Video shows Michigan State Police directing horse to shelter during blizzard

CNN Newsource on March 18, 2026

By Paula Wethington

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    UPPER PENINSULA, Michigan (WWJ) — A horse that was wandering outside amid blizzard conditions in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula found shelter with the help of Michigan State Police.

The horse had escaped from its farm on Monday and ran about a mile north along M-129 during the winter storm, state police said.

Michigan State Police helped direct a horse to safe shelter during a winter storm on March 16, 2026, in the Upper Peninsula.

Troopers from the MSP Sault Ste. Marie post and a U.S. Border Patrol agent coaxed the horse to walk into a neighbor’s barn and stay there until the owner could arrive and retrieve the animal.

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula were hit by a late-season winter storm over the weekend that resulted in ice and blizzard conditions.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Michigan wrestler defying all odds to get back on the mat after losing his leg to cancer

CNN Newsource on March 18, 2026

By Sidney Moore

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    DOWAGIAC, Michigan (WBND-LD) — Weski Wesaw is a son, brother, but most of all a fighter; after going through a traumatic event, he managed to come out on top. But before that event, Wesaw had a very ordinary childhood. Wesaw was the first baby in the family who loved to play and wrestle, but unfortunately that all changed one winter day. Wesaw says, “I was wrestling, and my coach fell on it, so, like, he bruised it, and, like, my legs started, like, hurting really badly when I started walking. So we got to check that.”

The family then found out Weski had a form of bone cancer called osteosarcoma. Felicia Wesaw, Weski’s grandma tells ABC57’s Sidney Moore that the whole family tried their best to stay strong for Weski after hearing this devastating news. Felicia says, “You don’t cry in front of them. That’s because they’re already fighting the biggest battle of their life, which is life and death. And how do you explain that to a child? He was just a child. He was just a just a little kid, you know.”

Unfortunately, this diagnosis felt all too familiar as Felicia’s daughter, Yvonne Rosario Ortiz, had the same form of cancer, which she was able to fight until 2009, when she passed away. Weski quickly had to make a decision that would shape his life forever, to keep his leg or to lose it. His aunt chose to not amputate anything after her diagnosis, which then led the cancer to spread throughout her body.

Felicia Wesaw, Weski’s Grandma explains, “He got his leg amputated, a little bit above his knee, but they had to go back in and shave it again. So that was twice, and he was like, he’s just a young guy.”

After losing his leg, Weski explains that he fell into depression after this big change. “I didn’t go to school at all, like, I think I missed, like, I had to have award for like, missing the greatest number of days, or something. I didn’t go to school at all, and I didn’t have no motivation. I felt like I was out of place. I felt like by having one leg and walking around with a whole bunch of kids around my age, I felt like I was alone.”

But one day that all changed when speaking with the school secretary Tonya Brooks Weski decided he wanted to wrestle again. They brought the idea to Athletic Director Brent Nate who was unsure about the outcome but was all game. “I’m not going to lie to you, in my mind, I’m like, thinking, how in the heck is this going to happen? And Coach Brandt was like, absolutely. I think I just looked at him, like, okay, you say it. I go. The coach says it’s going to happen. We’re making it happen.”

After that conversation, it was game on. Tonya Brooks the School Secretary says, “You could see the light in his eyes, and you could tell how excited he was to have it was almost like an A moment of acceptance for him after everything had went on, and it gave him the drive, or it gave him a reason to come to school.”

With only one leg, Weski had to relearn the sport, telling ABC57’s Sidney Moore it’s a completely different approach. “It’s a whole different ballpark from normal wrestling. I have to really think about it like my moves and what works the best for me.”

Now he is competing between 144-to-165-pound bracket depending on where the team needs him.

Weski now is pushing to the future hoping to continue wrestling in college along with a double major in business and engineering.

He also hopes to get a prosthetic leg come may to be able to walk across the stage at graduation so Secretary Tonya Brooks can turn his tassel.

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.

North Phoenix arson suspect caught using license plate readers, GPS tracking and ATF dog

CNN Newsource on March 18, 2026

By Jordan Bontke

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    PHOENIX (KNXV) — A suspect has been charged with arson in connection with a north Phoenix strip center fire that left several business owners without their livelihoods, after investigators used security video, license plate readers, GPS tracking, and a specially trained ATF dog to crack the case.

The fire broke out at a north Phoenix strip center in early February. Among those affected was America Ortiz, owner of Pawdazzle, a dog grooming business that sustained fire and smoke damage in the blaze.

“I’m bummed out, I’m sad. I’m sad because I’m a single mom and I have to support my kids, and that’s all I have,” Ortiz said.

The smoke smell damaged her product inventory and grooming materials, much of which had to be thrown away. Ortiz has gone weeks without operating Pawdazzle, with still weeks to go before she can reopen.

“We’re very sad that we can’t operate right now,” Ortiz said.

While Ortiz works toward reopening, fire investigators brought in a one-of-a-kind resource to help determine how the fire started — a Labrador Retriever named Xanadu.

Xanadu is the only ATF Accelerant Detection K-9 in the entire state of Arizona, we’re told. If she smells an accelerant, she will sit or point with her nose toward the location to help investigators determine how a fire started.

“She’s a state asset that any agency can call upon, and we’ll take her out to run those fire scenes,” an investigator said.

While Xanadu worked on the scene, police reviewed security video from the night of the fire, including footage of a white Prius pulling up to the strip center. Court paperwork shows the car was a rental from a business on Van Buren Street near downtown Phoenix.

A license plate reader — used throughout the Valley — discovered where the Prius was registered: a car rental business for rideshare drivers. The owner told police the car is GPS tracked, and that information led police to find the Prius and the driver, who was charged with arson.

Ortiz said she was relieved to see some justice — and she had a special offer for Xanadu.

“Once we reopen, I just want to say Xanadu will always have free grooming, free nail trims, everything. We are just so proud of him,” Ortiz said.

The arson suspect has pleaded not guilty. A trial is currently set for July.

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

Jail inmates and 4-H students bond through agriculture and art

CNN Newsource on March 18, 2026

By Michelle Reyes

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    EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KOAA) — More than 250 inmates across seven wards at the El Paso County Jail in Colorado Springs took part in the Cultivating Change: Agriculture and Mental Health Initiative, a collaboration between the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Jail-Based Behavioral Services program and the local Country Style 4-H Club.

The program, launched in recognition of National Agriculture Month, connected incarcerated individuals with 4-H youth through agricultural education, mental health awareness and creative expression.

Workshops were facilitated by a licensed therapist and an agricultural business owner. The workshops incorporated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy concepts to help participants build coping strategies and foster self-reflection.

Seven youth members from the Country Style 4-H Club developed presentations on agriculture’s role in daily life and career pathways across Colorado. The materials also included messages of encouragement delivered to inmates through structured workshops.

“We showed off what we know in agriculture,” said Moriah Hudson, a 17-year-old who has been part of 4-H for five years.

Ten-year-old Carson, another participant, said he and his brothers presented on market goats, one of several topics covered in the program. Other subjects included the following:

horse health sheep cow horses livestock genetic rodeo horsemanship For some inmates, the experience offered a rare connection to life outside.

“It meant a lot because… I grew up in the country,” said one inmate.

The workshops also gave inmates an outlet for mental health challenges.

“I have bipolar depression, it actually took me out of my negative thoughts and took me out of this place, even for a moment it’s a bliss,” said one inmate.

The initiative culminated in murals painted on jail walls, inspired by the agricultural themes introduced by the 4-H students.

“Probably one of the best days I’ve ever had in jail,” one inmate said of the experience.

For those who worked on the murals, the process itself carried meaning.

“Working on this mural, it’s something we had to ask for every day. They don’t just open the door and say get to work,” said one inmate.

Eric Carnell, Detention Support Commander at the El Paso County Jail, said the program was designed to give inmates a constructive way to express themselves.

“If they have something to say, why not give them the correct platform where they can express themselves,” said Carnell.

Carnell also reflected on the broader impact of bringing youth and inmates together.

“Maybe instead of giving a plethora of medication and other things, maybe our children are that inspiration,” said Carnell.

One inmate summed up the lessons left behind on the walls.

“Don’t be afraid to be different. Yeah, you know, it’s okay to be odd like the little sheep right here. Gotta take it one day at a time, just like agriculture,” said the inmate.

The public can now vote for their favorite mural online. Voting opens March 18 at 11 a.m and runs through early next week.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Husband was chasing wife before violent multi-car crash in Covina, police say

CNN Newsource on March 18, 2026

By KABC Staff

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    COVINA, Calif. (KABC) — A violent multi-vehicle crash near an intersection in Covina early Wednesday morning stemmed from a domestic violence incident, police confirmed.

The crash involving five vehicles was reported just before 5:50am at Hollenbeck Avenue and Cypress Street, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Covina police later confirmed to Eyewitness News that it happened as a husband was chasing his wife at a high rate of speed. He eventually crashed into the other cars.

A view from AIR7 showed the widespread wreckage across the street as firefighters rushed to treat and transport several people. Most of the cars sustained significant damage. One of those cars was overturned.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department said four people were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. At least one person who was trapped in one of the cars had to be extricated. Several ambulances were seen at the scene.

It’s unclear if the wife was one of the people injured in the crash. Her husband, however, fled the scene was later found hiding at a nearby home before he was taken into custody.

Additional details were not available.

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Pocatello man charged with rape, child porn and sexual exploitation accepts plea agreement, dismissing nearly all charges

CNN Newsource on March 18, 2026

By Daniel V. Ramirez

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    POCATELLO (eastidahonews.com) — A 21-year-old facing multiple charges of child pornography, rape, and exploitation has accepted a plea agreement that will drop nearly all of the charges.

Taisen Lopez-Scharer currently has two active cases, with each impacting a different victim.

In the first case, which was filed in 2024, he was charged with four felony counts of rape. The second case, which was filed last year, he faces two charges of felony sexual exploitation of a child and two felony charges of possession of child porn.

On March 4, a plea agreement was submitted and signed by Lopez-Scharer, which states that the 21-year-old will plead guilty to only one count of rape, with the remaining charges in both cases being dismissed.

The agreement is nonbinding, meaning the judge does not have to accept it. The document does not state a sentencing recommendation.

Lopez-Scharer is scheduled to appear before District Judge Javier Gabiola for a change of plea at 9:30 a.m. on March 30.

Rape Charges On Sept. 17, 2024, Lopez-Scharer, 19 at the time, was arrested after a mother called the Pocatello Police Department and said he was attempting to kick down the front door of her home. The mother told officers that her daughter was having a miscarriage and that Lopez-Scharer was the father.

Lopez-Scharer was interviewed by detectives, where he admitted to having sex with a woman’s daughter, who was 16, on four different occasions, and knew the girl was a minor.

Child porn and sexual exploitation charges In September, Lopez-Scharer was charged with four new felonies after a different mother in Iowa contacted the PPD after finding her daughter had sent explicit images to Lopez-Scharer.

According to a 134-page court document, Lopez-Scharer, 20 at the time, had been talking with this girl since December 2023, when the pair had been sending each other explicit videos. The documents also state he had talked with the girl about the rape charges and hoped to have that case dismissed.

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.

Farmington police officer found justified in killing gunman beating, threatening wife

CNN Newsource on March 18, 2026

By Tim Vandenack

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    FARMINGTON (KSL) — The Davis County Attorney’s Office determined a Farmington police officer was legally justified in shooting and killing an armed man involved in a fight last year with his unarmed wife.

A review of the incident showed the officer’s actions fell within guidelines in state law outlining permissible use of force, said David Cole, chief criminal deputy in the Davis County Attorney’s Office, in a letter to Farmington Police Chief Austin Anderson.

“Consequently, he is entitled to the defense of justification under the statute, and we therefore decline to prosecute him,” he wrote in the Jan. 28 letter, supplied to KSL in response to a public records request.

Shaun Connery Oliver, 58, was shot and killed by a Farmington police officer outside a neighbor’s home in Farmington in the early morning hours of April 21, 2025. Three officers had been responding to a report that Oliver was pointing a gun at his wife and threatening to kill her.

The initial press release, issued the morning after the incident, offered few details about what happened. A summary of the investigation into the incident, also supplied to KSL this week, offers more details, though names of the officers and some of the others involved and other details are redacted.

The investigation summary called the conflict between Oliver and his wife a “domestic violence incident.” The woman had fled from their home to a neighbor’s home across the street, yelling for help, her husband following her with a handgun. Neighbors called police and “reported to dispatch that the male was pointing the gun at the female’s head and threatening to kill her,” the summary states.

Two Farmington police officers and a Kaysville police officer responded, finding Oliver and his wife outside the neighbor’s home. The man “was seen standing with his back toward the officers and pushing his body and the gun up against the victim … who was pinned in the corner of the house,” it says.

The officers ordered the man to drop his weapon, a .45-caliber handgun, and he initially raised his arms above his head, still holding the weapon, then dropped his arms to his side. Oliver refused additional orders to drop his gun, still in his hand, as his wife, crouched on the ground, covered her head and screamed. The man then turned toward his wife, and his right hand “turned to her as well,” which is when one of the Farmington officers fired a single round from his rifle at the man.

“The round struck (the man) on the right side of his neck just below his ear. (The man) was immediately incapacitated and collapsed to the ground,” the summary states. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The woman had suffered “multiple blunt force trauma strikes to her head and face” during the altercation with her husband, which caused “a brain bleed.”

The incident was investigated by the Davis County Critical Incident Team. In deeming that the officer who fired the weapon was justified, the Jan. 28 letter from the Davis County Attorney’s Office cited a provision of law that permits use of deadly force if it “is necessary to prevent death or serious bodily injury to the officer or an individual other than the suspect.”

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

1 in custody after police chase car through Chicago suburbs, interstate

CNN Newsource on March 18, 2026

By Sara Tenenbaum

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    BENSENVILLE, Illinois (WBBM) — A driver was taken into custody after a long, slow-speed police chase through the north suburbs on I-294 and I-94 Wednesday morning.

The chase apparently started in or near Bensenville, Illinois. A champagne-colored sedan was pursued by at least three black police SUVs, with more police cars a ways behind, apparently controlling the long line of traffic that is stuck behind the pursuit.

Law enforcement from Bensenville, Elmhurst and Chicago as well as Illinois State Police are reportedly involved in the pursuit.

It was not immediately clear what prompted the chase. The car has, at times, slowed to a near crawl and then quickly picked up speed, putting distance between itself and the officers behind it.

Police deployed two sets of road spikes to try to stop the car, but it continued north. Then, around noon, the car finally pulled over and came to a stop in the right shoulder.

CBS Skywatch was over the scene just past Route 176 on northbound I-94 as police surrounded the vehicle and took the driver into custody, apparently without incident.

A lane is blocked in the wake of the chase and traffic in the area remains heavy.

CBS News Chicago has reached out to Bensenville, Elmhurst and Chicago police and Illinois State Police for more information and are waiting 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.

Hospital employee runs ‘Wendell’s Welcome Wagon’ after life-changing accident

CNN Newsource on March 18, 2026

By Matteo Iadonisi

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    WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, New Jersey (WPVI) — It was a miracle when Wendell Sweeney walked away from a life-changing accident.

Now, he walks with a new purpose: to deliver comfort and joy to patients with the help of his ‘Welcome Wagon.’

Sweeney is a member of the Guest Services team at Jefferson Health Washington Township. His primary job consists of greeting guests and checking them in at the Silvestri Tower.

But Sweeney also got tapped to pioneer a new patient care cart program as well. It became known as ‘Wendell’s Welcome Wagon.’

He keeps it stocked with hygiene products, crossword puzzles, custom activity books, TV guides, and more. The items are donated from co-workers, patients, and Sweeney himself. Everything is free of charge.

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Student who survived deadly Tesla Cybertruck crash in California sues automaker

CNN Newsource on March 18, 2026

By Tim Fang

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    SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX) — A college student who survived a fiery crash involving a Tesla Cybertruck in the San Francisco Bay Area has sued the automaker, alleging the vehicle’s design trapped the occupants inside.

Attorneys representing Jordan Miller, who survived the solo vehicle crash, filed a lawsuit in Alameda County Superior Court this week. The lawsuit accuses the automaker of negligence, design defect, failure to warn and failure to recall.

On the morning of Nov. 27, 2024, the driver of the Cybertruck carrying four college students slammed into a tree in the community of Piedmont, catching fire. Attorneys said a friend who was driving behind them saw the crash and ran to the truck.

“He reached for the doors. There were no handles. He pressed the electronic buttons. Nothing happened. He grabbed a tree branch and swung it at the window again and again, but the reinforced glass held,” the attorneys said a statement.

The friend was eventually able to break the glass and pulled Miller to safety. Miller suffered numerous injuries, including burns to his airways to his airways and lungs and four fractured vertebrae, attorneys said.

Three others, identified as Soren Dixon, Jack Nelson and Krysta Tsukahara, died at the scene. All four inside the pickup had graduated from Piedmont High School in 2023.

“A friend was right there within seconds,” said attorney Annie Wu. “Jordan was trapped in a burning vehicle when he didn’t have to be. That is a design problem.”

CBS News Bay Area has reached out to Tesla for comment.

The families of Tsukahara and Nelson have filed separate lawsuits in the case.

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