Author: CNN Newsource

By Kayleigh Randle

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    LEXINGTON, Kentucky (WLEX) — A community came together Sunday to support a 2-year-old girl and her family as she continues treatment for a rare form of liver cancer.

Dozens of people gathered at Country Boy Brewing for a fundraiser benefiting Annberlynn Miller, who was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma about five months ago.

For Annberlynn’s mother, Caitlyn Miller, seeing the turnout was emotional.

“Really good. I’ve had to stop myself from crying a lot today,” Miller said. “It’s super sweet for everyone that has [taken] the time, just showed up.”

Annberlynn has already undergone surgery to remove 60% of her liver. Her family said doctors later found additional tumors in her kidney and lungs.

Miller said her daughter is continuing chemotherapy and is scheduled to receive the final treatment of her current round on Tuesday. In early November, Annberlynn is expected to undergo another hearing test, an MRI and a CT scan to determine how she is responding to treatment.

Miller said there have been encouraging signs.

“Her AFP is going down, so that means that the chemo is working,” she said.

Annberlynn’s grandmother, Missy Sizemore, said she has called her granddaughter “tiny but mighty” since the day she was born.

“There was a reason for that. I didn’t know that reason until she was diagnosed with cancer,” Sizemore said. “We’re so blessed.”

Sunday’s fundraiser featured 18 artists who donated their time to help ease the financial burden on Annberlynn’s family while she undergoes treatment.

“We don’t have to worry about how we’re going to get bills paid,” Miller said. “We can just worry about how Annberlynn is doing.”

Hunter Spivey, a singer with 21 Dust, said there was no hesitation when he was asked to participate.

“I always want to help out and give back,” Spivey said. “Whenever I got that text, it was one of those, no questions. I’m gonna do this, absolutely.”

Aaron McGlone with Purple Girl Radio said being a father made Annberlynn’s fight especially personal for him.

“As a father, I’ve got two sons myself. I’ve got stepchildren, and I can’t imagine,” McGlone said.

For Annberlynn’s family, the support is another source of strength as she continues her cancer treatment.

“We love her. That’s everything we got, and we’ll do anything we can,” Sizemore said. “It won’t stop. And she’s gonna win. She’ll beat this cancer.”

Miller said she is asking the community to continue keeping her daughter in their thoughts and prayers.

“Just keep praying. The prayers mean more than anything to me,” Miller said. “Everyone can say a prayer for my daughter.”

If you’d like to help out the family, you can donate to their Venmo @Caitlyn-Miller-74

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 Taylor Epps

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    HARFORD COUNTY — HAVRE DE GRACE, Maryland (WMAR) — A viral food reviewer is using his social media success to give back to single mothers in his community.

Douglas White, known online as “Meal Ticket Nu,” invited 10 single moms to eat for free at Rio’s Grill in Havre de Grace. A meal is something precious to him after spending 17 years behind bars.

“I wound up catching attempted murder, armed carjacking, and robbery when I was 15 years old. I was supposed to be in school, writing love letters, going to prom, but instead I was surviving in a dark prison,” White said.

When he got out in 2024, one of the first things he did was get a Big Mac.

“Who would think that after spending a lot of time in prison, you’d want to come home and eat a Big Mac, right? I’m talking about it was so good it blew my mind,” White said.

A friend captured the moment on camera. Another suggested he post it to TikTok.

“I said, why would someone want to watch me eat food? It just started growing and going and going, and people started calling me like, man, you’re going viral,” White said.

The video racked up 17 million views. Another video got him 42 million. Restaurants near and far began inviting him to review their food, and opportunities followed.

“Being able to take content and get paid was life-changing. I traveled the world doing this. I love food; it’s truly a blessing,” White said.

He tries to pay it forward whenever he can. White posted an open invitation on social media, offering 10 single mothers a free meal at Rio’s Grill.

One of the women who attended said the gesture meant more than just a free dinner.

“Sometimes you just need somebody to say, ‘Hey, you’re doing great,’ and give you that gift that you give to everybody else. I don’t have to worry about me going to work and them being hungry,” said Kristina Martin, one of the single mothers who attended.

He says he plans to keep using his platform to spread a message of resilience.

“Pushing out positivity, letting people know it’s not about how you fall, but it’s how you get back up. No matter what, keep going,” White said.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. WMAR 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 Riley Nagel

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    BAKERSFIELD, California (KERO) — Finding the right guitar can be a challenge for left-handed musicians, who sometimes have fewer instruments to choose from. For local musician Jim Schaffer, that challenge inspired him to start building his own.

Schaffer, the founder of Southpaw Soundwaves, has turned a lifelong love of music into a craft focused on creating handcrafted guitars for left-handed players.

“When I was about 12, I started wanting to get a guitar. My sister had one, and I’m just going, ‘Man, I want to do that,’” Schaffer said.

But as a left-handed guitarist, he says finding the right instrument wasn’t always easy.

“Left-handers are left out. Guitars… there is some left-handers that decide, ‘You know what, it’s not worth it, and I’m going to play right-handed,’” he said.

Schaffer wasn’t willing to make that switch. After years of looking for guitars that met his expectations, he decided to learn how to build his own instruments.

“And so I built a ukulele kit, and it sounded horrible, and I built another one, and that sounded just as bad,” Schaffer said.

He started with ukuleles, learning through trial and error before seeking guidance from a master instrument maker in Hawaii.

Schaffer’s interest in instrument-making eventually found its way into his teaching career. About 15 years ago, while teaching Exploring Technology at Earl Warren Junior High School, he began having students build their own ukuleles.

The project gave students an opportunity to learn practical skills while creating instruments they could actually play.

“And we’d have a concert at the end of the school year, and they were actually really good,” Schaffer said.

The experience helped inspire his next step: building guitars. After retiring from teaching, Schaffer began turning his designs into handcrafted instruments, eventually establishing Southpaw Soundwaves.

Each guitar takes him around 150 hours to build, with careful attention to the wood, design and sound.

“I love building, and I love finding the right tone for each guitar, the best tone for each piece of wood,” he said.

For Schaffer, crafting a guitar involves more than its appearance or sound. He says the instrument needs to feel comfortable and natural to the person playing it.

“When I play a guitar, it has to feel right in my hands, it has to feel right on my leg, on my shoulder, and it becomes a part of you,” he said.

Through Southpaw Soundwaves, he hopes to give left-handed musicians more opportunities to find an instrument that fits their needs without feeling they have to settle for something less.

Despite the time and care that go into each guitar, Schaffer says his motivation comes back to what music has always given him.

“When I play… all I think about is my playing, and I just am at peace,” he said.

Schaffer hopes to continue building high-quality guitars for left-handed players, helping others experience the same connection to music that has inspired him throughout his life.

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 Tim Nazzaro

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    HOLBROOK, Massachusetts (WCVB) — Three Holbrook police officers rescued a man trapped in a burning vehicle after a crash early Sunday morning.

Sgt. Martin Faherty and officers Jonathan O’Brien and Matthew Richards responded to the collision near 206 Pine St. around 3:20 a.m., according to the Holbrook Police Department.

O’Brien arrived first at the scene and saw a utility pole snapped in half and flames spreading across the front of a Jeep.

Bystanders told him the driver was still inside.

The driver tried to escape the vehicle, but his right foot was pinned beneath the damaged dashboard, according to police. The driver’s foot and sneaker also caught fire.

Body camera video provided by Holbrook police shows the tense moments when O’Brien, Faherty and Richards pulled the driver to safety.

The driver was transported to South Shore Hospital with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.

O’Brien sustained minor burns to his fingers during the rescue.

Investigators said the Jeep left the roadway, hit a pole and a tree before crashing into a retaining wall.

The Jeep’s driver, a 37-year-old Holbrook man, will be charged with operating under the influence (second offense), negligent operation of a motor vehicle, a marked lanes violation and speeding.

“These officers did an incredible job under dangerous conditions,” Chief David Del Papa said. “The outcome would have been much different had they not arrived so quickly and acted immediately. Their quick response likely saved his life.”

This is the second time in the past year O’Brien has rescued a driver from a burning vehicle.

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 Adam Bartow

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    BINGHAM, Maine (WMTW) — A cat is safe after town officials say it was tied inside a plastic bag and thrown into a dumpster at the Bingham Transfer Station.

Town officials shared information about the incident on Sunday morning.

The town says staff at the transfer station heard something and were able to rescue the cat before it was physically injured. As of Sunday morning, the cat was being cared for by the town Animal Control Officer and officials said the animal seemed to be doing well.

“There is absolutely no excuse for animal cruelty. We understand that sometimes people have hard choices and may be struggling financially. If you find yourself unable or unwilling to care for an animal, there are safe, legal, and humane resources available right here in our community,” the town wrote. “To the individual or individuals who thought it was acceptable to tie a cat inside a plastic bag and throw it into a dumpster at the Bingham Transfer Station: Human decency and basic compassion should have guided you to a completely different choice.”

The town said people who need help with a pet can reach out to a local animal shelter, the Animal Control Officer, local town office or police.

“Please do the right thing next time. Our community is better than this, and we will continue to look out for those who cannot speak for themselves,” Bingham town officials wrote.

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 Karson Wells

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    MODESTO, California (KCRA) — Sherman, an 11-year-old sulcata tortoise from Modesto, has become a social media star as his owner documents their adventures around town, bringing joy to people everywhere.

Sherman’s owner, Wilson Tsai, adopted him from a local rescue just over a year ago.

“We absolutely fell in love with him,” Tsai said.

Sherman’s personality has made him a favorite among locals.

“He is very outgoing. He doesn’t shy around in the presence of people, and that’s what makes everyone just absolutely fall in love with him. Every single encounter he has with people, with kids, it’s always the same. Pure joy, laughter,” Tsai said.

Sherman’s adventures began after he escaped from Tsai’s backyard multiple times.

“All three times he’s done that, he’s always headed to the park because he remembers where it is,” Tsai said.

Now, Tsai is committed to showing Sherman more of the world.

“Everywhere we go, he’s treated like a celebrity. People drop everything they’re doing just to take pictures of him,” Tsai said.

To share Sherman’s charm with a wider audience, Tsai started documenting their outings on Instagram. “It’s an absolute pleasure bringing this kind of happiness to people everywhere. That’s why we record it and put it on social media for the rest of the world to also enjoy,” Tsai said.

Sherman, who weighs 70 pounds, is still young for a tortoise and could live up to 100 years and grow to 200 pounds. “He will definitely outlive me, maybe my kids, so you have to have a very long contingency plan,” Tsai said.

Tsai takes Sherman on daily walks, and their trips have expanded from local parks to places like stores and even a Spirit Halloween shop in Modesto.

Sherman’s adventures, which include rides on BART and visits to various locations, continue to bring smiles to those who meet him.

“It’s an absolute pleasure bringing this kind of happiness to people everywhere. That’s why we record it and put it on social media for the rest of the world to also enjoy,” Tsai 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.

By Layza Pinero Resto

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    LEHIGH ACRES, Florida (WBBH) — A vehicle pursuit in Lehigh Acres ended with a PIT maneuver and the suspect biting a trooper before running away, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

FHP says that on Friday night troopers attempted to stop a BMW on SR-82 and Gun Club Road for speeding. The driver of the BMW drove away and a pursuit ensued.

Jeff Nozius, a Lehigh Acres resident, said the incident was surprising.

“Actually been out in Lehigh Acres for about a year now. And so far, so quiet, really. So this is pretty surprising of the news that I’m hearing today,” Nozius said.

Nozius recalled seeing police activity near his home on Friday night.

“Last night I was actually coming home around, I think sometimes ten, 10:30 p.m. last night. And I did see some, some lights, but I didn’t think too much of it. Just went back in the house and kind of went to sleep,” he said.

Troopers stopped the BMW. As they were trying to arrest the driver, FHP says that the suspect physically resisted before biting a trooper’s arm and running off.

The bitten trooper was taken to a hospital for treatment. FHP has identified the suspect, and says they are working to obtain an arrest warrant.

Inside the vehicle, FHP says, was a trafficking amount of methamphetamine, along with cocaine and a firearm.

Nozius shared his thoughts on the situation.

“Very surprised really. I think that’s a little bit scary, that, person’s still out there,” Nozius said.

The suspect faces several charges, including battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and more.

FHP says that the incident remains under investigation.

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 Mary Saladna

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    CHELMSFORD, Massachusetts (WCVB) — Wildlife experts are urging residents in one Massachusetts town to exercise caution following multiple black bear sightings.

A bear has been spotted repeatedly this week in Chelmsford’s Westlands neighborhood, surprising many residents.

“I just looked at my neighbor’s house, and there’s just this big furry pillow lounging and sitting next to that maple tree,” said Tom Salowsky, who has lived in the neighborhood for years.

Salowsky was able to snap a selfie with the bear, from a safe distance, of course.

“Very docile, it was just munching on seed,” he said. “It was incredible — I mean, to the point that I got a selfie with it, at what? 15, 20 feet? Yeah, that’s pretty cool.”

Salowsky sent the photo to his wife, Amanda, who was at work.

“All of a sudden he turned the FaceTime, and I’m like, ‘Are you kidding me?'” she said. “And he’s like, ‘Can you believe it?'”

The bear’s presence excited the whole family, including their dog Sox, who Salowsky said had been acting unusually during walks in recent days.

“Just making aggressive lunges and excitement I haven’t seen since he was a puppy,” he said.

The bear, which has tags on its ears, is likely being tracked by the state.

According to MassWildlife experts, bears are actively searching for outdoor food sources at this time of year.

Residents are advised to take in bird feeders, secure garbage and compost, and protect any livestock. They are also advised to give the animals space.

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 Tim Nazzaro

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    BOSTON (WCVB) — Halloween has gone to the dogs in Boston, Massachusetts.

More than 150 furry friends participated in the 12th annual Doggone Halloween Costume Parade in Downtown Crossing on Saturday.

Costumes included classics like Woody from Toy Story, Spider-dog, and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.

NewsCenter 5’s Rhondella Richardson hosted the event and spoke with one of the winners, who dressed her dogs, Sasha and Ivy, as a Cookie Monster Cafe.

“The inspiration was a KitchenAid and then we wanted to dress it up a little bit, so we did like a spooky KitchenAid,” said Shanize Perez. “It’s fun. It’s something to do with the dogs that they can participate in.”

The categories included best costume, scariest costume, best dog and human duo, cutest costume, and best dog and child costume.

Each category came with its own special prize, including a Raising Cane’s gift basket.

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.