Electric air taxi offers NYC a glimpse of the future of travel

CNN Newsource on January 25, 2026

By Steve Overmyer

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    NEW YORK (WCBS) — The future of air travel touched down in New York City on Friday.

An all-electric air taxi was on display for the public to check out at Pier 76.

The aircraft will take travelers from Manhattan to John F. Kennedy International Airport in seven minutes, according to Vertical Aerospace.

“That’s the best thing I’ve ever heard,” Manhattan resident Alexandra Ellerstein said. “I have had some treks to JFK.”

Some Bronx High School of Science students saw up close what the future looks like. The air taxi has four seats, an intercom to the pilot, and a display screen showing the aircraft’s speed, height and distance from destination.

According to Vertical Aerospace, the air taxi takes off vertically and can fly 100 miles, and since it’s electric, it’s virtually silent.

So how much will it cost? Vertical Aerospace said it will cost you about $300 to get to JFK.

“The market’s for everyone. We’re aiming to build this as-cost effective as possible,” said Eddie Moulton, senior systems tech for Vertical Aerospace.

The air taxi won’t be available to the public until 2028, but it’s already inspiring curiosity and showing what’s possible.

“One of the biggest complaints people have is just how congested the city constantly is. So I think to see the concept of a flying car come to life in Manhattan and kind of like alleviate some of that difficulty just getting around the city is awesome,” Ellerstein said. “As a New Yorker, it’s something I’m very excited about.”

In a city built on shortcuts, this could be the next one.

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.

Long Island school district must reinstate Native American mascot or face funding cuts, Trump administration says

CNN Newsource on January 25, 2026

By Carolyn Gusoff

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    NEW YORK (WCBS) — A Long Island school district is caught in the middle of a growing state vs. federal showdown with its mascot at the center of the fight.

In 2022, 13 Long Island districts were ordered to drop mascot names like “Chiefs” and “Warriors” after the state ruled the imagery is outdated, demeaning and offensive to Native Americans, but the Trump administration sided with opponents of the ban.

Now, the Connetquot Central School District has been threatened with funding cuts unless it reinstates its old mascot name.

After changing their mascot from Thunderbirds to T-Birds to comply with the ban, the change was just ruled a violation of federal law.

“It’s caught in the crossfire with the Trump administration, which is at war with blue states and diversity,” Hofstra University education scholar Alan Singer said.

Singer said Connetquot’s mascot is part of a much larger political fight.

The United States Department of Education ruled New York’s mandate discriminatory because it only banned Native American mascots and not European heritage names, like “Dutchman” and “Huguenots.”

“It’s gonna have to be fought out in the courts,” Singer said.

The school district told CBS News New York it’s reviewing the federal ruling and weighing its options.

CBS News New York reached out to the U.S. DOE for comment, but they have not yet responded.

A spokesperson for the New York State Department of Education said in a statement:

“The U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) continues to make a mockery of our nation’s civil rights laws. USDOE has offered no explanation as to whose civil rights were violated by changing a team name from Thunderbirds to T-birds. And USDOE has still not explained why it maintains an open consent decree with a New York State school district to eliminate its Native American mascot. NYSED remains committed to ending the use of harmful, outdated, and offensive depictions of Indigenous people and will not sacrifice the dignity of the students and families we serve for political expediency.

“In April 2023, the Board of Regents adopted regulations developed in collaboration with a Mascot Advisory Council composed of representatives and leaders of Indigenous nations with connections to New York State to end the use of demeaning Indigenous names and mascots in New York’s public schools once and for all. They were compelled to act because certain Native American names and images have been shown to perpetuate negative stereotypes that are demonstrably harmful to children. If we truly wish to honor our Native American people, we will teach our students the true history of the state’s Indigenous people and how they advanced our civilization – rather than perpetuating outdated and disproven myths.”

Some in the Connetquot School District are in favor of returning to the old team name.

“That’s all complimentary to Native Americans,” one person said.

“I don’t think it’s offensive at all,” another person said.

“I feel like they’re being honored in a way,” another man said.

Chief Harry Wallace of Long Island’s Unkechaug Nation disagrees.

“It’s a total fallacy to say that it honors the Native American people,” he said.

He said the imagery is a desecration of their symbols and harms students.

“As they grow up from children into adults, they carry with them that stereotypical image of hurt and harm and shame,” he said.

Meanwhile, Connetquot is left in a legal and financial bind with funding cuts threatened by both sides, and the issue leaves students confused.

“Not only is it going to cost a lot of money for school to rechange everything, but now, we have to rebrand all our school apparel,” one student said.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Woman confronted by police after Facebook post about city’s mayor demands full investigation

CNN Newsource on January 25, 2026

By Jim DeFede

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    MIAMI (WFOR) — Raquel Pacheco said she has “hope” after seeing the worldwide reaction to the video she posted of two Miami Beach police detectives showing up at her house because she had posted a critical comment on Facebook about Miami Beach Mayor Steve Meiner.

“I’m very surprised,” she told CBS News Miami in an interview for “Facing South Florida.” “I’m shocked, actually, by just how the story has grown legs and taken over. It’s made national news and global news, and the reaction from the public is just, you know, overwhelming, overwhelmingly positive. It gives me hope.”

When asked why, Pacheco said it’s because it’s “a perfect example of Americans coming together around one issue we can all get behind, which is freedom of speech, the First Amendment [and] the Constitution.”

“It’s amazing to see people from all different types of political backgrounds, including extreme GOP MAGAs, reaching out to me personally and saying, `Hey, I don’t agree with you on anything, but on this, I’m with you,'” she said. “So it gives me hope in the sense that it’s really good to see Americans just get down to our core values and stand together on issues that really matter.”

Pacheco said she is still pushing for an investigation into what happened. And she wants to know if the police have gone to other individuals who posted comments critical of Meiner.

“I want an investigation to find out if this is a common practice at City Hall, if it’s routine for them to peruse Facebook posts and then send out the police knocking on people’s doors,” she said. “I’d like to know how many other doors they’ve knocked on, or if this was just a one-off here with me and if I’m just being personally targeted.”

The video of the incident raises several serious questions. In the video, the two detectives confront Pacheco and show her the Facebook post.

Detective: “Is that your account?”

Pacheco: “I refuse to answer questions without my lawyer present, so I really don’t know how to answer that question.”

Detective: “Like I said, you’re not going to jail.”

Pacheco: “This is freedom of speech. This is America, right?”

Now, at that point, you would have thought the detectives would back off. After all, she made it clear she didn’t want to answer their questions, and she invoked her right to have an attorney present. But they pressed forward anyway, with one of the detectives reading her Facebook post to her.

Detective: “The guy who consistently calls for the death of all Palestinians, tried to shut down a theater for showing a movie that hurt his feelings, and refuses to stand up for the LGBTQ community in any way [even leaves the room when they vote on related matters] wants you to know that you’re all welcome here. Clown face. Clown face. Clown face. Was that you?”

Pacheco: “I’m not going to answer whether that’s me or not.”

One of the detectives then warned her that her post could incite others to violence, and she should refrain from posting things like that in the future.

The Miami Herald reported that the instruction to send the police to Pacheco’s home came from the mayor’s office – but the police chief last week said it was his decision and his decision alone. Pacheco, however, doesn’t believe the department’s response.

“I don’t believe it because the initial report came directly from the police department and it was very clear,” she said. “The Miami Herald reported that the directive came from the mayor’s office in the form of an email. We have made a records request for that email.”

Pacheco said she has filed a public records request for that email, but the city has not responded to her request.

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.

Patriots superfans craft their own matching wardrobes for game days

CNN Newsource on January 25, 2026

By Mike Sullivan

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    BOSTON (WBZ) — A pair of New England Patriots superfans have been making waves at games over their matching attire and self-made threads.

Lesley Wilkins has had season tickets to the Patriots for more than a decade. Years ago, she befriended Pam Vetrano. The pair happened to have desks that abutted one another at work.

“One day she is like, ‘Hey, do you want to go to a Patriots game?’ I am like, ‘Oh absolutely,” said Vetrano.

“We ended up going to the game, and from then on I didn’t want to go with anyone else,” said Wilkins.

In the years since, they have been collecting and creating Patriots gear. They have roughly 30 jackets to go along with shirts, dresses, and bedazzled shoes. They often get together before the season to create some of their wardrobes.

“We are very superstitious, but we always wear the same thing,” said Wilkins of their matching attire every game.

“Every game we have to match, and we are grown adults, and we match from head to toe,” said Vetrano.

“There is always a meeting before the game, and then we bring all of our jewelry to the game and decide at the game. We probably have 30 pairs of earrings too,” said Wilkins.

The pair doesn’t sell their creations and rarely gives them away. They took the opportunity to offload some of their clothes while going to Patriots games in London and Germany.

“We gave away some of our gear when we were there because people there don’t have the same ability to buy the same things that we do here,” said Wilkins.

If the Patriots make it to the Super Bowl, Vetrano will be overseas then too, although she is now questioning it.

“I will be in Japan, but I actually contemplated canceling Japan if they do make it to the Super Bowl,” said Vetrano.

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.

Shooting at child’s birthday party kills 2 and wounds 2 others

CNN Newsource on January 25, 2026

By Neal Riley, Logan Hall

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    CARVER, Massachusetts (WBZ) — A shooting at a child’s birthday party in Carver, Massachusetts Saturday night killed two people and wounded two others, the district attorney said.

Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz said there were multiple 911 calls made just after 7 p.m. for a reported shooting at Saint John The Baptist, a social club on Silva Street.

First responders found 27-year-old Benjamin Cowart at the scene. A 20-year-old, Jalen Pina, was taken to the hospital where he died.

Two other men, a 28-year-old and a 32-year-old, were hospitalized. Cruz said that they were in stable condition as of Saturday night.

The suspect is 22-year-old Nicholas Meuse, who left the scene but was then taken into custody down the street, Cruz said. He is expected to be arraigned either Monday or Tuesday in Wareham District Court, depending on the weather.

Meuse is charged with two counts each of murder and armed assault with intent to murder, as well as multiple gun charges.

Cruz said this was not a random shooting. He said everyone involved in the incident at the family party appeared to know each other.

“The people here in the town of Carver should feel safe,” he said. “There is no ongoing threat.”

No other information about the shooting was immediately available. The shooting is still under investigation.

Carver is a Plymouth County town with a population of just under 12,000. It is about 45 miles south of Boston.

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.

Wisconsin farmers battle extreme cold to protect livestock

CNN Newsource on January 25, 2026

By Nash Darragh

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    MADISON, Wis. (WISC) — MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin farmers have put normal tasks on hold this weekend, prioritizing the safety of their farm animals as the state endures one of the coldest few-day spans in years.

The extreme temperatures have forced agricultural operations across the state into what one farmer calls “survival mode,” with livestock requiring constant monitoring and emergency care measures to survive the dangerous conditions.

At Tri-Fecta Dairy Farms in Fox Lake, owner Katy Schultz and her team have been battling the cold to ensure the well-being and comfort of their 400 milking cows. The operation has implemented multiple strategies to protect the animals from the life-threatening temperatures.

“We are surviving in survival mode this week. It’s just getting the chores done, making sure the animals are taken care of and, it’s manageable when you stay ahead of it,” Schultz said. “Everyone here at the farm is on high alert, just making sure that if somebody looks off or something doesn’t look right, that we can be ahead of the curve and just making sure that we give those animals a little extra special attention.”

The farm has implemented comprehensive cold-weather protocols that address multiple aspects of animal care. Workers are keeping animals well-bedded with jackets and deep straw, along with fluffy bedding to provide additional insulation against the frigid temperatures.

Maintaining access to running water has become a critical challenge, as farmers work to ensure calves can continue to grow and stay healthy despite the harsh conditions. The operation has also added extra calories to cows’ diets to help their bodies maintain normal functions, including milk production, calf development, and overall health maintenance.

Equipment management has become equally important in the fight against the cold. Farm workers are carefully managing ventilation by opening and closing pen doors only when absolutely necessary, preventing additional cold air from entering heated buildings while maintaining proper airflow for the animals.

As the cold snap continues, farmers across the state remain focused on the immediate goal of keeping their animals alive and healthy until temperatures return to more manageable levels. The experience serves as a reminder of the challenges facing Wisconsin’s agricultural community and the dedication required to maintain livestock operations during severe weather conditions.

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.

Samantha Calderon
scalderon@wisctv.com
(608)277-5133

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie pushes for California law toughening penalties for sideshows

CNN Newsource on January 24, 2026

By Tim Fang

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    SAN FRANCISCO, Florida (KPIX) — San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie has teamed up with a state lawmaker in seeking a new law that would toughen penalties on sideshows across California.

On Friday, Lurie announced a partnership with Asm. Catherine Stefani (D-San Francisco) on Assembly Bill 1588, which was introduced in the state legislature this week.

“San Franciscans deserve to feel safe in their neighborhoods, to walk their streets without fear, and to know their city is willing to act. This legislation is about safety. It’s about holding bad actors accountable. And it’s about making sure our streets belong to the people—not to reckless behavior that puts lives at risk,” Lurie said in a statement.

According to supporters, the measure would add motorbikes and dirtbikes to be treated as sideshow penalties and make serious bodily injury caused by a sideshow driver eligible for a felony. The proposal would also strengthen impoundment penalties.

Stefani said, “AB 1588 gives law enforcement the tools they need, establishes meaningful consequences, and creates real deterrence so this dangerous behavior is no longer tolerated.”

The proposal follows recent sideshows in the city.

On Dec. 27, a sideshow in the city’s Sunset District spiraled into chaos, when some spectators vandalized a rented U-Haul truck and set it on fire. Residents who lived nearby were angry over what they said was a delayed response.

Earlier this week, two people from Vacaville and Modesto were arrested in connection with a sideshow in the city’s Richmond District. Officers said they also recovered an illegal assault rifle and ammunition.

“We are sending a clear message: dangerous sideshows have no place in San Francisco, and we will continue using every tool available to stop them,” Lurie added.

It was not immediately known when AB1588 would be considered by legislators.

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.

A peek inside the gym where Sacramento-area climbing legend Alex Honnold got his start

CNN Newsource on January 24, 2026

By James Taylor

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    RANCHO CORDOVA, California (KOVR) — We’ll have to wait one more day to see Sacramento-area rock climbing legend Alex Honnold try to scale one of the world’s tallest buildings on live TV. The live Netflix special was supposed to air Friday night but was postponed until Saturday due to poor weather conditions.

CBS News Sacramento got an inside look at the Rancho Cordova climbing gym where Honnold got his start at an early age.

It’s on a concrete wall inside the Granite Arch Climbing Center where the world-famous rock climber first perfected his skills.

“It’s cool to say, ‘I grew up climbing in the same gym as Alex Honnold,’ ” Granite Arch climbing instructor Brogan Cummings said.

Honnold was raised in Carmichael and graduated from Mira Loma High School. Cummings said Honnold used to ride his bicycle to the Granite Arch and was on their competitive team.

“You meet him and he’s just like pretty much like every other climber,” Cummings said. “He’s not eccentric or over the top, he’s pretty much a normal guy.”

Honnold is known there for going up a 35-foot-tall wall blindfolded.

“Just knowing that some of these walls that I’m climbing right now, he climbed on too, that’s pretty cool,” climber Dominic Bocanegra said.

Honnold first rose to fame after starring in the Academy Award-winning documentary “Free Solo,” which featured him being the first person to climb Yosemite’s El Capitan without any ropes or safety gear.

“We all acknowledge that that is an unbelievable accomplishment,” Cummings said.

Now, he’s being featured in a live broadcast on Netflix called “Skyscraper,” where he’s set to free solo climb Taipei 101, one of the world’s tallest buildings in Taiwan.

“We call it buildering. Buldering is a type of rock climbing, and when you do buildings, it’s buildering,” Cummings said.

The Netflix live stream is now scheduled to begin on Saturday at 5 p.m. local time.

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.

Big Bear eagles Jackie and Shadow lay first egg of season

CNN Newsource on January 24, 2026

By Matthew Rodriguez

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    BIG BEAR LAKE, California (KCAL, KCBS) — Big Bear bald eagles Jackie and Shadow welcomed their first egg of the nesting season on Friday.

Jackie laid the egg at about 4:32 p.m. and guarded it throughout the night. The eagles’ nesting season runs from January through April.

Jackie and Shadow raised little eaglets in 2019 and 2022, but struggled to have any hatchlings the following years.

However, in 2025, Big Bear’s famous eagle couple welcomed their latest batch of eaglets, sisters Sunny and Gizmo.

It typically takes 35 days for eggs to hatch, but the nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley said Jackie and Shadow’s have historically taken a bit longer, roughly 38-39 days.

Last year, Sandy Steers, biologist and executive director of Friends of Big Bear Valley, said once the chicks hatch, it will take 10-14 weeks until the little eaglets grow to about 3 feet tall.

Sunny and Gizmo took a few months before taking their first flights from their nest last June.

The family and their nest in the San Bernardino National Forest became world-famous after the Friends of Big Bear Valley installed a camera for its livestream on YouTube.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said bald eagles mate for life, with each living up to about 30 years in the wild.

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.

Driver crashes into McNamara Terminal at Detroit Metro Airport

CNN Newsource on January 24, 2026

By DeJanay Booth-Singleton

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    DETROIT, Michigan (WWJ) — A driver is in custody after crashing a vehicle into a terminal at Detroit Metro Airport Friday night, officials said.

The crash occurred at the McNamara Terminal near Delta Air Lines’ check-in counters at around 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

The Wayne County Airport Authority reported that the vehicle drove through an entrance and struck a ticket counter. The driver was taken into custody and six people were treated at the scene by firefighters, the airport authority said. The cause of the crash is unknown. The name of the driver was not immediately released. It was unclear if any passengers were in the vehicle.

Delta Air Lines said in its own statement to CBS News that no injuries were reported and there was no operational impact. Three employees were checked by emergency personnel after encountering debris, the airline said.

A CBS News Detroit crew captured footage of the crashed vehicle inside the building. The circumstances of the incident were unclear.

The Wayne County Airport Authority said its investigating the collision.

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