Author: CNN Newsource

By Brian Roche

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    MIDDLETOWN, Pennsylvania (WGAL) — Darrell Powell, a Pennsylvania man diagnosed with amnesia after being found unconscious in a Florida restroom, is trying to piece together his life with the help of his ex-wife, Abi Knaub.

“He needs to have a life now. Even if he can’t remember his life,” Knaub said.

Timeline of events

Powell was discovered on Sept. 8 in a Wawa restroom in Orlando, Florida, with no wallet, cell phone, or identification. He has been told his name is Darrell Powell and grew up in Middletown, graduating from Middletown Area High School in 1995.

“He doesn’t know who he is. He knows who he has been told he is,” Knaub said.

Knaub, Powell’s ex-wife, last had contact with him around 2014.

After Powell was in the hospital for eight days, police used facial recognition software to find his Pennsylvania driver’s license online, connecting him with Knaub.

“And after he had been in the hospital for eight days, the police came and did, took a picture of him, and ran facial recognition software, were able to find his Pennsylvania driver’s license online. They landed on me because basically his parents have passed away and there is no one else,” Knaub said.

Powell has no children or family, and he has been diagnosed with amnesia caused by a brain aneurysm. Despite the option to walk away, Knaub is committed to helping Powell.

“I’m not taking that stance. And everyone in my life, my family members, the people that I love, all understand and support me in doing this because they know that this is who I am,” Knaub said.

Taking role as detective

Knaub has appointed herself as Powell’s detective, trying to piece together his life and determine how he ended up in Florida.

“The last I know, he was living in Camp Hill. However, his driver’s license said that he was living in Erie,” Knaub said.

Knaub learned that Powell had an apartment in Erie with rent paid through July and rented a car in Erie that was found in Florida.

An invoice shows Powell booked a cruise out of Miami from August 3-10, but it is unknown if he went on the cruise.

Tough path ahead

Powell has returned to Pennsylvania after being treated in the hospital, and Florida authorities put him on a bus where Knaub picked him up. He is now living in a shelter.

“Basically, I’d like to just be able to start over, and I mean, hopefully, you know, just move forward,” Powell said.

Despite looking at photos of his past life provided by Knaub, nothing jogged Powell’s memory.

The goal is to find out what happened to Powell, why he ended up in Florida, and what may have happened before he was found unconscious.

Powell has been told by doctors that his memory may return in the future, but the aneurysm remains in his brain, and the medical path forward is uncertain.

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By Justin Adams

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    LITTLETON, Colorado (KCNC) — As the Dakota Ridge Eagles prepare for their Football Friday matchup against Pueblo West, students at the school are earning attention for something far beyond the field.

During the recent federal government shutdown, Dakota Ridge High School was selected as one of several Jeffco Public Schools to operate as a temporary community food bank. The shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, left many families across Colorado struggling with delayed paychecks and reduced access to federal nutrition programs.

When five pallets of donated food arrived from a districtwide drive at Jeffco Stadium, more than 60 students from the school’s leadership team stepped in to help. The group unloaded, sorted, and organized everything from canned goods and kid-friendly snacks to personal hygiene items.

“It makes me feel good knowing that it’s not just the football team or the baseball team. Everybody is getting involved in this school,” said Breck Inmaynes, the senior class president.

Students worked for more than an hour and a half to transfer the donations from the trucks into the school, establishing a system that allows families to pick up supplies twice a week. The food bank is open on Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and again from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Any items not claimed at the school are donated to a nearby food pantry.

For many of the students who volunteered, the project was personal.

“Nothing but joy,” said student body president Jaxson Arnold. “Just knowing that what we’re doing is helping somebody else, it just makes you happy.”

The students say they plan to continue running the food bank even with the shutdown over, hoping to support neighbors who are still recovering from lost wages and unexpected financial strain.

“It makes a massive difference,” said student body president Caiden Dixon. “Any way we could help, we wanted to.”

Dakota Ridge High School, located in southwest Jefferson County, has a long history of community involvement. Staff members say the student-led food bank has become a point of pride for the school, and a reminder that the spirit of teamwork extends well beyond Friday nights under the lights.

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By Madisen Keavy

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    SACRAMENTO (KOVR) — A birthday surprise brought a retired racehorse to an East Sacramento neighborhood, all because of a “longshot” call put out on social media and a pair of willing volunteers.

Judy Courdy grew up riding horses every summer at her uncle’s Midwest farm. She has stories of afternoons spent riding her favorite, “Duke,” usually, she laughed, without a saddle.

Judy’s son, Ryan, told CBS Sacramento that it’s harder for his mother, 83, to get out of bed. She’s mostly homebound, but for this birthday, her son wanted to do something special.

He wanted to take her back to the days of riding horses at the family ranch but didn’t know how to bring a horse to her house.

Ryan put the call out on social media, asking anyone in the Sacramento area if there were companies, nonprofits, or people who brought horses on home calls.

“The response was overwhelming, I really can’t believe how many people stepped up and how many people offered,” said Ryan.

Delanee Borland responded to the call along with her retired racehorse, Apollo. Loading up the thoroughbred in the trailer from Davis to Judy’s East Sacramento street.

“If I can do this for someone, I would hope someone would do it for one of my loved ones, or myself, if I’m ever in a position where I can’t be around horses,” said Borland.

Judy told CBS Sacramento the surprise took her back to when she was 10 years old.

“It was like it was bringing back all the flashes of all the horses I’ve ever ridden,” said Judy.

Surrounded by her care team, family, and neighbors, Judy fed Apollo carrots and cookies from her wheelchair, just a few feet away from her front door. It was as if no time had passed and Apollo, likely sensing her heart, even gave a few loving taps on her head.

“I am overwhelmed by their kindness,” said Ryan, “I haven’t seen her that happy in a long time.”

Borland and Becca Wittman, who came to assist with the surprise, told CBS Sacramento it was a “no-brainer” to volunteer for the birthday surprise.

They wouldn’t take any money and said they didn’t do it for any other reason than because the love of horses never goes away.

“I have always felt really strongly that horses transcend a lot of things,” said Borland.

The pair works with a nonprofit, CANTER California, a volunteer organization that helps transition Thoroughbred ex-racehorses, like Apollo.

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By Danielle Scruggs

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    INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, Florida (WPBF) — Authorities are investigating after one deputy was killed and another was shot Friday morning in Indian River County.

Indian River County sheriff Eric Flowers said three deputies were serving an eviction notice in the 1100 block of Governor’s Way, in the Bermuda Club/Somerset Bay community

Deputy Terri Mashkow, 47, was killed inside the residence. She had 25 years and 16 days of service.

Deputy Florentino Arizpe, who has also been with IRCO for 25 years, was shot in the shoulder. Flowers said he retreated into the garage. He is recovering at HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital.

Their sergeant, Deputy Arizpe, was also on the scene and was not injured.

The locksmith on the scene is in surgery and in critical condition. The suspect is also in surgery in critical condition.

Gov. Ron DeSantis commented about the shooting during a separate press conference.

“We are monitoring a situation in Indian River County. We had three officers that have been shot, suspect,” said DeSantis. “There is just a lot going on. Just know, Florida Department of Law Enforcement is engaged, working with the sheriff and the local community. We will hope for the best results out of that,” he added.

At least a dozen sheriff’s vehicles and unmarked law enforcement cars, including an armored sheriff’s vehicle, were seen driving at high speeds along U.S. Route 1 in Vero Beach moments after the call came in.

Updates will be provided on-air and online as more details become available.

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By Paul Burton

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    BOURNE, Massachusetts (WBZ) — A 71-year-old man died in a tragic accident at a cranberry bog on Cape Cod Friday morning.

The man, who has not been identified, was working at a bog behind County Road in Bourne, Massachusetts when something went wrong just after 8 a.m.

In a statement, police said he was “operating a piece of equipment in the cranberry bogs, when it rolled over on top of him, pinning him under the equipment.”

Officers and paramedics rushed in and attempted CPR, but the man died.

State and local police are looking into what happened, along with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The medical examiner’s office was also called in as part of the probe.

“The Bourne Police Department’s collect thoughts are with the family, friends, and co-workers of the victim in this incident,” police said in their statement.

No other information is available at this point in the investigation.

Bourne, Massachusetts is about 57 miles south of Boston.

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By John Dias

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    NEW YORK CITY, New York (WCBS) — A New York City woman is using her lung cancer survival story to push for early detection, especially among nonsmokers and those in underserved communities.

Colette Smith of the Bronx wrote a message of hope and unity on a kindness tree inside the Mount Sinai Tisch Cancer Center in Manhattan, a place that once held her darkest fears, but also saved her life.

“My thought was, I am going to die, my son is 9 years old,” she said.

Health problems no one could explain

Eleven years ago, Smith, who never smoked, said she started having health problems that no one could explain. She kept pushing for answers before a CT scan revealed suspicious spots on both of her lungs.

It was cancer.

“It started with an outpatient procedure here at Mt. Sinai,” she said. “Low and behold, there was some buggers hanging out.”

Dr. Andrew Kaufman, a thoracic surgeon, vice chairman, and associate professor of thoracic surgery at Mt. Sinai, said Smith was lucky her cancer was caught early and doctors could operate.

“The earlier that we find lung cancer, the higher chance of cure, and if we find it very early, it’s at least 80-90% curable,” Kaufman said.

Data proves why early detection matters

Fewer than 1 in 6 lung cancer patients are diagnosed at the earliest, most treatable stage, according to the Lung Cancer Foundation of America.

The five-year survival rate is just 27%. When detected early, however, the rate could double.

Doctors say new technology is changing the odds, detecting lung cancer earlier and giving patients a better chance at survival.

Smith’s cancer is now considered cured because of her operation, made possible by early detection.

“Lung cancer is not a death sentence” As a cancer patient advocate, Smith appears on podcasts to spread awareness.

She is also starting a grassroots initiative called “Healing the Bronx,” dedicated to improving health outcomes through education, art and community love.

“Lung cancer is not a death sentence. There’s life after lung cancer,” she said.

Doctors say anyone age 50 or older, or anyone with risk factors, should talk to their health care provider about getting a CT scan.

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By Alexis Scott

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    Corpus Christi (KRIS) — As the sun set over Corpus Christi Thursday night, dozens of neighbors laid out cardboard mats and blankets across the pavement, choosing to sleep outside to shine a light on youth homelessness.

For hundreds of young people in the Coastal Bend, sleeping outdoors or in unstable conditions is not a one-night event, but a daily reality.

“It’s heavy is what it is,” educator, Melanie Sanchez, said as she participated in the community sleep-out. Sanchez said she sees the struggle firsthand in some of her students.

“Many of them don’t know where they’ll be sleeping after school,” Sanchez added. “And that’s scary for an adult to have to be aware of at night — even more so for a minor.”

KRIS 6 News reached out to CCISD to find out how many houseless students are recorded within the district. In the 2024-2025 school year, CCISD said about 3.4% of district students were identified as experiencing homelessness. So far this year, 1.4% of students have been identified.

The district encourages families to complete the annual returning student registration, which includes a Student Residency Questionnaire. KRIS 6 News also asked the district which resources would be provided to families and students once that questionnaire was completed, but we were unable to get that information.

As Sanchez sat in the yard of the The Free Store-Corpus Christi, located at 702 Furman Avenue, she along with other neighbors reflected on the reality that many kids in our community face. Their reason for sleeping outside is part of a community sleep-out initiative to raise awareness. The Free Store-Corpus Christi organized the effort in collaboration with Covenant House, a national organization that provides shelter, outreach, crisis care and long-term support to young people affected by homelessness.

According to Covenant House, more than 4.2 million young people experience homelessness each year in the United States. The organization operates in 34 cities across the U.S. and Latin America, offering housing, educational support, health services and workforce development programs to help youth find stability.

As part of covering the event, Neighborhood News Reporter Alexis Scott also joined neighbors on the ground, bringing her own sleeping bag, listening to their stories and witnessing conditions many young people face daily.

“That was heartbreaking, that was heartbreaking,” Diana Medina told Scott as she reflected on her own houseless experience.

She said she knows what it’s like to struggle and feel like no one cares. Medina shared that her children experienced homelessness along with her and she never wants a child to feel that pain.

“This doesn’t seem like a lot,” Medina said, “but it’s really close to my heart.”

Navy veteran Alex Benavides, who said he has been homeless three times, joined the sleep-out to make sure youth experiencing homelessness are not overlooked.

“It’s sad that kids have to suffer,” Benavides said. “In order to change it, we gotta make it to where you can look at it.”

Those who participated said the goal of the event is not only to raise awareness, but also to encourage the community to learn, donate, support local youth services and advocate for long-term solutions.

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By Katrina Markel

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    MALVERN, Iowa (KMTV) — A 17-year-old singer-songwriter from southwest Iowa is making waves in the local music scene, earning money from performances and recently winning a statewide talent competition.

Jack Davis, a junior at Glenwood High School, has been performing at venues across southwest Iowa since he was 15 years old. This summer, he won a competition featuring talent from across Iowa and performed for hundreds at the Iowa Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

“That is like, what I want to do,” Davis said.

His success has led to a record contract and the release of a single, “Mountains in my Rearview,” which came out last week.

“Everybody pays me. I don’t play for free,” Davis said.

Zack Jones, who owns Art Church in Malvern — Davis’s favorite local venue — has watched the young musician’s growth.

“He can sometimes be relentless,” Jones said. “His strings keep getting cleaner, his vocals getting stronger.”

Davis’s musical journey began when his mother, Jennie, took him to see Thomas Rhett perform when he was eight or nine years old. After that concert, Davis became obsessed with music, he mom says.

“What Zack said about Jack being relentless is very true. We mean that positively,” Jennie said. “When he does something, he does it full force.”

Jack describes his style as Indie-Folk and performs a mix of covers and original songs. His inspiration for the songs he writes often come from his imagination, he says.

“So, the song I put out last week actually came to me in a dream,” Davis said.

After graduation, Davis is considering heading to Colorado for college and to explore the Denver music scene.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. KMTV verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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By Brodie Myers

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    BROKEN ARROW, Okla. (KJRH) — Empty stands, sloshy grounds, and no horses in sight.

The scene at the Broken Arrow round-up club is reminiscent of COVID-19, but this time, it’s a different disease putting things on hold; Equine herpesvirus, or EHV for short.

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture is monitoring at least 2 cases in Oklahoma.

The agriculture department is also laying down new requirements for interstate horse travel.

“We see it manifest as a runny nose, a dry cough, a high-fever,” Dr. Lyndi Gilliam, an equine internal medicine specialist at Oklahoma State University said.

She said the best cases of EHV will run its course just like a common cold, but the worst can cause issues with the nervous-system.

When the disease attacks the nervous system, it “causes horses to be unable to walk in a coordinated manner, and even be able to get up from laying down,” Gilliam said.

2 News Oklahoma spoke with Brandon Wren, president of the Broken Arrow Round Up Club.

“We kind of learned about it, like everyone else has, on social media,” Wren said, “I’ve been in the rodeo business for a long time. I started making some phone calls to people way smarter than me. And we made the decision to go ahead and close the Broken Arrow Round Up Club to any equine, any horses whatsoever coming on the property.”

That decision was identical to Gilliam’s advice.

“The best thing they can do is stay home,” Gilliam said, “Large gathering of horses right now puts horses at risk.”

Leadership at the Round Up Club are in wait-and-see mode, intending to make their next decision in 30 days.

Throughout winter, Gilliam says horses can experience respiratory symptoms, just like humans. Though those symptoms are not always indicative of EHV. She says it’s best to keep the thermometer handy.

“If we see those signs, those respiratory signs, with a fever, then we need to contact a veterinarian immediately,” Gilliam said.

Wren, and other equine professionals, are holding their breath. Hoping to have this in the rearview mirror before big events, like the National Finals Rodeo, scheduled to start Dec. 4.

“I hope it turns out great. And it will. Just like any other disease, or any other illness, it’ll run its course, just like flu season it’ll run its course,” Wren said.

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