Category: CNN Regional

By DeAndria Turner

Click here for updates on this story

    LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (WLKY) — A Louisville software engineer, who spent months searching for his missing father, has created an artificial intelligence-powered platform to help other families organize searches and receive tips in real time.

Jyrone Parker built the platform after his father, Jyronna “JD” Parker of Lexington, went missing in October and was later found dead along the Ohio River in Clarksville, Indiana, in March.

Parker named the platform Project Aziz in honor of his father. The tool allows users to upload photos, videos and other information about a missing person, organize search parties, map search efforts, and send tips to both families and local law enforcement.

“The real-time communication is the biggest part,” Parker said.

Parker said he initially began building technology to help find his father, including AI cameras and microphones trained on his father’s image and voice.

“The first thing I did was I got these ESP 30 twos that came with these AI cameras and microphones, and I trained some models based on pictures and audio of my dad,” Parker said. “And so I was placing these around Lexington and, with the hopes of, you know, if it catches him, then it would send me notifications.”

The technology did not bring his father home, but Parker said it helped him channel his grief into something meaningful.

“It hurts like hell still,” Parker said. “But having something like this to work through with, through my grief, definitely makes it easier, to me, gives it a sense of purpose.”

He said one of the hardest parts of the search was the lack of communication.

“That was my biggest gripe with the lack of communication,” Parker said.

Now, Parker is making the platform available for free in hopes it can help others.

“If one of your loved ones, if you went, missing, they can go on, make an account, and put all the details. Last seen photos, videos, etc.,” Parker said. “You can also organize search parties. So anytime a tip comes in, it’s going to go to the family. And it’s also going to go to local law enforcement.”

Parker said he is now working with community members and law enforcement to expand the project, hoping no family has to search alone again.

“Even though that the software that, you know, didn’t work for in my case when we were trying to find my father, I wanted to give it out in case it can help anybody else,” Parker said.

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 Lisa Crane

Click here for updates on this story

    PICKENS COUNTY, Alabama (WVTM) — Alabama state law requires every county have animal control to keep roaming or aggressive dogs off the streets. But at least one county doesn’t seem to be following that law.

According to the Aliceville police chief, Pickens County has no animal control and no contract to provide those services.

The situation is coming to light after someone shot two dogs there this week. one was killed, the other injured and there was no agency tasked to deal with the problem of roaming dogs. The dog that survived is having a leg amputated now. A Carrollton woman has stepped in to help and is single handedly trying to handle animal control for all of Pickens County. She’s doing that from her home. She’s set up some makeshift kennels and is trying to keep stray animals and residents safe.

Kari Rodgers was shocked when she moved to Pickens County from Minnesota five years ago and saw stray dogs everywhere. She said, “They do have a lot stricter laws up there when it comes to animals.”

A few months ago, she started an animal rescue, Pickens Paws and Purrs, to try and help some of the strays roaming the county. It’s at her home, she has space for about 12 dogs and she filled the kennels quickly. She was devastated when someone told her two strays had been shot in Aliceville. Rodgers said, “She found Hank Jr, is what the locals call him, he was injured with the gunshot wounds to his legs. She was told by another coworker that police were there talking to one of their coworkers, and shortly after they left is when gunshots happened.”

Some believe it was a police officer who shot the dogs. The Aliceville police chief said he’s looking into it. Chief Tonnie Jones said, “I’m investigating that as well, to see exactly what happened, even if it were an officer that did the incident, so it is under investigation.”

Chief Jones told us he often gets calls about stray dogs, but with no animal control in the county, there’s not much he can do about it. Rodgers said she gets those calls daily. As an animal advocate, she’s heartbroken she can’t rescue them all. Rodgers added, “It’s a serious problem here in town that we need to address. So just getting the humane solutions for the county would be a big help.”

Rodgers is willing to work with the county to officially become the facility that impounds stray animals. We reached out to county leaders about the state mandate to provide animal control and impound services. No one returned our calls.

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 Hannah Hilyard

Click here for updates on this story

    MILWAUKEE (WISN) — Witnesses describe chaos inside the Milwaukee Intermodal Station Thursday morning as police said a security guard fired a single shot to stop a sexual assault.

Craig Coleman, a witness, said, “I ducked down!”

The incident unfolded around 6 a.m. inside the train and bus station near North 5th Street and St. Paul Avenue. Witnesses estimate 40 or so passengers were waiting in line for the early train to Chicago when they started to hear shouting and gunfire, which caused panic in the station.

“I was waiting in line for about five minutes or so when I could hear yelling, like a woman screaming,” commuter Meshach Padilla said.

Padilla told WISN 12 News he noticed a commotion near the restroom area, with security guards coming and going, and passengers growing anxious.

“I walk closer, and then that’s when I actually see a woman who leaves the restroom, like holding her back, in pain. And at this point, the screaming stopped,” Padilla said. “I see another one of the regular passengers trying to help her to get up, and that’s when I hear the gunshot. It was a loud pop, almost like a firework … We were just running.”

The sound of the gunshot sent passengers scrambling to safety.

“Everyone kind of started charging through the doors to where we would normally load onto the train,” said Nicholas Cordonnier, another commuter.

“I thought it was a mass shooting. I thought that there was a gunman loose in the intermodal station,” Padilla added.

Milwaukee police said security guards had discovered a man sexually assaulting a 33-year-old. Investigators said the attacker became combative a security guard fired one shot in an attempt to stop. No one was hit.

Padilla praised the security guards for their actions.

“Just a big shoutout to the Intermodal security guards. I mean, they really put their lives on the line for the passengers and for the people that were potentially being assaulted,” he said.

Police confirmed that the attacker, a 31-year-old man, was arrested and is in custody.

A security guard not involved in the incident told 12 News that guards at the station are not armed and that the guard who intervened used his own personal weapon. The private security firm has not responded to inquiries about the matter, and Milwaukee police declined to answer specific questions.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation owns the building. In a statement, the department said:

“WisDOT is aware of a security incident that occurred this morning at the Milwaukee Intermodal Station (MIS). The Milwaukee Police Department is investigating. As it’s an ongoing investigation, details of the incident will have to be released by the investigating agency.

“The MIS is owned by the state but it is operated and maintained by third-party contractors, including the facility’s security services. WisDOT does not play a role in the daily operation or maintenance of the facility.

“WisDOT is working to learn more about the incident. Our department has the utmost concern and care for the security and safety of any person using a public transportation facility. As we learn more about the incident, we will work with our contracting partners to take any necessary actions to maintain safe operation of the facility.”

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 Monica Casey

Click here for updates on this story

    North Carolina (WRAL) — Siembra NC said two Durham Public School students and their parents were deported earlier this week.

The group said that family had been in the U.S. since 2022, seeking asylum from Honduras.

Siembra NC said that family was attending a regularly scheduled asylum administrative appointment when they were detained, and then deported.

However, Immigration and Customs Enforcement refutes that claim, telling WRAL the family failed to show up for their immigration hearing.

“They received full due process and had no pending asylum claims or immigration applications,” the agency said in a statement. ICE said the family illegally entered the U.S. in 2021 and were released into the U.S. under the Biden administration.

Durham Public Schools provided a statement about the incident:

“We are aware of reports involving a DPS family and federal law enforcement during spring break in Charlotte. We will continue to provide the essential support services our Burton Elementary students, families, and staff need during this unsettling time. We are certainly troubled by this event and will continue to keep the family in our thoughts. There is nothing more we can provide at this time.”

-Durham Public Schools spokesperson

Eleven-year-old Genesis and 6-year-old Denis are students at Burton Magnet Elementary School. They lived in the U.S. for the past four years.

“Denis and Genesis’ family was doing exactly what the system asks of them,” said Andreina Malki with Siembra NC. “They were showing up and fulfilling their legal obligations as they seek refuge. What are you supposed to do if you’re a six year-old who has been here for four years, and you know no other school and no other community, and your family is doing everything the quote unquote right way, and this can still happen?”

Siembra NC leaders said they are taking action in light of this recent incident.

“Siembra NC is building out a network of community volunteers who can accompany individuals and families to their check-ins, to witness, to document, and stand with them,” Malki said.

During Thursday’s press conference, State Senator Sophia Chitlik argued sending people away who are seeking asylum is dangerous.

She and others said this family’s due process was violated.

“They have specific protections for their individual status, and people who come here seeking asylum have a legitimate claim on harm in their home countries,” Chitlik said.

WRAL reached out to Immigration and Customs Enforcement to verify Siembra NC’s claims.

We asked if they could confirm the existence of an asylum case for the family, and if so, why they were deported. We also asked if anyone in the family had a criminal record jeopardizing that case.

ICE has not yet responded to our questions.

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 Paige Reynolds

Click here for updates on this story

    COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — A Colorado Springs skilled nursing facility is facing questions after state records show a nurse worked there without a valid Colorado or multistate license.

According to a cease-and-desist order issued by the Colorado State Board of Nursing, Johana Vasquez worked multiple shifts at The Center at Cordera between December 31, 2025, and February 2, 2026 – despite never being licensed to practice nursing in Colorado.

State findings show Vasquez held a license in Texas, but did not have a valid Colorado license or a multistate license, which is required to practice legally in the state.

The order required Vasquez to immediately stop practicing nursing in Colorado.

On a phone call with KRDO13 Investigates, Vasquez said she was unaware she needed a Colorado or multistate license until the facility asked her for one.

She said she reported herself to the state after the facility asked about her license status, roughly a month after her first shift.

Vasquez described the situation as a mistake and said she’s now in the process of applying for a valid multistate license. She also confirmed she no longer works at the facility.

The findings raise questions about how an unlicensed individual was able to work in a skilled nursing setting, even temporarily.

The Center at Cordera, located on the east side of Colorado Springs, markets itself online as a “best-in-class” skilled nursing facility.

KRDO13 Investigates made multiple attempts to contact the facility for comment, including phone calls and submitting questions through its website.

Twice, we left voicemail messages for management, but received no response. Attempts to submit questions through the facility’s website resulted in repeated errors, as did our attempt to email them.

KRDO13 Investigates asked the facility whether it was aware that Vasquez only held a Texas license, what verification processes are in place for licensing, and whether any patients were impacted.

As of publication, the facility has not responded.

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 Melanie Wingo

Click here for updates on this story

    SACRAMENTO (KCRA) — The Artemis II mission has held the world’s rapt attention for days, from liftoff to each history-making moment in space. For one Sacramento space scientist, the mission is extra meaningful.

Elizabeth Gabler Marquez is a neutron radiographer at UC Davis McClellan Nuclear Research Center. It’s where she and her colleagues started working on parts for the rocket back in 2021.

“We got almost everything explosive that goes on the rocket,” Gabler Marquez said. “The separation stage rings. We get the gas propellant tanks. We get little gas generators for when they reenter, and the parachute cutters.”

She and her team – meticulously inspecting the mechanisms for even the most miniscule of flaws.

“I have carried a lot of these rings across the facility,” she said. “I’ve held a lot of the parts of my hand. I’ve imaged [the parts]. I’ve made sure they’re good.”

She’s also carried the weight of the work’s importance, top of mind.

“It’s definitely terrifying when you’re looking, or inspecting parts,” Gabler Marquez said. “Four astronauts’ lives depend on this. It’s a lot of weight on my shoulders, but it’s also cool knowing I’m sending humans into space. I’m making history.”

Her place in history started early with a love of all things having to do with space.

“I’ve always been interested in the space shuttle program and hearing about the moon missions,” she said. “I’ve been always passionate about Artemis.”

From volunteering at the community observatory in Placerville to graduating from Sacramento State as an aerospace engineer, then on to jobs with Aerojet and landing where she is today, Gabler Marquez’s path — much like the space program — was paved by each achievement.

“This is the rocket we want to eventually take to Mars,” she said. “So it’s kind of a test run. If something goes wrong it’s a lot easier to try and get them back when they’re just at the moon than three months away.”

The mission is also giving her hope by how it’s united humanity.

“It really just shows what humans can do when they all work together,” she said. “It kind of is that one thing you can look up at the moon and smile and go, ‘We did that. We put humans up there. Look at this beautiful moon.’”

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 Rob McMillan

Click here for updates on this story

    JURUPA VALLEY, California (KABC) — The day after a pursuit involving the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and an armed grant theft suspect, there are questions about what went wrong at the end of the pursuit that caused a violent crash.

The pursuit ended on Bellegrave Avenue, west of Etiwanda Avenue, in Jurupa Valley when a deputy attempted to deploy a grappler pursuit intervention device. But when the device failed, the suspect lost control and crashed head on into the backyard wall of a homeowner in the neighborhood.

Deputies attempted to negotiate the surrender of the suspect, but in the end they say he used a handgun to take his own life.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is the first agency in the state of California to use the Grappler Police Bumper, which is a tool meant to stop pursuit suspects safely by entangling their rear wheels into a yellow nylon net. But for some reason, that yellow net did not properly deploy in this case.

The sheriff’s department released a statement to Eyewitness News regarding the incident.

“All pursuits are reviewed to ensure they align with our department policies and procedures,” said a department spokesperson. “At the conclusion of our pursuits, the effectiveness of any pursuit intervention tactic that was used will also be evaluated for effectiveness.

“The Grappler is a tool utilized to prevent or intervene during a pursuit. Although law enforcement strives for 100% effectiveness with every tactic or tool used during confrontations, that’s not always the case. The Grappler has proven to be a highly effective tool for intervening during pursuits, and we will continue to use it.”

The grappler device is manufactured by Stock Enterprises, LLC.

“Stock Enterprises LLC prioritizes safety and the proper use of the Grappler,” said Hannah Bowen, a spokesperson with Stock Enterprises. “We do not comment on specific deployments or incidents involving agencies, as those are handled directly by the agencies themselves.”

Not only did the crash destroy the backyard wall of a homeowner in the neighborhood, but caused damage to the garage.

The homeowner said an investigator with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office told her to file a report with the sheriff’s department, to see if county officials will pay for the rebuilding of her wall.

She said she’s unsure whether the County will pay for the damage to the garage.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department has not yet released the name of the grand theft suspect they were pursuing.

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.