Category: CNN Regional

By Emily McLeod

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    ATLANTA, Georgia (WUPA) — Several people came out to Monday night’s DeKalb County Board of Education meeting to discuss a proposed policy regarding immigration enforcement.

Students, parents and community activists are hoping the board enacts the policy before the first day of school in August.

The proposed policy restricts law enforcement or other government agents from questioning or removing a student from campus, obtaining student information or accessing non-public areas of school property without proper legal authority.

According to the policy, unless there is an immediate threat to the health or safety of students and staff, a judicial warrant, court order or other legally binding document issued by a court of competent jurisdiction would need to be presented and then reviewed by the District’s Office of Legal Affairs before access is granted.

The policy also says nothing in it will be construed or applied in a way that violates state or federal law requiring compliance or cooperation with lawful law enforcement activity or lawful requests for information.

Jessica Stern is a local immigration attorney and is hoping to see the policy go into effect before the start of the school year.

“Students deserve to start the year without the fear and families need to be able to send their children to school without concern of law enforcement coming in to their schools,” Stern said.

Nancy Aguilar Fuentes is a student a Sequoyah Middle School and spoke at Monday night’s meeting.

“We want a policy so ICE can’t get kids inside the schools so parents can feel safe keeping their child in school,” Aguilar Fuentes said.

Despite being in the middle of summer vacation, she felt is was important to speak at the meeting.

“They should know about what’s happening in the world and what I am going through and what other families may be in right now — in this situation they might be in right now,” Aguilar Fuentes said.

The DeKalb County School District sent CBS Atlanta a statement which said:

“The DeKalb County School District’s Policy Committee reviewed a proposed draft of Board Policy JBCF: Response to Federal Immigration Enforcement (Safe Zones) in May. The proposed policy is scheduled for a first read by the DeKalb County Board of Education during its August meeting. DCSD remains committed to providing a safe, secure, and supportive learning environment for all students.”

Back in February the DeKalb County School District posted a statement on the district’s website following a resolution that it had passed.

According to the district, the resolution reaffirmed the district’s commitment to ensuring every student regardless of immigration status, national origin or status of their parents or caregivers has access to a safe, supportive, high-quality education.

The statement also said the district does not ask for or collect immigration status, maintains strong protections for student records and has established procedures for responding to law enforcement activity.

DeKalb County’s next Board of Education meeting will take place on August 10.

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 Steve Maugeri

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    MIAMI, Florida (WFOR) — Several new Florida laws designed to strengthen protections for domestic violence survivors took effect this month, including tougher penalties for repeat offenders, expanded relocation assistance and a study examining a new way for victims to discreetly seek help.

For Yasira Tejada, the changes represent meaningful progress after escaping an abusive relationship nine years ago.

“There were times where no one understood my situation. No one understood why I stayed. They would judge me for staying,” Tejada said.

Today, Tejada is studying health care in college with the goal of working for an organization that supports domestic violence survivors.

“It’s more than a job. It’s a mission for me,” she said.

One of the new Florida laws increases criminal penalties for repeat domestic violence-related offenses.

For example, stalking a spouse is generally charged as a misdemeanor for a first offense. Under the new law, a subsequent stalking offense against the same spouse can be elevated to a felony, increasing the potential punishment for repeat offenders.

“A lot of perpetrators, a lot of offenders commit this crime because they think they can get away with it,” Tejada said.

A second new law directs the state to study whether Florida should create a secure, web-based 911 reporting portal for domestic violence victims. The study will examine whether the system could allow survivors to discreetly communicate with law enforcement using pre-established codes or phrases when making a phone call is not safe.

“There’s never enough. We can always have more avenues to report, especially with the advent of technology,” said Dr. Joanette Brookes-George, a criminologist.

Brookes-George also works with Unmute Yourself, an organization that supports survivors of domestic violence. She said tougher penalties add another layer of accountability but are not a complete solution because they do not address the root causes of abuse.

“I think it will deter repeat offenses. I don’t know if it will stop the initial offense,” Brookes-George said.

The new laws also increase the amount of relocation assistance available to survivors leaving abusive situations.

The study on the proposed web-based reporting portal must be completed by the end of January.

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 Ivan Taylor, Abby Dodge

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    MIAMI, Florida (WFOR) — A South Florida mother is facing child abuse and child neglect charges after Hialeah police say she chained her 13-year-old daughter to a fence outside a relative’s home and left her there in the summer heat without food, water or shade.

Authorities arrested 34-year-old Yashira Marie Maldonado in connection with the incident, which police say happened Saturday morning, July 11, at a home on West 63rd Street in Hialeah. She has since been released on bond and has been ordered to have no contact with her daughter.

According to investigators, Maldonado drove her daughter from their apartment on West 28th Street to the home of the girl’s great-grandmother. Police say the mother wrapped a metal chain around the child’s waist, secured the other end to the property’s fence and left her there before driving away.

Ring camera video obtained by neighbors captured the mother’s arrival at the residence shortly before 9 a.m. Investigators say the footage shows her leaving after chaining the girl to the fence.

“The defendant drove the victim in a beige Toyota Camry to the witness residence,” the arrest report states. “She wrapped a metal chain around the victim’s waist and tied the other end to the house fence, restricting her from moving around.”

Police said the girl was left with a clear backpack, some clothing and medication.

Hialeah Police Lt. Eddie Rodriquez said a family member, not living in the home, called police.

“Once the father got word of that, he contacted police,” Rodriquez said. “Officers arrived and sure enough found this 13-year-old child tied to the fence.”

According to the arrest report, the child had no protection from the sun and was left without food or water.

“It’s horrible. She left her outside, no shade. Right in the sun,” Rodriguez said. “The heat alone, it’s very sad for what happened to this 13-year-old child.”

Investigators also say a witness received a text message from Maldonado at approximately 9:10 a.m. that read, “I got fired from my job!!!!!!”

Court documents said Maldonado told officers that she knew what she did was wrong and that she needed to take a break from caring for her child.

Neighbors described the allegations as deeply disturbing.

“That’s very disturbing,” one neighbor, who asked not to be identified, told CBS News Miami. “It’s sad. I don’t know what happened in there, but it’s sad.”

Another neighbor, Armando Calzadillo, who lives across the street, said the alleged abuse was unacceptable.

“That is something aberrant. It deserves to be punished,” he said in Spanish. “You don’t do that to a child, especially one with special needs.”

CBS News Miami visited the apartment complex where police say Maldonado and her daughter lived. When a crew knocked on the apartment door and rang the Ring doorbell, an automated response said, “We can’t answer the door now.”

Neighbor Arlene Gomez identified Maldonado from a photograph and said she was shocked by the allegations.

“I’m just dumbfounded about what happened because I never thought that woman would do such a thing,” Gomez said in Spanish.

The 34-year-old now faces charges of child neglect and child abuse. As part of her release conditions, she has been ordered to stay away from her 13-year-old daughter while the criminal case proceeds.

The child’s current condition has not been released, and police have not disclosed who is caring for her following the mother’s arrest.

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 Jamal Goss

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    ATLANTA, Georgia (WUPA) — While school is out for the summer, learning continues for children at Trees Atlanta’s Junior TreeKeeper Camp.

Inside the organization’s Kendeda TreeHouse, young campers learn about trees, wildlife, water, soil and the connections that make up Atlanta’s ecosystem. Outside, other groups put those lessons into motion through gardens, green spaces and bicycle trips along the Atlanta Beltline.

For 7-year-old Isaac Fulton, the experience combines two things he enjoys: spending time with friends and riding his bike.

“I like being with my friend and going on the Beltline every day,” Isaac said.

But the rides are about more than summer fun. Campers are encouraged to notice the plants, animals and natural systems they may otherwise pass without a second thought.

Isaac said one lesson changed how he thinks about a routine fall chore.

“If you rake in the fall, animals won’t have shelter for the winter,” he said.

Junior TreeKeeper Camp uses classroom instruction and hands-on activities to introduce children to environmental science and stewardship. Depending on their age group, campers may explore nearby green spaces, participate in nature activities, ride bicycles or learn how caring for trees supports the larger community.

In one classroom, camp counselor Danielle Hogan worked with rising first-graders as they learned about the natural world around them.

“Our mission is to give them knowledge about Atlanta’s ecosystem and the history behind Trees Atlanta,” Hogan said.

She said teaching children early can help them understand that trees are not simply part of the scenery. They provide shade, support wildlife and contribute to healthier communities.

“It’s important for the kids to get involved now because our older generation is dying down,” Hogan said. “We want to continue to have the green nature that Atlanta brings thrive for future generations. It’s important for them to get excited about it now.”

That lesson extends beyond the youngest campers. Older participants were also seen working with mulch, giving them a hands-on look at the effort required to care for trees and the surrounding landscapes.

Trees Atlanta was founded in 1985 to protect and improve the region’s urban forest through planting, conservation and education. The nonprofit says it has planted more than 170,000 trees across metro Atlanta during its four decades of work.

The organization is also part of a broader One Million Trees Initiative involving public, nonprofit and community partners across the metro area. A 2025 progress report marked the initiative’s fifth year.

For Hogan, the camp’s impact is measured not only by what children learn during the week, but also by what they carry home and how those lessons shape their relationship with nature.

“They’re our babies,” Hogan said. “They’re the beginning of a greater mission.”

Isaac’s explanation of why trees matter is much simpler.

“They give us air,” he said. “Also shade.”

For now, Isaac is focused on his next bike ride and another day outside with his friends. But the lessons he is learning could influence how he cares for Atlanta’s trees and green spaces long after summer camp ends.

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 Mary Eber

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    BALTIMORE, Maryland (WJZ) — You’ve probably heard of little free libraries, little boxes along sidewalks offering books to take and trade. Now, more community-led exchanges are popping up, from a trinket library to exchanges for artwork, movies, and handwritten notes.

Walk around Baltimore’s Hampden neighborhood, and you can find at least eight of these community exchanges, with the same concept as little free libraries but with items other than books.

The 3600 block of Elm Avenue, just off The Avenue, is home to Baltimore Trinket Library, full of keychains, buttons, stickers, zines, little works of art, and more. Its creator, Rachel Warren, launched it as the Baltimore Keychain Library in August 2025.

“Folks would leave little trinkets and little toys, and I would use a tiny little drill and glue and just basically just have like a little keychain factory in my house,” Warren said.

Warren has since expanded it to include more than keychains and has transformed the little library, adding a shelf, little boxes to separate items, and a door.

It’s bright pink and hard to miss, decorated with black cockroaches painted on the sides.

“I landed on wanting it to be like an homage to John Waters with the cockroach, like her dress from Hairspray,” Warren said. “I just love him so much. I’ve loved him so much my whole life.”

Warren has lived in Hampden for years with her family and decided to bring a non-traditional little library to the neighborhood after stumbling upon an artist on TikTok who created a keychain library in Portland, Oregon.

“I just thought that was just such a cool, both organic and creative way to meet people and to sort of have those like little moments of just like interacting with people,” Warren said.

When she first put it up, she said she had no idea how people would react. Would they be into it? Would anyone add anything, or would they think, “This is the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen?” Warren said.

Now she has an answer. She said people love it, and it shows in how they take care of it.

Neighbors have told her, “I really just like love it, it’s a part of my routine, or I look forward to it,” she said.

The Note Nest Just around the corner, at 832 Powers Street, you’ll find The Note Nest, which supplies greeting cards and notes.

The Note Nest creator Vanessa Harnik frequents traditional little free libraries and was inspired to create something special of her own.

“I adore them, and I thought to myself, you know, wouldn’t it be cool to have like a community exchange, like a little free library for greeting cards,” Harnik said.

Her husband drew up a design, her 15-year-old niece created the logo, they brainstormed the name and Open Works, the nonprofit maker space—helped with the build.

In January 2026, The Note Nest was hatched.

Harnick initially supported it all with a full stock of sample cards from Notes & Queries, the wholesale greeting card distribution company she and her father own. The company distributes from over 24 small and large European and British publishers and introduces thousands of products to independent retailers across the country, she said.

“I think the best cards actually are thinking of you cards, the ones that say I just thought of you, so I needed to be able to reach out and that’s not via a text,” Harnick said. “Those are the ones that are most meaningful and those are the ones actually that I see the most of here in the note nest for other people.”

You can find cards for all occasions, from birthdays to holidays and now people even leave cards and notes for others to find and keep.

Harnik read from one letter left in The Note Nest, “It’s a lovely thing to have a thought and know that I can share it. Thank you for the reminder that we all have something to say.”

The Note Nest has a second location outside Open Works, at 1400 Greenmount Avenue.

Harnik is hoping to grow its footprint. She’s offering the opportunity for people to sponsor their own note nest, specifically in the Baltimore area.

She has 10 free note nests available and ready to be assembled. If you’re interested, you can send her a message on Instagram.

Hampden’s non-traditional little libraries The number of community-driven exchanges in Hampden is growing.

Here’s some we found:

Hampden Blockbuster – 3100 block of Chestnut Avenue

It’s the new kid on the block. Here you can take a movie and leave a movie at this little red DVD exchange. Its Instagram account just launched in May 2026.

Little Free Record Library – 800 block of 35th Avenue

Here you can take a vinyl and leave a vinyl. It’s been around since at least June 2023.

Baltimore Trinket Library – 3500 block of Elm Avenue

Right off The Avenue is the Baltimore Trinket Library, full of keychains, stickers, buttons, pins, zines, works of art, and trinkets. It launched as the Baltimore Keychain Library in August 2025. The Note Nest – 800 block of Powers Street

The Note Nest is a community stationery exchange for cards, notes, and letters. It hatched in January 2026 and has a second location at 1400 Greenmount Avenue.

Chloe’s Pantry – 3400 block of Keswick Road

This free pet pantry offers free pet food, treats and supplies for dogs, cats and other small animals. It’s first-come, first-served, so take what you need. It also accepts donations.

Toy Library & Community Treasure Chest – 3000 block Keswick Road

This is a three-in-one stop. You’ll find a Toy and game library next to a community treasure chest full of odds and ends and a traditional little free library. Little Free Gallery – 3400 block of Roland Avenue

This little free art gallery offers works of art for people to exchange.

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 Meryl Hubbard, Photojournalist Ethan Ramsey

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    WAUWATOSA, Wisconsin (WTMJ) — A Sheboygan teenager is making what many are calling a miraculous recovery after nearly losing his legs in a farming accident.

He spoke with TMJ4’s Meryl Hubbard outside the Froedtert Bluemound Rehabilitation Hospital in Wauwatosa to share his story.

Mason Kramer was celebrating his graduation and 18th birthday when his life changed on June 18. While working at a farm in Sheboygan, he says he lost his balance and his legs got caught in a silo unloader machine. His legs were torn up, multiple bones were broken, and he lost 25% of his body’s blood.

“I was kind of in the beginning nervous for my life because I saw the blood coming out. I was really worried for my legs,” Kramer said.

First responders arrived and Kramer was life-flighted to the hospital, where he underwent three surgeries. At first, he didn’t know if [his] legs could be saved, but just three weeks later, he is already learning how to walk again.

“All the doctors have been saying that it’s kind of like I’m healing at a rate that they’ve never really seen before,” Kramer said.

Kramer attributes his speedy recovery to his optimism, faith and the support around him.

“Something that really got me through was praying. I prayed through the whole situation. And really, I knew that I had a life ahead of me, and I wasn’t gonna let this stop me,” Kramer said.

Kramer credits many people for helping him survive and recover. He specifically thanked his co-workers Karl Gabrielse, Scott and Lisa Hesselink; the EMS responders who stopped his bleeding and rushed him to the hospital; the Flight for Life helicopter team; his doctors; and his rehabilitation team, especially physical therapists Kylie and Mike and occupational therapist Molly. And, of course, he thanked his family.

“I have them to thank to still be here and be at the place where I am now,” Kramer said.

Despite having to put his career in the trades on hold, Kramer is looking forward to returning to the farm.

“If I was having a bad day I would ask if I could come into work because I love working with the cows I love working on machinery so yeah it’s it’s really been a big part of my life working on the tractors,” Kramer said.

His positive attitude is driving his recovery.

“I could be saying to the physical therapist, ‘No, I don’t want to. I don’t want to do it today. I don’t want to do this today. I don’t. I don’t feel good today.’ But I have the positive attitude where I want to get better. I want to get back to being my 18-year-old self,” Kramer said.

Kramer is expected to return to Sheboygan by Monday.

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.