,” said Kaleb Simpson, a detective with the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office.

First responders say they were called to the area of Browns Valley Road on Tuesday night on reports of a car in the water. But following a thorough search, they found no one—until Wednesday morning, when the driver was seen walking down Highway 25, disoriented and showing signs of hypothermia.

“After talking to the individual, he said that he was one of the people who was in that vehicle from last night, and he was asking about where his friend may be, which prompted a larger-scale response to help look for the unaccounted individual,” said Josh Silveira, a Cal Fire battalion chief.

Search and rescue teams eventually found the passenger more than a mile downstream from where the car got stranded. The deceased was identified by family members as 28-year-old William Son.

The Sheriff’s Office is now investigating whether drugs, alcohol, or foul play were involved. Alcohol may play a role in the investigation, as a Modelo beer can could be seen on the dashboard of the flooded car.

“If it was just an accident, then it was just an accident—it’s a terrible tragedy. If there is any sort of criminal negligence, then we certainly want to make sure that we are prepared in that event,” said Simpson.

Firefighters say the death could have been prevented if the driver had obeyed a road sign on Browns Valley Road warning drivers, “When flooded, turn around—don’t drown.”

A warning is now being issued to other drivers who may be thinking of crossing flooded roadways.

“Understand that, you know, most places do have access and egress from multiple points—it just might not be convenient. In this situation, the alternate route was an additional 40 minutes out of the way, but it could have prevented this tragedy,” said Silveira.

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.