Author: CNN Newsource

By Madilyn Destefano, Bob Hazen

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    MELBOURNE, Florida (WESH) — A plane reportedly carrying 11 people went down 80 miles off the coast of Melbourne on Tuesday, according to the United States Coast Guard.

The U.S. Coast Guard said all 11 people were rescued.

Video from the Melbourne Airport captured a rescue helicopter arriving with the victims, who were then transferred to medical transports and taken to Holmes Regional Medical Center.

The hospital is a Level II trauma center capable of treating severe, life-threatening injuries.

Officials have not disclosed the severity of the victims’ injuries.

The U.S. Coast Guard and a team from the 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Space Force Base responded to the crash.

The FAA said the plane was a Beechcraft BE-30 that had departed Marsh Harbour Airport in the Bahamas and was heading to Grand Bahama International Airport in Freeport when it went down in the ocean about 50 miles east of Vero Beach Airport.

Authorities have not yet determined whether the crash was caused by a mechanical issue or weather conditions. The FAA is investigating.

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 Lunemann

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    Minnesota (WCCO) — With energy prices putting pressure on families, one Minnesota company is utilizing the power of the sun to help ease the pain.

Ground broke Monday outside Owatonna on one of four new community solar garden projects planned across Minnesota as part of the recently-renamed Melissa Hortman Community Solar Program.

Minnesota-based Enterprise Energy says the 30-acre project will include roughly 15,000 solar panels and generate enough electricity to help power about 1,000 homes. Company leaders say subscribers could save between 8% and 15% on their monthly electric bills.

The Owatonna project is one of four community solar gardens currently under development by Minnesota-based companies. Two additional projects are planned in Sartell, while another is planned in Kasota.

The projects are designed to serve low and moderate-income households through Minnesota’s community solar program, which was modernized in 2023. Customers within Xcel Energy territory can subscribe to the solar gardens without installing solar panels on their own homes.

Enterprise Energy CEO Eric Pasi said rising energy costs are one reason community solar projects are gaining attention.

“Right now we’re in an affordability, energy affordability crisis. And once this project is up and running, there is no fuel cost. The sun is free,” said Pasi.

Pasi also emphasized that the projects are being developed using Minnesota companies, Minnesota financing and American-made materials.

The program now carries the legacy of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman, who helped pass Minnesota’s Solar Energy Jobs Act in 2013.

Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association Executive Director Logan O’Grady called Hortman “the original visionary” of Minnesota’s community solar garden program.

“She passed the Solar Energy Jobs Act in 2013 and the community solar garden program was a portion of that bill,” O’Grady said. “It really was her vision to bring solar quickly to all Minnesotans.”

Developers also say the sites will include pollinator-friendly habitats and native prairie grasses planted beneath and around the solar panels.

O’Grady said many community solar projects across Minnesota now use pollinator seed mixes designed to support bees and other wildlife while maintaining the land underneath the arrays.

The Owatonna solar garden is expected to begin operating later this fall.

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 Duaa Israr

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    MILWAUKEE (WDJT) — After years of military service, and long shifts to make ends meet, a Milwaukee veteran is now receiving support from people across the country.

For 12 years, Ronald Edmonds’ life was spent in the Navy.

“I was an E6 back in that day,” said Edmonds. “In Nam, we’d sit about 50 miles off the shore and ships that were damaged would come off and we’d weld them up, repair them, do whatever we had to do to get them fixed.”

Decades later, Edmonds did what millions of veterans do after serving their country — he went back to work.

Last month, while working at a Walmart in Greenfield, a customer asked Edmonds for help. The interaction was captured in a now viral TikTok.

“And he says, ‘What’s the price of this tie?’ So I gave him the price of the tie. I didn’t know anything else was going on,” said Edmonds.

In the video, Edmonds tells the customer, “I need the money. Social Security don’t pay very much. I still got a house payment. All kinds of payments.”

It’s called the “For Your Service” project, started by social media creator Sam Weidenhofer.

The project honors 50 veterans in all 50 states by starting a GoFundMe to help them with any bills.

“Well, I didn’t really believe it all at first, that people would actually try to help others,” said Edmonds.

The GoFundMe for Edmonds has raised more than $40,000 to help him with his medical bills and home costs.

“It’s overwhelming. It’s just happening all at once. Like, wow,” said Edmonds.

For a man who spent years repairing ships and serving the nation, strangers are now repaying that service.

“Hard to believe but thank you all. Truly, from my heart, thank you,” said Edmonds.

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 Kimberly King and Marisa Sardonia

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    FAIRVIEW, North Carolina (WLOS) — As investigators work to piece together what happened in a Fairview home where three family members were killed, a relative of the victims is sharing what she says she knows about the situation.

Three people were found dead last week after deputies responded to a welfare check at a home in Fairview. Two suspects – an adult man and the 16-year-old daughter of two of the deceased victims – have been charged with murder, authorities confirmed.

The victims were identified as 41-year-old Travis Eugene Grant, 42-year-old Kimberly Michelle Grant and 66-year-old Sharon Harwood Grant. Authorities said Travis and Kimberly Grant were married, and that Sharon Grant was Travis’ mother.

Brittany Tussey, who lives in Andrews, North Carolina, said Kim Grant is her biological aunt and Travis Grant is her uncle. Tussey claims the couple had been concerned about the relationship between their 16-year-old daughter, Star Grant, and 28-year-old Devan Loving.

“Information came out that Star had been in contact with this older gentleman and that he had bought her a burner phone, and she would take her breaks at lunch at work, and they’d meet at the parking lot above her job. Once they told me that, and I realized that my aunt and uncle were trying to put a restraining order on this man, I kind of put two and two together,” Tussey said.

She said she believes the couple confronted their daughter after taking away her alleged burner phone.

“I think we’re all still in shock,” Tussey said. “As soon as her parents found out about it, they were like, ‘No, this is not happening, and we’re putting a restraining order on him.'”

Court records confirm no restraining order was ever filed.

Tussey described Kimberly and Travis Grant as hardworking parents.

“They worked very hard to make sure they provided the best life they could for Star,” she said. “We’ve all experienced poverty, and with that being said, they have done nothing but work their butts off to provide a good life for them.”

Star Grant and Devan Loving are both charged with three counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

Loving appeared in court in Sevier County, Tennessee, on May 11, and indicated he would agree not to fight extradition so he could return to Buncombe County.

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 Ashley Grams

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    Minnesota (WCCO) — A family in southern Minnesota is looking for a stolen boat, one they say has a priceless connection to the past.

The boat belonged to Gary Schoeder Jr., who spent years serving as a police officer and firefighter in Zumbrota. Schroeder medically retired in 2020 while battling PTSD. He later died by suicide in 2023.

The community of Zumbrota came together to construct a memorial in his honor outside the police station last year. His name was also added to a firefighter memorial outside of the Minnesota State Capitol during a ceremony last September.

Minnesotans continue to honor Schroeder’s life. Just last week, Gov. Tim Walz signed a bill that would rename a stretch of Highway 58 in his honor.

The family says Schroeder’s boat was taken from Pioneer Campground outside of Wabasha. Schroeder’s sister, Elizabeth Sunday, called the boat an important connection to the man they lost.

“This boat is more than a boat. It is not a thing, it’s a vessel of memories,” said Sunday. “It was just, like, ripping another piece of him away.”

Sunday continues to tell her brother’s life story, hoping the men and women who serve are empowered to get the help they need. She also emphasized the important role the community plays in supporting law enforcement officers.

Sunday said while working in the small town of Zumbrota, Schroeder was often helping people he knew well.

“He knew everybody, so it really hit home for the ones that he couldn’t save, or the ones that had traumatic events. He wore their pain every day,” she said.

Sunday said she’s grateful to the people of Zumbrota who have rallied around her family after her brother’s death, and those who continue to support them as they search for this cherished boat.

If you or someone you know is in emotional distress, get help from the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. Trained crisis counselors are available 24 hours a day to talk about anything.

In addition, help is available from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, or NAMI. Call the NAMI Helpline at 800-950-6264 or text “HelpLine” to 62640. There are more than 600 local NAMI organizations and affiliates across the country, many of which offer free support and education programs.

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.