Author: CNN Newsource

By Erika Stanish

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    ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Pennsylvania (KDKA) — An Allegheny County woman is facing theft charges after police said she stole more than $4,000 from a scholarship fund created to honor a fallen McKeesport police officer.

Tracy Whitney was charged this week after police said the 51-year-old woman used money from the McKeesport Area Fallen Heroes Scholarship Fund for her own personal benefit. The fund was created in memory of Officer Sean Sluganski, who was killed in the line of duty in 2023 while responding to a domestic situation.

Police said Whitney and co-workers at McKeesport Area School District created a scholarship fund to provide money for McKeesport students looking to pursue a career in public service.

In April, an employee at the district reportedly told police they began questioning the scholarship fund’s account balance and went to the Huntington National Bank branch in White Oak, where they discovered suspicious activity.

“The witness stated that they skimmed the transaction history, discovered suspicious activity and froze the account,” police said.

The employee told police that Whitney was the sole administrator and only person with access to online banking accounts.

Police said Whitney also served as president of McKeesport Educational Support, a union for the McKeesport Area School District support staff who are not in the teachers’ union.

“The witness stated that they had asked Whitney multiple times for the login information for both the union and scholarship accounts, however, Whitney would give various excuses about online access being locked out by Huntington National Bank,” police said.

Police said bank records and transaction reports revealed that Whitney allegedly took $4,272.73 and used the money to make payments at places like T-Mobile, Duquesne Light Company, Verizon Wireless, Walmart, Shop ‘n Save and Plaza Azteca.

The witness told police there shouldn’t have been any activity on the account after June 2025, “because the Slugfest fundraising fund had just ended.” Transactions show at least two dozen purchases or payments from July 2025 to February 2026.

“It’s just really disappointing. It seems like these type of things keep happening in McKeesport all of a sudden. Like these past few years, money’s just being taken from everywhere,” said Dominique Webb, a McKeesport resident.

Police said Whitney reported to a coworker that there were no applicants for the scholarship fund this past spring. However, the witness later learned that three students had actually applied.

McKeesport Police Chief Josh Alfer called the situation “heartbreaking.”

“It’s tragic that someone would take funds from an account made in honor of Officer Sluganski. It’s a shame that someone would remove another child’s opportunity and take away what the scholarship was designed for,” Alfer said.

Whitney’s attorney, Mike DeRiso, said his client found herself in an unfortunate financial situation and made some “poor decisions.” DeRiso said the money has since been paid back.

Whitney was arrested and released on bond. She faces charges including theft and receiving stolen property.

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 Tania Francois

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    MIAMI (WFOR) — A South Florida woman who spent years preparing for a career in emergency medicine says the end of her Temporary Protected Status has left her unable to work and afraid to leave her home.

The woman asked CBS News Miami to call her “Vanessa” because of concerns about her immigration status. She said she and her father have barely left their South Florida home in weeks.

“I don’t think I have words for how terrible it is because being a doctor is like my one dream for my entire life,” Vanessa said.

Vanessa came to the United States after surviving Haiti’s devastating 2010 earthquake. She remembers being in the street when the earthquake struck and watching people around her die and suffer serious injuries. She said that experience helped drive her decision to pursue medicine.

“I felt like I would not be helpless anymore if I were to go back and have all this schooling, all this knowledge, and be able to finish it and be able to give back when I get there and help,” she said.

Vanessa graduated from Florida International University, completed medical school, and entered a three-year emergency medicine residency program at a South Florida hospital. She was completing the first year of her residency when she lost her TPS and ability to work.

“I have barely two years left, and they just pulled the rug out and said, ‘No, you’re done now,'” she said.

Vanessa said she had been treating patients in the ICU, responding to trauma cases and helping with pediatric emergencies. “I can’t work without finishing the training program,” Vanessa said. “I can’t work anywhere, so even if I were to go to Haiti, I can’t help them.”

Vanessa’s father is an attorney who also served as a government official in Haiti. His TPS has also expired. He told CBS News Miami in Creole that he fears returning to Haiti because of gang violence and believes he could be targeted. He said a recent gang attack in Kenscoff killed dozens of people, including some of his friends.

Vanessa’s mother works at a nursing home. With a pending asylum case, she has a work permit allowing her to keep working — though she can still be detained by immigration officials.

“Every day they’re going out, they’re also risking being detained,” Vanessa said.

Vanessa’s youngest brother is a U.S.-born teenager — the only American citizen in the immediate family. She said her family has not told him the full extent of their immigration situation.

“I don’t think my family wants to talk to him about this because, I mean, he’s a child,” Vanessa said.

Vanessa said she would be more willing to return to Haiti if the country were safe, but she wants the opportunity to finish her residency first. She said she cannot complete that training in Haiti.

“You just have useless knowledge in your brain just sitting there,” she said, describing what it feels like to be a doctor unable to complete her training.

Vanessa said her South Florida hospital tried to help by applying for a work visa on her behalf, but the application was denied. She said the hospital is holding her residency position in hopes that her immigration situation changes and she can return to work.

For now, Vanessa says she continues studying from home while waiting and hoping for the opportunity to return to the hospital and finish the career she has spent years working toward.

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 Kaley Fedko

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    HENRY COUNTY, Georgia (WUPA) — For the first time in Georgia, parents who feel they have nowhere to turn will have a way to safely and anonymously surrender their newborns.

The state’s first Safe Haven Baby Box will be available beginning Friday, Aug. 28, at Henry County Fire Station 6.

From the outside, it looks like a small door built into the fire station’s wall. Fire Chief Pat Wilson believes what is behind it could save a life.

“Prior to that, you had to come into the fire station and physically give your child over to a firefighter,” Wilson told CBS News Atlanta. “Now, this gives another option that’s anonymous and safe, and I will tell you, this will save lives.”

A parent can open the exterior door and place a newborn up to 45 days old inside a temperature-controlled bassinet.

Once the door closes, it locks and alerts first responders that a baby is inside.

“Once that door opens, an alarm is set off,” Wilson said. “It’s monitored 24 hours a day at our 911 center. Once they get that alert, they alert the station as well as our law enforcement partners that we have a child within the box.”

A camera inside the box is also monitored around the clock.

Wilson said first responders have five minutes or less to reach the baby and begin providing care.

The baby is then taken to a hospital, and the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services takes over.

The box became possible after Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed House Bill 350, known as the Eliza Jane Warner Act, into law in May.

The law authorizes newborn safety devices in Georgia, giving parents in crisis another option beyond surrendering a baby face-to-face.

“If they make that decision, we have provided a location, a space that’s safe for that parent, that mom, to surrender their child anonymously so that child can receive care quickly, as well as get connected to the right resources to be placed in a good home,” Wilson said.

The Safe Haven Baby Box will be unlocked Friday after the fire department’s chaplain blesses it at 9:30 a.m.

Wilson said the county is budgeting to install additional baby boxes at other locations.

Any parent can use the baby box, regardless of where they live.

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 Emily McLeod

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    ATLANTA (WUPA) — Tributes to Dolly Parton continued Wednesday evening at Jolene Jolene in Atlanta’s Kirkwood neighborhood.

Jolene Jolene hosted “Dolly Hour,” featuring Dirt Road Martinis made with vodka, unsweetened iced tea and pickled vegetable brine.

“I Googled what her favorite drink was, and it was this Dirt Road Martini, which is just hilarious because it’s so simple, it packs a punch, and it’s just like Dolly, you know?” said Jolene Jolene owner Chelsea Fishman.

The bar donated 100% of the proceeds from every Dirt Road Martini sold during Dolly Hour to Parton’s Imagination Library.

Fishman said the Jolene Jolene community loves serving and caring for others.

“It only makes sense that when we decided to do this, what we’re calling Dolly Hour from 5 to 9, where 100% of the proceeds are going to Dolly’s Imagination Library, we knew that our community would be on board,” Fishman said.

Fishman said she named the bar after her cat, Jolene, who was named after Parton’s hit song “Jolene.”

“Honestly, I always had a dream that Dolly would come here,” Fishman said. “So, yeah, I mean, the news was heartbreaking, and she felt like someone who was going to live forever.”

Atlanta resident Stephanie DiLorio honored Parton by wearing a sequin dress to Dolly Hour.

“I love her confidence, and I love her connection to joy,” DiLorio said. “She’s just so sparkly, like this dress, and really, really happy and really, really kind.”

Like so many others, DiLorio said she is going to miss Parton.

“I knew she wouldn’t be here forever, but I just maybe wasn’t expecting it and wasn’t ready for it,” DiLorio said.

Jolene Jolene honored Parton’s legacy by giving back and bringing people together.

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 Joe Van Ryn

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    HUTCHINSON, Minnesota (WCCO) — Something sweet is in the making at the University of Minnesota.

The university is celebrating its 175th anniversary with a new signature ice cream flavor called North Star Apple Crisp, combining apple crisp flavors with a swirl of aronia berry.

“It’s got the crumble, it’s got a little tart from the berry, everybody likes the cinnamon and apple,” U of M Pilot Plant Technical Manager and food scientist Mitchell Maher said.

The flavor was selected from nearly 500 ideas submitted by the public. Heather and Paul Wright of Wright Farms in Hutchinson, Minnesota, submitted the winning idea.

“It was just a cool experience. I mean, we just submitted a story, an idea, and the university really knocked it out of the park when they mixed it all together,” Heather Wright said.

The ice cream recognizes Minnesota’s dairy industry and pays homage to the university’s apple breeding program. The Wrights also added a personal touch: a swirl made with aronia berries. They run Minnesota’s largest certified organic aronia berry orchard.

“It just had to have a swirl of aronia berry inside there to kind of really put that finishing touch on the idea,” Paul Wright said.

North Star Apple Crisp is produced at the university’s food processing center on the St. Paul campus and was released Monday.

“We made one full production run and it seems like we’re about half sold out already,” Maher said.

With demand already high, the scientists who helped bring the Wrights’ idea to life are preparing to make more.

“We’re already looking at the inventory and going, oh boy, time to get another batch rollin’,” Maher said.

The ice cream is available for purchase at the meat and dairy salesroom on the University of Minnesota’s St. Paul campus.

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 Kristen Consillio

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    KA’U, Hawaii (KITV) — Thousands of cattle on Hawaii Island are in desperate need of water after a storm destroyed their water source. Hawaii County leaders and ranchers are set to meet tomorrow to find a solution.

A lifeline for thousands of cattle in the Big Island’s Ka’u district was cut off by Hurricane Lala.

“You see hip bones, you see rib cages, like I cannot even begin to express just how dire and desperate the situation is,” said Hawaii County Councilmember Ashley Kierkiewicz. “Every single one of his storage tanks and troughs are dry to the bone.”

The storm severely damaged the water system and it’s unclear when it will be restored.

“In just my experience with disaster recovery, animals, livestock are often overlooked,” she said. “We’ve been able to identify over 6,000 livestock, 4,500 of which need water hauled in on a daily basis because of damage to the Department of Water Supply’s water system.”

Now the community is rallying together to help them survive. Over the past week, water donations have poured in every day, but it’s only a temporary solution.

“We just don’t know the extent of the damage and the availability of parts to fix the water lines at this time,” Kierkiewicz said.

While county officials are still assessing the damage, the clock is ticking. Each passing day creates an even more dire situation.

“There’s a lot of homestead ranchers down there and this is their livelihood. If they lose their cattle, they lose their livelihood,” said rancher Ryan Schultz. “Because the price of beef is so high right now, it’s not like we can buy cattle and replace them so it’s super important that we get help and water back to the Kaʻu district just to keep the cattle alive.”

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 Jonathan Greco

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    OKLAHOMA CITY (KOCO) — Bodycam video shows the moments a man ignited a makeshift flamethrower while law enforcement served an eviction notice at an Oklahoma City apartment.

An incident report from the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office states that deputies served an eviction order shortly before 11:55 a.m. on Aug. 11 at an apartment on South Harvey Avenue. After the person living in the apartment didn’t let deputies in, Housing Authority staff unlocked the door but still couldn’t get it open.

The report states that Housing Authority security eventually kicked in the door, but it wouldn’t fully open. Video shows that an object was blocking the door from the inside, preventing it from opening completely.

Deputies pushed the object out of the way and went into the cluttered apartment. They saw the man who was being evicted sitting in the bedroom.

According to the incident report, the suspect sprayed an aerosol at law enforcement and lit it on fire, “creating an improvised flamethrower.” Bodycam video shows a large flame coming out of the bedroom and toward law enforcement.

Deputies told the suspect to put down the device, but he didn’t comply. Someone in the background can be heard saying that there appeared to be an improvised explosive device inside the apartment.

Deputies found a car battery with wires hooked to it on a table in front of the suspect. The wires went from the car battery into the living room to a device by the front door.

Law enforcement evacuated the apartment, during which deputies saw that there were “two rows of different types of aerosol cans taped together with wires that went into it.”

Authorities evacuated the building and the bomb squad responded to the scene. The bomb squad disabled the device and removed it from the apartment.

The suspect was detained and taken to a nearby Veterans Affairs hospital due to medical issues and stress, according to the incident report. He was later placed in a mental hospital, and he faces out-of-custody charges, including assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, aggravated assault, use of an incendiary device or explosives, and obstructing an officer.

KOCO 5 has chosen not to release the suspect’s name because formal charges have not been filed.

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By Sean McDowell

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    MESA, Arizona (KNXV) — When 11-year-old Mark Lathouwers walked into Mesa Academy for Advanced Studies on Tuesday, he had no idea what was waiting for him.

The sixth grader was among thousands of students who completed the American Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge, including a CPR training course called “Finn’s Mission,” lessons in lifesaving techniques completed at home with his parents.

His name was randomly drawn from every student who finished the program, and when he was called to the stage during a school assembly, the Arizona Cardinals cheerleaders and mascot Big Red were there to greet him. Inside the wrappers he was handed: two tickets to Super Bowl 61.

The surprise sent the whole student body cheering. Mark, a Cardinals fan who also roots for the Packers, says he hopes the Cardinals make it to the game. His dad, Rich Lathouwers, says the moment felt like something out of a childhood dream.

“It’s more of things you think of when you’re a kid, like when I was his age,” Rich said. “I thought, I’m probably not going to go to one of these unless something like this happens,” Mark said. He plans to take his dad to the game, and the family is working on finding a third ticket for Mom. Super Bowl 61 is scheduled for Feb.14 at SoFi Stadium in California.

Beyond the excitement, the American Heart Association says the Kids Heart Challenge is designed to hook young people on heart-healthy habits early. Sandra Foisy with the Association says getting kids trained in CPR is a priority.

“Young people need to learn hands-only CPR,” Foisy said. “Sometimes, our young students know what to do in case of an emergency even while adults are feeling a little stressed. They can jump right to action.”

Mark himself has already taken that message to heart. “I tell others you should mainly do the training because you could literally save someone’s life, and keep them alive until 9-1-1 arrives,” he 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 Ashley Zavala

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    SACRAMENTO, California (KCRA) — Gov. Gavin Newsom’s push to limit how much private utility companies pay for causing devastating wildfires is fueling debate between wildfire victims and firefighters as California’s legislative session approaches its final days.

The proposal, which critics have called a “bailout” for PG&E, SDG&E, and Southern California Edison, has yet to be put in writing. Newsom’s administration argues that the current wildfire liability system is flawed, warning of potential utility bankruptcies and the depletion of the state’s wildfire liability fund.

Los Angeles-area wildfire victims traveled to Sacramento to voice their opposition to the plan. The group peacefully demonstrated outside of the governor’s mansion as Newsom hosted a reception for state lawmakers Monday night. They also hosted a press conference on the situation Tuesday morning.

The group expressed concerns about Newsom’s proposal to limit how much utilities pay victims, attorneys, and insurance companies if they cause a fire in the future.

“Governor Newsom’s team keeps telling us, ‘everybody stand down, this doesn’t impact you!'” said Joy Chen, leader of the group Every Wildfire Survivor Network, in an interview with KCRA 3. “Today we are the victims, tomorrow, any Californian could be of a system that continues to enable three companies to keep burning down communities.”

Newsom’s administration has defended the proposal, saying the current system slows down payments to victims due to disputes between utilities, insurance companies, trial attorneys, and hedge funds.

“Here’s my response to those who don’t want change: it’s untenable. Status quo is not going to work. It’s not going to work for victims,” Newsom said at an unrelated press conference in the Bay Area last week.

The California Professional Firefighters union announced its support for the plan this week, citing changes made by the governor to address how the proposal could impact local governments. The initial version of the governor’s proposal would have severely limited how much local governments get to rebuild when their property is destroyed. Those changes to the proposal have not yet been made public.

In a letter to Newsom, the union wrote, “The stability of the state’s utilities, insurance plans, and recovery funds must all be balanced with ensuring that wildfire victims and impacted communities are able to recover and rebuild.”

The firefighters’ union did not respond to requests for an interview before the publication deadline. None of the investor-owned utility companies have commented on the proposal.

Former Democratic Assemblyman Chris Holden, who helped create California’s current wildfire liability system in 2019 after PG&E caused the Camp Fire, expressed concerns about the timing of the proposed changes.

“We really shouldn’t be here,” Holden told KCRA 3 in an interview.

“What is untenable is that the utilities continue to find themselves starting fires and burning down communities, they need to be held accountable for them,” he said.

When asked if the system needs change, Holden added, “I think there’s always [a] need to look at it and make it stronger. To do it at the 11th hour at the end of session is not the time.”

Sources close to the situation Tuesday afternoon said Democrats in the California Senate have introduced a counterproposal. Unlike Newsom’s plan, the Senate’s proposal would allow insurance companies to continue suing investor-owned utility companies to recoup their losses.

Other elements of the Senate’s plan include limiting utility companies’ return on investment for wildfire maintenance and pushing the California Public Utilities Commission to cap future utility rate increases at the rate of inflation.

California’s legislative session ends Aug. 31st. Because state law requires a 72-hour public review period for proposed state laws, lawmakers and the governor have until Friday to put a negotiated plan into legislation.

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By Travers Mackel

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    PECAN ISLAND, Louisiana (WDSU) — Louisiana officials announced a major SpaceX project Tuesday morning.

According to a news release issued by Louisiana Economic Development, the aerospace company plans to build a launch site near Vermilion Bay, southeast of Lafayette.

Gov. Jeff Landry and state leaders gathered in Abbeville to unveil the long-rumored project, which has been in development for months.

Elon Musk, the owner of SpaceX, was not in attendance.

In total, the project is expected to bring a $100 billion investment to the state of Louisiana.

According to a news release issued by SpaceX, the company is expected to create 3,000 direct new jobs over the next 10 years, paying an average annual salary of $92,600, 192% above the Vermilion Parish average wage. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will generate more than 8,100 indirect new jobs for more than 11,100 new job opportunities in Acadiana.

SpaceX is also donating $25 million to the Community Foundation of Acadiana.

According to SpaceX, the company will source Louisiana for in-state vendors and contracts tied to the site.

According to SpaceX, the company develops reusable launch systems, satellite communications and human spaceflight technologies designed to expand access to space.

The company is developing Starship, its next-generation fully reusable launch system. Over the coming years, SpaceX aims to make Starship operational at scale, transforming how humanity accesses space and supporting national priorities like building a base on the Moon and the eventual human exploration and settlement of Mars, according to a statement issued by the company.

The company says Vermilion Parish will become the company’s fourth and largest launch site, playing a key role in ramping up Starship missions.

At full buildout, the site is expected to include five launch complexes, each with two launch pads and a propellant farm. The development will also include a propellant production facility, power generation, vehicle processing and residential housing for employees and their families, according to SpaceX.

According to SpaceX, the company has joined Source Louisiana, the state’s online database connecting Louisiana businesses with contract and vendor opportunities tied to major development projects. Louisiana businesses are encouraged to register, verify and update their profiles to help ensure they are considered for future contracting opportunities with SpaceX and other projects across the state.

SpaceX also plans to host town halls and other community engagement events throughout the surrounding area, giving residents opportunities to meet with the company, learn more about the project, ask questions and provide feedback. Details will be shared as they become available.

Construction is expected to begin in 2027 with the first launch targeted for as soon as 2029.

Concerns have been raised about the potential impact on resources in the rural area near the Gulf.

“I do have deep concerns about what this means, because that area of the state that this is going in, it’s one of our rural co-ops. Entergy does not have service down in Pecan Island, so it concerns me that one of our co-ops who don’t own their own power. What does it mean for them?” said Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis.

SpaceX, founded by Musk in 2002, operates a corporate office and launch site in Texas. Much of the Louisiana deal remains under a nondisclosure agreement, a common practice in economic development negotiations under Landry’s administration.

SpaceX says it has already engaged the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority and other appropriate state agencies to proactively address potential impacts to wildlife, fisheries and their supporting habitats.

The company plans to partner with local conservation organizations and experts to identify opportunities to protect and enhance natural resources surrounding the site while working to avoid, minimize and mitigate potential impacts to Louisiana’s wildlife and habitats.

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.