Author: CNN Newsource

By Julie Sharp

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    LOS ANGELES (KCAL, KCBS) — A jury has found socialite Rebecca Grossman and former Dodger Scott Erickson liable for the deaths of two boys who were struck and killed in a Westlake Village crosswalk by Grossman’s car as the two were allegedly racing.

The jury awarded $176 million in damages to Nancy Iskander and her husband, Karim, as well as her son, Zachary.

The $176 million damages penalty also applies to Grossman’s husband, Dr. Peter Grossman. He was a defendant in the lawsuit because he owned the car Rebecca Grossman was driving, and the jury found he had given her permission to drive it.

Rebecca Grossman, co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation, is already serving a 15-year-to-life sentence for her 2024 conviction on two counts each of second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter, and one count of hit-and-run driving.

Eleven-year-old Mark Iskander and his brother, 8-year-old Jacob, were struck by Grossman’s Mercedes-Benz SUV as they were crossing the street with their family in a marked crosswalk in 2020.

Jurors found that Grossman and Erickson both acted with conscious disregard for the boys’ safety and awarded punitive damages in the wrongful death lawsuit.

Prosecutors said that Grossman and her then-boyfriend, Erickson, had been out for drinks and were heading toward her home, racing in separate vehicles, when she struck the boys.

Data from her car showed that she was driving at about 73 mph through the residential neighborhood at the time of the crash, according to the district attorney’s office.

Grossman continued driving after hitting the boys, eventually stopping about a quarter-mile away from the scene when her vehicle automatically shut off. The older boy died at the scene, and his 8-year-old sibling died at a hospital.

The jury also found that Grossman and Erickson acted with malice, potentially triggering a punitive damages phase of trial that could result in further penalties.

It was unclear how the damages would be divided among the three defendants.

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 Tod Palmer

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    KANSAS CITY (KSHB) — Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce are living legends and future Hall of Famers, but both pale in comparison to Lionel Messi’s global superstardom.

Messi, of course, will kick off Kansas City’s turn in the FIFA World Cup 26 spotlight when Argentina opens its defense of its 2022 World Cup title June 16 against Algeria at Kansas City Stadium, which is GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium’s name for the next six weeks.

But he and the rest of the Argentinian national team, often affectionately referred to as La Albiceleste, will also call Kansas City home for the next month, give or take, after selecting Sporting Kansas City’s Compass Minerals National Performance Center for their base camp.

Argentina is a team full of star players, but the diminutive Messi stands head and shoulders above the rest of the world’s iconic players.

For instance, Messi’s number adorned the tail fin of Argentina’s plane from Buenos Aires to Kansas City — and he wasn’t even on it. He took a flight from Miami later in the day.

On the corners of the team hotel, where fans will wait hours just to glimpse the team bus, Messi’s face stands four stories high.

An army of grown men in No. 10 replica Messi jerseys is set to invade Kansas City, a cult following similar to the Beatles.

Outside the U.S., soccer is the world’s most popular sport, so Messi’s fame in Europe, Asia and South America dwarfs that of Kansas City’s most celebrated athletes.

“Messi, he just made the game special,” Kansas City resident Thomas Zathang said as he and a couple of friends visited the team hotel Tuesday.

Anahi Fernandez, a Kansas City resident whose father is Argentinian, said Messi’s ability on the pitch is unlike anything else.

“The way he dribbles, his movement, skills — everything about it is just like, ‘Wow, I wish I could do that,'” Fernandez said.

Ricardo Zenaloza traveled from Buenos Aires to Kansas City for the World Cup and said Messi’s appeal goes beyond soccer.

“He’s a very good example about just trying — and, if you fail, try again,” Zenaloza said. “I think that’s what many people can see that makes him special. Sometimes in your life, life is sometimes putting you down, and you just need to get up and be stronger. And I feel Messi is a very good example of that.”

Messi helped Argentina reach the World Cup final in 2014, but the team came up short, and La Albiceleste struggled four years later.

But Messi led a triumph at the 2022 World Cup, cementing his status as an all-time great.

“With that trophy, no one can say anything,” Agustin Novaira, an Argentina fan from Messi’s hometown of Rosario, said. “He is the GOAT. He has everything. He won everything he played. He has Champions League, La Liga, he has the World Cup, Copa America — he has everything, so he’s the GOAT.”

Novaira said his reach is truly worldwide.

“Messi’s known everywhere — every single part of the world, people know who he is,” Novaira said. “… And he always does what he has to do. He’s amazing.”

Even fellow professionals are in awe. Graham Zusi — a former Sporting KC star, MLS Best XI midfielder, 2014 World Cup veteran and KSHB 41 World Cup analyst — said other soccer players marvel at what Messi can do.

“Oh, yeah — no question about it,” Zusi said. “I did have the opportunity to play against Messi, and I felt like I was doing that even during the game. … When he’s playing, the world seems to stop and watch — and for good reason.”

Zusi considers Messi the greatest player in world soccer history.

“He’s the greatest to do it of all time,” Zusi said.

Messi will appear in a record sixth World Cup later this month, tied with rival Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal for the most in history. His 13 goals are fourth-most in World Cup history, and his eight assists are tied for first.

Messi is a goal-scoring machine, but it’s his influence within the team — with his deft footwork and passing — that takes him to another stratosphere.

“Something that he’s done throughout his career is make other people around him so much better as well,” Zusi said. “He’s like a Michael Jordan of soccer in that sense.”

Perhaps more importantly, Fernandez said Messi’s influence extends well beyond soccer.

“He inspired me to do great in things that I love,” Fernandez 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 Jada Strayer

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    CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (KRIS) — A South Side company is taking an innovative approach to a growing problem in the Coastal Bend — creating affordable atmospheric water generation systems that pull drinking water straight from the air.

Leo Hernandez owns Airflow H2O, where he manufactures and sells atmospheric water generators right here in the Coastal Bend.

“What we are offering is a atmospheric water generation system. So what is it? Atmospheric water? It is simply water taken that’s in the air. We’ve developed a system that takes a condensation, converts it into usable water,” Hernandez said.

The water can be used for drinking, household purposes, caring for pets, watering plants, and — in its purest form — for appliances like irons, coffee makers, and CPAP machines.

The process works like an air conditioner. The system pulls in warm, moist air and runs it over coils set at approximately 40 degrees, creating condensation. That water is collected in a storage tank, then pumped through a filter system that remineralizes it before it comes out of a faucet on the unit. Hernandez said the average humidity level in Corpus Christi is over 60%, meaning the air here is well-suited for the technology.

Hernandez said he and his business partners saw a local need for the product.

“With everything going on in Corpus Christi, everyone knows there’s a water crisis. We saw that we had a need and a concern in the community that somehow the water restrictions were going to be a problem for us. We may run out of water. People are afraid that that’s gonna happen,” Hernandez said.

He added that the city has no control over water produced by the generators.

“The city controls the water system. You pay a water bill, it comes out of your pipes. They control that, but this is something that’s off grid. It’s controlled by you,” Hernandez said.

Airflow H2O currently offers 2 models. The Airflow 28 produces over 20 gallons of water per day. A second model produces over 30 gallons per day for customers who need a higher output.

What sets the devices apart, Hernandez said, is affordability and customization. Customers can adjust pH and alkaline levels, add electrolytes, or configure the system to produce distilled water for appliances — all by changing filters based on their needs. As it comes standard, Hernandez said the water quality is comparable to name brands like Dasani or Ozarka.

The basic model starts at $1,995. Customization options may increase the price, but Hernandez said the units are still far less expensive than comparable machines from other companies nationwide, which he said can run as high as $2,400.

“If you’re worried about the quality, the safety and the security of water for yourself, for your family and your household, we’re providing an option for you. That’s the most important part, I think, is that this water, you know you can trust it. You know where it came from. It’s clean, renewable and friendly and it’s also very affordable,” Hernandez said.

For customers who need help with the cost, Hernandez said Airflow H2O offers payment plans and financing options and is open to discussing those with interested buyers.

As concerns about water resources continue to grow, Airflow H2O hopes innovation can be part of the solution.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. KRIS 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.

By Tyaun Marshburn

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    NORTH OMAHA (KMTV) — As rising grocery costs make it harder for families to put fresh food on the table, Clair’s Community Garden is planting a solution in North Omaha by teaching young people how to grow their own food while providing fresh produce to the community.

For Pastor Portia Cavitt, the goal is simple.

“So that people will have access to healthy fruits and vegetables,” Cavitt said.

With the help of many young volunteers, that mission is taking root across the neighborhood, providing fresh produce to families who need it most.

During the summer, Cavitt works with North Omaha kids, teaching them about gardening and nutrition.

“So that they can learn how to eat healthy, but also grow food. That’s what we learned when we were children,” Cavitt said.

Kameron Leeper has worked in the garden for 4 years. He says learning how to grow fruits and vegetables is something every kid should know.

“Teaching the kids how to plant food. It’s just a great experience overall,” Leeper said.

The garden is full of collard greens, cabbage, tomatoes and a new favorite — kale chips.

Community members in need have also found their way to Cavitt’s door. On one recent visit, two women contacted Cavitt while she was harvesting.

“I was so happy that they called. They said they were in need of food and various people donate store bought food, so I have a separate pantry for persons that I need to come outside of my food bank,” Cavitt said.

One of those visitors, Latasha, described what it meant to find the garden.

“And I’m disabled, so… this really helps a whole lot,” Latasha said.

“And we’ve been in the line blocks away, you know? But once we got to these doors, it was like, How can we help?” Latasha said.

For Latasha, the garden represents something bigger than fresh produce.

“Everyone needs help at this point. I don’t care if you’re rich, or poor. Everybody needs help. It’s community and giving back to each other. So that’s the best part,” Latasha said.

The kids also planted zucchini, which they will later bake into goods to sell, teaching them how a business works from the ground up from production to profit.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. KMTV 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.

By CJ Maclin

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    TULSA, Oklahoma (KJRH) — Oklahoma has lifted its decades-old ban on bottle rockets, legalizing them for the first time in 45 years under a new law called the “Rocket’s Red Glare Act.”

The legislation received overwhelming bipartisan support from state lawmakers. Gov. Stitt praised the bill on social media, saying he is ready for a heck of a celebration on July Fourth.

In addition to legalizing bottle rockets, the new law allows retailers to sell fireworks year-round and limits counties’ power to restrict fireworks displays on private properties.

Rogers County Sheriff Scott Walton said his office will not become the “fireworks police” over the new law or let it impact how his deputies patrol.

“When calls go out with fireworks during the fireworks season. Sometimes those are hard to differentiate or discharge, uh, thinking that, that it could be gunshots. Our focus is on bad guys. Career criminals and everything, and it’ll remain on that. So if we got a bad guy with fireworks, you know, we’re gonna try to, you know, rock his world.”

Walton also reminded everyone to use common sense and respect their neighbors when celebrating.

Even with the new law, strict rules still apply before lighting fireworks. City ordinances can still restrict fireworks, and they cannot be used during burn bans.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. KJRH 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.

By Neal Riley, Kristina Rex

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    Massachusetts (WBZ) — Investigators say they have finally learned the identity of “Chelsea Jane Doe,” 26 years after the teenager was found brutally murdered in Massachusetts. Authorities said Wednesday that thanks to DNA testing, the victim can now be identified as 16-year-old Tiffany Bradley of Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said that on Nov. 13, 2000, police made a “horrifying” discovery in the parking lot of the Chelsea Soldiers’ Home.

“They found a body of an unknown female,” Hayden said. “Tragically she had been cut in half, she was without her head and without any hands.”

Eugene McCollom is currently serving a lifetime prison sentence for her murder. He told police he had buried her head and other body parts in the sand at Nahant Beach.

But detectives were unable to figure out who she was, until the FBI was able to find her brother using investigative generic genealogy.

“We have waited so long for this day,” Massachusetts State Police Col. Geoffrey Noble said. “It is rare to have a case like this one, where we knew the suspect’s name before the victim’s.”

Bradley’s family had reported her missing at the time to police in Pennsylvania. Investigators believe she was a victim of human trafficking, and met McCollom shortly after arriving in the Boston area. They say he killed her in his room at the Lynn YMCA.

“Her last conversation with her favorite cousin was cut short with her voice trembling, saying, ‘I’ll call you later. I have to go,'” her relative Shakirah Wiggins said. “That call never came and was replaced with 26 years of waiting, wondering why.”

Bradley was an athlete who played on her school’s basketball team and joined the ROTC. Bradley’s aunt, Janet Bradley-Knight, remembered her as “a loving girl.”

“Thank you so much for letting us take her safely home,” she said. “From the bottom of my heart, for not letting my baby be a box on the shelf. I thank you all for your tireless effort.”

“It is totally amazing that after 26 years people care enough to give her a name and return her to her family,” Wiggins said.

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By Jazmin Thibodeaux

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    LAFAYETTE PARISH, Louisiana (KATC) — On Global Running Day, one South Louisiana woman’s story is about much more than miles. It’s a story of love, loss and perseverance.

For years, Pam and Wayne “Bubba” Begnaud of Youngsville shared a goal: to run a half marathon in all 50 states together.

With only two states remaining, tragedy struck.

In November, the couple traveled to Lincoln, Nebraska, for what was supposed to be their 49th state. Instead, Bubba died unexpectedly during the trip.

“We arrived, everything was fine, we had supper, we watched a movie around 10 o’clock, we went to bed, and around midnight he started breathing, and I called an ambulance, and he passed away of ventricular fibrillation,” Pam Begnaud said.

His death came just days before the couple planned to cross another finish line together.

“After Bubba passed, I wanted to stop and just give up, but my children wouldn’t let me,” she said.

While grieving the loss of her husband, Begnaud found support from her family and fellow runners. Her children joined her in Hawaii, the state that had been scheduled as the couple’s final stop on their 50-state journey.

“I would expect nothing less from them, and I know that Bubba was encouraging us 100% to cross that finish line in Hawaii,” she said.

Bubba was posthumously awarded a 50-state medal in recognition of the accomplishment he and his wife had nearly completed together.

Determined to finish what they started, Pam later returned to Nebraska, the place where their journey came to an abrupt end, and completed the race they never got to run together.

“It was a huge celebration,” she said. “The runner friends that I have and that Bubba had, we were just comforted and they just made it so special for me. He was definitely present with me.” Today, Pam continues to honor her husband’s memory through running. Her next goal is to complete 100 half marathons by October.

She also hopes to achieve another milestone the couple once pursued together: becoming “Looney Legends.”

“We’re trying to keep his legacy alive,” Pam said. “Bubba woke up every morning and he said, ‘How can I be of service to others today?’ That was his service. That was his mission every morning, and we’re trying to live that.”

In October, Begnaud plans to attend a banquet where she and her late husband will be honored for completing half marathons in all 50 states.

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 Dawn White

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    Texas (KTVT) — A North Texas teenager’s busy life came to a sudden stop after experiencing kidney failure at just 17 years old. He spent 12 hours a day on dialysis and needed a transplant. His story became one of love and sacrifice from someone close to home.

The relationship between Blake Martens and his dad, Bill, remains unbreakable.

“We’ve always had a special bond. He’s someone I look up to,” Blake Martens said.

That bond grew even stronger through difficult times. Doctors diagnosed Blake at seven months old with multicystic dysplastic kidney, a condition in which the kidney does not develop normally in the womb.

“We had that removed when he was one year old. The belief and expectation was that he was fine,” Bill Martens said.

A sudden health crisis at 17 Blake lived a normal childhood with one kidney and started playing lacrosse at six years old. It quickly became his passion. But at 17, everything changed.

“I went into end-stage renal failure. All of a sudden, we didn’t know anything. We didn’t have a diagnosis, so it’s definitely shocking and something I didn’t expect. It was a big turnaround for me in life,” Blake Martens said.

The diagnosis was Alport Syndrome, a rare genetic disease passed on from his mother.

“I remember just simply walking into the hospital room and getting a diagnosis and just feeling absolutely gutted,” Bill Martens said.

A father steps forward to save his son Bill knew what he needed to do.

“I knew the best way I can help is to be the donor,” he said.

Bill donated a kidney at UT Southwestern, and the medical team at Children’s Health performed the transplant.

“I remember feeling a part of me is gone with kidney removed from me. That’s now in my son. It’s amazing. It’s a remarkable experience. You’re saving someone’s life,” Bill Martens said.

A return to the field and a future ahead “I was back running in about two months, rebuilding my core strength. I got to play my entire senior lacrosse season, and they put me as a captain on the team,” Blake Martens said.

From high school lacrosse captain to preparing to attend Southern Methodist University in August, Blake feels ready for what comes next thanks to his father’s sacrifice.

Blake plans to continue playing lacrosse at SMU. He takes daily medication to ensure his body does not reject his dad’s kidney.

“It’s definitely cool that he was able to give me the gift of life, and that’s something that I’ll be grateful for the rest of my life,” he said.

Blake now looks forward to living life to the fullest, strengthened by a father’s love and a bond that connects them not just emotionally, but physically as well.

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By Gabriela Vidal

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    Colorado (KCNC) — It was a frustrating and costly surprise for motorists commuting along Highway 285 on Tuesday afternoon, when many drivers punctured their tires with multiple screws scattered along the road.

“When I was driving down, it looked like glass on the road, so I really wasn’t that concerned,” said Laurie Kennedy. “Just up ahead of me, I saw a truck pulled over with a bunch of cars, and I was like, ‘Oh, they must have lost something off their truck. I hope everyone is okay.'”

I was in that moment, just before 1 p.m., when hundreds of screws fell off a truck bed along the northbound lane of Highway 285 near the Morrison exit.

Dozens of drivers commuting into the Denver area did not realize the damage they were about to face.

“Drove through and didn’t think anything of it until later, I realized that my tires had four screws in them,” said Ryan Booth.

Colorado State Patrol tells CBS Colorado they were notified of a traffic problem involving a semi-truck that spilled multiple boxes of nails/screws. Troopers managed to stop the truck and contact the driver who spilled the items on the road.

Throughout the rest of the day and into Wednesday, multiple people called their office reporting similar problems with screws covering their tires.

“Today alone, I’ve probably gotten over 20 calls,” said Steven Amador, Manager at Big O’s Tires in Conifer.

As drivers scramble to tire shops, like Big O’s, motorists CBS Colorado spoke to felt frustrated as the costs for repairs started to stack up.

“I’m getting an $1,800 estimate for four new tires,” said Booth.

“That’s the next question I keep getting is- who’s going to pay for it?” said Amador.

Drivers are hoping the person driving the truck and or the company that owns the vehicle will take accountability and reimburse the thousands of dollars many have now had to pay to keep their cars moving.

“Accidents happen, and I’m grateful as far as I know no one was hurt,” said Kennedy. “While it’s a financial strain, I’m just grateful I also had the capacity to be able to front the money.”

“I just don’t feel like I should have to pay for the highway clean-up or someone else’s spillage,” said Booth.

CBS Colorado has not been able to get a hold of the company that owns the truck involved, Wolf Logistics LLC. Drivers say they also haven’t heard back from them.

“I’m just hoping that it will end up with, you know, them taking responsibility,” said Kennedy.

CSP says the driver of the truck did cooperate with the investigation and has not been charged with anything related to the incident at this time. Anyone impacted by the incident is being provided with insurance information to file a claim with the company of the semi-truck.

“They’re trying to figure out who’s taking care of it for them, because these are not cheap items to replace,” said Amador. “Everything is expensive as it is right now.”

CSP is leading the investigation into this incident and is encouraging anyone who was affected to call the Colorado State Patrol Denver Communications Center at 303-239-4501 and use the reference case number 1A261639 when calling.

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.