Rock climbing camp hosted by CHOP helps empower children with limb differences

CNN Newsource on July 26, 2026

By Stephanie Stahl

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    PHILADELPHIA (KYW) — Rock climbing walls can be challenging, especially for children who are missing arms or legs or have other physical limitations. But that didn’t stop a group from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia participating in Camp Rock.

Thirteen-year-old Chanel Hollingsworth can’t walk on her own but she’s able to get out of her wheelchair and climb a wall. She’s part of the rock climbing camp for children with limb differences.

“It’s really fun,” Hollingsworth said. “It’s a nice place where people with differences can come and know that we are all the same.”

The camp is designed for children with differences affecting their hands, arms or legs. It also welcomes children with differences in function, appearance or both.

At the camp, differences are not just accepted but celebrated.

Nate Brant, 11, has a nickname for the small hand he was born with, he calls it “a lucky fin”.

Brant says rock climbing isn’t that hard for him and when asked if it’s painful: “Not really, I mean it hurts when I grab the things, the rocks obviously, but no it’s not hard,” Brant said.

Megan Pehnke, an Occupational Therapist with CHOP, said the camp is helpful for the kids physically and mentally, building self-esteem.

“Challenging them to participate in this camp and push them to set individual goals, and then exceed those goals can really give these kids a boost of confidence and teach them, and show them that they really can do anything that they want to set out to do,” Pehnke said.

Ava Zawislak, 9, had her leg amputated because bone cancer and is happy be participating in the camp.

“I was really scared on the first day but now I’m so happy that I made it to the top and stuff,” she said.

Camp Rock is all about empowering differences with the campers reaching new heights.

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.

Empty nester turns family’s homegrown tradition into city’s 1st chai cafe

CNN Newsource on July 26, 2026

By Alexa Liacko

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    ATLANTA (WUPA) — When Monica Sunny’s three sons left for college, the quiet that settled over her home inspired an unexpected second act.

Instead of taking up a new hobby, Sunny turned a family tradition into a business. Nearly a decade after she began brewing chai in her kitchen for friends and neighbors, Sunny is now the owner of The Chai Box, an Atlanta café where she hopes every customer experiences the same sense of warmth and togetherness that defined her family’s daily tea ritual.

“For years, chai was such a big part of our family,” Sunny said. “I have fond memories of having chai with my parents when I moved from India to Atlanta in the 80s, having that chai time in a brand-new country. So, it just kept me grounded. And I wanted to instill that love of chai and family and togetherness in my kids.”

After becoming an empty nester, Sunny realized she wasn’t ready to let that tradition end.

She began making chai in her home kitchen and selling it to friends and neighbors. The small operation eventually outgrew her basement, leading her to open The Chai Box in Atlanta.

“My husband and I were empty nesters, and he’s like, ‘Well, this is your fourth baby,'” Sunny said.

The café specializes in handcrafted chai made from spices sourced overseas and blended in-house to stay true to traditional flavors.

Building the business has required long days, something Sunny jokes about with a sense of humor.

“I feel like I’m pulling double shifts at Dairy Queen every day like I did back when I was 15 years old,” she said with a laugh.

The café has also become a family and community effort.

One of Sunny’s sons designed the shop, and his first drawing hangs on the wall. She also hired the daughter of a longtime neighbor, pastry chef Amber, to create pastries that blend French techniques with Indian flavors, including a samosa croissant and a pistachio rose tart.

“I’ve known Miss Monica and her family since I was, like, 12. We were neighbors,” Amber said. “When they said they were opening a café, I was like, ‘Oh my God, this would be a dream to work with them’ … and play with the flavors of Indian culture.”

Sunny still prepares the café’s signature malai herself, while every detail of the experience is designed to make guests feel welcome.

“I tried her chai, and I loved it immediately,” said Yasmeen Fareeduddin, a longtime customer. “And the real kicker was that my mom loved it, and my mother-in-law loved it. And so, when you get some pure, authentic Indian aunties and moms to love chai, you know, it’s legit.

“Everything is intentional from how it feels and how it tastes,” said Fareeduddin. “Wanting you to feel like you’re at home was obviously there.”

Other customers agree, saying that atmosphere and the chai keep them coming back.

“Just taking a minute to breathe and enjoy the warm hug that you get from chai,” customer Alexandra Castellanos said. “I love that feeling.”

For Sunny’s sons, watching their mother build a successful business after raising her family has become a source of inspiration.

“Living with someone so hardworking to make their dream come true inspires me and my brothers to work harder in our life because it shows that actually life is achievable,” said Ian Sunny.

His brother, Evan Sunny, said seeing customers embrace the café makes him appreciate his mother’s work even more.

“We’re very proud of our mom,” Evan said. “You don’t see behind the scenes how good of a mom she is. What makes it extra special is knowing that we come home, we have a tremendous mom waiting for us.”

Ian hopes visitors leave with the same feeling his family experienced growing up.

“I hope they experience the homey feel that our mom’s created through the business,” he said. “That they can kind of feel the same love and experience that she gives everyone.”

For Sunny, The Chai Box is an extension of the home she built around her family.

“When people come in here,” she said, “they’re coming into my house.”

Today, that house serves chai and a sense of belonging to customers from across metro Atlanta.

The Chai Box will have a grand opening celebration on Sunday, Aug. 9, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1963 Howell Mill Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318. There will be free chai and live music.

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.

More than Cookies: Girl Scouts help sweeten Kona Low flood recovery

CNN Newsource on July 26, 2026

By Marissa Muniz

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    LA’IE, Hawaii (KITV) — Following the Kona Low floods, the Girl Scouts of Hawaii and American Savings Bank partnered to donate more than 4,000 boxes of cookies to affected communities.

Families around the area are still rebuilding their homes after severe damage caused them to move out or lose their belongings, but today offered a sweet treat in the rebuilding process.

This idea actually began during the floods, while girl scouts were selling cookies in the rain.

Customers and Girl Scouts across the state purchased extra boxes to hand out to those affected.

Members of the community are grateful for the support that has been shown.

“I think the community is still trying to recuperate, and I have a lot of friends who, you know, their houses are damaged, really damaged. I don’t think they’ve moved back in yet,” Margot Howlett, La’ie resident, said.

The Girl Scouts of Hawaii want the community to know they are with them, even if it’s just by a box of cookies.

A second distribution will be held this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the American Savings Banks locations in Wahiawa and Haleiwa.

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Persons of interest identified in deadly Asheville shooting, police say

CNN Newsource on July 26, 2026

By Marisa Sardonia & Itinease McMiller

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    ASHEVILLE, North Carolina (WLOS) — In a community briefing Friday, law enforcement officials revealed they have identified several persons of interest in the deadly downtown Asheville shooting that left two people dead and seven others injured last weekend.

In the early morning hours of Sunday, July 19, a shooting occurred on Biltmore Avenue outside Dalton’s Distillery and the neighboring Smile Starters parking lot. Officers responded to reports of shots fired and multiple people struck by gunfire. Two people were pronounced dead at the scene, and seven others were hospitalized.

During the briefing, Interim Police Chief Jackie Stepp confirmed that investigators identified multiple persons of interest in the deadly shooting. She did not release any names.

“We remain committed. We are working around the clock, and we will find those responsible for this and hold them fully accountable, and we will not stop until we do,” Stepp said.

Stepp said investigators believe the shooting was a direct act of retaliation for a separate shooting earlier this month on Sunday, July 5, at Maple Crest Apartments. In that incident, one person suffered a gunshot injury to the shoulder. Police said an arrest has already been made in that earlier case.

Authorities have not said whether the shootings were gang-related, but Stepp confirmed the people involved knew each other.

“This is a group of individuals who know one another,” said interim chief Stepp. “There are ties to them knowing each other and committing ongoing retaliatory acts against one another.”

Police also confirmed that a Glock switch, which is a small device that illegally modifies a handgun and converts it into a machine gun, was used and recovered in last weekend’s fatal shooting.

Stepp said the police department has implemented safety measures in response to concerns about further retaliation, but did not elaborate on what those measures are.

“APD is putting safety measures in place as we speak and as we gather the evidence and analyze the evidence to try to prevent future gun violence, particularly related to this specific event. But what I would say is we remain committed around the clock. We will find those responsible for this and hold them fully accountable, and we will not stop until we do,” Stepp said.

Authorities confirmed that this weekend, there will be at least two police officers assigned downtown, with as many as 25 officers available citywide to respond within minutes if needed.

Anyone with information about the deadly shooting is asked to contact the Asheville Police Department at (828) 252-1110. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the TIP2APD app or by texting TIP2APD to 847411.

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.

Man who has been donating blood since 1991 donates his 100th pint

CNN Newsource on July 25, 2026

By Elle Meyers

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    DETROIT (WWJ) — Giving blood might seem a little scary for some, but less than 10 minutes in a comfy chair can save three lives at once.

Scott Eisenberg said he first donated because he saw his mom giving blood, and there was a drive in his apartment building. On July 24, Eisenberg donated his 100th pint.

“My first pint was in 1991, and I just kinda, ‘I can do that,’ and two years later, there was another drive in my building and, ‘I can do that.’ And somewhere along the line, it just became a habit, and it became important to me knowing that I could save a life,” he said.

In the years since, Eisenberg has donated about 15 gallons of blood. He said the whole donation process usually takes less than an hour.

“I literally can leave my house, donate, eat my cookies, and be home in an hour, and it’s painless, and it’s saving a life. And you know to do that once every two months, take an hour, it’s so easy,” Eisenberg said.

According to the American Red Cross, the blood supply dropped by 25% in June, and officials said we’re getting close to an emergency blood shortage. Shannon Walters with the American Red Cross said they’re looking for people of all blood types to donate.

“We especially need type O positive and B negative, but all blood types are needed,” she said.

Walters said, unfortunately, science hasn’t created a synthetic blood that works well for everyone.

“It’s something that we can’t manufacture in a lab; we have to have it from humans,” she said.

Eisenberg said he’s never gotten money for donating.

“No money, but cookies,” he 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.

Foster dad loses home, job after estranged brother used name, falsely landing him on sex offender registry

CNN Newsource on July 25, 2026

By Megan De Mar

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    LOCKPORT, Illinois (WBBM) — A Lockport foster parent said he lost his kids, job and home for months after a mix-up that landed his name on the Illinois Sex Offender Registry.

While he has since been reinstated after CBS News Chicago Investigators started asking questions, he’s still fighting to clear his name.

“These are my kids. I don’t say foster kids. I don’t say I’m their foster dad. I’m their dad,” said Megail Waiters.

Waiters had been a licensed foster parent in Illinois for nearly four years, until May, when he was suddenly placed on unpaid leave by his employer, One Family Illinois.

“I had my kids taken away from me,” he said.

Waiters and his biological son were also kicked out of their agency-provided housing in Lockport. It all happened because a periodic background check by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services shoed his name now appeared in a search of the Sex Offender Registry.

“I was blown away. I still have no words for it,” Waiters said. “How did I get there?”

Waiters is not, nor has he ever been, a registered sex offender. But it turns out his brother, Patrick Waiters, who he has been estranged from for decades began using his name as an alias.

Waiters said he’s aware of at least two attempts his brother made to use his name to fraudulently receive unemployment benefits. As a result, his name is technically listed on the registry under the alias section.

“I never went after someone’s child,” he said. “I’ve never done these things, and yet they’re attached to my name.”

Waiters said he’s been trying to get someone to listen to him since May 1, as he blew through his son’s college fund living in a hotel.

One Family Illinois said Waiters has been a valued foster parent for them, but they were following protocol. But soon after CBS News Chicago Investigators reached out to them for comment, we learned he had been placed back on paid status.

Then, a few days after CBS News Chicago Investigators reached out to DCFS and Illinois State Police, the agency the manages the registry, he was reinstated as a foster parent.

“After review and consultation with the DCFS legal team and communication with the Illinois State Police regarding our licensing policy, DCFS has determined that Mr. Waiters will be reinstated as a licensed foster parent by end of business today,” DCFS wrote in a statement.

Waiters said he’s looking forward to being reunited with his kids.

“They want us back, and we want them back,” he said.

There’s still one unresolved issue: Waiters’ name is still listed as an alias on his brother’s profile.

Illinois State Police said they “cannot remove an alias name from the Sex Offender Registry without legal authority provided by a court,” so Waiters would have to hire a lawyer.

Waiters’ brother did not respond to CBS News Chicago Investigators’ request for comment. He is currently listed as “noncompliant” on the sex offender registry.

DCFS also said they are working on “new technologies and processes” to prevent something like this from happening again in the future.

Full statement from Illinois State Police In response to your question to ISP about removing an alias, ISP has a duty to ensure the integrity of the Illinois Sex Offender Registry and must rely on appropriate documentation from local law enforcement agencies and the courts. ISP cannot remove an alias name from the Sex Offender Registry without legal authority provided by a court. Megail Waiters is not listed as an offender on the Illinois Sex Offender Registry and a thorough background check conducted by an employer would confirm any qualifying convictions, or the absence of qualifying convictions.

Full statement from DCFS “Protecting children and youth is the highest priority for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Background checks are conducted on all licensed providers to ensure they meet the regulatory standards to serve children and youth. This includes a Child Abuse and Neglect (CANTS) background check, the Law Enforcement Automated Data System LEADS check, and a check of the National Sex Offender Registry.

After review and consultation with the DCFS legal team and communication with the Illinois State Police regarding our licensing policy, DCFS has determined that Mr. Waiters will be reinstated as a licensed foster parent by end of business today. This information has also been shared with the leadership of Mr. Waiters’ employer, One Family Illinois.”

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.

College pitcher survives snake bite after 34 doses of anti-venom

CNN Newsource on July 25, 2026

By Hunter Sowards

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    LOS ANGELES (KCAL, KCBS) — A college pitcher survived a scary situation during his run through a Claremont trail last weekend.

“I was just in agonizing pain, causing everything obviously hurt,” pitcher Jake Entrup said.

It started out like any normal weekend hike for Entrup. He was running the Claremont Wilderness Trail with his dog and his mom not far behind.

“I got blindsided by the snake, which was right at the turn,” Entrup said. “Nothing I really could have done.”

When he looked down, he could see the bite marks.

“I turned around, and I saw the snake. It coiled,” Entrup said. “I saw it coil up. Hissed at me, and then it slithered off into the bush.”

Luckily, Entrup’s family friend was a nurse and happened to be hiking the trail that morning.

“She calmed me down,” Entrup said. “She was a really big part of it because, at times, I couldn’t see my hand.”

He was airlifted to Pomona Valley Trauma Center and placed in the ICU. After 20 doses of anti-venom, he still needed additional care.

He was transferred to a different hospital where he got 14 more doses. His mom was by his side through it all. She had to watch the neurotoxin from the venom take over his body.

“When you sit there and you watch your son, who is already in pain,” mom Staci Entrup said. “The whole time you’re talking, his eyes are twitching, his body is twitching.”

Dr. Gabriel Campion with Dignity Health Northridge said the amount of anti-venom Entrup needed is on the high end.

“It’s really dependent on the symptoms someone has,” he said. “For a life-threatening case, you may need a very large amount.”

After almost a week, Entrup is walking around with the help of crutches. He’s eager to get back onto the pitcher’s mound and the trails.

He’s thankful for everyone who helped him and urged everyone to be wary while on Southern California trails.

“Always be aware,” he said. “You never know what’s around the bush.”

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.

LeBron James’ arrival sparks shopping frenzy for Philadelphia 76ers gear at sports stores

CNN Newsource on July 25, 2026

By Madeleine Wright

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    PHILADELPHIA (KYW) — Sixers fans are celebrating the arrival of LeBron James and the excitement is already creating a business boom across Philadelphia.

At Shibe Vintage Sports in Center City, customers have been rushing in to buy Sixers gear after learning the 4-time NBA champion is joining the team.

Store manager Darren Nowicki says business took off immediately after James made the announcement. The store has seen strong demand for T-shirts, jerseys, baseball caps, winter hats and everything in between.

“The phone has been ringing off the hook,” Nowicki said. “It’s a historic moment, really, to have an all time great player like Lebron coming to the Sixers.”

Nowicki said the store did an entire day’s worth of sales in just two hours.

For some fans, the announcement was a sign to buy now before demand increases.

“I might as well hop on grabbing some of the merch before the prices probably go up to an unaffordable rate,” Chelsea Gault from Fairmount said.

But the excitement surrounding James goes beyond merchandise. Fans said they’re eager to see the energy he could bring to Philadelphia and the chance to see one of basketball’s biggest stars play in person.

“If I met the King, I would do everything I want to do with him, like get his autograph and picture with him,” Sage Jusko from Las Vegas said.

It has been 43 years since the Sixers last won a championship. Many fans believe the future Hall of Famer could help the team end that drought.

“We already have a great team and he’ll make it even better. And I think he’ll have a real opportunity to win his fifth ring,” Thomas Keily from Greenville, South Carolina said.

Shibe Vintage Sports expects demand to remain high, with official LeBron James Sixers merchandise expected to arrive in the coming days.

Some fans said James’ longevity is part of what makes the moment so exciting.

“I have Lebron’s Olympic USA jersey from the Beijing Olympics,” Sean Jusko from Las Vegas said. “I think he’s an amazing player. It’s incredible he’s still going and playing at such a high level too.”

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.

2 adults, 6 children found dead following house fire in West Michigan, sheriff’s office says

CNN Newsource on July 24, 2026

By DeJanay Booth-Singleton

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    GRAND HAVEN TOWNSHIP, Michigan (WWJ) — Authorities are investigating the “suspicious deaths” of a family of eight, including six children, following a house fire Friday morning in Grand Haven Township, Michigan.

According to the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, authorities first received calls between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. local time about a smell of smoke in the area of Riverside Trail. Deputies assisted the Grand Haven Fire Department, but no fire was immediately located.

The sheriff’s office says deputies and fire personnel returned to the area at about 11:42 a.m. after receiving calls about white smoke coming from a residence in the 14900 block of Riverside Trail. Fire crews were able to control the fire and checked the home for any victims, locating them inside.

Their identities are currently unknown.

The sheriff’s office did not release any additional information at this time.

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.

Fed Set to Meet After Week of Mixed Economic Data

CNN Newsource on July 24, 2026

By Juliegrace Brufke | Quincy News Correspondent

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    Washington (Quincy News) — A series of economic reports this week pointed to resilient growth and persistent inflation pressures ahead of the Federal Reserve’s upcoming policy meeting, though markets continued to expect officials to leave interest rates unchanged.

The Federal Open Market Committee voted unanimously last month to hold its benchmark rate in a range of 3.5% to 3.75%. Most investors expected the central bank to leave rates unchanged at the conclusion of its two-day meeting on Wednesday, but new data on the labor market and business activity have added to signs that higher borrowing costs may eventually be needed.

The Labor Department reported Thursday that initial claims for unemployment benefits fell by 22,000 to a seasonally adjusted 187,000 in the week ended July 18. That was the lowest level since September 1969 and came in well below forecasts.

Separately, S&P Global’s flash PMI data on Friday showed service-sector companies raising prices at the fastest rate in nearly four years. Input costs across manufacturing and services rose at their strongest pace since May 2025.

Chris Williamson, chief business economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said the survey is consistent with gross domestic product growing at an annualized rate of about 2% early in the third quarter. He cautioned that the improvement may not last.

“Some of this improvement may prove short-lived as July saw hospitality spend boosted by the FIFA World Cup and USA 250 anniversary activities,” Williamson said. He also noted a “concerning intensification of supply chain delays and accompanying renewed upturn in price pressures.”

Williamson said the ongoing U.S.-Iran war is likely to add to those pressures.

“Events over recent days in the Middle East will have only further exacerbated these supply chain and price worries and raise downside risks to the near-term outlook for the economy,” he said.

The business survey contrasted with the June consumer price index, which showed the annual inflation rate falling to 3.5% from 4.2% in May.

Federal Reserve officials have cautioned against reading too much into the cooler inflation reading. Chair Kevin Warsh has said the effort to bring inflation down remains unfinished. Fed Governor Lisa Cook said in a July 15 speech that elevated inflation remained top of mind and that inflation risks currently outweighed risks to employment.

Interest-rate futures on Friday implied a roughly 38% chance of a quarter-point rate increase at Wednesday’s meeting, up from about 12% a week earlier.

West Texas Intermediate crude traded around $89 a barrel Friday after topping $90 the previous day, while the yield on the 10-year Treasury note traded near 4.68% after briefly reaching 4.71%.

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