Category: CNN Regional

By Adrik Vargas

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    YUMA, Arizona (KYMA-D2, KYMA-DT) — A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision could have long-term effects on how voting districts are drawn, including in Arizona.

The ruling focuses on Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, a key part of the law that has helped protect minority voters for decades.

It required mapmakers to consider whether communities of color had a fair opportunity to elect candidates of their choice.

Now, that protection has been narrowed, making it more difficult to challenge voting maps in court over claims of racial discrimination.

In Arizona, district lines aren’t drawn by lawmakers. Instead, an independent redistricting commission handles the process and only meets once every 10 years.

The next time that commission is scheduled to reconvene is at the start of the next redistricting cycle, around 2030, after new census data is released.

Because of that, experts say any immediate changes are unlikely. Still, the decision could open the door to legal challenges.

“There could be lawsuits,” said Sasha Hupka, a reporter with VoteBeat Arizona. “There are opportunities here for both Democrats and Republicans to pick up seats.”

Hupka says the impact could be especially important in areas like Congressional District 7, which stretches along Arizona’s southern border and includes parts of Yuma.

The district was designed to group together Latino communities that share similar concerns and priorities, giving those voters a stronger voice in elections.

With fewer legal protections in place, future maps could be drawn differently, potentially splitting up those communities and making some districts more competitive.

At the state level, that could also affect legislative districts like LD 23, which covers much of Yuma.

Hupka says changes there could shift the balance in closely contested races. Even so, she says the biggest changes are likely still years away.

“The more likely scenario is that this will impact Arizona later in the decade,” Hupka said, when the commission meets again to redraw district lines.

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 Sean DeLancey

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    COVINGTON, Kentucky (WCPO) — The Covington Police Department is continuing to ask the Northern Kentucky community for assistance in locating 22-year-old NKU student Murry Foust, who’s been missing for more than a week.

Police are asking people in different areas of Covington to review their security camera footage from April 27 from 5:45 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. in a Facebook post Monday.

The call for help comes after days of active search by Covington police. Outside agencies, like Butler County Water Rescue and the private Equusearch Midwest, also got involved and came up empty.

Equusearch Director David Rader said his team has been working closely with Covington police to find answers.

“The right way to do this is, first and foremost, to work with law enforcement,” Rader said.

Rader said they’ve been targeting positions of interest identified by police and searching from there. He said they’ve used people on foot, dogs and drones with specialized equipment.

Equusearch posted an example of how thorough their searches have been on Sunday.

“If this turns out to be something that is foul play, you can present this in court and say, ‘This is how thorough a job we did,'” he said.

Rader said the technology associated with their drones allows them to track both thermal signatures of humans and highlight colors associated with the last known items worn by missing persons.

“Last Thursday or Friday, we were running the colors of the backpack and also the blue coat,” he said. ” We can pick colors out with that.”

Rader called his organization’s work a “process of elimination” for Covington police as detectives focus on their investigative work.

Still, he said, tips from people in the community and maximum awareness campaigns can be most effective in helping to bring a missing person home.

NKU confirmed Foust is a fine arts major in the College of Arts and Sciences, set to graduate this week.

“Northern Kentucky University is aware that one of our students, Murry (Alexis) Foust, has been reported missing. Our thoughts are with their family, friends and all those impacted,” a statement from NKU reads. “The Covington Police Department is leading the investigation, and we are fully cooperating and supporting their efforts.”

Anyone with information on Foust’s location is encouraged to call 911 or 859-292-2234. Tips can also be submitted to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Crime Stoppers at 513-356-3020.

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 MacNeil

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    SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, California (KSBY) — It’s a diagnosis no parent ever wants to hear. For one family, that moment changed everything, and ultimately helped spark life-saving research that’s now showing promising results for children battling cancer.

Frank Kalman still remembers the moment doctors delivered the news.

“I just curled up into a fetal position and started shaking,” he said.

At just 12 years old, his daughter was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive childhood cancer.

Doctors initially gave her a 45% chance of survival. After the cancer came back, Kalman says they were told her chances dropped to zero, but he and his wife refused to accept that outcome. Instead, they traveled across the country searching for treatments and specialists who could help, finding teams that ultimately saved their daughter’s life.

Along the way, their daughter met other children fighting the same disease. Kalman says many of those kids didn’t survive, and losing them became a turning point. That’s when the family decided to start a foundation, after realizing pediatric cancer research is often underfunded.

According to the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation, only about 4% of federal cancer research funds are allocated to pediatric cancer.

The organization, End Kids Cancer, now focuses on funding research that could improve survival rates and treatment options for children. One of the projects it helped support is a clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center testing a vaccine for high-risk neuroblastoma.

Researchers found the vaccine reduced relapse rates by about 50% in some patients. However, it didn’t work for everyone, leading scientists to ask why.

Now, pediatric oncologists are studying whether the answer could lie in the body’s microbiome, the trillions of bacteria living in the gut. Researchers believe these microbes may play a role in how well patients respond to cancer treatments.

One researcher involved in the study, Dr. Oriana Miltiadous, says the focus is on understanding how certain bacteria may improve the effectiveness of immunotherapy, including cancer vaccines designed to keep patients in remission. Early findings suggest some microbes are linked to better outcomes, which could help guide more personalized treatment plans in the future.

Funding from communities like the Central Coast has played a key role in launching and continuing this work. Researchers say it could lead to treatments that are not only more effective but also less toxic for children.

Dr. Miltiadous also points to major progress in pediatric cancer care over the years, noting that nearly 80% of childhood cancers are now curable.

They credit decades of research and community support, and say they remain optimistic about what’s ahead.

Kalman says that today, his daughter, the 12-year-old girl who inspired End Kids Cancer, is now 37, healthy, married, and thriving.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with a diagnosis, End Kids Cancer has free resources and a guide to help parents and people with cancer navigate the next steps.

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 Sean McDowell

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    MESA, Arizona (KNXV) — The family of 52-year-old Eric Baker is demanding justice one month after Baker died following an arrest near a Mesa intersection on April 4.

Baker was taken into custody by Mesa police at the Buenas Apartments at University Drive and Dobson Road after officers reportedly noticed he did not have a working light on his bicycle and discovered a warrant for his arrest.

A witness at the apartments recorded video showing three officers arresting Baker.

Mesa police say a Taser was used during the encounter.

The footage appears to show Baker with a bloody face as he pleads for help.

Baker was transported to a hospital, where he later died.

“My dad did not assault one officer. He was attacked and beaten to death. I am ready to fight for my dad’s justice,” Baker’s daughter, Charlee, shared in a text message to ABC15 on Monday.

Mesa police say Baker’s arrest remains under investigation.

A department spokesperson confirmed that the incident was not reviewed by an outside agency, citing criteria set by the East Valley Critical Incident Response Team.

The three officers have since returned to duty.

Court records reveal a warrant was issued for Baker’s arrest in May 2025 following a judge’s decision to revoke his probation, which was related to a drug possession charge.

Baker had reportedly missed seven appointments with his probation officer.

Phoenix civil rights attorney Sean Woods, who is not involved in Baker’s case, notes that lawsuits against police departments are common but can be challenging.

“Your eyes, you see what happens. The body-worn cams are not modified. They’re uploaded at the end of the day. That’s what the officers see, so it’s super important,” Woods said, emphasizing the impact of video evidence in cases like Baker’s.

Mesa Police say the incident is also under review by the department’s Critical Incident Review Board, which includes Internal Affairs and Training Division personnel.

Late Monday, Baker’s family indicated they have hired an attorney.

As the investigation continues, Baker’s family remains committed to finding answers and seeking accountability for his 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 Ally Kraemer

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    CINCINNATI (WCPO) — Amy West spent years struggling with her health after the pandemic.

She said the pandemic itself, coupled with the loss of her mother, took a toll on her emotionally and physically.

“I put on a lot of weight in a short amount of time,” West said.

The weight gain brought serious physical challenges with it.

“I was in a lot of joint pain,” West said.

When West connected with a doctor, she learned the extent of the damage.

“He said you will need a hip replacement … the arthritis has set in pretty bad, but the issue was my weight,” West said.

West committed to the work. With guidance and determination, she lost about 80 pounds — only to receive devastating news about the surgery.

“I was so excited over the weight loss, thought I was doing great, only to be told, you’re not a candidate,” West said.

The rejection sent her into a dark place.

“I was terribly depressed. I hadn’t left my house except for doctor appointments in about a year and a half, I had missed Christmases, I had missed birthday parties,” West said.

It was a suggestion from her physical therapist that changed everything. West agreed to seek a second opinion, this time meeting with Dr. Matthew Mangini at The Christ Hospital.

Mangini was willing to have an honest conversation with her about the surgery — and to move forward.

“Cases like hers, there are higher risks of complications and I talked to her about that before surgery, but basically my mindset is if you’re willing to accept the risk, I’m willing to take it with you,” Mangini said.

Together, they took that risk. West underwent a posterior hip replacement in January 2026, and the surgery was a success.

“My life is now pure joy. I smile all the time, whenever people ask me about my situation, I’m just like, I have a new life, I have a second chance at life,” West said.

Mangini said he got into the orthopedic field to help people, and he strongly encourages patients to seek a second opinion; he said doctors are all trained differently and some are more comfortable performing certain procedures than others.

West hasn’t used a wheelchair since leaving the hospital.

So now, this Mother’s Day she’ll be able to celebrate with her family — who have loved and supported her the whole way.

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

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 KIVI Staff

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    BOISE COUNTY, Idaho (KIVI) — It was a ruff day on the hillside for one fluffy Samoyed named Nash. The 70-pound pup misstepped and tumbled down a steep embankment Monday morning.

Boise County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) deputies responded around 11:30 a.m. and made their way to the edge of the drop. One look down was all it took to call Garden Valley Fire for some backup.

BCSOO says two firefighters and one deputy anchored at the top with rope work, while Fireman Austin Fields made the steep descent down to Nash. Slowly but surely, they hoisted Nash back up, and he was reunited with his owner at the top.

In a Facebook post, Boise County Sheriff’s Office praised Garden Valley Fire for their response, writing, ” Big thanks to Garden Valley Fire for treating every life like it matters… even the four-legged, tail-wagging kind.”

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 Joey Martin

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    SHOSHONE, Idaho (KIVI) — With temperatures heating up and school coming to an end, Idahoans across the state will be hitting the road looking for that next family adventure — and this one takes you underground.

Located along Highway 75, 8 miles north of Shoshone, Mammoth Cave has a history that stretches back more than 70 years.

As a senior in high school, Richard Olsen stumbled across the cave while hunting coyotes and bobcats, and from that point on, Mammoth Cave was his.

Charles Drake, the site’s manager, said the property has been welcoming visitors for decades.

“Richard found the place in 1954 and homesteaded the land…and we’ve been doing tours out here since the early 60’s,” Drake recounted.

Before visitors even make their way to the cave, they are greeted by the Richard Olsen and Shoshone Bird Museum — a sprawling collection of taxidermy, prehistoric artifacts, and curiosities from around the world that Olsen spent a lifetime assembling.

“A little bit of everything… Richard spent his entire life traveling, hunting, fishing all over the world, and his life passion was bringing the world back to Idaho,” Drake added.

The museum is enough to keep visitors busy for hours, and the property’s free-range peacocks are sure to keep them on their toes.

“Yeah, we have about 40 or 50 free-range peacocks… we have them because they are really aggressive to rattlesnakes, they make it a little safer out here, and they are really great at taking care of ticks,” Drake said.

The main attraction, however, is Mammoth Cave itself.

“It’s one of the largest volcanic tubes open to the public in the world. Goes for a quarter of a mile long because it is self-guided out here, you can spend as much time as you like down there, but on average it is usually done in about 30-40 minutes,” Drake explained.

The cave briefly served as a fallout shelter during the Cold War and remains structurally solid today, though Drake acknowledged its limitations in a modern context.

“It could still provide shelter today for a lot of things… but nuclear holocaust?… Probably not,” Drake said.

Mammoth Cave and the museums are located along Highway 75, north of Shoshone, and are open 7 days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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

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.