Author: CNN Newsource

By John Lauritsen

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    IVANHOE, Minnesota (WCCO) — When Lois Widmark turned 104 in January, the party wasn’t quite as big, but that’s OK. These days she spends a lot of time doing what she loves at her home in Ivanhoe, Minnesota, alongside her 5-year-old cat Muggins.

“I read a lot. I embroidered 52 dish towels two years ago,” Lois Widmark said. “Muggins and I have a lot of time together.”

Time at home is time for reflection. In 1944, when Lois Widmark was 22, she wanted to help with the war effort. So she and a friend decided to join the Navy.

“That’s what people said, I let my patriotism get the best of me,” she said.

She became part of a women’s branch called WAVES, which stood for “Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Services.” Lois Widmark and thousands of others were given the task of cracking German and Japanese codes for the U.S. military. They were known as the “Code Girls.”

“There were a lot of girls doing that,” she said. “We had to be at least 5 feet tall and weigh 95 pounds.”

They worked with mechanical devices called “Bombes” to crack the codes, much like the one invented by British mathematician Alan Turing. Lois Widmark and the WAVES were highly effective.

“I only wish I would have joined sooner,” she said.

She moved back to Nebraska after the war and went to college on the GI bill. She got a teaching degree and then moved to Ivanhoe after marrying her husband, Arnold. He also served in World War II.

“Both my parents are World War II veterans. That didn’t happen very often that both parents were World War II veterans,” said son Alan Widmark.

In recent years, Lois Widmark wrote a memoir called “Echoes of My Life.” It details her childhood, her time in the military and how she and her family built a life in western Minnesota.

She sells the memoir and a photo for $100, with all the money going towards a scholarship for future teachers at Southwest State University. Afterall, she’s their oldest living alum.

Lois Widmark also does her best to keep up with other women who were part of World War II, and “The Greatest Generation.”

“Not many of them even get to 100 before they’re gone,” she said.

A sad reality, but also the reason why she believes it’s her duty to tell their story and carry on their legacy.

“World War II was everybody’s war,” she said.

Lois Widmark was appointed to welcome back Admiral William Halsey to the Naval headquarters after the war. She says in addition to her husband Arnold, her brother Sonny also served in World War II.

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 Erin Jones

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    AUSTIN, Texas (KTVT) — A viral video out of Austin is raising questions about how self‑driving cars respond during emergencies.

A man recorded what appears to be a Waymo vehicle blocking first responders during the deadly shooting on West Sixth Street.

A Waymo robotaxi sits in the roadway as an ambulance tries to reach the scene. The car inches forward but does not clear the way.

Then an officer appears to communicate with the company through the car’s external speaker system before getting inside and driving it away.

When asked about the incident, Waymo told CBS News Texas the vehicle immediately began making a U-turn to clear the way, and a nearby officer assisted.

Austin-Travis County EMS Chief Robert Luckritz addressed the incident on Monday.

“We were on scene within 57 seconds, and so in the grand scheme of the impact on the overall incident, we don’t believe it had any impact on patient outcomes,” he said. “I will say that we’re already in touch with Waymo and the autonomous vehicles to give them our concerns and work with them in order to try and address this moving forward.”

“That’s great if, in fact, that was the case and they were very lucky, but what’s going to happen next time?” Witherite Law Group Managing Attorney John Nohinek said.

Nohinek has been tracking autonomous vehicle cases and is especially concerned about one in Atlanta.

“The Waymo had a passenger, drove past emergency vehicles and into an active crime scene,” he said. “They have failed to stop and pass school buses. Failure to yield the right of way both to vehicles, and pedestrians, more importantly, it’s very concerning.”

Nohinek says this prompted the National Transportation Safety Board to open a formal safety investigation into Waymo.

“They don’t do that lightly,” he said. “That means that there is a higher degree of safety risk that they need to investigate.”

While the Austin incident was brief and temporarily blocked an ambulance headed to the shooting scene, it is a new safety concern for critics who are urging cities to put the brakes on autonomous vehicles.

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By Eva Andersen, Sean Tallant

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    PHILADELPHIA (KYW) — A large sinkhole that appeared on a historic street in Philadelphia’s Old City neighborhood around Christmas has continued to disrupt traffic and frustrate neighbors and nearby businesses, some of whom say they’re still waiting for answers about when it will be repaired.

The sinkhole sits along the 200 block of Church Street, a narrow roadway lined with homes, small businesses and frequent tourist foot traffic.

Mittul Patel, general manager of Old City Coffee, said the location is normally one of the area’s biggest draws.

“It’s a beautiful, charming street,” Patel said.

But right now, he said, the large hole blocking the roadway is making it harder for his customers to access the coffee shop.

“Obviously it makes it harder to walk across, do deliveries, trash pickup,” Patel said.

A nearby resident who declined to share his name said the issue first appeared in late December.

“There was a period of time when our water was cut off… on Christmas Day, in fact,” the neighbor said.

While residents say water service was restored, the sinkhole has remained in the roadway for months.

Old City resident Stephanie Ott described the situation as “chaotic.”

“It’s been a big issue with the through traffic, because now people can’t get down Church Street,” Ott said.

Neighbors said city crews have come to work on the site intermittently, often during overnight hours.

Neighbors say, the sinkhole has also become a noticeable sight for visitors and tourists, adding they worry about the impression it leaves on tour groups.

“It shows that people don’t care,” a resident said.

With Philly expected to welcome large numbers of visitors this summer, some business owners say they hope the problem is resolved soon.

“I understand that things have to get worked on, but this does seem to be dragging on for quite some time,” Patel said. “It would be great to have this fixed up before all the tourists come for the summer.”

CBS News Philadelphia has reached out to the Philadelphia Water Department to confirm what caused the sinkhole and when repairs may be completed. We are still waiting to hear back.

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By Carolyn Gusoff

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    NEW YORK (WCBS) — Some senior veterans on Long Island are travelling the world again without leaving their nursing home.

Virtual reality is giving them adventures they thought were behind them, while also helping reduce stress and isolation.

Mynd Immersive created the VR, which was specially designed for older adults. Long Island State Veterans Home at Stony Brook University was the first in the nation to use it in its therapy, and now it’s the first with a more interactive and realistic upgrade.

“What we like to say is, ‘Where would you like to go today?’ You get to leave the walls of the nursing home,” said Jonathan Spier, deputy executive director at the Long Island State Veterans Home. “We can link six units together, so we can do a trip together … We can go down the streets of Paris, France.”

From his wheelchair, in a facility he hasn’t left in more than two years, Air Force veteran Bill Bornhoeft can skydive. Army veteran Naomi Sawyer can go under the sea with sharks. Vietnam veteran Gene Faber can head back to the lanes, 25 years after his last bowling alley visit.

“It takes me instantly to a different world … an enjoyable world,” Bornhoeft said.

“It was so realistic,” Sawyer said. “It takes you away from what you’re thinking about, if you have something heavy on your mind.”

There are hundreds of experiences to choose from to combat isolation, and stimulate conversation and movement.

“We are able to bring it right to their room and bring that veteran out of that darkness and whatever they are experiencing, and bring them to their happy place,” Spier said.

Vietnam as it is today, lush and peaceful, is also among the possible destinations. Many Vietnam veterans find the journey back therapeutic.

“They may be suffering from chronic pain, anxiety, depression, PTSD, cognitive decline, isolation – any number of those indications, doctors and clinicians can now prescribe Mynd for those veterans, and it’s a major breakthrough,” Mynd Immersive co-founder and CEO Chris Brickler said.

The technology is now in more than 100 state veteran homes and Veterans Affairs medical centers, bringing the world back to those who served around the globe.

At Long Island State Veterans Home, the program is made possible in part thanks to a private grant.

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 Cheryl Fiandaca

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    BOSTON (WBZ) — Julie Peterson was the heart of her family. Her daughter, Kristen Forte, said she loved everyone and had the best laugh.

Peterson died of cancer on January 11, 2022. She was buried at St. Joseph Cemetery in West Roxbury and was to be laid to rest in the same plot with her younger brother who died when he was a child.

Four years later, on January 11, 2026, Forte visited her mother’s grave and immediately knew something was wrong.

“I walked up and I realized… that her headstone was moved, it wasn’t in the spot. I was shocked. I was really upset,” she told WBZ-TV’s I-Team.

Photos from the burial confirmed exactly where Julie Peterson was buried. Forte later learned that while her mother’s headstone was moved, her body was not. Peterson was left buried in another family’s plot.

“She’s still there where her headstone (was),” said Forte. “The ground was never dug up. You can see the mud on the ground now, so we know she was not moved.”

The family said St. Joseph Cemetery never notified them of the mistake. They discovered it on their own.

“I think the whole situation is terrible,” said Julie Peterson’s sister Susan. “I feel like they tried to cover this up.”

“She’s supposed to be resting in peace. How is that going to happen to now? It’s been four years. We grieve every day. We will be here when she gets moved, but how is she supposed to rest in peace when you’re going to have to move her,” said Forte.

The I-Team reached out to St. Joseph, which is owned by the Holyhood Cemetery Association, a private non-sectarian organization. In a statement the association told WBZ:

Out of deep respect for those interred at our cemetery and for their families, we do not comment publicly on matters regarding any individual burial. Our longstanding policy is to communicate directly and privately with families concerning any issues related to their loved ones.

Julie Peterson was finally moved to her final resting place a few weeks ago. Her family held a private service for the exhumation.

“We want our story to be heard. We don’t want anyone else to have to go through this,” said Susan Peterson.

“We all miss her and this is just bringing up emotions that we’ve had but they’re coming back,” Forte said.

The I-Team also reached out to the Massachusetts Cemetery Association (MCA), a volunteer association of public, private and religious cemeteries across the state that focuses primarily on education and advocacy concerning cemeteries.

MCA is not a regulatory entity, nor does it have any oversight capabilities, and it does not keep data or records regarding consumer complaints. The organization’s spokesman, Guy Glodis, sent this statement to WBZ:

“As the legislative agent for the MCA, I can count on one hand how many plot or cemetery mix ups have occurred over the last decade or two. Cemeteries are not immune from mistakes, like any other industry from Aviation to Healthcare, mistakes are made. However, there is a significant scarcity of mistakes within the cemetery profession. According to the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) cemeteries have the lowest complaint rate of any industry tracked (less than 1%) and according to the CCSC (Cemetery Consumer Service Council) there is an average of 50 complaints annually, on a national level (average of one per state), with over 70,000 burials in Massachusetts every year, that makes for an outstanding track record.”

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By Logan Hall

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    BOSTON (WBZ) — Dozens gathered in front of the Boston Public Library in Copley Square for a weekly rally in support of the war in Iran.

“We could be doing a thousand other things, but we have been waiting for this day for a week,” said Saeid Gholami.

The conflict began on February 28 when the U.S. and Israel began a military operation and killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The conflict has continued with President Trump saying that Iran will be “hit very hard,” and called for the country’s “unconditional surrender.” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that Trump’s request was “a dream that they should take to their grave.”

Rally-goers said that it was important for them to gather and thank the U.S. for their help, especially after six U.S. service members have been killed in the conflict. The service members were transferred back to the U.S. on Saturday.

“We are here to honor the brave American soldiers,” one woman said.

“I don’t see this as a war. This is a rescue mission of 90 million Iranian people from this terrorist regime,” Mahan Abdollahinajneon said.

Gholami said that his family back home is celebrating despite the ongoing dangers in the country.

“They are grateful to the U.S. army and the U.S. president for helping them,” Gholami said.

People gathered said that they hope to see a free and democratic Iran within the next five years.

“We ask U.S.A., Israel to hear our voice. We want Iran to be free,” Abdollahinajneon said. “Let us have this democratic government and let the people of Iran be free once and for all.”

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 Lee

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    SAN JOSE, California (KPIX) — As we gear up for the start of wildfire season, a South Bay high school team has developed an AI-powered system that can detect and suppress wildfires within minutes.

The Valley Christian High School team called Wildfire Quest in San Jose is a finalist in the $11 million global XPRIZE Foundation Wildfire competition, competing against the top AI and defense innovators.

“I’m wiring together here the stepper motor here to our stepper motor driver,” said Joshua Guo, Valley Christian Wildfire Quest Student.

Guo knows all too well how devastating wildfires can be. He and his family were forced to evacuate when a fast-moving wildfire broke out dangerously close to his home.

“We were collecting like, suitcases, memories like all the photo albums, everything we could salvage, and it was like, in that moment I was just thinking, ‘Is there really nothing I can do about this?’ said Guo.

Guo is part of the Valley Christian High School’s Wildfire Quest team which just became a finalist in the $11 million XPRIZE Foundation Wildfire Competition. He is using his electrical engineering and software skills to come up with a solution that’s never been done before, autonomously detecting and suppressing a potentially catastrophic wildfire within 10 minutes.

“We have school and then we get to work on our system for XPRIZE Wildfire and every day I come to school like, well in just a few hours I’m going to be able to engineer something to help out the world,” said Guo.

Their unique solution is mounting fire-retardant balls on top of drones and then dropping them directly over the wildfire. They’re using their own AI technology as well as partnering with the drone company Kaizen Aerospace and the AI-based fire detection company Sensory AI.

Olivia Ahn is also on the Wildfire Quest team. She explained how their wildfire solution works.

“Essentially, there’s fuse around the ball and inside there’s a chemical fire suppressant powder that when the fuse is set off when it lands on a fire, it basically explodes and chokes out the fire,” said Ahn. “The drone would fly out to a fire, detect the fire, and then drop these over the fire, and the fuse would set off, and then ‘Bam, our fire would be suppressed!'”

Paul Doherty is with PG&E, a co-sponsor of the XPRIZE Wildfire competition.

“We couldn’t be more excited to see a team like them, competing against some of the large defense contractors and other big corporations and organizations that are also working in this space to end catastrophic wildfire,” said Doherty.

Danny Kim is leading the Wildfire Quest team. He’s proud and inspired to work with these bright young minds.

“I will say the secret weapon we have with using high school kids is yes, they’re inexperienced, but that inexperience translates both to energy, enthusiasm and creativity,” said Kim. “The kids are kind of set loose to think of any idea and try and solve this thing that no one else has solved, and they come up with ideas that we never thought about.”

“I feel like we’ve experienced it, like I mean back in 2020 there was like a huge wildfire that turned our skies orange, and it was like very scary and it was honestly like, I felt like there’s nothing that I could do personally but now as high school students and teenagers, we have the opportunity to actually create this physical change,” said Arissa Cao, Valley Christian Wildfire Quest Student.

For these Wildfire Quest students, it’s not just a competition, it’s a calling.

“Especially since we are still teenagers, exploring like, what means most to us, I think this is where I really found it,” said Guo.

PG&E is the co-title sponsor and is supporting the next phase of the competition.

In the summer, the final round of testing will take place in Alaska where finalists must autonomously detect and fully suppress a wildfire across an area as large as the entire Bay Area within 10 minutes.

The winner of the XPRIZE Foundation Wildfire competition will be announced in September.

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.