Massachusetts angler recalls battle with 1,260-pound Atlantic blue marlin: “A gift from the fish gods”

By Juli McDonald

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    FALMOUTH, Massachusetts (WBZ) — It was a battle of will and skill when anglers off the coast of Massachusetts hauled in what is likely a record-breaking Atlantic blue marlin.

The fish was so big, the group thought it was a shark when they first reeled it to the surface.

Damon Sacco, captain of the boat Castafari, and his fellow anglers caught the fish on Aug. 19 about 100 miles off the coast of Falmouth. His deep-sea fishing charter had client Walter Chapman on board Wednesday.

“We had a tough start. We were probably 12 hours into the trip and we had one tuna,” Sacco said.

So the group changed course, and so did their luck. They filled their coolers with tuna, and their biggest triumph was still beneath the surface.

“It looked like a mammal or a shark. It was too big for a marlin. I’ve seen hundreds of marlin. This thing was four feet off the surface,” Sacco said. “We all saw the girth of that fish and realized oh my God this thing is an absolute behemoth.”

What happened next was what Sacco recalls as a two-hour grudge match of chaos and constant motion while the swear words and diesel smoke sputtered.

“They’re big nasty critters,” he said. “They come out of the water like freight trains. Sometimes they charge the boat. If you’re not ready they’ll shish kebab your transom, they’ll put their bill right into the wood.”

And just as they’d hoped, this humongous haul was one for the record books.

Coming in at 1,260 pounds and more than 11 feet long, it’s the largest Atlantic blue marlin ever caught off the East Coast. It’s just shy of the world record, which was caught off Brazil in 1992.

“We caught this fish on a 150-pound leader. That is just unheard of,” Sacco said. “The fact that didn’t break makes me believe this was a gift. This was a gift from the fish gods. Meant to be.”

Sacco said it’s rare that he keeps marlins.

“Some fish are that big that you’ve got to take them home,” he said.

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Baltimore police break up fights, disperse large student crowd at The Rotunda

By Adam Thompson

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    BALTIMORE, Maryland (WJZ) — Baltimore police responded to a disturbance involving a large group of students at The Rotunda in the Hampden neighborhood Monday afternoon, authorities said.

Officers responded shortly before 4 p.m. to the 700 block of W. 40th Street after security reported a large crowd of students visiting several stores in the area and using the public space. Reports on social media described it as a “teen takeover.”

Police said two students riding Lime scooters lost control and were involved in separate crashes. One scooter broke a window at Cinnaholic, while the other hit a vehicle in a parking lot.

Officers also broke up a fight involving several female students.

The property owner asked police to escort everyone out of the area, including students and customers.

Police dispersed the crowd without incident.

CBS News Baltimore has reported on planned “teen takeovers” across the state, including in Baltimore County, in areas like Towson, Owings Mills and White Marsh.

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Man catches record-breaking pumpkinseed sunfish in West Virginia

By Michael Guise

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    MORGANTOWN, West Virginia (KDKA) — A West Virginia man caught a record-breaking pumpkinseed sunfish, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources announced.

Robert Glover of Morgantown reeled in the record-setting fish in Cheat Lake in Monongalia County on Aug. 6, the agency said in a news release. The fish was 9.76 inches long and 0.75 pounds. The catch broke the previous record set on July 14 by Sierra Adamson of Beverly, who nabbed a 9.13-inch, 0.62-pound pumpkinseed sunfish from the Tygart Valley River in Randolph County, CBS affiliate WDTV reported.

Glover used a nightcrawler on a 6-pound test line, the news release said. District 1 fisheries biologist Dustin Smith certified the record.

“The pumpkinseed state record category was established in 2024 along with redbreast, redear, black crappie and redhorse,” Paul Johansen, chief of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources’s Wildlife Resources section, said. “Until this year, a record pumpkinseed hadn’t been caught. However, amazingly this is the third record set in the last month for this beautiful sunfish.”

Anyone 15 and older must have a West Virginia fishing license, which can be purchased online.

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Crews search for missing woman who helped rescue girl from Delaware River in New Jersey

By Tom Dougherty, Alicia Roberts

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    BURLINGTON COUNTY, New Jersey (KYW) — Emergency crews in New Jersey are suspending a search for a missing woman who officials say helped rescue a girl struggling in the Delaware River until Tuesday morning. Officials are now calling it a recovery mission.

Delran police responded to a report of two potential drowning victims shortly before 4 p.m. Monday at Amico Island Park at 81 Norman Ave., a Burlington County spokesperson said in a news release.

The missing woman went into the Delaware River to try rescuing a girl struggling in the water, the spokesperson said. The woman pushed the girl toward shore, where bystanders pulled her to safety.

According to the spokesperson, the woman went underwater during the rescue and has not been found.

“At the time when the reports came in that she was submerged, the tide was moving out,” Kevin Peak, deputy chief of the Delran Fire Department, said. “We’ve heard all the stories about the ocean swimmers who get pulled by the undertow. River current is almost the exact same thing. It will pull you right under. If you’re not a strong swimmer or a good swimmer, it’s not going to fare very well for anyone involved.”

The search for the missing woman includes the Delran police and fire departments, the Delran Emergency Squad, New Jersey State Police, Camden County dive team and the Philadelphia Police Department.

The search will be suspended overnight but will resume Tuesday morning.

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Video shows people climbing out of manhole in Midtown Manhattan

By Alice Gainer

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    NEW YORK, New York (WCBS) — New video shows people climbing out of a manhole in Midtown Manhattan, the latest of several similar incidents across New York City.

Three people were seen emerging from a manhole after 4 a.m. Aug. 18. It happened on Seventh Avenue across from Madison Square Garden and Penn Station.

The man who filmed the video said there were at least five people who came out, but he caught the last three.

“I was kind of in shock that this was real, and it was something I was really witnessing cause it’s usually something you see on TV or something,” he said.

He said he didn’t see them leave with anything in their hands, but “they looked professional, like they knew what they were doing.”

Back in May, similar incidents took place with people wearing waders and using headlamps and car lights to guide them. It happened in Flatbush, Williamsburg and Queens.

Police sources say these may be treasure hunters or urban explorers. They said they don’t believe there’s any connection to terrorism.

The city’s Department of Environmental Protection said it inspected the sewers at the Midtown location. They said the infrastructure is safe, but entering the sewer system is illegal and dangerous.

“Sewers can contain numerous hazards, including noxious and potentially deadly gases, unstable surfaces, flooding risks, and confined spaces. For these reasons, members of the public should never enter a pipe, drain, catch basin, manhole, or outfall,” a statement read.

The NYPD said they are actively investigating the incident.

No arrests have been made in this incident. In July, two people were arrested after one of the May manhole incidents in Brooklyn and charged with criminal trespass. In a similar 2025 incident in Brooklyn, several men faced criminal mischief and burglary charges after they were caught climbing into a manhole.

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Bronx deli customer shot during armed robbery caught on surveillance video

By Aziza Shuler

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    NEW YORK, New York (WCBS) — A man is hospitalized after a suspect walked into a Bronx deli, shot a customer and robbed the store early Tuesday, police said.

The incident was caught on a surveillance camera, showing the gunman in the 149 Grill and Deli on East 149th Street and Walton Avenue.

Video shows the suspect passing one customer at the counter and heading straight for another man who appears to be zipping up a backpack. The gunman shoots him in the right arm and chest before grabbing the bag and going behind the counter.

Store employees are seen ducking for cover as more shots are fired.

The suspect stole cash from the register before leaving, according to police.

Officers said the 33-year-old man who was shot was taken to the hospital and is expected to survive.

Police are looking for the gunman, who they say was last seen wearing a maroon sweatshirt, gray sweatpants and white sneakers.

The NYPD is investigating whether this was a targeted shooting.

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Authorities urge caution after dead bat tests positive for rabies in DeKalb County

By Dan Raby

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    DEKALB COUNTY, Georgia (WUPA) — Health authorities are asking residents in DeKalb County to watch their pets after a dead bat tested positive for rabies.

Authorities say the bat was found in the area around Terry Mill Road and tested positive on Aug. 21.

Georgia is a rabies-endemic state, which means the virus can be found in wildlife year-round. Officials say that means it’s important for residents to make sure their pets are up-to-date on their vaccinations and avoid animals that may be behaving in unusual ways.

In July, a dead bat was found in the area near South DeKalb Columbia Drive and York Place around Stone Mountain, health officials say. Other animals, such as raccoons, have tested positive in recent months.

The National Association of State Health Veterinarians says all unvaccinated dogs and cats exposed to a rabid animal need to be quarantined for four months and vaccinated one month before being released.

If you have been bitten or scratched by any stray animals or an animal suspected to have rabies, seek medical care immediately and let your provider know about the possible exposure. After that, contact GNR Public Health at (770) 339-4260 and ask for the on-call epidemiologist.

To report an animal behaving in an unusual way or to report an animal bite, call DeKalb County Animal Control at (404) 294-2996, ext. 2, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, or (404) 294-2519 after hours.

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Henry County marching band raising money to take music to France for D-Day Memorial Parade

By Kendrick Henderson

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    HENRY COUNTY, Georgia (WUPA) — While many Georgia high school bands are preparing for football season, Woodland High School’s award-winning Wolfpack Marching Band is looking ahead to an experience overseas.

The Wolfpack has the steps, the rhythm, and the tunes. Now they’re looking to take their skills across the pond to experience a history lesson up close.

The band has been picked to march in the 2027 D-Day Memorial Parade in Normandy, France.

An award-winning sound in Henry County They say practice makes perfect.

And not even a hot summer day can slow down Woodland High School’s award-winning marching band.

It’s a program that’s decorated with awards, grand championships and pride.

Back in 2022, the Wolfpack had 36 members. Now the ensemble has grown to 100.

“We are very dedicated to our craft, and this is where we do our music,” junior Rylan Kleckley said. “This is where the magic happens.”

Kleckley plays clarinet and also leads the band as drum major.

“No matter what, everybody’s going to show up and do their part to make sure everything happens in the band,” he said. “Everybody’s pretty confident in what they do, and everybody takes pride in what they do.”

Piccolo player Sydney Warren agrees.

“We have a lot of fun here. We grow a lot. We grew a lot with each other,” Warren said. “We enjoy each other’s presence, and most of all, we just grow as musicians and as better people.”

All this practice is marching them toward a big opportunity.

The band is no stranger to the international stage. Last year, the Wolfpack performed in Italy in front of the pope.

“I think it’s an awesome opportunity to provide for the younger generation so they get to see outside of the country and all those opportunities that are outside of just in the United States and things like that,” Kleckley said.

But getting there won’t be cheap.

Raising money for a major performance “We’re trying to do everything that we can to raise money to help mitigate that cost,” said Desmond Tarplin, Woodland High School’s director of bands.

He said this isn’t just about the travel costs of about $5,000 per student. It’s about providing an experience you can’t get at home.

“Being able to take high school students and get them excited about music and being able to perform in places that you may see in your history books and your history classes,” Tarplin said. “Being able to connect that back to the learning and what they’re doing is just something that it’s really, it’s the driving force behind what we do here.”

The band is turning to support from family, alumni, friends, and the community.

They’re holding fundraisers and performances to help cover the cost of the trip to France, where they’ll not only play tunes, but learn about a pivotal moment that changed the course of World War II.

“Experiencing the French culture and getting to learn, you know, other things outside of Atlanta, Georgia,” Kleckley said.

“We’re constantly growing. And I want to continue to keep growing. I also want to just show people that we’re here and that we are growing,” Warren said. “We’re a good band.”

So as you’re watching the Wolfpack perform this fall … remember this:

“The opportunity to support a group of kids who are just wanting to play their instruments and be positive and be an influence and a great representation of their community, their school, their families, for an opportunity to go and represent the United States in an area like this is something that we really don’t want to pass up,” Tarplin said.

One band. One mission. One moment in history.

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Flanigan’s fires employee accused of antisemitic attack on Jewish couple visiting South Florida

By Abby Dodge, Ana Maria Soler

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    SURFSIDE, Florida (WFOR) — A rally was held in Surfside to thank local police and Flanigan’s restaurant after a man accused of attacking a Jewish couple was arrested and fired from his job.

The #EndJewHatred movement organized the event, calling Flanigan’s decision to fire the suspect a model for other companies to follow.

The suspect, 35-year-old Jorden Perozo, is charged with battery and harassment based on religious or ethnic heritage. The incident involved a physical confrontation on the streets of Surfside.

Surfside police tracked Perozo down a few days after the attack. He was arrested at a Flanigan’s location on Harding Avenue, where he worked.

Flanigan’s fired Perozo following his arrest.

Brooke Goldstein, founder of #EndJewHatred, said the rally was about more than gratitude.

“We want to show the police how grateful we are for their swift action, and we also want to show the community that we are not afraid to show up and reclaim the space,” Goldstein said.

Political and community leaders attended the event alongside activists.

The victims in the case were visiting South Florida at the time of the attack, according to CBS News Miami’s reporting.

Perozo remains in custody. As a condition of his bond, he is not allowed to contact the victims.

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“Purpose Over Pleasure”: Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth Turns Down $305,000 Salary and Delivers a WOW Lesson in Leadership

By Francis Page Jr.

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    August 24, 2026 (Houston Style Magazine) — HOUSTON — Jonathan Traylor captured it in three unforgettable words: “Purpose over Pleasure.” And every so often, a public official makes a decision that gives those words real-world meaning—so refreshingly unexpected that taxpayers collectively lean closer and say, “WOW.” Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth has created one of those moments, choosing employees, fiscal stewardship and the mission of serving Harris County over personal financial gain after announcing that she would not accept her newly authorized $305,000 salary if the increase had to be absorbed within her office’s existing budget.

Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth has created one of those moments.

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After Harris County Commissioners Court approved salary increases placing several countywide elected officials at $305,000 annually, Hudspeth announced she would not accept her newly authorized salary because the additional compensation came without additional funding for her office. Recent county budget proceedings confirm the $305,000 salary level approved for most affected elected officials.

Why?

Because accepting more for herself could mean having less available for the people helping her office serve Harris County. Somebody cue Jonathan Traylor.

“Purpose over Pleasure.” That simple phrase from Traylor’s song could practically serve as the soundtrack to Hudspeth’s decision.

Hudspeth could have taken the money, smiled for the cameras and kept moving. Instead, she thanked Commissioners Court for recognizing the responsibilities and demands of her position while explaining that the increase would have to be absorbed within the County Clerk’s existing budget.

Her priority, she said, remains filling positions requested during the budget process and maintaining staffing necessary to serve Harris County residents.

In other words: recognition appreciated; mission first.

Making History—Then Giving Leadership Meaning Hudspeth is no stranger to breaking barriers. In November 2020, she became the first African American woman elected Harris County Clerk. Today, the Clerk’s Office notes that she spent 19 years serving in multiple roles under four county clerks before ascending to the office herself.

That history makes this latest decision even more compelling.

Representation matters—but what leaders do with the opportunity to lead matters even more.

Hudspeth’s office touches the everyday lives of residents through public records, property documents, marriage licenses, court records and other essential government services. Behind every counter, computer, filing system and customer-service interaction are employees expected to make a massive county government work.

Hudspeth essentially said those people deserve consideration before her paycheck gets bigger.

That is servant leadership with receipts.

There was no attack on Commissioners Court. No political theater. No self-congratulatory press conference declaring herself the patron saint of fiscal responsibility.

Instead, Hudspeth was gracious, measured and remarkably clear.

There is also an important distinction: elected officials should be appropriately compensated for enormous responsibilities. Declining an increase does not mean the work is not worth the salary.

It means Hudspeth decided that under these particular budget circumstances, purpose outweighed personal benefit.

And perhaps that is why the moment resonates.

Leadership is not always about what you can obtain. Sometimes character becomes clearest through what you are willing to sacrifice.

For Harris County residents, Hudspeth has offered a timely reminder that public service can still mean exactly what those two words suggest: serving the public.

Jonathan Traylor gave us the phrase.

Teneshia Hudspeth just gave Harris County a powerful illustration:

Purpose over Pleasure. People over Paycheck. Service over Self.

Now that deserves a Houston-sized WOW.

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Kierra Lee
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