Residents continue fight to save historic school: ‘Let Ligon live’

CNN Newsource on March 4, 2026

By Elaina Athans

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    RALEIGH, North Carolina (WTVD) — Jared Ollison has three family members who graduated from Ligon High School, including his late mother, Rosaline.

“This school is a jewel, it’s one of a kind,” he said.

Ollison’s mom graduated in the Class of 1968, and his grandmother had close ties to the school’s namesake.

“My grandmother lived next door to J.W. Ligon himself over on the Lenoir Street, and I heard wonderful stories about J.W. Ligon and his legacy. What it means to the people in the community is very hard to describe,” he said.

Ollison is among the area residents fighting to preserve the original school building.

Ligon opened in the 1950’s as an all-Black high school. It was eventually integrated and later turned into a middle school.

Now, the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) wants to make changes to meet population growth.

“I would like to see them either renovated or rebuild it and still keep it as a historic site,” said community activist Diana Powell.

District leaders have spent the last several months meeting with residents about the aging building. WCPSS said the school has reached a point where basic repairs aren’t enough. Ligon’s heating system is 24 years old, the fire detection system is outdated, and 28 of 32 classrooms do not meet space requirements.

WCPSS Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor started Tuesday’s committee discussion by saying, “So many people have a history with the school, and those voices matter.”

The board is considering three design plans.

One proposal would be to renovate the existing building, another would be to construct a new facility on a different section of the property, and the third option would be to build a new one where the ballfield stands.

Ollinson said bulldozing the original structure would demolish part of Raleigh’s history.

“The community needs a win here. Lately, developers and people who want to change the landscape of the community have been winning. The community needs a win, and a win would be to let Ligon live and renovate it, but preserve it,” said Ollison.

The district plans to invest at least $100 million in the project.

After a long and sometimes heated debate that lasted more than an hour, the committee did not vote in favor of a particular option. Ligon’s fate will be further discussed at Tuesday night’s school board meeting.

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.

Southern California teen whose home laboratory sparked FBI investigation speaks: “I’m just a kid who’s interested in science”

CNN Newsource on March 4, 2026

By Michele Gile, Dean Fioresi

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    LOS ANGELES (KCAL, KCBS) — The Southern California teenager whose home laboratory sparked a nearly week-long investigation from the FBI last week is speaking out, stating that he’s just a “kid who’s interested in science.”

Last Monday, Irvine Police Department officers were called to a home near Cartwheel and Iluna in a gated Irvine neighborhood after learning of “suspicious materials” discovered by the property’s landlord.

As the investigation continued, both Orange County Fire Authority and FBI investigators were called to the scene after it was determined that the materials were possible indications of chemical nerve agents, according to a source familiar with the investigation. They said that the substances, paired with writings found at the scene, were concerning.

While investigators say that 17-year-old Amalvin Fritz, a pre-medical student slated to graduate from Univeristy of California, Irvine, in the coming months, and his family have cooperated with their investigation, the family still hasn’t been able to return home.

“You know, it’s almost been a week since I’ve been out of my home, and I really want to go back,” Fritz said.

He says that he’s unsure exactly what investigators found that triggered such a chaotic series of events.

“I gave my full cooperation and gave them my phone and I gave them as much information as possible, but I’m not sure exactly what materials inside the home they would be suspicious about,” Fritz said. “I hope that they can conclude their investigation and we can continue to put this behind us.”

As the investigation progressed, the National Guard’s Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team was deployed to the neighborhood to assist with the handling of the materials and ongoing probe, which continued over the weekend.

Video from the scene shows FBI personnel dressed in hazardous materials suits and breathing apparatus as they walk to and from the home through the garage. They still haven’t commented on exactly what they discovered as their investigation develops.

Fritz dreams of becoming a doctor one day, according to his attorney, who spoke with CBS LA on Monday. He has posted a few of his home experiments on his YouTube channel, which were also conducted at his home lab.

While he says that anyone can purchase chemicals like acetone online and that he was safe throughout the process, a chemistry professor from California State University, Long Beach, says that his YouTube videos also show his use of isopropylmagnesium chloride and other compounds in an unsafe and inappropriate setting.

“Those experiments needed to be done in a proper lab facility,” said Professor Elaine Bernal. She says that acetone is highly flammable, and that the compounds Fritz used would require proper storage due to the risk of a fire or explosion. She also expressed concern over how the chemicals were disposed of, and the escape of gasses during the experiments.

“There’s a big environmental and safety concern that I think was worth of investigation. I get that the FBI was there, hazmat was there. I think it’s also important to think of it as the safety of the local community since it’s tight quarters,” Bernal said. “The chemicals that he mentioned are very flammable. My concern is that whatever gasses that are emitted, that folks with respiratory issues, sensitive respiratory issues, can be affected.”

Fritz said that his experiments are focused on new therapeutics for cancer and Alzheimers disease, and that he insists nothing he was doing was dangerous. He hopes to enroll in medical school after graduating from UC Irvine.

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Husband and wife identified in deadly double shooting at Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital

CNN Newsource on March 3, 2026

By Shannon Delcambre, Ryan Lovell, Taylor Lang

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    HOMEWOOD, Alabama (WVTM) — The victims of an apparent murder-suicide at Baptist Health Brookwood in Jefferson County have been identified.

The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office said Precious Johnson, 24, died after being shot multiple times. Family told WVTM 13 that she had just given birth to their first child and was a patient at the hospital. Kynath Terry Jr., 19, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Both deaths were part of a murder-suicide domestic assault, according to the coroner and police. Johnson and Terry were married, according to family.

Homewood police said officers responded to the hospital on Medical Center Drive shortly before 9:30 p.m. to investigate a report of shots fired at the Women’s Center. Officers arrived and found a woman and man dead from gunshot wounds.

No one else was injured.

Baptist Health released a statement Sunday evening, saying the hospital was on lockdown “out of an abundance of caution,” but there was “no active threat to patients, team members or the public.” The statement added that Baptist Health is “cooperating fully with authorities investigating the incident.”

If you or someone you know needs help, you can talk with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling sending a text message to 988, or you can chat online here.

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Thousands in Tracy remember kidnapped father of triplets found dead near Napa Co. lake

CNN Newsource on March 3, 2026

By KGO Staff

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    SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — Nearly 3,000 people gathered in Tracy to honor the father of 6-month-old triplets, found dead after apparently being kidnapped.

Avtar Singh was last seen on surveillance video two weeks ago, being forced into an SUV by three people near the temple where he worshiped.

His body was found days later near Lake Berryessa.

A GoFundme has been set up to cover funeral expense and provide some stability for his wife and kids in the coming months and years.

On Sunday, Singh was remembered as a pillar of his community.

“He worked at a community kitchen, 7 days a week, and cooked food for everybody. He was very nice, very polite and very friendly,” says Parminder Singh, a community supporter.

Singh leaves behind a wife and a set of 6-month-old triplets.

No one has been arrested in the case.

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Fresno man sentenced after stealing $1,000 worth of Pokémon cards

CNN Newsource on March 3, 2026

By KFSN Staff

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    FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — A Fresno man has been sentenced for stealing $1,000 worth of Pokémon cards.

31-year-old Michael Ryan Baker was given four years in prison in a Tulare County courtroom.

Visalia Police responded to a gas station in April of last year for a theft.

Witnesses say Baker lifted his shirt in a threatening manner as if he had a weapon in his waistband while he took the popular trading cards.

He was arrested two days later.

Baker also had a 2016 robbery conviction in Fresno County.

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Task force seizes drugs, firearms in major San Juan County crackdown

CNN Newsource on March 3, 2026

By Micheal Bolger

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    SAN JUAN COUNTY, N.M. (KOAT) — The Region II Narcotics Task Force announced a crackdown on drug trafficking operations across San Juan County during 2024 and 2025.

According to a release shared by the Farmington Police Department, investigators disrupted 20 drug trafficking organizations operating in the region.

Authorities say seizures included more than 108,000 fentanyl pills, fentanyl powder, 47 pounds of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, $108,000 in cash, and 149 firearms.

Officials describe the effort as intelligence-driven, targeting mid- and high-level traffickers.

Sixteen defendants have been federally indicted in partnership with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico. If convicted, those defendants could face mandatory minimum prison sentences ranging from five to more than 20 years.

The task force says additional federal indictments are expected as investigations continue.

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Placer County Public Health reports 3 confirmed measles cases, fourth suspected case

CNN Newsource on March 3, 2026

By Jonathan Ayestas

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    AUBURN, Calif. (KCRA) — Placer County officials on Monday reported three confirmed measles and a suspected fourth case.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that can spread through the air or when touching a contaminated surface. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows there have been more than 1,130 confirmed cases across 28 states this year as of Feb. 26.

Placer County Public Health reports that its outbreak is tied to a family member who had recently traveled to South Carolina, which accounts for more than half of the cases so far this year. All three confirmed cases are teenagers from a single family home. The fourth suspected case is also a family member.

Their vaccination statuses are not confirmed, but Placer County said they are all recovering.

A child in the family was not present during the period of infection, and Placer County said it believes there were no school exposures and no public exposure risk tied to this outbreak.

“We believe the risk to the general public remains low, as this outbreak appears to be contained within an extended family,” said Placer County Health Officer Dr. Rob Oldham. “Nonetheless, it’s a good reminder to take proactive steps, especially when traveling to states or countries with active measles spread.”

Placer County said up to 90 percent of people without immunity who are exposed to measles will become ill.

The virus can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves. Touching contaminated surfaces and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth can also spread infection.

Earlier this month, California had its first measles outbreak since 2020 after eight cases were confirmed in Shasta County.

In 2025, there were 2,281 confirmed measles cases in the country, the CDC reports.

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Shaquille O’Neal supports son at Sacramento State senior night

CNN Newsource on March 3, 2026

By Michelle Dapper

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    SACRAMENTO (KCRA) — Sacramento State’s campus was buzzing with excitement as Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal attended the Hornets’ senior night to support his son, Shaqir O’Neal, one of Sac State’s seniors, during their final game at Hornet Pavilion before the Big Sky Conference Tournament later this week.

Sac State, plagued by injuries and looking to snap a seven-game losing streak, faced off against the Idaho State Bengals.

Shaqir O’Neal scored seven points in front of his family, contributing to the Hornets’ efforts.

The team built a 17-point halftime lead, with senior Prophet Johnson achieving a game-high 20 points and 10 rebounds. Freshman Mark Lavrenov from Rocklin added 19 points to the scoreboard.

Sacramento State delivered arguably their most impressive performance of the year, winning 83-65. The victory earned them the 8-seed in the Big Sky Tournament, where they will meet Idaho on Saturday.

“I just told the guys I wanted a blowout win,” Shaqir O’Neal said. “I told them it’s my senior night so I need a blowout win. Let’s have fun and put on a show.”

Asked about his dad, Shaqir said he didn’t realize how famous Shaquille O’Neal was while growing up until he got older.

“I’m learning more and more how much famous he is every day, but I just block it out. He’s a regular dude to me. He’s my dad,” Shaqir 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.

Important weapon against Iran made in Tucson

CNN Newsource on March 3, 2026

By Craig Smith

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    TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — A lot of the weapons being used against Iran were built in Tucson. The University of Arizona says Raytheon employs about 13 thousand people in the Tucson area, and adds about $2.6 billion to the local economy.

Raytheon dates to the 1920s. It pioneered parts that made radios common in American homes. It’s been a major player in defense since the beginning of World War Two when it was the main supplier of a key part of early radar systems.

Since then it has grown to be the third largest defense contractor—and it makes the weapon the government often uses first.

Tomahawk Cruise missiles launching from US warships are often some of the first images we see when the US launches an attack. The Tomahawk’s ability to strike with precision from as far as a thousand miles away without putting a pilot in danger has made it the Pentagon’s go-to weapon since the 1991 Gulf War.

Once a rocket booster pushes it out of the launch tube, the Tomahawk levels out and flies like a plane to its target. The newest models do not need a designated target when they launch. They can circle and send back images while a remote operator looks for something to hit.

Raytheon says more than 23 hundred Tomahawks have been fired in military operations—not counting Tomahawks fired in this latest operation against Iran.

The Navy leans so heavily on the Tomahawk that defense planners worry the US is burning up too much of its reserves. Just last month Raytheon announced an agreement with the government to produce a thousand additional Tomahawks. The Pentagon says the cost is about $1.3 Million per missile.

Most of the planes flying over Iran would carry Raytheon AMRAAM missiles to defend themselves. Raytheon says they are the most widely used Air to Air Missiles in the world.

Raytheon makes the Patriot missile system used to defend US air bases and other assets in the region.

If Iran threatens US warships in the region, other Raytheon products could come into play.

Raytheon supplies many of the radars on Navy ships.

Raytheon’s SM-3 and SM-6 missiles can intercept missiles on the edge of space if required.

If a ship is threatened, Navy crews can use the evolved Sea Sparrow missile, or the Rolling Airframe Missile.

Any flying threat that makes it through longer range defenses will face the Raytheon CIWS, for Close In Weapons System. It can track a target and fill the sky with bullets.

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Mountain Home mom recovering after foster dog attack, grateful for community support

CNN Newsource on March 3, 2026

By Sahana Patel

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    MOUNTAIN HOME, Idaho (KIVI) — A Mountain Home mother is recovering from serious injuries after the family’s foster dog attacked her while she was holding her infant daughter.

Natasha Chapman said the attack happened on Friday, Feb. 20. Her 4-year-old daughter, Atalie, was home from school, and her husband, Nate, was at work in Eagle when the family’s foster dog, Bodie, a Lab Catahoula mix, attacked her while she was holding her 11-month-old baby.

“So I tossed her out of the way and just went back to fighting him off,” Chapman said. “He had bit down on, I think this arm first, and then this arm, and like he had bitten all over and then at one point he had my face and my ear.”

Bodie had been with the family since November. Chapman said they were actively looking to rehome him and that the attack was unexpected.

“It was totally out of character. I would never have a dog that I thought was dangerous,” Chapman said.

While Chapman was being attacked, Atalie ran down the street screaming for help until a neighbor came to their rescue.

“I was sitting on the floor, and the neighbor came in, and she scooped up the baby who was just crawling around. And she immediately started calling everybody for me,” Chapman said.

Mountain Home Police arrived quickly, and four officers stayed for more than two hours caring for the girls.

“Then the cops really took over taking care of the girls. I guess they had them in the cop car and were playing with them,” Chapman said.

The community response extended beyond that day. Friends brought food, others offered furniture — because Chapman now has to sleep upright to restore blood flow to her ear. Plus, a local jiu-jitsu gym offered free classes for Atalie, including purchasing her a gi.

Bodie was euthanized following the attack, a decision Chapman said she is still struggling with.

“I have a lot of guilt because my daughter misses him so much. She tells me every day she misses Bodie. I have all this guilt because it feels like I triggered something. Which logically I know that I didn’t because I wasn’t hurting him,” Chapman said. “Since I’m the one who was attacked, I feel like I had to have done something to set him off, and he was like my daughter’s best friend,” Chapman said.

Chapman said she can currently hear out of her left ear, but there is still limited blood flow, and doctors have told her there is a chance she could lose it. She is also dealing with nerve damage that has left part of her face paralyzed.

Despite her injuries, Chapman said she is grateful for the outpouring of support from her neighbors.

“They just embraced my family and have helped us so much. It’s been insane,” Chapman said.

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

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

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.