Author: CNN Newsource

By Rett Nelson

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    IDAHO FALLS (eastidahonews.com) — Idahoans are invited to complete 250,000 acts of service through July 4 as America celebrates its 250th anniversary this year.

Jessica Cooper Whiting, the executive chairman of the America250 in Idaho service challenge committee, made the announcement to a group of nonprofit volunteers gathered in the Melaleuca Conference Center in Idaho Falls Saturday morning. They were there as part of JustServe’s community action event designed to promote service opportunities.

Throughout 2026, the nonprofit is partnering with America250 in Idaho to “advance the ideals of the American Revolution … through meaningful community engagement and recognize, appreciate, and commemorate Idaho’s journey in America’s legacy.”

On Jan. 22, Rep. Brandon Mitchell, R-Moscow, will introduce a resolution in the Idaho Legislative Session in support of the 250,000 Acts of Service initiative. The resolution will be voted on and be documented on the state’s historical record.

“It will literally go down in history,” Whiting tells EastIdahoNews.com. “We have a lot of legislators that are really excited and supportive of this and we wanted to document it.”

Whiting and her team are inviting people across the state to help them “make history” by completing “intentional and measurable acts of service” over the next six months. JustServe, which has many service opportunities listed on its website, is a resource for those who need ideas. Participants are asked to log their service activities here to keep track of their progress.

Whiting wants to culminate the celebration with a statewide gathering later in the year. Those details have not been finalized.

Saturday’s news was the first public announcement about this initiative, which means Idaho Falls is piloting the program for the rest of the state.

Susan Stucki and her husband, Gaylen, are Just Serve Specialists for the Idaho Falls area who hosted Saturday’s event. Susan says they’re “honored” that Idaho Falls was selected to pilot the program and she has high hopes for turnout and participation.

“We’re planning to do a huge movement throughout eastern Idaho with organizations, businesses, clubs and churches collectively coming together in unity to serve the community,” Susan says.

Susan helped get the ball rolling Saturday by inviting those in attendance to help assemble cake kits for the Idaho Falls Community Food Basket.

The Community Food Basket was one of numerous nonprofits that were there.

Sharon Eubank, the humanitarian director for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — which oversees humanitarian projects worldwide, including JustServe — was the event’s keynote speaker. She highlighted some of the nonprofits on stage during a panel discussion.

Village Threads, which launched in October, was recognized as the newest organization. Founder Peggy Jessmore says it’s a community service group that provides feminine hygiene kits for girls in Africa. She put out an initial request on Facebook for sewing volunteers and got quite a response.

Jessmore first learned of the need in Africa while attending a craft fair in Arizona several years ago. A woman offered a similar service and she wanted to get involved. She took a business card so she could call her later.

After making a trip to Africa this year, she decided it was time to do something.

“I found that card, called her up and she said, ‘Let me just help you get a local organization going,’” Jessmore says.

She appreciates those who have responded so far and is eager to help the state achieve its goal of 250,000 acts of service.

To kick off the America250 celebration, Idaho State Treasurer Julie Ellsworth created a series of collectible cards depicting America’s founding fathers using Idaho potatoes. Martha-tot Washingtater, a depiction of the nation’s first 1st lady, Martha Washington, is the official mascot of America250 in Idaho.

Whiting touts Martha Washington’s efforts in helping soldiers during the Revolutionary War as a great example of service. For this reason, Whiting says Washington is “the perfect role model” for the 250,000 Acts of Service program.

“Our founding fathers truly did make a mark on history and (this service challenge) is a small way that every individual can be a part of making history right here,” Whiting says.

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 Athena Kehoe

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    BENSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — It started as a missing dog. Then it turned into the unimaginable for a Benson family.

Jerrie Schoenrock says her dog disappeared from her yard and was later found dead miles away, a case that is now part of a broader investigation into possible animal attacks in the Pomerene area.

Schoenrock had Sadie for nearly nine years. She says she rescued her after learning the dog had been abandoned by previous owners.

“She would have been 10 next month. A neighbor over here left her in their yard. They moved out and just left her in their yard, and another neighbor told me about her, so I went and got her,” she says.

Schoenrock says the night Sadie went missing felt ordinary. “She has her certain spots that she lays in when she’s out there, usually it’s in the front yard or on the front porch.”

But when Schoenrock went looking for her later that night, Sadie was gone.

“We have a 6 foot fence, and she wasn’t anywhere, so that’s when we started looking for her,” she says.

After searching on her own, Schoenrock turned to Facebook for help. The community responded. Two days later, Schoenrock says she found Sadie about five miles away from their home.

When she found Sadie, she says her dog collar was no longer around her neck.

“There was a cable, like an old bicycle cable or some sort attached to her collar. And that was still attached to it and that was removed and it was hanging in a tree, kind of right over where she was found and it was all bloodstained,” she explains.

The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office is investigating reports of animal attacks in the Pomerene area. Anyone who may have seen something suspicious is asked to call 88-CRIME. A $1,000 reward is being offered if information leads to an arrest.

“I’ve always felt pretty safe here, but I’m not so sure about now,” Schoenrock explains.

She says she wants whoever is responsible to be held accountable.

“I want this person to be caught. I want him to get the punishment that he deserves,” she says.

Schoenrock had Sadie cremated and keeps her ashes at home. She says it brings her comfort.

“She filled a lot of space here. She was my best friend here. So it’s hard,” she explains.

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 Barclay Idsal

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    BOISE, Idaho (KIVI) — Ferocious, elusive, and tenacious— in many ways, the wolverine is synonymous with the western persona.

Now, Zoo Boise visitors will be able to interact with this new personality in the form of 11-year-old Laura, who is named after the daughter of the iconic Marvel superhero.

Laura came to Zoo Boise from Zoo Montana and has moved into her newly renovated wolverine habitat located next to the carousel. Inside, Laura will be able to play on climbing structures and cool off in “cold-weather features.”

“Wolverines are iconic Idaho predators that few people have the chance to see up close,” said Boise Parks and Recreation Director Sara Arkle. “We’re thrilled to welcome Laura and introduce our community to a species that is powerful, elusive, and incredibly important to Idaho’s wild places.”

Wolverines are one of the rarest mammals housed in Zoos across the nation.

“Laura’s arrival is a milestone for Zoo Boise and a testament to our care and conservation focus,” said Zoo Director Gene Peacock. “She represents an opportunity for our community to learn about a unique and engaging species while giving back globally. As with all our animals, her presence also supports our mission: every guest who visits helps protect wildlife worldwide.”

The natural range for wolverines includes all the states in the Northern Rockies and Pacific Northwest (Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado), in addition to areas of Canada and Alaska.

An especially interesting aspect about Wolverines is that, unlike many of their mammal counterparts in similar regions, Wolverines give birth to “kits” during the coldest and darkest parts of winter. Wolverines typically dig deep caves within snowbanks to house their offspring, which are colored white to blend in with the snow.

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 Shannon Ogden

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    DENVER (KMGH) — A new report from Common Sense Institute (CSI) finds that Colorado ranks among the highest states in the country for homelessness and that it’s not housing affordability that’s driving it, it’s illicit drug use, crime rates, and policing levels.

The report examines 2024 homelessness data across all 50 states and the nation’s largest metro areas.

The CSI reports finds that Colorado ranks:

9th nationally in total homelessness rate 7th in chronic homelessness 10th in unsheltered homelessness 7th in homelessness involving severe mental illness 7th in homelessness involving chronic substance abuse Among the nation’s 50 largest metro areas, metropolitan Denver ranks:

5th in total homeless population 6th in chronically homeless individuals 4th in homeless individuals with severe mental illness 4th in homeless individuals with chronic substance abuse

Denver7 anchor Shannon Ogden spoke with the lead on the report, Dustin Zvonek, CSI Homelessness Fellow, and former Aurora city councilman.

Zvonek says the analysis found drug use rates show a stronger statistical relationship with homelessness than rent affordability, states with higher crime rates and fewer police per capita experience higher levels of homelessness and that high state spending alone does not correlate with improvement in homelessness.

“There are strong correlations especially drugs, substance abuse, and mental health challenges, crime rate, lots of other factors that are seen as drivers to homelessness,” said Zvonek.

“This is the one that a lot of people don’t like to acknowledge, they’ll often conflate significant use of synthetic opioids that are just turning people’s minds to mush and so these people are being categorized as having mental health or schizophrenia, when frankly they haven’t been sober in so long that they probably present that way,” added Zvonek.

Common Sense Institute is a non-partisan research organization dedicated to the protection and promotion of Colorado’s economy.

The report includes recommendations for reducing homelessness in Colorado and nationwide. Zvonek says much could be improved if the federal government shifted from making housing first a priority to treatment first.

He says for the last 20 years, the federal government through the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), distributes funding for homelessness programs primarily for those that offer unconditional housing with so-called wrap-around services offered. Meaning, there is no requirement to make use of the services like addiction treatment or job training.

CSI recommends a treatment first approach.That offers housing with the requirement that those being houses must also take part in the supportive services.

“The difference the housing first versus treatment first is that you still would have emergency shelters but to continue to stay in the housing – transitional housing – and everybody’s path to self-sufficiency is different – some people need three months, some six months, some 18 months – but key is they have to continually work with a case managers somebody who’s going to help individuals through a process of whether it’s job training, mental health support or drug addiction support, to help them achieve self-sufficiency,” said Zvonek.

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 Cate Cauguiran and ABC7 Chicago Digital Team

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    CHICAGO (WLS) — The body of a Chicago Public Schools teacher who went missing over one week ago was pulled from Lake Michigan on Monday morning, officials said.

The Chicago Police Department said its marine unit recovered a woman’s body from the water in the 3100-block of South Lake Shore Drive on the city’s South Side just before noon.

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the woman as 53-year-old Robert Healy Elementary special education teacher Linda Brown.

Police said Brown was seen on Saturday, Jan. 3 in the Bronzeville neighborhood’s 4500-block of South King Drive, not far from where she lived.

Investigators later found her car near 35th and Lake Park Avenue.

Police said in a statement on Friday afternoon that a surveillance image had captured Brown, at an unknown time and day, in the area of the 3500-block South Lake Park Avenue, before her body was ultimately recovered on Monday.

Brown’s family spent days searching for her.

Those who knew Brown have described her as a loving woman and wife. In a text message, her family said they are “absolutely heartbroken.”

Brown’s former student, Rene Lopez, said she had a unique way of reaching people.

“She just made us believe in a sense of hope,” Lopez said. “She just created a sense of community, a safe space within her classroom.”

Brown was Lopez’s sixth grade homeroom and science teacher at Dr. Jorge Prieto Math & Science Academy, and she also taught his brother and 10 of his cousins.

“We always carried a piece of her with us. We always reached out for advice, and she always had a safe space for us to be able to ask questions, to express ourselves,” Lopez said.

Lopez said he became the first in his family to graduate, and Linda played a strong role in that.

“I want the city of Chicago to really understand how much of an impact she played to her community,” Lopez said. “Although she’s no longer here physically, her legacy will continue to flourish through all the lives that she was able to touch.”

Former CPS teacher Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson issued a statement on Monday, saying, “I am deeply saddened by the news of Linda Brown’s passing. As a special education teacher at Healy Elementary she made an immeasurable impact on countless young lives and was a vital member of the Bridgeport community. I’m praying for her family, and for her students as they grieve and remember Linda and all the joy she brought.”

Robert Healy Elementary’s principal sent a message to the school community on Monday, saying, “It is with deep sadness that I update you on a situation impacting our community. Ms. Linda Brown, one of our teachers, has passed away. Our thoughts are with her family during this difficult time. We know that this loss will raise many emotions, concerns, and questions for our entire school, especially our students.

We are working closely with the Chicago Public Schools Crisis Management Unit to provide grief counseling and support to students and staff members. Our own school-based mental health professionals will also be available for students who need ongoing services.

Information about the funeral service will be made available as soon as we have it. If your child wishes to attend, we strongly encourage you to accompany them to the service. If the funeral is scheduled during school hours, students who wish to attend will need parental permission to be released from school.

We are deeply saddened by this loss and will do everything we can to help our school community heal.”

On Monday, police said they are conducting a death investigation, pending autopsy results.

How Brown ended up in the water was not immediately clear.

Her cause of death was not immediately known.

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 Derek James

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    MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Some students in Minneapolis returned to class on Monday, but others stayed home over safety concerns following the deadly U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement shooting on Wednesday.

The district is offering families the option of remote learning for January.

Young people continue to make their voices heard as federal agents increase their presence outside schools and near school bus stops.

As students returned to class on Monday, planned walkouts took place across the Metro.

From Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis, where an ICE operation took place last Wednesday, near where Renee Good was killed, to Roseville and Maple Grove.

The student walkouts are a show of solidarity and concern, not only for classmates, but for their communities.

“My church has been getting threats because it was associated with Renee Good,” said Ria De Looze, a senior at Maple Grove High School. “I know a lot of my friends who might not necessarily be immigrants are feeling fear just on the possibility of being racially profiled.”

The Maple Grove protest stayed on campus with speeches, a short march and a remembrance for Good.

“The heart of the message is to express our need for justice,” said De Looze.

Roseville Area High School students walked from their school to the Grace Church parking lot, stopping along the way on the Hamline Avenue Pedestrian Bridge.

At Roosevelt High School, many of the students saw Border Patrol agents come onto school property as school was getting out. Their message, stay away.

While the districts have not endorsed the protests, they have acknowledged the weight of the moment and students’ First Amendment rights in letters to parents. A freedom students say is needed now more than ever.

“If you don’t speak up, it’s going to continue happening,” said Zaden Grulkowski, a sophomore at Maple Grove High School.

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 Lesley Marin, Dean Fioresi

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    LOS ANGELES (KCAL, KCBS) — The abandoned Westminster Mall has turned into a hotspot for vandalism since shuttering in late 2025, according to police who are attempting to raise awareness about the issue.

“The Westminster Police Department has become aware of multiple videos on social media showing tagging, vandalism, and trespassing amongst other criminal activity occurring inside the Westminster mall,” said a Facebook post from the department.

They said that they have partnered wth onsite security and the property owners to help try and mitigate the issue, which has turned into more than 400 calls for service at the location since it closed in October last year.

Westminster police spoke with CBS LA on Monday, noting that the constant calls have been drawing a lot of the department’s resources in recent months.

“It’s tapping us dry through most of our shifts,” said Officer Andy Stowers.

Over the weekend alone, police said that they were called for service at the abandoned property 57 times, resulting in 30 arrests and 20 reports made.

“The Westminster mall is closed and no persons are allowed inside,” police said. “The Westminster Police Department will be conducting full enforcement for any criminal activity committed at the mall.”

Stowers had a strong message for people planning to continue vandalizing the mall.

“Please just don’t go inside. We are gonna arrest anybody and everybody that we’re able to for various crimes, different reasons, whatever it is we can do to keep people out of the property,” he said.

Video posted on social media shows the chaos inside the massive vacant building. The walls have been covered in graffiti and the floors are covered in the shattered glass from the windows of now-empty storefronts. In the background of the video, the sound of banging and breaking glass can be heard.

“It was heartbreaking and scary. I’m not gonna lie, I was super scared,” said Donny Mohler, a former mall employee who recorded now-viral video over the weekend.

He said that he didn’t see any security personnel on the premises the entire time he was there.

“It was wide open,” Mohler said.

As of Monday evening, some entrances to the mall had been blocked by chainlink fences. All of the first floor doors and windows were boarded up as well.

City officials voted in 2022 to replace the mall with a housing, apartments, restaurants, hotels and more, but there was no timetable for when that project would be completed.

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 Mike Dyer

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    ERLANGER, Kentucky (WCPO) — Lloyd Memorial senior point guard Anthony Blaackar always seems to have a smile around school.

“It doesn’t matter if he scores 30 points or 10 and we lose,” Lloyd athletic director Bill Pilgram said. “He seems to keep everything in perspective and sees the balance of life. He appreciates the natural gift he has of playing the game of basketball.”

Blaackar’s gift on the basketball court was on display last week in the Juggernauts’ 63-53 win at Holy Cross. He and those who know the star best are still reflecting on his 30-point and 10-rebound performance.

“It was kind of like an out-of-body experience at some point for me because I was just watching him,” Lloyd boys basketball coach Michael Walker said. “He was just hitting every shot. Being 13 of 19 from the floor — that’s really, really good. He was just efficient. He also played great defense that night as well. I think that’s going to be one of the games he’s going to remember for a while.”

Blaackar, who is uncommitted to a college program, is a 9th Region Player of the Year candidate. He followed up that performance at Holy Cross with a 31-point game at Scott on Jan. 8. Through 13 games, Blaackar averages 22.8 points and seven rebounds for Lloyd (10-3).

“I’m having a lot of fun,” Blaackar said. “We’re winning. I think we’re shocking a lot of people.”

Lloyd has its sights set on a possible return trip to the Ninth Region final for a second straight season. The Juggernauts were the regional runner-up last season in the program’s first appearance in the game since 1996.

“I feel like a lot of people underestimated us coming into the season,” Blaackar said. “But now we’re starting to see we’re a pretty good basketball team.”

Lloyd has persevered all season. The program’s culture has set a significant standard.

“I love how no matter what, no matter what we go through, everybody always sticks together,” Blaackar said. “It’s like one big family here.”

Lloyd senior point guard Anthony Blaackar (left) moved in with head coach Michael Walker and his family two years ago. Family means everything to the 18-year-old, who moved in with Walker and his family two years ago. Blaackar has persevered through adversity in life.

Walker and his wife, Brittany, have shared life lessons. Blaackar is best friends with University of South Carolina freshman EJ Walker, a former Lloyd star and Michael and Brittany’s son.

While basketball talk stays at Lloyd, Coach Walker and Blaackar have formed a special bond.

“Being around him and this program, it teaches you to take nothing for granted,” Blaackar said. “And it really teaches you how to become a man.”

Blaackar, who excels academically, has improved his time management, his effort with chores and has embraced responsibility.

“It’s been a joy to have him in our house and call him family, along with his mother (Megan) and his grandmother (Roberta) as well,” Walker said. “It’s just been a blessing.”

Megan Blaackar, Anthony’s mother, said she’s very proud of her son’s efforts. She still remembers arriving home from third shift at 4 a.m. years ago as Anthony held a basketball in his hand with a plastic hoop.

“I think his life is going great,” Megan said.

Megan, who attends each of Lloyd’s games this season, said she’s grateful for the support that the Walker family has provided. Megan knows her son has a bright future.

“I really hope that he gets to do what he wants to do, play basketball and continue his education,” Megan said.

Lloyd senior point guard Anthony Blaackar and his mother, Megan. Pilgram said the Walker family continues to embrace Blaackar while the star point guard excels with their guidance.

“Coaches and players talk all of the time about the importance of caring for each other and becoming a family, but Anthony and Coach Walker have put that notion into real-life action, gaining a lifetime relationship that will impact each of them forever,” Pilgram said.

Blaackar said he is grateful for Walker in his life.

“He’s paved my way of high school basketball and really helps you,” Blaackar said. “He’ll take time out of his day to help anybody. And that’s what a lot of people don’t know about him. He’s a really good guy off the court. He’s welcomed me in.”

Blaackar will continue to smile and invest his time and commitment to basketball. He also enjoys playing chess on an app before every game. It’s a way to calm his nerves before tip-off.

That approach has paid dividends throughout the season. Blaackar is certainly a leader the Juggernauts can count on in basketball and beyond.

“I never want to make anybody’s day a negative day,” Blaackar said. “I want to try to be as positive as possible. And really a bad morale or being upset or something — it’s not going to help anyone. It is ok to be upset and stuff, but I’d rather be a positive, uplifting guy who can smile and enjoy themselves.”

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.