Author: CNN Newsource

By Lily O’Brien

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    TOPEKA, Kansas (KAKE) — Almost two decades after the kidnapping, rape, and murder of an Arkansas City woman, the man convicted of her death is once again looking to appeal his sentence.

Justin Thurber is on death row for killing 19-year-old Jodi Sanderholm, a Cowley County student and dance team member, in 2007.

He is appealing his sentence, with attorneys arguing for a reduction due to a potential intellectual disability.

Issues on review are whether 1) the district court correctly ruled there was insufficient evidence to believe that Thurber is a person who is intellectually disabled; and 2) the district court violated Kansas law and Thurber’s Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth Amendment rights when it required the defense to disclose its confidential investigation to the State.

Sanderholm’s sister, Jennifer Aldridge, says she’s tired after watching Thurber appeal his sentence over and over again.

He brought the case before the Kansas Supreme Court in 2018, where it upheld his conviction but left the intellectual disability determination up to the district court.

“They came back and they said he’s not intellectually disabled, and the death penalty stands,” said Aldridge.

Thurber’s attorneys brought that challenge back to the Kansas Supreme Court.

“Justin Thurber knows that if he is not intellectually disabled, he’s facing the death penalty, said Kris Ailslieger, Deputy Solicitor General. “If he is intellectually disabled, he’s not facing the death penalty.”

Kansas has not executed an inmate on death row since 1965.

“This is just his way of just fighting the inevitable,” said Aldridge. “However, I don’t know if Kansas will ever execute anybody. That is a huge failure on our governor.”

Thurber’s appeals come as Kansas state law says those with intellectual disabilities cannot be executed.

Each appeal, Aldridge says, bring back the horror her family faced with Jodi’s death.

“I just want people to remember her smiling face, and that she deserves justice and her life meant something,” she said. “I feel like we have been just completely let down by our court system.”

Aldridge’s daughter was just two days old when an investigator found her Aunt Jodi’s body near the Kansas/Oklahoma state line.

“I’m never going to have any peace, regardless, but his ability to just keep messing with us is exhausting. It feels like nobody cares about our feelings, and what I’ve had to go through, how I’ve had to raise my children knowing the things that I know, seeing the things that I’ve seen, and hearing the things that I heard happened to my sister that day,” said Aldridge.

In Tuesday’s hearing, the court heard disputes over the district court’s process, with debate over whether or not Thurber shows signs of intellectual disability.

“His own experts testify that he was not intellectually disabled. We only have one actual IQ score, one actual test,” said Ailslieger. “You’re never going to get another reliable report ever, it’s not going to happen because Thurber knows what’s on the line.

“A person with a 73 IQ could be diagnosed with an intellectual disability,” argued Thurber’s representation. “Moreover, the fact that he went to college and had a girlfriend and lived independently, those are all stereotypes about what intellectually disabled people can and can’t do, and they’re frankly offensive.”

Aldridge says she does not expect a conclusion to the appeal within the next year.

Meanwhile, other death penalty appeals are taking place in Kansas, as the Carr brothers are set for a hearing on Wednesday, January 28.

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 Andie Bernhardt

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    MEQUON, Wisconsin (WDJT) — It was a celebration of 360 years of love and commitment Tuesday, as couples at Teal Shores Senior Living say they’ve figured out the secret to a long, happy marriage.

“The secret is to have a great wife,” said Bruce Malec, who has been married for 65 years. “That’s the biggest secret and then learn to say yes all the time.”

“Stick together and work things out,” said David and Riki Nedbeck, who have been married 55 years.

After decades of marriage, six happy couples walked down the aisle with their loved one once again.

“It brought back so many great memories of that day,” Rosemary Malec said.

For each couple at Teal Shores Senior Living, this wasn’t their first time saying, “I do.” However, this time, it was to renew their vows.

“It is with great pride that I can say that I am his wife, and he’s the best husband I could ask for,” said Rosemary Malec.

Bruce and Rosemary Malec say they are grateful for every moment together in their 65 years of marriage, even during the hard times.

“When things get tough, you start thinking about all the tough times,” said Bruce Malec. “Try to take a break and think of the good times and realize that, hey, this is all worthwhile, because look what I’ve got.”

It was an emotional moment for each couple as they renewed their vows. The group celebrated 360 years of love all together.

For those wanting to follow in their footsteps, their advice is simple.

“People have said this before, but ‘yes, dear’ is one of the secrets,” said David Nedbeck. “Sharing together, it’s not one person to do any particular job, you know, it’s a partnership.”

Grateful for the time spent together and the memories to come, with their partner by their side.

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 Derek Heid

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    NIAGARA FALLS, Canada (WKBW) — Despite talks of euthanasia and 15 months of living inside a closed amusement park, the dolphins and beluga whales at Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, have been approved to move to the U.S.

In September 2024, Marineland closed, but behind the fence and empty booths, animals still live here, specifically 30 beluga whales and four dolphins.

“It’s very expensive to have the veterinarians and all the food to care for all animals and the upkeep,” Niagara Falls, Ontario, mayor Jim Diodati said. “Unfortunately, they’re financially at a point now where they’re burning the furniture to heat the house.”

In October, the park said that if it didn’t get a commitment for financial help, it would have to euthanize the whales.

Now, Canadian Minister of Fisheries Joanne Thompson has a lifeline for the animals. She says all 34 animals have a home in the United States.

“The sites are accredited, the highest standards for animal welfare in the world,” Thompson said to Canadian reporters. “And certainly, once the conditions are satisfied, I think this is a solid plan. I know some people don’t think this is the best thing, but I think it’s the best of the options we have right now.”

We’ve spoken to Diodati throughout this process, most recently in October when an under-construction whale sanctuary in Nova Scotia volunteered to take the belugas.

“I think we’re still a little ways away, but it can’t happen fast enough,” Diodati said.

“What’s really unfortunate in this situation is that Marineland has never been willing to entertain the possibility of these belugas coming to a sanctuary,” CEO of The Whale Sanctuary Project Charles Vinick said. “I’m disappointed that we’ve reached this impasse, where we are sending belugas from one concrete tank to another concrete tank.”

Thompson says once they have health assessments and a transportation plan, they will be moved to the U.S. The Canadian government did not release specific locations. Diodati hopes to see that land redeveloped once again.

“Earlier yesterday, Minister Joanne Thompson notified Marineland of her support for the relocation of our remaining beluga whales and dolphins to proposed facilities in the United States. We extend our gratitude to the Minister and the Canadian government for prioritizing the lives of these remarkable marine mammals.” – Marineland

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By Eileen Buckley

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    BUFFALO, New York (WKBW) — More than five years after the first Child Victims Act lawsuit was filed, clergy sex abuse survivors of the Buffalo Diocese are finally having their voices heard in federal court.

Survivors began delivering statements Tuesday before U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Carl Bucki and Buffalo Bishop Michael Fisher as part of the diocese’s ongoing bankruptcy case.

The emotional and graphic testimonies marked a significant moment for those who have waited years for this opportunity.

Michael Whalen, a clergy sex abuse survivor, was the first of about 20 survivors to speak. He was also the first person to come forward eight years ago, saying he was sexually abused by Father Norbert Orsolits at St. John Vianney Church in Orchard Park when he was a teenager.

“These were crimes against children and they went unpunished,” Whalen said.

Whalen broke down in court while reflecting decades of pain from the abuse. He said the priest admitted to molesting dozens of boys but never faced jail time.

“My abuser admitted to a couple of dozen boys and he openly admitted it, and he was able to walk free. He wasn’t on no sex offender registry. He wasn’t punished in any way,” Whalen said.

Whalen also criticized the diocese’s handling of the situation, saying church officials knew about the abuse years before it happened to him.

“They knew about him ten years before he abused me. They knew about the abuse. He was caught, but they just moved him around,” Whalen said.

Whalen said he has forgiven the priest, who died in 2021.

A 69-year-old survivor testified about being sexually abused and raped between the ages of 7 and 11 by Father Edward Townsend. The survivor presented a childhood photo to Bishop Edward Scharfenberger in the courtroom and described graphic details of the abuse, including being raped in a school shower, screaming and crying as he watched blood mixing with water in the drain.

Another survivor thanked the bishop for giving him time and dignity to listen, contrasting the current bishop’s approach with former Bishop Richard Malone, whom he described as “dismissive” when he first reported his story to the diocese.

Another survivor cried while delivering his statement about abuse by Father John Aurelio at his cabin in the woods. The priest was considered “cool,” and the survivor served as an altar boy at St. Gerard’s Church on the East Side.

Ann Fossler testified about how a priest who abused her as a young girl called it a “special relationship”. In her statement, Fossler said Monsignor John Ryan sexually abused her from about age 7 to 10 during the late 1950s while at Queen of Heaven Church in West Seneca.

In court Tuesday, Fossler said it was abuse and she “hated his touch and his smell.”

Fossler also talked about how he would take her to his cabin. I talked to Fossler about her abuse case back in December.

“Because I was so young when my abuse occurred, I really didn’t have a childhood,” Fossler said.

Michael DiGuilio also shared his experience of abuse at St. Andrew’s in Tonawanda by Father Norbert, saying he told his father about the abuse and his dad “almost killed” the priest.

Bishop Fisher declined to go on camera for comment Tuesday, but offered a written statement:

“This is a long-awaited moment for those who have endured the devastating trauma of sexual abuse to speak and be heard. I will be listening intently with an empathetic heart and mind to these deeply personal accounts.It’s my hope that this opportunity provides victim-survivors a sense of justice, however painful it is for them to recount their experiences.we remain committed to doing everything we can to support their healing.”

Survivor statements will continue Wednesday and again February 25 and 26. If more dates are needed, they will be added.

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 Molly Hudson

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    OMAHA, Nebraska (KMTV) — Noli’s Pizzeria has called the Blackstone neighborhood home for 11 years, but owner Joel Marsh is worried about the restaurant’s future amid ongoing streetcar construction. After posting on social media asking for help, he saw an overwhelming outpour of support.

Noli’s Pizzeria owner Joel Marsh describes the last year and a half as a struggle.

“Blackstone has always been kind of a difficult place, anyways, and I think the streetcar is going to be great when it is done, because to help that, but we just have a to suffer through two years,” Marsh said.

He says the Blackstone location has seen over $300,000 in lost revenue because of streetcar construction.

On Friday, Marsh posted on Facebook describing the impact of not only construction but weekends with winter weather. He asked that people consider buying gift cards to use later.

“It was overwhelming and very humbling experience, we got, the community came out and we sold over $25,000 in gift cards in 2 days, which is, I can’t even believe it,” Marsh said.

It’s not the first time he’s seen the community show up. Just months ago, Noli’s gave away thousands of dollars in food to help people facing food insecurity. He says since then the support has grown too.

“It just goes to show that the community is amazing and we are very grateful for that,” Marsh said.

But like many small business owners, Marsh says the thought of an uncertain future in a place they’ve known for so long is heartbreaking.

“I built all of these like with my dad, bare hands, all these tables, every surface, at the other restaurant and here we built. I mean every recipe, everything you see is art to me,” Marsh said.

Marsh’s message is to continue supporting everybody along the streetcar route.

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 Joe Ripley

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    ATLANTA (WXIA) — With rhythm in every step and every move in sync, choreographer Justin Prescott coaches the community to do the same. Prescott, who grew up in Houston, TX, has been dancing since he was seven years old. He has since sequenced moves for Broadway shows, including Fela, After Midnight, Funny Girl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Moulin Rouge and Cirque du Soleil productions.

“I think it’s a passion of mine, it’s something I discovered very young,” Prescott said. “I was very passionate about it and continued to do that and share it with people around the world.”

Prescott worked on the choreography for MJ the Musical, which is playing at the Fox Theatre the last week of January. Prescott said the King of Pop has a certain style, but anyone can start learning the basics of dance and do so with others.

“Everybody knows Michael Jackson,” Prescott said. “If you saw a silhouette of any move of MJ, you’d be like that’s Michael Jackson. He’s a pioneer, a pioneer of movement, style, singing. On the dancing aspect, performance aspect, the showmanship of it all, Michael Jackson is the greatest of all time.”

Torian Cole took part in a workshop at the Alliance Theatre in which she learned some of the iconic dance moves Jackson brought to his performances. She said moonwalking is a lot harder than it looks.

“I think the most fulfilling part is seeing that everyone else is learning as well,” Cole said. “You don’t feel alone, so you feel ok to make mistakes and feel like you can make it better. I think the most fulfilling part is actually getting it right and hearing everyone cheer at the same time, when we’re all like ‘we mastered it!'”

Mastering the moves is a reminder to Cole to get up and go, because dancing can boost her mental and physical health. She called the lesson rejuvenating, giving her a chance to let loose with her community despite not knowing every dancer around her. She described the environment as a judgment-free zone where people could just show up and have some fun.

“We’re always moving,” Cole said. “We’re constantly moving, but when you can stylize it, when you’re flowing, it’s even better. Even walking down the street, you got the music in, and it makes your day feel better because you’re actually moving with intention.”

Inspired by the King of Pop, Prescott makes it his mission to pass on MJ’s legacy, with the dance fostering community.

“We’ve become so detached because of social media, so when we’re all in a room, but for them to support one another, to feel love from someone you don’t know, it’s different from your family,” Prescott said. “It uplifts people in a way you don’t usually get.”

MJ the Musical runs through February 1 at the Fox Theatre. The show, which follows the lead-up to Jackson’s Dangerous World Tour in 1992, features a couple of Atlanta natives portraying the likes of Tito Jackson, Quincy Jones and part of Michael’s dance team.

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By Bobby Poitevint

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    KILLEEN, Texas (KXXV) — Six puppies were found inside a box and “abandoned” in a Killeen park, according to a Facebook post by Killeen Animal Services, Just hours before the freeze.

The post said the puppies were found starving and covered in their own feces.

In the post it said:

They would not have survived the night if a Killeen Parks and Recreation employee hadn’t stumbled upon them and acted without hesitation.

He cleaned them up, and brought them straight to us. From there, our team jumped into action assessing each puppy, feeding them, and setting them up with warmth and care. The smallest of the litter needed immediate, round-the-clock help and spent the night with a foster who soon became something even more special: an adopter.

This story began with cruelty and neglect but it did not end there. Because of quick action and teamwork , six tiny lives were given a second chance. We are endlessly grateful for every helping hand involved.

As noted, the remaining five were taken in by “one of our incredible rescue partners” and rushed to the vet to receive the care they needed.

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 Brendan King

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    HENRICO COUNTY, Virginia (WTVR) — Infectious disease researchers in Henrico County are working on the final stages of the world’s first norovirus vaccine.

Clinical Research Partners (CRP) is looking for people 60 years old and older to participate in a vaccine study to combat the highly contagious stomach disease.

Symptoms for norovirus, often called “food poisoning,” include vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration.

“One of the things that we’re trying to come up with and work with scientists all over the globe is some type of preventative vaccine for norovirus. We don’t have any. There’s none on the market,” Dr. Bo Vaughan, CRP’s medical director, said.

The disease is easily spread among people in close quarters like at daycare, assisted living centers, military living, and cruise ships.

Nearly 100 passengers and four crew members on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship fell ill with the infection in October 2025.

“Typically, during winter times when we’re all congregated together, nurseries with young children get this disease. Senior citizens who are living in nursing homes — they bear the brunt of this disease. It’s the stomach flu. It’s the winter vomiting illness,” Dr. Vaughan said.

Virginia Department of Health data showed emergency room visits for stomach illness are above normal levels with seven outbreaks reported statewide.

Participants must meet certain eligibility requirements, be able to attend six to seven appointments, and fill out an E-diary on your phone describing your symptoms.

Dr. Vaughan said there are millions of norovirus cases in the U.S. each year, 100,000 hospitalizations, and 900 deaths.

CRP is also working on a flu-pneumonia vaccine trail and seeking adults 50-years and up.

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

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 WTVR CBS 6 Web Staff

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    PETERSBURG, Virginia (WTVR) — A Petersburg parking lot undergoing renovation became an unexpected ice skating destination, as freezing temperatures transformed the construction site into a makeshift winter wonderland.

The City of Petersburg is currently redoing several parking lots in Old Towne Petersburg in preparation for the city’s new courthouse.

However, the recent cold snap created nearly perfect ice conditions for skating.

Eri Hiraldo took advantage of the unusual opportunity, spending about 30 minutes skating on the frozen surface before heading to work.

“I’m not a skater but, I just gave it a shot,” Hiraldo said.

Despite the unconventional skating surface, Hiraldo found the conditions surprisingly manageable.

“Some areas are pretty rocky but for the most part, it was like, available to just skate on. And I just did my best,” Hiraldo said.

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

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 Carli Petrus

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    TAYLOR, Michigan (WXYZ) — Taylor police recently arrested four men they say believed they were going to meet children to engage in sex. Instead, they walked straight into handcuffs.

It was all part of a major undercover sting led by Taylor police, aimed at cracking down on alleged child predators. 7 News Detroit Reporter Carli Petrus got a rare behind-the-scenes look at the three-and-a-half-day operation, showing how local and federal law enforcement are teaming up to keep children safe.

Four arrests in three and a half days marked a high-stakes undercover operation led by Taylor police with help from local and federal agencies.

“If we can’t take care of this, what the hell good are we,” said Chief John Blair.

The goal: identify and arrest alleged child predators across the region before they can reach a real child.

It starts inside the Taylor Police Department, where detectives work behind screens, pretending to be minors using fake online profiles.

Once a suspect sends a phone number, another team jumps in, identifying them and tracking them using high-tech tools like drones and Flock cameras.

The suspect thinks they’re meeting a child for sex. Instead, they’re met by police.

“We’re watching, everyone’s watching. We don’t like what’s happening, it has to end,” Blair said.

Taylor police call it DRAGON – Downriver Response Against Grooming Online. Blair says the program launched last year, completing three previous operations and leading to 14 total arrests.

“2025 January, we did our little kick-off. This is our fourth operation,” Blair said.

The push to bring an operation like this to the local level came from Detective Mario Hinojosa.

“You see articles throughout the nation, all these operations going on, all these criminals that maybe don’t get caught or are underreported, so this is more proactive rather than reactive,” Hinojosa said.

“I have kids myself and there’s these guys walking around and doing stuff they shouldn’t be doing, reaching out to underage, depending on our profiles we have out there, usually 15, 14, 13-year-old females or boys and there’s predators out there that people are unaware of,” Hinojosa said.

Four men were arrested this time around, now facing multiple felony charges, including Child Sexually Abusive Activity and the Use of Computers to Commit a Crime.

Blair has a clear message for the community.

“We’re going to protect your kids, your grandchildren. We see the most vulnerable that are out there, we see the human trafficking, we see these child sex predators, we’re not going to back off. I’m going to take care of your kids, we’re going to protect them,” Blair said.

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

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.