Author: CNN Newsource

By Grace Rodriguez

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    SAVANNAH, Georgia (WJCL) — A Savannah woman is urging state leaders to create a registry for victims of domestic violence, saying Georgia needs more resources to protect survivors.

Savannah Marchant, a survivor and advocate for victims of domestic violence, said she drew inspiration from Tennessee’s registry and wants Georgia to adopt a similar system to hold offenders accountable

“We need a registry to actually protect people, protect the women, the men, the children, to potentially know that who they’re getting involved with,” Marchant said. “We need to be able to look up and see what they’re capable of, and not just charges that could have been dismissed or not.”

She says Georgia’s current resources, including counseling and safe shelters, do not do enough. Her online petition has more than 1,000 signatures, and supporters say a registry could protect more lives.

The state already maintains a similar registry for victims of family violence.

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 Ayron Lewallen, Ryan Lovell

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    BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (WVTM) — A winter storm affecting parts of the country has resulted in flight cancellations and delays at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, impacting travelers’ plans and causing significant inconvenience.

Jennifer and Adam Dasinger of Heflin booked a flight for their daughter to fly out of Atlanta to return to Scotland, where she is pursuing her master’s degree.

However, the first leg of her flight was canceled days ago, leading to a series of complications. Since then, they have spent nearly 10 hours on the phone with customer service, trying to obtain a refund for the canceled trip.

“They were forecasting for the last week about all this,” Adam said. “They knew this and maybe they did prepare. Since we don’t travel every day, we don’t know all the ins and outs of all these cancellations or anything, but they kind of knew this was going on and you thought they would do a better job.”

They decided to book another flight out of Birmingham with a layover in Miami, hoping it would not be canceled.

“If you go through a company such as Expedia, that’s supposed to be this premier third party that has these wonderful packages — that has been in the past — pretty good,” Jennifer said. “And now — I know we’re not the only ones affected, but come on. You just have to be gracious, and you have to be able to refund that money if you still want to keep your clientele.”

Currently, several flights are already delayed or canceled for Sunday, adding to the ongoing travel challenges at the airport.

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 Arielle Mitropoulos

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    NASHUA, New Hampshire (WMUR) — On a cold and snowy winter day 66 years ago in Nashua, New Hampshire, history was made, as a then-young Sen. John F. Kennedy, alongside his wife, Jacqueline Kennedy, held the first event of his presidential campaign. He would soon be catapulted into national political stardom when he ascended to the White House.

In the crowd of supporters on Jan. 25, 1960, was a young family from Nashua: Maurice and Margaret Ravenelle, and their three children, Michelle, Raymond, and 3-month-old Thomas.

“[It was] spur of the moment decided to. ‘Yeah, let’s go.’ We got the kids dressed and took off,” Mrs. Ravenelle, who is now 91, told WMUR.

Mr. Ravenelle, who died last year, was a longtime postal worker, and they decided they wanted to go see Kennedy speak. The utter convenience of parking at the post office sealed the deal for the busy parents.

“We weren’t sure we were going to go — my husband’s day off was Monday,” Mrs. Ravenelle said. “It wasn’t too far from city hall. He could park in there because there was no parking [at city hall].”

Though Mrs. Ravenelle ended up falling on the ice and slush, they made it to the speech, where they listened to the future president make his pitch.

Though no one seems to know exactly how it happened — somehow, Mrs. Ravenelle and the children found themselves in front of the Kennedys. Mrs. Ravenelle held baby Thomas while her children, Michelle and Raymond, stood next to her. They exchanged a few words, and a photo was captured of the moment, cementing their story in history and even circulating in magazines.

“I saw the picture in a magazine. U.S. News and World Report that we used to get,” Mrs. Ravenelle said.

The photo through the years has followed the family — a personal memento of sorts, but also a true moment in presential history. Thomas Ravenelle, the baby in the photo, is now 66 years old and retired from an impressive career with the FBI. His siblings are also working hard for the Nashua Police Department and Stop & Shop.

Mrs. Ravenelle, who was married to her husband for nearly 70 years, said that she is certain her husband would have loved to talk about the stories of that special day in Nashua. She remains active and politically engaged, and still firmly believes that it is of the utmost importance for everyone to vote.

“Everybody should pay attention. And, know what’s going on and vote,” 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.

By Leanna Scachetti

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    BOSTON (WCVB) — For one couple in Boston, this weekend was about snow, the Patriots and holy matrimony.

A plan B for their wedding turned into a plan C from the Renaissance Boston Seaport hotel, where they had a special ceremony surrounded by loved ones.

The reason for the last-minute change was bittersweet, with emphasis on the sweet.

Lisa Scurlock and Peter Mazza were planning to say “I do” in August in Rhode Island. But Scurlock’s father, Jim, has been diagnosed with glioblastoma. Just last year, Scurlock lost her older sister Kate to the same disease. Kate, she said, lived by a simple mantra: choose joy.

So Scurlock and Mazza did just that.

Their plan B was a city hall wedding Monday.

That was canceled because of the storm. That led to a last-minute plan C: a small ceremony inside the hotel, surrounded by close friends, family and with Jim right by his daughter’s side.

“We’ve had so many ups and downs,” said Lisa’s mom, Patricia Scurlock. “She had a perfect day, and everything was so beautiful, and if I had 10 daughters I’d want a guy just like Peter for every one of them.”

Peter Mazza said it was a delight to change out of wedding attire and into tailgating gear as everyone gathered in the hotel room to cheer on the Patriots. Mazza, who lives in Washington, D.C., with Scurlock, said it was heartwarming to see all of their vendors rally to make the last-minute change.

“When the world is tough right now, and there are some tough times in our country,” Mazza said, “it’s awesome to see that people still care about other people.”

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 Madison Monroe Adams

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    PORT CHARLOTTE, Florida (WBBH) — Ron Munday, who moved from Arizona to Port Charlotte, found a creative way to make friends by turning his car into a mobile chalkboard for people to sign and draw on.

In Florida, this rolling autograph book is completely legal as long as signatures don’t cover the license plate, windows, or headlights.

“People know my car. I can’t even go to some places without saying, ‘Hey, what’s up, chalk daddy?” Munday said.

When Munday moved to Port Charlotte, he didn’t know anyone, but a year later, he has become a local celebrity.

“I had a cop pull me over because he wanted to sign my car,” he said.

Strangers, firefighters, business owners, and even Waffle House employees across the Gulf Coast have signed his 2000 Cadillac, now known as the Chalk Caddy.

“People kept saying, daddy. They kept saying, ‘Well, you love chalk, daddy.’ And so eventually I said, ‘OK, I’m going to be your chalk daddy.’ And it just stuck,” Munday said. People can draw anything they want on it, “as long as there’s nothing offensive. So I do carry a black marker with me,” he added.

The idea started at Walmart when Munday spotted spray-on chalkboard paint and acrylic markers while looking for oil.

“Six hours later, my car was covered in chalkboard paint and decided to have people draw on it. So this is the second coat right here. I painted this about three months ago, and I had about 1,800 people sign it,” he said.

When there’s no room left, he repaints it.

“There’s names buried under this paint,” Munday said.

“People think this is weird. Some people think it’s the most amazing thing they’ve ever seen. I’m here just to live my life and make friends,” he said.

Munday’s message to others struggling to make friends is simple: “Be yourself. Just have fun.”

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 Heid

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    CONCORD, New York (WKBW) — Simon Lissner died on Monday while saving his family from a house fire in the Town of Concord. His final words, alerting his family of the emergency, ensured they all made it outside safely.

Simon, his wife Nancy, their daughter Madison and Madison’s boyfriend Evan were all home when the fire broke out early Monday morning on Tarn Trail.

Nancy, Madison and Evan all made it out safely. Nancy said that Evan had to jump to safety out of a second-story window.

However, Simon never made it outside and was killed in the blaze.

According to Nancy, the only reason the rest of the family was able to make it out alive was thanks to Simon waking everybody up.

“He died being a hero. I mean, if it wasn’t for him screaming and hollering, ‘Fire, fire, get out of the house!’ You know what, we probably wouldn’t be here today,” Nancy said.

Nancy tells me her husband was a natural born servant, serving as a firefighter in his youth, working in the Navy, working in the Air Force and later as a volunteer with the ski patrol at Kissing Bridge, and she believes that serving others as his final actions fits his character.

Nancy: “The man has helped everyone since forever.”

Q: “What did he do to make sure that you guys were out and safe?”

Nancy: “He was literally just screaming and hollering to get us up.”

Q: “What kind of goes through your head whenever you think of all Simon did to make sure that you, your daughter and Evan made it out safe?”

Nancy: “In one sense, it makes me feel awesome that he was a hero and did this, and then in another part, I’m like, ‘Why can’t you be here with us?’ It’s just, I just don’t think it’s fair. It took one of us. Either all of us should have made it out, or deep down, I feel like we should have all been gone, but Simon’s the guy that wants to help people, and so in his last minute, I honestly believe he died doing what he loved to do.”

Q: “What do you think Simon’s thinking now that you guys are obviously still here and people around the community are rushing to help?”

Nancy: “I’m sure he’s very happy and like I tell my daughter, she’s like, ‘I want Dad.’ I said, ‘You know what, Dad’s here. He’s looking down on us. He’s watching everything. He’s going to still make sure we’re all okay. He’s gonna be with us no matter what.’”

The Lissners also lost three of their four dogs and two of their three cats in the fire. They escaped with only their phones, which they used to call 911, and the clothes on their backs.

A GoFundMe for the Lissner family is up and running. You can find a link to help here.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

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

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By Denzen Cortez

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    SACRAMENTO, California (KCRA) — An 85-year-old Vietnam veteran is shaken after someone stole an American flag from his Natomas front yard.

James White, a Purple Heart recipient who served more than two decades in the Army, has faced some of life’s toughest challenges, including stage 4 prostate cancer and chronic kidney disease, but says the theft still hit him hard.

White’s daughter, Daisy Hernandez, said her father has already endured enough, and the theft was especially painful because the person who took the flag had no idea whose story they were taking.

“They have no idea who that flag belonged to or the story behind the man it belonged to. It’s just not right,” she told KCRA.

The theft was caught on White’s home camera, showing someone walking up to the house, grabbing the flag, and jogging away. White called the video “heartbreaking,” noting the flag symbolizes not just the United States, but decades of service and sacrifice.

White served as a tanker in the Fourth of the 68th Armor in Germany in addition to fighting in Vietnam. After retiring from the military, he spent 21 years with the U.S. Postal Service, always emphasizing service and helping others.

The family has filed a police report, hoping the incident serves as a reminder to respect the personal and historical meaning behind such symbols.

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 Jazmon DeJarnette

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    SALINAS, California (KSBW) — A national movement to delay smartphone use until age 16 is gaining traction on the Central Coast, led by two local mothers who launched Smartphone Free Kids Monterey Bay to address concerns about screen time and social media’s impact on children.

Children were seen laughing, playing, and enjoying a Saturday at Lover’s Point without screens in front of their faces.

“Cellphones, they steal all those things and from children and I see it every day, and it’s sad, “said Valine Moreno Barr, Smartphone Free Kids MB parent.

Caitlin Conrad and Lauren Heflin started the pledge with just two moms on a walk and have grown the initiative to include more than 200 families and 300 children who have taken the pledge.

The focus is on child development and the potential disruption of social skills by social media.

According to the World Health Organization, more than 1 in 10 adolescents show signs of problematic social media use.

“By delaying a smartphone, that’s a phone that’s capable of downloading social media apps, you just prevent that struggle which will come from having a device that’s able to do that,” said Lauren Heflin, co-founder of the Monterey Bay Pledge.

These parents emphasize they are not anti-phones.

Many opt for what they call a “dumb phone,” a basic device for calls, with some parents even making the switch themselves.

Families have found a sense of community built around play, connection, and less screen time.

One parent noted, “If we incorporate more books and if we incorporate more like active play, like what you see going on here. Children are human beings. They want that,” said Moreno Bar.

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 Da Lin

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    OAKLAND, California (KPIX) — The long-awaited Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts has officially reopened in Oakland, marking a major milestone for the city’s cultural scene after two decades of closure.

Located next to Lake Merritt, the historic venue was once one of the Bay Area’s most prominent concert halls. Over the years, it hosted legendary performers including Elvis Presley, James Brown and Tina Turner. The Grateful Dead alone played at the venue more than 50 times.

After a hiatus lasting more than 20 years, the building was once again welcoming the public, complete with music, dancing and celebration on Saturday, the venue’s opening day.

Vanessa Whang, chair of Oakland’s Cultural Affairs Commission, said the venue holds deep personal meaning for her. She previously helped coordinate concerts at the center and was eager to see how it looked after years of restoration.

“Such a beautiful building,” Whang said.

She added that while the center has been modernized, its original spirit remains intact.

“The feel of it, it feels very much the same,” Whang told CBS News Bay Area. “I’m happy that they kept the character, the architectural details.”

Originally named the Oakland Auditorium, the building was constructed in 1914 and opened a year later. Over the decades, it became a major gathering place for concerts, graduations and historic moments, including an appearance by Martin Luther King Jr.

For many Oakland residents, the reopening brings back powerful memories.

“I saw James Brown here for the first time,” said Sherron Conway, who grew up in Oakland. “And [I had] my high school graduation [here], Castlemont [High School], 1968.”

Terri Trotter, CEO of the Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts, said the building was once the largest public assembly space west of the Mississippi River.

The venue closed in 2005 and underwent an extensive renovation and restoration process that cost about $100 million. The revitalized center includes an arena, the 1,400-seat Calvin Simmons Theater and three ballrooms.

“This is the HJK arena. And this is our largest space,” Trotter said as she gave CBS News Bay Area a tour. “It will seat anywhere from 3,000 to 6,000 people, depending on how it’s configured.”

Trotter said she hopes the Calvin Simmons Theater will become a hub for more intimate performances and gatherings.

“The Calvin Simmons Theater has been completely restored and renovated,” she said. “We can do everything in here from a lecture, to a theatrical show like you’re seeing on stage now, to a Broadway show.”

Looking ahead, Trotter emphasized that the center’s success will depend on drawing audiences from across the region, not just within Oakland.

“I see a renaissance happening around us,” Trotter said. “I think this building will be part of that and will benefit from that. But I also think this building is really going to help drive that.”

Whang echoed that sentiment, saying artists and performers can play a key role in revitalizing the city.

“I hope that it becomes a vibrant center for the community, for artists, artists from all over,” she said.

Still, some community members noted that the city must continue working to ensure people from outside Oakland feel safe attending events and spending money in the city.

The Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts will host a Super Bowl watch party and fan zone on Feb. 8. The event is free, but attendees must RSVP, as seating is limited.

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.