White Plains passes resolution against ICE tactics; considers banning masked agents

CNN Newsource on March 5, 2026

By Peter Katz, Westfair’s Westchester County Business Journal

Click here for updates on this story

    White Plains, NY (westfaironline.com) — The City of White Plains is the county seat of Westchester County, New York, and is a northern suburb of New York City. In a unanimous vote at its March 4 meeting, the White Plains Common Council approved a resolution that puts it on the record as supporting immigrants and denouncing the current tactics being used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to conceal the identity of agents.

When discussing the resolution, Councilman Jeremiah Frei-Pearson raised the possibility of going further and determining whether the city can draft, pass and enforce an ordinance that would making it illegal for ICE agents and other law enforcement operating in the city to wear masks and otherwise conceal their identity including by not displaying badges except when operating undercover.

According to census statistics, the City of White Plains in 2024 had a population of 62,561 of which 32.1% identify as Hispanic or Latino, with 30.7% being foreign born.

The resolution that was approved says, “White Plains recognizes that these immigrants from throughout the world work hard and contribute positively to our city, state and nation, strengthening our economy and our community.”

While the resolution did not mention the Trump administration or Donald Trump by name, it accused the administration of pursuing immigration enforcement policies and actions based on fear and intimidation. The federal government is accused of engaging in violence against both non-citizens and citizens as well as using inhumane tactics such as family separation. The resolution cites the recent shootings of two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis by federal agents.

The resolution blasts the administration for having federal agents cover their faces with masks so they cannot be readily identified, not wearing clear identification and not displaying badges as do members of the White Plains Police Department.

The resolution notes that White Plains police do not participate in immigration-related activities by federal agencies and White Plains police do not profile people based on race, ethnicity, skin color, or language spoken.

The resolution urges members of the New York State Legislature as well as the U.S. Congress to pass laws prohibiting federal law enforcement officials from concealing their identities in any way and ensuring that they openly identify themselves to protect immigrant communities.

Frei-Pearson noted that 37 people have died in ICE custody since Donald Trump returned to the White House.

“We condemn that,” Frei-Pearson said. “We condemn our federal government building giant concentration camp systems. We condemn the hateful rhetoric and the fearmongering and the scapegoating against our immigrant community. Now, I’m not opposed to all immigration enforcement. It makes good sense to have immigration agents protecting our borders. It does not make sense to have poorly trained people in masks conducting military operations and mass roundups inside our country.”

Frei-Pearson said that in functioning democracies law enforcement shows their faces except in rare circumstances. He spoke of White Plains police showing their faces and added that prior to 2025 ICE agents showed their faces. He noted that fascist governments often have secret police that wear masks.

Councilwoman Evelyn Alicea-Santiago said, “If we do nothing we are making a statement. That statement is that we accept what is happening to our immigrant brothers and sisters across the country. Most immigrants who have been violently captured and detained do not meet the test of criminality. Criminality now includes people in our community who work very hard, are law-abiding members of our community, send their children to school and give back to the community in the form of labor and taxes paid and invigorate our economy.”

Mayor Justin Brasch said, “My grandparents were immigrants, no different than the immigrants in our city today. Hard-working people who work and contribute to our society and just want the freedoms and rights that we have as Americans. That’s all they want, to join  our lovely, American, diverse family and unfortunately they are filled with fear and intimidation and that’s totally unacceptable.”

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.

Peter Katz
pkatz@westfairinc.com

Latest California-based gig work app lets people book content creators, editors

CNN Newsource on March 5, 2026

By Itay Hod

Click here for updates on this story

    SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX) — It’s 10 a.m. sharp, and Abby Kurtz gets her first assignment of the day. She’s received a time, a location in San Francisco and a target.

Her weapon of choice: an iPhone.

“Being a social agent is really the coolest thing ever,” she said.

Kurtz is a content creator working through an app called Social Agent, part of an expanding gig economy where more and more workers are trading stability for flexibility. Work that once required connections, planning, and a big budget can now be booked with a tap —extending the on-demand model from rides and meals to storytelling itself.

Just make a request, and someone like Kurtz can arrive within 30 minutes, camera-ready.

“What I look for when I’m shooting events is very crisp and clean content,” she said.

Her mission this time took her to Sutro Nursery, a nonprofit dedicated to growing native plants and that is hoping to grow its volunteer base, too. Board member Maryann Rainey said booking a Social Agent is a lot cheaper than hiring someone to do their social media full-time.

“I know I can’t do it myself, and I was certainly hoping that these young people would know how to do a good film,” Rainey said.

A typical job runs about $200, with same-day delivery. Agents earn around $50 an hour, plus tips. And if clients already have footage, they can upload it and have it turned into a finished piece.

The service is currently available in New York, Los Angeles, and Miami, with a slower rollout now underway in other cities.

Lisa Jammal, the company’s CEO, said the idea is simple: Let someone else do the shooting.

“We all are missing those beautiful moments because we’re always behind the phone,” she said.

As for Kurtz, after the shoot, she headed straight to a nearby coffee shop, where the clock started ticking. She had just over an hour to shape her raw material into a polished final cut.

“I think I’m going to give this reel a really peaceful, calming feel, but also informative and inviting,” she said.

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.

Bay Area driver unscathed after dozing off and crashing into big rig

CNN Newsource on March 5, 2026

By Jose Fabian

Click here for updates on this story

    SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX) — The California Highway Patrol said a driver who dozed off and crashed into a big rig walked away with no injuries on Wednesday morning.

The crash happened early in the morning on eastbound Highway 580, east of North Flynn Road.

According to the CHP, they were heading home after work and told officers they dozed off while driving.

While the vehicle came to a stop underneath the big rig, the driver was not injured, the CHP said.

The crash happened on eastbound Highway 580 early Wednesday morning.

“Remember, driving tired/sleepy can be just as dangerous as driving impaired. If you ever feel this fatigued, find a safe place to stop and get some rest,” the CHP said.

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.

Georgia city passes ordinance protecting natural hairstyles

CNN Newsource on March 5, 2026

By Jamal Goss

Click here for updates on this story

    MABLETON, Georgia (WUPA) — The City of Mableton has passed a local ordinance aimed at preventing discrimination based on natural hairstyles in schools and workplaces.

The measure mirrors the CROWN Act, which stands for “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair.” The law protects styles such as braids, locks, Afros and twists from discrimination.

Supporters say the ordinance addresses a problem many Black residents say they have experienced for years. At Health in Hair and Wellness Hair Loss Center, master cosmetologist Dyniecia Barnes said she often sees clients feel pressure to change their hair when preparing for job interviews or professional photos.

“When people have to hide their hair in life, it’s almost like it’s a form of shame,” Barnes said.

Barnes said many of her clients feel they must alter their appearance to meet workplace expectations.

“If they have to apply for employment … I gotta slick them out,” Barnes said. “The natural hair is still deemed unacceptable or unprofessional or unpolished.”

Client Ijah Porter said she has experienced similar pressure while working in corporate environments.

“Just being a Black woman here in America, especially corporate America, there’s always been this double consciousness,” Porter said.

Porter said she has sometimes changed her hairstyle to meet perceived professional standards. “On a Friday, I might have my braids,” Porter said. “Come Monday morning, I’m looking like a whole brand new person.”

City Councilwoman Keisha Jeffcoat said hearing stories like Porter’s helped motivate her to push for the ordinance.

“I’ve had a lot of personal stories..students who were having to make adjustments to their hair because it didn’t fit the uniform code of the school, and also in the workplace,” Jeffcoat said.

The ordinance creates local protections against discrimination based on natural hair or protective styles in workplaces and schools within Mableton. For Porter, the new law represents hope for her daughter and future generations.

“She should be able to get any position or have any opportunity, regardless of what her hair looks like,” Porter said. “That doesn’t define you.”

Mableton becomes the first city in Cobb County to pass a local CROWN Act ordinance. Nationally, more than 40 municipalities and several states have adopted similar protections.

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.

3 women found dead, suspect remains at large

CNN Newsource on March 5, 2026

By Ryan Marion

Click here for updates on this story

    WAYNE COUNTY, Utah (KSTU) — Three women were found dead at multiple scenes across Wayne County on Wednesday, including a local hiking trail.

The Utah Department of Public Safety and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the homicides in Torrey and surrounding areas.

Due to a suspect remaining at large, law enforcement urges residents in the areas to take extra precautions, such as locking doors, remaining at home or with others, and being vigilant about surroundings.

Two women were originally found dead Wednesday afternoon on an unidentified trail, and a third victim was later found dead inside a Wayne County home.

The first two victims were a woman in their 30s and a woman in their 60s, while the woman found in the home was in her 80s.

None of the victims have been identified as next of kin notifications are underway.

An investigation is centered around a 2022 White Subaru Outback with license plate U560YF. Anyone with information on the car is asked to call dispatch at 435-896-6471.

The Wayne County School District has canceled all classes Thursday and Friday out of an abundance of caution, with counselors being available for students upon return to school next week.

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.

Threats at church lead to arrest; guns found in vehicle and home

CNN Newsource on March 4, 2026

By Robert Desaulniers

Click here for updates on this story

    ELLENSBURG, Washington (KAPP) — An investigation is underway after a person made threats at a church and guns were found in their vehicle and home on Sunday, Ellensburg police said.

According to the Ellensburg Police Department, at about 2 p.m. on March 1, police heard two people made threatening statements in a church and guns may be involved. Officers said they arrived to find a man and a woman from Moses Lake who had recently begun visiting the church. Officers said they were told the woman appeared to be experiencing a mental health crisis and had threatened to harm people at the church.

Police said church staff and two patrons confirmed the man was armed with a handgun and had a rifle in his vehicle that had been modified to fire in a fully-automatic fashion. Police said the man cooperated with church staff and surrendered the guns to them. Church staff later turned those weapons over to law enforcement.

Police said the man was arrested for unlawful possession of a firearm, and the woman was detained for a mental health evaluation. Detectives searched a home in Moses Lake and found another gun as well as ammunition. Police said the man is being held on $1 million bail, and additional charges may be pending. Police said an investigation is ongoing, but there is no threat to the public.

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.

Irvine teen breaks silence after at-home science lab sparks FBI hazmat investigation

CNN Newsource on March 4, 2026

By Bianca Buono

Click here for updates on this story

    IRVINE, Calif. (KABC) — An Irvine teen whose at-home science lab led to a weeklong FBI hazardous materials investigation is speaking out.

Amalvin Fritz, 17, has had a passion for science from a young age, participating in academic pentathlon, California’s GATE program for gifted and high-achieving students, and skipping high school. After starting his freshman year of college at age 14, he is now months away from earning his degree from UC Irvine.

Fritz is studying biological sciences and created a lab in the garage of his family’s home within the Altair community. He conducts experiments and is studying reactions that are common in the medical field, particularly when developing cures for diseases. For the past year and a half, he has featured some of his work on his YouTube channel.

He believes the investigation is a big misunderstanding.

“I believe they had a little bit of concern as this is not something that you usually see inside a home, because not a lot of people are very passionate about science, and that’s something I hope to change,” Fritz said.

The incident began last Monday when a maintenance worker responded to a leak inside Fritz’s family home. It was unrelated to his garage setup; however, his lab caught the worker’s attention. The worker notified the landlord, who called authorities.

The Irvine Police Department and Orange County Fire Authority initially responded to the report of “suspicious circumstances,” and stated that items needed further investigation. The FBI’s hazmat team and the California National Guard’s 9th Civil Support Team — which handles weapons of mass destruction — were brought in.

Fritz and his family stayed in a hotel for a week while the investigation unfolded. Crews were seen going in and out of his home wearing full hazmat suits.

“It was a small chemistry setup. I wouldn’t describe it as anything more complex than a sixth-grade science lab,” Fritz said.

Fritz said there was not an active experiment happening when the maintenance worker was there, but some of the items he has been working with are cyclooctatetraene, Epsom salt and acetone. He said he buys everything from local hardware stores, Amazon or eBay, and has the proper personal protective equipment needed to conduct his experiments.

“I’m really interested in a field of chemistry known as non-planar systems chemistry,” Fritz said. “I hope that it can bring a cure and a treatment for many diseases in the future.”

James Conway is a former FBI agent. He noted that store-bought chemicals and supplies can be used to create dangerous materials, so he was not surprised to learn that investigators took Fritz’s phone.

“Obviously, there has been different types of evidentiary material that’s being examined,” Conway said. “They will fully scrub everything related to that to make sure that there’s nothing nefarious here.”

Fritz said he and his family support law enforcement. They believe, however, the investigation has gone on long enough and were hoping to return to their home on Tuesday night.

Fritz said amid the chaos, he received a call from a Google employee who shared that something very similar happened to them when they were growing up.

He hopes that by speaking out and continuing to share experiments on his YouTube page, he will inspire more young people to pursue science

“I’m really interested in pursuing medical school and really being the nexus and bringing together so many fields that are related to medicine and bringing it to the clinic,” Fritz said. “I think, even though the situation, I have been a little bit bummed out, I feel like the outpour from the community has been so positive.”

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.

Dog rescued from landfill undergoes successful dental surgery, now recovering

CNN Newsource on March 4, 2026

By Abby Smith

Click here for updates on this story

    EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — Months after El Paso County Canine Rescue asked the community for help covering urgent medical costs for a dog found in a landfill, the rescue says Ellie has officially undergone surgery and is now on the road to recovery.

Ellie, a cattle dog mix rescued from Oklahoma, was found with her teeth worn down to the roots. At the time, the rescue believed she had likely spent much of her life chained and repeatedly bred, chewing on metal in an attempt to free herself, causing severe damage to her teeth.

Now, there’s an update.

The team at Animal Dental Care and Oral Surgery says Ellie recently had her long-awaited dental procedure. Staff there described her as the “nicest cattle dog” they have ever met.

During surgery, the rescue says veterinarians were forced to remove all of Ellie’s remaining canine teeth and incisors. According to the rescue, none of the damaged teeth could be saved.

Despite everything she has endured, the rescue says Ellie continues to show her gentle and trusting nature. She is now recovering well in foster care.

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.

Michigan man arrested for beating dog on doorbell camera, prosecutor says

CNN Newsource on March 4, 2026

By Joseph Buczek, Paula Wethington

Click here for updates on this story

    STERLING HEIGHTS, Michigan (WWJ) — A Sterling Heights man is facing animal torture and cruelty charges after he was caught striking a dog on a doorbell camera, Macomb County prosecutors said.

Prosecutors allege that on Feb. 20, Bradley Allen, 26, struck a dog with a leash three times and hit the dog in the face about six times.

Doorbell camera video of the incident was widely shared on social media, and Sterling Heights police opened an investigation.

Police have since removed two dogs from the home, including the dog that was seen in the video.

Allen was arraigned on Wednesday on one count of third-degree killing/torturing an animal and a misdemeanor count of abandoning/cruelty to an animal. Allen was given a $7,500 bond. If released, prosecutors say Allen cannot have contact, possession or ownership of any animal that could be considered a pet.

“It is deeply concerning when defenseless animals are denied the compassion they depend on. They rely entirely on humans for their well-being. When credible allegations of abuse or torture arise, my office has a responsibility to pursue charges and seek justice—and we will fulfill that responsibility,” said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido in a statement.

Allen is due back in court for a probable cause conference on April 23.

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.

Police deliver DoorDash order after arresting driver

CNN Newsource on March 4, 2026

By Alexandra Simon

Click here for updates on this story

    WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, New Jersey (KYW) — Some South Jersey police officers recently added “food delivery” to their list of daily duties.

Washington Township Police said around noon on Sunday, March 1, an officer pulled over a driver near the high school. When police learned the driver was wanted on several warrants and started placing him under arrest, the driver said he was in the process of making a DoorDash delivery in the area.

Sgt. Matt Barnett and officer Mike Scheer took the order and completed the lunch delivery themselves, much to the surprise of the customer.

“We arrested your driver, but had to deliver your food,” the officers said on Ring video camera while handing over the food.

“Just another day serving the Washington Township community… in more ways than one,” the department said on Facebook.

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.