Author: CNN Newsource

By Ashley Paul

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    BALTIMORE (WJZ) — A pleasant lunch hour at Squire’s Restaurant in Dundalk, constantly interrupted by loud trucks and tractor-trailers passing through.

Owner Bob Romiti told CBS News Baltimore that it has been that way every single day for the last 25 months, since Holabird Avenue became a popular alternate route following the 2024 collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

“They make a lot of noise, especially if they’re empty; they hit these bumps and rattle like crazy,” Romiti said. “When they’re pulling a heavy load, it will shake my building like an earthquake.”

Romiti said this, combined with backed-up traffic and a less direct route, has led to fewer customers coming to his restaurant.

Now, following Tuesday’s announcement that the state is seeking a new contractor to complete the rebuild project, Romiti is even more frustrated. The Maryland Transportation Authority dropped Kiewit as a contractor in an effort to seek lower costs and shorten the timeline.

“It doesn’t surprise me one bit because nobody is steering the ship,” Romiti said.

In a UMBC poll released on Wednesday, 76% of Baltimore City residents and 84% of Baltimore County residents say the collapse of the Key Bridge has had a great deal or some impact on their lives. Meanwhile, 44% of city residents and 55% of Baltimore County residents say they are not confident the bridge will be rebuilt by 2030.

Those same frustrations are felt by customers inside the restaurant, like Frank and JoAnn Hughes, who live in Old Dundalk.

“I just don’t understand why it’s taking as long as it did,” Frank Hughes said. “95 in Philadelphia collapsed, and they said it was going to take six to eight months to get it back together. It took 10 days, and it was back in operation. Why are we taking so long with this?”

“It’s just going to take longer than expected, and who knows what it’s going to look like after, and we don’t know who is going to be the contractor. And it is a big concern,” added JoAnn Hughes.

They say the traffic in their neighborhood has been a nightmare, and the roads are destroyed because of the heavy trucks forced to come through.

They’re worried the search for a new contractor will just further hold up the project.

“I’m 86 and JoAnn is 89, we hope we live long enough to see the Key Bridge reopen and be able to drive across it,” Frank Hughes said.

The state is now looking for a replacement contractor but pledged the work will continue uninterrupted.

While Romiti said there’s nothing he can do but wait it out, he has a message for the people in charge.

“Get people in there that know what they’re doing and get it going and get it done,” Romiti said. “Don’t be playing politics with this thing, it’s crazy.”

As many as 35,000 vehicles crossed the Key Bridge every day before its collapse.

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 Mary Eber

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    BALTIMORE (WJZ) — At 46 years old, Jodi Hicks is preparing for her final semester of nursing school in Maryland before taking the national exam to practice nursing. It’s been a lifelong dream she wasn’t sure would come true.

“Since I was a kid, I wanted to be a nurse,” she said. “My dad was an EMT and a fireman, and I loved hearing his stories.”

While raising children with her husband and doing work related to her marketing and communications degree, Hicks considered going back to school at times, but with four little ones at home, the idea was daunting.

In 2013, she became a certified nursing assistant, but because of some health issues in her family, she couldn’t work.

“I actually used those skills to take care of my children and my husband, but all along, I was like, man, being a nurse would be so amazing,” Hicks said.

Now, with her kids all grown up, her 20-year-old daughter Danielle had landed on a career to pursue — nursing — and she wanted her mom to join her.

“I was like, you should do it with me, we should go into nursing school,” Danielle said.

Danielle had always heard her mom talk about going back to school and pursuing a career in nursing. While she was grateful her mom stayed home with her and her siblings, even homeschooling them, she said she didn’t want to see her mom give up on her dream.

“She had a good career that she loved, but I think I could tell she wanted more, and I wanted to help,” said Danielle.

For Jodi, it was an easy yes.

“I say this to people all the time,” Jodi said. “Anytime your 20-year-old daughter wants to do anything with mom, you do it.”

Originally, they planned to go to school at the same time and do everything together, but they settled on different schools, still pursuing the same goal.

Jodi is preparing for her final semester and is set to graduate this August from the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program at Notre Dame of Maryland University.

The accelerated program is 15 months, with four consecutive semesters.

“It is a rigorous curriculum; there’s no doubt about it,” said Kathleen Wisser, Dean of the School of Nursing at Notre Dame University. “I would be fooling anyone to say that this was a cakewalk because it is not, but we have an enormous number of resources to help our students be successful.”

The hybrid program, with a mix of online and in-person coursework, began in 2019. It’s designed for people who’ve completed a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and want to pursue a second, as well as people who have accumulated credits.

It’s a rolling admission process with admission three times a year in September, January and May.

After graduating, students take the national exam, the NCLEX, or National Council Licensure Examination, to practice nursing. Notre Dame of Maryland University has had 100% pass rates for the exam for the last two years.

“I could not be any prouder of faculty and staff who have worked really hard to shepherd our students to a successful first-time pass rate,” said Wisser.

Danielle attends Carroll Community College and will begin her nursing program in August, when Jodi’s comes to an end.

“I’ll actually graduate just before she’s really in the thick of school, so we’re still working through it together and learning together,” said Jodi.

In fact, Danielle was able to pass along her good study tips and how she works through problems to help her mom get into a good rhythm to focus.

“Going back to school for me, I needed to develop some new study habits,” Jodi said. ” I knew how to learn, I knew how to push myself. Working wasn’t the problem, but it was just a whole new ballgame.”

They’ve even had overlaps in what they’re learning.

“I’m listening to [Danielle] talk about pathophysiology,” said Jodi. “She’s doing anatomy and physiology, actually, right now, and so we’ll study together, or she’ll ask me questions, and I’m like, ooh, I just learned that.”

Danielle said at first, she was sad that she and her mom wouldn’t be going to the same school at the same time.

“It ended up being even better cause now she’s had all of that experience, and I can see her go through it. So it’s a lot less intimidating to know what to expect, and then I do have explanations. We can share resources, books, and stuff like that,” she said.

“It’s never too late,” Jodi said. “It’s always possible. There’s always time to fulfill that dream, and take the time; it’s worth it.”

Jodi said she can’t believe how happy she is, even among the busyness and stress.

“I can feel that the end is near,” she said. “I can see this desire that I’ve had to learn being fulfilled.”

If you have a dream, this mother-daughter duo has a message.

“Just do it,” said Danielle.

“Yeah, I think that’s the biggest thing,” said Jodi. “If you have that dream and goal, start looking into it and go after it because you never know how those paths will open up and it’s absolutely possible.”

Nurses are in high demand in Maryland, and the need is projected to grow locally and nationally.

“By 2032, Maryland’s going to be in the top five states for nursing shortages,” said Wisser. “During the pandemic, quite a number of nurses decided to stay; they didn’t retire. However, after the pandemic… there was an exodus of many of our seasoned nurses.”

This exacerbated the existing nursing shortage, she said.

“Our job at Notre Dame is to create pathways for students, whether they’re second degree or they’re coming in as transfer students to complete their baccalaureate degree in a relatively short period of time and then be eligible to sit for NCLEX and become a registered nurse in Maryland,” said Wisser.

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 John Lauritsen

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    ROCHESTER, Minnesota (WCCO) — For nearly a century, the Mayo Clinic carillon has been making music in downtown Rochester, Minnesota.

Rochester is a city of character. The proof is in its architecture.

The Plummer Building at the Mayo Clinic may be the biggest character of them all; its style is classic, and so is its carillon.

“I always call it a piano that has bells instead of strings,” said Austin Ferguson.

For 98.5 years, this instrument has sat at the very top of Plummer. Like clockwork, twice a day, Ferguson becomes the man behind the music. He sits alone, 19 stories above the streets, yet his songs can reach thousands of people at any given time.

“I always joke that if you ever ask somebody how they got into the carillon, their response will be that it was a complete accident. I was in the right place at the right time,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson first laid hands on the instrument in high school and then again in college. Nine years ago, he became the fourth full-time carillonneur in Mayo Clinic history.

“But the idea from the outset for actually having a carillon was to be a war memorial,” said Ferguson. “For the soldiers who had fallen and given up their lives for the country.”

Brothers Charles and William Mayo thought of that after serving in the medical corps during World War I.

The carillon has 56 bells, and the Mayo Clinic said that makes it one of the largest instruments in the world and the largest instrument in Minnesota.

But the bells never move. When Ferguson pushes down on a key, a wire causes the clapper to hit the side of the bell. The melody is entirely mechanical.

“It takes a little bit of getting used to that you use your fists instead of your fingers,” he said.

His biggest fans can be found on street level.

“It’s kind of like you know you’re home when you hear the music going,” said Jessica Johnston. “I do enjoy it. It’s part of Mayo Clinic.”

It’s a place where medicine and music work together. Ferguson said the biggest compliment he can receive is when a patient goes out of their way to thank him.

“‘You played a song that my grandmother used to sing me to sleep when I was homesick from school. That really means something,'” said Ferguson. “What better feeling could possibly you have? What better validation could you have in terms of what you are doing? It’s just wonderful.”

The Mayo Clinic carillon is played twice a day, Monday through Friday. You can watch the performances via livestream on the Mayo Clinic website.

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 Karson Wells

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    ARROYO GRANDE, California (KSBY) — An 18-year-old who says she was one of dozens of women allegedly filmed without their knowledge at Planet Fitness in Arroyo Grande filed a lawsuit this week against the gym.

Police announced earlier this month that a suspect had been identified and more than 50 videos showing women inside tanning and red-light therapy rooms at the gym were found during a forensic review.

The filmings are alleged to have taken place between January and December of last year.

According to the lawsuit, the woman notified police after seeing someone filming her while she was inside a tanning bed.

She claims Planet Fitness allowed it to happen and alleges the company is responsible for gross negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The suit also alleges the company violated a California Civil Rights law.

The lawsuit is seeking financial compensation and demanding changes at the gym.

Police have not identified the suspect or said whether an arrest was made.

KSBY News contacted Planet Fitness for comment on the lawsuit and is awaiting a response.

Previously, the gym franchise told KSBY, “At Planet Fitness, the safety and privacy of our members is our top priority, and we do not tolerate inappropriate behavior of any kind. We can confirm the franchise group has cancelled the member in question and is working closely with the local police in their investigation. As this is an ongoing investigation, we refer any additional inquiries to the local authorities.”

KSBY News also reached out to the Arroyo Grande Police Department for an update on the investigation but has not heard back.

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 Tanner Kahler

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    MADISON, Wisconsin (WISN) — On Wednesday, a court commissioner ordered the animal rights activist accused of leading a riot and break in at a Dane County beagle breeding and research facility to stand trial.

Wayne Hsiung appeared in court late Wednesday afternoon.

Prosecutors charged him with organizing a violent protest and break-in at Ridglan Farms last month.

They played police body camera video in court from that day of Hsiung confronting police.

A police officer also testified that the video shows Hsiung at the farm that day trying to break in with a crowbar. Video also shows him carrying one of the beagles away.

Police arrested 20 people. 22 dogs were stolen.

The news Wednesday comes as WISN 12 News has learned Ridglan Farms plans to sell a majority of its beagles. In a statement, Ridglan Farms said, “This week, following a series of negotiations, Ridglan Farms reached an agreement to sell a substantial majority of its dogs to groups that offered to purchase the animals.”

A group called Big Dog Ranch Rescue is planning a news conference about the dogs Thursday morning.

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 Peyton Headlee

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    SOLANO COUNTY, California (KCRA) — Memorials honoring fallen first responders and veterans in Solano County were vandalized this week, with bronze stars and plaques stolen from sites in Fairfield and Vallejo, sparking outrage and an investigation by authorities.

The Peace Officers Memorial in Fairfield, which honors 21 law enforcement officers who lost their lives in service to the county, was stripped of its bronze stars and plaques.

Solano County Sheriff Brad DeWall expressed his disbelief over the incident.

“Nothing like this has ever happened in my days here. Nothing like this ever,” he said. “I am outraged at the fact that someone would stoop so low to come and take a memorial star honoring that service and that sacrifice.”

One of the stolen stars was dedicated to Kirk Griess, a California Highway Patrol officer who died in 2018 after being hit by a car during a traffic stop on Interstate 80.

“My husband was a California Highway Patrol officer, rode motorcycle,” said Keri Griess, his widow. “Was just wonderful, loved what he did, was super involved in the community and would do anything for anybody at any time.”

Reflecting on the vandalism, Keri Griess said, “It’s just disheartening that someone would live in such an evil world that people can just walk in and take it all away.”

The thefts extended beyond the Peace Officers Memorial in Fairfield, with plaques stolen from nearby county buildings and the Veterans Memorial.

The first responder’s memorial outside Vallejo City Hall was also targeted.

“Anything that celebrates their fallen, it was all pried off the wall,” DeWall said.

Sheriff DeWall questioned the motives behind the thefts.

“Was it anti-law enforcement? Was it anti-government? Are we being targeted? But that is still being uncovered. Or is it greed for people that are just trying to recover the value of that material?” DeWall said.

In a statement, DeWall called the thefts “cowardly and disgraceful” and emphasized the significance of the stolen items.

“To those responsible: hear me clearly. You did not steal mere metal—you stole symbols of sacrifice, duty, courage, and patriotism. You violated places of remembrance that hold deep meaning for this county,” DeWall said.

The vandalism comes just weeks before the annual Peace Officers Memorial ceremony, where law enforcement, families, and community members gather to honor the 21 fallen officers. Authorities are working on temporary replacements for the stolen items while pursuing a long-term solution.

DeWall assured the community that every available resource is being dedicated to the investigation, with assistance from allied law enforcement partners throughout Solano County.

“We will work tirelessly to find you and ensure you are held fully accountable under the law,” DeWall said.

Anyone with information about the thefts is urged to contact Solano County Sheriff’s Office Investigations at 707-784-7050 or anonymously at 707-784-1963.

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 John Rupolo

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    ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico (KOAT) — Isaiah Chavez, 26, has been charged under Bennie’s Law, which allows for misdemeanor or felony charges against individuals who enable minors to access firearms.

According to the criminal complaint, the incident occurred Monday when an 8-year-old girl accidentally shot herself in the leg after finding Chavez’s handgun on a kitchen counter. Chavez had reportedly placed the firearm there before going to bed.

Chavez’s family expressed their belief that he should not face charges.

“It was a freak accident. I mean, it was just. It was like. It was just all, like a big storm of everything that happened to it. It wasn’t like, you know, it wasn’t his fault,” a family member said.

In March, Robert Encinio was also charged under Bennie’s Law after his 9-year-old son allegedly brought a loaded gun to Mitchell Elementary School. The child reportedly took the firearm from his father’s office.

KOAT legal expert John Day explained the purpose of Bennie’s Law.

“Bennie’s law is designed to put the burden on adults, on parents, to make sure that basically that their firearms are secured. What it does is it criminalizes the act of an adult or responsible parent,” Day said.

Bennie’s Law was enacted in 2023 following the death of Bennie Hargrove, who was shot by a classmate at Washington Middle School in 2021. The classmate had brought a loaded gun to school.

Since 2024, 22 people across New Mexico have been charged under Bennie’s Law, with the highest number of cases reported in Bernalillo County, followed closely by Chaves County.

Legal experts have discussed whether the law is achieving its intended purpose.

“If the idea is that at least some parents, some adults are understanding that they’ve got to make sure that their guns are safely stored and not accessible to children. So that may be the way you define the success,” Day 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 Addie Meiners

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    LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (WLKY) — An 89-year-old Louisville native in hospice care wants to get in one final Kentucky Derby before he dies.

Bob Weihe has been to 79 Derbies in a row.

But in a wheelchair, unable to walk and unable to afford it, he feared his dying wish would not come true.

But after a public appeal, it looks like he’ll get that wish.

David Begnaud with CBS News shared a video online asking for help to grant it.

Weihe’s passion for the Derby began in 1946 when he attended his first race at the age of 8 with his mother.

“I was in the infield, and she had me climb up under people so I could see the horses,” Weihe said. Watching the horses thunder past, he said he was hooked.

“Once you go, you get a bug for it. Just watching those horses. It’s awesome,” he said.

Weihe’s wife, Barbara, has been his date to 62 Derbies, starting in 1957. “I had never been to the Derby or thought about the Derby. And, so the first year, my girlfriend and his guys, they all, you know, asked us to go out there. I had no idea,” Barbara said. “But we’ve had a lot of, a lot of really good times, you know.”

Over the years, Weihe has kept his streak alive through determination, including sneaking into ticketed sections and even finding his way onto the backside during the attendee-free COVID Derby. “It’s been pretty important. And like you, you know, see all the collections around here and then he has bobbleheads in there, and it’s been just, I don’t know, just part of our lives really,” Barbara said.

As his life nears its end, Weihe said attending his 80th Derby would mean a great deal to him. “It would mean a whole lot, something special,” he said.

Churchill Downs responded to Begnaud’s video, providing tickets to make Weihe’s wish come true.

Begnaud delivered the news, ensuring Weihe will continue his remarkable streak this Saturday.

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 Bryce Oselen

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    BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (WVTM) — Maegan McCormick has launched the Birmingham Trinket Trade, a community project located on the side of “The Electric” in Avondale.

“I just wanted to find a way to bring joy and happiness to the community and kind of make like a community project where we could all come by and take something and leave something and just brighten some people’s day,” McCormick said.

McCormick said she started the project after researching similar initiatives and finding none nearby.

“I was researching if there was any kind of close to me and didn’t come upon any, so I figured I would go ahead and start my own,” McCormick said.

The Trinket Trade features a box filled with items such as keychains, toys, stickers, and more. People of all ages are welcome to stop by and trade items, fostering connections within the community. McCormick said the box has been active for about two weeks and has gained significant attention.

“Yeah, it’s going on week two, and yeah, it’s been extremely popular ever since I posted it on TikTok. It got a lot of views on there, and so people have been stopping by kind of all hours of the day, which has been fun,” McCormick said.

Antonio Wright, kitchen manager at The Electric, said the box has drawn visitors even late at night.

“Even at night, from nine to ten to eleven o’clock when I leave from closing, I see a line of people actually out here at the Trinket Box, so a lot of people have been real happy with it,” Wright said.

McCormick said the project has become so popular that the Trinket Box now has its own trinket box. She hopes to expand the initiative and keep it running.

“Yeah, I love to have people stop by any hour of the day. You’re welcome to stop by, and I definitely encourage it, and I love to see the community’s love for it,” McCormick said.

She also expressed her desire to create a Trinket Trade Box for the city of Hoover.

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.