Category: CNN Regional

By Tom Wait

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    LOS ANGELES (KCAL, KCBS) — A Southern California mayor refused to comment on her former fiancé and campaign staffer, who was sentenced to four years in federal prison for “acting as an illegal agent of the People’s Republic of China.”

Last week, Arcadia Mayor Eileen Wang’s former fiancé, Yaoning “Mike” Sun, was sentenced to four years in federal prison for acting as an illegal agent of a foreign government.

Wang has not been accused of any wrongdoing in connection with the case and refused to comment on it during Arcadia’s first City Council meeting since the sentencing.

Sun pleaded guilty in October 2025 to one count of acting as an illegal agent of a foreign government from at least 2022 to January 2024, when he “knowingly acted within the United States as an agent” of China, without notifying the attorney general, according to a news release from the Department of Justice.

Sun, 55, worked with a person referred to as “Individual 1” from 2020 through 2023 to “operate a purported news website for the local Chinese American community,” while receiving and executing directives from the PRC government to “post pro-PRC content,” the release said. He also worked as a campaign advisor for Individual 1, who was running for a city council seat in an undisclosed city. The person was elected to the city council in November 2022.

Wang commented on her relationship with Sun during a council meeting in December 2022.

“To my fiancé, Mike Sun, who walked streets with me every single day, who is a real leader of me,” Wang said.

After Sun was charged, Wang tried to distance herself from him.

“No. 1, he’s not my fiancé,” Wang said in September 2025. “Whoever wants to say he’s my former fiancé, please prove it.”

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

By Jennifer McRae, Austen Erblat

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    COLORADO (KCNC) — A wildfire on Colorado’s Eastern Plains near Limon has been 100% contained after burning for several hours. Elbert and Lincoln counties ordered evacuations Tuesday afternoon, but they were lifted as of 5 p.m.

Fire crews have stopped the fire from moving, according to the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, and crews are starting to patrol and mop up the area. But earlier in the day, the fire was moving fast, due to high wind speeds and dry conditions.

Elbert County Undersheriff Dave Fisher said the fire “was jumping roads right and left.”

No injuries have been reported and no structures in the rural area were lost. Officials estimated that about 24 homes were in the evacuation zone.

State fire officials estimated the fire to be between 5,000 and 10,000 acres but said it was difficult to get a precise measurement, as the planes that typically map fires couldn’t fly due to heavy winds in the area. State fire officials will fly over the area on Wednesday morning to map the actual size.

The origin of the fire is still unknown and an investigation will likely commence on Wednesday morning, Fisher said.

Satellite imagery posted by the Larkspur Fire Protection District showed a map of the area southwest of Limon, but fire officials say the fire was slightly north, near Highway 24 and County Road 169.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office had deputies in the area and Aurora Fire Rescue and the Ellicott Fire Protection District had units in the area assisting. In total, 15 fire engines, eight tenders, and seven chiefs and other support was present from mutual aid departments, according to the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control.

Smoke from the fire could be seen from miles away, darkening the sky.

Yvonne Darling said she called 911 around noon after she saw the fire while on her mail route.

“Now they’re telling us we gotta leave but our house is right over there and we want to make sure what’s going on here, trying to keep our pets safe,” her husband Doug Darling told CBS News Colorado.

Yvonne said her sister was en route to their property, which they couldn’t even see through the smoke, to pick up their horse, Oreo.

One home was in the initial Elbert County evacuation area when the fire started, but officials still don’t know how many homes were in the Lincoln County evacuation area. The division described the area as “sparsely populated agricultural.”

Limon Police Officer Mike Hutton said he wasn’t sure where the fire started, but that fire crews were working near the area of County Roads 197 and 74.

“The fire crews are working really hard with the fire line right in that area to get it sustained and held at that point and I think they’re doing a really good job right now,” he said. “Everybody that’s going in there right now is very brave, doing great work over there. You lose visibility really quick and you just gotta slow roll and work your way out.”

No stranger to close calls, Hutton, who was shot three times while on duty in 2021, said he was evacuating homes on Tuesday when flames grew near, forcing him to drive through a field to escape.

“Fire kinda got on both sides of the road, so I ended up having to drive through a field and just- one of my buddies guided me out through GPS just so I could find my way out,” he said.

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

By Kimber Collins

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    WAILUKU, Maui (KITV) — Candles lit the lawn of Kalana O Maui Tuesday night in a show of unity, peace and compassion, as dozens gathered for a community vigil in Wailuku.

As the sun set, families arrived quietly, one by one, battery-powered candles in hand. The event, hosted by Maui County, included prayer and song and was organized in partnership with Roots Reborn, a nonprofit that supports migrant and immigrant families on Maui.

Among those in attendance were first-generation Americans Carly Ortiz and Erica Esquivel.

For them, being there wasn’t political, it was personal.

“I don’t think there is ever a time in my day where I’m not thinking about what is going on, when I’m not thinking about what could happen to my family because of our background, because of who we are, because of what we look like, because of what our names sound like,” Ortiz said.

They said they came to stand in solidarity with Maui’s immigrant community and to show their children what aloha looks like in action.

“It’s important for us to show up to these events, or any protest just to share our voice and be there for representing people who can’t be there or are too afraid to be there,” Esquivel said.

County leaders said that’s exactly what the night was meant to reflect.

“THERE IS ONLY ALOHA HERE,” said Mayor Richard Bissen, drawing cheers from the crowd.

Roots Reborn Executive Director Veronica Mendoza also addressed the gathering, emphasizing the organization’s deep ties to the community.

“Every member of our staff who is with me tonight, we’re all bilingual, we are all bicultural, we are all migrant, proud immigrants,” Mendoza said.

According to organizers, the vigil was intended as a space for residents to come together in a moment marked by uncertainty and reaffirm a shared commitment to dignity and compassion for all people on Maui.

For Ortiz and Esquivel, the message was simple.

“Just being here and being able to just sort of sit and give a moment of silence to those who have been affected, who have lost their lives, who have lost family members, if this is all I can do, I’m going to do it,” Ortiz said.

Organizers said they hope the vigil is just one step toward continued dialogue, understanding and support across the island.

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

By WRTV Staff

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    BEECH GROVE, Indiana (WRTV) — Court documents released on Tuesday reveal more information about the incident that led to the shooting of two Beech Grove officers, which resulted in the death of Officer Brian Elliott on Monday.

According to ISP, Elliott and the other injured officer were initially dispatched to a 911 call of a domestic disturbance in an apartment on Diplomat Court at 5:37 p.m.

According to the probable cause affidavit, the officers arrived at the apartment around 5:40 p.m. and attempted to make contact with the occupants by knocking on the door. When they announced they were police, they heard a woman scream for help.

Officer Elliott kicked open the door, and the suspect, identified as 47-year-old Kenneth Terrell Johnson, allegedly fired shots at the officers through the open door from inside the residence. Both officers were shot.

The female victim remained in the residence and identified Johnson as her boyfriend, indicating he fled the scene, court docs said.

Both officers were rushed to Eskenazi Hospital. Officer Brian Elliott was pronounced deceased in the hospital.

The second officer, who has not been identified, was shot in the leg during the incident. He has since been released from the hospital, Chief Maurice announced during a press conference Tuesday.

Following the incident, ISP was requested to lead the investigation, according to the probable cause affidavit.

After obtaining a search warrant, investigators began to collect evidence at the apartment.

Investigators interviewed the female victim, who confirmed that she and Johnson were romantically involved and described him as her boyfriend.

Court documents say the female victim went to Johnson’s apartment to pick up her granddaughter’s fish. She told investigators that Johnson physically assaulted her and demanded she pay him $6,000. The victim said she screamed as Johnson held a nine-millimeter handgun to her head and threatened to kill her if she continued to scream.

The victim told investigators she heard a knock at the door, prompting Johnson to walk to it and ask who it was, according to court documents. The victim recalled hearing police identify themselves. The victim said Johnson had his hand on the door handle and then “stooped down and turned the gun on her.” She screamed, “Help, help!” and ducked down on the floor.

Court documents said the victim told investigators she heard two shots, a pause and then multiple shots. She said she retreated to the kitchen as shots were fired. She said the officers never made it into the apartment, and assumed it was Johnson who did the shooting due to all the blood on the stairs.

ISP confirmed on Monday that Johnson was apprehended by IMPD SWAT after ISP and other agencies were actively searching for the suspect for hours following the incident.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Johnson was found in the laundry room of the apartment building, adjacent to the scene of the crime, at around 10:19 p.m.

A handgun was found in the small trash can in the laundry room where Johnson was found, court documents said.

ISP said the suspect was taken into custody without incident after a concerned citizen tipped off officers. Officers say he was the only suspect involved in this incident.

Investigators attempted to interview Johnson following his apprehension, court documents say. Johnson requested a lawyer after being read his Miranda Rights, and the interview ended.

Officials say Officer Elliott, 33, was a Beech Grove High School graduate.

Officer Elliott served with the Beech Grove Police since April 2024, after serving four years with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

“My heart goes out to Brian’s wife, Erin, his parents, and all of his family, friends, and loved ones. At this time, I am asking that we lean on one another to get through this,” said Beech Grove Police Chief Michael Maurice in a statement on social media. “We are grateful to the team at Eskenazi Hospital, and our law enforcement and community partners for their extraordinary response and support.”

Officials and surrounding police departments have turned to social media to share their condolences.

“I am heartbroken to learn that one of the Beech Grove police officers injured in this tragic shooting has died. This devastating loss is felt far beyond the department — it is felt by our entire community. My deepest condolences are with the officer’s family, loved ones, colleagues, and all who are grieving during this incredibly painful time.We also continue to hold the injured officer in our thoughts and pray for their recovery. Every day, our law enforcement officers put themselves in harm’s way to protect our neighborhoods and safeguard our residents. Their courage and commitment represent the very best of public service. We stand united in support of the Beech Grove Police Department and all public safety professionals who dedicate their lives to keeping our communities safe. May we honor this fallen officer through our gratitude, our compassion, and our continued commitment to one another.”

– City-County Councilor President Maggie A. Lewis

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By Neal Riley

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    PITTSBURG, New Hampshire (WBZ) — Snowmobilers came to the rescue of a moose that was buried up to its neck in snow off a New England trail on Tuesday.

Jim Wuellenweber was just heading out for a day of snowmobiling with friends from Pittsburg, New Hampshire to Rangeley, Maine when they spotted a moose running across the road. They soon came across it again in some deep snow about 25 feet off the trail, but figured it would be best to leave the animal alone.

“We circled back about three hours later, found the moose in the same area,” Wuellenweber told WBZ-TV. “That’s when we decided we should stop and give it a helping hand.”

Video shows the snowmobilers comforting the moose as they tamp down the light, fluffy snow and cut away a few branches so the creature could free itself.

“Come on baby, let’s go,” one of the snowmobilers says. “Hey, you’re alright.”

It took a lot of digging, but the moose was finally able to get out and continue on its way. Wuellenweber, 55, says he’s been around New Hampshire most of his life but has never had an encounter like this.

“Never been that close to a moose,” he said. “I’ve never petted a moose in my life.”

There are about 3,000 to 4,000 moose in the state. Wildlife officials urge people who see a moose to watch from a safe and respectful difference, because they are protective of calves and can attack if they perceive a threat.

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