Florida city hosts a food drive for federal employees without pay

CNN Newsource on March 23, 2026

By Steve Maugeri

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    PEMBROKE PARK, Florida (WFOR) — Federal employees are relying on community aid as the government shutdown continues, marking the second time since November that some workers have had to report to their jobs without pay.

G. Brinson, a federal employee, said the ongoing uncertainty is stressful.

“You just don’t know what’s gonna happen. There’s a chance we gotta take and continue to pray and hope we go through this. How long that is, I have no idea,” Brinson said.

Brinson is now worried about affording basic necessities.

When asked if she could keep up with rent, she replied, “So far, yes. Next month… no.”

She lives near where Pembroke Park holds its food drive and had to attend one in November, never expecting to return. “It may not be much, but it’s something that’s gonna help so we can sustain ourselves,” she said.

Brinson did not have time to wait in the long line that stretched down 52nd Street, but the town accommodated walk-ups. Town officials later gave CBS News Miami some food to deliver to her.

Joe Donzelli of the town of Pembroke Park noted that the shutdown is affecting people who have never needed help before. “We have folks during the best of times who have insecurities. Now you have the partial government shutdown. You have folks who are trying to find out where their first meal is going to come from who have never had to figure that out before,” Donzelli said.

The town’s reliance on donations helps supply thousands of pounds of fresh food. The donations ran out in a few hours due to the demand.

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.

Superintendent delivers diploma to Alvaro Velasquez, who self-deported

CNN Newsource on March 23, 2026

By Stacey Sager

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    NASSAU COUNTY, New York (WABC) — It’s a world away from the hallways of a public high school in Nassau County. Roosevelt Schools Superintendent, Dr. Shawn Wightman made a trip at his own expense to San Marcos, Guatemala, to make a special delivery for a student.

“Are you haunted by Alvaro’s story?”

When asked if Alvaro Velasquez’s story haunted Wightman, he said, “Yeah. It’s very difficult as a superintendent, a father, to think about if something like that were to have happened to any of my kids.”

Last May, only weeks away from his high school graduation, Velasquez was randomly picked up by ICE and never made it to his graduation.

“He wasn’t a hardened criminal or anything like that, didn’t have any type of record. That was the moment when everybody realized that this is a real thing,” Wightman said.

Velasquez was taken to a detention center in Texas, where he spent months alone, before self-deporting to Guatemala.

In September, Dr. Wightman visited the detention facility because he felt Velasquez deserved his cap, gown and diploma. But he was turned away.

“A very stark reality for me going in there, because there was a barrier,” Wightman said.

He knew he needed to try again.

After refusing to give up, Wightman took two plane rides and a five-and-a-half-hour car trip through the foothills of Guatemala, where he was finally reunited with Velasquez and his family.

“This is amazing for me. He helped me. And he supported me, for all this time,” Velasquez said.

“When he got detained, it really upset a lot of us,” Wightman said.

In Roosevelt, where the student population is 65% Latino and Hispanic, it was only the beginning.

Since Velasquez was detained, three other students in Roosevelt have had their lives upended by ICE.

One was detained, another is likely to be deported, and a third, whose father was detained, now has to work to support the family.

Velasquez came to the U.S. alone when he was only 16 and has been through so much.

“I’m not feeling I’m alone. I know I have him and my family,” Velasquez said.

He also has his diploma from a man who taught him not to abandon people you care about.

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.

Passengers on board flight involved in deadly LaGuardia crash speak out

CNN Newsource on March 23, 2026

By Phil Taitt

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    NEW YORK (WABC) — Passengers on board the flight from Montreal arriving at LaGuardia described the terrifying moments when their plane collided with a fire truck.

This was the last thing they expected as they made it to their destination safely, only for a deadly collision to take place between the Air Canada jet and a Port Authority fire truck.

This crash claimed the life of the pilot and the co-pilot of the plane.

Forty-one people had been taken to the hospital, which included someone they were travelling with whom they said had a broken nose.

“One of our friends was like several rows back from us and like we walked past him on our way out because he was trying to find his glasses and his nose was totally broken and bleeding on his face,” the passenger said. “A lot of people smacked their head against the seat in front of them.”

“We got checked out, we have a couple of bruises, but we’re just tired and want to go to bed,” another passenger said.

The front of the regional jet sustained significant damage just moments before 11:40 p.m. Sunday.

As it was rolling down the runway it slammed into that vehicle which was responding to another incident.

The Port Authority provided an update early Monday morning.

“The plane carried 72 passengers and four crew,” said Kathryn Garcia, Executive Director, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. “The AR FF vehicle carried two officers. In accordance with our emergency plan, initial numbers indicate 41 passengers and crew transported to hospital. Thirty-two have been released but there are also serious injuries.”

The NTSB is investigating the crash. The FAA issued a notice that the airport operations will remain suspended until at least 2 p.m. Drivers are urged to avoid the area near the airport.

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Newark Airport ground stop ends after smoke condition cleared from air traffic control tower

CNN Newsource on March 23, 2026

By WABC Eyewitness News

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    NEWARK, New Jersey (WABC) — The air traffic control tower at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) was evacuated for a short time after a report of smoke.

An FAA spokesperson confirmed there was no fire and the controllers evacuated the tower due to a burning smell from an elevator.

The air traffic controllers were moved to the backup facility on site.

Flights were forced to hold, but then air traffic controllers were seen moving back to the tower by 8:30 a.m.

Flights were spotted landing at the airport and the ground stop was lifted.

Nearby LaGuardia Airport remains closed after a plane collided with a truck on a runway.

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Pride flags among items removed from Boston University campus as part of “content-neutral” sign policy

CNN Newsource on March 22, 2026

By Logan Hall

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    BOSTON (WBZ) — A Boston University policy restricting where signage can be displayed on campus is drawing criticism from some students after several flags, including pride and Israeli flags, were removed from residence hall windows and common areas.

According to Boston University’s website, this is part of an existing signage policy that limits unattended placards, banners and other displays to approved locations.

But some students argue the enforcement contradicts the school’s stated commitment to inclusion and free expression.

“I think it’s really important for people to be able to express their political beliefs in an institution,” one student said. “People should be able to freely do that and support their identities.”

According to the policy, Boston University allows politically motivated signage at designated “free expression boards” across campus. However, students interviewed said that restriction feels too limiting, particularly for symbols they view as representing identity and safety.

“Especially for a school that touts itself as being an open and accepting space for all students, to then go and remove flags that denote specific safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community, in the LGBTQ+ resource center especially, that’s not something that feels aligned with those values,” student Beth Dallaire said.

Several pride flags were taken down over spring break, including one displayed in the main sitting area of the Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies program.

Students who spoke to WBZ News expressed concern that removing such displays could discourage self-expression on campus.

“These groups of people are trying to build themselves up,” first-year student Sophia Koloms said. “When we do this in an environments where they need to be built up, then we’re creating an environment where nobody can be original and nobody can be themselves.”

Boston University did not respond to a request for comment.

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Deputies make arrest in 2004 cold case homicide in Moreno Valley

CNN Newsource on March 22, 2026

By Dean Fioresi

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    MORENO VALLEY, California (KCAL, KCBS) — More than 20 years after an investigation into a Moreno Valley homicide began, Riverside County deputies have finally made an arrest.

The incident happened back on Sept. 1, 2024 at around 11:30 p.m., when deputies were sent to the 15000 block of Perris Boulevard for reports of a shooting, according to a news release from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies arrived and found 29-year-old Israel Rangel suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, he was later pronounced dead.

“Through an extensive investigation, Corey Sampson, a now 45-year-old male from Hesperia, was identified as a suspect in the murder,” RSO’s news release said. “However, there was insufficient evidence to file charges at the time, and the case eventually went cold.”

When the department reopened the case as part of an ongoing effort to review unsolved cases, investigators reexamined the evidence and were able to find several leads and the case was reopened.

Deputies said that they were able to develop sufficient evidence to support Sampson’s arrest, and on Thursday March, 19, he was arrested with the assistance of the Riverside County District Attorney’s Gang Impact Team. He was taken into custody in Hesperia and booked at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility for murder.

As the investigation continues, deputies asked anyone who may know more to contact them at (951) 955-2777.

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Veterans nonprofit stepping up to help unpaid TSA workers at Detroit Metro Airport

CNN Newsource on March 22, 2026

By Julia Avant

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    DETROIT (WWJ) — The struggle continues for federal employees, especially TSA workers.

TSA representatives tell CBS News Detroit employees are trying to figure out how to feed their families and keep the lights on at home amid the Department of Homeland Security shutdown.

Rose Ann Walsh has seen the struggle firsthand.

“It’s sad and good at the same time. It’s sad they have to go through this,” said Walsh.

Walsh is receiving call after call from TSA workers in need of help.

The good news is Walsh and thousands of other volunteers with Downriver for Veterans are working together to help.

But finding help is not the problem; Walsh says it’s the government’s restrictions.

“When I heard this, I was floored because how do you not pay the most important people in the U.S., and not pay them, and then limit their way to survive? That is just ludicrous,” said Walsh.

TSA workers tell her they can only accept donations from certain organizations and specific gift cards that are no more than $20.

So Walsh says they have Easter baskets for children of federal workers on standby and will figure out how to get them anything else they may need.

Greg Simpkins, president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 778, which represents TSA workers at Detroit Metro Airport, is seeing the struggles firsthand.

“They took an oath to make sure that the traveling public get to where they need to get to safely, and to be a pawn in this game of politics is so undeserving,” said Simpkins.

President Trump said Sunday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents will soon assist TSA agents at airports. In a post on Truth Social, the president said that ICE agents will go to airports on Monday.

“What I’m seeing with ICE, I don’t think they have the compassion we have to do the job,” said Simpkins.

Simpkins is unsure if any of his TSA workers at Detroit Metro Airport have quit, but he knows the hours they put in day after day are taking a toll at home.

“Some single parents whose not able to pay for daycare right now because it takes money for that,” said Simpkins. Groceries is at a minimum right now. They can’t go and fill their refrigerators up like they normally do for themselves and their children.”

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Woman became paralyzed after shooting. Now, she’s developing a rideshare app for people with disabilities

CNN Newsource on March 22, 2026

By Hannah McIlree

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    DETROIT (WWJ) — Taking the bus or calling an Uber isn’t something most people have to plan ahead for. But for people who use wheelchairs, securing a reliable ride can take days, even a week of preparation. One Detroit woman is hoping to change that.

In 2024, Dominique Townsend was heading home from the grocery store with her son when she was shot five times while sitting in her truck. The men who attacked her were strangers, and the shooting left her paralyzed at 35.

“Becoming paralyzed drastically changed everything… it took away my freedom. It took away my mobility to just get in the car and go free like I want to,” Townsend said.

Townsend says those challenges inspired her to begin developing RideAble, a rideshare service designed specifically for people who use wheelchairs.

“You can go wherever… we don’t have limitations to doctors’ appointments or therapy. You can go to the grocery store, social events, visit a friend downtown, wherever you want to go,” she said.

RideAble isn’t a full mobile app yet. Townsend has launched a pilot program that matches riders with wheelchair‑accessible drivers through her website.

“You’re not just making money, you’re giving back as well because you’re helping out people with disability and mobility challenges,” she said.

Townsend says the need for accessible transportation is significant, especially for people who can’t rely on public transit or traditional rideshare apps.

“If you want to get a ride to appointments or doctor’s visits, you have to schedule days ahead… sometimes they don’t show up. Sometimes they’re late,” she said.

Townsend is still recruiting drivers. Anyone interested must complete a background check before joining the pilot program. She hopes to launch the full app after a successful test phase.

The Detroit Department of Transportation says all 291 of its buses are equipped with wheelchair‑accessible ramps. The department says wait times vary by route and time of day, anywhere from five minutes to an hour. While DDOT is exploring new accessibility technology, no major upgrades are planned in the near future.

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.

Two Wisconsin eighth graders advance to national spelling bee

CNN Newsource on March 22, 2026

By Bella Ferak

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    MADISON, Wis. (WISC) — MADISON, Wis. — Ethan Robert and Arnav Vempati, two eighth graders from southern Wisconsin, will advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in May after taking home first and second place at the Badger State Spelling Bee this Saturday.

Robert, from New Berlin, and Vempati, from Middleton, endured 19 rounds of both spelling and vocabulary testing, defeating their 5th through 8th grade competitors and showcasing their expansive knowledge of words. Robert dominated the bee, eventually winning first place with the word “analphabet.”

Words are selected by Scripps and organized into a list ascending by difficulty. As the competition progresses, words become more difficult and may include foreign language entries. Contestants are allowed to ask for definition, language of origin, part of speech, usage in a sentence and alternate pronunciations before answering.

Many words, such as “aguaji” and “maltodextrin,” stunned competitors as they attempted to deduce the spelling. Robert said his strategy when faced with unfamiliar words is not to go home and memorize the dictionary; rather, it’s to understand the broader themes of language.

“I study roots and language patterns to help me try to decipher the words that I’m getting,” Robert said. “If I know the rules of the language, then I can find the words that follow the pattern and spell it correctly.”

Robert wasn’t the only contestant that successfully made it through difficult words – Vempati and the rest of the top ten put in the work to earn their spots, too. It takes years of preparation to even make it past the regional competitions. Wisconsin Spelling Bee Coordinator Jane McMahon said watching that hard work culminate onstage is an impressive feat like no other.

“It’s so amazing to watch them display their excellence at spelling. They spell a lot of words correctly that I wouldn’t have spelled correctly, so it’s really great to see excellence of that level on the stage.” McMahon said.

The national bee will take place in Washington, D.C. in May.

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.

Samantha Calderon
scalderon@wisctv.com
(608)277-5133

Man charged with murder, arson in death of firefighter Michael Altman

CNN Newsource on March 21, 2026

By Tara Molina, Elyssa Kaufman, Kris Habermehl, Sara Tenenbaum

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    CHICAGO (WBBM) — A Chicago man is charged with murder and arson in the death of Chicago firefighter Michael Altman.

Chicago police said Sheaves Slate, 27, has been charged with one count two felony murder charges and two felony arson charges for Altman’s death from injuries he sustained when he fell from the first floor to a basement while battling a blaze in a four-story apartment building in Rogers Park Monday.

Slate is in custody at this time. CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling released a statement on Altman’s death and the charges, writing in part, “On behalf of the Chicago Police Department, our deepest condolences are with the family of Firefighter/EMT Michael Altman and the entire Chicago Fire Department. The loss of Firefighter Altman, who was a hero until the very end, is a profound loss for those who knew him and our entire city.”

“Although we are proud of the tremendous work done to hold this offender accountable, we ask that the focus not be on who is responsible for Firefighter Altman’s death, but rather on his heroic life and his loved ones who will live with this grief forever,” the statement continued. “We will stand alongside our brothers and sisters at CFD as they carry on the legacy of a beloved father, husband, son and brother.”

The Chicago Fire Department also issued a statement in the wake of the charges, thanking CPD for their “tireless and collaborative efforts” and “their outstanding work on this case and in bringing accountability to this tragic incident. Through their diligence an individual has been charged with first-degree murder.”

“While no outcome can undo the devastating loss the Altman family, his CFD family, friends and the city have suffered, this development is an important step toward justice,” the statement continued.

CBS News Chicago legal analyst Irv Miller said the law is clear why Slate faces a first-degree murder charge, and if anyone else was involved, they too could face murder charges.

“If you’re committing a forcible felony – and aggravated arson is a forcible felony – and someone dies during the course of the fire, you are legally responsible and can be charged with the murder of that person,” Miller said. “If they were active participants, or they were co-conspirators, they could be… result in having criminal charges, with respect to what they did, including a first-degree murder charge.”

Slate’s criminal history includes at least three arrests since July 2025. He has been on court supervision since October after pleading guilty to retail theft. Another warrant was issued after a failure to appear in court on new charges of theft and possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

A document shows Slate was ordered to stay away from Nordstrom in the wake of those charges.

Friday morning a procession honored Altman as his body was moved from the medical examiner’s office to a funeral home ahead of services next week.

Chicago firefighters and community members lined the streets to honor Altman as a procession continued to Blake-Lamb Funeral Home in Oak Lawn. An honor arch was seen outside the funeral home.

Altman died on Tuesday, one day after battling an apartment fire in Rogers Park.

Around 100 firefighters responded to the fire at a four-story apartment building just before 11:30 a.m. Monday. Officials said Altman, 32, fell from the first floor to the basement and was rescued within one minute.

A Chicago Fire Department spokesman said the Altman was taken to Stroger Hospital of Cook County in serious-to-critical condition on Monday. Sources said he suffered extensive burns all over his body, including second- and third-degree burns. He later died from his injuries. There are now memorials outside the fire station where he worked and at the scene of the fire.

Altman was on the job for nearly two years and was a fourth-generation member of the CFD. His grandfather, Edward P. Altman Jr., served as fire commissioner from 1996 to 1999. The senior Altman died in 2020.

Altman was on the job for nearly two years. He leaves behind a pregnant wife and a young child.

Visitation and Funeral for Michael Altman Thursday, March 26, 2026, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel 7740 S. Western Ave. Chicago, IL 60620

Funeral

Friday, March 27, 2026, at 10 a.m. St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel 7740 S. Western Ave. Chicago, IL 60620

Full statement from CPD Supt. Larry Snelling On behalf of the Chicago Police Department, our deepest condolences are with the family of Firefighter/EMT Michael Altman and the entire Chicago Fire Department. The loss of Firefighter Altman, who was a hero until the very end, is a profound loss for those who knew him and our entire city.

Thank you to every firefighter, police officer and detective who responded to the fire and worked to bring a swift resolution in this investigation. We also want to thank our partners at the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and the ATF Chicago Field Division for their partnership in this case.

Although we are proud of the tremendous work done to hold this offender accountable, we ask that the focus not be on who is responsible for Firefighter Altman’s death, but rather on his heroic life and his loved ones who will live with this grief forever.

We will stand alongside our brothers and sisters at CFD as they carry on the legacy of a beloved father, husband, son and brother.

Full Satement from the Chicago Fire Department This has been an incredibly difficult week for the family of Firefighter/EMT Michael Altman and our family here at the Chicago Fire Department. We are thankful for all the support we have received as we continue to support the Altman family and prepare to lay our hero to rest.

We are immensely grateful for the tireless and collaborative efforts of the Chicago Police Department, Area 3 Detectives, Arson Detectives, the Chicago Fire Department’s Office of Fire Investigation, the ATF Chicago office, the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Chicago Buildings Department for their outstanding work on this case and in bringing accountability to this tragic incident. Through their diligence an individual has been charged with first-degree murder.

While no outcome can undo the devastating loss the Altman family, his CFD family, friends and the city have suffered, this development is an important step toward justice.

Firefighter Altman was a hero each time he put on the CFD uniform and each time he ran toward a fire to save lives. He was also a hero to his family, including his wife Nora, who is expecting their second child soon, and their young son. It is heartbreaking to know these children will now grow up without their father, but we promise to always be there for them and remind them that they are surrounded by their family here at the fire department.

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.