Author: CNN Newsource

By Scott Gelman

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    FAIRFAX, Virginia (WTOP) — Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed a series of healthcare bills Wednesday, aimed at lowering the cost of insulin and promising that insurance company rules won’t delay necessary medical care.

The signing ceremony, which took place at Inova’s Schar Cancer Institute, featured many elected officials representing Northern Virginia in the General Assembly.

Spanberger said many of the measures passed through the Commonwealth’s legislative body with bipartisan support, and she touted the new laws as part of the affordability agenda on which she campaigned.

“We just had quite a few bills specific to the needs of Virginians, making sure that we are increasing access and ensuring that patients can get the care that, importantly, their doctors intend and want to deliver. And that parents and families are supported with policies that we have here in the Commonwealth of Virginia,” Spanberger told reporters after the event.

One measure, spearheaded by Del. Karrie Delaney, decreases the out-of-pocket cost for a 30-day supply of insulin from $50 to $35. It also includes a cap of $35 for a 30-day supply of equipment and supplies.

The change is scheduled to go into effect July 1.

“This is making a life-saving difference on so many families — for hundreds of thousands of Virginians, in fact,” Spanberger said.

Separately, Spanberger signed a bill that adds doula care, infertility treatment and hearing aids to Virginia’s Essential Health Benefits. The EHB includes the benefits that individual and small group health insurance plans have to provide.

That measure is scheduled to take effect Jan. 1 because it has to receive approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

House and Senate bills also signed by Spanberger aim to stop insurance companies “from quietly reducing what they can pay on a claim behind closed doors,” the governor said.

Spanberger signed Del. Michelle Maldonado’s plan that restricts insurance companies from using prior authorization as a reason to delay or deny care that doctors have approved and deemed necessary.

“Because of these bills, when your family needs care, you can get it,” Spanberger said. “When your doctor writes you a prescription, you should be able to afford it. And when you get sick, the cost of getting better shouldn’t break a family’s bank. But this is not the reality for far too many Virginians.”

Martin Figueroa, Virginia’s secretary of health and human resources, said, ”We’re living through a moment when the federal government is making decisions about healthcare that will reach into the lives of ordinary Virginians in ways most people haven’t fully felt yet.”

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 abc15.com staff

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    SCOTTSDALE, Arizona (KNXV) — Three employees at a Scottsdale Costco store helped save the life of a pharmacy customer last month.

Barry Baker was waiting near the pharmacy of the store, near Hayden Road and Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard, when he suffered a medical emergency and lost consciousness.

Two pharmacists, Todd Gookin and Gary Bachmeier, jumped in to help, calling 911 and starting CPR.

One of the store managers, Mike Weston, got the store’s automated external defibrillator (AED) and used the machine on Baker, who was then taken to the hospital for further treatment.

Scottsdale Fire credits the rapid response with saving Baker’s life.

Baker was found to have arteries that were 60% blocked, and he spent more than a week in the hospital.

On Wednesday, the Scottsdale Fire Department honored the three employees who took action.

If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be here. So am I thankful? You bet,” Baker said.

According to the American Heart Association, more than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur each year in the United States.

Without CPR, about 90% of those victims do not survive. When high-quality CPR starts immediately, a person’s chance of survival can double or even triple.”

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 Ryan Ketcham

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    HENDERSON, Nevada (KTNV) — A 75-year-old Henderson man who has lived in his townhome complex near Boulder Highway and Warm Springs for 18 years is now fighting his homeowners association over outdoor security cameras he says have made his life safer.

Manuel Galindo installed five cameras on the outside of his home earlier this year, plus one inside. He says the results were immediate.

“Now that I have it, my life is so much better,” Galindo said.

Galindo says he had several packages stolen in the past. Since putting the cameras up, that has stopped.

“My packages, I haven’t had one stolen from my porch because my camera is on all the time,” Galindo said.

On April 24, Galindo received a notice of violation from his HOA. The letter states the security cameras are in violation of a community rule prohibiting alterations or additions made to the exterior of the structure. The rule lists examples such as security doors and awnings, but is written broadly — which, according to the HOA, includes security cameras.

While he admits he didn’t ask permission to put up his security cameras, Galindo doesn’t believe he needed to and disagrees with that interpretation.

“Do you think this rule as written should stop you from putting up security cameras? Absolutely not,” Galindo said.

The HOA’s management company, Assured Real Estate Incorporated, was contacted for comment. An Assured representative responded by email, saying they could not discuss specifics about Galindo’s case. However, they did provide some general information on HOA policies.

The company said that, according to its governing documents, exterior alterations generally require prior approval from the association. Assured also said the rule is not intended to discourage residents from protecting their homes or families, but rather helps the association avoid liability or repair costs, since the exterior of the building is not owned by the homeowners.

The statement went on to say:

Activities such as drilling into stucco, mounting devices, penetrating waterproofing systems, attaching wiring, or modifying exterior surfaces can impact building integrity, create maintenance and insurance concerns, affect uniform aesthetics, and potentially expose the Association and other homeowners to liability or repair costs.

Architectural review processes are intended to allow the Association to evaluate proposed installations for factors such as mounting methods, placement, wiring, safety, waterproofing, visibility, and consistency with community standards. In many situations, modifications can be approved when proper procedures are followed.

A drive through the community found only doorbell cameras or smaller cameras attached near doors.

Galindo says keeping his cameras gives him peace of mind.

“Not having to think about it is a wonderful idea,” Galindo said.

Based on his HOA agreement, Galindo has several options. He can remove the cameras, submit an architectural form to the board for approval, or attend a hearing over the violation scheduled for July 29. If the issue is not resolved by May 24, he could face fines ranging from $50 to $1,000.

Galindo says those fines would not be right.

“I don’t think they should have a right to influence my way of life if it doesn’t infringe on anybody else around me,” Galindo said.

Galindo says he will continue to fight the violation and will take legal action if necessary.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. KTNV verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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By Abby Wray

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    WICHITA, Kansas (KAKE) — Outside of Century II, a fight broke out Tuesday night, after the Chester Lewis Learning Academy graduation and police say other smaller skirmishes also happened that evening, which were quickly resolved by officers on scene.

“It seemed like everyone was having a good time… and then all of a sudden it just went south,” said Elizabeth Bock, a mom who witnessed the fight.

Bock was excited to see her daughter graduate, but she was not expecting a fight to break out just outside of the building immediately after the ceremony, sparking a large police presence.

“Next thing I know, we’re all running and trying to catch our breath and coughing and eyes watering and it was like, wow, that is not what I was expecting,” said Bock.

Bock was right there when police used pepper spray near the crowd, she says she’s still coughing on Wednesday.

Witnesses said the pepper spray impacted dozens of graduation attendees in addition to the suspects.

“This was the first graduation I’ve attended where this was an issue,” said Bock.

Century II said on social media it was students who were fighting, but police did not confirm that information on Wednesday.

Police say officers had to use a taser to take down and arrest a suspect. WPD also says that after the initial fight, multiple skirmishes happened.

“Anytime you have a large number of people that get together, you have the opportunity for people who don’t get along,” said Terri Moses, the director of safety and security at Wichita Public Schools.

Moses says all graduations are staffed with police, security, and metal detectors.

“Anybody entering our events does have to go through a scanner to make sure no weapons are involved,” said Moses.

Police said Wednesday, “Those who participated in the fight will be held accountable.”

“Keep your family close and the moment you hear anything that doesn’t sound right, get away, get to safety,” said Bock after the experience.

Police say they’re still looking for other people involved in last night’s fights. Wichita Public School officials say they debrief after each large event they host, so they can always be better prepared for the next.

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 Richard Gearhart

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    SANTA BARBARA, California (KSBY) — A scam involving a famous actor and musician living on the Central Coast is making the rounds on social media.

KSBY News anchor Richard Gearhart recently sat down with Billy Bob Thornton to talk about his love for the Central Coast and ties to Cal Poly.

This week, a KSBY viewer reached out, saying she was contacted by someone who appeared to be Thornton on Facebook, but it was a scam.

After a month of chatting with a person she thought was Thornton, the imposter tried to sell her a membership card for a private autograph signing at a cost of more than $1,000.

Gearhart contacted Thornton and the actor confirmed this is a scam.

“It happens all the time. We had it removed but it just comes back,” Thornton said.

The viewer said she doesn’t want anyone to fall victim to the scam.

It’s a reminder to be skeptical of social media accounts that ask for money, no matter how legitimate they seem.

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 Lily O’Brien

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    WICHITA, Kansas (KAKE) — The former mayor of Coldwater, Kansas, Jose “Joe” Ceballos, turned himself in to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

His surrender came on Wednesday morning, following an order from immigration officials.

As he walked into an office and into ICE custody in Wichita, he said he doesn’t know when he’ll come back out.

“I’m obviously nervous,” said Ceballos. “I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

In April, Ceballos pleaded guilty to misdemeanor election charges tied to voting as a non-citizen.

“What I was told by the ICE officers… is that he was arrested on an administrative warrant,” said immigration attorney Sarah Balderas. “They’re essentially saying that he’s removable from the United States for past conduct.”

Ceballos is a legal resident of the United States, but not a U.S. citizen.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, he started the citizenship process in February 2025. DHS also says Ceballos was convicted of battery in 1995.

Days after Ceballos was re-elected Mayor of Coldwater the following November, DHS released his voter registration forms, saying he illegally voted and committed a felony by claiming citizenship.

It says he committed another felony by lying on naturalization paperwork and saying he had never claimed U.S. citizenship.

Ceballos’ plea deal, though, knocked those charges down to misdemeanors.

“I’m disappointed,” said one of his attorneys, Jess Hoeme. “I thought our system was smarter and better than this.”

Hoeme says he believed the agreement resolved the criminal case and wouldn’t impact his dealings with immigration.

“He thought this was already taken care of via Kris Kobach. He even paid a $2,000 fine. Why is he having to be double-judged, double-punished?” questioned protester Lori Lawrence.

Over a dozen people gathered in the east Wichita office parking lot in support of Ceballos and against ICE action.

“They thought it was all over, and I myself felt like I was misled,” said Ceballos. “I’m sure the supportive people feel the same way.”

Those supportive people followed Ceballos as he made his way through the building’s doors to turn himself in to ICE shortly before 11:00 a.m. They chanted his name, exclaiming support.

They then trailed to a fence, where a handful of people stood behind, appearing to be federal officers. A confrontation of those officers ensued, with protesters shouting out “free Joe!” and “ICE out!” through the fence.

“ICE has soldiers back there in full battle gear with rifles, telling our protesters that they need to leave. What about free speech?” said Hoeme. “What kind of statement does that say about our government?”

Steps away, the property manager also told protesters to leave, as the building is private property.

“You can threaten us. That doesn’t mean we’re going to leave. We’re determined to be here,” said protester Janice Bradley. “We’re determined to show our support for the mayor who should not be in this position, who thought this was taken care of, and now he’s facing deportation.”

After legal scrutiny and applause from a full courthouse at Ceballos’ hearing, where the plea agreement was read, he now heads into an arena he, his wife, and his supporters feared for months.

“They can’t believe it’s happening to a guy like myself, trying to live the American dream… and it can be taken away from me,” said Ceballos.

Balderas says he will likely be held in the Wichita building before being moved to a larger detention facility.

“Very scary…You hear stories — whether they’re true or not — about people being detained and not getting their chance to hear in court, and that’s what we’re afraid of,” said Ceballos.

Ceballos has since been transferred to the Chase County Jail.

From here, Balderas says a bond hearing will be scheduled and adds there’s a hope the judge will agree with their claim that Ceballos is worthy of being released on bond.

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 Cecil Hannibal

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    ELK GROVE, California (KCRA) — Tom Mahon, a fourth-generation rancher in Elk Grove, is turning his historic family ranch into a concert venue this weekend, hosting 20,000 country music fans for a Luke Bryan performance that fulfills his late wife Cindy’s dream.

“This is a house our great-grandfather built in 1891,” Mahon said, reflecting on the legacy of his family’s ranch, which produces beef, hay, and alfalfa hay. “We’re very proud of that. We’re glad to be a part of a vital service.”

Mahon said he has recently expanded his ranch’s activities to include entertainment. His wife, Cindy, a devoted Luke Bryan fan, had expressed her wish for a country music concert on their property just weeks before her passing in September.

“Cindy and I were married for 44 years,” Mahon said. “She was a great wife, partner. She was a really good woman.” He shared that Cindy passed away suddenly while they were watching Netflix together, and doctors suspect her heart gave out.

Since her passing, Mahon has been coping with grief by keeping himself busy. “It’s been very lonely. I have been working till dark every day, and I come in the house and work for a few more hours. It helps me to sleep if I go to bed exhausted,” he said.

About a month and a half after Cindy’s death, Mahon received an unexpected phone call asking if he would host a Luke Bryan concert on his ranch. “I said, yeah,” Mahon recalled.

Mahon revealed that Cindy had shared her dream of hosting a country music concert on their property just two weeks before her passing. “She said, you know, it would be really neat if we could have a country western concert here someday. She said that would be really cool to have somebody like Luke Bryan or Jelly Roll.”

Mahon said he never reached out to concert organizers, and they had no idea about Cindy’s wish.

“That’s a pretty big coincidence,” he said. “I got to believe that she had something to do with this. She was always the one to be in the background, making things happen.”

In just a few days, thousands of music fans will gather on Mahon’s ranch, turning empty fields into a lively concert venue.

“She would be ecstatic about it,” Mahon said. “That’s 100% the motivation for me.”

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.