Author: CNN

WFOR

By Peter D’Oench

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    Florida (WFOR) — New bodycam video released by the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office shows some tense and frightening moments as a deputy and a suspect in a minivan were involved in a gun battle in Southwest Miami-Dade, resulting in the suspect’s death.

MDSO wants to be transparent with the community

Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz said, “We recognize incidents of this nature raise questions and concerns with our community, and I believe the public has the right to see critical incidents involving law enforcement.”

She also said, “My commitment is clear: to be transparent with our community, to hold ourselves to the highest standards, and to continue to work every day and to earn and maintain your trust.”

Shots ring out in bodycam video MDSO said the incident started on Sept. 16, when there was a 911 call about a man pointing a firearm at people around SW 216th Street and 122nd Avenue.

That suspect was later identified as 44-year-old Jose Pineda Jr.

A 911 caller said, “There’s a guy in a Honda, He’s pulling a gun on everybody. Please send police. Hurry up now.”

MDSO said when Sgt. Gilberto Crespo arrived at the scene, Pineda was sitting inside a minivan. Crespo then reportedly ordered Pineda to show his hands; however, Pineda shouted back, “I got no hands.”

Then, gunfire erupted.

MDSO said Pineda fired rounds at Deputy Crespo, and some bullets struck his patrol car. The deputy was forced to hide behind a pickup truck to take cover.

In the bodycam video, Crespo can be heard shouting, “Shots fired. Shots fired. He’s armed. He’s in the car. He’s in the car.”

At some point, Pineda left his vehicle while still holding his firearm. A 2nd deputy arrived and found Pineda on the ground. Then, that deputy can be heard saying, “Where is he? Subject down. Subject down.”

Pineda received medical aid and was taken to the hospital, but didn’t survive his injuries, MDSO said.

Officers tasked with making split-second decisions, says PBA president CBS News Miami showed the bodycam video to Steadman Stahl, the president of the South Florida Police Benevolent Association.

Stahl said, “That’s absolutely incredible. These officers have to make split-second decisions. That video is just a tip of what these officers have to do in those life and death situations. You see it in seconds, not minutes, not hours. They pull up to a scene and get out of their car, and have to discharge their firearm. That was a gun battle.”

He continued, “I am glad the department is putting out that video. You can see the subject is armed. I believe other people saw him pointing his gun at people. That was not the first time the gentleman had done that.”

How many police officers have been shot nationwide As the video is released, the Fraternal Order of Police released new figures about the number of police officers shot nationwide so far this year.

The FOP said 314 officers have been shot in the line of duty, and 43 of them were killed.

CBS News Miami tried to speak with Pineda’s family; however, they haven’t been found. The deputy-involved shooting is under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

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KDKA

By Mike Darnay

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    PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — It was a potentially historic afternoon for Pittsburgh cookie table lovers as members of a Facebook community gathered to try and break the world record for the largest Christmas cookie exchange.

The “Wedding Cookie Table Community” group on Facebook made their best effort at breaking the world record as many of the community’s members gathered at the Kringle Kitchen at the Washington County Fairgrounds on Sunday.

33 teams of 10 people from within a 75-mile radius of the fairgrounds worked to make and exchange the sweet treats along with teams from across the country and even New Zealand taking part in the Christmas cookie spirit.

Event organizers say at least 80,000 cookies were at Sunday’s exchange.

Each team had their own theme along with all of their tasty creations on display.

“We hope to establish a world record,” said Laura Magone, the founder of the Wedding Cookie Table Community group.” Right now, there is not one, but I think we’ll establish one today. We’re doing everything we can with the paperwork and trying to do it right.”

It’s unclear right now exactly when information will be released if the world record was reached.

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WFOR

By Steven Yablonski

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    MIAMI (WFOR) — A drone used by the Miami Police Department was able to help officers track and eventually arrest a man connected to a domestic dispute last month, and the entire incident was caught on camera.

Police said they were dispatched to reports of a domestic-related dispute involving a boyfriend, who was later identified as 24-year-old LeCurry Anthony Williams Jr., who allegedly shoved his girlfriend and vandalized a window.

At that time, the Miami Police Department Drone First Responder unit deployed a drone to the area, which arrived at the scene before patrol units due to its aerial response capabilities, according to police.

Due to that, police said the drone was able to quickly spot Williams trying to leave the scene. The drone was also able to maintain visual contact with him and was able to relay real-time updates to officers responding to the scene.

In addition, police said Willimas tried to change clothes to avoid being recognized and arrested.

However, due to the live video feed from overhead, officers were able to remain informed of his appearance and where he was headed during the incident.

“This enhanced situational awareness allowed officers to approach and apprehend the suspect safely and without further incident, contributing to an effective resolution of the call,” the City of Miami Police Department said in a statement.

Police said the department continues to leverage innovative tools like the Drone First Responder program to enhance officer safety, improve response times, and better serve the community.

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

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KOVR

By Conor McGill

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    ROSEVILLE, California (KOVR) — On a day that highlights the deep Native American roots woven into the foundation of the United States, one Roseville man is working tirelessly to keep his culture alive.

Michael Ramirez, a member of the Konkow Maidu Tribe and a Native historian, begins each encounter with a greeting in his Native language, an act he considers essential to preserving a culture that has survived against the odds.

“How are you? My name is Michael Ramirez… my feet are here in Roseville, California,” he says, speaking in Konkow.

For Ramirez, those words are more than a tradition. They’re a promise to honor the generations before him.

Ramirez says the mission is urgent. His band, the Strawberry Band of Konkow Maidus, is down to around 70 people. Each one plays a role in ensuring their language, stories, and land stewardship practices don’t disappear.

His cultural connection runs deep. Ramirez is the great-grandson of Bertha Nye Norton, considered one of Sacramento’s founding Native mothers. He says carrying her legacy fuels his commitment.

“She saw nothing but hope in all her grandkids and I’ve got to make that mean something,” he said.

As part of that effort, Ramirez now serves as a tour guide, helping visitors understand the major moments his ancestors endured and the resilience it took to survive them.

“To be a living survivor, a living piece of history that was literally meant to be wiped out is astounding,” he said.

For Ramirez, preserving culture isn’t just about honoring the past. It’s about protecting the land his people worked, shaped, and depended on.

“This land was the product of hard work. It wasn’t something that magically happened,” he said.

Despite challenges, Ramirez says giving up is not an option. He continues to push for education, visibility, and cultural relevance beyond symbolic gestures.

“I continue to fight for education… I can’t help but be optimistic. I refuse to give up,” he said.

And on this holiday, Ramirez says he’s thankful, expressing his gratitude once more through the language of his ancestors:

“Welcome, family. Have a good day. Be a good day,” he says in Konkow.

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KCBS

By Michele Gile, Matthew Rodriguez

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    PARADISE, California (KCAL, KCBS) — For Altadena resident Brandon Castro, saying it’s been a tough year is a massive understatement.

Last year, Castro lost his mother. A few months later, he severely burned his feet after he had to escape from his family’s home without shoes as the Eaton Fire surrounded his neighborhood and demolished his home. After losing his homeowner’s insurance before the fire, Castro has been living in a short-term rental, which ends in December.

Without many options, Castro heaved a Hail Mary pass to the father-daughter duo behind the nonprofit Emergency RV. Founders Woody and Luna Faircloth began their nonprofit after the deadly Camp Fire destroyed much of Paradise, Calif.

After reading Castro’s plea for help, the nonprofit decided to surprise him with his own RV for Thanksgiving.

“Brandon just struck us,” founder Woody Faircloth said. “He just wrote us a really authentic email about losing his mother before the fire, about being injured in the fire. Now, his dream is to have a family of his own someday, as an adopted kid. He just really touched us.”

As the RV rolled up to Castro’s address, there was excitement, joy and a few tears.

“It’s amazing,” Castro said. “It’s hard because I don’t have much of a family.”

The Faircloths have helped more than three dozen Altadena families with trailers and motorhomes, giving survivors a place to live as they navigate the complicated process of getting back on their feet.

“The thing is, it’s hope,” Castro said. “I don’t know how to describe it, but it’s hope; that’s what I think I’m finally getting to. It allows me to be in this community, to keep helping other people. Every month, I’m not having to think about where I’m going to stay.”

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WCBS

By Jennifer McLogan

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    LATTINGTOWN, New York (WCBS) — The life of a 17-year-old Locust Valley High School basketball player was saved on the court, thanks to an extraordinary team of coaches, teachers, paramedics and doctors.

There was an emotional reunion on Wednesday, a little more than a week after the student went into cardiac arrest.

Players and coaches had just gathered in the school’s gymnasium on Nov. 17 for tryouts for the upcoming season when Francesco Allocca’s heart stopped beating and he stopped breathing.

“We started tryouts and we saw Francesco on the ground,” Locust Valley basketball head coach Andrew Siegel said.

“He turned very pale. I got very scared, saw one of his arms clench. He was struggling to breathe,” teammate William Summers added.

From that moment, there was instantaneous collaboration to save Allocca’s life. Coaches described how they did just that.

“It was extremely scary. I’d say it’s surreal. You do all the training on a dummy and now you are on a real human being,” assistant coach Brian LoRusso said.

“We kept doing CPR, administered a couple of shocks from the AED, which worked great,” another coach said.

“He literally came back to life right before our eyes,” another coach said.

“It’s a miracle, but he deserves it. He’s such a great kid. He’s the best,” Siegel said.

“I rode with the student as I was trying to get ahold of his mom, in the ambulance,” added Kristen Turnow, Locust Valley’s superintendent of schools.

Coaches and paramedics got Francesco to Glen Cove Hospital within 17 minutes. He was then transferred to Cohen Children’s Medical Center. He made a stunning recovery, thanks to CPR and a defibrillator.

“I actually just purchased an AED for myself and my family, so it’s probably the best thing you can probably buy for someone for their Christmas,” said Dr. Mityanand Ramnarine, Glen Cove’s Emergency Department chair.

Francesco Allocca recognized all the people who had a hand in saving his life.

“Thank you to all the coaches, medical staff, everybody else involved from that night,” Francesco Allocca said. And without you guys, I wouldn’t be here. So, really, thank you for everything.”

“This is very emotional for us, for our family. We are very grateful for coaches and staff stepping in when Francesco was having cardiac arrest,” mother Pia Allocca said.

The holidays are taking on special significance for the Allocca family, after Francesco’s father died of cancer less than two years ago.

“It couldn’t be like a better Thanksgiving. Thanks God and the community,” Pia Allocca said.

“It’s going to be great to celebrate with the family and have everyone together,” Francesco Allocca added.

Doctors want Francesco Allocca to take his time with his recovery in the hope that he can return to the court this season.

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

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KPIX

By Sharon Chin

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    FAIRFIELD, California (KPIX) — Nearly two decades after a popular Fairfield councilmember was gunned down in a case of mistaken identity, his mother and stepfather are carrying on his legacy of public service.

Together, Teresa and Raymond Courtemanche have walked a horrific journey in memory of their son, Matt Garcia.

“He loved his community. He loved Fairfield,” Teresa Courtemanche said.

Garcia had just made headlines in 2007. At age 21, he was elected the youngest city council member in Fairfield and one of the youngest in California history. Then, 10 months later, at the age of 22, he was shot to death, apparently mistaken for a drug dealer.

As his mom Teresa and his stepdad Raymond grappled with their grief, they vowed not to let go of Garcia’s dream.

“Matthew was a donor, so we were talking about his organs to meet needs. And it became real crystal clear to me, ‘Keep the dream alive,” said Raymond.

Teresa added, “We need to invest in our young people. That’s what he did, and we just want to keep that going.”

Three months after Garcia died, the Courtemanches began a nonprofit in his name. The Matt Garcia Foundation continued the work of the Fairfield native who declared as a sixth grader that he would one day hold public office.

“So, the idea is ‘community’ for us, really. That’s Matt’s message. Period,” said Raymond.

Teresa and Raymond organize volunteers a wide range of activities, from arts and crafts events, to grocery giveaways, to monthly downtown cleanup days, all funded by proceeds from an annual golf tournament.

The foundation works to support organ donation and gun buyback programs, and fight youth homelessness and human trafficking. Once a month, Teresa helps lead a Homicide Survivors Support Group, the only one of its kind in Solano County.

Licensed clinical social worker Patty Ayala comes alongside the participants and says the meetings foster hope and resilience.

“They say hurt people hurt people. And it doesn’t have to be like that. People who are healing can share their healing with other people,” Ayala said.

The foundation also presents thousands of dollars in scholarships to about a dozen students a year, including volunteer Autumn Carabajal. She’s thankful to the Courtemanches for the financial aid that allows her to study at community college and follow her dream to become a paleontologist.

“They’re really supportive with everyone around them. There’s no judgments. There’s just lots of love,” Carabajal said.

The foundation’s logo, “FFINEST”, for “Fairfield’s Finest”, was Garcia’s personalized license plate. It now embodies his parents’ hope for the lives they touch.

“That’s really the theme behind it – encouraging people to be the finest that you can be. Your friends, your family, your future,” said Raymond.

When asked what Matt would say to what his parents are accomplishing in his name?

“I feel him all the time, and he’s so proud,” said his Mom. “We can stand up in the most devastating of times and make change for the better.”

For carrying on Matt Garcia’s legacy of service to their community, this week’s CBS News Bay Area ICON Award goes to Raymond and Teresa Courtemanche.

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KCBS

By Laurie Perez

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    PASADENA, California (KCAL, KCBS) — After losing their Pasadena home in the Eaton Fire, Jun Li Lujan and her husband were among the first to finish rebuilding their home and move back in time for Thanksgiving.

“I’m a fighter,” Lujan said. “I fight back to my house.”

She’s thankful not only for a new home but also for a new beginning. Lujan’s rebuilding process in the fire zone was made a lot easier thanks to her expertise as a home builder and designer.

It has not been as smooth for many others. Los Angeles County’s recovery dashboard shows that officials have received more than 2,400 rebuilding applications, 367 of which are under construction. Other than Lujan’s, only one other home has finished rebuilding.

Lujan said she designed her home to be fire-resistant, with new aluminum siding, non-flammable furniture and a metal roof.

“That’s a big lesson for me,” she said. “When I design the new house, the first thing I think about, I need a metal roof.”

On Tuesday, Lujan and her husband hosted an open house for their neighbors, fellow fire survivors and city leaders.

“My house burned down, I never cried,” Lujan said. “Yesterday, I see them all come, I have tears.”

Hanging on Lujan’s fence is a sign that she found just weeks after the fire. It reads, “And so they built a life they loved.” The couple said they knew they would put it up once they rebuilt.

Lujan hopes the sign and the house inspire others to rebuild.

“If I can do, they can too,” she said.

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