Author: CNN Newsource

By Zoe Hunt

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    HOLLISTER, Calif. (KSBW) — For the owner of JAS Family Farms Organics, Tony Serrano, it was a successful growing year on the Central Coast.

While everything looked like it was on track, it wouldn’t stay that way for long.

The farm quickly faced a labor shortage as its workers were scared to show up due to immigration fears.

“We hit a roadblock with the labor and the shortage. Not necessarily because there aren’t enough people around, but because everybody’s afraid to come out and work in the fields or anywhere if you’re my color,” said Serrano.

Serrano said what also added to the fear of ICE showing up was that his Hollister farm and Watsonville farm are both located off main roads, meaning workers were scared ICE could have easy access.

The lack of labor got so severe that Serrano said they had to start abandoning crops. There was simply not a large enough labor source to harvest it all in time.

“We end up leaving behind sometimes as much as 90-95% of our crops in the field. Something that’s completely edible, that’s total grade one, that would pass any type of inspection, that would definitely nourish some people who are in desperate need of it,” said Serrano. “But we’re leaving it on the plant, in the ground, because there is no way to collect it.”

The result of all this was various crops, from artichokes to strawberries and peppers, dying in his fields.

“We grew a beautiful crop of chiles, Filipino peppers, serranos … and managed to get them to the right maturity stage, and then right as we were getting ready to harvest … we didn’t have enough labor,” said Serrano. “We had to sacrifice about 80% plus of it.”

With the winter season slowing things down, Serrano said he’s left with a lot of uncertainty just thinking about the upcoming harvest season.

“Just kills your next year’s plan,” said Serrano.

His concern is not just for his farm, but for the wider Central Coast agriculture industry.

“If I’m in the same boat as everyone else around here and they’re thinking the same thing and start to reduce the acreage that they have, that will create a shortage of food that’s available to everybody,” said Serrano. “We need agriculture because we need to eat. We need food.”

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

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    KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KMBC) — A former elementary school teacher who worked in multiple Kansas City–area school districts now faces expanded federal charges after a grand jury returned a new indictment alleging additional child pornography offenses.

Dennis Adlai Hernandez, 28, was named in a 13-count superseding indictment filed this week in U.S. District Court in Kansas City.

The new indictment adds six counts of production and attempted production of child pornography to charges he was already facing.

Federal prosecutors allege the offenses involved 12 minor victims and occurred over a three-year period, from August 2022 through August 2025.

Hernandez was previously charged with seven counts, including production and attempted production of child pornography, transportation of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.

The new indictment incorporates those earlier charges and expands the scope of the case.

Court records show Hernandez briefly worked at Fairmount Elementary School in the Independence School District before his arrest.

He previously spent several years as a substitute and staff member in the North Kansas City School District, where he worked at multiple elementary schools.

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 Erin Lowrey

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    NEW ORLEANS (WDSU) — A person arrested in Louisiana who was tied to a terrorist group behind a thwarted New Year’s Eve bombing attack had plans to attack Border Patrol agents in New Orleans, according to new court documents.

The person arrested by the FBI New Orleans Office in New Iberia was identified as Micah James Legnon.

Legnon, who is a former Marine with military combat experience, went by the alias “Black Witch” in a group chat with four others connected with the failed bombing attack planned for businesses across California.

According to the court documents, Legnon was a member of the terror group called The Turtle Island Liberation Front. Legnon was also part of a more extreme group within that organization called The Black Lotus.

Legnon indicated in a social media post that they “wanted to recreate Waco” on Border Patrol agents.

Legnon then shared in a group chat a video of multiple guns, gas canisters and body armor with the message “On my way to NOLA now, be there in about two hours.”

The FBI tracked Legnon from an apartment to Highway 90 eastbound toward New Orleans.

Legnon was then taken into custody and is facing threats in interstate commerce charges.

Attorney General Liz Murrill issued the following statement on the arrest:

“It’s extremely disturbing to find out that someone from Louisiana was arrested for his role in planning an attack on federal immigration enforcement agents in New Orleans. While the FBI is the lead on this investigation, if state charges can be lodged, we will seek them. I’m grateful for the extraordinary work by FBI Director Kash Patel and his agents to keep America safe from extremists and terrorists who want to inflict harm on immigration enforcement agents and the American people.”

The FBI Los Angeles office confirmed Monday that four people were arrested in California and a fifth person, Legnon, in New Iberia, Louisiana, who were part of the same extremist group.

Four were arrested in California for a bombing plot for New Year’s Eve.

Legnon was not part of the California bombings plan; however, the FBI said Legnon was “a considerable threat” and part of the terror organization.

The plot behind the planned bombings in California was eerily similar to the plan of Shamsud Din Jabbar, 42, who placed bombs in coolers around the French Quarter and then drove a truck through a crowded Bourbon Street when those bombs did not detonate.

According to the FBI, the extremist group is called the Turtle Island Liberation Front.

The four suspects’ plan included placing backpacks with pipe bombs at businesses across California.

According to the FBI, the group is believed to be behind multiple organized terror attack plots across the United States.

The four suspects in connection with the planned bombings in California met in the desert to test the bombs. They were taken into custody, and search warrants led the FBI to the fifth person, Legnon, who was then arrested in New Iberia.

They each face charges including conspiracy and possession of a destructive device, court documents show.

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 Jason Burger

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    KONAWA, Okla. (KOCO) — An investigation is underway at Konawa High School after three phones were found recording inside the girls’ locker room, with all devices placed by the same person.

The district reported that one of the phones was discovered on Friday, concealed and actively recording during a girls’ basketball practice.

In a letter to parents, the district’s superintendent wrote, “Upon discovery, it was determined that a student attempted to conceal the phone while it was recording. The video did not contain any images of other students.”

It remains unclear how long the devices were in the locker room. All three phones have been turned over to Light Horse Police as the investigation continues.

The same letter to parents stated, “While the devices were discovered during the final hour of the school day, we are unable to definitely determine how long they had been in place.”

The district would not share information about the student involved due to the Federal Education and Privacy Act.

In the letter to parents, the superintendent assured them that disciplinary and precautionary measures had been taken to prevent a recurrence of the incident.

The school district also noted that the FBI could become involved in the investigation if necessary.

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By McKenzy Parsons

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    LINCOLN, Neb. (KETV) — A judge set bond for the Lincoln teacher accused of sexual abuse.

Daniel Holmberg, 62, was arrested after multiple students reported the English learner teacher inappropriately touched them.

Investigators said they spent two weeks interviewing several teen girls, who they said all speak different primary languages other than English.

According to the affidavit, the victims said Holmberg would learn phrases in their language and tell them they were his favorite student and they were pretty. They also said he touched them inappropriately on multiple occasions.

Court documents said Holmberg was interviewed by other Lincoln Public Schools employees, and during the interview, he admitted to touching the victims. But, according to the affidavit, Holmberg said his intentions were not sexual.

LPS released a statement regarding the situation.

“We understand our community has questions. This is an ongoing investigation and we owe it to everyone that we ensure a fair and thorough process – and that can take time. Because this is still being investigated, we are unable to provide further details or comments at this time.”

“Our job as educators is to teach, nurture and protect students. When there is even the thought that a trusted individual inside our system has potentially harmed a student – it hurts and makes us angry.”

“We are focusing our efforts in supporting the students impacted, and providing resources for students and families. We ask that everyone please honor and respect the privacy of Northeast students and staff and let the Lincoln Police and courts do their important work.”

Holmberg’s bond was set at 10% of $200,000.

He will be back in court in January.

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By Graham Cawthon

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    WALTERBORO, S.C. (WJCL) — On Wednesday, a Yemassee man was convicted of murder in the shooting death of a woman outside a restaurant and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

A Colleton County jury found Marvis Jermaine Williams, 45, guilty in the Aug. 15, 2023, killing of Mia Tabb in the parking lot of the Barrell House Grille in Walterboro.

Williams was also convicted of possessing a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, following the three-day trial at the Colleton County Courthouse.

“This defendant’s actions were brazen and ruthless,” Assistant Solicitor Julie Kate Keeney of the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office said in a statement. “His actions resulted in the death of one woman and put others at risk.”

Circuit Court Judge Marvin Dukes imposed the sentence.

Tamika Suewanna Carter, 49, also has been charged with murder in the case.

Williams’ criminal record includes convictions for unlawful carrying of a weapon and possession of a stolen weapon in 2005; possession of cocaine in 2013; and obtaining goods under false pretenses over $10,000 and pointing and presenting in 2022.

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 Taylor Lang

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    BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WVTM) — Ella Cook, 19, was a sophomore at Brown University studying French and mathematics-economics, according to her obituary.

She was killed in the shooting at Brown University on Saturday. She was planning to graduate in 2028, according to her LinkedIn.

Her obituary states she was known for her quiet leadership, deep Christian faith and devotion to children and education.

What we know The shooting happened just after 4 p.m. on Saturday at the Barus and Holley building, which houses the school of engineering and the physics department, where students were gathering for their exams. Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov and Ella Cook were killed. Nine others were injured. Ella Cook is from Mountain Brook, Alabama. Classes and exams were canceled. University officials also said students are free to leave. Officials shed new light on the investigation on Wednesday, sharing a photo of that potential witness, publishing a map of the person of interest’s movements and revealing that they do have physical DNA evidence, though it has not yet led to the identity of a suspect.

Who was Ella Cook Ella Cobbs Cook was born on July 18, 2006, in Birmingham, Alabama, where she was raised with her parents and two sisters, according to her obituary.

“Her bright young life was taken from her on December 13, 2025 at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island,” the obituary states.

Cook was an active member of the Cathedral Church of the Advent, an Episcopal congregation in Birmingham. Her Christian faith shaped much of her daily life and relationships, family members said in her obituary.

She taught Bible studies and Sunday School and regularly worked with younger children. Her obituary says she believed her highest calling would one day be motherhood.

Friends and family described Cook as soft-spoken, but deeply influential. She was someone who led not through prominence but through consistency, empathy and service.

“She loved people as people,” family members said, noting that she was intentionally focused on the well-being of those around her.

Cook had a lifelong love of the arts. She played the piano, traveled, danced and loved the outdoors. She also spoke French.

She served as vice president of the Brown chapter of the College Republicans of America.

Martin Bertao, president of College Republicans of America, said Cook “was known for her bold, brave, and kind heart” and offered prayers for her family and the campus community.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reposted the College Republicans’ message, writing, “There are no words. Thinking of her family and friends, especially her parents. God please bless them.”

A service celebrating Cook’s life is scheduled for Dec. 22 at Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Children’s Ministry at Cathedral Church of the Advent, 2017 Sixth Ave. North, Birmingham, Alabama, 35203.

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