Author: CNN Newsource

By Brooklyn Joyner

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    JACKSON, Miss. (WAPT) — After making a stop in Jackson, several monks on a “Walk for Peace” spent the night resting at the Pearl soccer fields. Thursday morning they will walk from Pearl through Brandon and head to Pelahatchie.

This is their first “Walk for Peace” in the United States sharing messages of peace and resilience with the community.

“They have sacrificed so much — some of them are out walking in sandals, some of them are walking barefoot — so they are making sacrifices,” said Kiffany Dugger from Batesville.

The monks were warmly welcomed in Jackson, where Mississippians listened intently to their words on the Capitol steps.

“If you can do that every single day, you will have peace for the rest of your life,” they shared.

Kiffany Dugger, who has been following the monks’ journey on social media since they began in Texas in October, expressed how their presence brought her peace.

“When I saw them on TikTok, I immediately had a sense of peace. I’m going through a transition — I just moved from Houston back home to Batesville, Mississippi — so there is a lot that goes along with that,” Dugger said.

While Dugger seeks personal peace, others like Zuley Yepez from Meridian, Mississippi, pray for peace in their communities.

“United States citizens who are of Latino descent… are being persecuted right now because the Supreme Court made a ruling where it’s ok for ICE to profile people who look like me,” Yepez said.

I have seen so many problems in different countries and different corners of the world,” Pannakara said.

Venerable Pannakara, one of the 17 monks, emphasized that peace is not something that can be given but must be found within oneself.

He shared that their cause is worth the sacrifices, even recounting how one monk survived being hit by a car during their journey.

“We suffer because we are not willing to let it go. But now, as Buddhist monks, we practice and understand the reason behind it, so it’s not a problem for us,” Panakarra said.

The monks have also been distributing yellow bracelets symbolizing good luck.

They are resting on the Pearl soccer field until they continue on their journey Thursday morning.

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By Bethany Cates

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    WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WXII) — Jeffery Saunders, a teacher at Main Street Academy, expressed his deep sorrow and concern following the tragic death of his former student Cameron Graham.

“I’m getting all these calls and video feeds of what’s going on, and I had to stop what I was doing to take it all in,” said Saunders.

Saunders said he viewed Graham as a son, someone he’d mentored, leaving him deeply affected by the incident.

“They said we need to talk to you, we need to talk to you, so I pull off to the side, and I look at the messages, and I go no way,” he said.

He emphasized that his role as a teacher extends beyond the classroom to ensure his students’ success.

“He just touched my heart, and he’ll call me. I would take his work on Friday afternoon and bring it back to school. I even graded it for him,” said Saunders, reflecting on his time with Graham.

Saunders said Cameron was one of his success stories.

“Sometimes he’ll stay at my class, if he needed to be at another class, they’ll ask Mr. Saunders can he come to your class, and I’d say send him down,” he said.

Saunders stressed the need for improvements within the community and school district.

“This shouldn’t have happened, you know, we spend money on metal detectors, but I don’t know,” said Saunders.

Saunders said if he was in the hallway during Tuesday’s deadly fight, he would’ve talked to Cameron just as he did any other time.

“I would’ve stopped him, I would have said come here talk to me, what’s going on, why are you in the hallway, where’s your hall pass? ‘” said Saunders. “Do I need to call G-MA and tell her what’s going on? It could’ve been prevented, I know it could’ve.”

But for now, he said he remains steadfast to his commitment to being there for his students, both current and former.

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By Imani Clement, Mary Saladna

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    MEDFORD, Mass. (WCVB) — A norovirus outbreak will keep a Medford, Massachusetts, elementary school closed for a second day on Friday, the city’s school district announced.

According to a statement from Roberts Elementary, there was a large number of stomach illness cases reported at Roberts Elementary School on Wednesday. Classes were canceled for Thursday, and officials announced Thursday afternoon that classes would not be held on Friday.

“Due to a high number of students and staff members continuing to experience symptoms as a result of the suspected spread of Norovirus at the Roberts Elementary School, there will be no school again for students and staff at the Roberts on Friday, Dec. 12. All other schools in the district will have school,” said Will Pipicelli, communications director for Medford Public Schools.

The school said more than 130 students and staff members were absent from class on Wednesday, with more students and staff members reporting upset stomach symptoms while in the school building.

While the building is closed, a professional company will deep-clean the school.

The school’s cafeteria equipment will also be inspected by the Medford Board of Health to rule out other potential causes.

“Often it’s person to person spread, but it can be food borne, and if you have an outbreak this large, you do have to ask yourself, ‘Did a lot of people eat the same thing?'” said Dr. Shira Doran, Tufts chief infection control officer.

The school said it will share plans later in the school year to make up for the canceled days.

Norovirus is a contagious illness that where the affected usually experience sudden symptoms like vomiting. According to the Centers for Disease Control, norovirus is the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea and foodborne illness in the country.

All other schools in the Medford Public Schools district will continue with classes as usual on Thursday.

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By Don Davis

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    ARIZONA (KGUN) — Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued a consumer alert warning that products marketed as kratom or “all‑natural” supplements and sold at gas stations, smoke shops and convenience stores across the state often contain highly concentrated synthetic opioids — including 7‑hydroxymitragynine — and can behave like heroin or morphine.

“These products are really dangerous and basically act like synthetic opioids, and I have already heard from parents whose kids have become addicted to these products sold over the counter across the state,” Mayes said in the announcement. She said some items are being marketed with slang names such as “legal morphine” or “gas station heroin,” and called out brightly colored gummies and candies that appear aimed at teens and young adults.

Arizona was an early adopter of kratom regulation with the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, which bars adulterated products, bans synthetic alkaloids (including synthetic mitragynine and synthetic 7‑hydroxymitragynine) and requires labels to list amounts of mitragynine and 7‑hydroxymitragynine. The law also prohibits sales to anyone under 18 and caps 7‑hydroxymitragynine at no more than 2 percent of a product’s alkaloid composition.

But Mayes said the statute has proven difficult to enforce. Determining whether a product is adulterated or injurious often requires sophisticated laboratory testing and expert testimony — resources most local law enforcement agencies don’t routinely have for misdemeanor cases. “In its current form, Arizona’s kratom law asks prosecutors to clear a high bar just to prove a misdemeanor,” she said.

To address those enforcement gaps, Mayes said she will work with lawmakers when the Legislature meets in January to strengthen the law and give police clearer, more practical tools. She said she will seek bipartisan support to tighten protections and increase penalties for those who sell these products to minors.

The Attorney General’s office urged consumers to be skeptical of products promising quick fixes for pain, anxiety, focus or energy — particularly items labeled vaguely as “all natural,” “dietary supplement,” “kratom blend,” or explicitly as “7‑OH.” Mayes advised avoiding brightly colored candy‑style products, any item boasting “extra strength,” “ultra” or “max” effects without clear ingredient listings, and products sold in nontraditional outlets like gas stations.

Anyone who experiences an adverse reaction after using a kratom or 7‑OH product should seek medical help immediately.

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By Athena Kehoe

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    TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — A highly contagious equine virus is spreading across parts of the country, and Arizona veterinarians are urging horse owners to take extra precautions after four confirmed cases in the state.

Equine Herpesvirus-1, or EHV-1, does not infect humans. But people can unintentionally carry the virus on their clothes, hands or equipment and pass it between horses.

The national outbreak began at equestrian events in Texas and Oklahoma. The Arizona Department of Agriculture says the case detected in Pinal County is not known to be connected to those events. That horse was later euthanized.

Within the Pima Medical Institute’s Veterinary Technician Program, students are learning proper vaccination techniques. They’re learning these techniques at the Therapeutic Ranch for Animals and Kids (TRAK).

“Right in the middle is nice and fleshy where the muscle is, and you can mark your spot with some alcohol there,” Katie Foust, the Program Director explains.

Dr. Ariana Monterosso, a veterinarian working with the program, said EHV-1 can show up in subtle ways.

“Ataxia or a wobbly gait while they’re walking, inability to use their legs appropriately,” are one of the neurological symptoms, she explains.

The virus spreads through both direct horse-to-horse contact and indirect contact with contaminated surfaces.

“It can actually stay in the environment for two days if it’s pretty warm out in the sunlight in shadier areas it can be up to 21 days,” Monterosso explains.

Foust says administering vaccines to horses is different from working with small animals like dogs and cats.

If a horse tests positive, Monterosso says it must be quarantined for at least 28 days.

“If your horses are interacting with other horses outside of your ranch or your property, they’re going to be more susceptible to contracting this,” Monterosso says.

Monterosso encourages owners to monitor their animals closely and keep up with vaccinations.

She also emphasizes the bond between horses and their caretakers.

“I think they’re a really good reflection of us as people and who we are. They’re going to give back to you what you give to them and I think that’s really nice.”

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By Rachael Lardani

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    LOWER SWATARA TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WGAL) — Police are investigating a “slasher incident” in Dauphin County.

According to the Lower Swatara Township Police Department, an aggravated assault involving a razor took place the morning of Thursday, Dec. 4.

The incident involved two people at the bus drop-off and pick-up location on UPS property along North Union Street.

The police department is seeking information from the public regarding the assault. They are also asking for cell phone videos and witnesses of the incident to come forward.

No further information has been released at this time.

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By Rachael Lardani

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    STEWARTSTOWN, Pa. (WGAL) — An arrest was made about a year later after a suspect broke into a vehicle at a York County church, according to the Southern Regional Police Department.

In December 2024, police said Virgil Pauling broke the window of a vehicle and stole a church visitor’s purse in the parking lot of Stewartstown United Methodist Church on South Main Street.

Pauling, of Stewartstown, fled the scene, and a warrant was issued for his arrest, according to police.

Investigators said Pauling was contacted in November to turn himself in for the warrant.

In response, Pauling cursed out the officer and said, “Come get me,” according to police. Pauling lied and told them that he was in New York City.

Arrest made During the investigation, police said Pauling was determined to be staying in Winnsboro, South Carolina. He was taken into custody and will be transported back to Pennsylvania for his numerous warrants in the state, including some in Maryland.

The Southern Regional Police Department in York County said the Baltimore County Police Department and the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office in South Carolina assisted in the investigation and arrest.

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By Mariana La Roche, James Stratton

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    MILWAUKEE (WISN) — The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Milwaukee Police Department are asking for the public’s help to solve the shooting death of a 12-year-old girl.

The shooting happened on June 13 at a home near 73rd Street and Fairmount Avenue. Marvayah Darby, 12, was asleep in her bed when a bullet hit her in the head, and she died.

“Someone knows what happened during that early morning of June 13th as Marvayah Darby was lying innocently in her bed, sleeping,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Christopher Farrell, Milwaukee FBI. “We’re asking that those individuals or someone in the public, please do the right thing and come forward with some sort of information.”

Police say a silver or gray SUV pulled up to the house overnight, and someone fired several shots into the home. It’s unclear who the suspect is, or who they were targeting.

“Clearly somebody was targeted,” said Milwaukee Police Inspector Paul Lough. “We don’t think the 12-year-old girl was targeted. It’s unclear if somebody in the house, or in another house that was mistaken. That’s why we’re here today.”

Six months later, on Wednesday, authorities announced a $10,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest. Milwaukee police said the case has gone cold.

“Some of the other cases that might not be solved, we might have some good leads to work with,” said Lough. “This one has just gone completely cold.”

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