Georgia patients, dispensaries hopeful new medical marijuana expansion will bring more relief

CNN Newsource on May 15, 2026

By Daniel Wilkerson

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    ATLANTA, Georgia (WUPA) — Georgians with chronic pain and dispensary operators are hopeful for a new law that expands access to medical marijuana in the state.

Gov. Brian Kemp signed Senate Bill 220 into law on Tuesday, removing a cap on the amount of THC in medical products and allowing vaping as one of the acceptable uses.

The law also drops some restrictions on what illnesses medical marijuana can be used to treat.

Juan Merced said THC helped him move away from years of opioid use tied to his severe chronic pain.

“It has been a godsend, actually,” said Merced. “I spent 16 years on opiates, medication, pain medications.”

Merced said doctors repeatedly increased his dosage over the years as he struggled with chronic pain tied to nerve damage and neck injuries.

“Someone suggested THC, and I had – I tried to replace that with my opioid medication with THC, which helped me tremendously,” he said.

Inside Fine Fettle’s Lawrenceville dispensary, workers are already preparing for the expansion.

Judson Hill, the market president for the dispensary, said supporters believe the changes could help patients who previously relied on low-THC oil products.

“It completely changes things,” said Hill. “What we’ve had to date has been a low-THC oil program. So that was really giving the weakest medicine to the sickest people.”

Hill said the new products could provide faster relief for some patients dealing with severe medical conditions.

“SB 220 adds flower and vape as products that can be purchased by the patients,” said Hill. “So those products have immediate efficacy.”

He said many patients are also asking questions about cost and whether insurance could eventually help cover medical cannabis products.

“Short story is to date, it’s been all out-of-pocket purchase,” said Hill.

Hill said products currently range from a few dollars for some single-use products to more expensive options designed to last weeks.

“I would say we have products that range from as low as $5 to $10 for a single-use product to, you know, 60 to $75 for maybe a pack of gummies or let’s say, a vape that someone may purchase that should last them two weeks to a month’s supply of medicine,” said Hill.

Merced said as Georgia’s medical cannabis program expands, affordability will remain important for patients looking for long-term relief options.

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Swedish family sues Miami Beach resort for $15 million over 11-year-old daughter’s alleged attack at pool

CNN Newsource on May 15, 2026

By Larry Seward

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    MIAMI BEACH, Florida (WFOR) — A couple from Sweden is suing the owners of a Miami Beach resort and demanding at least $15 million, claiming the facility provided “grossly inadequate security.” The lawsuit follows an alleged attack on their 11-year-old daughter at the resort pool in October 2025.

The family, including the parents and their three daughters, ages 19, 14, and 11, was vacationing in South Florida for the first time, spending a week at the Radisson Resort Miami Beach.

According to a police report filed by the family, the attack occurred just two days into their trip. Miami Beach Police said that Osvaldo Diaz, 68, attacked the 11-year-old girl in the resort pool. Diaz was not a resort guest and allegedly sneaked around the hotel’s key card security system.

Once in the pool, Diaz grabbed and groped the girl, police said.

Investigators noted that the girl’s family was on the pool deck when the attack happened. The girl was able to get away from Diaz and immediately told her sisters and parents, according to authorities.

The girl’s father called the police and followed Diaz, who left the property by going through a neighboring hotel. Officers subsequently arrested the suspect on Collins Avenue.

The family’s attorney, Justin Shapiro, said the resort lacked proper security.

“There was no supervision, no access control,” Shapiro said. “Anyone could have followed guests into that pool area from the beach (or) from the lobby”.

The lawsuit, filed by Shapiro on behalf of his clients, targets Radisson Resort Miami Beach’s owners, operators, managers, and Diaz.

“We have no indication that (the resort) had visible presence of security anywhere on that hotel’s grounds, which is grossly inadequate,” Shapiro said, adding that such a lack of security is “highly unusual in Miami Beach.”

The parents said the incident has caused their daughter “life-changing trauma”.

“Our daughter is not the same anymore,” the father said. “She is scared of things that she was not scared of before. She comes to our bedroom and sleeps now in our bedroom often.” The father declined to provide his name to protect his daughter’s privacy.

The girl’s mother added, “We just want to make sure this never, ever happens to any other child”.

CBS News Miami called and messaged the owners of the resort, but no one responded before the deadline.

Diaz remains in jail without bond. Last month, his public defender filed a motion asking for a speedy trial, claiming the statutory period for securing one ended in April.

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Construction worker alive after 30-foot fall from building in Madison, Wisconsin

CNN Newsource on May 14, 2026

By Tanner Kahler

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    MADISON, Wisconsin (WISN) — Firefighters in Madison said a construction worker is alive after falling approximately 30 feet from a building.

It happened around 10:45 Wednesday morning near Johnson Street and Bassett Street in downtown Madison.

According to the Madison Fire Department, workers said they were moving scaffolding on the side of a building when the scaffolding and a piece of machinery tipped over. A worker on the scaffolding was left clinging to the side of a building until he lost his grip and fell to the ground below.

Medics took the worker to a hospital. The fire department says the worker’s injuries are believed to be non-life-threatening.

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Three students charged after assaults on teachers, SRO at High School

CNN Newsource on May 14, 2026

By Jessica Genader

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    MURFREESBORO, Tennessee (WTVF) — Three students face charges after a series of assaults involving teachers and a school resource officer at Siegel High School on Wednesday.

The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office said SRO Caleb Shadwick responded to the cafeteria, where he saw a 16-year-old student repeatedly shoving a teacher. Shadwick intervened, took the student to the ground to control the situation, and handcuffed him after the student continued to resist.

Authorities said that while escorting the student to his office, a 17-year-old student shoved Shadwick from behind. When Shadwick asked him to back away, the 17-year-old then punched Shadwick in the face multiple times. Shadwick punched the student, pulled him close to stop the assault, and sprayed him with pepper spray, ending the fight.

The sheriff’s office said a teacher and Shadwick then escorted the student to the library for decontamination to wash and rinse his face.

The 17-year-old was charged with felony assault on a first responder, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct. The 16-year-old was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

In a separate incident, SRO Alex Weatherford said he responded to the cafeteria when Principal Stephen Wayne told him a student had assaulted a teacher, knocking him to the floor. Weatherford tried to calm the student and called for backup from Murfreesboro Police.

The sheriff’s office said a teacher obtained juvenile petitions charging the student with assault.

All three students were taken to the Rutherford County Juvenile Detention Center.

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Teen survives cardiac arrest, inspires heart safety advocacy

CNN Newsource on May 14, 2026

By Emily Pofahl

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    FRANKLIN, Wisconsin (WISN) — A Franklin teen who survived cardiac arrest during a basketball tournament is now part of the reason why a new AED is installed at a local community center.

Carter Zahn, now 18, collapsed five minutes into a basketball tournament in Illinois two years ago at the age of 16. He had no prior heart issues or underlying conditions.

“It could happen at a school. It could happen at a park. It could happen at a basketball court,” said Lori Peters, who helps lead manufacturer ZOLL. “Age, size, shape — doesn’t matter.”

Reflecting on the incident, Zahn said he was shocked it happened to him.

“You were 16, were you even thinking about your heart?” asked Emily Pofahl.

“Yeah, no. No. I knew nothing about my heart,” Zahn said.

He credits a nearby AED, or automated external defibrillator, with saving his life.

“A parent from my AU team came down and started CPR for me. An AED saved me,” Zahn said.

On Wednesday, a new AED was installed outside the Franklin Middle School Community Recreation Center, donated by manufacturers ZOLL and SaveStation.

The donation was made possible by the Franklin Fire Department.

“Yes, we respond in our average just under five minutes, but we need our first responders to be able to call 911, grab the closest AED, and start those chest compressions,” said Shannon Anthoine, assistant chief of the Franklin Fire Department.

Medical professionals say AED use within minutes of a collapse can double survival chances.

Officials estimate 30,000 to 40,000 people will pass by the new Franklin AED each year.

Zahn said he is motivated to continue advocating for AEDs and heart safety.

“I know what happened. But now I’m more like — just trying to think of it in a positive way, and I want to make it my mission to motivate people,” Zahn said.

The AED, thanks to SaveStation, is climate-controlled to withstand Wisconsin winters and sends alerts to nearby first responders when opened.

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Virginia’s longest-living state police trooper dies at 102

CNN Newsource on May 14, 2026

By WTVR News Staff

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    MECHANICSVILLE, Virginia (WTVR) — Robert “Rock” Howard, the longest-living Virginia State Police trooper, died May 5 at the age of 102.

Howard was born in Dinwiddie and lived in Highland Springs. He served 33 years with the Virginia State Police in Richmond and Fredericksburg from 1951 until his retirement in 1984.

His funeral was held Tuesday, where a Virginia State Police Honor Guard presented Howard’s family with a Virginia flag. Howard will be buried in his VSP uniform at a later date.

Colonel Jeffrey S. Katz, Superintendent of the Virginia State Police, said:

“We are grateful for Mr. Howard’s service and enduring connection with the Virginia State Police Family. We are thankful for the opportunity to stand alongside him – and his family – one final time on the day he’s laid to eternal rest.”

Howard was preceded in death by his wife of over 50 years, Louise, and his daughter, Trudie. He is survived by his sister, his son, his grandchildren, his great-grandchildren, and his great-great-grandson.

His grandchildren, Angela New and Billy Shaw, said:

“Our grandfather lived a long, fulfilling life, and was truly dedicated to serving others. He would be truly honored to know that the department he dedicated his life to honored him in his final hours.”

On his 100th birthday in 2024, Howard was recognized for his service to Virginia at the State Police headquarters.

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Savannah acid attack victim criticizes mayor over comments, police for withholding information

CNN Newsource on May 14, 2026

By Greg Coy

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    SAVANNAH, Georgia (WJCL) — The woman injured in a December acid attack in Forsyth Park is criticizing Savannah Mayor Van Johnson over remarks she says were speculative and unhelpful, while also faulting police for not publicly releasing a description of a possible suspect.

Ashley Wasielewski, through a family member, said the mayor’s recent comments during his weekly news conference were “irresponsible” and risked distracting from the search for the person who attacked her.

Mayor suggests attack may have been personal During the briefing, Johnson was asked whether the Dec. 10 attack appeared to be random. He said he would leave that determination to police, but added that the case did not make sense to him and that, in his view, an acid attack “is really a really personal thing.”

Johnson also said he was unfamiliar with any similar acid attack in Savannah and noted that officers he had spoken with could not recall one either.

Wasielewski’s family pushed back strongly.

“From our family’s perspective, we want to be very clear — there is no known personal connection between Ashley and her attacker,” the family said in a statement. “The mayor suggesting on multiple occasions that this attack ‘feels personal’ — without any evidence — not only risks shifting focus away from identifying the attacker but directly undermines the need for credible leads.”

The family added that Wasielewski, her relatives and friends were “personally offended and angered” by the mayor’s remarks.

Family says suspect description should be public The family also criticized Savannah police and city officials for not sharing a description of the possible attacker, saying both Wasielewski and a witness had provided information that could help identify him.

A witness, K. Kendal, told WJCL 22 News in January that he saw a man on the same footpath as Wasielewski shortly before the attack. Kendal described him as about 6 feet tall, with what appeared to be dreadlocks, and dressed in black.

Kendal said the man seemed to calm down before screams rang out.

“That is when I heard her screaming, ‘Help me, help me,’” Kendal said.

The family said authorities should release any information that could help the public identify the person responsible. They noted that more than $100,000 in reward money has been offered in the case.

They also said video recently referenced by officials comes from a heat-sensor camera near the park and does not show visually identifiable features of the attacker.

City defends decision not to release video At the same news conference, Johnson backed law enforcement’s decision not to release the video, saying doing so could fuel speculation, generate unreliable tips and drain investigative resources.

He said releasing the footage could also interfere with efforts to build a prosecutable case.

After Wasielewski’s criticism, the mayor’s office issued a statement defending Johnson’s remarks and accusing media outlets of mischaracterizing them.

“I categorically reject any attempt by WJCL, or any other media outlet, to mischaracterize my words, sensationalize, or capitalize off the pain of the victim and victim’s family,” the statement said.

The mayor’s office added that the city’s “top and only priority is finding justice for Ms. Wasielewski” and said that focus would remain unchanged.

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Detective works full time to revisit decades-old cold cases

CNN Newsource on May 14, 2026

By Abner Sosa

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    BENTONVILLE, Arkansas (KHBS, KHOG) — Nearly 20 years after Pea Ridge teenager April Andrews disappeared while walking to church, Benton County investigators say her case is still active and still moving forward.

The Andrews case, which reaches 20 years unsolved in July, is one of more than 20 cold cases now being revisited by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office as the agency dedicates one detective full-time to unsolved investigations.

Lt. Detective Hunter Petray, who has worked in criminal investigations for more than a decade, was assigned exclusively to cold cases earlier this year after previously balancing them alongside active investigations.

“Just in the four or five months, we’ve made significant progress,” Petray said.

The sheriff’s office says the cases range from missing persons to homicides and unidentified human remains, with some investigations dating back to the 1970s.

Petray said modern advances in DNA testing and surveillance technology are changing how investigators approach decades-old cases.

“Technology has changed. DNA technology has advanced,” Petray said. “Something that you had tested, say, 20-plus years ago, you need to have submitted again for retesting just because the technology has advanced so much.”

He said newer cases can sometimes be easier to solve because of cell phone data, digital records and the widespread use of security cameras, tools investigators did not have decades ago.

“You can go on Amazon and buy a Ring or Blink home security system for $100,” Petray said. “Years ago, that wasn’t the case.”

The work often involves revisiting old evidence, re-contacting witnesses and using newer forensic methods to identify previously unknown victims.

Petray said the sheriff’s office recently worked with outside forensic laboratories to identify previously unidentified homicide victims, helping investigators generate new leads. In one case, investigators were able to close the investigation after identifying the victim, though the suspected offender had already died.

Other investigations remain active.

Among them is the disappearance of Andrews, who vanished in 2006 and remains one of Northwest Arkansas’ most well-known missing persons cases.

Another is the 1989 killing of Dana Stidham, a Bella Vista teenager whose death remains unsolved.

Petray said investigators are also working to identify remains found near railroad tracks in Gentry in 1983. DNA testing is expected to play a key role in determining the person’s identity.

Despite technological advances, Petray said time remains one of the biggest challenges in cold case work.

“Every day that goes by, your cold case, it gets more difficult to solve,” Petray said, citing fading memories and witnesses or family members who may have died.

Still, he believes most cases can eventually be solved.

“I’m of the belief that any case is solvable. Just some are tougher than others,” Petray said.

He also believes someone still holds information that could help investigators.

“I fully believe that in every single case that I have on my board, somebody knows something that they’ve not reported,” Petray said.

Petray said the term “cold case” can be misleading for families still searching for answers.

“The case is never cold to the family,” he said. “They live it every day.”

Anyone with information connected to Benton County cold cases is asked to contact the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.

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Fayetteville residents press Swarm Aero at tense town hall over drone development

CNN Newsource on May 14, 2026

By Lakyra Banks

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    FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas (KHBS, KHOG) — A heated town hall at the Fayetteville Public Library stretched late into Wednesday night as residents demanded answers from defense drone company Swarm Aero over its operations and future in the city.

For nearly three hours, community members questioned company leaders about artificial intelligence, transparency and whether Fayetteville could become a hub for military technology. The meeting was expected to continue well past 11 p.m.

The often-contentious gathering featured boos, applause and shouted demands for answers as Swarm Aero CEO Peter Kalogiannis defended the company’s mission.

“We are building aircraft that allow humans to operate more efficiently,” Kalogiannis told the crowd.

Before the meeting began, protesters gathered outside the library carrying signs opposing the company.

“I want to see them shut down,” said Abel Tomlinson, founder of the Arkansas Anti-war Alliance. “I want to see the Fayetteville City Council side with the people, that they listen to the people instead of the war profiteers.”

The town hall was encouraged by Fayetteville City Council member Teresa Turk, who said residents deserved a chance to question the company directly. She urged those in attendance to remain calm.

“Please be civil,” Turk said.

Swarm Aero opened a facility in south Fayetteville earlier this year. The company says it develops large, autonomous unmanned aircraft. Kalogiannis told attendees the company is focused on defense and that its initial client would be the U.S. Department of Defense.

That answer drew sharp criticism from some in the audience, who challenged the company’s claim that its work is intended to prevent war and save lives.

Residents also accused the company of operating in secrecy, raising concerns about nondisclosure agreements signed by some city leaders and pressing Kalogiannis on who encouraged Swarm Aero to come to Fayetteville.

Kalogiannis said U.S. Rep. Steve Womack suggested the company look at Northwest Arkansas and said Fayetteville appealed to the company because of its educated and engaged workforce.

When he declined to identify other business leaders involved, the room erupted with shouts of “Name them!”

At least one attendee voiced support for the company, saying Fayetteville “would be fools to turn this down” and asking for a job application.

The debate over Swarm Aero is expected to continue. Fayetteville city leaders are scheduled to hold a hearing Tuesday on zoning tied to the company after a resident filed an appeal.

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Applebee’s operator settles sexual harassment lawsuit for $270,000

CNN Newsource on May 14, 2026

By Shannon Delcambre

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    BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (WVTM) — A restaurant operator has settled a lawsuit over allegations that young workers were harassed at a location in Shelby County.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) said Quality Restaurant Concepts, the operator of dozens of Applebee’s restaurants across the Southeast, has agreed to pay $270,000 to settle a federal sexual harassment lawsuit.

The EEOC said a general manager at the Chelsea Applebee’s location repeatedly made unwanted sexual comments, advances, and physical contact toward female employees, including minors, beginning in April 2023.

Despite complaints about this conduct and the general manager’s prior history at another Quality Restaurant Concepts restaurant, the company failed to act, according to the EEOC.

The lawsuit also alleged that other employees and customers engaged in similar behavior.

“Employers have a duty to protect young workers, who are among the most vulnerable employees in the workplace, especially in the restaurant industry,” said Marsha Rucker, regional attorney for the EEOC’s Birmingham District Office. “By enacting strong policies and procedures to ensure that all complaints of sexual harassment are taken seriously and adequately investigated, employers can better fulfill their obligations under federal law to create a safe work environment free from harassment.”

As part of the settlement, the company must implement new training, policy changes, and stronger reporting procedures.

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