Maryland woman trapped in the Philippines is back in the U.S., Sen. Van Hollen says

CNN Newsource on February 1, 2026

By Tara Lynch

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    BALTIMORE (WJZ) — A Maryland woman who was trapped in the Philippines is now back in the United States with her family, according to Senator Chris Van Hollen.

Friends of 24-year-old Chantal Anicoche said she was in the Philippines doing humanitarian work when she was taken into military custody.

A community event at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) raised awareness for Anicoche in January. Organizers said she was being held by the Filipino government.

In a statement, Van Hollen said he spoke to Anicoche and that he’s grateful for the efforts made to support her return.

The woman and her family are requesting privacy at this time.

Anicoche’s friends previously described her as the life of the party. They said she was very passionate, particularly about humanitarian issues in the Philippines.

They said she was in Mindoro, a rural island with a large indigenous population, when the Armed Forces of the Philippines dropped bombs and opened fire on New Year’s Day.

Rika Ramos, a friend of Anicoche, previously said she was very worried for her.

“When I first heard the news that she was missing, I was devastated. I was crying,” Ramos said.

In a social media video posted by the country’s military on Jan. 8, Anicoche was seen emerging from a hole. The Filipino government said she was there for eight days after the attack.

“The military was pressured, we believed into surfacing her, and they posted a video online that many human rights advocates, humanitarians, believe is possibly staged,” said Gordon Mutch, a member of the Baltimore Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines at the time.

“I was actually glad that she was alive, but it was hard to see her in those conditions,” said Frances Quijano, who is a friend of Anicoche.

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 allegedly steals plane, lands it at airport

CNN Newsource on January 31, 2026

By Matthew Rodriguez

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    LOS ANGELES, California (KCAL, KCBS) — FBI agents arrested a Los Angeles County man who allegedly stole a plane in Washington and flew it to an airport in Corona.

The agency’s LAX Joint Terrorism Task Force arrested Christian Estoque, 39, for suspicion of operating an unregistered aircraft. Investigators said that Estoque is not a registered pilot.

In the criminal complaint filed on Wednesday, investigators believe Estoque and his girlfriend stole a plane from Auburn Municipal Airport on Jan. 3. Authorities believe the couple tampered with the aircraft’s transponder to conceal their flight path. While they could not determine the exact flight path, investigators said the airplane was spotted at another airport in Kelso, Washington, on Jan. 4.

Authorities eventually located the stolen plane three days later at Corona Municipal Airport in Riverside County.

Agents arrested Estoque during a surveillance operation at Corona Municipal Airport after witnessing him attempting to steal another plane on Jan. 27, according to the FBI. Investigators said Estoque was not listed on the plane’s registration. They added that the plane has not been registered since 2017.

Estoque told investigators he bought the plane but did not register it, according to the complaint.

Also in the complaint, agents said Estoque admitted to being high on methamphetamine while flying the plane.

He made his initial court appearance on Thursday. He was released on bond.

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Texas Gov. Abbott issues disaster declaration as deadly screwworm flies spread north in Mexico

CNN Newsource on January 31, 2026

By Steven Rosenbaum, CBS Texas Staff

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    TEXAS (KTVT) — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration to help bolster the state’s efforts to prevent the spread of New World Screwworm (NWS) flies, his office said Thursday.

The larva of the insect can burrow into the flesh of living mammals like cows and horses, and can be deadly. The flies have not reached Texas, but are being tracked in Mexico as sightings slowly move northward toward the border.

“State law authorizes me to act to prevent a threat of infestation that could cause severe damage to Texas property, and I will not wait for such harm to reach our livestock and wildlife. With this statewide disaster declaration, the Texas NWS Response Team can fully utilize all state government prevention and response resources to prevent the re-emergence of this destructive parasite. Texas is prepared to fully eradicate this pest if need be,” Abbott said in a statement.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture calls the New World Screwworm a “devastating pest.”

“When NWS fly larvae (maggots) burrow into the flesh of a living animal, they cause serious, often deadly damage to the animal,” the USDA says. “NWS can infest livestock, pets, wildlife, occasionally birds, and in rare cases, people.”

The Texas Parks and Wife Department says the maggots will lay eggs in “open wounds or orifices of live tissue such as nostrils, eyes or mouth.”

“These eggs hatch into dangerous parasitic larvae, and the maggots burrow or screw into flesh with sharp mouth hooks. Wounds can become larger, and an infestation can often cause serious, deadly damage or death to the infected animal.”

Efforts to stop the spread of New World Screwworm flies

The Texas Parks and Wife Department first issued a warning over the screwworms just over one year ago. Since then, the state and federal governments have taken multiple steps to prevent the NWS flies from spreading and protect American agriculture.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is constructing of an $8.5 million facility at Moore Air Base in the Rio Grande Valley to breed millions of sterile male NWS flies, then release them into the wild to mate with females and prevent them from laying eggs. The federal government has also temporarily suspended imports of live cattle, horses and bison from Mexico.

The Texas Department of Agriculture deployed traps along the border last summer loaded with a synthetic bait that mimics the smell of rotting animal flesh ao attract, trap and kill the flies. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller estimated last year that the traps would eradicate up to 90 percent of NWS flies.

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A mother of five was shot and killed in an alley. Why did it take police 10 hours to find her body?

CNN Newsource on January 31, 2026

By Jermont Terry

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    CHICAGO, Illinois (WBBM) — As Chicago police investigate the murder of a mother of five who was found shot to death in a Woodlawn alley earlier this month, neighbors are wondering why it took investigators 10 hours to find her body.

Moments after shots rang out near 64th and Drexel around 4:30 a.m. on Jan. 18, an off-duty Chicago police officer called 911. Despite the officer telling dispatchers the number of shots and where the gunfire came from, police did not find Kiara Jenkins’ body until 10 hours later.

“The police didn’t get into the area until the afternoon,” said one neighbor who asked to remain anonymous.

Neighbors are questioning what went wrong and what police did after the first 911 call.

“It’s just the safety of our neighborhood; her being a mother,” the anonymous neighbor said. “Maybe she could’ve had a chance.”

At 4:54 a.m. that day, police received a 911 call, and not just from anyone. Law enforcement sources said an off-duty Chicago police officer who lives on the block was awakened by at least five gunshots.

That officer told a 911 dispatcher the shots came from the alley. The officer even provided a badge number in hopes of police checking out the scene.

Police said officers responded and closed out the shots fired call at 5:08 a.m.

“Something’s definitely missing,” the anonymous neighbor said.

In the alley where Jenkins’ body was found 10 hours later, many buildings and homes have security cameras that will record any car or person going down the alley. Many neighbors shared their video with CBS News Chicago.

None of those cameras have any record of a police car going through the alley between 4:30 a.m. and 5 a.m.

“If a police car had come down the alley at 4:30 in the morning, 5 o’clock in the morning, the camera would have picked it up,” the anonymous neighbor said.

The department did not elaborate on what closing out that shots fire call entailed.

A friend found Jenkins’ body in the alley near her car after going to check on the mother of five when she didn’t show up to church.

“For that much time to go by, it doesn’t make sense,” the anonymous neighbor said.

What’s even more troubling, neighbors reflected on something else from that morning.

While the off-duty officer heard gunshots, others heard a car alarm blaring on and off from the alley for more than 40 minutes after the shooting.

“I thought it was kind of weird that a car alarm was constantly going off. It woke me up out of my sleep,” the anonymous neighbor said. “That car alarm, what was that alarm? Was that her trying to get help? Was that her trying to alert someone that I’m over here?”

Police have not said if Jenkins’ car keys were next to her body, but her car, purse, and identification were all found at the scene, leaving neighbors to wonder about her last moments.

“If police had come in the area when the 911 call came in, they could have heard that, and maybe that would’ve made a difference,” the anonymous neighbor said. “I feel the family deserves to know. Where were police? Where was the response?”

CBS News Chicago has submitted an open records request for the first 911 call made by the off-duty officer and all police communications from when the call was cleared, but has yet to receive those records.

No one was in custody for Jenkins’ death as of Friday night.

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Teenager uses Make-A-Wish request to start foundation helping other kids at Children’s Hospital

CNN Newsource on January 31, 2026

By Ross Guidotti

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    PITTSBURGH, Pennslyvania (KDKA) — Duncan Simmons is a very taciturn, contemplative 16-year-old who’s been through a lot. And while he doesn’t want to be called a hero, what he has done in the eyes of many, including his dad, is a very big deal.

About two years ago, Duncan was diagnosed with Burkitt leukemia. He spent several weeks in UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh battling to beat that what was trying to beat him. He won the fight.

During his recovery, Duncan was approached by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, saying he could, if he wanted, go on trips or get things as a reward for his physical and mental toughness. He decided that wasn’t for him. Instead, he chose to help the kids whose days are spent at the Children’s Hospital.

“Start a foundation to help other people get the food that they like to eat. The food in the hospital is OK, but it gets boring after a little bit,” he said.

And that was the beginning of the Duncan’s Diner foundation.

Duncan’s father, Chris, says Duncan’s Diner gives kids options for food from outside the hospital walls.

“If the kid wants a pizza, they can get a special pizza,” Chris said. “If they want a chili dog, if they want anything, they can do that.”

Make-A-Wish made the initial donation, followed by DoorDash, with $5,500 dollars in gift cards. Sheetz also came through with Sheetz gift cards, which are focused on helping parents with more than just food. The cards can be used to fill up the family car for trips to and from the hospital, and in some cases, across the country.

Chris says more foundations are getting in line to help out. So far, they’ve gathered $25,000.

It’s all because Duncan Simmons saw his plight as a way to help those who could use some normalcy in their lives. Even if it’s just some food to enjoy and maybe smile in a place where happiness is always a welcome commodity.

“It definitely makes you feel a lot better,” Duncan said. “It’s a hot meal, it tastes good, it’s something you haven’t had in a while. It’s good all around.”

For more information on Duncan Diner and how you can donate money or help, check out this link.

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.

Diver details rescue operation after vehicle goes off Parkway East into Monongahela River

CNN Newsource on January 31, 2026

By Ricky Sayer

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    PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania (KDKA) — A diver who responded to the Monongahela River on Thursday after a woman crashed her vehicle off Interstate 376 and into the icy river detailed the rescue operation.

Eric Capets, a Pittsburgh River Rescue dive instructor, was one of the six divers at the scene on Thursday. Jacinta Stevens was rescued after her vehicle plunged off the Parkway East and into the river. She later died at the hospital.

Investigators said Stevens was submerged in the water for approximately 40 to 60 minutes.

“Cold water is a hindrance to the diver, but it’s a blessing for the victim,” Capets said. “It extends their chance of survival because the oxygen man goes down. So if we could get a victim under the water, very cold water, out up to, I would say, 90 minutes, maybe even two hours, there’s a chance we can bring them back.”

He said the car was heavily damaged, but right side up in what the city’s EMS chief said was about 20 feet of water. Divers opened the door, grabbed the woman, brought her to the surface and began CPR as she was transported to the hospital.

The dive team is based next to PNC Park at the Pittsburgh River Rescue boathouse. The unit has multiple boats at the facility, but officials said it didn’t make sense to use them, partially because of how thick the ice was and partially because of how close this was to the side of the river.

Underwater, Capets said visibility was excellent at 4 feet. Two divers were involved in the first dive to rescue the victim. Capets was part of a solo second dive to make sure there were no additional victims or vehicles. One complicating factor during the rescue mission was the ice above the divers.

“In the case of an emergency, the diver could not come up because there’s an ice cap,” Capets said. “That’s the most dangerous aspect of it. That and the cold water. Your core temperature stays pretty warm. But your hands, you lose a lot of dexterity in your fingers, which makes retrieving a victim very difficult.”

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.

1 year after deadly Northeast Philadelphia plane crash, inside 10-year-old Ramesses’ road to recovery

CNN Newsource on January 31, 2026

By Wakisha Bailey, Alexandra Simon

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    PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (KYW) — Ramesses Vazquez-Viana was just 9 years old when a medical jet crashed in Northeast Philadelphia and burned most of the young boy’s body.

Six people traveling on the plane and two people on the ground were killed, and two dozen people were injured in the aftermath of the tragic accident, which decimated homes and cars near Roosevelt Boulevard and Cottman Avenue.

As one of the youngest survivors of the crash, Ramesses’ story of strength and positivity has touched people around the country. The now-10-year-old still has a long road ahead of him, but one year later, his recovery has been nothing short of a miracle.

Here’s a look back at Ramesses’ journey.

“I ask for prayers”

A few days after the deadly crash, Virgen Viera identified her grandson Ramesses as the person seen running through the street while on fire in videos and photos posted on social media.

“In an instant when I see him, I say, ‘That’s him,'” Viera told CBS News Philadelphia.

Ramesses’ dad’s car caught on fire after the plane crashed near the Roosevelt Mall on Jan. 31, 2025. His father, identified as Steven Dreuitt, was killed. Dreuitt’s girlfriend, Dominique Goods-Burke, was also in the car at the time of the crash and died from her injuries several months later.

Despite more than 90% of his body being burned, Ramesses managed to climb out of the car’s open window. Witnesses helped get the 9-year-old to safety, and the next day, he was airlifted to a burn center in Boston, Massachusetts.

“I ask for prayers. He is strong and my faith in God is big,” his mom posted on social media.

Recovery continues in Boston

For the next four months, Ramesses continued to fight for his life at Shriners Children’s Hospital in Boston. By May, Jamie Vazquez Viana said her son already undergone multiple surgeries, including partial amputations on both of his hands.

Because of the extent of his burns, Jamie said her son will likely need skin grafts for years as he grows.

“He can hear me. He can see me,” she said. “He can tell you if he’s in pain.”

Photos showed Ramesses propped up in his hospital bed, connected to tubes and wires, wrapped in bandages from head to toe.

“Not everybody in the family is comfortable with seeing him like that,” Jamie said. “It’s shocking.”

Doctors called Ramesses survival a miracle; only his feet were spared from the burns.

“I’m going to stay here until it’s time to go,” said Jamie, who had several other children still at home in Philadelphia. “Philadelphia and everyone else has come together for him. Continuing praying. He still needs it.”

Back at home, Ramesses’ classmates and teachers said it was “tough” not having their friend and student in class. Ramesses was in third grade at Mastery Charter Smedley Elementary School in Frankford when he was burned.

Assistant Principal Danielle Nicoletti said his class kept Ramesses’ desk ready for the day he could come back, and hosted fundraisers to support his family.

The class sent Ramesses handmade origami cards, his favorite Philly snacks, and sold bracelets to raise money. The school also asked people to record read-alongs of Ramesses’ favorite books, and had students and staff wear yellow in his honor.

Firefighters in Philadelphia also collected donations for Ramesses and his family and wrote handwritten notes to be delivered in Boston.”

“I feel happy that I’m able to still do the things I do”

In October, Ramesses turned 10 years old. Though he was still in the hospital in Boston, Ramesses had lots to celebrate on his road to recovery.

He started wiggling his fingers and toes, his hearing and sight improved, and after six months, he was able to tell his mom, “I love you.”

“I cried,” Jamie said. “Half of Philly was crying with me that day.”

After 42 surgeries and months of intense treatment, Ramesses was moved to the Weisman Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital in Marlton, New Jersey, where he practiced climbing stairs, getting out of bed and walking in physical therapy.

In November, Ramesses progressed so much that he was able to sit down for his first television interview with CBS News Philadelphia’s Wakisha Bailey.

“I feel happy that I’m able to still do the things I do,” he said.

His mom, Jamie, said Ramesses remembered everything that happened the night of the plane crash, and that he tried to save his dad from their burning car. “He said he remembers two big booms — like two crashes at once,” she said. “He tried to get his dad out of the car, but he couldn’t. His dad told him to get out … said, ‘I love you.’ And he said, ‘I love you back.'”

Even in the face of immense heartbreak, Ramesses had this message for anyone going through hard times: “I want them to know God is there,” he said. “You may not hear him, but he’s listening, and he’s helping.”

Home for Christmas

Eleven months after the Northeast Philadelphia plane crash, Ramesses was finally headed home. In December, Smedley Elementary celebrated Ramesses with a pep rally, where CBS News correspondent David Begnaud helped surprise Jamie with a new car courtesy of David Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram in Glen Mills.

The school was also given a $50,000 check from Canva.

“I’ve been here for 16 years, and we’ve never had more of a need with our students and less of a budget,” Principal Caitlin Murphy said. “It couldn’t have come at a better time.”

While Ramesses couldn’t attend the celebration in person, several of his friends visited him before the event, where they laughed and joked as little boys do.

“I was praying so hard we’d be home for Christmas,” Jamie Vazquez-Viana said. “I just wanted my three boys with me.”

One year later

After being released from Weisman Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital in December, Ramesses started school with virtual classes a few days a week.

One year after the crash, Ramesses is back in Boston for another surgery that’ll keep him in the hospital for about five weeks.

Once home, his family tells CBS News Philadelphia that Ramesses will go back to Smedley after he recovers and heads home to Philly.

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.

New video shows airport security breach, arrest at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson

CNN Newsource on January 31, 2026

By CBS News Atlanta Digital Team

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    ATLANTA, Georgia (WUPA) — Newly released video is offering a clearer look at an October 2025 security breach attempt at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

The video shows the suspect, identified as Fabian Leon, 40, entering the main checkpoint at full speed and pushing his way through passengers and TSA agents in an apparent attempt to breach security.

The incident happened around 8:28 a.m. on Oct. 30 near the main TSA checkpoint at the airport, according to Atlanta police.

Authorities say Leon ran through lane No. 6, where multiple people were knocked to the ground. Once inside the X-ray area, a passenger identified as Mark Thomas intervened and slammed Leon to the ground. A TSA officer then arrived and placed Leon in handcuffs.

Atlanta police officers responding to the scene found Leon sitting on the ground in handcuffs, acting belligerently and attempting to stand while mumbling. Police requested a wheelchair and additional units before escorting him to a precinct.

At the precinct, Leon was searched, placed in a holding cell, and evaluated by the Atlanta Fire EMS bike team. Fire officials said his vital signs were normal and that he appeared to be “coming down from something.” Leon told officers he had consumed alcohol and drugs.

TSA Supervisor Debra Brooks told police that two TSA agents were injured during the incident.

The traveler who was pushed to the ground said they suffered an elbow injury. He was evaluated by Atlanta Fire EMS. Another TSA agent was grabbed by Leon during the attempted breach.

Police say they notified Homeland Security and the FBI while victim and witness statements were collected on body camera.

Authorities later confirmed Leon had an active warrant for a probation violation from the Perry Police Department, though there was no extradition outside a 75-mile radius.

Leon was charged with simple battery and avoiding or interfering with security measures and transported to Clayton County custody.

Airport officials previously said the incident did not disrupt airport operations.

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.

Sidewalk blocked off after ice chunks fall from buildings

CNN Newsource on January 31, 2026

By Mike Sullivan

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    BOSTON, Massachusetts (WBZ) — A frozen week of weather in Boston is creating a danger from above. Long icicles are falling and causing a hazard for people using the snow-covered sidewalks.

“I just keep looking up and trying to avoid it,” said Suzanna Walters as she walked her dog. “We walk in the street as much as we can, although with the dog it’s little dicey to do that.”

The iconic brownstones in Boston’s South End have become a breeding ground for heavy ice daggers. On part of Milford Street, the city came and placed caution tape in an area where big ice chunks fell.

“Yeah, it’s tricky. It’s precarious absolutely. With these sidewalks as they are it is already sort of perilous,” said Gabe Aranovic, a Milford Street neighbor. “I am pretty concerned, especially about older folks.”

Boston’s 311 is littered with reports of ice hazards. One spot is outside of the Park Street School on Brimmer Street. Neighbors reported that the school district failed to remove the icicles from the building but did place falling ice signs.

One resident argued to the city, saying the signs only make it harder to navigate the snow-covered sidewalks.

“There’s ice on our stairs. We did our best to clear it. I actually slipped and fell taking out the trash yesterday,” said Aranovic.

WBZ reached out to the city to ask about these blocked off areas, and who is responsible if ice falls and causes damage. We have yet to hear an answer.

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9-year-old “kid reporter” heading to Super Bowl after winning national contest. What he plans to ask Drake Maye.

CNN Newsource on January 31, 2026

By Levan Reid

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    BOSTON, Massachusetts (WBZ) — Louis DiVito of Westminster, Massachusetts is only 9 years old but he’s going to the Super Bowl to see the New England Patriots play the Seattle Seahawks.

Divito was one of nearly 200,000 people who entered the Panini Kid Reporter contest, which he won. Now he’s heading to northern California for Super Bowl week.

He’ll get to interview players on both teams during Media Day, attend other events and the Super Bowl on Sunday, February 8.

“It’s like a once in a lifetime chance. I’m so excited for the warm weather and spending time with my dad and watching the Patriots play,” he told WBZ-TV Friday.

Every year since 2014, Panini America, the exclusive trading card company of the NFL, puts a kid reporter on opening night. The company has codes on their trading cards and DiVito’s number came up. It was his dad who got him into the hobby.

“It really happened fast. We found out, I got an email that said we were a finalist, and we had to fill out some information and then create the video and that whole process was just really fun,” said Louis’s dad John DiVito.

Louis did the video submission, and he crushed it.

“I have some fun questions to ask if I had the chance to talk with an NFL player. When you were a kid, did you ever get in trouble for playing football in your house? My mom does not like it,” he said in his video.

He also has a question ready for the Patriots quarterback.

“I was also going to ask Drake Maye – from one picky eater to another, what’s his favorite pregame meal?”

Now he’s heading to northern California for nine days, but only his dad can go with him. As for the rest of the family, Louis said there’s been “quite a lot of jealousy, but overall they have handled it pretty well.”

“Honestly I’m just as excited as he is, I’ve never gotten to go to the Super Bowl before. I’ve been a Patriots fan my whole life. I’ve obviously watched plenty of Super Bowls but haven’t got to attend one in person,” said John DiVito.

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.