13-year-old shot in the head in Queens, NYPD says

By Jesse Zanger, Zinnia Maldonado

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    New York (WCBS, WLNY) — A 13-year-old boy is in critical condition after he was shot in the head Monday morning in Queens.

NYPD said the teenager was shot in the parking lot outside a Dunkin’ at a strip mall on Linden Boulevard and Springfield in Cambria Heights.

He was rushed to Northwell-Cohen Children’s Medical Center in critical condition after the shooting at around 8:20 a.m., police said.

The area in front of the Dunkin’, between a pharmacy and U-Haul location, remained blocked off by the large police presence. Multiple people said students from nearby Andrew Jackson High School tend to hang out in the area before and after school.

“I heard a pop, about 8-something in the morning, and then I looked and I see all the kids. I see some kids running down the block,” witness Ronald Blain said.

“I’ve been living in this neighborhood, this community, for 20 years and the fact that my son is not safe walking to school or my children overall are not safe walking to school, is a problem,” resident Xavier Ezell said.

Investigators said it was unclear what led to the shooting or if the boy was the intended target.

So far, no arrests have been made.

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92-year-old man completes 25th annual Hunger Walk

By WLOS Staff

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    HENDERSONVILLE, North Carolina (WLOS) — Community members took a long walk for a good cause, including someone who has been participating in the walk for more than two decades.

Jack Fitzgerald moved to Hendersonville almost 30 years ago.

For the past 25 years, Fitzgerald has taken part in the annual Hunger Walk, put on by the Henderson County Hunger Coalition.

Fitzgerald has walked over 12,000 miles during his time in western North Carolina.

Fitzgerald is also 92 years old and still going for a stroll.

News 13 talked to Fitzgerald to see why he keeps lacing up his shoes year in and year out.

“It’s such a good cause. It’s such a good time of the year. It’s great – you’re going to feel good after you hike either one mile. I used to do ten miles,” Fitzgerald said.

Fitzgerald has also volunteered with trail maintenance groups during his time in western North Carolina.

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Cannabis companies kicked out of Colorado after reports of liver injuries

By Logan Smith

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    Colorado (KCNC) — Three companies linked to the production and distribution of a cannabis-based sleep aid will cease operations in Colorado following a settlement and fine that resolve a lawsuit filed by the state.

The companies – Nuka Enterprises LLC, Sima Sciences LLC, and Nuka Properties LLC – comprise the firms which manufactured and distributed the 1906 line of products in Colorado beginning in 2016.

Among those products, “Midnight Drops,” a cannabis-based and plant-based mixture in pill form.

The makers of the product began receiving complaints from consumers in 2020, according to a Colorado Attorney General’s Office press release announcing the settlement.

The Colorado Department of Revenue’s (DOR) Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) notified consumers of the reported health issues in 2023. That notice cited potential side effects of Corydalis, an herbal supplement, in “Midnight Drops” produced prior to March 1, 2022. Despite limited research, the state agencies indicated the Corydalis rhizome extract may have some connection with liver injury.

“Midnight Drops” produced after March 1, 2022 also came with “elevated liver enzymes that may indicate acute liver injury,” the state notice advised. That product presumably contained the Stephania extract containing L-THP, according to the notice.

The companies agreed to stop production of the “Midnight Drops” and remove existing product from the marketplace, according to the state notice.

However, the product was never removed from the shelves and the companies continued to make and sell “Midnight Drops,” according to the attorney general’s office. That office also claimed the companies failed to perform adequate research on the two herbal extracts, nor did they supply sufficient communication to retailers about the reported problems with the product.

Last week, the companies settled the lawsuit filed by the state attorney general’s office. The 1906 companies agreed to pay a $400,000 penalty in addition to ceasing operations in Colorado. The agreement allows the companies to resume operations if certain conditions are met. The press release did not specify the nature of the conditions or how long they must be adhered to.

The agreement also permits the more fines against the companies if they violates the terms of the agreement. In total, the penalties could reach $1 million.

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Valley fever challenges woman in ongoing health battle

By Jazmon DeJarnette

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    SALINAS, California (KSBW) — Valley fever, a fungal infection caused by inhaling fungus from soil and dirt in certain areas of California, is rising in Monterey County, affecting residents like Lidia Paramo, who has been battling the illness since September of last year.

What began as a routine trip to visit her brother turned into a long health journey for Paramo.

On the way back from that trip, both she and her son fell ill. While her son recovered, Paramo did not.

She underwent numerous diagnoses, ranging from pneumonia to stage 4 cancer.

“That was my reality. For a week, I thought I had stage four cancer. We didn’t know where it was coming from. We didn’t know what was happening. We just didn’t know. I have a young son. He just turned three and just everything that goes through your mind is so scary,” Paramo said.

After continuous misdiagnoses and another trip to the emergency room, Paramo experienced a breakthrough.

“My surgeon comes in and she’s running through the hallways. She’s like, yelling. It’s not cancer. It’s not cancer. She comes in and she’s like, it’s just some, like, some valley fever. And we just, like, we were all crying. Just hugging, just really celebrating,” she said.

However, the relief was short-lived as the fever had disseminated throughout her body due to the delayed diagnosis.

Paramo described her daily struggle: “It looks like a lot of crying. Just being in a lot of pain. It looks like not being able to carry my son right now. You know, I went from going on hikes, going to the beach, doing water activities to now walking from here to my car. That’s a workout.”

“My son is only with me. I’ve struggled a lot with daycare and just things like that. So it’s trying to find out, like, who’s going to take care of my son while I do this,” Paramo added.

The Monterey County Health Department has provided guidance on reducing exposure risk, especially in a region closely tied to agriculture.

“If you do need to be outdoors and it’s dusty and windy, people can choose to wear a well-fitted face covering,” they advised.

Signs of valley fever include increased coughing, shortness of breath, and fever.

Paramo emphasized the importance of understanding others’ struggles: “I don’t look sick. However, just because I don’t look sick doesn’t mean that I’m not. It doesn’t mean that my day isn’t just trying to survive.”

For those experiencing symptoms, it is crucial to visit a doctor promptly.

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Caretaker killed in tiger accident at animal preserve

By Addison Kliewer

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    HUGO, Oklahoma (KOCO) — A man died Saturday after an incident with a tiger at a preserve in Oklahoma.

Growler Pines Tiger Preserve announced that Ryan Easley died during an “accident involving a tiger under his care.” The preserve, which is located in Hugo, canceled all tours and encounters until further notice.

“Ryan was a passionate advocate for wildlife conservation. His love for animals, especially Big Cats, was evident in every aspect of his life. He dedicated his life to the protection and care of these magnificent animals, and he believed deeply in the mission of Growler Pines- to provide a safe and forever enriching home for the animals under his care,” the preserve said in a statement.

The private facility provides guided tours to the public, letting them see how the animals are trained and cared for. Some of the tigers are retired circus animals, according to the preserve’s social media.

KOCO 5 found the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture inspection for Easley’s preserve, showing it was compliant with no issues.

A GoFundMe has been set up to support the Easley family following the loss.

“Growler Pines was more than just a place of work for Ryan, it was his calling, his passion and his life’s purpose. His courage, compassion and unwavering commitment to wildlife will never be forgotten. This tragedy is a painful reminder of both the beauty and unpredictability of the natural world. Ryan understood those risks- not out of recklessness but out of love. The animals under his care were not just animals to him, but beings he formed a connection with- one rooted in respect, daily care and love,” the preserve said in a statement. “His legacy will live on in the lives he touched, the animals he protected and the example he set for others who dedicate their lives to working with wildlife.”

The website says all tickets purchased for upcoming tours will be refunded.

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‘Husker fan with Michigan blood:’ Life-saving donation links two Nebraska and Michigan fans

By Beth Carlson

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    LINCOLN, Nebraska (KETV) — On Saturday, two opposing fans took center stage during the Nebraska football halftime show to celebrate the live-saving bone marrow donation one Michigan fan had given to a young Husker fan.

In 2021, Julia Morrison’s family found out that she would need a bone marrow transplant and began their search for a match. They had no idea that she would match with a complete stranger, a Michigan fan and OB-GYN doctor from Ann Arbor, Erica Brockberg.

“I joined in 2013 when I was in medical school, so we were learning about, blood cancers, blood disorders, and heard from patients who had been treated with bone marrow transplant and what that had meant to them. At the end of that lecture, they gave us the opportunity to do a cheek swab, and sign up for the registry,” Brockberg said.

Brockberg donated her bone marrow, and over a year later, finally connected with Morrison. Both Brockberg and Morrison agree there’s a special connection between the two of them, even sporting one half of a matching heart on their shoes during Saturday’s game.

“I knew that person was special,” Morrison said about her donor. “We have little hearts that say the perfect pair.”

“Even though we did not meet for over a year, we knew that we that our donor was going to be special. They were going to give Julia that chance, a second chance at life, a chance to be a kid again. And then after meeting Erica, it’s become everything and more,” Tyler Morrison, Julia’s Dad, said.

On Saturday, the two families, decked out in their respective team’s gear, headed for center field to represent the bond that brought them together.

“It’s just an incredible opportunity to raise awareness to, bring eyes in front of Memorial Stadium. 90,000 fans and, have an incredible, outsized impact,” Tyler Morrison said.

Outside the stadium, volunteers with National Marrow Donor Program met fans willing to sign up to be potential donors.

“It’s heartwarming because I work with patients that may find their second chance at life, and then we work with patients that never do. So today, again, you’re giving hope to our blood cancer patients,” Letica Mondragon, NMDP Account Manager, said.

Even though the score wasn’t what Husker fans were hoping for, there was still a reason to cheer.

“We’re celebrating the bone marrow transplant. that got this little girl out of a life-threatening illness and gave her the gift of life,” Dr. Jeffrey Gold, NU President, said.

If you would like to sign up to be a possible match for a bone marrow donation, you can sign up on their website.

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Investigators say engine stopped in flight before fatal aircraft crash in Colorado

By Christa Swanson

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    Colorado (KCNC) — Investigators have released a preliminary report on an aircraft crash in Colorado that claimed the lives of two pilots, stating the plane’s engine suddenly stopped in flight.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board, a pilot was receiving instruction when the Beech P35 airplane crashed near Englewood on Sept. 5. Officials said the pilot wanted to receive training on the aircraft because he planned to purchase a similar airplane. They took off from Centennial Airport at 5:43 a.m. and remained in their traffic pattern and performed several landings, the NTSB said.

The report states that neither pilot sent a distress call before the crash.

A firefighter said he was around 1.5 miles south of the crash site when he heard the airplane fly overhead. He told investigators he heard the engine stop completely as it flew past.

A woman who lives south of the airport also spotted the plane and told investigators that she saw it flying on a different flight path, lower than she was used to seeing. She also heard the engine go silent and said the airplane banked hard to the left as it descended.

At 6:23 a.m., the airplane collided with several concrete pole barriers in front of a generator before it came to a stop. The plane was destroyed in the crash, and both pilots were fatally injured. The Douglas County Coroner later identified the men as Perry “Matt” Feeney of Arvada and Lee “Rob” Hill of Greenwood Village.

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Gorilla at Cincinnati Zoo who underwent breakthrough medical treatment welcomes first baby

By Fletcher Keel

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    CINCINNATI (WLWT) — The Cincinnati Zoo has welcomed its newest member!

Gladys, the zoo’s 12-year-old gorilla, gave birth to a healthy baby boy Saturday morning.

The zoo says the baby was born at 8:32 a.m. and that both mom and baby are doing well.

Both Gladys and the baby’s father—Mbeli, a 23-year-old silverback gorilla—are first-time parents.

According to the zoo, a 24/7 baby birth watch began four weeks prior to the birth conducted by the Zoo Volunteer Observers, via remote camera.

“The ZVOs reported signs of labor throughout the early hours on Saturday morning, and she was in active labor when I arrived at 5:30 a.m.” said Cincinnati Zoo’s head gorilla keeper Ashley Ashcraft in a press release. “A few hours later, keepers had the honor of quietly observing her birth! She has been very attentive to the baby and is doing all the right things. We are so proud of her.”

The baby is the 51st gorilla to be born at the Cincinnati Zoo.

Gladys and the new arrival are bonding behind the scenes. The keeper team is discussing names and looking for suggestions, which can be submitted on the zoo’s social media channels.

The zoo did not say when the baby will be ready to be seen by the public.

In 2024, Gladys broke her arm during a fight with her siblings .Thanks to the help of the world’s first 3D-printed titanium cast and months of physical therapy, Gladys resumed to her normal self.

According to the zoo, there are about 765 gorillas in zoos worldwide, including around 360 that are managed by the Gorilla Species Survival Plan. Western lowland gorillas are critically endangered in the wild, with fewer than 175,000 individuals.

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‘Si se puede!’: Iowa’s first bilingual Girl Scout troop celebrates culture and girlhood

By Jodi Long

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    URBANDALE, Iowa (KCCI) — Each year, thousands of young Iowa girls build courage, confidence and character through Girl Scouts. There is a troop in Central Iowa also breaking barriers. Troop 535 celebrates culture as the state’s first and only bilingual troop.

At the group’s first meeting of the school year, troop leader Marlu Abarca greets the girls and their parents with a friendly, “Hola!” For the majority of girls in the troop, Spanish is their first language, including Abarca.

“I think the parents, especially, feel very comfortable being able to express themselves in their own language,” she says. “It allows them to engage more with their girls’ lives and their activities.”

Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa says it’s intentional about better connecting with families whose first language is not English. Abarca says this way, parents can be involved while the girls can embrace their heritage in a fun way with friends.

“I think this really goes to show that representation matters for the girls,” she explains. “So the fact that the girls can see someone their same age who also has parents who speak Spanish at home, and it normalizes it for them.”

The troop is getting attention from outside the state. Abarca says she has heard from other troop leaders considering starting their own bilingual troops.

“I love that other people are learning to embrace other all-girl scouts.”

Currently, Troop 535 has a waitlist. Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa says its short-term bilingual outreach programming is expanding. GSGI will offer a one-day program in Marshalltown, and several events are planned throughout the fall in the Des Moines metro.

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Delta State University students react to ruling on Trey Reed’s death

By Brooklyn Joyner

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    CLEVELAND, Mississippi (WAPT) — Delta State University students are reacting to the Cleveland Police Department’s ruling that Trey Reed, a 21-year-old student, died by suicide after he was found hanging from a tree on the university’s campus near the pickleball courts on Monday.

Connor Coker, a DSU student, said, “I don’t have much of an opinion on the autopsy. I’d like to think that they aren’t lying, but considering the history of Mississippi, it’s hard to be sure.”

Lebrisha Underwood, a criminal justice major at DSU, expressed skepticism, saying, “I think it’s bull. I think the family needs to hire their own personal investigator. I think they need to do their own investigating. I think it’s bull.”

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing Reed’s family, said they are seeking an independent autopsy. Reed’s grandfather has expressed suspicion about the initial ruling, citing misinformation from officials. Crump is also demanding access to a video that may show what led to Reed’s death.

Marquell Bridges from the Building Bridges Coalition for Community and Progress said, “You keep telling us what to believe, but you’re not showing us any evidence, showing us any video.”

Cleveland police have stated that all files and materials have been turned over to the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for review. They added that final toxicology results could take two to four weeks to complete.

Connor Coker also said, “If he really did kill himself, I hope his family finds peace, and if he didn’t, I hope his family finds justice.”

Trey Reed’s independent autopsy is being paid for by Colin Kaepernick’s “Know Your Rights Camp Autopsy Initiative.”

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