Author: CNN

WFOR

By Erika Gonzalez

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    MIAMI (WFOR) — They bought homes with big dreams, and even bigger mortgage payments, hoping to refinance once rates dropped. But with interest rates still hovering near 6%, real relief hasn’t arrived.

When Eddie Capote and Beatriz Lora bought their first home together in Miami in 2023, interest rates were climbing, but so was their dream of finding a place to start a family.

“It was a full rehab project for the both of us, but now I think we’ve little by little we’ve started to make it more beautiful as the months go by,” Lora said.

But fixing up their new home was just part of the challenge. What’s been harder to rebuild is their budget.

“We’ve been waiting for rates to come down for two years,” Capote said. “Obviously, we were expecting that when we purchased they would come down sooner.”

Melinda Payne with The Truth About Lending said she’s hearing that same frustration from many of her clients stuck in refinancing limbo.

“There’s a tremendous amount of demand that is going on right now, even with the slight decreases we’ve seen over the last several months in interest rates,” Payne said.

Payne said for some homeowners who bought when rates peaked around October 2023, refinancing could finally make sense.

“We see that there are clients out there that have interest rates in the high sevens, maybe even in the low eights,” she said. “So right now, with interest rates being in the high fives to the low sixes, it’s a significant savings for them.”

Even as rates inch lower, experts say homeowners need to crunch the numbers before they refinance, factoring in the new rate, closing costs and how long they plan to stay in their home.

Payne said it’s not a one-size-fits-all decision.

“A perfect example is we have a client who owns a house right now that’s at a much higher interest rate, but he’s moving, he’s selling,” she said. “So even though he may have a 7.8% interest rate, the closing costs that he would pay just don’t make sense for him to refinance right now.”

For now, Payne said the best strategy isn’t rushing to refinance, it’s getting ready for when the right moment comes by paying down other debt, keeping your credit score high and building equity.

“What’s that magic number if it were to drop, what do we need to have? What papers do we need to have in place to to be able to refi?” Lora said.

Mortgage rates are determined by several factors, including the 10-year treasury bond yield, federal reserve policy, investment activity and other economic conditions. But this fall, many experts say the jobs market and inflation will be the top influencers on where mortgage rates head next.

As for Capote and Lora, they’re just waiting for rates to hit their goal and they hope it happens soon.

“Like a 5, 5.25%, we’re, gonna pull the trigger. I mean that’d be like $1,000 a month in savings,” Capote said. “Who wouldn’t want to do that?”

One piece of advice Payne gives her clients who are still house hunting: make sure you’re comfortable with the payment at today’s rate, not the rate you hope to get later. Because while refinancing may save you money down the line, it shouldn’t be the only plan keeping that dream home within reach.

This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate partner and does not contain original CNN reporting.

Please note: 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.

KOVR

By Tori Apodaca, Irene Gonzalez

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    SACRAMENTO, California (KOVR) — November marks Native American Heritage Month — not just a celebration of culture, tradition and history, but a reminder of strength and resilience.

In Sacramento County, one group of young Native girls is living that resilience every week — learning to lead, speak proudly and reclaim their identity.

On a Tuesday night inside a small community room, members of the Native Sisters Circle begin to gather.

Since 2018, the Sacramento-based nonprofit has helped Native American girls find confidence, connection and belonging.

“There are a lot of things that are, families are still healing from, and so to be able to have a space like this, it really makes a difference,” said Leticia Aguilar, the founder of the group.

Aguilar says the idea to form the group came to her after seeing her only daughter struggle, like she did.

“I just needed to just be the one to create something as such, something where girls can go to feel safe,” Aguilar said.

Angelina Hinojosa considers herself a first member.

“I’m my mother’s daughter, so I’m the reason why she started the group. So, I guess you can say I’m one of the first participants,” Hinojosa, Leticia’s daughter, said.

Just like her mom, Angelina helps guide and inspire Native American girls to be their authentic selves and become confident leaders in their own community.

“Every girl walking in here and not knowing what they’re going to do today, but knowing that they’re being who they are, and being comfortable here, and knowing they can say, ‘Hey, this is my safe space,'” Hinojosa said.

This group meeting does more than create a safe space. It allows them to embrace their identity no matter where they go in the world.

On this night, the young girls say a prayer before a meal.

Their energetic laughter is contagious.

After their meal, the group takes part in traditional talking circles — which often serve as mental health support sessions.

“The circle teachings, for us as a tribal community, means that there’s equality. Everyone is equal. We sit in a circle,” Aguilar said. “The more that we can create trust, that’s the goal.”

Aguilar says the program is about changing the way the girls see themselves.

“I’m having to shift the narrative into knowing that they are already powerful. They’re so powerful within their own selves already,” Aguilar said.

Outside these walls, some members are hosting workshops and leading Native youth leadership conferences – using skills they learned at the Native Sisters Circle.

“They get to advocate for things they’re passionate about. And so, for me, that is the most empowering thing,” Aguilar said.

The Native Sisters Circle will take part in the 2nd Annual Native American Heritage Month Parade on Saturday, Nov. 8 at the California State Capitol. For more information about the youth group, head to their website.

This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate partner and does not contain original CNN reporting.

Please note: 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.

WBZ

By Logan Hall

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    MARLBORO, Massachusetts (WBZ) — For the first time ever, the Massachusetts Nipmuc third- and fourth-grade flag football Super Bowl champion team is made up entirely of girls.

The team made history on Sunday in Marlboro with an electric come-from-behind victory against an all-boys team to claim the championship trophy. The girls were down one point, then after getting a safety with less than a minute left, they won 32 to 31.

“Just to watch them progress, to catch the ball now, to understand plays and to make defensive plays. It’s just amazing to watch these girls,” said Coach Nader Hamed.

The Nipmuc Flag Football League has been working to grow participation and encourage more girls to get involved, and this season they were finally able to form a full girls’ team. But without another all-girls team to play against, the league decided to have them play against the boys’ teams.

“These girls right here, they never let up. They just keep going, and it’s awesome to see,” said league president Michael Curry. “I’m proud of every one of them.”

Many of the players started the season as beginners, but quickly grew to become the best team in the league in their very first season.

Standout Bell Phillips scored four touchdowns for her team in the championship game.

“This is a big deal for me, this is my first year ever playing flag football,” Phillips said. “So it’s really important that I can help all my teammates and that I’ve made it this far, and to compete with people who’ve maybe been playing for three years or more. So it means a lot.”

People say that it was the grit and determination of this team that fueled their success. The win marks a milestone for the Nipmuc league and they hope to see more and more girls join the league in the future.

This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate partner and does not contain original CNN reporting.

Please note: 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.

KDKA

By Michael Guise, Ricky Sayer

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    PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — First responders rescued 27 passengers stuck on board the Monongahela Incline in Pittsburgh on Saturday afternoon, officials said.

Crews safely removed the passengers after the east and west cars “unexpectedly stopped working” during a trip, according to Adam Brandolph, a spokesperson for Pittsburgh Regional Transit. The incline stopped working around 2:25 p.m. when the cars stopped about 40 feet short of their stations.

“It started going up. And as soon as it started to pick up speed, it just stopped,” passenger Trevor Graham said. “It just froze.”

The five passengers in the west car, the car closest to the upper station, were rescued by 4:20 p.m., and the 22 passengers on the east car were rescued by 6 p.m. A Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire ladder truck was brought in around 5:30 p.m. to help rescue the passengers on the east car faster. At first, ropes were used to bring passengers to safety.

“It was a little bit tenuous,” passenger Gary Leikam said.

Emergency crews remained in contact with the passengers during the incident. No injuries were reported.

“It was interesting,” Graham said. “I didn’t think my day would turn out the way it did.”

Brandolph said crews tried to “restart” the Mon Incline ” a few times” before removing the passengers. The cause of the shutdown is under investigation.

“I want to extend my deepest thanks to the first responders – paramedics, firefighters, and police officers – who helped get these riders to safety,” PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman said in a news release. “I also want to apologize to the riders who were inconvenienced today and thank them for remaining calm in a high stress situation.”

The incline will remain closed through at least Monday morning, Brandolph said. Until it reopens, Pittsburgh Regional Transit will utilize shuttle buses from the bus stop at Station Square to the incline’s upper station.

The Mon Incline, which opened in 1870, is the oldest continuously operating funicular railway in the U.S. It underwent a multi-million dollar upgrade in 2023, but still has faced troubles, including multiple closures in 2024.

First responders attend training exercises to prepare for emergencies on the Mon Incline.

This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate partner and does not contain original CNN reporting.

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KPIX

By Itay Hod

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    SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX) — In a cramped garage right across from San Francisco’s Dolores Park, something prehistoric has emerged.

“It looks like it’s good to go,” Trevor Mead said, making a final check before his latest transformation.

For the past three years, Mead, a San Francisco lawyer and artist, has been working on a monster of a project. He flips a switch, steps inside, adjusts the controls — and just like that, the creature comes to life.

Meet the Doloresaurus, a seven-foot-tall, fifteen-foot-long glowing dinosaur on a mission to light up people’s lives. About once a week, he roams the neighborhood, stomping his way into people’s hearts.

“That is the best Halloween costume I’ve ever seen,” said local Stephanie Gladney.

“Only in San Francisco! Trust, only in San Francisco,” added Brendon Milan-Howells, another parkgoer.

Mead said the idea first hatched in 2023, when he saw a dinosaur art installation and wondered, “What if I made my own?” Only his version is less Jurassic Park and more Dolores Park.

“It is spreading joy at exactly the time and place we need it the most,” Mead said.

With PVC bones and skin made of foam lined with LED lights, the Doloresaurus can roam the streets for up to six hours at a time. Mead said this is just the first hatchling — he hopes to build a whole herd so others can roam their own stomping grounds.

At the end of the night, this dino headed back to his cave, a reminder that sometimes, even the craziest idea can spark a kind of joy that never goes extinct.

“When I’m done, I’m tired,” Mead said, “but it’s always satisfying, especially when nothing broke.”

This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate partner and does not contain original CNN reporting.

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WBZ

By Brandon Truitt

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    WATERTOWN, Massachusetts (WBZ) — Thousands of dollars are missing from a Watertown, Massachusetts church after police said someone walked in and stole the donations.

Watertown police said roughly $9,000 in donations was stolen from St. Patrick’s Church on Main Street sometime after 5:30 p.m. on Monday. A call reporting the missing money came in around 8:30 Tuesday morning.

“Anytime a church is broken into people feel bad,” said Father Timothy Kearney of St. Patrick’s.

The reverend went on to say that in these economic times people are already stretching every dollar to continue to make donations to the church.

“In a lot of churches, the people who give often are giving something else up so that they can give,” Father Kearney said. “So, you feel bad about that, but you also feel bad too that you know somebody was desperate enough they had to steal from a church.”

The money was set to cover the basics, the day-to-day operational costs of electricity, heat and other essentials to keep the church up and running.

Watertown police have been tight tight-lipped on the details of how this person got in or what, if any, evidence they have been able to gather. They are asking for the public’s help to turn over surveillance footage and come forward with any information.

“We try to look at it as best we can, the way that we think Jesus would look at it,” said Father Kearney. “He would not want the robbery, but he would also want forgiveness.”

The church says its youth and upcoming Christmas programs should not be impacted.

This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate partner and does not contain original CNN reporting.

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KPIX

By Amanda Hari

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    SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX) — People in San Francisco’s Mission District are mourning after a neighborhood cat was killed.

KitKat was the store cat at Randa’s Market on 16th Street near Valencia, but late Monday night, the shop owner says the cat was hit by a Waymo. Now, a growing memorial occupies the space just outside the market.

“It was everybody’s cat,” said neighbor Margarita Lawa. “Everybody loved KitKat.”

So much so, most people couldn’t remember when they met him. He was a feline fixture in the community, interacting with everyone who walked into the market.

Lara described him as affectionate and social. She says once Kitkat got locked out, she spent the night with him.

“I discovered how loveable he is, he was,” said Lara, correcting herself. “So lovable.”

He was nicknamed “the Mayor of 16th Street” and had essentially become local royalty.

Lara spent Wednesday afternoon curating an altar for him, but she doesn’t take credit for it.

“This was built by the community,” Lara stated. “This was one hundred percent built by the community. I came to give it a base and fabric and some place to keep it safe. My co-worker took that picture of KitKat. Someone brought him a crown, people brought him mice, little toy mice.”

She believes the neighborhood needs this space.

“It’s closure,” Lara stated. “They’re able to come together, celebrate this being’s life and there’s closure in that.”

Flowers, candles, and cards with heartfelt messages continue to accumulate at the altar.

Owner Mike Zeidan says he couldn’t have imagined this outpouring.

“It’s really touching, and we are very thankful and appreciative of all the love and support,” Zeidan said.

Zeidan says KitKat was killed late Monday night, after being hit by a Waymo.

One neighbor recalls witnessing the aftermath.

“I got off the muni, and I walked up and saw,” the neighbor explained. “At first I thought it was a human friend, and then I recognized it was a different friend.”

But that doesn’t make the reality any less devastating.

For nearly a decade, people looked forward to visiting KitKat. He brightened their days. Now, they just have the memories, but at least Lara knows she helped to create a space where everyone can share them.

“There’s nothing like this,” Lara said. “Everybody knows there’s nothing like this. No other cat is going to be like this. It’s already a big void.”

This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate partner and does not contain original CNN reporting.

Please note: 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.