Author: CNN Newsource

By Megan Matthews

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    SHIVELY, Kentucky (WLKY) — At Crystal’s Country Diner, the plates come out piled with comfort food: fried chicken, green beans and the kind of home-country cooking. But the mission goes beyond the menu.

If you look past the plates, you won’t just see employees, you’ll see a family, and owner Crystal Young says that’s exactly what she’s built.

“They call me momma, you know, momma?” Young said. “So it makes me feel good because they are just sweet, sweet people. Very sweet.”

Young opened the diner after being asked in September to launch the restaurant in partnership with Recovery Now, a program that helps people dealing with substance abuse.

For Young, the decision was personal.

“My son, I lost him four years ago to the drugs,” Young said. “And so this gave me an opportunity to kind of give back to the community and help people move forward in their life because they need a starting point.”

That starting point is already taking shape for employees like Dominic Parsons, the diner’s kitchen manager, who said the job represents a chance he never expected to have.

“She seen something in me that I didn’t see in myself,” Parsons said. “And, she took a leap of faith, and it feels good to step up to the plate.”

Parsons said the diner’s culture is built on accountability and support, the kind that can matter most during recovery.

“There’s not a stranger amongst us. We’re all close. So we’re our own little village,” Parsons said. “We come from different backgrounds, but have the same story, different struggles.”

Young hopes the restaurant can be a visible reminder that recovery is possible, and that people trying to rebuild their lives deserve opportunity, not judgment.

“We’re all here to help each other out in this world and to see who we can, you know, pick up and, and help move forward in their life,” Young said. “And I hope that this has touched some of them and they say, hey, I think now’s the time.”

Crystal’s Country Diner will also host AA meetings during the week.

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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    CARIBOU, Maine (WMTW) — A man from Van Buren is facing charges after pulling a gun during an altercation at the drive-thru at the McDonald’s in Caribou.

On Jan. 10, police were called to the McDonald’s on Bennett Drive at about 12:43 p.m. after several people reported a disturbance involving a gun.

Caribou police say William Sullivan, 32, was reportedly upset and berating an employee through the drive-thru speaker when another customer got involved.

Police say Sullivan and the other customer then exchanged words and Sullivan pulled out a gun, but no shots were fired.

No one was hurt. Sullivan is charged with criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon and endangering the welfare of a child. It was not immediately clear where the child was during the incident.

Sullivan has since been released on bail and is scheduled to appear in court on March 5.

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, Imani Clement

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    SWANSEA, Massachusetts (WCVB) — A Swansea, Massachusetts, teenager now knows what it feels like to go viral after his choice to go shirtless at the Patriots Divisional game became a social media hit.

Landon Silva, 14, said for most of the game he was bundled up along with his older brother, Austin.

“I just said I was going to do it, and it kind of happened,” Silva said.

He admits the moment was filmed twice before it actually hit the ESPN broadcast.

“The NFL media guy came up with his camera. And he was like, just don’t look at the camera, and he had to re-take it cause I looked at the camera by accident,” Silva said. “So he came up again, and I was just looking away. I was sitting next to a bunch of other people.”

Austin Silva said he didn’t think his brother would go through with the shirtless moment.

“So he told us before the game started, if they’re winning in the 4th quarter, that the shirt was coming off,” Austin Silva said. “I didn’t think he was actually gonna do it.”

Silva’s dad and grandfather have been Patriots season ticket holders for 35 years.

The boys were sitting in the family’s seats; their parents bought the tickets about 15 rows above them. By the time Silva’s mom realized what was happening and made her way down, Landon had already had his viral moment.

“She was like ‘Alright, alright, now put your shirt back on,'” Silva said.

Silva’s post exploded on social media, and now, every member of the family says their cell phones are blowing up.

Silva was asked if he had any regrets.

“No,” he smiled.

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 Mintzer

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    PHOENIX (KNXV) — Most 8-year-olds spend their free time on playgrounds, but Arabella Costello prefers the weight room.

The Arizona elementary student has already broken two state powerlifting records in her age group and isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

Arabella holds Arizona powerlifting records in the squat and bench press for her age division. Next, she’s targeting the deadlift record of about 130 pounds — more than double her body weight.

“I want to be strong like her,” Arabella said, referring to her mother, Angela.

The young powerlifter’s journey began by accident. Angela Costello needed to bring her daughter to the 1BigImpact gym one day when she couldn’t find someone to watch Arabella.

“I didn’t have a babysitter one day, and she didn’t have school. My husband was at work, and I asked Jonathan if I can bring her in, and he said, ‘yeah, she can sit on the couch and watch her tablet,'” Angela said.

Instead of sitting quietly, Arabella started copying her mother’s movements and begging to get under the barbell herself.

Now, Arabella trains regularly at 1BigImpact with her Mom’s coach, Jonathan Allsopp, alongside her mother.

In fact, she regularly asks to go to the gym at 5 a.m. to lift weights.

“What 8-year-old asks to go to the gym at 5 a.m. to lift?” Angela said.

Lifting in memory of Jacob

For the Costello family, powerlifting represents more than breaking records. They lift to honor Jacob Costello, Angela’s son, who took his life at age 16 about seven years ago.

She says she fell into a deep depression for years and was not focusing on her physical or mental health, so she reached for personal training.

In less than two years, she has lost approximately 100 pounds and has progressed from struggling to squat the barbell to putting 160 pounds on her back.

“A lot of people tell me I’m strong because I’ve been through a lot… but in here I feel strong,” Angela said.

Arabella was less than a year old when Jacob died, but both mother and daughter use powerlifting to stay mentally and physically healthy in Jacob’s memory.

“I know I have my brother with me,” Arabella said.

Safety considerations addressed

Angela says she gets asked all the time whether Arabella’s doctor is aware and supportive of her powerlifting activities.

“Her doctor’s fine with it. I’m fine with it. I know I trust Jonathan. He’s not going to put her in any danger. He’s not going to let her hurt herself,” Angela said.

USA Powerlifting allows children as young as 8 to compete, and the American Academy of Pediatrics states that supervised strength training can be safe for kids 8 and older.

The lessons Arabella learns at the gym and from her mother will stay with her long after the weights are put away.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. ­­­KNXV 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 Kennedy Mason

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    BONITA SPRINGS, Florida (WBBH) — A weekend standoff between a Bonita Springs woman and Lee County deputies is prompting renewed calls from neighbors for increased access to treatment and crisis intervention services.

Ciara Smith remains in custody after an hours-long confrontation with deputies, but those who know her say the situation reflects a mental health crisis rather than criminal intent.

A neighbor who is also a recovery coach said a member of Smith’s family described her behavior as often not making sense, pointing to long-standing mental health struggles.

Joe Scalia only spoke to Gulf Coast News. He said troubling behavior had been evident for months.

“She would come out of the house and just start screaming at nobody, at the air,” Scalia said.

Authorities say the situation escalated Saturday night when Smith exited her home and pointed a handgun at deputies. Deputies reported hearing clicking sounds from the firearm before she retreated back inside.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office said Smith later appeared in a front window, again pointing the gun toward deputies. Fearing for their safety, a deputy fired a rifle in her direction. No injuries were reported. Smith then barricaded herself inside as deputies repeatedly urged her to come out. Deputies say she eventually exited the home but ignored commands and attempted to run away before being taken into custody.

Scalia said the man Smith lives with feels powerless to get her the help she needs.

“He feels helpless, like there’s nothing he can do for her,” Scalia said.

Investigators say the incident began earlier at Leoni’s Pizza on Bonita Beach Road, where employees called 911 after Smith allegedly entered the restaurant with multiple firearms and handed an employee a note with her name on it.

Neighbor Connie Hill said while the police response drew attention, the situation was troubling to witness.

“You worry about the person that’s going through this,” Hill said.

Scalia said the extensive law enforcement response highlights the need for stronger mental health resources in the community.

“Look at how many resources it took just to de-escalate that situation and end it,” he said. “Jail isn’t always the solution. Getting help is.”

Smith remains in the Lee County Jail, facing three counts of aggravated battery and resisting officers.

LCSO said when Smith was taken into custody, she had two replica handguns in her possession. One was a tan handgun, and the other was a black handgun.

Neighbors say they hope the case leads to treatment and support rather than punishment alone.

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 Aziza Shuler, Lisa Rozner

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    NEW YORK (WCBS) — There’s no end in sight for the New York City nurses strike, which has stretched into its second week.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders joined striking nurses on the picket line on the West Side Tuesday.

Hospitals and emergency rooms remain open as the nurses rallied outside. The health systems impacted are Montefiore, Mount Sinai and NewYork-Presbyterian.

Hundreds of nurses gathered outside Mount Sinai West on 10th Avenue, and heard from Mamdani and Sanders.

Sanders spoke at the podium first, saying it’s unfair how hospital executives are paid millions, but a contract with better pay for nurses cannot be negotiated.

“Don’t tell me you can’t provide a good nurse-staff ratio when you are paying your CEO at NewYork-Presbyterian $26 million a year, the CEO at Montefiore $16 million a year, Mount Sinai $5 million a year,” he said.

Mamdani’s appearance on Tuesday marked his second day joining the picket line. The mayor stood by nurses on the first day of their strike.

“This is about safe working conditions. This is about a fair contract. This is about dignity. And today is day nine – day nine – of those demands, and I want you to know that wherever I go in New York City, I hear about the plight of our nurses,” Mamdani said. “Now is your time of need, where we can ensure that this is a city that you don’t just work in but a city that you can also live in.”

Mamdani said he is pushing for all sides to go back to the negotiating table to achieve a “swift and urgent resolution.”

The nurses went on strike nine days ago, and say they’re not backing down from what they’re demanding of the city’s three major hospital systems – NewYork-Presbyterian, Mount Sinai Health, and Montefiore

Negotiations remain at a standstill, and no additional negotiations are scheduled. NewYork-Presbyterian said it’s working with a mediator to schedule the next bargaining session.

The New York State Nurses Association is calling for better staffing ratios, protection from workplace violence, and improved healthcare benefits.

“We are so fortunate to have the support of our community and allies, who truly energize our movement as we picket through the bitter cold,” NYSNA President Nancy Hagans said. “We need hospital management to understand that we are out here fighting for the safety of our patients and nurses, so that every patient can have a qualified nurse at their bedside. Hospital management must take action to maintain our health benefits, guarantee enforceable safe staffing, and make hospitals safer workplaces.”

The hospitals continue to push back, calling the union’s demands unreasonable. NewYork-Presbyterian says its nurses are among the highest paid in the city, and says NYSNA’s demands for a 25% wage hike over three years are “unrealistic.”

“Despite our best efforts to negotiate, a near-term path to an agreement is very unlikely,” Mt. Sinai Health CEO Brendan Carr said in a statement Monday. “Over the weekend, our operational teams extended our plans to run the Health System without the support of the nurses NYSNA leadership has convinced to strike,”

A Montefiore spokesperson told CBS News New York, in part, “until they can back away from their reckless and dangerous $3.6 billion demands, progress overall will not be possible.”

“Our nurses are among the highest paid in the city, with a current average annual compensation of $163,000,” a rep from NewYork-Presbyterian said. “NYSNA’s demands remain unrealistic – its latest proposals include an approximately 25% wage increase over three years.”

Hundreds of nurses have shown up each day on the picket line, through all kinds of weather. Many say they’d rather been inside caring for patients, but until there’s progress, they’re staying put.

“I’ve been loyal to them since my 20s. I’ve always been there and made so many sacrifices – holidays, leaving my family,” one nurse 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 Mythili Gubbi

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    SALT LAKE CITY (KSTU) — With deportations across the country and here in Utah, some organizations are seeing how “forgotten” family members are impacted, too. Whether it’s families having to self-deport or be forcibly removed from the United States, many of them have to leave their pets behind.

“Anecdotally, we know that we are seeing more pets surrendered, and more pets are coming to our clinics for vaccines and microchips in preparation for travel,” said Juli Ulvestad, the pet resource center director at the Humane Society of Utah.

separate families from pets

By: Mythili Gubbi Posted 12:00 AM, Jan 20, 2026 and last updated 9:47 AM, Jan 20, 2026 SALT LAKE CITY — With deportations across the country and here in Utah, some organizations are seeing how “forgotten” family members are impacted, too. Whether it’s families having to self-deport or be forcibly removed from the United States, many of them have to leave their pets behind.

“Anecdotally, we know that we are seeing more pets surrendered, and more pets are coming to our clinics for vaccines and microchips in preparation for travel,” said Juli Ulvestad, the pet resource center director at the Humane Society of Utah.

The video player is currently playing an ad. Ruff Haven Crisis Sheltering in Salt Lake City helps people take care of their pets — whether it’s keeping them temporarily while someone is experiencing homelessness or dealing with medical issues, getting food if they can’t afford it, or a variety of other issues. And now, they are adding a new category of people to that list.

Kristina Pulsipher is the co-executive director and co-founder of Ruff Haven. She said a few weeks ago, a woman reached out to them while her husband was going through immigration proceedings.

“[They] found out at that court hearing that he was going to be deported,” explained Pulsipher. “So, they chose to all join him as a family and that included their small, cute, little dog, Haru. And she reached out to us in a panic and wasn’t sure what to do.”

Haru needed an international health certificate to travel, up-to-date vaccines and a plane ticket to travel with his humans — something that his family was struggling to afford with all their other costs.

“To then be uprooted and have to leave everything that you know and leave your companion animal behind, it’s just one more layer of trauma to add on to the situation,” said Pulsipher.

So, Ruff Haven stepped in to help.

They have been hearing from more families with pets after a loved one was deported or needs to self-deport.

“Unfortunately, their family member has already had to be deported and so they’ve been kind of stuck with these animals that they don’t know what to do,” she added.

Ulvestad wants to encourage people to plan to care for their pets if something drastic happens, and to get their pets microchipped to help with reunification.

“If you are deported or choose to self-deport, can you or will you take your pets with you? What do you need to do to prepare for that? Consider if your family is separated, and some are left in the United States and others are returned to their home country, who would be best to have that pet as a source of comfort?” she said.

She also wants to remind neighbors to look for pets that might be waiting for their loved ones to come home, but are not.

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.