Navy doctor under investigation after social media posts of transgender healthcare role

CNN Newsource on September 23, 2025

By Perla Shaheen

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    SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — A San Diego-based Navy commander is under investigation after social media posts about her LinkedIn profile led to her removal from leadership positions.

Commander Janelle Marra, who has served on active duty in the Navy for 17 years as a doctor and the head of a unit trained to provide medical care during military operations, was notified earlier this month that she was being investigated.

“I don’t care where you work or what you do. Nobody should have to find out that they’ve lost positions via Twitter,” Marra said.

According to Marra’s wife, Cassandra, they didn’t understand what was happening until they saw a post on X from a far-right account called Libs of TikTok. The account had screenshotted Marra’s profile, highlighting her pronouns and job title as Deputy Medical Director for Transgender Healthcare.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth reposted the screenshot with the caption: “Pronouns updated: she/her/fired.”

“Why would you repost something like that? It was a little bit terrifying, because we’re still receiving threats and harassment,” Cassandra said.

Cassandra shared a nomination letter from January of last year that includes Marra’s title as “Navy Deputy Medical Officer for the Transgender Health Center” under the Biden administration.

“Nobody ever said, hey we’re dropping this, we’re stopping this, so she kept doing the job,” Cassandra said.

A U.S. Navy official told me that the Transgender Health Center was abandoned during Donald Trump’s presidency. The official said Marra was nominated but not officially appointed to the position.

Cassandra says Marra was expected to start the job once she was nominated.

“She goes into work every single day, still willing to serve this country despite what her country’s done to her,” Cassandra said.

Marra hasn’t been fired and is still working as a physician at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego.

A Navy official says she “was removed from her leadership role due to a loss of confidence in her ability to lead pending an investigation of potential violation of Navy social media policy.”

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. KGTV’s editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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Rio Grande Gorge Bridge closed to pedestrians after recent suicides

CNN Newsource on September 23, 2025

By Jason McNabb

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    TAOS, New Mexico (KOAT) — The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge near Taos, New Mexico, has been closed to pedestrian traffic after a recent surge in suicides, including the death of a 15-year-old boy on Sunday, prompting the New Mexico Department of Transportation to seek a viable solution.

Since the 1960s, the bridge has been a popular spot for tourists and sightseers seeking breathtaking views of the river and canyon below. However, a sign now greets visitors, stating, “Do not stop on the bridge,” and “No walking allowed.” Six people have died by suicide at the bridge in 2025, with half of those occurring in the last three weeks.

Taos County Sheriff Steve Miera previously commented on the situation, saying, “Unfortunately, you have people from all over the state, from all over the country come to jump off this bridge.”

Clarie Miller, the lead coordinator of suicide prevention for the state’s Department of Health, supports the move to close the bridge and hopes it leads to a permanent barrier.

“We know, as recommended by American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, that barriers are the best thing when it comes to bridges. You can look at different states across the country and know that our call boxes were a first step,” Miller said.

However, some visitors expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of a barrier. One visitor remarked, “It’s just going to lead to more fatalities, illness and injuries. It’s going to be decrepit to walk through for our tourists and our local community to look through.”

Dr. Jagdish Khubchandani, a public health professor at New Mexico State University, noted the unusual nature of the suicides at the bridge.

“This seems like an emerging copycat kind of suicides where we are looking at possibly a point cluster where a number suicides happen. In a short period of time in a particular space. So this has to be investigated as per the guidelines of CDC and other professional organizations,” he said.

Khubchandani emphasized the rarity of jumpers among the 45,000 suicides annually and the need for mitigation at the bridge, a sentiment echoed by Miller.

“It can be done. We need to do more studies. There was one done in 2018 that the Department of Transportation has on hand and they’re going to be reviewing that to see what we can do. This is one of the last few swing bridges so it is reasonable that significant modifications are going to take a lot of adjustment,” Miller said.

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Sisters turn personal battles with sickle cell into nursing careers

CNN Newsource on September 23, 2025

By Bethal Miles

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    JACKSON, Mississippi (WAPT) — Logan and Erin Dorsey, who fought sickle cell anemia for 11 years, are now nurses at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, using their experiences to help others.

“Without God’s grace, we wouldn’t be where we are today,” Logan said.

“It’s so fulfilling seeing my patients every day brings me so much joy. I honestly couldn’t imagine being anywhere else,” Erin said.

Before donning their scrubs, the sisters wore hospital gowns as sickle cell patients, enduring countless needle pricks.

“I just think back and I remember how that felt. When I say I understand and I feel you, I can 100% say that I understand and feel you,” Logan said.

Despite the challenges, they never considered giving up.

“Your illness is not a crutch—it does not define you,” Logan said.

Their experiences fueled their passion to serve others.

“In fact, it can be your superpower, it can be your drive, it can be what keeps you going,” Logan added.

The Dorseys attribute their resilience to a deep relationship with God and a supportive network.

“They wanted to be a nurse and that’s what they wanted to do, so we nurtured it and got them their first set of scrubs,” their mother, Tunya Dorsey, said.

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Machine gun that fires 500 rounds a minute seized in stop

CNN Newsource on September 23, 2025

By Ricardo Tovar

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    MONTEREY COUNTY, California (KSBW) — The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said it confiscated several firearms, including a machine gun, during a traffic stop on Sunday evening.

A sheriff’s office spokesperson said that a female driver was driving in the middle of the road near Poole Street and McDougal Street, which prompted a deputy to conduct a traffic stop.

The deputy found a machine gun, a loaded .45 caliber pistol and an AR pistol carbine. A male passenger from Pacific Grove was taken into custody for possession of drugs and guns.

The machine gun is a Type 11 Japanese light machine gun used by the Japanese imperial army during WWII and is estimated to fire 500 rounds per minute.

Brian Richard Knabb, a convicted felon of Pacific Grove, was attempting to sell the light machine gun, said a deputy spokesperson.

“This is a WWII era type of machine gun capable of firing over 500 rounds per minute. It’s a weapon of war. It’s a weapon of mass destruction,” said Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto.

Knabb’s bail was set at $50,o00. The driver was cited and released for possession of a controlled substance.

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New Balance celebrates opening of expanded Central Maine factory

CNN Newsource on September 23, 2025

By Russ Reed

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    SKOWHEGAN, Maine (WMTW) — New Balance Central Maine has sized up, as the Boston-based athletic company completed the expansion of its footwear factory in Skowhegan.

The expanded facility is now up and running, two years after the groundbreaking for the $65 million project that added a single 120,000-square-foot story to the existing five-story factory building the company bought in 1981.

The expansion will create 200 new jobs at the Skowhegan factory and double its capacity to produce athletic footwear.

Both of Maine’s U.S. senators, Susan Collins and Angus King, visited the factory on Monday for the grand opening. Collins talked about Maine’s biggest basketball star, Cooper Flagg, and his decision to sign with New Balance last year.

“While we all wished that Cooper Flagg were suiting up for the Celtics this fall, his decision to join the New Balance family was driven by more than just the footwear,” Collins said. “Courted by so many others, he chose New Balance for its culture and community.”

With the added space and equipment, the Skowhegan facility will produce one million New Balance sneakers per year.

“We’re here because of a conscious decision and confidence in American workers and in the people of Maine,” King said. “The skill and the detail that goes into building those shoes is really amazing.”

New Balance employs more than 600 people across multiple factories and retail locations in Maine.

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107-year-old Carmel Valley woman honored on National Centenarian Day

CNN Newsource on September 23, 2025

By Jazmon DeJarnette

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    CARMEL VALLEY, California (KSBW) — Every Sept. 22 is National Centenarian Day. Its creation was to celebrate and honor those who have reached the age of 100 and older.

Here on the Central Coast, Sophia Gasser is 107 years old, making her a supercentenarian and the oldest resident living at Carmel Valley Manor.

Gasser has lived at Carmel Valley Manor for 14 years and has lived every single moment.

“Just the people for one thing, and just the atmosphere. I just love it,” Gasser said.

When asked about her greatest accomplishment in life, she didn’t hesitate, saying it’s her children.

“It just fills my life every minute, and I just love it,” Gasser said.

One of her favorite things about Carmel Valley Manor is the food, and that fits perfectly with Carmel Valley Manor’s new Blue Zone approval. The facility has changed many of its menus to make them healthier.

“Having lunch, breakfast and dinner with my friends, and that is always a joy,” Gasser said.

“They eat healthy meals, locally sourced, mostly all organic, both plants and proteins,” said Jay Zimmer, Carmel Valley Manor president and CEO.

Carmel Valley Manor even offers jobs for residents. Until recently, Gasser worked at Rose, a shop inside the manor.

“We have seven over 100 today. Sophia is 107, and, up until recently, she was still working in the Rose, which is an on-campus retail site, and not only was she working there, but she was the top salesperson in the group,” Zimmer said.

Gasser offered her secret to reaching 107 years old, saying it’s nothing but hard work.

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Teacher’s assistant claims wrongful termination over Charlie Kirk social media post

CNN Newsource on September 23, 2025

By Stephanie Moore, Caitlin Ashbaugh

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    SPARTANBURG COUNTY, South Carolina (WXII) — Lauren Vaughn, a former teacher’s assistant in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, has filed a lawsuit against the school district, its board of trustees, and its superintendent, alleging she was wrongfully terminated over a Facebook post made in her personal time.

The lawsuit states that Vaughn’s post was made on Sept. 10, the day of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s death, and included a quote from Kirk: “I think it’s worth to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God-given rights. That is a prudent deal. It is rational.” Vaughn added “Thoughts and prayers” to Kirk’s quote in the post.

Vaughn continued the conversation in the comments, stating, “I disagree with Kirk and think today should not have happened. I’m sorry it did.” Another read: [T]he WHOLE point here is that any time someone is killed fits [sic] a tragedy. Even someone I may not like. Even someone I disagree with. But instead of accepting it, why don’t we do something about it?”

The lawsuit claims she further stated, “She felt no satisfaction here. Just heartbreak for anyone and everyone affected by gun violence and a hope that one day, enough will be enough. At the end of the day, all want the same thing—for everyone to be safe in their school, home, church, in a public place, at a rally or event, or just out in public.”

The post was deleted later that evening, according to the lawsuit.

“The comments she made were not unprofessional, and they weren’t inflammatory, and there was nothing wrong with her comments. In fact, she quoted Mr. Kirk, his own stance, and offered commentary,” Vaughn’s lead attorney, Jack Cohoon of Burnette Shutt and McDaniel law, said. “Miss Vaughn was just using her First Amendment rights and was not engaging in anything that could reasonably be construed as disruptive.”

The lawsuit accuses the district’s social media guidelines of being unconstitutional, overly broad, vague, and viewpoint-discriminatory. It claims the guidelines ask employees to “be respectful and professional in all communications, by word, image or other means, always representing the district in the best light.”

Vaughn and her attorneys accuse District 5, its board of trustees, and the superintendent of violating the First Amendment, the South Carolina Constitution, and wrongful discharge in violation of public policy. Vaughn is demanding a trial by jury.

“The First Amendment is designed to protect unpopular speech. If it only protected popular speech, it wouldn’t be. It wouldn’t be necessary,” Cohoon said. “There are no absolutes in this situation. But at the same time, in this case, it illustrates that the employer cannot just say you spoke about something that makes us uncomfortable and terminate the person, which is what happened. At the same time, employees do have to be aware that things they say if the employer can claim that, can plausibly claim and prove that they were disruptive.”

Cohoon continued, claiming social media policies should be reviewed for “overbroad” statutes and conversations could be more open to include law or legislation in the broadening effects of social media and technology use in speech or censorship.

“People need to realize that it’s there, that when they put things to social media, it exists. Sometimes it goes beyond, you know, where they intend. Having said that, it’s important that there be protections for people to engage as citizens,” Vaughn said. “This seems to be a hot-button issue at this very moment in a way that I’ve never seen before with regard to freedom of expression, and maybe this is going to prompt conversations about how to better protect individuals’ ability to express themselves. But my concern is that it might create an environment where there’s more restrictions rather than less with regard to people being able to express themselves.”

WYFF News 4 has reached out to Spartanburg School District Five for a comment. The district responded with a statement:

“We are aware of the lawsuit, but cannot comment on pending litigation,” a District 5 Spokesperson said.

The full lawsuit can be read here.

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Man arrested, accused of impersonating a law enforcement officer

CNN Newsource on September 23, 2025

By Lindsay Weber

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    MERIDIAN, California (KCRA) — A vigilant driver helped lead deputies to a convicted felon who was impersonating a peace officer, according to the Sutter County Sheriff’s Office.

On Saturday, deputies responded to the area of Highway 20 and Bridge Street in Meridian following a report from a motorist who believed they were pulled over by someone impersonating law enforcement.

Deputies found the suspect vehicle near South Tarke Road and Highway 20, and located 42-year-old Jaymi Ramirez, of Marysville, who is a convicted felon with an active warrant, officials said.

The sheriff’s office said a search of Ramirez’s vehicle uncovered a loaded AR-15 magazine, an unregistered AR-15 rifle and an LED pod capable of flashing red and blue lights.

Ramirez was booked into the Sutter County Jail on felony firearm-related charges, possession of paraphernalia and impersonating a peace officer.

Drivers who believe they are stopped by someone who is not a law enforcement official are urged to contact the authorities.

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MPD: Teen shoots at officers, 34 animals seized from his home

CNN Newsource on September 23, 2025

By Amy Fleury

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    MILWAUKEE (WISN) — A Milwaukee teen is behind bars, accused of shooting at two police officers, narrowly missing them. Investigators said when they went to search the teen’s home, they found more than 30 animals inside.

It happened about 8 a.m. Sept. 18 near Holton and Chambers streets. A search warrant WISN 12 News obtained said officers were responding to the teen’s home after his mother called 911, concerned about his emotional state and that he may have been bitten by a dog.

That document said the officers were in a “tactical position” and “two steps down from the top landing” when they knocked and announced who they were. Three seconds later, investigators said the teen fired a single bullet.

The search warrant explains the bullet traveled “through the door at chest level into the hallways where the officers were standing.” The officers took cover, and the suspect exited the residence and was arrested without further incident. Neither officer was hurt.

There were 34 animals, including dogs, cats, turtles and ferrets, in the residence. Police said Milwaukee’s animal control seized them.

“I don’t see why, why somebody would have that many animals, like especially staying in an apartment like that. It’s like, how do you even have room to house all the animals like that?” neighbor Dorion Ransom said.

Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission responded and took custody of the animals.

The 17-year-old was arrested. He has not yet been charged. The search warrant shows police are investigating him for attempted first-degree intentional homicide.

“Just got to be more aware who your neighbors are, and just, if there’s always something suspicious, go with your hunch, because you never know what’s really going on in a house,” another neighbor, Aniya Mitchell, told WISN 12 News.

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Couple charged: 6 children found in storage unit without power, water

CNN Newsource on September 23, 2025

By Mariana La Roche, Kendall Keys

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    MILWAUKEE (WISN) — Six children ranging in age from 2 months to 9 years old were found locked inside a storage unit in Milwaukee.

Prosecutors charged Charles Albert Dupriest, 33, with one count of possession of a firearm by a felon and six counts of child neglect. Azyia C. Zielinski, 26, faces six counts of child neglect.

Around 1:30 a.m., an emergency call reported a child crying inside a locked unit at StorSafe, 5555 N. 27th St., the complaint states. Upon arrival, officers said they heard crying and coughing from within one of the units.

Milwaukee firefighters cut a padlock to gain entry and found six children aged 9, 7, 5, 3, 2, and a two-month-old.

According to the complaint, inside the unit was a bucket “containing urine” placed in the center of the storage unit. Detectives noted there was no electricity or running water and “the only light visible to the children came through the crack of the garage door.”

“The only light these poor children had to have was the crack of light that came to the bottom of the garage. We have your children stating that they had no food, that the only food they found was from the garbage,” Milwaukee County Court Commissioner Andrea Bolender said during Zielinski’s Friday court appearance.

Zielinksi was visibly emotional during the hearing.

“This is horrific. Ma’am, I see you are broken up. I hope you realize how lucky you actually are that none of these children have died,” Bolender said.

Detectives described the odor as “putrid,” said the complaint. Inside the unit, a detective observed a sectional couch and a twin mattress without sheets. The 5-year-old told a detective, “We’re not supposed to be loud,” before urinating in the orange bucket, the filing says.

According to the complaint, the 9-year-old told police he was responsible for caring for the children and said they used the bucket “to urinate and defecate.” He told investigators he was hungry and had no way to contact anyone in an emergency.

An employee from the storage unit told police in May he overheard an adult male say, “Sit down and be quiet,” inside the unit and provided surveillance video showing the defendants dropping off children.

Officers later found Dupriest and Zielinski sleeping in a Ford Expedition in the parking lot. Both admitted they slept in the SUV with their dog while the children slept in the storage unit, court documents say.

One of the children told police “she was upset the dog got to sleep in the car while she and her siblings slept in the unit.”

“The middle row was completely empty and the dog had the back row all to himself. As these children slept in a locked storage container with one twin mattress on the floor,” Bolender said.

According to court records, police recovered a loaded firearm from the SUV’s center console. Zielinski said the gun belonged to her, but stated Dupriest touched it when retrieving items.

In recorded interviews summarized in the complaint, Zielinski said the family had been sleeping in the storage unit for about six weeks after leaving a shelter and acknowledged placing a bucket in the unit for the children to use.

Dupriest said the children slept in the unit about three times per week and acknowledged that family or friends could have housed the children.

Forensic interviews of the children documented additional details. One child said she felt “sad” when locked in the unit and “mad,” so she made it dirty. Another said there were “no lights, only cracks through which light entered” and that he “would not know how to get out in an emergency.”

The 9-year-old said parents sometimes drank alcohol and, when “drunk,” the 9-year-old took care of the siblings; the 9-year-old also said a parent had “a bunch of guns.”

Investigators said Zielinski and Dupriest told them they were receiving food stamps and $2,000 a month in social security benefits. They said they were “kicked out” of Joy House, a Milwaukee Rescue Mission shelter for women and children in July.

In a statement to WISN 12 News, Patrick Vanderburgh, President and CEO of the Milwaukee Rescue Mission, said, “We were heartbroken to learn of the recent news involving children found sheltering in a storage locker. We want to confirm that the Milwaukee Rescue Mission and Joy House — our family shelter — have provided assistance to this family in the past.The family stayed with us for two months in 2023, and again for more than a month during June and July of 2025. While we must respect and maintain the confidentiality of our guests and their families, we can share that during their most recent stay, we were able to verify that the family had secured permanent housing before leaving Joy House. We remain committed to supporting families in crisis and providing the resources they need to move toward stability and hope.”

The complaint notes Dupriest’s prior felony conviction for third-degree sexual assault in Ozaukee County.

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