Author: CNN Newsource

By Megan West

Click here for updates on this story

    JACKSON, Miss. (WAPT) — A longtime Millsaps College professor is suing the school, claiming he was fired for sending an email to his students following the 2024 presidential election. He says the message was meant to show care for them.

Professor James Bowley taught religious studies at Millsaps for 23 years. The day after the election, he canceled his class and emailed his students, writing that they needed time to “mourn a racist and fascist country.”

“I sent an email and said class canceled, and I said the reason is that we need time to mourn a racist and fascist country, and that’s exactly what I think,” Bowley said.

Bowley said hours later, the interim dean called him. He was banned from campus and locked out of his email.

“She said it was for that email,” Bowley said. “I had no idea what it was for, and that was it, I was out.”

The college placed Bowley on leave. He appealed the decision and won, but he says Millsaps ignored that outcome and terminated his employment anyway. A petition circulated on campus calling for his reinstatement.

“As an expert on the rise of fascism and Nazism, which includes racism, I felt I was completely in line to use those two words for what is happening in our country,” Bowley said. “Academic freedom is the basis of all true education. If professors are not allowed to share their ideas, then we don’t have real education.”

Matt Steffey, a law professor, said the university could have responded differently.

“It seems to me that if the university was really concerned about that text, there’s a lot more measured responses they could’ve come up with,” Steffey said. “You’d expect a place that’s proud of its academic reputation to have room for conversations that are a lot tougher than what’s at issue here.”

Millsaps College released a statement acknowledging the lawsuit: “We are aware of the lawsuit. We welcome the opportunity to tell the whole story and believe the facts of this matter will speak clearly during the court process ahead.”

Bowley’s federal lawsuit alleges violations of his First Amendment rights and breach of contract.

“I hope it ends with justice for me,” Bowley said, “whether that’s reinstatement and academic freedom becoming an important principle at Millsaps again.”

Please note: 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 Norah Hogan

Click here for updates on this story

    WINDHAM, Maine (WMTW) — Local businesses are stepping up to help as nearly 170,000 Mainers prepare to lose their SNAP benefits because of the ongoing government shutdown.

When Hailey’s Kitchen owner Rebecca Coffin heard the news, she decided to act fast.

“If somebody comes in and can afford something, give it to them,” Coffin said.

Since making the announcement, community members have sprung into action. Some have donated money toward group meals, while others are “paying it forward” by purchasing an extra coffee or sandwich on their way out.

“A lot of people just want to help. We just need to know who to give the money to,” said Joyce Foley, who drove to Windham with her husband Peter Foley to donate to Hailey’s Kitchen. “I mean, I can’t invite everyone to my little house to feed them, you know, but a place like this can.”

Coffin said community support has been key to her efforts.

“If I had to do 100 meals a day, that would be a deficit for my business,” she said. “But with the support of the community, I can do that.”

Gorham resident Lindsay Santiago has relied on SNAP for years.

“I’m starting to get into panic mode already,” Santiago said.

She’s out of work due to a disability and has an 11-year-old daughter to feed.

“I feel like some people aren’t going to have choices,” she said. “You worry about what’s going to be available at the pantry in a week. So there are a lot of question marks right now.”

Community members like the Foleys hope others will step in to help their neighbors.

“If you know the upstairs neighbor or your family member who is in need of something like this, don’t hesitate,” Peter said.

“Just do it and vote for the people that it won’t take SNAP away,” added Joyce.

Coffin said she hopes other local businesses will join in to help, to provide meals while easing the burden on local food pantries.

Please note: 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 Maria Wilson

Click here for updates on this story

    GOFFSTOWN, N.H. (WMUR) — Exclusive video obtained by News 9 Investigates shows the moment two dispatchers in Hillsborough County stopped a man wearing only a Speedo and a hat from entering the building.

Cory Nickerson, 50, of Goffstown, has pleaded not guilty to several charges, including assault, criminal threatening and false imprisonment.

Police said two dispatchers were assaulted in the incident on Aug. 9, and one was seriously hurt.

The surveillance video shows Nickerson interacting with one of the dispatchers as he appears to be trying to get from the vestibule of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office into the dispatch center.

Police said Nickerson was able to force his way into the building by following an employee through a secured door. He then allegedly physically assaulted two dispatchers before running from the building and leading police on a brief chase.

“Typically they’re here, rendering assistance, over the phone and over the radio for people that are calling 911 or have an emergency that they need assistance for, and they found themselves in, needing assistance here,” Hillsborough County Sheriff Brian Newcomb said.

The video shows one of the employees pushing Nickerson out the door as he appears to fight back.

Newcomb commended the dispatchers for their bravery in what he called a “random attack.”

“Luckily, they’re safe, and we’re happy they’re safe. But again, there are lasting effects to this, as they did sustain some seriously bodily injury, and certainly, the emotional damage, you know, coming to work every day and knowing that this is where the act happened,” Newcomb said.

After decades at the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Newcomb said he has never seen anything like this.

“It hasn’t happened in my 24 years here, and hopefully it never happens again,” he said.

Nickerson is being held in jail.

Please note: 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 Ed DiOrio

Click here for updates on this story

    GREENSBURG, Pa. (WTAE) — A man is accused of scamming his autistic coworker out of over $5,000. Scott Soles is charged with theft by deception, extortion, and unlawful taking.

“They’re just trying to get a friendship,” Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Steve Limani said. “They want to have friends. Somebody preyed upon that who worked with them.”

The victim, who remains unidentified, worked at Hillview Motors off Route 30 in Greensburg. He had worked there for years through his special needs school’s transition to work program.

“They’re doing what they can to provide and make the people feel worthy,” Limani said. “I think [Hillview Motors] should be applauded for taking on those individuals and helping them assimilate into life as best as they can.”

It was at the dealership where the autistic man met Soles. Police say in March, Soles started telling the victim that he’d introduce him to some new friends in exchange for cash.

“That’s the disgusting part of this case,” Limani said. “[Soles] was able to take advantage of somebody’s want for friendship. He was instructing the autistic gentleman to drop off the money into his vehicle so that other people wouldn’t see the hand-to-hand transaction of the money.”

Police say this went on for five months. Soles allegedly threatened the victim’s employment over text if the suspect wasn’t paid. By the time the victim’s family found out, the man had given away $5,370.

“[Soles] had him deleting text messages for months,” Limani said. “Our victim was doing it. He was doing that because he just wanted to make friends.

“They do it because they want to be accepted,” Dr. John Carosso, from the Autism Centers of Pittsburgh, said. “God bless them. This is so sad. Taking advantage of that want for social interaction is deplorable.”

Dr. Carosso has worked with people on the spectrum for three decades. He said this promise is one of the most vulnerable desires someone with autism can have.

“The vast majority, they really want to socialize,” Dr. Carosso said. “They want to have friends. They want to be engaged. They end up struggling socially, but not because they don’t want to. They oftentimes don’t pick up on social cues. They don’t pick up on nuisances.”

In July, the victim’s parents noticed texts from Soles on their son’s phone. That’s when they contacted the police, and an investigation was launched.

That led to Soles being taken into custody and charged earlier this week.

“The District Attorney’s Office is going to move forward with every possibility of getting this money back,” Limani said. “It’s a shame. It’s disgusting. I’m very disappointed that people would do something like that.”

“This [case] speaks to the importance of continuing that vigilance,” Dr. Carosso added. “You let your guard down, and these things can happen so easily.”

Please note: 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 Meghan Moriarty

Click here for updates on this story

    BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. (WESH) — From eBay to Facebook Marketplace, sellers are trying to make thousands of dollars off debris from failed SpaceX Starship test flights.

While the mega rocket has been successful in its last two launches, previous test flights ended in explosions, with many people across the country claiming to have discovered fragments of the rocket on land.

Research chemist Ken Kremer warns the pieces could be dangerous.

“Right after the launch — and the explosion — when it first falls into the water, it can be very toxic,” Kremer said. “There are a lot of toxic propellants and adhesives that they use and other materials. So you don’t want to touch that.”

Some listings on eBay are selling tiles for nearly $3,500. One sale ended with a $5,000 payout.

“I don’t think it’s worth anything,” Kremer said. He added that it’s difficult to prove their authenticity, but most tiles will have serial numbers on them.

Here locally, a man from Cocoa Beach is selling 75 pieces of what he said is heat shield material from fin hinges for $995.

“The best thing is to call law enforcement and give it to them, and then you’ll find out if it’s real or not,” Kremer said. “That’s going to be helpful scientifically to figure out why it fell there and what happened to it on burnup.”

He said learning why certain pieces landed in specific spots could help prevent future issues.

Please note: 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 Gina Tomlinson

Click here for updates on this story

    FORT MYERS, Fla. (WBBH) — Whether you’re mad about it or excited to see it, this new attraction has definitely brought the wild inside Edison Mall in Fort Myers.

Inside the Fort Myers shopping center, a new business called Exotic Animal Playground is offering visitors a chance to get up close with animals most people only see in zoos …. lemurs, otters, foxes, and even a spider monkey.

The business, which opened just over five weeks ago, lets guests book short, hands-on sessions with exotic animals. Owners Kayla and Kyle Kocon say the goal is to educate people about wildlife in a fun and personal way.

“They’re all baby animals, so they like the attention,” Kayla said. “It actually helps them with the socializing.”

Kocon says the animals are rescues or can’t live in the wild anymore. She says they spend their nights at a private sanctuary the couple runs and are only brought to the mall for limited sessions during the day.

“The animals don’t live here at the mall,” she said. “If they don’t want to come here that day, I don’t force them. They have their getaway areas, and they know when they need a break.”

Inside the storefront, visitors can see signs reminding guests to respect the animals’ space. Kocon says the facility is inspected by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and that the business’s permits hang right in the lobby.

Under Florida law, businesses are allowed to exhibit exotic animals as long as they have the proper state permits and meet housing and safety requirements. The city of Fort Myers and FWC say the business has all the paperwork. But even though it’s legal, not everyone agrees it’s right.

Animal advocacy group PETA says mall-based animal encounters like this are stressful and unsafe for the animals involved.

“There are plenty of ways to educate people on how amazing animals can be without keeping them confined in shopping malls,” said Cydnee Bence, with PETA’s Captive Animal Law Enforcement Division. “Animals are not playground equipment. They’re subjected to bright lights, loud noises, and constant handling, which can cause stress and injuries.”

The new attraction has sparked plenty of discussion. Some shoppers are excited to see it. Others are uneasy.

“I’m not for it at all,” said Fort Myers resident Mark Matlock. “They’re exotic animals. They shouldn’t be allowed.”

But others say they see no harm in it.

“It sounds pretty cool,” said Ricky Baker, another Fort Myers resident. “My grandson’s visiting in February, and I’ll take him there.”

Kocon says she understands the criticism but hopes people will see the operation firsthand before judging.

“I like seeing people’s faces when they leave,” she said. “They walk away with a new respect for the animals.”

Please note: 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 WGAL Staff

Click here for updates on this story

    TOWNSHIP OF HANOVER, Pa. (WGAL) — The Pennsylvania Game Commission is investigating an incident in Dauphin County where a crossbow bolt was fired through a home window, piercing an interior door in West Hanover Township.

This occurred on Saturday, Oct. 4, at a residence near Allentown Boulevard.

Around 4:30 p.m., the state game warden reported that someone was driving a dark-colored Ford pickup truck parked in the Comfort Inn parking lot.

Two individuals dressed in camouflage exited the vehicle and entered a nearby field. About three hours later, they returned to the truck and left.

During this time, a crossbow bolt, identified as a carbon arrow, was shot through a window of a neighboring home and became lodged in an interior door.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Southeast Region or the Operation Game Thief hotline.

Please note: 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 David Collins

Click here for updates on this story

    PHOENIX, Md. (WBAL) — Concerns arose this week over bridge safety in Baltimore County after a small bridge collapsed amid a crash.

WBAL-TV 11 News Investigates spoke with a county official, examined bridge inspection information and visited several bridges in person to get further insight on Baltimore County’s approach to bridge maintenance.

The Baltimore County Department of Public Works and Transportation told WBAL-TV 11 News Investigates that its crews inspect the county’s bridges on two-year cycles.

Carroll Road bridge collapse: The aftermath The Carroll Road bridge that collapsed Monday amid a septic truck crash is one of some 717 structures Baltimore County maintains, 85 of which are at least 100 years old.

No one was injured in Monday’s collapse in Phoenix, and crews brought in a crane Tuesday to remove the wreckage.

A team of DPWT engineers and contractors converged Wednesday at the collapsed bridge to brainstorm how to remove the septic truck and other debris. They also need to figure out the extent of damage to the bridge.

“Our engineers are at the scene assessing the situation, determining with contractors what the best course of action will be in the short-term and long-term,” DPWT spokesman Ron Snyder told WBAL-TV 11 News.

According to public records obtained by WBAL-TV 11 News, inspectors downgraded the condition of the Carroll Road bridge in 2023 from satisfactory to fair, noting decaying timber and loose bolts. County officials have said none of the defects in the report were deemed significant enough to warrant immediate response.

The Baltimore County-maintained structure, which dates back to 1879, was one of Maryland’s remaining historic metal truss bridges. While it had a 51,000-pound weight limit, officials have said it’s too early to determine whether weight was a factor in the collapse.

Septic truck driver: ‘It was like a bad dream’ Baltimore County police conducted a separate investigation into the crash itself and found the truck was not in violation for crossing the bridge, and no citations were issued.

WBAL-TV 11 News Investigates spoke with the driver of the septic truck, John Cossentino, who said he believes the construction of the bridge was not adequate for the structure’s certification.

“I have been cleared of all fault,” Cossentino told WBAL-TV 11 News Investigates. “They weighed every single ounce of my truck and every single ounce of the load that I was carrying. I was 10,000 pounds under the certified limit.”

“Glass was shattering on me, a big beam on the bridge came down on me; it was like a bad dream.”

Cossentino told WBAL-TV 11 News Investigates what led to the crash.

“The bridge had collapsed first, which had triggered the tree to fall. There is a cattle fence, there was two big metal wires connecting the two trees together. When the bridge went down, the side of the bridge fell on this big metal cord. A cattle fence that was probably installed over 100 years ago. It’s like an elevator shaft cable, very thick. When the bridge collapsed, it triggered the tree to fall,” Cossentino told WBAL-TV 11 News Investigates. “Glass was shattering on me, a big beam on the bridge came down on me; it was like a bad dream.”

DPWT: Entire bridge inventory inspected very 2 years WBAL-TV 11 News Investigates found the median age of major bridges longer than 20 feet is 50 years. Last year, DPWT completed 72 bridge repairs at a cost of $3.3 million.

“In the last calendar year, we inspected over 100 structures, and we make sure the entire inventory is inspected at least every two years,” Snyder told WBAL-TV 11 News.

Among the county’s bridges is the 1930s-era wooden Mantua Mill Road bridge over Deadman Run. The bridge is classified as a high priority to replace the deck; the structure itself is in satisfactory condition, according to public records.

The Sparks Road bridge, built in 1888 and reconstructed in 1990, is one of the county’s 14 truss bridges. Public records warn that further development in the area could impact the traffic needs of the bridge.

“The definitions you see in the report don’t necessarily mean those structures are not safe to cross. If they are not, our inspectors always err on the side of caution,” Snyder told WBAL-TV 11 News. “In between inspections, if we find something that is concerning, we will follow up with additional inspections. And, if something becomes a critical need to repair, we obviously take any measure that we can to ensure the safety of those that cross the bridge.”

Baltimore County’s inspection practices follow federal and state requirements.

Please note: 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.