Author: CNN Newsource

By KOVR Web Staff

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    SACRAMENTO COUNTY, California (KMAX, KOVR) — The dog days are over for one Sacramento County employee who’s being walked off the job this month.

Kernul the K-9’s position was threatened by budget cuts in June. Now he’s being honored with one last celebration of his work to protect California’s crops. This chocolate lab’s professional career has come to a close. For the last six years, Kernul worked as an agriculture detection dog with Sacramento County, sniffing out produce that can carry invasive insects and disease. “He loves his job,” said Michelle King, Kernul’s handler. He and King would inspect packages coming into shipping facilities across the region. They’ve intercepted dangerous items like an illegal mango tree from Puerto Rico and guava fruit infested with Caribbean fruit flies.

But now Kernul’s job has been eliminated due to budget cuts. “It was really heartbreaking, I had a really hard time handling it,” King said.

“It’s an unfortunate thing that this program will not be continued after Kernul’s retirement,” said Pat Hume, a Sacramento County supervisor. Last June, Sacramento County leaders voted to eliminate dozens of full-time positions, but Kernul is the only employee to actually be laid off. A state grant funding his position ended this month. “What a great dog Kernul has been, a dedicated county employee, making sure no pests get into our county,” Hume said. The board of supervisors recently held a going-away ceremony for Kernul. “We thank Kernul,” Hume said. “He looks like he’s a good boy. He’s got a lot of life in him yet and I hope that you two enjoy your retirement. Thank you very much.”

It’s a tale of tough budget times, forcing this four-legged crop cop off the job.

“I want to express my deepest appreciation to Michelle for her tireless dedication and to Kernul for his incredible nose, his sweet nature, and his years of loyal service,” said Chris Flores, Sacramento County Agriculture Commissioner.

King will remain a Sacramento County employee and she says Kernul is on his way to becoming a different type of produce, a couch potato at home.

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 Jose Fabian

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    SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX) — About 21,000 San Francisco PG&E customers were still without power Sunday morning after a massive power outage left about a third of the city in the dark on Saturday.

In an update Sunday morning, PG&E said it had restored power to 110,000 customers, and about 21,000 were still in the dark.

Those without power were in the Presidio, Richmond District, Golden Gate Park and small areas within Downtown.

According to the utility company, there was a fire at one of their substations, and it cause “significant and extensive” damage.

“The repairs and safe restoration will be complex,” PG&E said. “We have mobilized additional engineers and electricians.”

There was no estimated time for when power would be fully restored, PG&E said.

Waymo suspends service The autonomous driving technology company suspended its robotaxi services during the power outage.

“We have temporarily suspended our ride-hailing services given the broad power outage in San Francisco. We are focused on keeping our riders safe and ensuring emergency personnel have the clear access they need to do their work,” Waymo 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 Elyssa Kaufman

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    CHICAGO (WBBM) — A teen and six children were charged after a mother was attacked by a group of kids while protecting her children outside a South Side elementary school in November.

All seven minors were charged with misdemeanor charges of battery. Police said all of minors charged were referred for counseling services and were released from custody.

Video of the attack has caught the attention of many across the country, and the community has stepped in to help move her out of the South Deering neighborhood.

Police said the 33-year-old woman and her 9-year-old son were walking near 106th and Bensley in the South Deering neighborhood when the group of kids started chasing after the mother and her children, calling them names and taunting them.

Video of the attack has caught the attention of many across the country, and the community has stepped in to help move her out of the South Deering neighborhood.

Corshawnda Hatter spoke with CBS News Chicago days after the attack and said she was still in pain and her children were suffering.

“My son, he’s very devastated. He’ll wake up in the middle of his sleep, screaming. He’s screaming, ‘Mommy are you there?'” she said.

In a statement, Mayor Brandon Johnson said he was “deeply disturbed” by the video. Chicago Public Schools also reacted, stating there would be more security.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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 Andrew Adeolu

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    BALTIMORE (WJZ) — A building collapsed in a North Baltimore neighborhood on Friday night, according to the Baltimore City Fire Department.

At 6:47 p.m., fire officials say they were deployed to the 3628 block of Cottage Avenue for reports of a collapsed building.

When BCFD units arrived, they found that the rear side of the home had collapsed.

Officials have not yet explained what caused the collapse. However, there were no reports of any injuries, and no one was at the home at the time of the incident.

Neighbors living on both sides of the building were evacuated to ensure their homes were safe.

The Office of Emergency Management and the Department of Housing are investigating the collapse.

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 Neal Riley

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    BOSTON (WBZ) — Stormy weather caused power outages for tens of thousands of customers in Massachusetts, as well as over 200 cancellations and delays at Boston’s Logan Airport today.

According to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency’s outage map, about 21,000 customers were without power as of 11 p.m., down from 81,000 outages around noon. Some of the hardest hit communities were Foxboro, Wrentham, Pepperell, West Brookfield, Franklin and Holliston.

Wrentham police said drivers should expect delays as many streets are blocked by fallen trees. Police shared video of a downed wire sparking across one road.

High winds brought down trees and wires on roads across the state, according to damage reports from Skywarn weather spotters. One report said the wind blew scaffolding off a building on Heath Street in Boston.

The Blue Hill Observatory in Milton reported a wind gust of 79 mph on Friday just after noon.

Other communities reporting high wind gusts included Attleboro (65 mph), Wareham (62 mph), North Dighton (61 mph) and Wrentham (60 mph).

Heavy downpours and possible thunderstorms that could cause localized street flooding were expected to continue through mid-afternoon. The rain should move offshore by 5 p.m.

Logan Airport delays and cancellations According to FlightAware, there were 122 total cancellations at Logan Airport, and 434 total delays. JetBlue had 23 cancellations and 102 delays.

“Due to wind, Boston Logan may see delays and cancellations,” the airport’s website said. “Please check with your airline before coming to the airport.”

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 Alexa Liacko

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    ATLANTA (WUPA) — Marietta City Schools said a yearlong ban on cellphones in its middle schools is paying off, with district leaders reporting improvements in student focus, classroom behavior, and teacher stress – results now being studied in partnership with Emory University and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

For the past year, students have been required to place their phones in magnetic locking pouches from the first bell until they leave campus. The program applies to students at Marietta Sixth Grade Academy and Marietta Middle School, where devices are unlocked only at the end of the day or during emergencies.

District leaders say the policy was developed with input from teachers, parents, and staff and approved unanimously by the school board.

Marietta City Schools is also working with researchers from Emory University and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta to analyze the impact of reduced screen time on students’ academic performance, behavior, and emotional well-being. The partnership includes surveys and classroom data intended to help quantify changes in engagement, learning, and social interaction.

While administrators expected resistance, many students say the daily lock-up has not been a setback.

“Yeah, it’s kind of annoying you can’t be on your phone during school, but we focus, we learn,” said Elisha White, a 13-year-old eighth grader.

Another eighth grader, Mary Paxton, said the policy has helped students practice communication skills they will need beyond school.

“It brings aspects that we’re going to need in everyday life into school life. Like, it’s important to be able to talk to a person and make them feel like they’re the only one in the room. And with a phone, you’re not going to be able to do that if you’re looking on Instagram while talking to a person,” she said.

Not all students agree.

“I would use it for music so I could focus better, and now that I no longer can do that, my mind is racing constantly. I can’t focus on what the teacher is saying half the time,” said 13-year-old Jalen Franklin.

Teachers said the shift has been noticeable.

“The difference has truly been life-changing,” said Georgia studies teacher Linda Skaggs. She said the pouches have allowed her to spend less time on discipline and more time teaching.

According to Skaggs, her class’s state test scores have increased by an average of nearly 20 points since the policy began.

“They’re arguing over, you know, a loyalist and a patriot, like it’s happening today, where that didn’t happen two years ago. Two years ago, they were worried about who they were going to meet up with at the end of the class. So, it just – it makes my heart happy, having them be kids because this is it. This is one of the last years they get to be kids,” Skaggs said.

Marietta City Schools Superintendent Grant Rivera said district data mirrors what teachers are reporting.

“Students reported a 22% improvement on their ability to better learn in classrooms. That’s out of the mouths of the very kids we’re intending to serve. But equally as significant, 100% of our teachers have reported that they feel less stressed and better able to do their jobs,” Rivera said.

Rivera said the middle schools have also seen decreases in bullying incidents, disciplinary actions, and requests to leave class.

One of the biggest concerns from parents has been how students would communicate during emergencies. Rivera said the district’s approach prioritizes safety and clarity.

“What we have to acknowledge is that we don’t need children trying to text their parents. What we need is children listening to the directions of adults in that moment, and we’ll keep kids safe,” he said.

Rivera said teachers can unlock the pouches once students are safe in the event of an emergency.

With positive changes inside classrooms and more interaction around campus, Rivera said Marietta is using its data – including findings from its research partners – to inform conversations with state leaders about cellphone use in schools.

“Georgia has always been a leader, not a follower, and I encourage our legislators to be brave in their pursuit of doing right by children,” Rivera said.

District leaders say Marietta’s experience suggests that a real connection can come through louder than any notification.

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 Patrick Damp

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    PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Central Catholic High School has unveiled what they’re calling the most ambitious capital campaign in the history of the school.

It’s being called the “Centennial Campaign: Rooted in Tradition, Building For Our Future.” The goal of the campaign is to raise $55 million for campus improvements ahead of the school’s 100th anniversary in the 2027-28 school year.

The project will be broken down into three phases.

The first phase will be a renovation of the Brothers’ House, which houses the De LaSalle Christian Brothers who serve on the campus. This phase was completed during the 2024-25 school year, and it modernized and expanded the facility to create accessible, dignified living quarters and enhanced community spaces.

They also repurposed the underutilized sections of the facility to house the Offices of the President, Admission, and Finance and Administration.

Phase two will be the construction of a new student center, and the school is preparing to break ground on the new, 102,000-square-foot center.

It would be the largest campus construction project since 1927, when the main building was built.

The new student center will include a regulation-sized gymnasium, fitness center, season team locker rooms, a TV studio, lecture hall, dining hall, and student gathering spaces.

This would replace the nearly 50-year-old gym on campus.

The third and final phase will be the main building enhancements. That would include the installation of an elevator to ensure ADA compliance, upgraded security measures, and modernized climate control.

It will also create extended space for the fine arts program, as the dining hall and athletic facilities will be moved to the new student center.

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.