Category: CNN Regional

By Beau Bowman

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    MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (KCCI) — Barbara Heenan is back on the RAGBRAI route after missing last year’s ride while recovering from a lung transplant.

Heenan, known to many riders as the “Oxygen Girl,” became a familiar face on RAGBRAI while hauling oxygen tanks on the back of her bike. Diagnosed with scleroderma, she once thought needing oxygen meant her days on the ride were over.

“After I went on oxygen, I thought, ‘I’m never doing RAGBRAI again,’” Heenan said. “And my team said, ‘We will support you and you can do it with oxygen.’”

Heenan would switch out oxygen tanks every five miles as she continued riding across Iowa.

In December 2024, she received the lung transplant she had been waiting for. Still recovering in 2025, she was unable to take part in RAGBRAI last year.

“To not be on the bike last year was tough,” Heenan said.

Now, she is back — this time riding without the tanks that made her story so recognizable.

“It’s amazing to pass other people like, wow, I really am … I’m still alive, I’m still here,” Heenan said. “I am breathing, and what an amazing gift that is.”

This year, Heenan said her ride is about more than returning to the road. She is also using her story to raise awareness for organ donation and to encourage people to consider becoming donors.

She pointed to patients like her friend, Shelly, who is waiting for a kidney transplant, as a reminder of the need.

“Anybody can be a donor,” Heenan said. “And there’s a lot of people like Shelly that are out there waiting. The average time on the kidney donor list is about five years.”

Heenan said organ donation made it possible for her to return to the event she loves.

“There’s nothing better for the soul than to be here riding, and to make those lungs strong,” she said.

Heenan is raising awareness for the Iowa Donor Network. More information is available at IowaDonorNetwork.org.

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 Nicholas Brooks

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    JACKSON, Mississippi (WAPT) — The investigation into the death of 18-year-old Nolan Wells continues as a second autopsy raises new questions about what happened before he entered the water.

The state autopsy was conducted July 7. Three days later, on July 10, forensic pathologist Dr. Rodney Mitchell conducted an independent autopsy. His preliminary report, completed July 19, says the cause of death remains undetermined.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who represents the Wells family, said the independent autopsy found the cause of death is still unclear.

“Cause of death undetermined. Pending investigation.”

Wells was found dead after disappearing during a Fourth of July trip to Horn Island.

Crump said the independent autopsy found an area of red discoloration and soft tissue injury on the back of Wells’ head.

“Preliminary findings. This is significant. Focal area of red discoloration, and soft tissue of the back of the head.”

Crump said the condition of Wells’ body made it difficult for Mitchell to determine whether there were additional injuries.

“What he’s saying, because the body was so decomposed that you cannot tell if there were bruises or abrasions on the body when he received it.”

Crump also said Mitchell was unable to fully examine Wells’ throat during the second autopsy.

“So he’s saying that the throat was not received with the body when he got Nolan Wells ‘ body from Washington DC to perform the second autopsy.”

Crump said investigators also need to determine whether Wells was conscious or unconscious before entering the water.

He said reviewing evidence from the state’s examination could help the independent pathologist reach a conclusion.

“We are hopeful that the Mississippi medical examiner would give Dr. Mitchell an opportunity to see their photographs and their observations to the condition of known Wells’ body closer in time to July 4.”

Wells’ father, Elmore Wonsley, said the family will continue to seek answers.

“Please keep us in your prayers. And we’re going to keep pushing and fighting until we find answers.”

Mississippi NAACP President Derrick Johnson said the family deserves to know what happened to Wells.

“There are a lot of questions to be answered, and we just want to make sure that this family know exactly, exactly what happened to their son.”

The next step is further investigation, including a review of the state’s autopsy photographs and observations that could provide more information about the circumstances surrounding Wells’ death.

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 Rachael Perry

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    MARTIN COUNTY, Florida (WPBF) — Authorities in Martin County rescued 92 animals from the home of a postal service carrier, reuniting several of them with their original owners after they were kept in what officials described as horrific conditions.

On Monday, the animals were removed from the home and taken to the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast.

One of the owners, Linh Nguy, was reunited with her cat, Patchy, after months of searching.

“I cried so much when I lost him. There were so many nights I couldn’t sleep,” Nguy said.

For more than six months, Nguy had been searching for Patchy.

“I prayed for a miracle,” she said.

That miracle came true on Monday when she was watching WPBF 25 News.

“I had a very strong feeling that my cat was one of the 80 cats found,” Nguy said.

Patchy had been just a 16-minute drive from her home in Stuart.

“This is Patchy. Say hi, Patchy,” she said.

Patchy is one of eight cats officials have already identified and linked to their original owners.

“One of the people who came here this morning was a neighbor who a few years ago lost her cat, and she said to me, ‘I had no idea the cat could be living next door,'” said Frank Valente, president of the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast.

The animals were found at the home of Gail Giustino, 77, who investigators say had been trapping cats along her mail route.

“It looks like on her mail route, she would identify cats that were loose—not feral cats, but cats that were loose—and come back with traps, trap the cats, and then bring them home,” said Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek. “In her mind, and she told us that, she thought she was doing the world a favor by taking these cats in. These are people’s pets.”

With all 92 animals now at the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast, Budensiek expressed hope for their future.

“Today is actually a happy day. It’s kind of a bittersweet day, but it’s a happy day for some families who thought that their pet was forever gone,” he said.

The sheriff also addressed the community’s mixed reactions to the case.

“It’s our job to do the right thing by everybody. Save the animals, reunite the ones that we can, and then try to get her the help and the judicial help that she can get,” Budensiek said. “So, we may not be able to make everybody happy, but I think they should be happy that we saved at least 92 animals from a living hell.”

The remaining animals are expected to be ready for adoption in the next few days.

This Friday, July 24, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., a deputy will be at the Humane Society to help facilitate any reunifications. The public is welcome if they think they’re missing their cat.

A missing pet report can be filed at 772-463-3211.

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 Britt Leoni

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    CAPE CORAL, Florida (WBBH) — Inside her Cape Coral kitchen, Tamanika Rooks realizes her dreams have risen to reality.

Those dreams were filled with sweet treats and teachable moments with her three children.

“The oldest, he has sensory issues,” said Tamanika. “Then, of course, you’ve got the two’s. You know how two-year-olds can be. And then Joshua, now he’s learned how to walk two-and-a-half weeks ago, so you know, he’s busy.”

There’s no recipe for motherhood, and Tamanika’s path here has been anything but easy.

“After losing four of my own, one I had to birth him and then the other three were early miscarriages,” said Tamanika. “I figured that God had another reason and way of me being a mom.”

Even after losing four children, Tamanika didn’t give up. That’s when she decided to foster.

“What if I get too attached?” said Tamanika. “How will that feel? I wanted to guard my heart.”

Despite her fears, today, Tamanika has fostered six children.

“Once you get one, you get another one, and you keep getting them. It’s all just natural and you keep doing it,” said Tamanika.

So far, she’s adopted two. Her third child, by what she calls a miracle, she gave birth to last year.

“It was a long journey, but you know, I’m thankful that I was chosen to fulfill this need. It’s a real big need for other foster moms,” said Tamanika.

Tamanika believes she’s where she is today thanks to the community that’s backed her.

“When we actually had this resource center here locally, we realized the need for connection was the biggest need of all,” said Kacie Hass.

Hass is the co-founder of a non-profit called Foster Village, which connects foster moms to support groups and resources. It’s where Tamanika received help and where she gives it today.

“I love how much she wants to still stand in everything she’s doing and still help everyone else at whatever stage they are,” said Hass.

For Tamanika, the family she dreamed of was worth every minute of the wait.

“We’re here now. They were adopted, and we’re a real family. A real family with the name and all,” said Tamanika.

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 Rachael Lardani, Baylee Martin

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    EAST HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP, Pennsylvania (WGAL) — A Lancaster County man is accused of stabbing his sister to death and wounding his brother after an argument over barking dogs, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

The East Hempfield Township Police Department said officers were called to a home in the 1100 block of Persimmon Drive at 10:34 a.m. on Monday, July 20, for a reported stabbing.

When officers arrived, they met with an injured 24-year-old man in the driveway, who told police that his brother, Bryan Adolph, 26, stabbed both him and his 28-year-old sister.

Police said the injured brother had multiple stab wounds to his left arm and was transported to Lancaster General Hospital to be treated.

Police said they entered the home and found blood throughout the house. Officers then located Bryan’s sister dead in the foyer in a pool of blood, motionless and not breathing, according to investigators.

The Lancaster County Coroner’s Office identified the 28-year-old sister as Elyse Adolph. The coroner said Elyse died from stab wounds and ruled her death a homicide.

An extensive search was initiated to locate Bryan, who police said had fled before crews arrived at the scene. A Pennsylvania State Police helicopter could be seen flying overhead, while officers with rifles and a K9 searched on the ground.

Officers said Bryan was eventually taken into custody at 12:09 p.m. near Route 30 and Good Drive.

When he was arrested, officers observed blood on his left leg and head, which Bryan later said were injuries he suffered during the attack, according to the affidavit.

Authorities said Bryan was later interviewed at the police station and told investigators he became angry because Elyse’s dogs would not stop barking.

According to the affidavit, Bryan said he grabbed one of the dogs by the scruff and hit it on the nose with a closed fist.

Police said Bryan told investigators Elyse either saw or heard what happened and confronted him in the kitchen.

According to the affidavit, Bryan told police he grabbed several small knives from a kitchen drawer and tried to stab Elyse in the neck and clavicle area, but the knives broke.

Police said Bryan then grabbed a larger kitchen knife with a wooden handle, about six inches long, and repeatedly stabbed Elyse. Bryan estimated he stabbed her about 20 times, according to the documents.

During the attack, police said Bryan told investigators his brother tried to intervene and struck him in the head with a glass plate. Bryan then turned and stabbed his brother, according to investigators.

After the stabbing, Bryan told police that he went upstairs and took a 10-second shower because he noticed he was covered in blood, according to the affidavit.

Authorities said when Bryan and his brother encountered each other on the stairs, the brother pointed a gun at Bryan. At this time, investigators said Elyse was dead at the bottom of the stairs.

According to investigators, Bryan then fled out the front door and was later captured by police.

Bryan was charged with criminal homicide, aggravated assault and possession of an instrument of crime.

He was taken to Lancaster County Prison and denied bail due to the severity of the charges.

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 Shannon Delcambre

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    BESSEMER, Alabama (WVTM) — A vigil was held in Bessemer to honor 3-year-old Ke’torrius “K-J” Starkes Jr., marking one year since his death after being left in a hot car.

Investigators say K-J died after being left in a hot car for hours while in the custody of a state-contracted transport worker.

K-J’s loved ones described him as an active, lovable child who gave them many joyful memories during his life.

Folks gathered on 1st Avenue North Wednesday to remember K-J and release balloons in his honor.

Kela Stanford, the former contracted worker who investigators say had K-J in her care when he died, has been charged in the case.

Stanford is scheduled to appear in court on August 24.

If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in prison.

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 Lindsay Jones

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    RUTLAND, Vermont (WPTZ) — Yesterday, President Trump announced a sweeping 50% tariff on most Canadian goods. Trump said that the tariffs are retaliation for bad rates on American autos, alcohol and dairy products. Some Vermont manufacturers are worried that the president’s action will harm their business.

Ann Clark, operating in Rutland, Vermont, makes and sells baking supplies. Over time it has become the largest cookie cutter company in the country. CEO Ben Clark explained that Canada is the company’s largest international trading partner.

“Canada’s been huge. You know, when we first decided to try international trade, we first went to Canada. It worked well there,” said Clark.

When creating new products, they often test their popularity in Canada. After hearing about the new tariffs, Clark said they could impact multiple parts of their operations.

“All of the dyes we use for our food coloring come out of Canada,” he said,” So that will be an issue.”

He also predicts they will see a dip in sales.

“In the cookie cutter world, the biggest competitor we have is China. I think what’s going to happen is the Canadians are just going to say, I don’t want to buy American products and they’re going to buy Chinese products,” Clark said.

In response to the new tariffs, Ann Clark is planning on changing product labels to read made in Vermont instead of made in America. Clark said the company has had great business partners and friends in Canada and hopes to see those relationships continue, despite the building political tension.

“We need some way to say, hey, we’re not— we didn’t come up with this 50% tariff. Please don’t hurt us on this. We have great products we’ve been selling in Canada for years and we’d like to keep doing that,” he said.

Vermont’s congressional delegation has also expressed disappointment with the decision.

In a statement from Senator Peter Welch, he said “The White House’s endless attacks on our Canadian neighbors—Vermont’s closest partner in trade—have caused undeniable harm to our state’s economy.”

The new Canadian tariffs are expected to take effect in a month.

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 Khiree Stewart, Greg Ng, Julian Nazario

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    RANDALLSTOWN, Maryland (WBAL) — Detectives arrested a teenager in the fatal double shooting of two young siblings in Gwynn Oak earlier this month, Baltimore County police announced Wednesday.

The arrest is connected to the July 7 fatal shooting of Giovanna Myrie, 15, and Steve Allen, 9, at their Talles Road home.

Baltimore County Police Chief Robert McCullough, Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier and Councilman Julian Jones made the announcement before Wednesday evening’s public safety town hall meeting at the Randallstown Community Center.

County police said detectives arrested Keith Maurice James Jr., 16, of Baltimore, who will be charged as an adult. (This is an updated name from what police first released.)

The chief said detectives served an arrest warrant Wednesday morning and took the teenager into custody in West Baltimore, saying that he is known to the victims and that James had “some sort of relationship” with Myrie.

The chief said investigators followed the evidence to identify James as a suspect but they have yet to identify a motive.

“He was on camera in several ways throughout the community,” McCullough said. “He had been in the area prior to the crime, and of course, he was in the area after the crime.”

During the news conference, the chief referenced concerns he has coming from this case.

“This case also highlights for me a couple issues, one is juvenile violence itself, violence by juveniles on other juveniles, and it also highlights the point that, as parents, we need to make sure that we know who our kids are associating with,” McCullough said. “It’s just dating violence, teen violence between people who have relationships, so we need to be mindful of those things.”

People at a public safety town hall gave WBAL-TV 11 News their thoughts on the news.

“I would have never expected a 16 year-old to have perpetrated a crime like that,” said a person at the town hall.

As the investigation continues, they are praying for the family of the victims.

“I think it’s a very sad situation and my condolences go out to the family,” said a resident.

“My heart goes out to you, I can’t imagine the grief you’re carrying,” said another resident.

“I think it’s a very sad situation and my condolences go out to the family,” another person told WBAL-TV 11 News.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 410-887-INFO or Metro Crime Stoppers at 866-7LOCKUP. Information provided by phone or online through Metro Crime Stoppers of Maryland may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.

Residents may also provide details about this crime through the Baltimore County Police Department’s iWATCH program.

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 Joelle Garguilo

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    NEW YORK (WABC) — Spending a day with Kristopher Hull is a little like stepping into a movie.

As he pushes and plays a 500-pound piano through the streets of New York City, Hull offers a different view of the city, where the weird, the wonderful and everything in between become part of the performance.

“It looks crazy and dangerous. But it’s really not,” Hull said as he maneuvered the piano down a Manhattan street.

“Feels like an adventure,” said Joelle Garguilo.

For Hull, that’s exactly the point.

“Yeah, Elton John, yay,” he joked when asked about playing in the middle of the street.

“Yes.”

Garguilo summed up his mission simply: “You are a piano player for the people.”

“That’s exactly right,” Hull replied.

A pianist, philosopher and one-man force of nature, Hull has spent the last several years pushing his piano through the streets of Manhattan, performing classical music for anyone willing to stop and listen.

“I had this thing inside me that had always been bothered by the fact that classical music has been confined to the gilded walls of the concert hall, where if you don’t have $179 for a ticket to go to a hall, there’s no Mozart for you,” Hull said. “And this is just something that is not right.”

Rather than waiting for audiences to come to him, Hull brings the music directly to them.

“I think that I’m a conduit, maybe sometimes to allow New York to express itself,” he said. “And it just gets expressed through the piano, which is just like a magical instrument. It is a magnet for all the craziness and beauty.”

And a magnet it certainly is.

As Hull rolled through the city, strangers stopped to listen, ask questions and even take a turn at the keys.

“Come, let me help you out,” Hull said to one passerby who sat down to play.

“I’ll play an excerpt,” the man responded.

“Yeah. An excerpt is all we need,” Hull said. “And you are now at a 1964 Baldwin.”

“Oh wow.”

“That is seasoned by the street, man.”

“You’re bringing music to the people,” Garguilo said.

“And there’s this, like, it can be a homeless dude. It can be a stressed-out finance bro. It can be all sorts of different kinds of people,” Hull said. “And they’ll come up to me, and they’re like, ‘How? What is this?'”

One stop on the journey was the historic Chelsea Hotel, a place that holds special significance for Hull.

“I moved to New York in order to study with a concert pianist who lived in the Chelsea Hotel,” he said. “I came straight here. There’s my backpack, and that was all I owned.”

Hull’s enthusiasm is contagious, his curiosity seemingly limitless. He believes classical music has a unique ability to connect people because it requires no translation.

“Nobody here had any idea there was going to be a piano in their life today,” he said. “A lot of people feel intimidated by it. The thing about classical music is that there are no lyrics. From a little baby to somebody who’s 99 years old, all you have to do is feel it.”

The moments he witnesses while performing are what keep him going.

“When I’m playing and I can see what’s going on around me, and I see people stop in their tracks, or I see two people just kiss on the bench because they’re hearing Chopin,” Hull said. “And why wouldn’t you kiss?”

“And if you change somebody, say, one degree, maybe over the course of their life, they’re like, ‘You know what? Beauty is something that I care about.’ So all you need is just that little bit of change.”

Asked what his unusual journey has taught him about New York, Hull didn’t hesitate.

“It has taught me that New Yorkers are cool,” he said. “There’s no one kind of thing that happens. And that’s the gift of New York. The gift of New York is that it has everything. It’s the broadest canvas imaginable.”

“So you go out to make your little box of art, and on this huge canvas, it will get filled in. Kate will show up. Kanani will show up. You will show up.”

For Hull, the piano is more than an instrument. It’s a way to bring people together.

“We’re all connected doing this crazy piano thing,” he said. “This is what I’ve been given. I’m just the prism in the middle that turns that ray of light into the rainbow. And that’s something that I’m very grateful for.”

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.