Category: CNN Regional

By Larissa Liska

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    CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (KRIS) — It takes confidence and a positive attitude to pump up fans on game day. From cheerleaders to the mascot, everyone plays their role. This year’s King Mustang shows how school spirit helps overcome hidden obstacles.

“He is just like the best teammate and mascot. He’s so sweet,” said King junior cheerleader Makaila Johnson. “He’s always making sure we’re hyped. The crowd loves him. The crowd is always hyped when they see him on the sidelines or at practices.”

That’s Sally the Mustang, but the King cheer squad knows him as freshman Anthony Lopez. Becoming the mascot was an opportunity his family inquired about at orientation.

“She allowed Anthony to be part of a great team,” said Anthony’s father, Carlos Lopez. “We’re so proud of him because he’s come a long way.”

Anthony defies the odds every single day. He was born with Autism and ADHD.

“It’s really important for me as a special education teacher to show that anybody can come and be part of a team,” said King cheer coach Camryn Caylor.

Becoming the mascot was a dream Anthony had since he was a little boy.

“I would take pictures all the time when the mascots would come in because he wanted to take pictures with them, and here we are doing the same thing,” Lopez said.

It takes an entire team effort to show up to practices, the pep rally, and games. Plus, helping Anthony learn where he needs to be for each cheer.

“It’s teamwork, you know, father-son working together and creating that safe spot,” Lopez said. “Not only for himself, but for the rest of the team as well.”

One challenge for Anthony is dealing with sensitivity to loud noises on game day, so he wears headphones to help control the environment and keep him calm.

“You know it’s always like a chance to never stop trying to do what you want to do, and I feel inspired by Anthony’s story,” said King junior cheerleader Benjamin Aguirre.

Anthony does not limit his positive attitude to the sideline. He plays baseball, bowls, and is a member of the school choir. “He loves the music, he loves the game and he loves being part of something,” Lopez said. “A lot of kids with special needs are looking for something like this.”

The Mustangs squad is back on the sideline this Friday. King and Gregory-Portland football meet up at Ray Akins Wildcat Stadium at 7 p.m.

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

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 Faraz Javed, Brandon Speagle

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    MELVINDALE, Michigan (WXYZ) — A routine traffic stop in Melvindale turned into a life-changing moment when a police officer helped deliver a baby on the side of the road in the early morning hours of Friday, November 7.

Just before 2 a.m., Melvindale Police Officer Al Hasan pulled over a speeding vehicle at Oakwood and Wood. The driver was rushing his wife, 45-year-old Maria, to the hospital as she was in active labor.

“My fear was something is going to happen to my girl or me,” Maria said. She asked that her last name not be used.

Officer Hasan called for backup, and Corporal Mohamed Hacham quickly arrived at the scene. Hacham immediately recognized that time was running out.

“She is just breathing heavy, panicking,” Hacham said.

The dispatcher made a critical decision to provide priority medical assistance over the radio, meaning Hacham would need to deliver the baby himself. With nearly three years on the job, this was Hacham’s first delivery.

“I mean the training you receive at the academy, but it’s not this,” Hacham said.

The voice guiding Hacham through every step belonged to his younger brother at Dearborn Dispatch, which also handles 911 calls for Melvindale. Interim Melvindale Police Chief Chris Egan said the brothers are known as Moe and Joe.

“I need her on the back, and the center of the ground, and I will tell you exactly how to deliver the baby,” the dispatcher instructed over the radio.

Body camera footage captured the intense moments as Hacham worked to help Maria, who was unable to get out of the vehicle due to her condition.

“Head is coming out, sir; stay calm,” the dispatcher said.

When asked if he remained calm during the delivery, Hacham credited his brother’s guidance.

“Hearing him, yes!” Hacham said.

Maria initially felt scared about the situation, but now feels grateful for the officer’s help.

“At the time it happened, I was like ‘no please, like why?!’ But now that I think about it, thank God he helped us,” Maria said.

As the baby was successfully delivered, Hacham’s first words were a blessing in Arabic: ‘Bismillah Ur Rehman Ur Raheem’, which means “In the name of God, the most gracious, the most merciful.”

“As an Arab American, a Muslim American, I only know one way to welcome a new life into this world. Plus, what’s better than hearing a blessing from God,” Hacham said.

Chief Egan noted that Maria, a devout Catholic, also saw divine intervention in the moment.

“Maria said the same thing. She is a devout Catholic, and she said, he was a gift from God,” Egan said.

The experience changed Maria’s perspective on police officers.

“For me, when you see a police officer, you always think it’s something bad. But this time it was something good. They were very respectful. I remember one of the officers saying to block the view,” Maria said.

This marks the second time Hacham has been involved in a life-saving situation. In 2023, while off duty, he saved a 3-year-old toddler from choking after hearing the call over the radio.

Both Maria and her daughter, Galilea, are now home and healthy. Maria said the parking lot at Oakwood and Wood will always remind her that miracles happen.

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

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

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 Tori Mason

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    COLORADO (KCNC) — An 8-year-old Coloradan is turning his love for hockey into a way to help other kids get on the ice, especially the children of veterans.

Luke Grahame grew up in a hockey family. His grandmother worked for the Avalanche. His dad played professionally and won a Stanley Cup. His older brothers play, too.

Before he was old enough to lace up skates, he spent a lot of time in rinks watching his brothers’ practices. He’d play tag or throw tennis balls off the wall just to stay entertained. One day, frustrated, he told his mom, “I’m tired of just being a rink dude.” That’s when something clicked. Luke and his mom, Niki, turned that moment into a mission — and Rink Dude was born.

“We thought maybe we could print a hat that said Rink Dude just for him,” Niki said. “Then we thought, what if he sold a few and helped other kids who want to play hockey but can’t afford it?”

Hockey is one of the most expensive youth sports. Between gear, ice time and team fees, many families can’t afford to even start. Luke didn’t like the idea of kids missing out.

“It feels kind of sad,” he said. “Hockey is really fun. I want to help kids play.”

He started selling “Rink Dude” merch and sharing donation cards linked to nonprofits like Hockey Unlimited, which provide equipment, ice time, and support to young athletes. And last week alone, Luke raised more than $3,000.

This week, for Veterans Day, he’s focusing his giving even more to the United Heroes League. The UHL is a nonprofit that keeps military kids active by providing gear, camps, grants and special experiences.

“Our goal is $5,000 to raise for kids of veterans,” Luke said. “Veterans are heroes. They fight for our country. We wouldn’t have this country if we didn’t have them.”

His mom says the idea didn’t surprise her.

“It made me feel really proud,” she said. “He gets to feel the joy of helping others while doing something he loves. And it teaches the importance of giving back to the hockey community that’s given so much to us.”

Luke says the best part isn’t selling merch, it’s knowing another kid is stepping onto the ice because of him.

“It makes me feel good and kind of happy,” he said.

“I’m the youngest in my family, but I have a brand and they don’t,” he added proudly. “They still treat me like the little one, though. A lot.”

You can donate directly to United Heroes League, or visit the Rink Dude Instagram page @rinkdude for more information.

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

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.

KCNC

By Tori Mason

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    COLORADO (KCNC) — An 8-year-old Coloradan is turning his love for hockey into a way to help other kids get on the ice, especially the children of veterans.

Luke Grahame grew up in a hockey family. His grandmother worked for the Avalanche. His dad played professionally and won a Stanley Cup. His older brothers play, too.

Before he was old enough to lace up skates, he spent a lot of time in rinks watching his brothers’ practices. He’d play tag or throw tennis balls off the wall just to stay entertained. One day, frustrated, he told his mom, “I’m tired of just being a rink dude.” That’s when something clicked. Luke and his mom, Niki, turned that moment into a mission — and Rink Dude was born.

“We thought maybe we could print a hat that said Rink Dude just for him,” Niki said. “Then we thought, what if he sold a few and helped other kids who want to play hockey but can’t afford it?”

Hockey is one of the most expensive youth sports. Between gear, ice time and team fees, many families can’t afford to even start. Luke didn’t like the idea of kids missing out.

“It feels kind of sad,” he said. “Hockey is really fun. I want to help kids play.”

He started selling “Rink Dude” merch and sharing donation cards linked to nonprofits like Hockey Unlimited, which provide equipment, ice time, and support to young athletes. And last week alone, Luke raised more than $3,000.

This week, for Veterans Day, he’s focusing his giving even more to the United Heroes League. The UHL is a nonprofit that keeps military kids active by providing gear, camps, grants and special experiences.

“Our goal is $5,000 to raise for kids of veterans,” Luke said. “Veterans are heroes. They fight for our country. We wouldn’t have this country if we didn’t have them.”

His mom says the idea didn’t surprise her.

“It made me feel really proud,” she said. “He gets to feel the joy of helping others while doing something he loves. And it teaches the importance of giving back to the hockey community that’s given so much to us.”

Luke says the best part isn’t selling merch, it’s knowing another kid is stepping onto the ice because of him.

“It makes me feel good and kind of happy,” he said.

“I’m the youngest in my family, but I have a brand and they don’t,” he added proudly. “They still treat me like the little one, though. A lot.”

You can donate directly to United Heroes League, or visit the Rink Dude Instagram page @rinkdude for more information.

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

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 John Lauritsen

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    MOUNDS VIEW, Minnesota (WCCO) — On the eve of Veterans Day, a Mounds View, Minnesota, man is receiving a welcome gift.

“I was deployed over to Afghanistan, northeast Syria and then worked for the U.S. embassy in Dhaka, Bangladesh, during COVID,” Tanner Wilde said.

Wilde is proud of serving his country. He put his life on the line during his deployments, but when he returned home, a new battle was waiting for him.

“I contemplated and began to plan my own suicide because I was in an immense amount of pain after my third traumatic brain injury, which led to my discharge from the military,” Wilde said.

Mental health was a serious struggle until about two years ago, when, at the urging of his wife, Wilde got help and agreed to talk to someone.

“When you are in it, you’re riding it. But that doesn’t have to be the end of it,” Wilde said.

Recognizing all Wilde has overcome, Snelling Heating, Cooling and Electrical in St. Paul decided to give him a new furnace, for free.

“Just a small way we could recognize him for Veterans Day and try and honor him and his service,” said Elizabeth Krinkie, of Snelling.

Among those installing Wilde’s furnace is Frank Slavik, who just happens to be a veteran himself.

“Army infantry 1975 to 1977,” said Slavik. “It’s a pleasure. I really like to come out and help the veteran out.”

A new furnace means one less thing to worry about in Wilde’s life, allowing him to focus on his family and helping other veterans.

With his wife, his daughters and his service dog, Taz, by his side, Wilde wants to be there for those going through their own mental health battle and to help them rediscover the hope they’ve lost.

“I have found joy again. I have found a re-instilled purpose when the military was all I ever knew,” Wilde said.

If you or someone you know is in emotional distress, get help from the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. Trained crisis counselors are available 24 hours a day to talk about anything.

In addition, help is available from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, or NAMI. Call the NAMI Helpline at 800-950-6264 or text “HelpLine” to 62640. There are more than 600 local NAMI organizations and affiliates across the country, many of which offer free support and education programs.

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

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 Lacey Beasley

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    NORTH TEXAS (KTVT) — A revolutionary way of education is in North Texas, and most people don’t know about it. Two private schools are powered by artificial intelligence teachers.

It’s called Alpha School for grades K-8, and it’s the most expensive private school in Texas. One campus is in Plano, where the cost of enrollment is $50,000, and the other is in Fort Worth, where it’s $40,000.

Alpha School has locations nationwide. There are four campuses in Texas, with another campus set to open this year in Houston. Its flagship is in Austin, then there’s Plano, Fort Worth and Brownsville.

Alpha School leaders claim their model fixes faults in traditional education and the technology does things humans can’t.

“Alpha School is the future of education,” said Samantha DePalo. DePalo has been called a teacher for nearly 15 years, but at Alpha School, she goes by something else. She’s now called a guide and essentially supervises the students.

The Fort Worth campus is tucked in a small room of a rec center, and students are taught by AI teachers on their laptops.

“It’s not like an AI person on the other end,” said DePalo. “It is just these lessons and questions that are being generated exactly for them.”

Kate Johanns with the Association of Texas Professional Educators is skeptical of this AI model. ATPE is the largest community of public educators in Texas with 70,000 members.

“I think with an experience like that, it may work well in some instances, but I think the benefit of a good teacher is the ability to differentiate instruction,” said Johanns. “The other thing that I think AI might miss is the ability to form relationships with parents.”

DePalo is confident in Alpha School’s model and believes it’s the way of the future.

“You cannot teach every single student exactly what they need every moment, you just can’t as a human being,” said DePalo. “That’s better left, in my opinion, to the technology.”

Below is a Q&A with CBS News Texas lead education reporter Lacey Beasley, DePalo and Jacob Vandercook, a seventh grader who attends Alpha School.

DePalo: “I don’t have to teach out of a textbook or an online curriculum. I don’t have to teach to a test and say, ‘you must get these questions right.'”

Beasley: “Well, do you teach?”

DePalo: “At Alpha School? No, I don’t teach at all. Well, what I should say is what I’m designing are workshops.”

No teaching, but at Alpha School, leaders claimed students will learn twice as much in only two hours of core subject instructional time per day, taught by AI.

When students have a question, they do not raise their hands and ask the guides. Instead, students schedule online appointments with human teachers on their laptops and ask them the questions.

The other six hours of their school day are spent off technology.

Students participate in what they call ‘life skill workshops.’ It focuses on teaching things like perseverance and independence, which Alpha School leaders believe traditional education does not teach.

Vandercook: “This workshop was about balance. Balance in our lives, minds, school, work, food, anything.”

Beasley: “Would you rather be in school or on vacation?”

Vandercook: “I would rather be in school. Alpha is the best of the best.”

DePalo: “We have nine enrolled. We have a few more starting in January.”

Beasley: “Oh, nine? Single digit nine?”

DePalo: “Single digit nine right now.”

Beasley: “The classroom that we were in, is that the whole school?”

DePalo: “As of right now, yes.”

Beasley: “If there is such a high paywall, an education like this is not accessible to everyone. Why does it cost so much?”

DePalo: “A couple of reasons. Alpha School is a high-end private school. I will say as teachers, as guides, we are paid a very livable wage. Teachers start at $100,000.”

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

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.

KTVT

By Lacey Beasley

Click here for updates on this story

    NORTH TEXAS (KTVT) — A revolutionary way of education is in North Texas, and most people don’t know about it. Two private schools are powered by artificial intelligence teachers.

It’s called Alpha School for grades K-8, and it’s the most expensive private school in Texas. One campus is in Plano, where the cost of enrollment is $50,000, and the other is in Fort Worth, where it’s $40,000.

Alpha School has locations nationwide. There are four campuses in Texas, with another campus set to open this year in Houston. Its flagship is in Austin, then there’s Plano, Fort Worth and Brownsville.

Alpha School leaders claim their model fixes faults in traditional education and the technology does things humans can’t.

“Alpha School is the future of education,” said Samantha DePalo. DePalo has been called a teacher for nearly 15 years, but at Alpha School, she goes by something else. She’s now called a guide and essentially supervises the students.

The Fort Worth campus is tucked in a small room of a rec center, and students are taught by AI teachers on their laptops.

“It’s not like an AI person on the other end,” said DePalo. “It is just these lessons and questions that are being generated exactly for them.”

Kate Johanns with the Association of Texas Professional Educators is skeptical of this AI model. ATPE is the largest community of public educators in Texas with 70,000 members.

“I think with an experience like that, it may work well in some instances, but I think the benefit of a good teacher is the ability to differentiate instruction,” said Johanns. “The other thing that I think AI might miss is the ability to form relationships with parents.”

DePalo is confident in Alpha School’s model and believes it’s the way of the future.

“You cannot teach every single student exactly what they need every moment, you just can’t as a human being,” said DePalo. “That’s better left, in my opinion, to the technology.”

Below is a Q&A with CBS News Texas lead education reporter Lacey Beasley, DePalo and Jacob Vandercook, a seventh grader who attends Alpha School.

DePalo: “I don’t have to teach out of a textbook or an online curriculum. I don’t have to teach to a test and say, ‘you must get these questions right.'”

Beasley: “Well, do you teach?”

DePalo: “At Alpha School? No, I don’t teach at all. Well, what I should say is what I’m designing are workshops.”

No teaching, but at Alpha School, leaders claimed students will learn twice as much in only two hours of core subject instructional time per day, taught by AI.

When students have a question, they do not raise their hands and ask the guides. Instead, students schedule online appointments with human teachers on their laptops and ask them the questions.

The other six hours of their school day are spent off technology.

Students participate in what they call ‘life skill workshops.’ It focuses on teaching things like perseverance and independence, which Alpha School leaders believe traditional education does not teach.

Vandercook: “This workshop was about balance. Balance in our lives, minds, school, work, food, anything.”

Beasley: “Would you rather be in school or on vacation?”

Vandercook: “I would rather be in school. Alpha is the best of the best.”

DePalo: “We have nine enrolled. We have a few more starting in January.”

Beasley: “Oh, nine? Single digit nine?”

DePalo: “Single digit nine right now.”

Beasley: “The classroom that we were in, is that the whole school?”

DePalo: “As of right now, yes.”

Beasley: “If there is such a high paywall, an education like this is not accessible to everyone. Why does it cost so much?”

DePalo: “A couple of reasons. Alpha School is a high-end private school. I will say as teachers, as guides, we are paid a very livable wage. Teachers start at $100,000.”

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

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 Christine Sloan

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    EDISON, New Jersey (WCBS) — Police rescued more than 100 animals from a home in Edison, New Jersey, on Sunday.

Investigators say dogs, rabbits, pigeons, birds, and more were being kept in horrifying conditions inside a home on Stony Road West, police said.

Bryan added officers were called to the now-condemned house, in which heavy equipment was seen outside, because one of the two men living here was having a medical issue.

“There’s an issue going on. It’s hoarding animals like this that got out of control. It doesn’t look like they were raising animals for profit or using the chickens for eggs,” Bryan said.

Police said one person was charged with third-degree animal cruelty, because animal carcasses were also found in the house.

The rabbits found at the house were like ones one would see at a pet expo.

“They’re English angoras, French angoras, Jersey woolies and lion heads,” Pasukinski said.

Officials said most of the bunnies are free roaming and may be pregnant.

Authorities said all of the chickens — many of them show chickens — are staying at a New Jersey farm.

Authorities said a veterinarian was to examine all of the animals, that they would be be groomed for free, and that some may be available for adoption.

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

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 Nakell Williams

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    ATLANTA (WUPA) — For 17-year-old Hayden Lynch, Friday’s “Dream Flight” wasn’t just a trip — it was the culmination of years of aspiration.

Inside a buzzing gate room at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Hayden stood among more than 100 students, each wearing the same Delta-blue lanyard and the same look of awe.

“I can’t believe this is actually happening,” Hayden said, smiling as he clutched his boarding pass.

The “Dream Flight” — a partnership between Delta Air Lines and the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) — gives students across the country a firsthand look at careers in aviation. This year, the milestone 25th flight took them to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

“When I met my first Black pilot, that’s when I realized I could do it too,” said Hayden’s mentor, Justin Mutawassim, now a Delta captain. “Now, I get to show these students — especially Hayden — that they can follow that same path.”

Before takeoff, Hayden’s mother, Lyvette Marsh, reflected on how it all began.

“I first realized my son had a passion for aviation when I bought him his first drone,” she said. “He learned to fly right away — and he’s been focused ever since.”

Minutes later, she watched from the terminal as Hayden boarded the aircraft — Delta Flight 2025 — greeted by cheers and applause from airline staff.

Firefighters at Hartsfield-Jackson marked the occasion with a water salute, a symbolic arc of celebration honoring 25 years of “Dream Flights” and the next generation of trailblazers taking off.

At the helm of the flight was Captain Dana Nelson, Delta’s first Black woman pilot, hired in 2001.

“When I was growing up, I didn’t see anyone who looked like me flying planes,” Nelson said. “Now, when these students see me, they know it’s possible. Representation makes all the difference.”

As the Boeing 757 lifted into the clouds, students pressed their faces to the windows — watching Atlanta shrink beneath them and their futures expand above.

From the jet bridge in Atlanta to the launch pads of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, the students’ journey bridged past and future. Their bus driver, affectionately known as Ms. Bev, pointed out landmarks — including the launch sites where history was made.

At the Space Center, students attended a panel discussion featuring Black aerospace professionals and NASA engineers who shared advice on navigating both airspace and life’s turbulence.

“It’s amazing — seeing people who’ve done it and who look like me,” Hayden said. “It makes me believe I can do it too.”

After lunch, students roamed exhibits of rockets, shuttles, and simulators — imagining the flights they might one day command.

“My dream is to become a Delta pilot one day — and inspire others just like they inspired me,” Hayden added.

For Hayden and thousands before him, “Dream Flight” represents far more than a field trip. It’s a launchpad for possibility — a reminder that sometimes the most powerful flight begins with believing you can soar.

Since its inception, Delta’s “Dream Flight” has introduced more than 4,000 students to the aviation industry — many of whom are now pilots, engineers, and mentors themselves.

And as this year’s flight touched down on Florida’s Space Coast, one thing was clear: the future of flight is in very good hands.

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

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.