‘They’re everywhere’: Chickens overrun Sacramento neighborhood, leaving residents frustrated

CNN Newsource on March 4, 2026

By Peyton Headlee

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    SACRAMENTO, California (KCRA) — Residents of Old North Sacramento near Boxwood Street are overwhelmed by a growing population of chickens, with the city unable to assist due to staffing constraints.

Neighbors estimate there are at least 100 chickens in the area, and their presence is hard to ignore.

“They’re everywhere,” Alvin Mayers said. “It’s annoying.”

“It’s like we live in a chicken farm,” Philip Malan said.

The chickens are not only visible but also audible, with roosters often crowing early in the morning and waking up neighbors.

“They start up, you know, probably around 2 to 2:30 every morning and they just go all the time. It’s nonstop,” Malan said.

The noise is not the only issue. Residents report that the chickens jump into yards, tear up dirt, and leave waste behind.

“It’s become probably a sanitary issue at this point,” Malan said.

The origin of the chickens in the neighborhood remains unclear. Neighbors don’t know if they began as pets and escaped, if they were intentionally released, or exactly how and when they ended up there.

“That’s kind of a mystery,” Malan said. “It leaves us stuck.”

Some neighbors have come to love the chickens, but most agree they should live somewhere safer without the constant potential of being hit by a car.

“I think they should be taken to a sanctuary because I don’t want them to get hurt and I feel like I care about them,” Aleida Hernandez said. “We feel bad for them because we don’t want them to get hurt or anything, but people always hit them.”

“I would just prefer if they weren’t in our neighborhood,” Malan said.

Malan said that he has been reaching out to the city for help but hasn’t seen any changes.

“Me and other neighbors started reaching out to the city probably about six months ago, just saying, ‘We need help, right? Can you get rid of the chickens, do something?’ And they really haven’t done anything about it,” he said.

The city of Sacramento explained that it cannot address free-roaming chickens due to “a large and ever-replenishing number of higher priority calls.”

“There is substantial time involved to catch or trap chickens, and although we wish we could assist, triaging higher priority calls does not make this possible at this time given our current staffing levels,” the city said in an emailed statement to KCRA 3.

The city suggested residents could trap the chickens themselves and bring them to a shelter or seek help through Facebook groups to find experienced chicken advocates that may be able to help with trapping and transporting the chickens to the shelter.

However, if the nuisance chickens have owners, then there is an enforcement process.

“This involves first sending a letter advising the property owner of the local ordinances. If we continue to get complaints, an officer will visit the residence to assess, provide education, and attempt to get voluntary compliance from the owner in addressing the problem or rehoming the chickens. If the owner doesn’t comply, citations would be the next step,” the city said.

Residents said they wish the issue was more of a priority.

“Just show us you care. We’re asking for help. We just need some help so people can sleep,” Malan said. “I don’t think it’s a big ask. I don’t think it’s unrealistic.”

Residents are now looking for anyone who may be able to help re-home the chickens.

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.

Lewiston shooting survivors say they haven’t received financial support they were promised

CNN Newsource on March 4, 2026

By Bonnie Bishop

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    LEWISTON, Maine (WMTW) — Survivors of the Lewiston mass shooting are fighting for money they say belongs to them. Several spoke at the Lewiston City Council meeting Tuesday night about their experience, saying they haven’t received the support they were promised.

“Many of the affected, including myself, will forever live with memories of that night, but some have to live with much worse,” said Survivor Keith Tremblay. “Shrapnel, bullets, broken bones. Physical reminders that their lives will continue to be a battle long after any of this.”

The claims have caught the attention of the city council, which is now exploring what it can and should do to assess the needs and financial burdens of those impacted by the shooting.

The Maine Community Foundation says of the money donated, $4.7 million went directly to those impacted by the shooting, and nearly $2 million went to community groups.

Survivors say the money should have gone directly to them. They now want help from the council to get transparency and accountability.

“We cannot erase the fear, the loss or the trauma, but we can demand accountability,” said Survivor Destiny Johnson. “We can insist that the money that was raised for the victims, the victims come first.

The issue was tabled at the last city council meeting, citing privacy concerns over conducting an assessment.

The city council did not take a vote tonight, but they are expected to consult with the Maine Resiliency Center at their next meeting to talk about what they can do to help.

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AG: Weare woman accused of Civil Rights Act violations for firing at man because he is Black

CNN Newsource on March 4, 2026

By Arielle Mitropoulos, Ricky Podgorski

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    MANCHESTER, New Hampshire (WMUR) — A woman from Weare is accused of violating New Hampshire’s Civil Rights Act for allegedly threatening a man because he is Black.

The Attorney General’s Office said that in October 2024, Diane Durgin, 67, drew a gun on the man and threatened to kill him when he mistakenly drove to her property to complete a prearranged purchase of a car part.

She allegedly repeated the threat after the man explained he was lost and fired two shots at his car when he drove away.

Investigators said the victim drove off the side of the driveway and into a ditch. He then ran to the end of the driveway and called 911.

When asked why she fired her gun, Durgin allegedly said she fired because the man was Black, according to the Attorney General’s Office.

Durgin was indicted on charges of reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, criminal threatening against a person with a deadly weapon, and one count of attempted first-degree assault with a deadly weapon.

“The basis of the Civil Rights Act was enacted for these specific cases,” President of the Manchester NAACP Branch Arnold Mikolo said.

The attorney general released a complaint under the New Hampshire Civil Rights Act Tuesday.

The complaint requested a temporary restraining order, criminal prosecution, and civil penalty of $5,000 for each violation.

“Am I surprised this happened? No. Do I wish it would never happen again? Yes,” President and CEO of the New Hampshire Center for Justice and Equity Anthony Poore said.

Poore added there is no place in the Granite State for this type of activity and behavior.

“At the end of the day, we’re becoming increasingly diverse and nuanced and complex, and there are some people that simply aren’t going to appreciate the beauty of that,” Poore said.

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Restaurant under investigation after alcohol, hookah found at Patriots after-hours party

CNN Newsource on March 4, 2026

By Peter Eliopoulos, Imani Clement

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    BOSTON (WCVB) — A Boston restaurant is accused of staying open past 2 a.m. to host a private party for some New England Patriots players after they beat the Denver Broncos in January’s AFC Championship Game.

The owner of Estella restaurant in Downtown Crossing is facing a license violation from the Boston Licensing Board after police responded to the business for a noise complaint on Jan. 27.

According to a police report, when officers arrived, they were blocked from entering by security.

Police later encountered several Patriots players, a DJ, liquor, hookah, marijuana, exotic dancers, and dollar bills scattered around the business.

“Regardless of whether this is a private party, whether this is the Patriots, open to the public, you are a licensed premise,” boardmember Kathleen Joyce said during a Tuesday hearing.

The party was in violation of Boston’s last call, as the sale and consumption of liquor, as well as smoking and unauthorized adult entertainment, were happening after 2 a.m. during the night in question.

“They said that someone was walking downstairs, got scared when the police arrived, and accidentally dropped 1 dollar bills on the floor,” Boston police Sergeant Rebecca Leo said.

The owner of the bar said some of the more famous players were let in a back door here, but that everyone was supposed to leave by closing time, which is 2 a.m.

“It’s on us to do our duty to get them out, but it was more of a bad situation that we put ourselves in by even accepting them in,” Estella’s owner, George Brandao, said. “It was a lot of entitlement. And trying to get that many people out.”

The owner was previously in front of the licensing board for a similar situation involving a party with singer Chris Brown.

“There are no exceptions in our rules for celebrities like Chris Brown or the Patriots,” Joyce said. “Your staff was obviously not on their game that night if they let people come in the back door, and have a DJ just randomly set up, and have strippers come and randomly throw $1 bills all over the floor.”

It is unclear which Patriots players were allegedly at the party.

NewsCenter 5 reached out to the team for comment, but has yet to hear back.

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.

People with Colorado ties in Mideast amid warning from State Department describe hearing booms

CNN Newsource on March 4, 2026

By Alan Gionet

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    COLORADO (KCNC) — It’s been a long few days in the Middle East. The war with Iran has meant missile and drone attacks between Iran and Israel and other countries as well. The United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

The U.S. State Department is urging Americans to leave 14 countries in the Mideast, if they can. That’s not easy.

“The airports are closed here. They closed down,” said Ericka Lewis Mansfield, a former CBS Colorado anchor and reporter now living in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Leaving, she says, is not really an option. But she doesn’t feel the need either.

“In the last couple of days, I think things have been relatively quiet here. Things are open,” she said.

The family has a holiday homes business. Some travelers have not shown up, others are staying longer. The family moved from their home on the 50th floor of a building to a ground floor rental unit during the crisis out of concern about the safety of getting down from a high floor if needed.

Being caught up in an international conflict is a different feeling for people in Dubai, where very few are native.

“The feeling of safety and security really has been a big part of living here, and it’s a big part of why a lot of people have been moving to Dubai and why people visit Dubai,” Mansfield said.

It’s more complicated for her college-aged son.

Joshua Mansfield, 21, is in his final year at a university in Tel Aviv, Israel.

“My apartment has, like, a shelter in it, so it’s just like, an extra bedroom,” he explained.

It’s called a mamad, which is a safe room with thick walls and blocked windows. The door is thick and metal.

“I’m lucky, not every apartment has a mamad. Some buildings have, like, like, miklatim, like an underground shelter,” he explained.

Josh and an Israeli friend were recently in the room after hearing a series of booms. Tel Aviv has been the target of Iranian counterattacks. Israel’s defense system has stopped many incoming projectiles, but there’s been damage.

He’s not in a position to leave either, with no flights out.

“I mean, it’s not necessarily possible to leave, even if I wanted to,” Josh said.

The attacks have lessened since Saturday, but there’s still reason not to spend too much time outside, although they’d been for a walk earlier in the day. At the beach, people were partying on the Israeli holiday of Purim. His friend Amir was staying with him, due to the potential danger getting through the streets back to his mother’s home.

But it was worse during the 12-day war with Iran last year, when President Trump claimed Iran’s nuclear enrichment program had been “obliterated.”

“When the June war happened, like, 10 days into it, I took a car from Tel Aviv to Jordan. And I left from there, but even now, that’s not necessarily possible, because, well, Jordan is getting bombed, too.”

Mansfield was glad the U.S. and Israel were going after Iran.

“It’s a very big threat. It makes sense from Israel’s point of view to go in there and destroy, basically, what is left of the launchers, what is left of the missiles and even for the Americans, to be able to take out such a regime.”

There is reason for caution he noted, even outside of the Middle East.

“It definitely is possible and a worry that both Israel and the U.S. have had. You can see through official warnings where Israel was telling Israelis abroad to be vigilant.”

A ramp up in terrorism remains a possibility beyond the conflict’s borders, but in Tel Aviv they will continue to deal with the potential of retribution. Josh and his friend said at the moment they’ve been watching a lot of movies, while thinking about his family.

“It does concern me, but it’s already happening,” he said. “Usually it’s just Israel that gets hit. Like again in June. But now I get notifications on my phone, like, big explosions heard in Dubai, and I’m worried for my family, and Dubai is known as a safe place.”

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.

‘I’m lucky to be here’ says survivor of Milwaukee ER lobby shooting

CNN Newsource on March 4, 2026

By Hannah Hilyard

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    MILWAUKEE (WISN) — A Milwaukee native is recounting the moment he was shot inside a downtown hospital early Monday morning.

Investigators said a gunman shot two people at Aurora Sinai Medical Center around 2:15 a.m. Monday. One person died from his injuries.

The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as 40-year-old Christopher M. Robinson Jr.

The second victim, Sharone Wrencher, told WISN 12 News a bullet grazed his stomach.

He said he was in the hospital that night for chest pains. After he was discharged, he said he waited in the lobby for a ride and fell asleep.

“I was kind of sort of dozing off. I woke up out of my sleep with a graze wound,” Wrencher told WISN 12 News Tuesday. “I was just shocked. I was traumatized. I can’t believe something like this would happen, you know. This is an ER where you’re supposed feel safe.”

He lifted his shirt to reveal a bandage on his lower abdomen.

Wrencher said he didn’t recognize the shooter and doesn’t know how long the shooter had been in the lobby before opening fire. He said he saw the other victim lying on the ground in front of him.

WISN 12 News has been in contact with Robinson’s family, and they said he is an organ donor.

“So so so sorry for the man and his family. You know, my heart goes out. You should never have to go through that,” he said. “I’m lucky to be here. Thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ I’m still alive. Just maybe two or three inches over and that thing could have went into my abdomen and killed me.”

Officers did take the suspected gunman, a 38-year-old Milwaukee man, into custody in connection with the shooting. Police booking records showed he was in custody, initially accused of first-degree recklessly endangering safety, although that charge will likely be upgraded.

WISN 12 News has learned the hospital has metal detectors at the main entrance and emergency department. Aurora has yet to answer how the shooter got a gun in the lobby.

They’ve only sent a statement saying in part, “We worked with law enforcement in response to a situation inside our facility. We are grateful for their rapid response and continued partnership. Care is being provided for those affected, and there is no ongoing risk to the public.”

Aurora also said in a statement, “we are heartbroken by the incident that took place in our Emergency Department lobby, and our thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones and everyone affected, including our own dedicated care teams. As we continue our internal review and partner with local law enforcement as they actively investigate this event, we are focused on making sure our teammates have the support and resources they need during this difficult time.”

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 accused of unlawfully tasering & arresting man with autism

CNN Newsource on March 4, 2026

By Jordan Cioppa

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    PITTSBURGH (WTAE) — The City of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, along with three officers and a commander, were named in a lawsuit stemming from the February 2024 arrest of a man with autism.

“He respects police officers, likes police officers, has had a good, sort of, feeling toward police officers throughout his life until this happened,” said attorney James Tallman, who is representing the plaintiff. “Unfortunately, this has had an impact on how he views police officers.”

According to the lawsuit, Kevin Dunn went for an afternoon walk in his West End neighborhood when he was suddenly surrounded by police cars.

Officers Seth Tessmer, Jordan Price, and Anthony Rosato allegedly tried to detain Dunn before he ran to his aunt’s front porch nearby, the complaint said. According to the document, that’s where police wrestled Dunn to the ground and used a taser on him, “without any rational justification.”

Dunn was later taken to the hospital and released without any charges.

“He had marks from the tasers, some bruising from the tasers, but most of the injury was emotional and psychological. A traumatic experience that has continued to impact him,” Tallman told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 reporter Jordan Cioppa.

During his walk, Dunn had a small stick in his hand used for stimming, which consists of repetitive movements, sounds, and actions commonly performed by people with autism.

“It can oftentimes be misinterpreted if you don’t understand what it is. Plain and simple,” said Jesse Torisky, the President and CEO of Autism Pittsburgh. “The more you’re able to familiarize yourself with that, the better it is that you’ll be able to make the best decision under the circumstances.”

Dunn also displayed what are described as “unusual mannerisms stereotypical to those with autism.”

Torisky teaches first responders to be on the lookout for characteristics, like the ones stated in the complaint. He offers an autism-focused training for law enforcement where he lays out effective methods of communication and de-escalation.

“If they can identify early on that this person’s on the spectrum, it would greatly increase the likelihood of a less violent result,” Torisky said.

The complaint alleges there is a “lack of training with neurodivergent/autistic individuals” at the bureau of police.

The three officers’ supervisor, Commander Raymond Rippole, was also sued. The plaintiff is demanding a jury trial.

A Pittsburgh city spokesperson said they do not comment on pending litigation.

Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 requested a comment from Pittsburgh Police but did not hear back.

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Pa. State Police, Secret Service investigate multi-million-dollar theft scheme

CNN Newsource on March 4, 2026

By Caitlyn Scott

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    UNITY TOWNSHIP, Pennsylvania (WTAE) — The United States Secret Service, with assistance from Pennsylvania State Police, has opened an investigation into a multi-million-dollar theft scheme in Unity Township.

Officials said an individual from Unity Township contacted them after they were scammed out of $5 million from someone who posed to be employeed with the Federal Trade Commission.

Pennsylvania State Police was notified of the fraud investigation by the U.S. Secret Service in late February.

The victim said they first responded to text messages regarding a PayPal transaction. The response then led to the victim being contacted again by a person who claimed to work at the Federal Trade Commission.

Officials said the victim was first asked to provide cash, and later asked to purchase gold bars. The transaction occurred in the Unity Township area.

Secret Service, with the assistance of the Pennsylvania State Police, is asking any victim of similar circumstances, regardless of a completed transaction, to contact state police at 724-832-3288.

Authorities are encouraging potential victims to report any suspicious activity and to never give out any personal information. You are also encouraged to never offer payments without consulting a credible agency first.

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.

Colorado sushi restaurant penalized for violating child labor laws

CNN Newsource on March 4, 2026

By Logan Smith

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    COLORADO (KCNC) — An Aurora restaurant paid a fine to the U.S. Department of Labor after an investigation found a 17-year-old employee was allowed to load a trash compactor — a federally prohibited hazardous task for a minor — and 14- and 15-year-old employees worked more hours than federal law allows.

The owners of Mt. Fuji Sushi & Hibachi recently paid a $22,249 civil penalty, according to the Department of Labor.

Under federal law, a trash compactor cannot legally be loaded by anyone under 18 years of age.

Similarly, workers of 14 and 15 years of age are not permitted to work later than 7 p.m. between Labor Day and May 31, or later than 9 p.m. between June 1 and Labor Day. Workers that age are also not allowed to work more than eight hours per day on a non-school day, per federal law.

The restaurant employed 14 such workers, according to the agency.

The investigation also determined the restaurant failed to properly pay overtime to its 19 adult employees. The chefs, kitchen staff, and other workers were paid their normal hourly rate instead of the required time-and-a-half overtime rate for hours beyond 40 hours per week.

The restaurant agreed to pay $20,213 in back wages to the employees after the investigation.

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Denver has new coordinated enforcement and increased fines for unlicensed landlords

CNN Newsource on March 4, 2026

By Jasmine Arenas

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    COLORADO (KCNC) — More than two years after Denver began requiring residential rental licenses, the city is increasing penalties for landlords who have not complied.

As of today, 28,926 residential rental properties are licensed, covering about 185,000 rental units across the city.

Denver’s Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection has teamed up with the city’s health department to strengthen enforcement. Now, if a property has a public health violation and is operating without a license, the landlord faces an automatic $250 fine. Penalties can escalate to as much as $5,000 and may include jail time.

When tenants call the city to report issues such as mold or unsafe living conditions, a public health investigator responds. Those visits have also helped officials identify landlords who never obtained the required residential rental license.

“What we want to do is see landlords get the required license, which comes with passing an inspection and paying a small fee,” said Eric Escudero with Denver’s Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection. “That license is good for four years, and it helps us achieve our goal of making sure Denver has the safest rental properties in America.”

Escudero says about 5,000 non-compliant properties have been identified, with an estimated $150,000 in fines issued to date.

“If you’re a landlord and it’s been over two years since this license requirement took effect and you’re still refusing to get that inspection and license, the city is left with no choice but to issue a fine,” Escudero said. “We can even issue a criminal citation that puts a landlord in court facing criminal penalties.”

One of the properties now facing a criminal citation is The Raven, formerly known as The Felix apartment complex. Despite the city issuing more than $50,000 in fines, tenants say conditions have not significantly improved.

Eida Altman with the Denver Metro Tenants Union says fines on their own can actually further strain struggling properties.

“Even after those penalties have increased, I still have tenants who do not have heat, who do not have hot water,” Altman said. “Tenants are taking showers at rec centers before work.”

Altman believes a better solution would be to have tenants pay rent into a designated account if a landlord fails to meet licensing requirements. The funds would be used only for on-site repairs and maintenance until the property comes into compliance.

Residents have filed a class-action lawsuit against their landlords.

“Too often, when a property is not compliant with the licensing program, the rent money is not being used to repair things; it’s being used elsewhere,” she said.

City officials say the coordinated effort between the health department and the licensing and consumer protection agency is designed to root out the worst offenders and keep residents in the Mile High City safe.

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