Super Marios take over Union Square in attempt to break world record ON ‘Mar10’ Day

CNN Newsource on March 11, 2026

By Anthony Carlo

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    NEW YORK (WABC) — New Yorkers have pretty much seen it all, but if you were near Union Square Tuesday afternoon, you may have seen something new – throngs of Marios.

The scene resembled a real-life “Mario Party,” or perhaps a “Super Mario World,” with fans cosplaying as variations of Nintendo’s iconic mustachioed plumber from practically every era.

That’s because Tuesday was March 10 – or “MAR10,” which looks like “Mario.”

GameStop gave out a $5 store credit to anyone dressed in a Mario costume.

GameStop is trying to break a world record for the most people dressed up as Mario in one place. China set the record a couple of years ago.

“He’s a reminder of people’s childhoods and a carefree time, and you know people still play video games well into adulthood,” said GameStop Director of Communications Nicolle Robles.

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First recorded sighting of once near-extinct swan species

CNN Newsource on March 11, 2026

By Lauren Glassberg

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    NEW YORK (WABC) — New York City is a big place, with a lot going on, but somehow we get to celebrate some “firsts.”

On Tuesday, Brooklyn recorded its first-ever documented sighting of a Trumpeter Swan.

“I’ve never seen one before. It was really exciting, and when I heard about it, I had to come down and take a look,” bird lover Mariah Tarvainem said.

The swan was enjoying the East River by the North 5th Street Pier and Park in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

“I personally have never gotten a Trumpeter reported from New York City. So this is the first time,” Margaret Smith said.

Smith is the Executive Director of the Trumpeter Swan Society based in Minnesota.

The organization is dedicated to the vitality and welfare of Trumpeter Swans who neared extinction about 100 years ago.

In 2015, there were nearly 70,000 living in places like Canada, Alaska, Montana and even Upstate New York.

They’re easy to identify.

“The mask comes to the eyes, and then Trumpeter Swans have what’s called a ‘red lipstick.’ You see that red lipstick?” Smith said.

So why is the swan here? It is likely pretty young and on its first solo expedition away from its family. It’s decided to check out the big city as teens are prone to do.

It was hanging out with another swan that is a different species.

“What you are seeing there is really a blessing, the gift of the people around you, states around you who cared enough to bring back this bird that was on the brink of extinction,” Smith said.

“How do we invite more? Send out a signal, bring them all,” one passerby said.

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Police seek suspect accused of stealing statues outside Denver church

CNN Newsource on March 11, 2026

By Jasmine Arenas

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    COLORADO (KCNC) — Police are searching for a man accused of stealing two statues from outside a downtown Denver church.

A parish leader says the theft happened at Holy Ghost Catholic Church on California Street, which has served as a refuge for the community for decades.

“The church is a second home for so many people, a place where we feel safe, connected, and supported,” said Father Paul Nguyen.

For generations, the church has provided help and hope to people from many backgrounds.

“I think we continue to be a place of hope, a place of help and assistance, a lifeline for a lot of people,” said Nguyen.

Nguyen said safety is always a priority at the church, but recent incidents have raised concerns.

“I don’t know why people like to break our windows or cause problems here, but it’s happened over and over,” he said.

The latest incident happened last week. Security video shows a man using tools, including a hammer and what appears to be a crowbar, to remove two statues outside the church. The missing statues depict Saint Rita and Saint Paul.

“These statues have been here for 100 years, so for us that’s a big deal,” Nguyen said.

Church leaders say the statues have been part of the parish since 1924 and were placed near the front doors when the upper portion of the building was completed in 1943. Nguyen said the statues’ monetary value may be relatively small, but their historical and sentimental significance is much greater.

“The material value might not be huge; they’re bronze, so I don’t know if the person was looking to resell them,” he said.

The motive behind the theft remains unclear.

“Maybe someone is disgruntled or frustrated in their own situation, or blaming the church for something,” Nguyen said.

Church officials say replacing the statues could cost thousands of dollars. Still, Nguyen said the larger concern is accountability and community responsibility.

“The Bible even says to gather a community to bring someone to their senses,” he said. “If the community wants to help replace them, that will help. But it’s also about how we live and how we choose to live better.”

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Teens shout racial slurs, spit on student in hate crime at UC Irvine, police say

CNN Newsource on March 11, 2026

By Matthew Rodriguez

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    LOS ANGELES (KCAL, KCBS) — A group of teens chased, spat on and shouted racial slurs at a student during a hate crime at UC Irvine, according to university police.

The UC Irvine Police Department said the hate crime happened at the university’s Arroyo Vista Housing complex on Feb. 27. UC Irvine’s Black Student Union said five white teenagers on e-bikes chased a Black student around the housing area shortly after a community event. The Black Student Union said the teenagers falsely claimed the student spat on them before the on-campus pursuit.

During the on-campus pursuit, one of the teens rode his e-bike into the back of the student’s leg, according to investigators.

“The situation escalated when one of the juveniles of the group attempted to ram the victim off the road,” the Black Student Union said in a statement. “Using the front of his bike tire, he struck the back of the victim’s scooter and part of his leg. This resulted in torn skin, bruising, and an infection of the victim’s ankle.”

The Black Student Union said the group of teens stopped chasing the victim after he ran into the Rosa Parks House and called the police.

Most of the teens left the area before UC Irvine PD arrived, but one officer detained a suspect at a nearby parking structure.

“Since the incident, the victim has been placed on bed rest and has returned home because he no longer feels safe remaining on campus,” the Black Student Union wrote in a statement.

Investigators said they only have descriptions of two of the other suspects.

One is a 16-17-year-old boy who is 5-foot-8, weighs about 160-170 pounds, and was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, black pants, and a black helmet. The other suspect was described as a 14-year-old boy, who is 5-foot-9, weighs about 190 pounds, and was last seen wearing a black shirt, denim gray pants, white Air Force 1 Nike shoes, a black helmet and a blue backpack.

“The Black Student Union demands that the university and UCIPD take immediate and meaningful action to protect Black students and ensure their safety on this campus,” the Black Student Union said in a statement. “Incidents like this cannot be tolerated, and they will continue to occur if the administration fails to respond with urgency and accountability.”

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Protests planned at Noma’s LA pop-up amid abuse allegations against chef René Redzepi

CNN Newsource on March 11, 2026

By Hunter Sowards

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    LOS ANGELES (KCAL, KCBS) — Protesters plan to demonstrate outside a pop-up restaurant at the Paramour Estate in Silver Lake following abuse allegations against chef René Redzepi.

Redzepi’s Danish restaurant Noma is one of the highest-rated in the world. For months, he and his staff have been setting up a temporary location in Los Angeles, with reservations reaching $1,500 a person. The six-week run sold out in just minutes.

However, several corporate sponsors, including American Express, pulled out of Noma’s LA location after the New York Times reported that dozens of former employees accused Redzepi of creating a toxic work environment with constant verbal and even physical mistreatment.

“To be honest with you, I think the repercussions of staying silent are worse than me speaking up and standing with my peers against violence,” said Jason Ignacio White, former Noma employee.

White said he witnessed widespread abuse during the five years he worked for the celebrity chef as director of fermentation, one of the highest levels of leadership in the company.

“People being stabbed with barbecue forks, to another instance where Rene actually dropping his child so he can choke a team member for a strawberry,” White said.

He is part of an activist group called “One Fair Wage,” which is calling for Redzepi to step down and for better working conditions.

“Who wants to eat in an environment of abuse,” said Saru Jayaraman, a member of One Fair Wage. “Who wants to eat food that comes from the tears and sweat of people who are suffering?”

The protesters plan to continue demonstrations for at least the first month of the restaurant’s run.

Redzepi responded to allegations with an apologetic statement on social media. He added that he has been working on his anger management in therapy.

“He did not really admit to the extreme violence and the conditions he put his staff and unpaid interns through,” White said.

Noma said they are looking into the allegations as well.

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6 years after deadly Minnesota crash, father-and-son first responders meet boy they saved

CNN Newsource on March 11, 2026

By Jason Rantala

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    MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — A Minnesota father and son who work as first responders received a lifesaving award Tuesday, meeting for the first time with the young boy they rescued and his family.

In April 2020, 12-year-old Myles Chacha was in the car with his dad and brother east of Prior Lake when the unthinkable happened.

The moment police arrived at Lulu Thompson’s door, she knew something was terribly wrong.

“They said, ‘There’s been a car accident,'” Thompson said.

Their Toyota Corolla crashed with a freight truck at Eagle Creek and Natchez avenues in Credit River Township. Chacha’s older brother and dad were killed.

Chacha was still alive, but in critical condition.

“We still grieve because the boy that I sent out that morning is not the same boy that came back to me that night,” Thompson said.

While the crash forever changed Chacha’s life, Thompson says it was thanks to quick thinking, and quick action, that her son is still here today.

Prior Lake officer Cody Steinhaus and his dad, Prior Lake Fire Chief Rick Steinhaus, were honored by the City Council Tuesday night for quickly working to stabilize Chacha, who was 6 years old at the time.

“Tonight we are doing our best to both recognize the unfathomable loss of a father and son, and also honor the selfless acts of a firefighter, a police officer,” said Prior Lake Police Chief Liam Duggan.

Chacha suffered a severe traumatic brain injury in the crash and now uses a wheelchair. Despite his difficulties, Thompson says her son is a happy, smiling boy who loves cracking dad jokes.

She says the fact he’s still here today is a miracle.

“They give my son a second chance at life … and that means everything to me,” Thompson said.

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Man says he’s sorry he pulled gun on Amazon driver in unmarked car and chased him down

CNN Newsource on March 11, 2026

By Christopher DeRose

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    LIGONIER TOWNSHIP, Pennsylvania (KDKA) — What started as a routine Amazon delivery to a rural home in Ligonier Township on Monday night quickly escalated, with a man saying he drew a gun and chased the driver down.

Tim Bacco said it started around 8 p.m. at his home, which is down a long, secluded driveway in a rural part of Ligonier Township.

“A strange vehicle came down the driveway, I saw it was a rental van,” Bacco said. “I went out to confront it, he took off, so I jumped in my vehicle and took off after him. He pulled out on Darlington Road, I pulled in front of him to question him to see who he was. He couldn’t speak English and I drew my pistol on him.”

That’s when Bacco said the driver sped away and he pursued. Both men called 911 during the chase, with the two vehicles eventually reaching the intersection of Sharky’s Drive and Route 30 in Unity Township, some 10 miles away.

That’s where officers from several municipalities stopped Bacco and the driver of the van, who police said was delivering for Amazon in an unmarked vehicle. Bacco was placed in handcuffs for a short time but was later released.

Ligonier Valley Police Chief Michael Matrunics says the whole situation is under investigation, but he adds a lot of misinformation was spread on social media Monday night, which led to public confusion. Initial reports that shots had been fired were incorrect, Maturnics said, adding that his officers had de-escalated the situation after stopping the two vehicles.

“They identified all the parties that were involved,” Maturnics said. “We feel that there was probably more that happened at that house than what we were able to gather last night. My officers are conducting the interviews and trying to do all the follow-up before any type of decision is made.”

Bacco said he’s sorry about what happened, but that he had been robbed before.

“If you are making a delivery, if you are looking for somebody, ask a question,” Bacco said. “Stop. Show me a badge. Everybody has ID badges.”

In a statement, Amazon said, in part, that it is “relieved the driver was unharmed and are thankful to law enforcement for responding quickly to this incident. We’ll cooperate fully with their investigation.”

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Outreach teams move homeless residents to shelters ahead of Oahu storm

CNN Newsource on March 11, 2026

By KITV Staff

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    HONOLULU (KITV) — Outreach teams across Oahu are working to help people experiencing homelessness move into shelters as a potentially dangerous storm approaches the islands.

Outreach teams have been canvassing the island since late last week, encouraging people living in flood-prone areas to move into shelters before conditions worsen.

“Outreach workers and providers started late last week in canvassing the entire island to make sure that anyone who was willing to go into shelter had that opportunity,” said Laura Thielen, Executive Director of Partners In Care. “That opportunity is still available over the next 24 hours.”

Officials said people living near streams, drainage canals and low-lying areas face the greatest danger during heavy rainfall.

They estimate roughly 4,000 to 5,000 people are experiencing homelessness across Oahu, and they said they are working to move as many as possible into safe shelter before the storm intensifies.

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Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh reverend accused of stealing baseball cards

CNN Newsource on March 11, 2026

By Andy Sheehan

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    PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — The reverend in charge of the largest cathedral in the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh is accused of stealing more than $1,000 worth of baseball trading cards.

Rev. Aidan Smith, the head priest and administrator of the Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Downtown Pittsburgh, has been on administrative leave from the cathedral since late January, and police arrested him on Feb. 27 at the Walmart in Economy Borough.

Borough police and store security say they caught Smith stealing 27 packs of baseball trading cards worth more than $200. Police say this followed a multi-day stealing spree in which Smith stole more than $1,000 worth of trading cards from the Walmart.

According to a police report, surveillance cameras first observed Smith on Feb. 23 shoplifting $244 worth of cards. On Feb. 24, the report says he can be seen again on video stealing cards worth $261. On Feb. 25, he allegedly took cards worth $121, and finally on Feb. 26, police seized him with the 27 packs worth $245.

Police say Smith walked past the registers without paying and into the parking lot, where they found the cards in a box he was carrying underneath his clothing. In all, police say Smith stole $1,100 worth of cards. And minus the cards recovered, Walmart is seeking $873 in restitution.

Police say Smith offered no reason for the alleged theft, and his attorney had no comment. But his arrest may have placed his position in jeopardy.

In a statement to the diocesan community, Bishop Ketlen Solak said the church will investigate the matter and follow the process for handling clergy misconduct. She said she has reached out to Smith and his family.

“I have spoken with Aidan and assured him of our prayers for him in this difficult time. Please pray for Aidan, for Melanie and their children, for the entire cathedral congregation as we grieve this news, and for everyone involved in this hard situation,” Solak said.

Smith faces charges of retail theft and receiving stolen property and is free on $50,000 bail. He was to face a preliminary hearing this week, but that has been postponed to later this month.

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A dad started the Miss Black America pageant to make his daughters’ dreams come true

CNN Newsource on March 11, 2026

By Natasha Brown, Will Kenworthy

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    PHILADELPHIA (KYW) — Nearly six decades ago, John Anderson had a realization after watching the Miss America Pageant with his daughters in the Philadelphia area.

Wearing the crown would have just been a dream for them at the time.

“My daughters had watched the Miss America Pageant,” Anderson said. “I asked them, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ Both of them said, ‘I want to be Miss America.’ And I knew that was a dream that could never come true.”

So, he decided to do something about it.

The Miss Black America Pageant celebrated its 58th anniversary in 2026, and to celebrate the milestone, you have to go back to its storied beginning and its founder, Anderson.

By 1968, there had never been a Black Miss America crowned. It was the height of the Civil Rights Movement, and he says he wanted to showcase Black women in a way not yet seen on a national pageant stage.

“It elevated downtrodden citizens who were doing everything they could to have their presence recognized in America and be accepted,” Anderson said.

Anderson was already producing events in Philadelphia at the time. In 1968, he booked a hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey, right across the boardwalk from where the Miss America Pageant was going to be held, and held the first-ever Miss Black America Pageant on the same night.

That was the beginning of a historic 58-year run with the pageant moving from city to city, hosting Black women from around the country every year to compete for the crown.

A young Oprah Winfrey represented Tennessee in the early 1970s and is now one of the pageant’s most famous contestants.

Aleta Anderson has taken on the role of the pageant’s executive producer from her father. She said she took her father to school for show and tell one time.

“It’s quite a weight. It’s quite a responsibility, more so than just the family business,” Aleta Anderson said, “but a program that is so important to community and race relations and provides a platform of confidence.”

A platform where beauty is just one facet of so many amazing layers of criteria.

“Without consideration of height, size, hair texture, complexion, complexity, character,” Aleta Anderson said.

Miss Black America 2026 has been crowned, adding to the list of women holding the title. The evolution of a platform that stands the test of time and has changed the face of beauty in America.

“Black women after that started looking into the mirror,” John Anderson said, “seeing how beautiful they were and accepting the fact and the understanding and realizing the facts of their beauty and it’s still going on today.”

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