Author: CNN Newsource

By KABC Staff

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    KOREATOWN, LOS ANGELES (KABC) — May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and throughout the next few weeks, Eyewitness News is highlighting members of the community.

On Wednesday, the focus turned to Kim’s Home Center, a home goods store in Koreatown that has become a beloved staple for Korean families across the Southland.

Kim’s Home Center was founded in 1979 by the grandfather of current vice president Scott Kim. He immigrated from Korea and recognized a gap in the market for Korean appliances and household items.

“There weren’t a lot of Korean appliances, there weren’t a lot of Korean kitchenware or even home goods that anyone is able to provide, so that’s something he saw a market in,” he said.

The family-run business has evolved through multiple generations, with each bringing different perspectives on what customers want.

Cindy Kim Evans, the store’s import director, said those differences have helped the business grow.

“My dad is 40 years older than I am. Two very different generations, but we have, like, different eyes,” she said. “He sort of knows what the older generation Korean wants. I’m like, ‘Hey, younger people are more into this.’ Now with Scott joining the business as like the third generation, it’s great because he has a whole different set of eyes.”

The store is known for its wide-ranging inventory, from Korean slippers ordered in large quantities to popular K-beauty products.

Customers say the selection is difficult to find elsewhere.

“So these are the visors that sold out, and they’re amazing because it covers 180. You can’t really find them in [Orange County.] That’s why we buy them here,” said Sarah Ahn of @ahnestkitchen.

For many shoppers, Kim’s Home Center is more than a place to buy household items; it is a link to cultural memory and family history.

“It’s just the nostalgic place for us,” Ahn said. “For our parents, it was their version of Korea to get their products, and for us, new generation, it’s where we continue to buy our parents’ things that they use. I think it’s just such an iconic part of K-Town and no one knows beyond maybe the Korean community and people who live around here. But I feel like every SoCal Korean knows this place. It’s low key, but also not.”

Other customers echo that sentiment, citing both the products and the people who work there.

“I love just the people that work here. I come in and I feel like their aunties are just like watching over me as soon as I come in,” said Keehup Yong of Koreatown. “To have a store like this, where again, you can see everything that you grew up with. It’s like really nice. Fifteen different rice cookers?! It’s like a dream to me.”

Kim Evans said she now sees younger generations continuing the tradition of shopping at the store for hard-to-find items.

“It’s all of the kids and the grandkids who are now shopping here when they’re like, ‘Hey, I think I need to buy this thing for when I make this thing,'” she said. “It’s like, where can I find that? Oh, let me try Kim’s, and usually, we’ll have it here.”

Ahn summed up the appeal simply: “Where else are you going to get the big kimchi bowls? Where else are you going to get the Korean home slippers that last a long time?”

For Scott Kim, continuing the family business is about more than retail success.

“It’s very rewarding to be able to continue to preserve that Korean culture,” he said. “It’s not just for us, but also for the people who come here and shop here.”

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 Tia Maggio, Graham Cawthon

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    SAVANNAH, Georgia (WJCL) — A Savannah police officer was suspended without pay after an internal investigation into an encounter at Ellis Square.

The case drew wider attention after a video of the incident began circulating online, prompting a response from the Savannah Police Department.

In a statement shared Monday on Facebook, Police Chief Lenny Gunther said the department had already reviewed the complaint.

“We’re aware of the video circulating involving one of our officers and an allegation of improper use of force,” Gunther said. “What’s important for people to know is that while this video is just now making its way around social media, the incident itself happened on March 20.”

He said a complaint was filed, an internal investigation was immediately opened, and the inquiry resulted in disciplinary action, including a suspension without pay.

Bodycam captures key moment

Police bodycam shows the moments before and after the use-of-force incident.

In the above video, you can see the officer approach several women as one of them is being placed in handcuffs.

The women take issue with the claim that the one in custody is drunk in public. The video shows one of the women briefly putting her hand up, with the officer swatting it away and shoving both women.

One of the two women falls completely backwards, with the back of her head coming close to hitting the curb.

“She hit my arm, so I shoved her back,” the officer is heard saying. “I could arrest her for that.”

One of the women goes on to ask his name and badge number.

Department says complaint process worked Gunther said the case moved through the department’s internal review system as intended.

“When our officers fall short of expectations, we take that seriously, and we act,” he said. “Our officers are working in fast-moving, sometimes volatile situations, but that doesn’t change the standard. We hold our people accountable.”

He also said the department wants the public to understand there is a formal process for reporting and reviewing complaints against officers.

“In this case, that process worked the way it’s supposed to,” Gunther said.

The department’s statement did not identify the officer, describe the exact policy violation, or detail the length of the suspension.

Mayor comments During a scheduled media briefing on Tuesday, Savannah Mayor Van Johnson said the case was reviewed internally soon after it happened and that the officer was suspended for one day without pay. The officer did not appeal the punishment.

Johnson said he personally believed the force used was inappropriate.

“When they fall short of our expectations, when they fall short of policy or the law, we take that seriously and we act,” he said.

Community sessions planned Johnson said Savannah plans to hold public sessions this summer to explain police use-of-force policies in plain language.

He said he wants an independent expert — not someone from the Savannah Police Department — to lead the discussion and help residents better understand what officers face in the field.

The sessions may also include a police simulator to give community members a more hands-on sense of how officers make split-second decisions.

“We should have nothing to hide,” Johnson 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.

By Graham Cawthon

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    LEXINGTON, South Carolina (WJCL) — A teen who was reported kidnapped during an armed home invasion in South Carolina is now accused of helping plan the crime himself, police said.

Lexington Police Chief Terrence Green said the case began Sunday night when two armed men broke into a home on Hendrix Street. Investigators said the intruders, both described as Black males, threatened and assaulted several relatives inside the house, whose ages ranged from 12 to 61.

During the break-in, police initially believed 17-year-old Sema’j Corvin Gardner had been abducted, prompting an extensive search and investigation.

Investigation shifts

As detectives worked with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI, authorities said they uncovered evidence that Gardner had conspired with the two suspects to stage his own kidnapping.

Gardner was found Monday evening and arrested, police said.

Because he is being charged as an adult, Gardner was booked into the Lexington County Detention Center. He faces six counts of kidnapping, six counts of first-degree assault and battery, conspiracy, pointing and presenting a weapon, and first-degree burglary.

At a bond hearing, Gardner was denied bond and remains in custody, authorities said.

Another teen arrested, third suspect sought

Police also arrested a 16-year-old boy in connection with the case. He is charged with six counts of kidnapping, six counts of first-degree assault and battery, conspiracy, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, pointing and presenting a weapon, and first-degree burglary.

The teen is being held by the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice while awaiting a bond hearing in Lexington County Family Court.

The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are still looking for a third suspect.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Cpl. Kenneth Heath at 803-358-1557 or kheath@lexsc.gov.

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 Anthony Carlo

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    GRAND CONCOURSE, New York (WABC) — A Bronx man who relies on a specialized motorized wheelchair says he has been left stranded and in pain after a thief rode off with the $5,000 device outside his Grand Concourse building two weeks ago.

“Devastated that somebody could stoop that low,” said 59-year-old Steven.

Steven needs a hip replacement and wears a colostomy bag because of a rupture in his intestines.

His stolen wheelchair extends upright, a feature he says is essential for his comfort. Without it, even basic tasks have become overwhelming.

“It’s been really hard,” he said, choking up. “I can’t get out to get air like I used to. I used to go to the park. I can’t go to the store. It’s too far for me to walk. I have appointments. I need to pick up prescriptions that are not close by. and I have to walk to the bus.”

Navigating his building has also become a daily challenge. One elevator is blocked by stairs, and the only accessible elevator does not reach his floor.

To get home, he must ride it to the basement and transfer to another elevator, a route that becomes impossible after 8 p.m., when the basement level is no longer accessible.

On late nights, he must leave any mobility device in the lobby and climb upstairs with a cane.

Police are searching for the suspect seen on security video riding away in the wheelchair.

Steven, who lives on Social Security, said replacing it is not financially possible.

“Think about if it was your brother, your sister, your mother or your father and how would they feel if their lifeline was taken from them,” he said. “Think twice before you do something like that.”

The investigation is ongoing.

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 Alex Barber

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    ROWAN COUNTY, Kentucky (WLEX) — A 10-year-old boy with autism in Rowan County has published his first book — a colorful alphabet learning guide illustrated entirely with his own monster drawings — and is using proceeds to support first responders.

Bryce Morrison, a fourth-grader at McBrayer Elementary in Morehead, has Level 2 autism and has spent years expressing his emotions through drawing. His father, Ryan Morrison, saved those drawings and eventually helped turn them into a published book.

“We’ve been saving all his drawings and we had stacks,” Ryan said. “We took his best ones and tried to get it published, just trying to preserve his drawings.”

The result is “Alphabet Monsters,” an A-to-Z learning book published last month. The book features Bryce’s original monster illustrations paired with letters of the alphabet, designed to help young readers learn while showing that monsters don’t have to be scary.

“Everything has a story. They are all positive. None of his monsters are scary and he gives disclaimers how they’re really nice,” Ryan said.

Bryce has also been donating copies to his local school library, the Rowan County Public Library and several “leave a book, take a book” blessing boxes around the city. He donated books to his former elementary school in Woodford County, where he attended kindergarten through third grade, and his teacher there turned the book into a lesson plan — having students draw the monsters and learn the alphabet.

“He is really concerned about helping everybody,” Ryan said.

Beyond promoting reading, Bryce is using his book to give back to Rowan County EMS. Ryan has worked as an EMT for seven years and has been with Rowan County EMS since October. Proceeds from every “Alphabet Monsters” book sold will go toward purchasing sensory kits for first responders.

“They’re called ‘Carter Kits.’ They are sensory kits that go on the ambulance. That include things that will help kids and adults that have autism,” Ryan said.

For Ryan, the book represents something bigger than reading or fundraising.

“For him and us parents it gives us and other people hope that they aren’t limited and that they can do these types of things,” Ryan said.

Bryce is already working on his next book, which will focus on teaching numbers.

The book is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Walmart.

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 Kate Devine

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    WICHITA, Kansas (KAKE) — A Wichita couple says nearly everything they owned was stolen from their storage unit at Prime Storage near 13th and Maize.

Muirgheal Redford and Adrian McCorgary said they had been renting the unit since December. On Sunday, they went to pick up tools for work and found the unit almost completely empty.

“We arrived here to pick up some tools,” Redford said. “As he’s opening the door, as he’s rolling it up, at my feet I see a coat and a big cardboard tube that I assumed had posters or something in it. And as I look up, we just see everything’s gone. It’s kind of shell shock, really. Every single thing you own missing.”

The couple said whoever broke in did not get through the front door.

“They unscrewed the wall paneling on their side of the unit on the inside, took the panel down and gained access to our unit, and then were able to undo our lock from the wall, from the inside of the unit,” McCorgary said.

Redford and McCorgary estimate between $80,000 and $100,000 worth of belongings were taken, including collectibles, appliances, furniture and business items.

“Pretty much any appliance or furniture we’ve had our entire lives, going back to our childhood,” Redford said.

The couple said some of the most painful losses are the things that cannot be replaced.

“Great-grandmother’s handwritten recipes were in a box,” Redford said. “She made stained glass art, so some stained glass pictures from her, and then childhood blankets and other blankets with our names embroidered, and her letterman jacket from high school.”

McCorgary said he also lost family keepsakes.

The couple said it looked like the theft involved more than one person.

“It looks like it was cleared out by multiple people, by multiple vehicles,” McCorgary said. “It wasn’t just one person. It looks like it was a crew of people.”

Redford and McCorgary said they are still working through the insurance process and waiting for updates in the case.

“We’re still figuring out the insurance,” McCorgary said. “We were refunded our last month of rent. The general manager fought for that for us. Other than that, we haven’t been told anything. We haven’t been contacted by the detective on our case yet, so we’re not sure what’s going to happen.”

They said the insurance they were told about would only cover $3,000, and the maximum protection plan offered through the company would only cover up to $10,000.

McCorgary said they are leaning on family as they try to move forward.

“Everything minus two suitcases of clothing that we both brought to a family’s house is gone,” Redford said.

“The hope is insurance covers some of it,” Redford said. “The other hope is that anything that isn’t of value but has a lot of sentimental value, maybe we can find it dumped somewhere or someone has the sense about them to maybe turn some of it back in.”

A GoFundMe has been set up for the couple. You can find it here: gofund.me/98fe78e14

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 Abby Wray

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    TOPEKA, Kansas (KAKE) — A program that benefits cats, dogs, the Helping Hands Humane Society and the residents of Topeka Correctional Facility, the only women’s prison in the state, offers its residents the chance to not only train animals before they are adopted, but also cuddle with kittens and puppies for a purpose.

About a year ago, Topeka Correctional Facility started the PHAT cat program- placing homeless and terrific cats- where residents would care for and nurse kittens and cats in need.

That program has grown and expanded, and now includes Pawsitive Pathways, allowing residents training opportunities that are truly transformational. Because of these programs, now both incarcerated women and local animals in need have a new leash on life.

Ruby Mata-Hernandez is one of 16 residents at Topeka Correctional Facility with a big responsibility.

“Cause that’s what we do, we train them, we care for them, and we make sure they are not dogs that bite,” explained Mata-Hernandez.

She’s part of the Pawsitive Pathways program, helping to provide behavioral, obedience, leashing, and kennel training to dogs from the Helping Hands Humane Society.

“It’s a rewarding feeling because they grow so fast, and I just love playing with them. They have a little personality, each one of them- this is Nova right here,” said Mata-Hernandez.

Mata-Hernandez says she had never really had a dog before her time in prison, so it’s taken time to learn every aspect of caring for the animals full-time, but she says it’s all worth it.

Residents work in three shifts, and they are in charge of bathing the dogs and sanitizing their facilities. And there can be a lot to clean with upwards of 70 animals in their care at one time.

The program actually started as the PHAT cat program – placing homeless and terrific cats, but now, dogs and cats alike receive training and care from residents of the prison.

Topeka Correctional Facility got its first dog back in August 2025, but the program has grown since then. Now residents spend about three hours a day training little puppies like this, while the bigger dogs require about six hours of training on a daily basis.

Helping Hands Humane Society says when the animals leave the prison for adoption, they’re incredibly well socialized, far exceeding the original expectations of the program.

“We get compliments when people come to adopt of how friendly, and well-behaved, and already learning training these puppies and kitties are that they’re meeting, so we know that they are getting really good quality interactions with the people out there,” said Emi Griess, the communications coordinator at His Helping Hands Humane Society.

So far, 138 animals have come through the program- each one quickly adopted after 6-11 weeks of training at the prison.

“It makes me feel accomplished at the end. Even if it’s sad when the puppies leave, it makes me feel good that I did something productive,” said Mata-Hernandez.

Another incredibly positive aspect is an incentive program that reaches all residents at Topeka Correctional. “People will actually stay out of trouble in order to cuddle with the puppies for 15 minutes,” explained Mata-Hernandez.

Officials say that since puppy cuddle time has been offered as an incentive, disciplinary reports at the prison have decreased 27%.

“They help people that are going through things. Like being with a puppy makes everything better,” said Mata-Hernandez.

The goal of the program is not just to benefit the animals, but the people taking care of them, too.

“Some of them, when they leave, they’re going to be able to work at any kennel they want to or maybe even get their foot in the door at a grooming salon for pets or those types of things,” said Ashley Jackman, a TCF employee and PREA compliance manager.

Mata-Hernandez says when she gets out of prison, she wants to pursue dog training, providing puppies with consistency and care to transform their lives.

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 KITV Web Staff

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    KILAUEA, Hawaii (KITV) — The 46th episode of Kilauea that begun on Tuesday morning end after over 9 hours of fountaining, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed.

Lava fountaining began in Halema’uma’u at the summit at 8:17 a.m. on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.

USGS officials reported that the north vent fountain heights are currently reaching 500 ft. The National Weather Service forecasts light and variable winds becoming southeast 5 to 7 mph Tuesday morning, which suggests that volcanic gas emissions and tephra may be distributed throughout the summit region.

The eruptions ended abruptly at 5:22 p.m. after 9 hours of continuous lava fountaining. Tephra fall from volcanic ash clouds has only reached within 3 miles of the vents, while lighter ash and Pele’s Hair may appear further from the vents.

Most lava fountaining episodes since December 23, 2024, have continued for a day or less.

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.