Family of 6 surprised by Kroger, Texas Rangers players with $1,000 check for groceries

CNN Newsource on January 21, 2026

By Bo Evans

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    FORT WORTH, Texas (KTVT) — Carlie Lindsey always has prices on her mind when she’s at the grocery store.

“I am looking for the digital coupons, I’m looking for the sales, we’re in the clearance aisle all the time,” said Lindsey. “I love to stay under $150, and that is just to make sure we can do all the other stuff that we have, like our bills, gas, and everything like that.”

But $150 at the grocery store doesn’t go as far as it used to, especially if you’re trying to feed a family of six.

So, often, her trips to Kroger in Fort Worth are a little shocking.

Recently, Lindsey’s pastor told her that her family had been selected for a private meet and greet with some Texas Rangers players. But that was just the setup for a heartwarming surprise.

“We were taken back of the Kroger to the dairy aisle, and lo and behold, there’s two Rangers and a big ole check with $1,000 written on it,” said Lindsey.

“You just saw the smile on mom and dad’s face, you know, the shock on the kid’s face. They were shy at first, but they warmed up, and that was cool to see,” said Texas Rangers pitcher Robert Garcia.

Garcia and Rangers pitcher Cole Winn were there to take care of the family’s grocery bill.

“At Kroger, every day we want to surprise and delight our customers, and sometimes that goes a little above and beyond,” said Director of Corporate Affairs for Kroger, John Votava.

“To see my kids’ faces when they got to get whatever cereal they wanted and whatever juices they wanted and however many of whatever they wanted, I was like OK, this is the experience of a lifetime, really,” said Lindsey.

“The cereal aisle, it just reminded me of when I was a kid. The things that mean the most to you, like being able to pick out your own cereal is awesome,” said Garcia.

Being able to feed your family worry-free? That’s what Lindsey is most thankful for.

“I’m just truly blessed, and I’m so grateful for this opportunity. Words can’t even express the amount of gratitude I have,” she said.

Now, despite filling up three carts worth of groceries, the family only spent $535, so Kroger sent them home with gift cards for the rest of the money.

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.

Brothers describe “psychological torture” as hostages in Venezuela, express hope for country’s future

CNN Newsource on January 21, 2026

By Mike Hellgren

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    BALTIMORE (WJZ) — The United States’ intervention in Venezuela could reshape the nation.

The past few weeks have been some of the most pivotal in Venezuelan history, with the capture of President Nicolas Maduro now facing narcoterrorism charges in the U.S., and the battle over who should lead next.

Two local brothers who were captured and held hostage in Venezuela revealed new details about their ordeal to WJZ Investigates and spoke about their hope for a stable future for the country.

The Oribio brothers know firsthand about the human rights abuses in Venezuela after both were wrongfully detained while visiting their native country on January 7, 2025.

“I’m very hopeful things will improve significantly,” said Ronald Oribio, a petroleum geologist with a background in the oil and gas industry. “There are still many people in jail and human rights are still being violated.”

His brother Erick Oribio told WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren, “Many people ask us about torture, but in my opinion, when it’s a wrongful detention, from the first minute, it is torture.”

They described how it all began. Some of these details have never before been publicly revealed.

“The moment we were detained, we were pulled over and six to seven policemen got out of a vehicle, pointing guns at us without asking any questions, without making any indication that we had done anything wrong, which of course we had not,” Ronald Oribio said.

His brother, Erick, a long-time politically influential voice in Baltimore’s Hispanic community and publisher of Latin Opinion, revealed that Nicolas Meduro’s regime falsely believed he was working with U.S. intelligence.

“The reason why is someone complained—we don’t know who yet—that I was an FBI agent, that I was a CIA agent, that I sent guns from Florida to Venezuela door-to-door by FedEx,” Erick Oribio said. “And I flew to Venezuela. I was there to receive the guns to kill the president.”

“Of course, those were false allegations and accusations,” Ronald Oribio said. “Later, they understood and found out there was nothing at all regarding FBI connections, but then we were just kept hostage as bargaining chips—for leverage—political leverage.”

The brothers said they were housed in a small cell—just six feet by six feet—and forced to wear face coverings any time they left.

But at least they were together.

“At times, we would not be able to see anything,” Ronald Oribio said. “It was terrifying. We were deprived of any communications with the outside world. We had no access to legal counsel. It was frightening, the level of uncertainty, not having any information about our families. They probably thought we were just missing or we were dead. So many things went through our minds.”

The Oribio brothers lived like that for 193 days while bipartisan diplomatic efforts to free them were happening behind the scenes.

During their detention, the brothers said there had been several false reports that they would be released.

“After so many months of going through so much psychological terror, we didn’t want to create any more expectations,” Ronald Oribio said.

But this time it was real.

On July 18, 2025, they were flown to El Salvador and gained their freedom as part of a prisoner swap.

“We were wearing some freedom T-shirts made by Under Armour. Very Baltimore. I was proud,” Erick Oribio recalled. “Since the beginning, I felt it was a miracle. I was full of gratitude. I still feel that way.”

Last week, the Oribio brothers were at the White House for the visit of Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.

As for who should run the country next, the answer is complicated.

“During this transition time, it may not be the right time to say who should run the country. Obviously, the country should be run by that leader that has the support of the majority of the Venezuelan population,” Ronald Oribio said. “If after the transition or as part of the transition, new elections need to take place, that may be a suitable solution.”

Erick Oribio shared many of his thoughts in Spanish, including on his release from detention and on Maduro’s future. You can watch them here.

The brothers brought a flag to the interview that represents hostages and those wrongfully detained as they closely watch what is next for Venezuela.

Ronald Oribio said it worries him “knowing what is still going on, knowing some of the friends we made in prison are still there, and knowing some of them have been sentenced just recently to many years in prison, being innocents.”

While they are optimistic about the future and would like to visit Venezuela again, Ronald Oribio said, “It is not safe for us to go back at this moment…We feel it is going to be the new Venezuela soon, we hope.”

Both brothers plan to write books about their hostage experience.

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.

Illinois settles for $10 million following a patient suicide at a state mental health center

CNN Newsource on January 21, 2026

By Carol Thompson, Dorothy Tucker

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    COOK COUNTY, Illinois (WBBM) — On February 7, 2023, a 19-year-old took his life at Madden Mental Health Center, using a restricted item – a shoelace, which he tied to a ligature point – a door hinge. He was supposed to be under staff checks every 15 minutes, but a state police investigation found that didn’t happen. Now the state is paying $10 million to settle the family’s lawsuit which alleges negligence, without claiming responsibility for Anthony’s death.

Athena Webster remembers the last time she saw her son, Anthony Stringfellow, Jr. “February 3, 2023. That was the last time I saw him in person. The last time I hugged him. The last time I kissed him,” she said.

Anthony was taken to Madden following a 911 call to the family’s home concerning his wellbeing and a trip to the UChicago Emergency Room.

On his fourth day at Madden, around dinnertime, the state police investigation revealed that short staffing led to the inability to check on Anthony every 15 minutes as ordered. Anthony was considered a suicide risk.

A Mental Health Technician trainee, Rod Cadichon, later found Anthony, “He was against the wall.” He tried to save his life, providing CPR until EMTs arrived.

“Anthony is sitting with a rope, well, a string around his neck. And the middle door hinge, he tied it, and he hung himself,” said Cadichon.

Sharon White, a former Madden executive, worked at the facility during the time of Anthony’s death. She was not there that night, but said, “Had it been ligature-free, Anthony would still be alive.”

CBS News Chicago Investigators, through a public records request, uncovered more than 400 pages of internal emails revealing the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) knew about and had a plan to reduce the potential for ligature points, like door hinges, since 2019, four years before Anthony’s death.

The emails show delays, missing equipment and confusion over what money was needed or already spent to complete the anti-ligature project over that period of time. Photos from the night Anthony died showed a protruding door hinge on Anthony’s bathroom door, revealing the ligature risk remained. At the time of Anthony’s death on Pavilion 6 and for many months afterward, it had not been shut down for full renovation.

“The facts were overwhelmingly in our favor,” said family attorney Trish Hudson.

The strong facts and the strength of Anthony’s family in depositions, swayed the state, she said. “The Attorney General’s office got to see, meet, hear, listen, and be exposed to the emotion and the grief that this family has gone through losing Anthony.”

“My son is dead every day. I’d rather have him,” said Anthony’s mother. “So when it comes to this settlement, I don’t know how to feel.”

Webster is hoping the settlement leads to change.

“They need to do something different. They need to do better.”

IDHS says it has now completed the anti-ligature work and renovations on Pavilion 6. However, two patient pavilions remain unfinished. Both are closed as work continues.

According to the Attorney General’s office, this $10 million settlement is the largest of its kind in the past five years.

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.

Detroit police seize over $172,000 street value of drugs, weapons

CNN Newsource on January 21, 2026

By Paula Wethington

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    DETROIT (WWJ) — Over $14,000 in cash, hundreds of pills and three firearms were confiscated during a narcotics investigation on Jan. 16, the Detroit Police Department reported.

Three people also were arrested during the evidence seizures in the 17000 block of Hull Street and the 18000 block of Cardoni Street. “Both locations were known to be run by a gang,” police said.

The total value of the seized items is about $172,465. The items included:

27,629 grams of marijuana.

101 Xanax pills.

350 oxycodone pills.

354 fentanyl pills.

One handgun.

One shotgun.

One rifle.

Cash.

The teams and units working on this case included the Detroit Police Department 11th Precinct’s Special Operations Unit, Gang Intelligence Unit and Traffic Enforcement Unit.

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.

From poop to potting soil: Stock Show turns animal bedding into compost

CNN Newsource on January 21, 2026

By Ethan Carlson

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    DENVER (KMGH) — Organizers of the National Western Stock Show say they have sharply reduced the event’s animal bedding waste by changing how stalls are bedded and by recycling the material into compost sold locally.

“We happen to be the only venue in the country that we’re aware of that actually uses this process,” said Kevin Bode, senior director of event operations for the show.

The long-running Denver event, now in its 120th year, will host more than 15,000 animals this year, he said.

There are over 15,000 animals at the Stock Show this year and they all need their own mulch bedding.

In the past, ranchers typically bought bagged bedding and put down their own mulch, often more than they needed. The show now uses a pre-bedding system. Mulch is blown through a tube from a special truck to put down a uniform layer before exhibitors arrive. That change, Bode said, lowered annual waste from about 2,500 tons — roughly 9,000 cubic yards — to about 1,600 tons, or about 6,000 cubic yards.

“It’s also benefiting our local businesses,” he said. “Express Mulching is a local business, so we’re utilizing them. The company that’s doing our hauling to take them to composting is a local business… The composting company is a local business. So, we’re definitely benefiting the environment here and helping our neighbors.”

All bedding is mulched, hauled to a local composting facility, and turned into bagged compost sold through local retailers.

The new pre-bedding process saves mulch usage by 33%.

“It’s very possible that if you’re purchasing gardening materials come springtime, you might be getting some of the waste materials that were generated during (the) stock show,” Bode said.

The show also takes steps to protect local waterways during the show by diverting storm drains in the stockyard area to the public sewer system so waste is treated rather than discharged into nearby rivers. The yards undergo a sanitization process that can continue until mid-March.

“I think if you look, you’ll find that the ag industry is one of the best stewards when it comes to being environmentally friendly,” he 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.

Waukesha family searches for beloved missing dog amid dangerously cold temperatures

CNN Newsource on January 21, 2026

By Andie Bernhardt

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    WAUKESHA, Wisconsin (WDJT) — Tuesday, Jan. 20, marks 10 days since a Waukesha family’s beloved dog went missing.

The freezing temperatures are not making it an easy search, causing major concerns for the dog’s safety.

“It becomes very discouraging,” said Melinda Basterash. “We just want her home, it’s cold.”

Basterash says she’s spent the past 10 days worried sick about her 5-year-old lab, Shelby.

“No sleep, not eating, trying to really just get her home,” said Basterash. “You know, it was driving around, crawling through woods, trying to get any sightings.”

Basterash says she was at her mother-in-law’s funeral when her dog was let out into the backyard with no leash and ran off.

“We are telling everybody, check Ring cameras, check Nest cams,” said Basterash. “She’s trying to get warm, check under bushes.”

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.

26-year-old woman survives workplace shooting after being shot 4 times

CNN Newsource on January 21, 2026

By Julie Salomone

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    BRADENTON, Florida (WFTS) — A Manatee County woman remains hospitalized after being shot four times in a workplace shooting last week.

Summer Freitag, 26, was working at a lab processing center when she witnessed a deadly shooting on Thursday, Jan.15.

Bradenton Police said Keith Roberts Jr. came into the lab, shot and killed his ex-girlfriend, Myshaela Burnham.

Officers said he then shot a co-worker who witnessed the deadly shooting.

Summer’s good friend, Taylor Strayer, said she learned about the shooting from one of Summer’s family members.

She was working in Tampa and received a call from an unknown number.

“It said Bradenton so I picked up. It was actually her sister, Sage, and she had let me know Summer was at work and she unfortunately had been shot and they were rushing her to the hospital,” said Taylor. “A long ride, a long ride of praying to God that she was going to make it through.”

Summer is expected to have another surgery soon.

“The left arm, the brachial artery had been severed so they had to go in and repair that as soon as she got to the hospital and then her right leg was also shot, completely shattered her knee as well as the bones in her upper leg and lower leg,” said Taylor.

Summer and Taylor have been friends for nearly 15 years. The two grew up in Manatee County and attended middle and high school together.

Summer works as a licensed practical nurse or LPN. She graduated from Manatee Technical College.

“Never take anything for granted. Life is so short, and you never know, you never know just when your life could end,” said Taylor.

Friends are raising money online through a GoFundMe page to help with Summer’s recovery.

“It’s going to take some time and a lot of physical therapy as well as mental therapy because this is just not something that happens every day, and it’s really taking a toll on everyone,” said Taylor.

“I don’t want to speak on her behalf on that kind of stuff, but it’s definitely tough to wrap your head around, that’s for sure, and I know, she just feels terrible and obviously, the other girl who lost her life, we want to say prayers for her family and her son. It’s just a terrible situation, all around,” said Taylor.

To learn more about Summer and her recovery, click here.

Roberts faces charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder with a firearm.

He remains in the Manatee County Jail.

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.

Need a unique Valentine’s Day gift? Joe Exotic is selling phone calls from prison

CNN Newsource on January 21, 2026

By Addison Kliewer

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    OKLAHOMA (KOCO) — Joe Exotic is offering fans the chance to buy a unique Valentine’s Day gift this year.

Netflix’s Tiger King star announced he is selling phone calls with him from prison. The calls will take place from Jan. 15 to Feb. 28, according to his Instagram account.

“What better Valentines [sic] gift could you ever get your loved one? A memory that happens only once,” Joe said in an Instagram message.

To reserve a call, fans were asked to send money to Joe through Venmo, Cash App or PayPal. The calls are $25 for five minutes and $50 for 10 minutes.

He said the money will “help free him.”

Fans were then told to send a screenshot of their receipt, and then Joe’s team will set up a time and a day for the call.

To pay for the phone call, buyers can send their money to the following:

Venmo: @joeexoticworldwide Cash App: $tigerkingtv PayPal: @josephmaldonado0305

Joe, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado, was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison after he was convicted of two counts of murder-for-hire, eight counts of violating the Lacey Act for falsifying wildlife records and nine counts of violating the Endangered Species Act.

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.

Coyote spotted swimming to Alcatraz Island

CNN Newsource on January 20, 2026

By Amanda Hari

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    SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX) — A shocking video of a coyote swimming to Alcatraz has been circulating on social media.

The video shows a lone coyote swimming in the Bay, its head bobbing above the water as it makes its way to Alcatraz Island.

“Astonished, of course,” said Janet Kessler after seeing the video, sent to her by a friend.

Kessler is a self-taught naturalist who has been documenting coyote behavior in San Francisco for about 20 years. In the video, the coyote crawls out of the water and struggles to get his footing once on the rocks.

“He can barely make it,” said Kessler. “He’s depleted. He is shivering. He is cold.”

Coyotes can be found on nearby Angel Island, but this is the first time one has been documented on Alcatraz. The coyote likely swam over a mile to get there.

Kessler believes the animal may have felt interspecies population pressure in the city, and it needed to find a new territory.

“This one was probably pushed around by other territorial owners and decided that he could make this trip,” said Kessler. “So, he attempted it, and he made it.”

It’s still unknown if he survived the first night on the island, but she thinks he had the resources to do so.

“There are banana slugs,” said Kessler about what is on Alcatraz, “There are rats. There are mice. There are birds. There is plenty for him to eat. Although there is no running water, there has been rain so there are big puddles lying around. So, in that sense, he would be able to make it.”

A man who works on Alcatraz shared the video on Facebook, saying it was given to him by a tourist. Kessler believes they did the right thing by keeping their distance.

“Leave the coyote alone because this is it doing what it does best,” said Kessler.

After two decades studying the species, Kessler has learned they can adapt to many environments, some have lived in San Francisco for generations, and this one could potentially adapt to Alcatraz.

“They are survivalists,” said Kessler. “And ready to push their envelopes, and that’s why they continue to expand.”

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.

California down payment assistance program for first-generation homebuyers to reopen applications

CNN Newsource on January 20, 2026

By Brady Halbleib

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    SACRAMENTO, California (KMAX, KOVR) — A popular California program designed to help people buy their first home is making a comeback.

California’s Dream For All program is reopening applications next month, offering down payment assistance to eligible first-generation homebuyers struggling to break into the state’s expensive housing market.

“It was so popular, it was like Taylor Swift tickets,” said Jake DaRosa, a broker with the DeRosa Real Estate Team.

The program, operated by the California Housing Finance Agency, is aimed at people with good credit and stable employment who are trying to purchase their first home.

“It’s really challenging to buy a home, especially your first home,” said Eric Johnson, with the agency. “Prices are high, interest rates are all over the place, and sometimes it can be really challenging to save up a whole bunch of money in the bank to apply for a down payment.”

Eligible buyers can apply for down payment assistance of up to 20% of a home’s purchase price, capped at $150,000. DaRosa says that level of assistance can make a major difference.

“It’s really aimed at getting that first generation, that person who hasn’t owned a home, into a house,” DaRosa said. “It’s pretty massive.”

The program covers a significant portion of the down payment, which lowers monthly mortgage costs. When the home is eventually sold, the buyer repays the down payment to the state, along with a share of the home’s increased value.

In 2024, roughly 18,000 people applied for the program, with about 2,000 selected at random through a lottery-style process.

“It’s a small number of people we can help if you look at the total population of people in the state,” Johnson said. “But for every single one of those people, it changed their lives.”

State officials expect to have between $150 million and $200 million available next year. The application window opens February 26 and closes March 16. Housing officials are urging interested applicants to begin talking with their loan officers now, who can help guide them through the application process.

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.