Author: CNN Newsource

By KEZI News Staff

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    COOS COUNTY, Oregon (KEZI) — Deputies arrested a man and are seeking a woman after finding dozens of garbage bags and sewage leaking into a creek at an illegal campsite in the Elliott State Forest, according to the Coos County Sheriff’s Office.

CCSO officials said a deputy responded to Marlow Creek on March 25 at 11:15 a.m. after getting a complaint about illegal camping. Campers had stayed beyond the maximum camping limit and thrown debris everywhere, according to the Coos County Sheriff’s Office. The deputy found six dogs alone at the site. Between 30 and 40 garbage bags were pitched over a bank behind a trailer, sitting between the camper and the creek. A putrid smell of sewage and gray water leaked from underneath the camper. A large amount of fecal matter, either animal or otherwise, was also scattered around the trailer.

Deputies arrested 27-year-old Zackary Graves for placing offensive substances in a waterway. He was taken to the Coos County Jail. Further investigation revealed some of the dogs were injured and unattended. Animal control came to the location and removed all six dogs.

Another suspect, identified as 45-year-old Jennifer Patterson, was not at the location while deputies were on scene. Authorities will seek probable cause for her arrest on the charge of placing offensive substances in a waterway.

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 KWWL staff

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    JESUP, Iowa (KWWL) — A boy’s fire department-themed birthday party took an unexpected turn when he pulled a fire alarm to get real firefighters to show up.

The child wanted actual firefighters at his celebration. He pulled a fire alarm, thinking it would be the fastest way to make that happen.

First responders arrived to find a birthday party instead of an emergency. The crew turned the false alarm into a teaching moment.

The incident ended with a photo, a tour of the fire truck and a reminder about when it’s appropriate to pull a fire alarm. Firefighters told the boy to only pull the alarm during a real emergency.

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 Jim Abath

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    HARVEST, Alabama (WAAY) — Mothers and daughters are naturally very close, but for one particular duo from Harvest, there’s an extra special bond.

Before she was even born, De’Azya Blake was already having kidney issues. At six months old, doctors removed her polycystic kidney. Then at five years old, she had a biopsy.

“And that’s when they realized that my kidney, the one that I still had, which was my left kidney, started failing a little bit,” Blake said.

And so, her journey started. She took monthly trips and celebrated birthdays at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She also took eight to ten pills a day to regulate her levels.

It wasn’t easy for Blake or her mother, Dimeccia Ford.

“You never knew how it would be until you get to the point where, OK, it’s getting worse,” Ford said. “You know, we got to decide what we’re going to do.”

That point came when Blake was 21. Dialysis? Not an option.

“Trying to have conversations with her about dialysis was like talking to this wall,” Ford added. “She did not want that at all.”

So, they put Blake on the transplant list, and they had family tested for compatibility.

“My mom was like ‘Oh, I’ll get tested,’ ” Blake said. “I was like ‘Girl, please. Don’t do that.’ You know, just like what am I supposed to do? You know, all I have is my Mom.”

But her Mom was a match. They not only moved forward with Ford donating a kidney to her daughter. It was a huge success!

“You wouldn’t believe that they had to quiet me down because like an hour or two, after the anesthesia wore off and I was in the back room, I was screaming, and want to get up,” Blake said. “It was exciting to me, and it was changing to me, like I feel like a whole new person.”

Four years later, Blake is still checking in at Vanderbilt, and her mother still kids her.

“Don’t ask for any more Christmas, birthday, any more gifts because that was a major gift,” Ford said, with her daughter giggling next to her.

Now, the two spread the word about kidney donations. Their message to anyone thinking about donating their own kidney?

“Think of someone else who could possibly benefit from that, who could live to see another day, who could live and try to be on the journey that you’re on, the inspiration you can create for someone else,” Blake said.

You can count on Blake and Ford being at the 2026 Huntsville Kidney Walk and Celebration. This year’s walk is Saturday, April 18 at the Alabama A&M Agribition Center. It starts at 9:30 a.m. The Florence walk is one week later, April 25 at River Heritage Park. That one starts at 9:00 a.m. You can get more information on both and how to register here.

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 Forrest Sanders

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    NASHVILLE, Tennessee (WTVF) — Growing up, we all had those teachers we will never forget. A class is now spending time with one of those unforgettable teachers who also has an unforgettable story.

A group of students filed into a a classroom at Shwab Elementary. Over the classroom was a sign reading ‘Do Your Thing.’

Mission accepted by nine-year-old Ander.

“I’m just doing different colors,” he said, carefully painting a canvas. “Look at my drawing! It’s just abstract. I don’t even know what I’m doing!”

That’s part of the beauty of abstracts.

“It doesn’t have to make sense,” Ander smiled.

Right. Sometimes it’s just capturing how you feel.

“If you want abstract paint that’s happy, you want light colors,” Ander explained. “If your abstract is sad or lonely you can use dark colors.”

So, where’d Ander and this crew learn all this stuff? Well, let me take you to meet someone.

“It’s kinda like an escape,” artist Helen Stackhouse said of her art. “I paint places where I would like to be.”

Stackhouse paints under the name A.M. Hassan. A lot of what she does is bold, beautiful landscapes.

“The cold temperatures, I pretend I’m looking out the window somewhere of a resort,” she said.

Finding beauty is important to Stackhouse after all she’s lived.

Back in the 90s, Stackhouse shares she was let go from a job and had an unemployment check stolen. She ended up living in a car in San Jose, California.

“It was a year,” Stackhouse nodded. “I feel like God let me be homeless, so I could understand what homeless people go through. On a day to day basis, it was not knowing where you’re going to sleep, not know what you’re going to eat.”

Now living in Nashville, Stackhouse joined the Daybreak Arts non-profit about ten years ago. They work with artists who have lived with some sort of housing instability.

Recently, Daybreak launched a program called Gigi’s Creative Corner where Daybreak artists teach hands-on workshops at Shwab.

“One thing I like about that class at Shwab is all of these children are seriously interested in art,” Stackhouse said.

“She showed us how to mix the paint and how to do abstract paint!” Ander added.

At one point, Ander said something that caught my attention.

“I want to be an artist who draws, like, nature,” he said.

Right. Just like what Stackhouse does.

Stackhouse is happy to work with all the kids as their creative visions take shape.

“If I can help one child really understand art, the way he or she wants to express themselves, they can paint their own world,” she said.

Do your thing, Ander.

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 Nick Beres

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    MURFREESBORO, Tennessee (WTVF) — These days plenty of people are moving here from California, but no one quite like this woman. An 80-year-old who decided Tennessee is where she wants to be.

Meet sweet Lois Mayo, one of the latest transplants to the Volunteer State.

“Why did you move to Tennessee from California?”

“The history and the people and the southern hospitality – people are so nice. Had you ever been here before? No, never. I don’t even know the area,” said Lois.

Never visited once in the past eighty years, which is her age.

But about two weeks ago, Lois who is widowed — simply decided to load up her SUV and move to Tennessee.

Some people are going to say an 80-year-old driving cross country by herself to a place she’s never been…wow.

“Yeah, I’m proud of myself that I did that,” said Lois.

Truth is she didn’t come alone. Lois had her two cats as traveling companions.

The three made the two thousand mile drive in five days without a map. Lois just followed the interstate.

“Because I knew I-40 would take me to Tennessee,” she said.

She and Vanilla and Bubbs arrived in Murfreesboro pretty much without a plan.

Lois knows this may sound odd to some — but calls the move an adventure and she’s not worried.

“It makes you feel more alive.”

Lois says the trip ate up her latest Social Security payment and she figured she’d sleep in her KIA until she could get settled.

“I feel I can meet new people and the joy of southern hospitality and there’s angels everywhere.”

Well, talking about that…

“How are you? She’s my angel. Laughing”

Paris Barnes works at Walmart. By chance, she met Lois in the store and learned of her situation.

“I think it was meant for us to meet and God is using me to help you. I’m going to cry…I love you,” said Paris.

Paris had to help, first starting a GoFundMe for Lois and then setting her up in a motel.

It’s not clear where Lois will go from here, but she’s already made more friends at that motel — amazed at her story and wishing her well.

“You gotta follow your dreams and life begins at 80,” she said.

Lois is still staying in a motel in Murfreesboro while Paris works with her to find a more permanent place to live.

The GoFundMe is posted:

gofund.me/875b49dbe

And, you can message Nick Beres on Facebook if you’d like to help her.

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 Chris Davis

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    NASHVILLE, Tennessee (WTVF) — Nashville International Airport has a 40 million passenger problem. That’s how many people are projected to use BNA each year in the next decade.

To prepare for all of the growth, before a second BNA airport is constructed, the current terminal is about to undergo another big renovation project.

As a result, Nashville International Airport is launching a $40 million renovation project to expand its terminal entrance areas. This will require the main section of escalators and elevators to close for a year and a half, starting this summer.

The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority announced the “Central Core Enhancement” will begin June 1, 2026, with an expected completion date of December 2027. The project aims to streamline terminal access and ease congestion as the airport’s passenger volume has more than doubled in the past 10 years.

Doug Kreulen, president and CEO of MNAA, took NewsChannel 5’s Chris Davis on an exclusive tour of the footprint of this project. Look for the story tonight on NewsChannel 5.

“These enhancements aren’t just about managing higher volumes; they represent our commitment to long-term flexibility, traveler safety and an uninterrupted flow through the terminal. Our priorities are, and always will be, to ensure that ease of access and exceptional experiences remain the hallmarks of Nashville International Airport,” said Kreulen.

The renovation will increase the number of escalators from six to 16, along with adding a landing on Level 4. The project will also add a third elevator and replace the two existing elevators with upgraded, bigger, and faster machinery to double overall capacity.

Funding comes from bonds, federal and state aviation grants, Passenger Facility Charges, and other airport funds, with no local tax dollars used.

With the center escalators and elevators closing temporarily, travelers will be able to still use escalators and elevators on the left and the right to access upper levels. The airport is implementing a communications plan that includes additional staff to guide travelers, enhanced signage, and updates on social media and its website to help travelers navigate.

During construction, the Central Core atrium art installation, “The Unscalable Rampart of Time” by Jacob Hashimoto, will be removed. It will be reconfigured and returned when the project is complete with Hashimoto’s oversight.

A 2016 forecast originally projected 30 million travelers, but the airport now expects 40 million, including 3.8 million during a peak month. Kreulen says upgrading the main terminal will buy them time to be able to construct the proposed second terminal along Donelson Pike as Nashville International continues to rapidly grow.

Chris asked Kreulen why these additional escalators and elevators weren’t included in the original version of Nashville’s most recent renovation of the airport. You’ll hear his answer tonight at 6.

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 Kara Burnett

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    BALTIMORE, Maryland (WMAR) — As Women’s History Month comes to a close, the stories of two Maryland women, decades apart show how representation in travel has evolved.

In 1946, Baltimore native Edith “Jackie” Ronne, made history as the first American woman to visit Antarctica.

It was at a time when exploration was dominated by men. Ronne joined a nearly two-year expedition as the only woman on a team of 20. The group of men weren’t pleased, as she was tasked to lead the exploration if something happened to her husband.

Despite the resistance, she played a key role in collecting data and helping map the Antarctic coastline. According to the Maryland Commission for Women, she’s considered an early pioneer in Antarctic tourism, paving the way for women who would later explore and make policy decisions there.

In her lifetime, she visited the continent 16 times, setup a scholarship for women geographers and received a congressional medal for her work. Ronne’s husband even named an ice shelf in honor.

Decades later, that impact is still being felt.

Baltimore County resident, Kalin Thomas, has traveled to 6 continents and more than 20 countries.

“It was like I was blazing a trail for the next people coming through, the next black woman coming through,” Thomas said.

She followed in Ronne’s footsteps, visiting Antarctica herself, a full-circle moment for two Baltimore women. But even in a sea of people, there were moments were she felt alone.

“I went to a lot of places where people who look like us were the help,” Thomas said. “At that time I really wanted to see more of us enjoying the travel as opposed to being the workers.”

Thomas went on to become CNN’s first Black travel reporter, often finding herself as the only Black woman in the room while reporting abroad.

“A lot of places that I went to, I was the only one. A lot of times I was with a crew of 3 white men and me,” Thomas said.

Not every trip was a welcoming one, she recalls one trip to Tennessee.

“A guy who lived there saw me with my white crew and he yelled to the cameraman, hey man, do you know she’s black?,” Thomas said.

Thomas is writing a book about her travels, the joys and hardships of exploring the world as a black woman in the 80s. That includes one of her trips to Japan.

“They ignored me. I thought it was racism but when I spoke to another Japanese woman who they were treating the same way, she says no, it’s sexism. They only talk to men they don’t talk to the women,” Thomas said.

She hoped that someone watching her on TV, would see themselves in her. Kalin started behind the scenes, working camera, floor directing, and teleprompter before making her way on-air as a reporter for CNN ‘Travel Now’.

“As African Americans and our ancestors, we have spread out from Africa to all over the black diaspora and so wherever we go we belong,” Thomas said. “And I feel like a lot of the younger travelers now know that, they feel that they belong.”

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.