Category: CNN Regional

By Deanna Sipe

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    RALEIGH, N.C. (WLOS) — Attorney General Jeff Jackson announced that North Carolina won its lawsuit against the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

According to a news release from Jackson’s office, the lawsuit was won after a federal court ordered the reinstatement of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Grant (BRIC) disaster mitigation program.

“Our towns spent years doing everything FEMA asked them to do to qualify for this funding, and they were in the middle of building real protections against storms when FEMA suddenly broke its word. Keeping water systems working and keeping homes out of floodwater isn’t politics; it’s basic safety. This ruling puts the money back where it was promised so these communities can be ready for the next storm,” said Attorney General Jeff Jackson in a news release.

As previously reported, Jackson sued FEMA over its decision to cancel the program providing over $200 million for more than 60 infrastructure projects across North Carolina.

According to the release, the court wrote that the BRIC program is designed to protect against national disasters and that “the imminence of disasters is not deterred by bureaucratic obstruction.”

The court order concluded that FEMA’s actions in canceling the $200 million were an “unlawful Executive encroachment on the prerogative of Congress to appropriate funds for a specific and compelling purpose.”

“North Carolina, unfortunately, is no stranger to natural disasters, and building better infrastructure saves lives,” said Governor Josh Stein in a news release. “I thank Attorney General Jackson for taking action to preserve our $200 million to protect our water and sewer systems, bridges, and more from floods and wildfires.”

The release detailed the following BRIC projects in North Carolina, which include:

Salisbury was awarded $22.5 million to relocate its sewage station along the Yadkin River to higher ground so it can be safely accessed during storms to maintain a drinking water supply. The existing pump station increasingly gets flooded and can be surrounded by water for days after the storm. The city had invested $3 million in local funds for this project before it was canceled.

Hillsborough was awarded nearly $7 million to relocate its pump station out of a floodplain, expand its water and sewer capacity, and maintain emergency water connections with Jordan Lake and other water reservoirs.

Gastonia was awarded $5.9 million to restore the banks of Duharts Creek and relocate sewer lines to prevent floodwater damage.

Mount Pleasant was selected to receive more than $4 million to improve stormwater drainage and secure electrical wires to greatly reduce the risk of losing electric and telecommunications services during storms and floods.

Leland was selected to receive $1.1 million to relocate the town’s sewer system away from Sturgeon Creek, which often floods after storms and natural disasters.

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

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

WFOR

By Ivan Taylor

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    MIAMI (WFOR) — Police are searching for a man caught on surveillance video driving a pickup truck, investigators say, who was carrying a woman’s body – a body later dumped in a secluded industrial area of South Miami‑Dade.

The discovery was made early Friday morning at the entrance of a business near Southwest 170th Street and 99th Avenue, an area business owners say few people know about.

Ron Von Paulus, a business owner in the area, shared the surveillance footage with investigators.

Footage shows truck making U‑turn The video shows the pickup pulling in, making a U‑turn and driving toward the spot where police later found the victim.

Police told Paulus the victim was a woman.

“It was a female and she was badly beaten up… that’s all they shared with me,” he said.

Workers arrived minutes after suspect left Paulus said his workers pulled into the lot just minutes after the truck drove off.

“My guys got here just like two or three minutes after – you can see it on the video,” he said.

One of those workers, Farrell Scott, said he narrowly missed witnessing the crime in real time.

“If I was here early, I would have seen the guy,” Scott said.

“I would have seen everything happening – but I stopped and got a coffee.”

Witness describes video as chilling Scott described the video as chilling.

“The video is shocking because the guy made a U-turn right here and stopped. I see him get out and dump the body, but I just couldn’t see his face.”

The Miami‑Dade Sheriff’s Office confirms it is investigating but declined to comment further.

Authorities urge public to help The business owner hopes the suspect will be found quickly.

“I just hope they catch this guy – whoever he is. He needs to be taken care of properly,” Paulus said.

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

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Ivan Taylor

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    MIAMI (WFOR) — Police are searching for a man caught on surveillance video driving a pickup truck, investigators say, who was carrying a woman’s body – a body later dumped in a secluded industrial area of South Miami‑Dade.

The discovery was made early Friday morning at the entrance of a business near Southwest 170th Street and 99th Avenue, an area business owners say few people know about.

Ron Von Paulus, a business owner in the area, shared the surveillance footage with investigators.

Footage shows truck making U‑turn The video shows the pickup pulling in, making a U‑turn and driving toward the spot where police later found the victim.

Police told Paulus the victim was a woman.

“It was a female and she was badly beaten up… that’s all they shared with me,” he said.

Workers arrived minutes after suspect left Paulus said his workers pulled into the lot just minutes after the truck drove off.

“My guys got here just like two or three minutes after – you can see it on the video,” he said.

One of those workers, Farrell Scott, said he narrowly missed witnessing the crime in real time.

“If I was here early, I would have seen the guy,” Scott said.

“I would have seen everything happening – but I stopped and got a coffee.”

Witness describes video as chilling Scott described the video as chilling.

“The video is shocking because the guy made a U-turn right here and stopped. I see him get out and dump the body, but I just couldn’t see his face.”

The Miami‑Dade Sheriff’s Office confirms it is investigating but declined to comment further.

Authorities urge public to help The business owner hopes the suspect will be found quickly.

“I just hope they catch this guy – whoever he is. He needs to be taken care of properly,” Paulus said.

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

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Loureen Ayyoub

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    SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX) — Beneath towering redwoods in Marin County, an outdoor storytelling series is drawing audiences back to one of humanity’s oldest traditions.

Redwood Nights brings together passionate storytellers to share true, personal narratives in a natural setting designed to foster connection, according to producer Don Reed.

“People here are coming from The Moth, NPR, HBO, Tonight Show, late-night television, here telling stories that are sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking, but all of them are true,” Reed said.

In an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, the emphasis on real-life experiences has taken on new significance. Reed said while technology can help streamline creative work, Redwood Nights offers a different kind of interaction.

“A lot of artificial intelligence sometimes, it gets projects done faster, it can help with that. But when you come here, we do a different form of AI. We call it authentic interaction,” he said.

The event, titled Storytelling Under the Stars, is held outdoors in Fairfax at Deer Park Villa, where audiences gather beneath redwood trees to experience stories in an intimate, natural environment.

“It’s always great to be out in nature. We spend too much time surrounded by four walls and a roof. And to come out into the natural world, these trees hold stories generations longer than the people who are here,” attendee Suzanne Pullen said.

Reed has spent nearly two years curating the themed gatherings with the goal of slowing down time and encouraging presence.

“Human connection over digital connection will always be superior. There will never be anything better or stronger than another human being talking to you, another human being, sharing their story,” Reed said.

Stories that are meant to spark curiosity, hope and connection.

The next Redwood Nights event is scheduled for Dec. 30.

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

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

KPIX

By Loureen Ayyoub

Click here for updates on this story

    SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX) — Beneath towering redwoods in Marin County, an outdoor storytelling series is drawing audiences back to one of humanity’s oldest traditions.

Redwood Nights brings together passionate storytellers to share true, personal narratives in a natural setting designed to foster connection, according to producer Don Reed.

“People here are coming from The Moth, NPR, HBO, Tonight Show, late-night television, here telling stories that are sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking, but all of them are true,” Reed said.

In an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, the emphasis on real-life experiences has taken on new significance. Reed said while technology can help streamline creative work, Redwood Nights offers a different kind of interaction.

“A lot of artificial intelligence sometimes, it gets projects done faster, it can help with that. But when you come here, we do a different form of AI. We call it authentic interaction,” he said.

The event, titled Storytelling Under the Stars, is held outdoors in Fairfax at Deer Park Villa, where audiences gather beneath redwood trees to experience stories in an intimate, natural environment.

“It’s always great to be out in nature. We spend too much time surrounded by four walls and a roof. And to come out into the natural world, these trees hold stories generations longer than the people who are here,” attendee Suzanne Pullen said.

Reed has spent nearly two years curating the themed gatherings with the goal of slowing down time and encouraging presence.

“Human connection over digital connection will always be superior. There will never be anything better or stronger than another human being talking to you, another human being, sharing their story,” Reed said.

Stories that are meant to spark curiosity, hope and connection.

The next Redwood Nights event is scheduled for Dec. 30.

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

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Tori Mason

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    COLORADO (KCNC) — A mother is grieving after a crash in the Denver metro area last weekend left her son brain-dead and two of her other children fighting for their lives.

Lakewood police say 22-year-old Andrew Logan Miller has been arrested in connection with the crash, which happened Dec. 6 around 7:30 p.m. near Kipling Parkway and West 6th Avenue.

Police say Miller was driving an SUV southbound on Kipling Parkway at a high rate of speed when it collided with a bus carrying a wrestling team from Central High School, which is located in Grand Junction in Mesa County.

Sixteen people were taken to hospitals.

Among the injured were three siblings who were riding inside the SUV.

On Friday, their mother, Suleyma Gonzalez, identified them as Julio Gonzalez, 18, Analelly Gonzalez, 17, and Christopher Gonzalez, 14.

Analelly and Christopher remain in critical condition. Julio will never wake up.

“I didn’t want to believe it, until they had to do the second testing where they didn’t find blood going through his brain,” she said. “My other two are in comas.”

Gonzalez said doctors ultimately declared Julio brain-dead.

She describes her children as disciplined students and ROTC members with plans for the future.

“Two of my kids were going to graduate this year,” she said. “No drugs. No alcohol. They were good kids.”

Gonzalez confirmed that Miller, who was driving the SUV at the time of the crash, was her daughter’s boyfriend.

“I know he loved my daughter,” she said. “I don’t think he did this on purpose or intentionally. It was an accident.”

Police say the investigation is ongoing, but believe speed played a major role in the crash.

Miller was arrested Wednesday night and is facing multiple charges, including:

• Vehicular assault (7 counts) • Speeding 40 mph or more over the limit • Reckless driving • Child abuse (2 counts) • Reckless endangerment

“My kids know when you get in somebody’s car, there’s always a risk. Always,” she said.

Julio’s organs will be donated. He’s on life support, while the hospital searches for matches.

“He wanted to give to the world,” she said. “Now that I can’t get him back, we want to give life to somebody else.”

Miller is currently being held in the Denver County Jail and is awaiting transfer to the Jefferson County Jail. His bond and court appearance have not yet been announced.

Lakewood police say the investigation remains active.

Gonzalez, a single mother of five, says her focus now is on her surviving children and getting clarity.

“I just want answers.”

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

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

KCNC

By Tori Mason

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    COLORADO (KCNC) — A mother is grieving after a crash in the Denver metro area last weekend left her son brain-dead and two of her other children fighting for their lives.

Lakewood police say 22-year-old Andrew Logan Miller has been arrested in connection with the crash, which happened Dec. 6 around 7:30 p.m. near Kipling Parkway and West 6th Avenue.

Police say Miller was driving an SUV southbound on Kipling Parkway at a high rate of speed when it collided with a bus carrying a wrestling team from Central High School, which is located in Grand Junction in Mesa County.

Sixteen people were taken to hospitals.

Among the injured were three siblings who were riding inside the SUV.

On Friday, their mother, Suleyma Gonzalez, identified them as Julio Gonzalez, 18, Analelly Gonzalez, 17, and Christopher Gonzalez, 14.

Analelly and Christopher remain in critical condition. Julio will never wake up.

“I didn’t want to believe it, until they had to do the second testing where they didn’t find blood going through his brain,” she said. “My other two are in comas.”

Gonzalez said doctors ultimately declared Julio brain-dead.

She describes her children as disciplined students and ROTC members with plans for the future.

“Two of my kids were going to graduate this year,” she said. “No drugs. No alcohol. They were good kids.”

Gonzalez confirmed that Miller, who was driving the SUV at the time of the crash, was her daughter’s boyfriend.

“I know he loved my daughter,” she said. “I don’t think he did this on purpose or intentionally. It was an accident.”

Police say the investigation is ongoing, but believe speed played a major role in the crash.

Miller was arrested Wednesday night and is facing multiple charges, including:

• Vehicular assault (7 counts) • Speeding 40 mph or more over the limit • Reckless driving • Child abuse (2 counts) • Reckless endangerment

“My kids know when you get in somebody’s car, there’s always a risk. Always,” she said.

Julio’s organs will be donated. He’s on life support, while the hospital searches for matches.

“He wanted to give to the world,” she said. “Now that I can’t get him back, we want to give life to somebody else.”

Miller is currently being held in the Denver County Jail and is awaiting transfer to the Jefferson County Jail. His bond and court appearance have not yet been announced.

Lakewood police say the investigation remains active.

Gonzalez, a single mother of five, says her focus now is on her surviving children and getting clarity.

“I just want answers.”

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

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Christa Swanson

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    COLORADO (KCNC) — After almost 10 years, a Wisconsin man who killed his wife on an Amtrak train to Denver back in 2016 has been convicted of her murder.

Investigators ultimately determine Angelo Mantych suffocated his wife, 28-year-old Marina Placensia, to death, and he was found guilty by a jury in court on Friday.

On August 30, 2016, Placensia and Mantych, who is now 45, and Placensia’s four children — three of whom are also Mantych’s — boarded a train heading from their home in Wisconsin to Denver. The Denver District Attorney’s Office said that, by the time the train reached Union Station on Sept. 1, Placensia was dead.

According to court documents, Mantych told police that his wife was sleeping, and he tried to wake her before the train arrived. Mantych claimed that when Placensia didn’t respond, he asked for help.

The investigator who responded to the call said he noticed “numerous bruises on the body that appeared consistent with an assault or struggle,” but that none would be an obvious cause of death. Mantych told the investigator that she was “banged up from moving” and that a screen door had hit Placensia, and the other bruises were from moving heavy furniture down the stairs.

However, Placensia’s brother warned authorities that Mantych was abusive. Police in Racine, Wis., confirmed Mantych had previously been arrested and charged with physical abuse against her.

A former neighbor also told family members that Mantych physically abused Placensia the day before the couple left, and that he had done so multiple times in the past. One of her friends told investigators that she was speaking with family members about moving back to Colorado to get her away from Mantych, and that he had threatened to kill her and her children if she left him.

Reports said that, although she had 35 internal and external injuries, none of them were severe enough to explain her death. Officials also ruled out Placensia’s liver disease as a potential cause, which was revealed in her autopsy.

It wasn’t until 2022 that an expert on strangulation and suffocation was brought in to review the case. In 2023, the expert assigned told District Attorney Maggie Conboy that he determined Placensia’s cause of death to be “suffocation and the manner as homicide.”

Based on the findings and conclusion, an arrest warrant was made for Mantych. He was arrested and charged with first-degree murder for Placensia’s death.

Mantych was convicted Friday afternoon, and he now faces life in prison without the possibility of parole. His sentencing will be held on Jan. 9, 2026.

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

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.