Women who witnessed fight file $5M racial discrimination lawsuit against Cork & Bull Chophouse

CNN Newsource on January 21, 2026

By Sarah Hagen , Erin Holly

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    CHESAPEAKE, Virginia (WTKR) — The group of nine Black women who say they experienced racial discrimination while dining at Cork & Bull Chophouse in Chesapeake in November 2025 filed a $5 million lawsuit on against the restaurant Tuesday.

“I think they were hopeful at one point, that there may be some resolution. Now, they’re a little sad that we had to get to this point,” Joyvan Malbon-Griffin, the attorney representing the nine women said.

“Plaintiffs were lawful, paying patrons who were expelled from Defendants’ restaurant solely because of racialized assumptions, despite having no involvement whatsoever in a physical altercation that occurred between unrelated customers,” the lawsuit states.

Shakoya Somerville-Holt, one of the plaintiffs, told News 3 in a previous interview that the incident happened when she and eight friends were having dinner at the restaurant on Nov. 6, 2025.

Shortly after, Somerville-Holt said two other Black women at a nearby table got into a fight. Despite not knowing the women involved in the altercation, Somerville-Holt said restaurant management also told her group they had to leave.

All the women in Sommerville-Holt’s group were dressed in white tops and denim bottoms, making them “visibly distinguishable from all other patrons,” the lawsuit states.

“The management came over to our table and told us that they will not be servicing us tonight, that we had to leave,” Somerville-Holt said in a previous interview with News 3. “I questioned, ‘are you shutting the entire restaurant down for tonight?’ ‘No, we’re just not serving you all, because y’all like to fight.'”

After police arrived, they confirmed the women had no involvement in the fight and allowed them to collect their things.

According to the lawsuit, Dallas Walton, a Cork & Bull chef, approached the women aggressively while they were gathering their belongings and said, “I run this [expletive]” and “Get the [expletive] out.”

Multiple restaurant patrons expressed sympathy to the women and left the restaurant in protest.

At least one of the plaintiffs was treated medically for stress, and others sought out counseling, according to the lawsuit.

“Many of them still have not dined out, even in the holiday season, for fear that that same incident could happen again,” Malbon-Griffin said.

The plaintiffs are seeking $5 million in damages for malicious and reckless conduct.

Chesapeake Neighborhood Reporter Erin Holly went into Cork & Bull and spoke to the manager on duty. He said the restaurant is aware of the lawsuit and has no comment at this time.

“Whatever the motive was behind the lack of public accommodation, does not need to happen again,” Malbon-Griffin said.

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$99 lung cancer scan helps woman detect disease early

CNN Newsource on January 21, 2026

By Ashley Glass

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    JUPITER, Florida (WPTV) — Although Lung Cancer Awareness Month is observed nationally in November, a woman who attended a Let’s Hear It meet-up said she would like to see awareness raised year-round.

WPTV Morning Anchor Ashley Glass spoke with Holly Fisher, who said a scan at Jupiter Medical Center helped her beat lung cancer.

“I had no idea about it. I found out by accident,” Fisher said. “Jupiter Medical Center has a program that if you don’t qualify through insurance to be scanned, you can get a $99 CT scan.”

Jupiter Medical Center offers a self-pay, $99 low-dose CT lung screening designed to detect lung cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages. About 800 people receive the screening each year, according to a spokesperson.

A spokesperson also stated that the hospital offers free financial counseling to assist patients in exploring options for managing their medical bills.

On the Treasure Coast, HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital and HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital also offer low-dose CT lung cancer screenings. A spokesperson said patients should speak directly with their care team to determine eligibility and access.

According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, accounting for about 1 in 5 cancer deaths nationwide.

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Modesto City Schools proposes new mental health service plan

CNN Newsource on January 21, 2026

By Nina Burns

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    SACRAMENTO (KOVR) — A proposed update to Modesto City Schools’ mental health policy drew sharp criticism from parents during a school board meeting, with concerns centered on when parents would be notified if students access counseling services.

The policy, introduced as a first reading, outlines how the district provides mental health education, training, and services on campus. A key provision allows students 12 years old and older to consent to mental health counseling in certain circumstances, without parental consent, when a licensed mental health professional determines the student is mature enough and that involving a parent would be inappropriate.

Multiple parents spoke during public comment, arguing the policy could sideline families in decisions involving their children’s mental health.

“It suggests you can leave the parent out,” one speaker said, while another told the board, “It really needs to be the parents that are in charge.”

District officials emphasized that the language does not create new authority, but aligns local policy with existing California law. They pointed to state legislation passed in 2024 that removed the requirement for minors to meet a strict danger or abuse standard in order to consent to certain mental health services.

The policy also requires schools serving grades six through twelve to post mental health resource information on campus, including warning signs of mental health crises, coping strategies, and crisis hotline information.

Several speakers said their concern was less about state law itself and more about communication, questioning whether parents would be informed when their child seeks services.

Following public comment, board members discussed whether the policy language could be amended to more clearly reference parental involvement. However, district officials noted that adding such requirements could conflict with state law.

Board members agreed the policy would need revisions before returning for approval at a future meeting.

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Mother fights for justice after son’s death in controversial Stand Your Ground case

CNN Newsource on January 21, 2026

By Dave Bohman

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    WEST PALM BEACH, Florida (WPTV) — A mother is demanding prosecutors reopen the case after her son was shot and killed in what authorities ruled a justified Stand Your Ground shooting, despite video evidence that a criminology expert says should have led to homicide charges.

Yvonne Victorero and seven supporters demonstrated in front of the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office, protesting the decision not to charge the man who shot and killed her son Rolando Victorero in December 2023.

“We’re here to find justice,” Victorero said.

The case gained attention after I obtained video footage showing the deadly confrontation between Rolando Victorero and Kelvin Fajardo over a woman. The video shows Victorero appearing to confront Fajardo, who was wearing red. Victorero was shot, then fled, and was shot twice more before dying later that night.

“I think they should reopen the case and reinvestigate,” Victorero said.

Deputy reports WPTV obtained included emails from Victorero to Fajardo prior to the shooting.

According to the report, Victorero wrote, “Ain’t no one gonna stop me from whooping you when I see you,” and “Just fight me… let me get some anger out on you.”

The deputy recommended Fajardo not be prosecuted under Florida’s Stand Your Ground law, which allows people to use deadly force if they reasonably believe they are in imminent danger of death or great bodily harm.

Gary Kleck, professor emeritus of criminology at Florida State University, reviewed the video at my request and questioned the decision not to prosecute.

“It was originally designed basically to address cases where there really was lawful, there was legitimate self-defense,” Kleck said.

“In this case, there should have been a pretty obvious case for a criminal homicide rather than self-defense,” Kleck said.

Kleck believes prosecutors in Florida are often reluctant to bring charges when suspects use the Stand Your Ground defense.

“I guess you could call it bureaucratic problems of productivity, you’re supposed to have a good conviction rate as a prosecutor,” Kleck said.

I obtained an email sent to Victorero’s lawyer from the prosecutor defending her decision not to file charges.

“The shooter merely had to have had a reasonable basis to believe he was about to suffer a forcible felony such as aggravated battery,” former Assistant State Attorney Aleathea McRoberts wrote in 2024.

A representative from the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office said it has not received any additional information from law enforcement.

Despite the setback, Victorero vows to continue her fight.

“And I will not stop until I can be heard, and I will find justice,” Victorero said.

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

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Mosquito infestation plagues El Segundo residents; city leaders promise action

CNN Newsource on January 21, 2026

By Dean Fioresi

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    LOS ANGELES (KCAL, KCBS) — An infestation of mosquitoes in one El Segundo neighborhood has created a months-long nightmare for residents, who are hopeful that mitigation efforts from Los Angeles County leaders will finally make a difference.

Los Angeles County Vector Control officials say that the influx of mosquitoes is likely from the Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant, which has created breeding grounds for the annoying pests. They say they’ve been working to try and solve the issue since it was first brought to their attention in mid-December.

In an update to the mitigation plan posted on Jan. 2, city officials said that an inspection of the site revealed several breeding areas.

During a city council meeting on Tuesday night, LA County Vector Control Executive Director Aaron Arugay spoke on the infestation.

“Because of the time of year, it was a little unusual to see the spike in the winter; it’s not what we’re really accustomed to,” he said. “I think it was a rain event, then some warm weather in addition to some maintenance issues in the facility, all combined to create the issue.”

Some residents say that they’ve spent hundreds of dollars in recent weeks to try to solve the problem, with temporary solutions ranging from traps to essential oils.

“The community, we all started buzzing about it right before Thanksgiving,” said Samantha Hedding, an El Segundo resident. “We went through our holidays like this. It was miserable. Then the weather got nice, it’s still been miserable.”

Vector Control and Hyperion staff are expected to set six new traps along the greenbelt between the water plant and El Segundo on Wednesday, which they hope will help ease the large amount of mosquitoes.

“LA County Vector Control staff have been applying pesticides as needed,” said the City of El Segundo’s website. “Hyperion also has a private contractor on standby to apply pesticide, if needed.”

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Logan’s Law gains bipartisan support in Kentucky legislature after decade-long fight for justice

CNN Newsource on January 21, 2026

By Ajay Patel

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    FRANKFORT, Kentucky (WLEX) — A Kentucky family’s decade-long fight for justice took a significant step forward Tuesday as lawmakers in Frankfort discussed “Logan’s Law,” legislation inspired by the 2015 murder of 6-year-old Logan Tipton.

The Tipton family joined state lawmakers today to advocate for House Bill 422, better known as “Logan’s Law,” which would increase minimum sentences for certain violent offenders and limit early release options.

Logan Tipton was murdered in his sleep in 2015 in Woodford County; Ronald Exantus was acquitted of murder by reason of insanity and served only seven years in jail for assault before being released on mandatory re-entry supervision.

“This is our first opportunity to make sure that we can hold ourselves as a Commonwealth accountable for the failures that resulted in this family and this community having to endure what it has endured as a result of unfathomable, unpredictable leniency,” the bill’s co-sponsor, Representative T.J. Roberts said.

The family expressed relief that their concerns are finally being heard at the state level.

“It feels good to know that people are listening, they’re paying attention. And they’re upset about it just like we are, just like our state reps are, they’re upset,” Logan’s father, Dean Tipton, said.

While the family knows they cannot bring Logan back, they are working with lawmakers to prevent similar tragedies from happening to other families.

“(Exantus) was able to do this work in prison, these classes and this and that, and knocked off almost 10 years of his sentence in this class, and if you’re so mentally ill, I don’t see how that’s possible,” Tipton said.

Logan’s Law would increase the minimum time certain offenders must serve before becoming eligible for parole and limit early release options like mandatory reentry supervision for violent criminals.

“We have to value human life in Kentucky, and one of the ways to do it is to ensure that murderers truly can be held accountable and be, and Kentucky can feel safe to know that they will never walk our streets again where they can kill another Kentuckian,” a representative said.

The legislation also makes significant changes to insanity pleas in criminal cases.

“Logan’s law does get rid of not guilty by reason of insanity. It does keep guilty but mentally ill,” a representative explained.

“It makes clear that we are going to put our foot down as a commonwealth,” the representative added.

The Tipton family remains hopeful that Logan’s legacy will prevent future tragedies.

“I have 100% faith in it and you know Logan’s gonna save some other kids, some other family, and his legacy will be here long after we’re all gone so in a way, you know, he’s gonna outlive us all,” the family said.

Logan’s Law is receiving bipartisan support in Frankfort, with more than half of Kentucky House members already signed on as co-sponsors.

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$16K of equipment stolen from Altadena contractors rebuilding homes after Eaton Fire

CNN Newsource on January 21, 2026

By Nicole Comstock

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    LOS ANGELES (KCAL, KCBS) — An Eaton Fire survivor said thieves stole $16,000 of equipment from his contractors while they rebuilt his Altadena home.

“He had some expensive equipment in there, and they stole their equipment,” Altadena resident Jim Osterling said. “They broke into another truck right there. That worker came out and saw them and chased them.”

Osterling’s home is only a half mile from where the Eaton Fire started. He said thieves have also targeted his neighbors’ construction sites.

“It’s deplorable and inexcusable,” he said. “These folks are coming up and seeing what they can steal.”

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Altadena Station said they have not seen an uptick in crime. In December 2025, they received only two residential burglary reports, compared to 12 in December 2024. LASD has increased patrols in the area, with extra deputies checking on construction projects and residential properties.

Osterling hopes the ongoing immigration enforcement operations in LA County have not discouraged contractors from reporting burglaries. He urged his neighbors to remain vigilant and contractors to keep their equipment locked up.

“All of these contractors coming up, helping us rebuild, we need to alert them,” he said. “They need to be vigilant.”

The Altadena Sheriff’s Station believes that the $16,000-burglary may have been a random crime of opportunity.

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Machete-wielding man terrorizes Pomona laundromat over football jersey

CNN Newsource on January 21, 2026

By Matthew Rodriguez

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    LOS ANGELES (KCAL, KCBS) — A man with a machete terrorized laundromat customers in Pomona over a San Francisco 49ers jersey, according to the owner.

“He was kind of looking at my son, and he saw my son with his red 49ers jersey on,” owner Phil Hernandez said. “He made a comment to the effect of get that red shirt off.”

The Pomona Police Department said the incident occurred on Saturday at 9:14 a.m., the same day the 49ers played the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL playoffs.

Security cameras showed the suspect walking into the laundromat and going after the owner’s son, who was wearing a George Kittle Niners jersey.

“He kind of made it look like he was going after him,” Hernandez said. “My son took off, I think, appropriately.”

Hernandez said the suspect left the business after the encounter but came back. After calling the police, Hernandez tried to hold the door closed while the suspect continued to yell outside. Security cameras showed the suspect swinging the machete and breaking the glass front door.

Hernandez said the suspect also made a comment about his red hat.

No one was injured during the altercations. The suspect left the area before officers arrived. Pomona PD said they have not located the suspect.

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.

Buffalo Bills fans honor Sean McDermott with tribute shirts and snow sculpture

CNN Newsource on January 21, 2026

By Jeff Russo

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    BUFFALO, New York (WKBW) — Buffalo Bills fans are rallying together to honor former head coach Sean McDermott following news of his departure, creating lasting tributes to commemorate his nine-year tenure with the team.

Del Reid, founder of 26 Shirts, has launched a special edition design to thank McDermott for his transformative impact on the franchise.

“Whether fans think this is a good move or not, everyone agrees we should be thankful for what he did during his time here,” Reid said. “He turned the team around.”

Reid emphasized McDermott’s historic achievement in ending the Bills’ playoff drought.

“I mean, we were in the doldrums for a very long time before coach McDermott arrived, and Josh Allen has done so much for this team, and we all love Josh Allen, and I love Josh Allen, Sean McDermott is the one that broke the drought,” Reid said.

The tribute shirts have proven popular among Bills Mafia, with more than 150 sold in the first 24 hours alone, according to Reid. Orders continue to pour in, with $8 from each sale being donated to the Skin Cancer Foundation, a cause close to McDermott’s heart.

“During Hard Knocks last year, he was very open about his struggles with skin cancer, and how important it was that people know that they should be protected and take care of themselves, so that was a natural fit,” Reid said.

Meanwhile, celebrated freelance artist Eric Jones is planning his own tribute to the departing coach.

“I just thought it would be appropriate to do something for Sean,” Jones said. “He’s a big part of our community, great philanthropist, great person.”

Jones, who has created nearly 100 Bills-themed sculptures over the years, is partnering with Hope Rises and Prohibition 2020 to construct a massive snow sculpture of McDermott near Highmark Stadium.

“It’s going to be about 8 feet tall, close to 20 feet wide. We’re going really big with this. We want all of Orchard Park and Buffalo to be able to see it and take photos with it,” Jones said.

The artist is seeking volunteers to help gather snow on Thursday morning at 9 a.m. at Prohibition 2020. The sculpting and painting process will begin on Friday, with completion expected by the weekend.

Jones stressed that the tribute is purely about gratitude, not politics.

“This is not a political statement in any way about the decision on behalf of the Bills organization. It’s just a thank you to Sean for his time here, and I think this was an appropriate way to send him out Mafia style,” Jones said.

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Riverside County family who lost son to hit-and-run outraged over suspect’s early release

CNN Newsource on January 21, 2026

By Joy Benedict, Dean Fioresi

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    LOS ANGELES (KCAL, KCBS) — A Corona family is outraged after learning that the hit-and-run driver who killed their son in 2020 is being released less than three years into her nine-year sentence.

Benjamin Montalvo was just 21 when he was struck from behind while riding a bike with friends in front of his old high school back in June 2020. His parents say the group was heading to meet his brother for a late dinner when it happened.

“She was texting,” said Kelli Montalvo, Benjamin’s mother. “Twenty-four texts were exchanged in the six minutes surrounding the crash.”

The driver, Neomi Renee Velado, was convicted of vehicular manslaughter and felony hit-and-run for the crash. In 2023, she was sentenced to nine years in prison, but now, she’s due for release in February, just over two years into her sentence.

“Stabbed in the heart when it happened, and now a punch in the gut,” said Benjamin’s father, Eddie Montalvo. “When do they care for the victims?”

The Montalvo family received a letter from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation notifying them that Velado would be released next month, adding to what they say is nonstop pain for their son’s loss.

“I keep hoping there is a mistake, that they’ve done a miscalculation,” Kelli Montalvo said.

The family says that they’ve been told that even with her nine-year sentence, it was more likely that Velado would serve half of the time before she was released, assuming she stayed out of trouble.

“Nine years, four and a half, now two and a quarter. … What about us?” Eddie Montalvo asked. “Does anyone think about our family?”

They’ve reached out to CDCR to ask why she’s being released so early, but haven’t yet heard back. The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office says it hasn’t been informed why yet either.

Though they believe in second chances, the Montalvo family says they haven’t seen any remorse from Velado since the tragedy occurred.

“This was her fourth hit-and-run,” Kellie Montalvo said.

While they know nothing will bring Benjamin back, they hope that his memory continues to live on and that VElado will somebody understand what was lost.

“The best thing that could happen, is her to attempt to reach out to us and show any kind of sadness, remorse and accept responsibility and then go on and change her life,” Kellie Montalvo said.

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