Indiana State Police sergeant shot after pursuit in Michigan City; deceased suspect identified

CNN Newsource on July 12, 2026

By Elyssa Kaufman, Victor Jacobo, Sabrina Franza

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    MICHIGAN CITY, Indiana (WBBM) — An Indiana State Police trooper was shot multiple times after a pursuit in Michigan City Friday morning, and the suspect was later found dead in a wooded area nearby, state police said.

Around 5:30 a.m., the trooper was pursuing a suspect driving a stolen silver 2019 Ford F-150 on I-94.

Authorities say the chase began with a report of a stolen plate at a casino in New Buffalo. The suspect, later identified as 54-year-old Kevin W. Meyers of LaPorte, Indiana, left the state and Indiana State Police pursued the vehicle. They said during the pursuit, the suspect fired multiple shots from a rifle and also pointed the gun at pursuing officers.

The chase ended when both vehicles crashed near a Speedway gas station after exiting onto U.S. 421, according to Indiana State Police.

The suspect then fired at the trooper from inside the truck, hitting him multiple times, police said. The trooper returned fire as the suspect drove away.

Cameron Davis saw part of the massive police response from his property in Westville, Indiana.

“I seen two unmarked Indiana state troopers with chargers and AR-15’s and right outside my property when I pulled out of the driveway,” he said.

The trooper, Sergeant Justin Heflin, a 12-year veteran with ISP and a U.S. Marine veteran, was taken to Franciscan Health Michigan City by responding officers for emergency care before being taken to Memorial Hospital in South Bend, where his condition was stabilized after undergoing successful surgery, police said.

Just after 9:16 a.m., with help from the Lake County Sheriff’s Department aviation unit, police located the Ford in a wooded area near Wozniak and Joliet roads, approximately 5 miles south of the crash site. As additional officers moved in, police said gunfire was heard from a nearby cornfield. No officers were hit.

A perimeter was established, and a tactical team searched the area. Police later confirmed the suspect was found dead in the cornfield from gunshot wounds.

State police were joined by the Lake County Sheriff’s aviation and K9 units. All in all, around 100 officers were trying to stop the suspect. They said there is no ongoing threat to the community.

CBS News Chicago learned that Meyers was last booked in the La Porte County Jail on May 18 and released on June 17. An autopsy for Meyers is schedueld for Saturday, July 11, police said.

This is the third officer in northwest Indiana to be shot on the job in the last few months.

On May 22, La Porte County Sheriff’s deputy Jon Samuelson was critically injured after he was shot three times at Michigan City’s Franciscan Health Hospital.

Then, just four days later on May 26, an Indiana State Police trooper was shot and a suspect was killed in a shootout during a traffic stop in Hammond. According to state police, the trooper was shot in the chest, but was wearing a protective vest. He was taken to the University of Chicago Hospital for surgery and later released.

“We’re hurting as a profession, but this is something that we work through. Unfortunately, these things happen,” said Public Information Officer Glen Fifield.

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.

Freedom Schools across the Twin Cities foster environments that support young people

CNN Newsource on July 12, 2026

By Reg Chapman

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    MINNEAPOLIS-ST.PAUL, Minnesota (WCCO) — For six weeks in the summer, Nellie Stone Johnson Elementary School in North Minneapolis is home to one of 12 Freedom Schools across the Twin Cities.

Freedom Schools started back in 1964, a year after the historic Children’s March that saw more than 1,000 students marching in the streets of Birmingham, Alabama, in protest of legalized segregation in the city.

It led to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Today’s Freedom school provides a fostering environment that supports young people to excel and believe in their ability to make a difference in themselves, families, communities, and the world.

Students and staff start the day with Harambee, the Swahili word for let’s pull together.

“We come in every morning, welcoming them, saying good morning. A lot of kids don’t hear that on a day-to-day basis,” said Tylyn Harris an educator at Freedom School. “So getting that from the staff and that energy and it puts that fire in them.”

Cheers, chants, and announcements all centered around music. It’s like a morning cup of coffee to get these scholars going.

It’s in the classroom where all the fun begins. Each room is decorated by the educators who help the scholars celebrate their potential and affirm their profound impact on the world.

Servant Leader Instructor Tylyn Harris used to be a young scholar during Freedom Summers. She credits her former teachers for her involvement in the program today.

“They had a lot of passionate staff who brought the energy every single day,” said Harris. “It definitely brought me up to where I am today.”

Children Defense Fund Freedom Schools’ focus is on literacy, civic engagement, and community building.

Reading is a big part of what scholars do here.

“We have young people whose grade level jumps in the summer without really teaching the mechanics of reading,” said Leavon Fields, the site coordinator for Freedom School. “Just teaching the love of reading, showing them books they can relate to, books with characters that look like them.”

Freedom Schools are in 97 cities across 29 states.

Minnesota leads the country in the number of scholars involved in Freedom Schools,1500 youngsters. And we have a lot of firsts.

“First to have a juvenile detention freedom school in the United States, first to have an American Indian freedom school, and also first to have a STEM-focused Freedom school,” said Fields.

“Today we read this book called Daddy Daughter Day and how it is important to have time with your dad and how you need like a good role model in your life,” said Naiya Walden, an educator.

Freedom School allows scholars to believe in their ability and responsibility to make a difference.

“They are asking us why Freedom School is only in the summer; why can’t regular school be like this? I think it’s something I would want my kids to be a part of, and I know they will be a part of it when I have kids ,” said Harris.

Freedom School is for everybody. Educators say it is an atmosphere they want all children to experience.

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Tall ships in Boston Harbor causing delays at Logan Airport

CNN Newsource on July 11, 2026

By Riley Rourke

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    BOSTON (WBZ) — Tall ships located in Boston Harbor for Sail Boston 2026 are causing delays and cancellations at Logan Airport.

Around 227 flights had been delayed at Logan Airport as of 12 p.m. on Saturday, according to FlightAware. Eight flights had been canceled as well.

The delays and cancellations are being caused by the Parade of Sail, which began at 9 a.m. on Saturday and kicked off the five-day Sail Boston 2026 event. Sail Boston 2026 is bringing more than 60 ships from around 20 countries to Boston from July 11 to July 16, with some offering opportunities to board the historic vessels.

The parade, led by the U.S.S. Constitution, passed Castle Island in South Boston around 10 a.m. and is expected to end around 3 p.m.

Massport said that some of the ships participating in the parade are passing underneath the landing path for some of the runways at Logan.

“With some of the ships the masts would be too tall and potentially interfere with planes landing,” a spokesperson for Massport said in a statement.

Air traffic control is having planes land using a “different configuration which handles less planes an hour.”

It is unclear how long the parade will impact flights.

Massport also said there is an issue with Logan Airport’s fuel supply system located outside the airport, but they are asking incoming planes to bring extra to “alleviate some of the pressure.”

“Logan is fully operational and has fuel,” the spokesperson said.

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Colorado firefighters get some help from “Goldie” the goat while fighting Rock Creek Fire

CNN Newsource on July 11, 2026

By Karen Morfitt

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    COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (KCNC) — As firefighters worked to contain the Rock Creek Fire west of Cheyenne Mountain State Park, they received some unexpected assistance from a local goat named Goldie.

Shane Coyne, superintendent of the Southern Colorado Interagency Wildland Team, said crews were preparing for a steep and challenging hike into the burn area when the goat appeared.

“We’re trying to get our gear on, we know it’s going to be steep, and we know it’s going to be a little bit dicey walking out of there, and she sits in front of me about 10 feet, and she just keeps looking back,” Coyne said. “She starts making these noises, and the guy behind me goes, ‘I think she wants us to follow her.'”

Coyne said Goldie did more than simply tag along. As firefighters made their way toward the fire, the goat appeared to help guide them along safer terrain.

“The route that was flagged by a few feet here and there, and I started watching her, and she was actually trying to take us down an area that wasn’t maybe quite as rocky, wasn’t quite as slippery, maybe had better footing,” Coyne said. “She was obviously a pro at her job.”

Once crews arrived, Goldie continued to contribute by grazing on brush near the burn scar while firefighters worked the fire line. The curious goat remained close to the crew and was even seen chasing after a fire truck.

“A little goat! Who would have known,” Coyne joked.

Goldie’s owner, who lives near the fire area, said the goat is familiar with the terrain and wasn’t surprised when she followed firefighting crews into the field.

“They were staging at our place, actually, and I saw Goldie just take off after the first fire crew went out,” the owner said. “I’m like, ‘Oh, she knows the area. She’ll be fine, and she knows where we live.’ So I was like, ‘Yeah, go have fun and watch over them for us.'”

Goldie appears to have learned a few things from her owner, Castle Rock firefighter Pete Glader, who was also helping battle the Rock Creek Fire.

“Basically, she’s been just walking along, as you can see, helping with some mitigation of vegetation that’s still in the black and we’ve been concerned about lighting up again,” Glader said.

Cellphone video of Goldie working alongside firefighters has turned the goat into an unlikely wildfire celebrity and provided a welcome distraction during an active and challenging fire season.

“I know a lot of folks have lost quite a bit and folks are still fighting, and I’m sure there’s going to be a lot more loss,” Coyne said. “So as many good stories as we can get and bring some levity to it, I think can help with hope and healing.”

Goldie has now inspired a line of merchandise. T-shirts with Goldie’s face on them are for sale online. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Caste Rock Professional Firefighters Foundation.

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.

Summit Fire in Southern California’s Antelope Valley prompts evacuation orders

CNN Newsource on July 11, 2026

By Julie Sharp and Matthew Rodriguez

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    LOS ANGELES (KCAL, KCBS) — Fire crews are battling a fast-moving wildfire in the Antelope Valley, leading authorities to issue evacuation orders for residents near the border of Llano and Piñon Hills.

Crews arrived at Jesus Canyon Road and E. Avenue Z in Llano around 1:12 p.m., responding to an 8-acre fire.

The blaze quickly grew throughout the day, reaching about 2,600 acres by Friday night, according to Cal Fire. As of 6 p.m., crews have contained 0% of the fire.

Cal Fire, the Angeles National Forest, the Los Angeles County Fire Department and San Bernardino County Fire Department are coordinating with each other to extinguish the flames.

Evacuation orders issued for the following zones:

LAC-E107 LAC-E127-C Evacuation warnings issued for the following zones:

LAC-E107-B LAC-E126-A LAC-E127-A LAC-E127-B LAC-E127-D LAC-E128-A LAC-E1340 PIN005 PIN006 WWD03 Evacuees can go to the Antelope Valley Family YMCA at 43001 10th St W, Lancaster, CA 93534. Small pets are allowed at the shelter.

The Los Angeles County Animal Care Center in Palmdale said evacuees can bring their small animals to their location at 38550 Sierra Highway, Palmdale, CA 93550.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a wildfire smoke advisory for the Summit Fire.

Monitors said the smoke from the wildfire is being pushed south towards the San Gabriel Mountains and the San Bernardino area. AQMD added that smoke levels may rise if the fire spreads further south.

Residents in the San Gabriel Mountains, Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead and other communities in the San Bernardino Mountains may reach a level unhealthy for sensitive groups by Friday night.

The advisory will last until at least 5 p.m. Saturday. By that time, the wind should push the smoke north and away from the San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountains.

AQMD urged residents in the affected area to stay indoors and keep their doors and windows closed. They recommended that residents run their air conditioners or air purifiers.

Officials recommended that anyone going outside should wear an N95 or P100 respirator.

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NYC children hoping to set world record visit over 40 playgrounds in 1 day

CNN Newsource on July 11, 2026

By Noelle Lilley

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    NEW YORK CITY (WCBS) — Two 8-year-olds took on Manhattan one playground at a time on Friday in an attempt to visit 40 playgrounds in one day and set a world record.

Now on their way to third grade, the little Upper West Siders were inspired by a 2019 online challenge where three kids visited 26 playgrounds in one day in Adelaide, Australia.

Hannah and Wilder have been friends since kindergarten and love to play together.

“When I met Wilder, I thought he was my friend,” Hannah said.

The playground plot was Hannah’s idea, and Wilder was shocked, but happy to join her.

“I’ve always wanted to break a world record,” he said.

The duo, along with their parents, biked to each playground, stopping at spots like Erie Canal Playground on West 52nd Street and, their personal favorite, River Run Playground at Riverside Drive and West 83rd Street.

The two families even made an online tracker to map their progress.

“She said, ‘I think we can beat the record,'” Hannah’s mom, Jesenia Ruiz De La Torre, said. “We’re so lucky to live in New York City. A lot of people don’t realize it, but there are so many playgrounds here and community spaces where people can be together outside.”

In the end, they made it to 41 playgrounds.

The kids are still waiting to hear from the Guinness Book of World Records, but they did hear from the city parks commissioner, who offered congratulations.

The playground challenge is also one last hurrah for Hannah and Wilder, as Wilder’s family will be moving outside of the United States this year. Don’t worry though — the besties still plan to visit.

With summer vacation in full swing and no scheduled recess, it’s important for children to stay physically active. A lot of that responsibility falls on their guardians, not the little ones, as research shows physical activity is “mainly left to the interest and motivation of their parents” when kids aren’t in school.

According to a study published in National Library of Medicine, overall physical activity decreased by 18% and moderate physical activity decreased by 53% in children ages 6 to 9 during summer break compared to before break.

“We all live in fairly small apartments, so getting outside and not being stuck inside, no matter the weather … It’s incredible to be able to say, hey, which playground do you want to go to?” Wilder’s mom, Jordi Lippe-McGraw, said.

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Al Green’s H.R. 8291 Puts People Before Paperwork in America’s Disaster Recovery

CNN Newsource on July 10, 2026

By Francis Page Jr.

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    July 10, 2026 (Houston Style Magazine) — Houston knows the weather can turn a blue-sky afternoon into a history lesson before dinner. From Hurricane Harvey and the Memorial Day floods to Winter Storm Uri, the 2024 derecho and Hurricane Beryl, our region has learned that surviving the storm is only chapter one. The harder chapter is rebuilding homes, restoring neighborhoods and making sure working families are not left navigating a federal maze while mold, bills and uncertainty move in rent-free.

That is why Congressman Al Green’s H.R. 8291, the Reforming Disaster Recovery Act, deserves serious applause. Introduced April 15, 2026, the measure seeks to transform the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery program from an improvised, disaster-by-disaster response into a more dependable national system. The bill was incorporated as Section 504 of the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which passed Congress and, as of July 10, was expected to become law without the president’s signature.

That journey matters. Democracy is not merely the drama of Election Day; it is the daily work of turning public pain into public policy. H.R. 8291 does exactly that. It reflects years of hard lessons from communities where federal assistance arrived too slowly, rules shifted from one disaster to the next, and local governments had to build recovery programs while residents were already waiting at the door. That is the cross-aisle governing voters want: durable solutions before the next emergency tests the system.

The reform authorizes CDBG-DR for three years and creates a Long-Term Disaster Recovery Fund, giving HUD a clearer structure for directing resources after catastrophic disasters. It also establishes an Office of Disaster Management and Resiliency within HUD to coordinate long-term recovery, housing restoration, and mitigation. In plain Houston English: fewer agencies stepping on one another’s boots, more coordination, and a better chance that help reaches the block before the next storm reaches the Gulf.

Speed is one of the bill’s strongest features. HUD would generally have 90 days after a presidential disaster declaration to determine whether an event qualifies as catastrophic, with a 120-day outer limit when data is insufficient. The legislation also permits preliminary grants of up to $5 million to help affected local governments assess needs, build capacity and prepare responsible recovery plans. That early money may sound administrative, but good administration is what turns promises into repaired roofs, reopened businesses, and families returning home.

Equity is built into the framework rather than sprinkled on afterward. At least 70 percent of a grant would ordinarily support activities benefiting low- and moderate-income residents. The measure prioritizes vulnerable households, affordable rental housing, resilient infrastructure, economic revitalization and protections against repeated losses. For Houston’s Black and Brown neighborhoods, seniors, renters and small-business owners—communities too often hit first and restored last—that focus is not charity. It is fairness with a timetable.

Accountability also gets a welcome upgrade. Grantees must develop recovery plans, consult the public and explain how dollars will address housing, infrastructure, mitigation, and unmet needs. Residents would receive at least 14 days to comment on proposed plans, while HUD would publish annual information on a public-facing dashboard showing where funds are allocated, how much has been spent, and whether low- and moderate-income communities are benefiting. Sunshine may not dry drywall, but it can keep public dollars from disappearing into bureaucratic fog.

The Houston and Harris County stakes are enormous. Harris County has managed federal disaster-recovery programs involving home repair, reconstruction, buyouts, affordable rental housing, and infrastructure improvements. Following Harvey, HUD allocated more than $5 billion in CDBG-DR funding to Texas, including a direct allocation of more than $1.1 billion to Harris County through the state’s action plan. Those numbers are large because the need is large—and because recovery delayed can become recovery denied.

Congressman Green’s victory is therefore more than a legislative line item. It is a reminder that representation matters, persistence matters and democracy works best when lawmakers carry the lived experiences of their districts into the halls of Congress. H.R. 8291 says disaster survivors should not have to become federal-policy experts to rebuild their lives.

Houston has always known how to rise. With the Reforming Disaster Recovery Act, Washington may finally be learning how to rise with us.

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.

Kierra Lee
KIELEESTYLE@GMAIL.COM
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Mayor Whitmire and Chief Diaz Choose Transparency and Cooperation After Canal Street ICE Shooting

CNN Newsource on July 10, 2026

By Francis Page Jr.

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    July 10, 2026 (Houston Style Magazine) — Houston has never been a city that looks away when hard questions arrive at its doorstep. Following the fatal July 7, 2026, shooting involving an on-duty U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in the 6800 block of Canal Street, Mayor John Whitmire and Houston Police Chief J. Noe Diaz Jr. moved to make the City’s position unmistakably clear: Houston wants facts, accountability and a thorough investigation—not a jurisdictional wrestling match.

On Friday, July 10, Chief Diaz sent formal letters to FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge Jason Hudson and Department of Homeland Security Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari. The letters pledged that HPD would make all appropriate resources available to support the FBI and the DHS Office of Inspector General as they investigate the shooting. Diaz said the work should be “timely, transparent, and thorough,” language that speaks directly to a community seeking answers.

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That response matters. The man killed, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, was a 52-year-old Mexican national and longtime Houston-area worker whose family described him as a devoted provider. Federal officials said an ICE agent fired after Salgado allegedly used his vehicle in a threatening manner. Attorneys and surviving witnesses have disputed portions of that account, making independent evidence, witness protection and careful fact-finding especially important.

The evidentiary stakes are even higher because DHS acknowledged that the ICE personnel involved were not wearing body cameras. Surveillance video from nearby properties may help establish the sequence of events, but it cannot replace a complete review of forensic evidence, communications, witness statements and agency procedures.

Mayor Whitmire called the shooting a tragedy, expressed condolences to the family and emphasized that Houston police officers were not involved. He also publicly pressed for a transparent investigation while acknowledging the legal limits confronting a municipal police department when federal personnel are acting within their official duties.

Some may mistake jurisdictional discipline for inaction. It is not. Good policing is not measured by who grabs the microphone first or who plants a flag at the crime scene. It is measured by whether evidence is preserved, witnesses are heard, agencies cooperate and conclusions are based on facts rather than political heat. In this case, Whitmire and Diaz are choosing cooperation over competition—and that is the grown-up lane.

Chief Diaz’s letters also protect HPD’s credibility. By formally placing the FBI and DHS-OIG on notice that Houston expects a serious investigation, the City created a clear public record. It also offered local expertise, personnel and resources without muddying lines of authority or giving federal investigators an excuse to blame delays on interagency confusion.

Houston’s Latino community, civil-rights advocates, elected officials and the Salgado family deserve answers. They deserve to know what happened before, during and after the encounter. They deserve confidence that available surveillance footage, forensic evidence, dispatch records and firsthand accounts will be reviewed with care. Transparency should not be treated as a favor; it is the foundation of public trust.

Mayor Whitmire and Chief Diaz are not declaring a verdict. They are demanding a process worthy of Houston. That distinction is important. Leadership sometimes means stepping forward; other times it means making certain the right investigators step up, while the City stands ready with every lawful resource available.

In a moment filled with grief, anger and competing narratives, Houston’s message is steady: investigate thoroughly, report honestly and let the evidence speak. That is not retreat. That is responsible leadership—and HPD’s badge is strengthened, not diminished, when it insists that accountability follow the facts wherever they lead.

More HPD info, go to: houstontx.gov/police

More DHS-Houston info, go to: houstontx.gov/publicsafety

More FBI-Houston info, go to: fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/houston/about

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.

Kierra Lee
KIELEESTYLE@GMAIL.COM
4096658446

Houston Gets Into “Good Trouble” as Urban League Launches Civic Video Challenge

CNN Newsource on July 10, 2026

By Francis Page Jr.

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    July 10, 2026 (Houston Style Magazine) — HOUSTON, TX — A 20-second video may seem small, but history has never measured courage by the clock.

The Houston Area Urban League is calling on Greater Houston to turn smartphones into instruments of civic purpose through its “I’m Getting Into Good Trouble” Video Challenge, a community-wide digital campaign honoring the enduring legacy of Congressman John Lewis.

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The challenge leads into the national Good Trouble Lives On Weekend of Action, July 17–19, 2026, when communities across America will promote voting-rights awareness, civic education and peaceful, nonpartisan participation. The national initiative is built around three energetic words—Teach, Reach and Preach—and emphasizes lawful, nonviolent action rather than support for any candidate or ballot measure.

To participate, Houstonians should record a 10- to 20-second vertical video beginning:

“I’m [Your Name], and I’m getting into Good Trouble with the Houston Area Urban League…”

Participants can then explain why voting rights, informed citizenship, neighborhood involvement or community leadership matter to them. Videos must be emailed to events@haul.org by July 14. Selected submissions will appear across HAUL’s Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X platforms throughout Good Trouble Weekend, united by the hashtag #GoodTroubleLivesOn.

That is democracy with good lighting—and preferably no shaky camera.

The challenge is especially fitting in Houston, a city built by people who understand that progress rarely arrives with its sleeves clean. Founded in 1968, the Houston Area Urban League has spent more than five decades expanding opportunity through workforce development, housing, education, entrepreneurship, health programs and civil-rights advocacy. In 2021, HAUL deepened that work by opening its Center for Social Justice & Education, creating a year-round home for civic engagement, advocacy, literacy and public education.

“Congressman John Lewis taught us that democracy is not something we inherit, it is something we must actively protect,” said Judson W. Robinson III, HAUL President and CEO. Robinson has led the organization since 2008, carrying forward a Houston tradition of service that connects economic opportunity with civic power.

Lewis understood that connection better than most. Born to Alabama sharecroppers in 1940, he became chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, participated in the Freedom Rides and helped organize the 1963 March on Washington.

On March 7, 1965—Bloody Sunday—Lewis and fellow marchers were assaulted by Alabama state troopers while crossing Selma’s Edmund Pettus Bridge to demand voting rights. The televised violence helped build national momentum for passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Lewis later served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1987 until his death on July 17, 2020. Yet even after more than three decades in Congress, he never traded movement for monument. He continued urging Americans to speak up, organize peacefully and create what he famously called “good trouble”—necessary trouble in the service of justice.

HAUL’s challenge brings that history directly into the digital age. No bus ticket to Selma is required. No podium is necessary. A student, pastor, business owner, neighborhood leader, retiree or first-time voter can use a phone, a clear message and a few honest seconds to remind others that citizenship is a verb.

Houston residents are encouraged to learn about voting requirements, verify their voter registration, encourage relatives and neighbors to become informed and discuss civic issues respectfully. Most importantly, the challenge asks people to see themselves not as spectators of democracy, but as its daily caretakers.

Good trouble does not always begin on a bridge. Sometimes, it begins in portrait mode.

Video submissions: events@haul.org Media inquiries: khodges@haul.org Social media: @HouUrbanLeague

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.

Kierra Lee
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4096658446

Lightning sends chunks of concrete flying in Kansas family’s front yard

CNN Newsource on July 10, 2026

By Matt Flener

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    FRANKLIN COUNTY, Kansas (KMBC) — Wayne and Emily Laurie and their two daughters escaped their rural Ottawa, Kansas, home on Thursday morning after lightning struck.

The lightning hit their home so hard, chunks of concrete flew onto their roof after electricity conducted through the rebar in their front sidewalk and porch.

Wayne Laurie said he got up to check on his dogs and saw a bright flash of lightning.

He saw the damage and woke up his wife Emily and daughters. They saw smoke and escaped safely after seeing char marks from the lightning on the base of their front door.

“Bottom line is, I’m glad that we got out,” Emily Laurie said. “And I’m glad that the rest of our home is okay, is fine, and that my kids are fine.”

The Lauries called out an electrician, who replaced multiple outlets within the home. They are now looking for answers about their HVAC system, too, after it struggled to trip on Thursday morning.

The Lauries had just moved back into their home in November 2025 after a fire in their garage. They are grateful this fire was not worse.

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.