Category: CNN Regional

By Cameron Polom

Click here for updates on this story

    PHOENIX (KNXV) — Most people celebrate America’s 250th birthday with fireworks and flags.

A Valley man is doing it with a paintbrush.

At 78 years old, Mark Hurst is living with Parkinson’s disease, but he refuses to let the diagnosis define what he can accomplish. Over the past several weeks, the longtime artist completed an ambitious project: watercolor paintings of all 50 state capitol buildings in honor of the nation’s 250th birthday.

For Mark, painting is more than a hobby. It’s therapy. Its expression. And it’s a daily reminder that Parkinson’s may change parts of life, but it doesn’t get to write the whole story.

While many people hear the word Parkinson’s and immediately focus on limitations, Mark hopes his journey encourages others to focus on possibilities.

Even more inspiring, Mark plans to auction off the entire collection and donate the proceeds to Parkinson’s research, turning his passion into a way to help others facing the same diagnosis.

It’s a heartwarming story about resilience, purpose, patriotism, and a Valley artist proving that some of life’s most meaningful work can happen after the toughest challenges begin.

Follow him @painting.with.par on TikTok.

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 Kayleigh Randle

Click here for updates on this story

    LEXINGTON, Kentucky (WLEX) — A 12-year-old Lexington boy is being hailed a hero after jumping into his apartment complex’s pool to save a man from drowning Wednesday night.

Avory Woolery was outside with his family when he spotted the man face down in the water. Without hesitation, he dove in.

“Because he was drowning and I don’t- I’m not going to let somebody drown,” Woolery said.

Woolery said he was wearing goggles and flippers borrowed from a friend when he made his move.

“I was going down under with my goggles. The flippers that my friend Landon let me use. I have to shout him out for letting me to use them because if it wasn’t for those things, I probably would not have been able to grab him out in time,” Woolery said.

His father, Sean Wollery, was grilling nearby when the emergency unfolded.

“I was grilling and I heard my sister saying ‘oh my gosh, oh my gosh’ and I finally looked over and at that time Avory had pulled him to the top of the water,” Sean Wollery said.

Avory said adrenaline took over, though he admitted feeling nervous in the moment.

“Nervous. As I said before I was like ‘will I be able to pick him up?'” Woolery said.

Once Avory brought the man to the surface, someone began CPR until paramedics arrived.

Sean said he could not be more proud of his son’s instinct to act.

“Him just jumping in and take it upon himself to just save somebody’s life that he doesn’t even know. It’s just an exhilarating feeling having your son do that,” Sean Wollery said.

“I’m just glad he was there. I’m glad he thought on his toes. He didn’t hesitate one second. He jumped in. Put his life at risk to help another person. That’s something all you can ask for. That’s all you can ask your kids to do,” Sean Wollery said.

Avory said the experience is a reminder that every child should learn how to swim and know how to help someone in danger.

“If you see somebody drowning in the water, without hesitation, try to get to them as fast as you can before it’s too late,” Woolery said.

“I like to shoutout my parents for having me raised right, and teaching me to always be kind to people,” Woolery 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 Hamilton Kahn

Click here for updates on this story

    FARMINGTON, N.M. (KOAT) — A 20-year-old inmate jumped the fence of a recreation yard and escaped from a DWI treatment facility around 2 p.m. Sunday, a San Juan County news release said.

Law enforcement officers are on the lookout for Mataius Alijah Oros, who was last seen heading east on foot in the area of Airport and Municipal in Farmington. Oros is 6′ tall, weighs 165 lbs., and has a mustache. He was wearing orange pants and a white T-shirt, although he may have removed one or both articles of clothing.

According to the release, Oros escaped during afternoon church services at the San Juan County Alternative Sentencing Division’s DWI residential treatment program. He asked to go to the bathroom and didn’t return.

Oros was sentenced for DWI charges in May and was awaiting trial for charges including breaking and entering and unlawful taking of a motor vehicle. He is not considered dangerous, the release said.

This was the first escape in the 31-year history of the jail-based treatment center.

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 Alan Shope

Click here for updates on this story

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KMBC) — With the FIFA World Cup bringing millions of visitors to North America, advocates gathered Sunday evening in Kansas City’s Loose Park to shine a light on human trafficking and support survivors.

About 50 people attended a candlelight vigil organized by Rotary districts in Missouri and Kansas. Organizers said the event honored survivors, remembered families impacted by trafficking and encouraged the public to stay alert to warning signs.

One of the speakers, human trafficking survivor Victoria Pierce, shared how she was lured online at 18 by someone who promised her a better life.

“We have to keep talking about it,” Pierce told the crowd, sharing her story of survival and recovery.

Organizers said the World Cup provides an opportunity to educate the public because of the global attention surrounding the tournament.

“Worldwide there’s over 45 million people that get trafficked every year,” said Usha Reddi, president of the Rotary Club Against Human Trafficking. “In Missouri there’s about 300 annually, and in Kansas there’s about 200 to 300, but that’s only the individuals that we know of.”

Similar awareness events are being held in other World Cup host cities across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

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 Metia Carroll

Click here for updates on this story

    NEW ORLEANS (WDSU) — The New Orleans Police Department is investigating after an individual reportedly threatened Entergy crews working to restore power in the French Quarter following a transformer explosion.

Entergy issued the following statement:

“Power has been restored. Overnight, Entergy crews responded to an outage impacting approximately 900 customers in the French Quarter. Cause is under investigation, believed related to a fire beneath an underground vault.

“While responding to the outage, Entergy crews were menaced by an individual threatening to shoot our lineman with a gun— delaying resolution of the incident. NOPD has been notified and is on the scene.”

New Orleans Police issued the following statement on the threat:

“NOPD was notified that a call was made to Entergy’s call center during which a threat was made. NOPD is working with Entergy to investigate the matter.”

Police say they were notified around 10:36 p.m. that an underground electrical transformer exploded near the intersection of Conti and Bourbon streets, resulting in a fire in the roadway.

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 Shanice Hopkins

Click here for updates on this story

    NORMAN, Okla. (KOCO) — Clean-up continues Monday morning after Saturday night’s storms left damage across the Oklahoma City metro.

Thousands of people are still without power as crews continue recovery efforts, making progress in the hardest-hit areas. As of 8 a.m. Monday, more than 8,000 customers still don’t have power in Cleveland County.

Since Saturday night, city crews have worked to clean up debris and downed power lines as well as to reopen streets.

“We are seeing extensive damage across town. Lots of tree limbs down. Trees have fallen. We are addressing those that are blocking the street,” Scott Sturtz with Norman Public Works said. “Also, lots of traffic signals that are out of commission due to the lack of power or because of winds that knocked them down.”

Norman officials said damage assessment is still underway. Starting Monday morning, residents can report storm damage or debris in public areas through Norman’s action center.

Disaster emergency Gov. Kevin Stitt has declared a disaster emergency for two Oklahoma counties following severe storms that caused extensive damage on the Fourth of July.

Stitt signed the executive order Sunday, declaring a disaster emergency for Washington and Cleveland counties.

“State and local crews are out across Cleveland and Washington counties this morning checking on families, clearing debris, and helping our communities get back on their feet after these severe storms,” said Stitt in a news release. “As crews work to get power restored to those impacted, please help by reporting damage and checking on your neighbors.”

The executive order will remain for 30 days unless it is amended by the governor. More counties could be added to the executive order as assessments continue, according to the news release.

Cooling shelters Cooling centers are active and can be located by calling 211 or visiting OGE’s cooling center portal. There are stations across the state that are open for those who need a cool place to rest.

Disaster relief and assistance The state is coordinating with Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief, and chainsaw teams are assisting residents in Norman and are available in communities where they may be needed.

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 Abigail Kurten

Click here for updates on this story

    DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) — Nearly 400 residents of Parkside East apartments in Des Moines are displaced after severe flooding submerged parts of the complex, leaving behind extensive damage and a long road to recovery.

J.B. Conlin, CEO of Conlin Properties, which owns the apartments, described the flooding as extraordinary.

“I think this rain event was a once in the lifetime,” Conlin said.

Conlin said he began evacuating residents at 3 a.m. Friday, and efforts have now shifted to cleaning up the damage.

Residents on the first floor suffered the most significant losses.

“If you were a resident that lived on the first floor, you probably lost everything. And that’s the real tragedy here,” Conlin said.

Currently, nearly 80 displaced residents are staying at Hoyt Middle School, where the American Red Cross is providing shelter, food, and safety.

“It was kind of jarring just pulling up to the scene at the apartment complex, to see the flood, to see the rescue boats go out and evacuate people. And to know that it happened in the holiday weekend, it was kind of gutting,” said Dacian Wilson of the American Red Cross.

Crews are working to tear out drywall, repair flooring, and remove debris from the apartments. It is expected to take at least a month before residents on the second and third floors can return, while first-floor residents face an even longer wait.

Conlin said his team are working to rehome as many residents as possible in other properties.

“Trying to get them some resources and financial resources is one of our biggest goals,” he said. “We’re trying to throw as much as we can to get these buildings back in shape.”

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.