Author: CNN Newsource

By Jodi Long

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    URBANDALE, Iowa (KCCI) — Each year, thousands of young Iowa girls build courage, confidence and character through Girl Scouts. There is a troop in Central Iowa also breaking barriers. Troop 535 celebrates culture as the state’s first and only bilingual troop.

At the group’s first meeting of the school year, troop leader Marlu Abarca greets the girls and their parents with a friendly, “Hola!” For the majority of girls in the troop, Spanish is their first language, including Abarca.

“I think the parents, especially, feel very comfortable being able to express themselves in their own language,” she says. “It allows them to engage more with their girls’ lives and their activities.”

Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa says it’s intentional about better connecting with families whose first language is not English. Abarca says this way, parents can be involved while the girls can embrace their heritage in a fun way with friends.

“I think this really goes to show that representation matters for the girls,” she explains. “So the fact that the girls can see someone their same age who also has parents who speak Spanish at home, and it normalizes it for them.”

The troop is getting attention from outside the state. Abarca says she has heard from other troop leaders considering starting their own bilingual troops.

“I love that other people are learning to embrace other all-girl scouts.”

Currently, Troop 535 has a waitlist. Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa says its short-term bilingual outreach programming is expanding. GSGI will offer a one-day program in Marshalltown, and several events are planned throughout the fall in the Des Moines metro.

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By Brooklyn Joyner

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    CLEVELAND, Mississippi (WAPT) — Delta State University students are reacting to the Cleveland Police Department’s ruling that Trey Reed, a 21-year-old student, died by suicide after he was found hanging from a tree on the university’s campus near the pickleball courts on Monday.

Connor Coker, a DSU student, said, “I don’t have much of an opinion on the autopsy. I’d like to think that they aren’t lying, but considering the history of Mississippi, it’s hard to be sure.”

Lebrisha Underwood, a criminal justice major at DSU, expressed skepticism, saying, “I think it’s bull. I think the family needs to hire their own personal investigator. I think they need to do their own investigating. I think it’s bull.”

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing Reed’s family, said they are seeking an independent autopsy. Reed’s grandfather has expressed suspicion about the initial ruling, citing misinformation from officials. Crump is also demanding access to a video that may show what led to Reed’s death.

Marquell Bridges from the Building Bridges Coalition for Community and Progress said, “You keep telling us what to believe, but you’re not showing us any evidence, showing us any video.”

Cleveland police have stated that all files and materials have been turned over to the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for review. They added that final toxicology results could take two to four weeks to complete.

Connor Coker also said, “If he really did kill himself, I hope his family finds peace, and if he didn’t, I hope his family finds justice.”

Trey Reed’s independent autopsy is being paid for by Colin Kaepernick’s “Know Your Rights Camp Autopsy Initiative.”

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By Tim Fang

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    California (KPIX) — Agents with California Department of Fish and Wildlife said they busted a group of more than 40 people suspected of illegally taking Dungeness crabs off the coast near San Francisco last month, issuing 15 citations.

The agency on Thursday announced the results of the bust, which took place on the night of Aug. 30. Around 9 p.m., CDFW officials responded to a report of crab poaching at Thornton Beach, just off the coast of Daly City.

The initial report claimed “about 30 people” were involved, but the agency said closer to 45 people were illegally taking Dungeness crabs by hand under lights, while the season was closed.

Officers intercepted people as they hiked back up the trail.

“Some dropped bags of crabs and ran, while others were stopped as they attempted to evade and make their way to their vehicles,” CDFW said in a statement.

During the operation, which took place between 9:45 p.m. to 4 a.m. the following morning, 15 citations were issued. Crabs, which were stuffed into trash bags, backpacks and grocery sacks, were also seized.

Officials said most of the taken crabs were undersized, which are illegal to take at any time. The number of crabs that were saved was estimated to be in the hundreds.

“Instead of ending up in a pot, these crabs were returned to the beach and scuttled back to their rightful underwater spots,” the agency added.

Anyone who may see poaching activity is urged to call the agency’s CalTip program at 1-888-334-2258, text “Caltip” TO 847411 or to use the Tip411 app.

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By Leah Phillips

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    GREENVILLE, South Carolina (WYFF) — Four student chefs from Greenville County schools competed in the annual “Healthy Lunchtime Throwdown” on Sunday for the opportunity to have their dish added to the school lunch menu.

The Euphoria Greenville festival celebrated its 20-year anniversary this year, and almost half of that time has included the competition, which promotes culinary education throughout our local schools.

“I want (students) to have the best experience when it comes to Greenville County schools,” said Chef Dayna Lee, owner of Comal864, a local Greenville restaurant.

“I care about the food that our kids are consuming. I care about the way they think about food. I care about the way they think about their community.”

Each year, students partner with seasoned industry professionals, like Lee, to cook their dishes. The professionals let the students take charge, allowing them to call the shots as the 50-minute timer counts down.

When asked about her experience with her student partner, Chef Elijah, Lee stated, “He knew exactly what he needed to me do, made that happen, and just, it’s cool to see people care. It’s cool to see younger — our younger generations — care.”

Matt Critell, principal of Reedy Laurel Elementary, helped host the competition.

He says Greenville County serves over 80,000 student meals per day, between breakfast, lunch, and after-school snacks.

“It’s not just putting good food in front of them but putting good food in front of them in an efficient and highly effective manner,” said Critell.

Greenville County School students can expect to see the winning dish on their lunch menus as soon as this October.

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By Doug Meehan

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    BOSTON (WCVB) — Ever since the early days of humankind, clay pots have been an integral part of cooking. Now, a Massachusetts woman is on a mission to bring back the ancient cookware into modern times.

“I had a fascination for clay. Just because of the enviroInside her Roslindale home workshop, Kattumuri Kargbo and her team are hard at work making one-of-a-kind, natural clay pots by hand.

“This is pure earth. Very pure earth full of nutrients that sustain life,” she said.

The pure clay is first harvested from 30 feet underground at a property owned by Kattumuri Kargbo in Bridgewater. It then goes through a process of gravity sifting and filtering. Once in a pliable state, the material is skillfully transformed into cookware that is hardened in a heated kiln.

When finished, Kattumuri Kargbo said you cook with her pots the same way as you would with any pot or pan.

“You can braise in them, you can cook soups and stews,and grains and rice. You name it,” she said.

Kattumuri Kargbo said that what you cannot name are any harmful properties in her cookware. She said natural clay pots are heather cooking vessels than ones made of ceramic clay or traditional metals. Her hope is to offer a healthier version of cooking that starts with the pot itself.

“So, when you teach people and bring about that awareness, I think we can be successful, and I said that’s what I’m going to do,” Kattumuri Kargbo said.

Becoming a successful business has not been without its challenges. Seven years ago, the mother of four lost everything, including her company, when her home at this same Roslindale location went up in flames.

“2018 was a year that, like, latterly transformed our lives because here was this massive fire that practically took everything we ever owned. It took my business. It took my home. It took everything,” Kattumuri Kargbo said.

Undeterred, Kattumuri Kargbo rebuilt her home and her business. And like her cookware itself, she gained strength and renewed purpose through the heat of fire.

“Thank God we came back. We rebuilt and we started it all over again and we persevered,” she said.nmentally friendly nature of it,” said Miriam Kattumuri Kargbo, owner of Miriam’s Earthen Cookware.

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By Ava Rash

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    PITTSBURGH (WTAE) — The cast and crew of “The Pitt” have returned to Pittsburgh to film the second season of the acclaimed show, just days after their success at the Emmy Awards.

The stars flew into Pittsburgh right after the Emmys to get to work shooting at Allegheny General Hospital.

The show took home five awards on Sunday night, including Outstanding Drama Series, and Noah Wyle, who plays Dr. Robby, received his Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.

“My daughter cleared off space on our mantle, and then she went to sleep, and I came home, and I put both of them on the mantel, and she woke up, and she came in the bedroom the next morning, she said, ‘Dad, what happened?’ And I said, go down and see. She went downstairs, and I could hear her say, ‘You got two,'” Wyle said.

In his first interview since the win, Wyle praised Pittsburgh and its contribution to the show.

“It just seemed like a really great city and a quintessentially American city. The more detail that we put into the show that makes it feel more Pittsburgh-specific, I feel, makes it more relatable to people that aren’t from Pittsburgh because everybody has a Primantis sandwich, everybody’s got an Iron City beer in their town. And the more specific you can identify it to this place, the more people can feel like it’s their place as well,” he said.

Filming locations include the hospital’s LifeFlight helipad, a rooftop which provides scenic views of the city, and various entryways to the facility. Part of the hospital was transformed, with Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center signs on the front doors.

Patrick Ball, who plays Dr. Frank Langdon, is also back for season two and shared his preparation for the role. “I really just watched a lot of Mike Tomlin interviews, and, yeah. And just watched the Aaron Rodgers highlights, pretty much,” Ball said.

The show is praised for its realistic depiction of the challenges health care workers face. Dr. Brent Rau, the real-life Dr. Robby at Allegheny General Hospital, where part of the show is filmed, commended its accuracy.

“The whole show does a remarkable job of just showing what health care workers go through every day. In the emergency department and outside of the emergency department, as well as with our paramedic colleagues and nurses, physicians, all the staff involved,” Rau said.

As for season two, viewers can expect another intense 15 hours set on the Fourth of July. “There’ll be more fireworks than just over the roof,” the show teased.

Season two of “The Pitt” will be back in January 2026.

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By Cecilio Padilla

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    SACRAMENTO, California (KMAX, KOVR) — Authorities say no one was hurt after a preteen took their parents’ car and led deputies on a short chase in south Sacramento Monday morning.

The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office says, just after 7 a.m., they got a report about a 12-year-old boy allegedly taking their family car and driving to his former school.

At the school on Caymus Drive in south Sacramento, deputies say the boy ran over some traffic cones and then left.

Deputies quickly spotted the vehicle and tried to pull the boy over, but he allegedly led them on a chase through the neighborhood.

A parked car and a patrol vehicle were struck during the chase, the sheriff’s office says. No injuries were reported.

The boy has been taken into custody, deputies say.

Gerber Road near Valley Wood Drive remained blocked due to the investigation.

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By LeeAnn Huntoon

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    ORLANDO, Florida (WESH) — State investigators say they agree with Universal Orlando Resort’s findings that a ride was operating normally when a guest became unconscious and later died.

“The department’s current findings align with those shared by Universal after monitoring the same tests and reviewing the same information. The investigation is ongoing, and additional information will be released as it becomes available,” the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said.

Original story:

WESH 2 has obtained a copy of a letter sent to Universal Orlando Team Members after the death of a guest who rode the Stardust Racers roller coaster.

In the letter, President & COO of Universal Orlando Resort Karen Irwin said, “Our hearts are with our Guest’s family and loved ones, and with all of you who have been impacted by the tragic loss.”

Irwin continues stating that internal findings to date confirm that the ride systems functioned as intended, equipment was intact at the ride’s start, throughout the duration of the ride and upon the ride vehicle’s return to the station.

The letter tells Universal Orlando Team Members to be mindful that this is an ongoing investigation.

Kevin Rodriguez Zavala was found unresponsive on the Stardust Racers roller coaster on Wednesday and later pronounced dead at the hospital, according to Universal Orlando officials.

The medical examiner confirmed that the death was accidental, citing multiple blunt impact injuries.

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By Lauren Pozen, Dean Fioresi

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    California (KCAL, KCBS) — A West Hollywood man who had a troubling run-in with one of the city’s many delivery robots is raising concerns about the encounter and potential safety and accessibility issues they may present to the public.

The video, which has since gone viral on social media, shows the moments that Mark Chaney-Gay was traveling down the sidewalk on Sept. 13. While he’s keeping his sense of humor about him after the incident, he says there still are some serious accessibility issues that need to be addressed.

“I just went to toe-to-toe with a robot, objectively funny, but also concerning,” he said. “Bumper cars with a robot in 2025, it’s timely.”

He says that he was trying to overtake the Serve Robotics delivery robot, but it continued to cut into his path instead of moving out of the way.

“I tried to go right, it followed me. I tried to then overtake it to the left, and then as I am doing that it cuts me off, almost hits me and then slams on its brakes,” Chaney-Gay recalled.

At that moment, the robot slammed into him and his scooter, jolting him backwards as well. Though he wasn’t injured in the incident, he shared the encounter on social media to help raise awareness.

“If I would have been on my crutches … and it stopped in front of me, I would have fallen,” he said.

CBS News Los Angeles reached out to Serve Robotics for comment, sho said that the robot’s safety system failed, as it was supposed to move out of the pedestrian’s path.

“After examining this incident, we learned that our safety system designed to predict pedestrians’ intentions and cede way to them instead caused the robot to impede their way. Within a few moments the robot came to a full stop, which is considered its fail safe state, to allow other sidewalk users to proceed,” a statement from the company said, in part. “We are designing our robots to not be an impediment to others, in particular those with disabilities, and we regret when we do not live up to our intentions however briefly.”

Chaney-Gay says that the issue goes beyond just improving delivery robots.

“It is a risk and an issue to kind of just say they’re working to make them better,” he said. “They are already on the streets, so they’re already out here doing things and you should be able to account for that.”

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department officials say that they are aware of the incident but that they are not investigating the matter as no crime occurred.

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By Amanda Roberts

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    COOKEVILLE, Tennessee (WTVF) — A 27-year-old Cookeville man is alive today because a CPR instructor happened to be in the right place at the right time during a medical emergency at a local TJ Maxx store.

Zach Porter collapsed from sudden cardiac arrest while shopping, with no memory of the terrifying incident that nearly claimed his life. Mike Brown, who was reluctantly accompanying his wife on a shopping trip, became Porter’s lifesaver when he performed CPR until paramedics arrived.

“I didn’t want to go TJ Maxx with my wife, but I did,” Brown said. “And at the last minute, I decided to go in to herd her out of there. And there he was on the ground.”

Brown, who not only knows CPR but teaches CPR courses, immediately sprang into action when he saw Porter unconscious on the floor.

“It was just kind of surreal to be honest with you because nobody was really doing anything except trying to get his attention,” Brown said. “And so I just ran up and started doing CPR.”

The intervention proved crucial for Porter, who spent 10 days in the ICU at Vanderbilt University Medical Center recovering from the cardiac event.

“I just woke up at Vanderbilt, just very confused,” Porter said. “I’m just really glad that Mike was here to help out. Otherwise, I’d be in a lot worse shape than I am now.”

Doctors explained that scar tissue from Porter’s previous open heart surgeries created an electrical abnormality that short-circuited his heart, causing the sudden cardiac arrest.

“You know, the first thing I heard was your sternum crack,” Brown told Porter during their emotional reunion. “Really? Yeah, and I felt it. I was like, oh my gosh.”

Porter credits Brown with saving not just his life, but his brain function by keeping blood flowing during the critical moments before emergency responders arrived.

“I mean, he literally saved my brain, saved my life by just keeping my blood pumping, which is pretty great,” Porter said. “I’m super lucky and it could have happened anywhere.”

The two men, who were strangers before the incident, now share an unbreakable bond forged by the life-saving moment.

“I call it divine intervention, you know?” Brown said.

Both men hope their story will inspire others to learn CPR, emphasizing that anyone can be called upon to save a life in an emergency situation.

“Mostly just to learn CPR. I think is a great way to look at it, is know CPR,” Brown said.

Porter and his family are also seeking to thank an unidentified woman who assisted with chest compressions during the emergency. In the chaos of the moment, they were unable to get her contact information, but would like to express their gratitude for her help.

CPR certification lasts for two years and can be obtained through various organization,s including the American Red Cross and American Heart Association.

This story was reported on-air by Amanda Roberts and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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