Child dressed as Grim Reaper startles Florida neighbors

CNN Newsource on October 30, 2026

By Kendall Brandt

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    SAN CARLOS PARK, Florida (WBBH) — Residents in San Carlos Park were startled Wednesday evening when a child dressed as the Grim Reaper roamed the neighborhood, ringing doorbells and peering through windows.

Haley Harris, a resident of San Carlos Park, described her encounter with the cloaked figure.

“I heard this, like, shriek. I thought it was a little kid that got hurt or something like that, so I turned,” Harris said. “I look at the Grim Reaper standing in the street with his, you know, his stick.”

“I know it’s Halloween season, but I was like, maybe this isn’t a joke. Should I run?” Harris said, recounting the moment. “I sort of start to jog inside, and then he started to chase after me. But then, he ended up walking off. So after that, I figured, you know, it’s probably just some kid trying to be funny.”

Harris shared a video of the encounter online, which showed the figure ringing doorbells and peeping through a door.

“You always have to have your head on a swivel, and someone just doing this like broad daylight — that’s terrifying,” said Ava Camputaro, who reacted to the video.

Two neighbors who had the cloaked character on their doorstep called the non-emergency line. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office later revealed that the Grim Reaper was a child with no criminal intent.

Harris said she ultimately believed it was a spooky prank but expressed concern for the child’s safety.

“I was worried more about his safety, especially, you know, a young kid who probably doesn’t know better going up to strangers’ homes looking strange,” Harris said. “It’s not Halloween yet, so some people might not be appreciative of that.”

The sheriff’s office confirmed the child was returned to their parents and advised residents to avoid confronting individuals in similar situations. Instead, they recommend using security cameras and contacting law enforcement.

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.

3 customers suffer chemical burns after drinking margaritas at Chili’s in North Carolina

CNN Newsource on October 30, 2026

By Marisa Sardonia & Marc Liverman

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    FOREST CITY, North Carolina (WLOS) — An investigation occurred after a chemical exposure incident at a Chili’s Grill & Bar in western North Carolina, officials confirmed.

The incident led to multiple people enduring chemical burns after consuming drinks that were prepared with a cleaning chemical mistakenly identified as sugar, according to a press release from the Foothills Health District. This occurred at the restaurant’s Forest City location.

The Foothills Health District said preliminary information indicates that on Monday, Oct. 26, an employee received a “granulated degreasing chemical” from a contracted worker power-washing the outside of the restaurant and put it in an unlabeled container. The container was then brought into the restaurant and left in the bar area, the public health agency said.

On Wednesday, Oct. 28, an employee preparing the bar for lunch service found the container and used it to prepare margaritas, believing it was sugar.

According to the release, three customers later ordered margaritas and “immediately experienced discomfort” and had chemical burns in and around their mouths, before telling staff of the situation and leaving to seek medical attention. In response, two restaurant employees tasted the substance in the container and had similar symptoms, per preliminary findings.

“I’m not sure what degree of chemical burns they had, but they went to urgent care and were treated there,” Foothills Health District spokesperson Megan Rollins said.

The Foothills Health District then opened an investigation and issued an immediate suspension of the food service permit at the Chili’s location. Staff were instructed to thoroughly wash and sanitize affected food preparation areas, as well as equipment and surfaces.

Levonne Baker, a regular Chili’s customer, spoke to News 13 about the incident.

“I was beyond surprised and almost scared,” Baker said. He described the situation as something out of a horror movie.

“It’s like a Wes Craven story that’s coming to life. I mean, you don’t get margaritas that can burn your skin,” Baker said.

Baker says the incident has also made him reconsider whether he will return to the restaurant’s bar.

“It has made me a little nervous about going back to the bar because it’s like, what’s in there next? I mean, am I going to be the next person who’s going next door? And not for an oil change,” he said.

As of Thursday morning, environmental health specialists with Foothills Health District have completed their investigation. The food service permit at the Chili’s location has also been reinstated after officials determined the restaurant met “all applicable food safety requirements.”

The restaurant chain was contacted for comment but had not responded at the time of the report.

Health officials say the incident highlights the importance of properly labeling chemicals in workplaces and homes to prevent accidental exposure. Rollins added that by having everything labeled, if something is still ingested, it can be easier to identify.

“Then you can call Poison Control, and they can walk you through exactly how to neutralize that chemical,” Rollins 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.

Celebrating the ArkLaTex: Billy Cannon’s Halloween night run

CNN Newsource on October 30, 2026

By KTBS staff

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    BATON ROUGE, Louisiana (KTBS) — On Halloween night in 1959, LSU running back Billy Cannon etched his name into college football legend with a dynamic, game-winning 89-yard punt return against arch-rival Ole Miss on the turf of Tiger Stadium.

Rick Rowe interviewed Cannon who recollected the iconic play that defined an era of Tigers football and cemented his path to the Heisman Trophy.

Trailing 3-0 late in the fourth quarter against the top-ranked Rebels, Cannon fielded a bouncing punt near his own 11-yard line before cutting toward the wide side of the field.

“It hit in front of me, and I got the perfect bounce,” Cannon recalled during an interview originally conducted in 2008. “I caught it straight up, and I’m heading to the wide side of the field.”

After breaking an initial tackle attempt when a defender slipped on the turf, Cannon maneuvered back toward the right side, where teammate Emile Fournette threw a key block near the 40-yard line that cleared out multiple pursuit defenders.

“Emile Fournette made a block there, oh, about the 40-yard line, and took three of them off my back,” Cannon said.

Navigating the final obstacle downfield, Cannon faced Ole Miss safety and kicker Jake Gibbs in open space. Expecting Cannon to rely on his speed to reach the sideline, Gibbs misread the angle.

“I’m looking the kicker, Jake Gibbs, straight in the eye,” Cannon recounted. “He thinks I’m going back to the wide side of the field and outrun him, which would have been the smart thing to do. Well, I gave him a little juke and went back to the right, and Jake missed that tackle.”

Cannon broke free to complete the 89-yard touchdown run, securing a 7-3 victory for the Tigers in what became known across the region as the “Magic Night.”

Reflecting on the legendary play decades later, Cannon maintained a grounded perspective on his legacy, noting with a touch of humor how time alters the memory of the play.

“The bad news, the film was turning yellow and the runner’s getting slower,” Cannon said. “But it is nice to be remembered and look back on.”

Cannon’s storied career was later shadowed by legal troubles in the 1980s involving a federal counterfeiting charge, for which he served prison time before re-establishing his dental practice and working as a resident dentist at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola.

Rowe noted that despite his flaws, Cannon’s later years were marked by personal rehabilitation and quiet service.

“He was not a perfect man, who among us is, after all,” Rowe said. “But I also believe at the end of his life that he was a man that had sought redemption and received it. And that’s all we can ask.”

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Western NC climbing team rescues dog from 200-foot cliff, receives award from PETA

CNN Newsource on October 30, 2026

By Ruby Annas

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    MACON COUNTY, North Carolina (WLOS) — Pisgah Climbing School is receiving an award from PETA after rescuing a dog from a roughly 200-foot-high cliff.

Pisgah Climbing School founder Karsten Delap and three teammates rescued the dog that had been stranded for three days on the sheer, crumbling cliff near the Appalachian Trail.

The dog’s guardian and several others tried to reach him, but the dangerous rock face forced them back, so Delap’s team hiked half a mile to the Ramsey Cliff area on Oct. 19, PETA said. As darkness fell, the team worked by headlamp in what Delap called “the most technical dog rescue” he’s done in over 20 years.

Once within reach, Delap earned the dog’s trust with treats, secured him in a harness and helped lower him down the cliff. PETA adds that the dog was reunited with its guardian and is recovering after days without food or water.

“This dog was trapped in a terrifying predicament and would have died if not for these climbers’ skill, determination, and compassion,” PETA Senior Vice President Colleen O’Brien said in a press release. “PETA encourages everyone to follow their kind example and do everything they can to help an animal in danger.”

PETA said the Compassionate Business Award is on its way in recognition of the rescue, adding that Pisgah Climbing School will receive a framed certificate and vegan chocolates.

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Amazon and Intel Slide, Labor-Cost Data Due, Exxon and Chevron Report

CNN Newsource on October 30, 2026

By Juliegrace Brufke | Quincy News Correspondent

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    Washington (Quincy News) — Market Recap: Stocks ended lower Thursday after Google’s parent company, Alphabet, reported disappointing earnings and dragged down tech shares. The Dow and S&P 500 each slipped 0.3%, while the Nasdaq fell 1.4%.

Amazon’s sales rose 12% to $201.9 billion, and its cloud-computing business, Amazon Web Services, grew 39%. But the company is spending huge sums on AI data centers. Over the past 12 months, it spent about $42.4 billion more on buildings and equipment than its operations brought in. Amazon shares are down about 7% before the market opens.

Intel’s sales jumped 21% to $16.5 billion, but the chipmaker warned that this quarter will be weaker than investors hoped. It pointed to sluggish demand for personal computers, limits on how many chips it can make, and the cost of expanding production. Intel shares are down about 25% before the opening bell.

Oil prices edged lower Thursday. U.S. crude fell 0.8% to $102 a barrel, and Brent, the international benchmark, slipped 0.4% to $114.88.

Today’s Focus: At 8:30 a.m. ET, the government releases the Employment Cost Index, which tracks how much employers are spending on pay and benefits. Investors are watching closely because rising wages can keep inflation high.

Thursday’s reports painted a mixed picture. The economy grew at a strong 3.4% annual pace from July through September, but prices are still climbing fast. The Fed’s preferred inflation gauge was up 3.6% from a year earlier in September. Excluding food and energy, which swing a lot, it was up 3.1%.

ExxonMobil reported quarterly profit of $15.4 billion before Friday’s market open, while Chevron earned $9.9 billion. Calls with company executives later today should shed more light on oil production, refining and the outlook for energy markets.

ON THE SCHEDULE FOR FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2026

-Before the market opens – ExxonMobil and Chevron earnings

-8:30 a.m. ET – Third-quarter Employment Cost Index

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Folsom senior living community hosts trick or treat event for seniors

CNN Newsource on October 30, 2026

By James Taylor

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    FOLSOM, California (KOVR) — A Folsom senior living community opened its doors Thursday night for a special night of trick or treating, with residents finding joy in the costumes and energy of participating children.

Brookdale Senior Living Folsom said that it tries to make Halloween fun for its elderly residents by inviting family members and local children to the premises, but the event is open to the public.

“I think putting kids and seniors together is wonderful, it’s a really warm experience,” Shari Kranig, the executive director of the community, said. “They love seeing all the kids. I think it brings them a lot of joy.”

Holidays can be a lonely time for older adults. Residents at the community look forward to the chance to see children dressed in bright costumes trick or treating — and maybe even doing some themselves.

Residents say that it’s important to enjoy festive times like this

“Enjoy what you do as a child, because it won’t last forever,” said Jo Ann Bodlak, a resident of the community.

Brookdale said it purchased roughly 50 pounds of candy for Halloween festivities this year.

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.

California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO Ian Choudri resigns amid scrutiny over travel spending, rising costs

CNN Newsource on October 30, 2026

By Tim Fang

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    SACRAMENTO, California (KOVR) — California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO Ian Choudri has resigned amid ongoing scrutiny over travel spending and the project’s rising costs.

The authority’s Board of Directors confirmed Choudri’s resignation at its meeting on Thursday. In closed session, the board appointed Joe Stephenshaw, the Director of the California Department of Finance, as the authority’s interim president.

In a letter to employees obtained by CBS News Sacramento, Choudri said, “This was not an easy decision. Leading the Authority has been one of the most meaningful and rewarding chapters of my professional life. Over the past two years, this project has evolved from one facing significant challenges to one that is now irreversible and on track to deliver the first true high-speed rail system in North America.”

A spokesperson for Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said “The Governor is committed to delivering the nation’s first high-speed rail system and to protecting California taxpayers every single step of the way. That’s why he brought fresh leadership onto the High-Speed Rail Authority Board this year, with a clear charge to demand accountability for every dollar and transparency the public can count on. The Governor welcomes today’s announcements as an important step in that direction.”

Choudri’s resignation follows a report from the authority’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) which said allegations that the CHSRA failed to comply with state regulations and contract requirements when reimbursing consultants’ travel expenses were substantiated.

Between 2024 and 2026, the report stated that 60%, or $680,500, did not comply with state regulations requiring advance approval. The report also found $592,000 of the unapproved expenses were determined to be “unallowable.”

Reimbursements included expenses for premium airfares, Uber and Lyft upgrades, trips to gyms, escape rooms, cigar lounges, tiki bars and private residences with no documentation of a state business purpose, the report found. Other questionable practices included reimbursement for rideshare cancellation fees, same-day flight booking, which typically means higher costs, and travel claims lacking receipts or supporting documents.

In addition, whistleblowers provided CBS California Investigates expense records that found consultants billed taxpayers’ late night rides from a street in Folsom where Choudri owns a home, along with rides to or from nearby restaurants and bars.

Initially approved by voters in 2008, California’s high-speed rail project has been beset by years-long delays and cost overruns since construction began in 2015.

When voters approved the initial bond funding for the project, the entire system was expected to cost between $33 billion and $45 billion. The CHSRA’s 2026 Business Plan showed it would take $126 billion to complete Phase 1 of the project.

In July, the OIG warned that the state’s high-speed rail project could run out of money as soon as December 2027 unless the state borrows billions to keep construction on schedule.

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2 San José police officers arrested, accused of tampering with evidence

CNN Newsource on October 30, 2026

By Coleman Petit

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    SAN JOSE, California (KPIX) — Two San José Police Department officers have been arrested on felony charges following an internal investigation into evidence tampering, the department announced on Thursday.

Officials said both of the officers, identified as Raydarius Surry, 29, and Destiney Thompson, 30, were arrested on Oct. 28 and face charges of evidence tampering and filing a false police report.

The investigation began in August of 2026 when the police department began investigating a missing baggie of suspected narcotics, which was listed as evidence on a May 3, 2026 arrest report filed by Surry.

Officials said that Surry was notified by the department that the baggie was missing, and shortly after, on Aug. 12, Surry stopped and searched a pedestrian who had no connection to the May 3 arrest.

Surry allegedly found a similar bag of suspected narcotics during the stop, seized it, and took no additional enforcement action, according to police.

He then allegedly booked that bag into evidence using the case number for the May 3 arrest without documenting the Aug. 12 pedestrian stop and evidence seizure, officials said.

Thompson is accused of reviewing bodycam footage of the May 3 arrest to help Surry replace the missing evidence, officials said.

Surry was placed on administrative leave Sep. 2 while Thompson was placed on leave on Sep. 18. Officials said that Thompson and Surry are in a relationship with one another and both are Gilroy residents.

Officials said there is no evidence of any other report discrepancies or similar actions committed by the two officers.

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Big Bear linemen rescue dangling owl trapped in electrical wires

CNN Newsource on October 30, 2026

By Joy Benedict

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    BIG BEAR LAKE, California (KCAL, KCBS) — Big Bear linemen rescued a great horned owl that was trapped in electrical wires.

The crew from Bear Valley Electric Service said the nocturnal bird was dangling upside down during the day.

“I didn’t think it was going to be alive when we got there,” apprentice lineman Adam Perry said.

But after the owl turned its head and looked at them, the crew realized it was alive and shut off the power to rescue the owl.

“He was allowing my lineman to touch him,” foreman Drake Tessendorf said. “He wasn’t trying to peck at him or move or anything.”

Tessendorf’s crew said one of the owl’s legs was twisted between two wires. They used a jib on their truck to set him upright and held open the wires that were trapping him.

“He wanted the help is what it felt like,” Tessendorf said.

Perry said the owl flew to the house below them after the crew freed him. Christy McGiveron and the Big Bear Alpine Zoo helped take care of the nocturnal bird and brought him back to their facility to monitor him.

“We gave him fluids and some pain meds for about three days,” McGiveron said.

They also gave him X-rays and a place to rest before taking him back to the wild six nights later.

“That’s personally one of my favorite parts of my job,” McGiveron said. “Giving them a second chance.”

She said they’ve rescued 80 birds this year, noting that the biggest threats to great horned owls are human-made.

“Being hit by a car is usually the No. 1 reason we get them, because they’re not super fast flyers,” McGiveron said.

Bear Valley Electric said it’s doing its part covering the connections to protect wildlife, but the guys said they never thought they’d see the wide-eyed wonder in such a precarious perch, and they’re just glad they could help him survive.

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4 people arrested for $13 million arson along Santa Clarita’s Main Street

CNN Newsource on October 30, 2026

By Matthew Rodriguez

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    SANTA CLARITA, California (KCAL, KCBS) — Los Angeles County deputies arrested four people for an arson that caused $13 million in damages along Santa Clarita’s Main Street.

The suspects were booked for arson and conspiracy:

– John Wright, 47 – Cristian Leija, 43 – Jesus Figueroa, 54 – Antoinette Ruiz, 35

The LA County Sheriff’s Department said the group started a fire in the 24000 block of Main Street in Santa Clarita, known as Old Town Newhall, early on Aug. 24.

The blaze destroyed seven buildings, all local businesses.

“I am extremely proud of the dedication, professionalism, and relentless efforts of our Arson and Explosives Detail investigators,” Capt. Robbie Royster said. “Since the day of the fire, they have worked tirelessly to uncover the facts and pursue every investigative lead. Today’s developments are a testament to their hard work and commitment to holding those responsible accountable.”

A day after the fire, the Santa Clarita City Council pledged to quickly rebuild Old Town Newhall.

“We’re Santa Clarita. We’re not going to take five years to rebuild,” Councilman Bill Miranda said in August.

Anyone with information on the case is urged to contact LASD’s Arson/Explosives Unit at (323) 881-7500. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477 or through their website, lacrimestoppers.org.

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.