Dulaney High School community gathers as alum Reid Wiseman makes historic return from space

CNN Newsource on April 12, 2026

By Bryant Reed

Click here for updates on this story

    BALTIMORE (WJZ) — After nearly 10 days of keeping a close watch on the Orion Spacecraft as it completed the longest journey from Earth in history, hundreds gathered at Reid Wiseman’s high school alma mater to watch and welcome his crew’s return to Earth.

“All that he’s brought — the whole crew — to the world. It’s just been a really binding experience,” said Adam Crowley, a friend of Wiseman.

Baltimore County residents, especially, feel a personal connection to Wiseman.

“I knew from many years ago that he was going to do something earth-shattering,” said Brian Frank, another friend of Wiseman.

Friends, parents, and students were humbled by the history that now flows through Dulaney High School’s doors.

“It’s pretty cool,” said N’damona Wheeler, a Dulaney High School student. “It’s a little unreal, but it shows that people that can do great things are just people from where you came from.”

Wiseman has kept up with his Dulaney family over the years, sharing special moments in space with them and offering them advice.

Before returning to Earth, Wiseman checked in with Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen, leaving a message for students looking to reach for the stars:

“The students of today, they’ve got to be willing to fail. They’ve got to be willing to take some risks in their school. Straight A’s, that might be important to some, but really expanding your horizons, going out and doing things that are difficult, things that scare you, things that you might have to try a few times before you get them right. That’s all well and good, and that’s a huge part of the learning process. And one of my biggest takeaways from life is, it’s not how well you succeed, it’s how well you fail. And when you have a tough spot, you’ve got to get up and get back on the horse and keep on going. And I think that’s so critical for the youth across the world today. Just keep driving and keep trying and keep innovating.”

Despite the allure of soaring through space, Wiseman’s friends say he’s really just a down-to-earth guy.

“Reid will be the same person that he was, and then he’ll come back and be that same amazing, humble, kind, loving persona, and it’s amazing even though he’s been to the moon and back,” said Kristin Chottiner, a friend of Wiseman.

After this successful mission, many spectators say they can’t wait until the next one and to witness us set foot on the moon once again.

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.

Detroit works to create safe zones, programs for minors after recent teen takeovers

CNN Newsource on April 11, 2026

By Terell Bailey

Click here for updates on this story

    DETROIT (WWJ) — Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield and Police Chief Todd Bettison are addressing concerns about recent teen takeovers.

Officials are working on creating safe spaces in Detroit for youth because Sheffield says the city is for everyone, including teens.

“Our young people want to be invested in. They need structure and occupied things to do. They want to be heard and feel like they belong,” Sheffield said during a press conference on Friday.

This week, the city met with the organizers of the teen takeovers. Speaking to a room full of city leaders and journalists, the organizers say boredom led to establishing the widely attended meetup.

“I picked downtown because it’s a common space. And everybody can get there,” said organizer Davion Page.

On April 3, police responded to hundreds of teens in downtown Detroit one night during spring break. While the city says it’s working on solutions. Parents will be held accountable if their children are caught violating the city code.

“We do have a curfew – and that’s for people’s safety. We want you to know where your kids are and be accountable,” Bettison said.

The city is working to create a youth advisory board to be a liaison between teens and the city government. This summer, the mayor says recreational centers will begin hosting midnight basketball.

“We have weekly programming prepared for young people during the summer, and we are extending rec hours as well,” Sheffield said.

Teen takeovers have recently occurred nationwide. It’s a sentiment Bettison says other police chiefs in other major cities, like Chicago, have shared. A new website launching in the coming weeks will list activities for minors across the city.

“Some came from Farmington Hills, Taylor, so when everybody is looking, this is a Metro Detroit, because everybody in the region enjoys Downtown Detroit. And we’re going to create a safe space,” Bettison said. The city says enforcement alone isn’t the answer, which is why they’re exploring safe zones citywide for minors.

Bettison says there’s a flyer circulating online about a possible teen takeover on Saturday. Additional law enforcement will be deployed to monitor the situation.

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.

Ironworkers killed in Philadelphia parking garage collapse identified as demolition begins

CNN Newsource on April 11, 2026

By Joe Brandt, Raymond Strickland

Click here for updates on this story

    PHILADELPHIA (KYW) — The Philadelphia Ironworkers Local 401 has identified the worker killed and the two presumed dead after a parking garage partially collapsed on Wednesday in the Grays Ferry section of Philadelphia.

The union said Stepan Shevchuk was the man killed when a failure of a precast concrete segment triggered a progressive collapse. The remains of Matthew Kane and Mark Scott Jr., who officials say are presumed dead, have not been recovered.

“We’ve lost three loved and respected members of our 401 family and wait in anticipation to bring our Brothers home,” the union wrote in a Facebook post. “This process has been slow and painstaking, but necessary due to the condition of the structure and the possibility for further collapse. We asked that you respect the authorities and agencies that are involved as they are trying to recover our Brothers as safely, dignified and respectfully as possible.”

Officials said the collapse occurred when a subcontractor working on the under-construction garage was installing precast concrete flooring, decking, and roofing segments when a segment failed.

The garage along Grays Ferry Avenue was being built for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) to expand employee parking.

Demolition and recovery crews on the site spent Friday assembling a large crane and a wrecking ball that will be used during the demolition process. Crews also set up some shielding around the building.

The city could not provide a time frame for how long the demolition would take because engineers and inspectors will need to monitor the structure’s response to the demolition.

The Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management warned residents that demolition may produce loud noises and advised them to close their windows. Mayor Cherelle Parker said there may be dust around the site and that people with sensitive respiratory conditions may want to wear a mask such as an N95.

A community meeting is set for 10 a.m. Saturday at Vare Recreation Center for city officials to answer questions about the collapse and give updates on the demolition.

Grays Ferry Avenue remains closed between 28th Street and 34th Street, according to Philadelphia OEM. The city has asked residents to avoid the area.

Friday, Gov. Josh Shapiro ordered all flags across Pennsylvania to fly at half-staff in memory of the workers who lost their lives. Parker ordered the same for the flags across the city of Philadelphia.

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.

Police searching for help to identify injured woman struck by lightning

CNN Newsource on April 11, 2026

By Christa Swanson

Click here for updates on this story

    BOULDER, Colorado (KCNC) — The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office is hoping someone can help them identify a woman who was seriously injured when she was struck by lightning on Thursday.

According to the BCSO, the woman was on a walking path behind the 1000 block of Lasalle Street in the Town of Superior when she was struck. People nearby reported hearing a loud boom around 5:39 p.m. and then finding the woman unresponsive beneath a tree. They began CPR and called 911.

The woman was taken to a local hospital and then airlifted to a hospital in the Denver metro area, said BCSO Public Information Officer Vinnie Montez. The sheriff’s office said the woman has a regular heart rate and is breathing on her own, but she is still in critical condition.

They’ve had difficulty identifying her. She was not carrying any identification, and her cellphone was seriously damaged.

The sheriff’s office tried fingerprinting and reviewing missing persons reports in Boulder County, but so far has been unable to find any matches that could identify her. Montez said the woman was so badly injured that it would be very difficult to identify her from a photograph.

“What we’re really encouraging people to do to help us identify her is get a photograph of her prior to the incident. So, we’re encouraging anyone in that Superior area, Lasalle sits right in the middle, in the heart of Superior, off of El Dorado Drive. Anybody in that area between the hours of 4:30 p.m. until about 5:39 p.m. yesterday, on April 9, we’re asking the community to check their security cameras,” said Montez. “If they have any Ring cameras or any information from their security devices that they think would be helpful, if they were able to capture this young lady running by, we’d love to get that video footage or still footage so we can get that out to the public.”

They said the woman is between 20 and 30 years old, approximately 5′ 5″, white, and around 120 lbs. She has auburn hair and has three butterflies tattooed on her right upper arm.

At the time of the incident, she was wearing a green running shirt, a grey/black windbreaker, black running shorts with white stripes, and white and pink Saucony brand running shoes. She was also wearing Beats brand earbuds. The BCSO encouraged anyone with information about the woman, or who has security footage of her, to contact their non-emergency number at (303) 441-4444.

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.

Investigation launched after IT employees allegedly work for Dallas and Austin simultaneously

CNN Newsource on April 11, 2026

By Marvin Hurst

Click here for updates on this story

    DALLAS (KTVT) — Authorities are investigating a whistle-blower tip alleging that two Information Technology employees were working full-time for both the City of Dallas and the City of Austin simultaneously.

The two individuals were earning a combined annual salary of more than $270,000 from the City of Dallas alone, according to city figures. CBS News Texas confirmed that one employee was paid $144,515.10 per year, while the other earned $128,750 per year.

The Whistle-Blower Tip The City of Dallas released a statement explaining that the Office of Inspector General (OIG) received the allegation via the city’s confidential “Whistle Hotline” in November.

In response, Interim Inspector General Baron Eliason opened an investigation and notified the following departments:

Dallas Police Department’s Public Integrity Unit

Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert

The City of Austin

Terminations in Austin While Dallas has not revealed the identities of the employees, the City of Austin confirmed it terminated three Austin Technology Services staff members during the week of March 23 as a result of an “ongoing review.”

Among those terminated was the interim Chief Information Security Officer. Brian Gardner, who served in that role, was previously the Chief Information Officer for the City of Dallas. According to his LinkedIn page, he had been with the City of Austin for 15 months.

In an email, Gardner declined to comment on the specifics of the situation. “On advice of counsel, I will not be commenting on this matter,” Gardner said. “As you know very well, there are at least two sides to every story. If and when it is appropriate, I will consider speaking further.”

Security and Data Concerns Despite the allegations of dual employment, officials in both Dallas and Austin emphasize that their technical infrastructure remains secure. Both cities stated that their systems were not compromised and no data breaches occurred as a result of the situation.

The City of Dallas says its investigation into the matter is ongoing.

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.

Suspect shot at Grand Central after 3 people stabbed, NYPD says

CNN Newsource on April 11, 2026

By Mark Prussin

Click here for updates on this story

    NEW YORK (WCBS) — A New York City police officer shot and wounded a man with a knife at Grand Central after he allegedly stabbed three people at the station Saturday, according to police.

The NYPD issued an alert to avoid the area in Midtown Manhattan after the FDNY said there were multiple injuries in a reported shooting and stabbing at around 9:40 a.m.

The MTA said 4, 5, 6 and 7 trains are bypassing Grand Central-42nd Street because of the police investigation.

Police sources said the incident happened on the platform for the 4, 5 and 6 trains.

The stabbing victims, identified as an 84-year-old male, a 70-year-old female and a 65-year-old male, were hospitalized in stable condition, police said.

The suspect was hospitalized in critical condition, according to police.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she had been briefed on the incident and was “grateful to our brave officers who acted quickly to stop the suspect.” The MTA said it expects further delays on the subway lines.

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch is scheduled to hold a news conference on the officer-involved shooting at 12:45 p.m.

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.

75-year-old man drowns in Lake Lanier after falling into water while fishing, deputies say

CNN Newsource on April 11, 2026

By Dan Raby

Click here for updates on this story

    GAINESVILLE, Georgia (WUPA) — A 75-year-old Pickens County man has died after officials say he fell into Lake Lanier while fishing on Friday morning.

Authorities have identified the victim as Ronald Lamar Kirk, a resident of Talking Rock.

According to the Hall County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to the 3200 block of Arrowhead Drive in Gainesville around 9:45 a.m. after a homeowner reported a possible drowning.

At the scene, the deputies found Kirk unresponsive in the lake. The man was pulled out of the water and taken to a local hospital, but he did not survive.

Investigators say Kirk and his 89-year-old uncle were fishing on a boat when the man’s lure became stuck on a dock. As Kirk tried to dislodge the lure, he slipped and fell into the water. His uncle attempted to get him back to land, but was not able to.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources is conducting its own investigation into Kirk’s 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.

Elderly couple gets keys to their rebuilt home, destroyed by Mountain Fire

CNN Newsource on April 11, 2026

By Luzdelia Caballero

Click here for updates on this story

    LOS ANGELES (KCAL, KCBS) — For the first time in nearly a year and a half, the Nordquists are back home. Alvyn and Phyllis lost their home when flames tore through their Camarillo neighborhood in November of 2024, and now they’re among the first to rebuild and begin again.

“When something happens like this, and God comes through like he did, you know you’re doing the right thing,” Phyllis tearfully said. “This feels like home,” Alvyn said, sitting in his new dining room.

The Nordquists have been married for 65 years and have lived in the same home for 53 years, raising their family.

While their home burned down in the Mountain Fire, amid the rubble, they discovered something unexpected. A single bookshelf still standing, holding their wedding album.

“We were thrilled,” Alvyn said. They were also able to save a portrait of their children, making the salvaged photos a symbol of their past and future, and their home – a marriage of both.

“It’s a whole new beginning getting used to a whole new home,” Phyllis said, as that beginning is now taking shape.

Builder and neighbor Michael Llako helped bring their home back to life, a structure that may look different, but carries the same meaning. “Our clients who are 90 and 91 years old lost everything,” Llako said.

He said it took eight months to build, from first shovel to keys. “It has been built from the ground up. We started in July, and today is April 10, and we have now finished this property.”

Llako added that it didn’t come without its challenges and lessons. Now the Nordquist home stands as a reminder of where they started and proof of how far they’ve come.

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.

8 people, including 5 facing murder charges, arrested in Esparto explosion

CNN Newsource on April 11, 2026

By Richard Ramos, Brandon Downs

Click here for updates on this story

    WOODLAND, California (KPIX) — Eight people, including five people facing murder charges, were arrested in connection with the Esparto explosion, authorities said on Friday.

A grand jury indictment unsealed on Friday revealed that Sam Machado, Kenneth Chee, Gary Chan Jr., Jack Lee and Douglar Tollefesen face seven charges of murder.

Ronald Botelho III, Craig Cutwright and the five defendants also face conspiracy charges, according to the indictment. Yolo County Deputy District Attorney Clara Nabity said the indictment alleges a decades-long conspiracy that turned Sam Machado’s property “into the Northern California hub for an illegal enterprise that imports and sells illegal explosives on the black market.”

Nabity said it was more than just fireworks, saying they were explosives that were designed and packaged to be sold under private labels. The indictment alleges that Chee branded the fireworks as “Bean Day Ho” fireworks, Tollefesen labeled them as “For the Streets,” Batelho labeled them as “Big Bully” and Cutright labeled them as “Double OG.”

The indictment alleges that Chee owned Devastating Pyrotechnics with Lee and Tollefesen, and help from Chan. Cutwright, a volunteer Esparto firefighter, and Botelho were a part of Devastating Pyrotechnics, but focused on the company called Blackstar Fireworks, beginning in about 2023.

Both companies operated from Sam Machado’s property, a former Yolo County sheriff’s lieutenant. Sam Machado’s wife, Tammy, was also arrested on charges of mortgage fraud, willfully false return, child endangerment, and animal cruelty. She posted bail on Thursday. Tammy Machado worked as an administrative assistant at the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office.

Nabity said the indictment alleges that Sam Macahdo used his role at the sheriff’s office “to shield the conspiracy as it expanded.” Nabity added that the operations expanded from 13 storage containers in 2015 to more than 50 in 2025 and a 5,000-square-foot warehouse.

Over the 10 years, more than 11 million pounds of explosives were imported to the property, the indictment alleges, with about 1 million pounds stored on the Machado property when the explosion happened.

As for licenses, some of the suspects held licenses that were issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). But Nabity said that none of the storage containers were licensed by ATF and there are no licenses that allow for the storage of explosives near homes and public roads.

Other charges against some or all of the seven suspects include a dangerous workplace, unlawfully causing a fire, insurance fraud, child endangerment, animal cruelty, and tax fraud.

Machado faces four counts of possession of an assault weapon after they were seized from the property following the explosion, officials said.

Five of the defendants are scheduled for arraignment on Monday. The others were arrested out of the area, including Chee in Florida. They will be arraigned after they arrive in Yolo County.

Yolo County Sheriff Tom Lopez said the Machados resigned from their roles. They were placed on administrative leave following the explosion.

Previously, in December 2025, Botelho was arrested in Del Norte County in connection with the Esparto explosion investigation.

The arrests come weeks after a Yolo County Grand Jury report determined that numerous top local officials “knew about the fireworks businesses” and “none of them took action.” The report found that various officials “were aware of illegal fireworks operations at the site for at least three years prior to the incident.”

Last August, nearly two months after the explosion, CBS News Sacramento made a similar discovery through a Public Records Act request. Email exchanges between Yolo County building officials detailed that many people, including the Esparto fire chief, were aware of what was happening on the property.

Also earlier this year, Cal Fire completed its own investigation into the explosion, alleging illegal activities were uncovered.

“We are encouraged to see this case continue to proceed towards justice. We will remain engaged to support the Yolo County District Attorney’s office as they bring this case to trial,” State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant said in a statement on Thursday. “As we approach the 4th of July, I must reiterate our zero tolerance towards illegal fireworks.

The Esparto explosion claimed the lives of seven people who were working at the Devastating Pyrotechnics facility at the time:

Angel Mathew Voller, 18, of Stockton, CA Carlos Javier Rodriguez-Mora, 43, of San Andreas, CA Neil Justin Li, 41, of San Francisco, CA Joel Jeremias Melendez, 28, of Sacramento, CA Christopher Goltiao Bocog, 45, of San Francisco, CA Jesus Manaces Ramos, 18, of San Pablo, CA Jhony Ernesto Ramos, 22, of San Pablo, CA

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.

‘A big deal’: North Carolina Apollo veteran reacts to Artemis II splashdown

CNN Newsource on April 11, 2026

By Rian Stockett

Click here for updates on this story

    CANTON, North Carolina (WLOS) — Viewers across the country witnessed history today with Artemis II’s splashdown.

“It’s been treated as not a big deal, and it is a big deal. But that’s going [to] come, I hope, with the program and more successes and more flights, maybe a base on the moon, and then maybe to Mars, I mean, I’m not going to be here to see that, but that’s what I’m hoping is going to come out all of this. This is what the future is,” said Canton resident Paul Lembo. Lembo oversaw the manufacturing of the Apollo 11 lunar module that landed on the moon on July 20, 1969.

Lembo told News 13 that looking at photos from the Apollo missions fills him with memories of all the people who worked with him. “That was a time when the country was together and it was nothing but pride, always had pride and we should have it today,” said Lembo.

As Lembo prepared to watch the Artemis II landing on TV, members of the Astronomy Club of Asheville set up their telescopes for their monthly stargazing event that happened to land on the same day as the splashdown.

“We’re at 4,200 feet away from all city lights. Very dark sky here,” said Tommy Wilkinson, Astronomy Club of Asheville president.

He said he’ll likely watch the splashdown after the fact. Others at the event said they were going to watch the splashdown on their phone.

“Just incredible sense of accomplishment. Pride for those brave astronauts,” said Wilkinson.

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.