Category: CNN Regional

By Tony Aiello

Click here for updates on this story

    RIDGEFIELD, Connecticut (WCBS) — A Connecticut woman accused of trying to fatally poison her romantic partner is being held on $1 million bail.

State police arrested Kristen Hogan and charged her with attempted murder for allegedly mixing ethylene glycol, an ingredient found in antifreeze, into wine the victim drank and making him desperately ill at their home in Ridgefield.

Court records show Hogan, 33, and the victim, 34, were at the time in a bitter custody battle involving their 2-year-old child.

“I’d like to say in all my years as a prosecutor that I’ve seen everything. But this is one of those, it’s like, I thought I saw everything but I really didn’t,” said Richard Colangelo, a former prosecutor and current associate professor at the University of New Haven, who reviewed the arrest warrant.

Investigators believe Hogan applied for a court hearing in August and, when her ex was at the Danbury courthouse, she allegedly went to the home they own together and slipped the chemical into a bottle of wine in the refrigerator.

Two days later, the victim drank the wine and within hours was at Danbury hospital, where doctors eventually put him on dialysis for glycol poisoning.

Lab results confirmed the poisoning on Sept. 30 and police accessed records for Hogan’s smartphone.

“There were searches for different chemicals. How much of a certain type of chemical could kill you,” Colangelo said. “You could kind of see the mindset and the planning that was going on.”

Hogan eventually admitted to putting the poison in the wine bottle, claiming she “just wanted to make him sick,” according to police.

She is due back in court on October 9.

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.

By Chelsea Jones

Click here for updates on this story

    MIAMI (WFOR) — Lunch at Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School looks a little different these days. Instead of phones and earbuds, students are reaching for dominoes thanks to one Miami-Dade school resource officer.

Officer McIntosh Francois started the lunchtime dominoes club with just one table and one set of tiles. Today, it has become a daily gathering spot where students of all backgrounds connect over the game.

“It started a bunch of interactions,” junior Jessie Knafo said. “There’s a lot of races in this school, Latinos, Haitians, French like me, American people—and having all of that combined and being able to talk to each other is amazing.”

That’s exactly what Francois hoped for when he introduced the game. “I saw a need for students to have a better peer-to-peer interaction,” he said.

For Francois, a first-generation Haitian American, dominoes is about more than fun; it’s culture.

“In the Haitian community, dominoes is a staple when you’re having a family get-together or a party,” he explained. “Sometimes even at a wake after a funeral.”

Students say Francois has become more than a resource officer.

“He’s very funny! He’s a person you can tell anything to, really,” said Knafo. “If you have any problems, you can always go to him.”

Francois joined law enforcement after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas tragedy, determined to protect students and change how young people see police.

“This has helped me bridge the gap between policing and our community,” he said.

What started as a fun diversion is also having an impact in the classroom. Communications and technology teacher Ben Rosenthal said the project has boosted engagement and taught students teamwork and problem-solving skills.

Francois now hopes to expand the dominoes initiative to other high schools and eventually host a tournament.

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.

By Sara Machi

Click here for updates on this story

    BUFORD, Georgia (WUPA) — October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and for anyone who’s been diagnosed, there often are concerns about your changing body.

In Gwinnett County, a Buford businesswoman is offering support in her own way with a different approach to bra shopping.

Tucked into a cozy corner of the Mall of Georgia is the Modern Bra Company. There, owner Amy McGuire has launched a one-on-one bra buying experience.

“This feels more like VIP status, like I told her like, ‘Where’s my champagne?'” customer Sabrina Lane said.

McGuire spends 30 minutes with each client, finding out about their lifestyle, and their needs.

“I say these stores are easy to run it and that’s it’s as simple to run as a lemonade stand. I just have more cup sizes,” McGuire said.

But what she didn’t realize in her planning sessions with the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center was the emotional impact—that some women’s stories would come with scars.

Customer Lisa Graham was diagnosed with breast cancer halfway through the store’s development. She’s been back for fittings three or four times as her body has changed.

“Serendipitous might not be the right word for it, but that’s kind of how it turned out, you know,” Graham said.

With just one location at the Mall of Georgia right now, the idea is to expand, opening up to franchising in 2027 so they can take it this message of support to more women across the country.

“I almost get choked up even talking about it because I was prepared for our business, but I was not prepared for the friendships that I made, for the connections I’ve made, for the stories I’ve heard. You know, like, a little bit of therapy goes on,” McGuire says.

It’s a business she hopes will build lasting connections and make a difference.

To mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, McGuire is offering special incentives — including 10-percent discounts to new customers.

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.

By WLOS Staff

Click here for updates on this story

    ASHEVILLE, North Carolina (WLOS) — An American flag that flew outside the Buncombe County Detention Facility and was recovered after Helene is now on display as a reminder of the community’s resilience.

Sheriff Quentin Miller said one of his deputies found the flag outside after the storm.

The flag will be dedicated to first responders who worked tirelessly in the days after the storm.

“As it was about to blow away, one of the deputies took it down and he placed it on the wall, and one of the visiting sheriffs said, ‘Hey, what is that?'” Sheriff Miller said. “And he said something to the fact, ‘Hey, that’s our flag, and I’m going to put it on the wall to remind us of what it stood for and what it stands for.'”

In addition to the flag, a kiosk will show a short video of first responders helping the community in the days and weeks following Helene.

The flag will hang inside the entryway of the Buncombe County Courthouse.

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.

By Nick Beres

Click here for updates on this story

    NASHVILLE, Tennessee (WTVF) — A Tennessee family is trying to make sense of the unthinkable after their 11-year-old daughter took her own life.

Sophia Ballinger’s mom and grandma said there is simply no sense to what happened.

“It feels like a dream—a nightmare,” said Kisha Hammock, who spent the past week in the hospital hoping for a miracle.

It was a week ago Monday that she lost her daughter, Sophia.

“I worked late, she seemed fine—normal. Then she went into her room and didn’t come back out,” Kisha said.

A short time later, Kisha said she went to check on her, only to find that Sophia had attempted suicide.

Sophia was taken off life support this past Saturday.

Now, the family is left to grapple with the loss of a child they loved dearly.

“[She was] sweet, outgoing, friendly, loved everybody, talented,” said her grandmother, Sara Hammock.

Sophia was a 6th grader at Portland West Middle School who suffered from depression and anxiety.

She was taking medication and getting therapy.

“She had some trauma early on—her father passed away,” said Sara.

But the family said she appeared generally happy and that there was no indication that she might try to harm herself.

Sophia’s family is left wondering what other stressors she may have been experiencing.

Police are investigating Sophia’s death, but her mom said she never came home complaining about bullying.

“If they tell us there was bullying, we will be the first one fighting for her,” her grandmother added. “But we don’t want to rush to judgment without evidence yet.”

So, for now, the family is trying to move forward and has agreed that Sophia will be an organ donor to, perhaps, save other lives.

Since word of what happened spread in their community, the Hammocks said they’ve been overwhelmed by the show of support they’ve received and expressed their gratitude.

“It’s amazing to know that many people care. It’s wonderful. Some days it has pulled us through,” said Sara.

Kisha said she wishes she had more answers for concerned parents, but encouraged consistent conversations about mental health.

Officials couldn’t confirm if bullying was a variable in Sophia’s death, but said they are “running through every possibility.”

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.

By Kelsey Jones

Click here for updates on this story

    SUFFOLK, Virginia (WTKR) — A 10-year-old Suffolk student is recovering from serious injuries after being assaulted on a school bus, according to police and the child’s mother.

Elizabeth Fegans said her son, a student at Mack Benn Elementary School, came home in tears on September 24th after being attacked by an 11-year-old on the same bus.

“He got in the door. He’s screaming, with visible marks all over his body,” Fegans said. “I immediately took him to the ER, and they took him back in a wheelchair, and that’s when I found out he had fractured vertebra.”

The vertebra is a bone in the top of the spine. Fegans said her son’s injuries occurred after he and the 11-year-old exchanged words on the bus. She alleges the older student then began punching and kicking her son.

“He’s got swelling in his neck, and he has a concussion,” Fegans said.

Her son was taken to the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters. Photos shared by Fegans show bruises on the child’s arm and back, as well as the neck brace he must wear during recovery.

Suffolk police confirmed an assault occurred on a school bus and said the investigation is ongoing. No charges have been filed against the 11-year-old, but they could be pending following the investigation.

Suffolk Public Schools said the matter is under investigation. In a statement, school leaders said:

“Out of an abundance of caution and in keeping with our commitment to student safety, we have shared reminders with our school community about practicing safe habits while riding and waiting for school buses.”

Fegans said she believes the incident was preventable and wants changes made to ensure student safety.

“I want them to listen to the bus drivers and I want them to put aids on all these buses so that our children can have a safe trip to school,” Fegans said.

The mother said her son is recovering both physically and mentally from the attack. She plans to home-school him for the remainder of the year and will not return him to Suffolk Public Schools.

Police said video of the assault exists but requires a formal request to obtain, which could take time to process.

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.