All girls flag football team wins championship for 1st time ever against boys team in Massachusetts

CNN on November 3, 2025


WBZ

By Logan Hall

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    MARLBORO, Massachusetts (WBZ) — For the first time ever, the Massachusetts Nipmuc third- and fourth-grade flag football Super Bowl champion team is made up entirely of girls.

The team made history on Sunday in Marlboro with an electric come-from-behind victory against an all-boys team to claim the championship trophy. The girls were down one point, then after getting a safety with less than a minute left, they won 32 to 31.

“Just to watch them progress, to catch the ball now, to understand plays and to make defensive plays. It’s just amazing to watch these girls,” said Coach Nader Hamed.

The Nipmuc Flag Football League has been working to grow participation and encourage more girls to get involved, and this season they were finally able to form a full girls’ team. But without another all-girls team to play against, the league decided to have them play against the boys’ teams.

“These girls right here, they never let up. They just keep going, and it’s awesome to see,” said league president Michael Curry. “I’m proud of every one of them.”

Many of the players started the season as beginners, but quickly grew to become the best team in the league in their very first season.

Standout Bell Phillips scored four touchdowns for her team in the championship game.

“This is a big deal for me, this is my first year ever playing flag football,” Phillips said. “So it’s really important that I can help all my teammates and that I’ve made it this far, and to compete with people who’ve maybe been playing for three years or more. So it means a lot.”

People say that it was the grit and determination of this team that fueled their success. The win marks a milestone for the Nipmuc league and they hope to see more and more girls join the league in the future.

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Woman who lost her sight completes New York City Marathon

CNN Newsource on November 3, 2025

By Adam Thompson

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    BALTIMORE (WJZ) — A 66-year-old Baltimore woman who had lost her sight and was declared legally blind completed the TCS New York City Marathon on Sunday.

Jackie King ran alongside guides Emmeline and Gabe from the Achilles International Baltimore chapter.

King said the “New York City Marathon was a challenge,” but she was glad she took it on.

WJZ covered King as she trained for the world’s longest marathon.

King was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a rare inherited disease that causes progressive vision loss. It began with trouble adjusting to dim light, then slowly narrowed her field of vision until, in 2024, she was declared legally blind.

“I’m gradually losing my sight,” King told WJZ. “At first, I didn’t understand what was happening. The movie theater would seem darker, and my eyes wouldn’t adjust.”

Dr. Stephen Pappas, with the LifeBridge Health Krieger Eye Institute, said there’s no cure for the disease, which damages the light-sensitive cells of the retina.

King turned her focus toward running and running long distances.

She told WJZ that her first race ignited a spark that led to her love for running.

As her vision got worse, King said she missed obstacles, once tripping and falling during a half-marathon. That’s when she realized she needed help to keep running safely.

“I saw other runners and said, ‘I want to run a marathon,’ even though I’d never run more than a mile,” she said.

King said running marathons is about perspectives, rather than the miles.

“I don’t want to be seen as a disabled athlete,” King said. “I’m an athlete with a disability. It’s a choice to keep going.”

King found Achilles International, a group that pairs athletes with disabilities with volunteer running guides.

On Saturday mornings, she meets her guides, like Emmeline Leggett, and dozens of others at Patterson Park. Each runner and guide wears a bright yellow shirt, a symbol that no one runs alone.

Samantha Cinnick, the program director of Achilles Internationals, said that the mission of inclusion is what drives the organization.

“I really loved Achilles’ mission and I wanted to be involved with making sure that anybody in the community could come and feel like they could get involved in sports,” Cinnick said.

“I’ve been with Achilles since the start of the Baltimore chapter,” Leggett said. “It’s about creating community and trust.”

King said she built confidence to run and built up her endurance to run long races.

She spent 20 weeks training for the New York City Marathon after winning the lottery to run.

“It’s awesome to see her run so well after everything she’s been through,” her daughter, Demerise, told WJZ. “I’m so proud of her.”

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Mon Incline in Pittsburgh gets stuck with nearly 30 passengers on board

CNN Newsource on November 2, 2025

By Michael Guise, Ricky Sayer

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    PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — First responders rescued 27 passengers stuck on board the Monongahela Incline in Pittsburgh on Saturday afternoon, officials said.

Crews safely removed the passengers after the east and west cars “unexpectedly stopped working” during a trip, according to Adam Brandolph, a spokesperson for Pittsburgh Regional Transit. The incline stopped working around 2:25 p.m. when the cars stopped about 40 feet short of their stations.

“It started going up. And as soon as it started to pick up speed, it just stopped,” passenger Trevor Graham said. “It just froze.”

The five passengers in the west car, the car closest to the upper station, were rescued by 4:20 p.m., and the 22 passengers on the east car were rescued by 6 p.m. A Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire ladder truck was brought in around 5:30 p.m. to help rescue the passengers on the east car faster. At first, ropes were used to bring passengers to safety.

“It was a little bit tenuous,” passenger Gary Leikam said.

Emergency crews remained in contact with the passengers during the incident. No injuries were reported.

“It was interesting,” Graham said. “I didn’t think my day would turn out the way it did.”

Brandolph said crews tried to “restart” the Mon Incline ” a few times” before removing the passengers. The cause of the shutdown is under investigation.

“I want to extend my deepest thanks to the first responders – paramedics, firefighters, and police officers – who helped get these riders to safety,” PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman said in a news release. “I also want to apologize to the riders who were inconvenienced today and thank them for remaining calm in a high stress situation.”

The incline will remain closed through at least Monday morning, Brandolph said. Until it reopens, Pittsburgh Regional Transit will utilize shuttle buses from the bus stop at Station Square to the incline’s upper station.

The Mon Incline, which opened in 1870, is the oldest continuously operating funicular railway in the U.S. It underwent a multi-million dollar upgrade in 2023, but still has faced troubles, including multiple closures in 2024.

First responders attend training exercises to prepare for emergencies on the Mon Incline.

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Mon Incline in Pittsburgh gets stuck with nearly 30 passengers on board

CNN on November 2, 2025


KDKA

By Michael Guise, Ricky Sayer

Click here for updates on this story

    PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — First responders rescued 27 passengers stuck on board the Monongahela Incline in Pittsburgh on Saturday afternoon, officials said.

Crews safely removed the passengers after the east and west cars “unexpectedly stopped working” during a trip, according to Adam Brandolph, a spokesperson for Pittsburgh Regional Transit. The incline stopped working around 2:25 p.m. when the cars stopped about 40 feet short of their stations.

“It started going up. And as soon as it started to pick up speed, it just stopped,” passenger Trevor Graham said. “It just froze.”

The five passengers in the west car, the car closest to the upper station, were rescued by 4:20 p.m., and the 22 passengers on the east car were rescued by 6 p.m. A Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire ladder truck was brought in around 5:30 p.m. to help rescue the passengers on the east car faster. At first, ropes were used to bring passengers to safety.

“It was a little bit tenuous,” passenger Gary Leikam said.

Emergency crews remained in contact with the passengers during the incident. No injuries were reported.

“It was interesting,” Graham said. “I didn’t think my day would turn out the way it did.”

Brandolph said crews tried to “restart” the Mon Incline ” a few times” before removing the passengers. The cause of the shutdown is under investigation.

“I want to extend my deepest thanks to the first responders – paramedics, firefighters, and police officers – who helped get these riders to safety,” PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman said in a news release. “I also want to apologize to the riders who were inconvenienced today and thank them for remaining calm in a high stress situation.”

The incline will remain closed through at least Monday morning, Brandolph said. Until it reopens, Pittsburgh Regional Transit will utilize shuttle buses from the bus stop at Station Square to the incline’s upper station.

The Mon Incline, which opened in 1870, is the oldest continuously operating funicular railway in the U.S. It underwent a multi-million dollar upgrade in 2023, but still has faced troubles, including multiple closures in 2024.

First responders attend training exercises to prepare for emergencies on the Mon Incline.

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

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Propane tank explosin damages buildings, homes near railroad tracks

CNN Newsource on November 2, 2025

By Frederick Sutton Sinclair, Mike Spatocco, Ryan Hughes

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    Delaware (KYW) — A propane tank explosion on the Delmarva Central Railroad tracks in Bear, Delaware, damaged several buildings and homes Saturday afternoon, officials said.

Video obtained by CBS News Philadelphia shows thick black smoke before a large explosion sends bystanders running for cover.

“The ground shook like a bomb went off,” said Chris Coviello.

The blast shattered windows, left lights inside some businesses dangling, and knocked pieces of drywall and ceiling tiles to the floor.

“Believe me it was a big boom when it blew,” said Janet Davis.

Davis says she was just about to walk outside her home on Wrangle Hill Road because she saw a fire on the railroad tracks about 500 feet away. Then, all of a sudden there was an explosion and about six windows in her home shattered, and that wasn’t all.

“All the barn windows have blown out,” Davis said.

Investigators say crews were doing maintenance Saturday afternoon on the railroad tracks near Wrangle Hill Road just north of Red Lion Road.

The 500-pound propane tank was mounted on a railcar, and around 12:30 p.m. a malfunction occurred during the heating process of the tracks, which sparked a fire and then the tank exploded.

Fire crews found the maintenance railcar vehicle engulfed in flames, as well as multiple brush fires in the area.

“The explosion happened right beside the church here,” said John Grimsley, the pastor at Refuge Nation Church.

Several windows were blown out at the church, which sits right next to the train tracks. Part of the roof in the sanctuary and in the church’s recording studio came down.

“We’re probably not going to be having service here for a few Sundays, but thank God everybody is ok,” Grimsley said.

Fire officials say at least five homes were damaged, as well as multiple businesses.

Chris Coviello owns the business complex, and estimates cleanup and repairs could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

“Thank God nobody was hurt. The amount of shrapnel that I pulled off the roof, off the secondary roof, out of the parking lot and under that car there, there’s just so much shrapnel we are picking up,” Coviello said.

The Delaware State Fire Marshal says the explosion has been ruled an accident.

CBS News Philadelphia learned an engineer will inspect the building and businesses on Monday to determine if there is any structural damage.

No injuries were reported. Wrangle Hill Road was closed between routes 40 and 71 for more than three hours as crews worked to contain the fires.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control said there are no possible hazards from fluids in the destroyed rail machine.

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Puppy intentionally shot at homeless encampment sparks police investigation

CNN Newsource on November 2, 2025

By Jeremiah Estrada

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    KAPOLEI, Hawaii (KITV) — An animal cruelty investigation is underway after a puppy was shot at a homeless encampment in Kapolei on Wednesday leaving her in need of emergency surgery.

A puppy was shot on purpose at a homeless encampment in Kapolei on Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 29, prompting a police investigation into the first-degree animal cruelty. Getting shot left her in urgent need of a neuro spinal surgery.

“She is so sweet and loving. She drags her body to come and sit close to people,” KAT Charities Executive Director Karen Tyson said in a Facebook post.

After getting rescued, the puppy was named Pretzel because “her little legs pretzel up and crisscross.”

Pretzel is now receiving treatment at the Veterinary Emergency + Referral Center (VERC) of Hawaii animal hospital. Tyson has begun a GoFundMe to support the puppy’s surgery.

Police are looking to charge the suspect with a felony animal cruelty charge. Anyone who witnessed this incident or has information is asked to call 911, CrimeStoppers at 808-955-8300 or visit any police station.

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House party erupts in gunfire, home hit 14 times: police

CNN Newsource on November 2, 2025

By Ruby Annas

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    https://wlos.com/news/local/spindale-police-department-shooting-gunfire-physical-fight-house-party-officers-violent-crime-task-force-rutherford-county-sheriffs-office-foresit-city-rutherfordton (WLOS) — On Nov. 1, a house party ended with a shooting, according to a Spindale Police Department press release on Facebook.

Around 3:57 a.m., officers responded to a shots-fired call at 406 Oakland Road Apt. 1. When they arrived, people were leaving the home, and then shots were heard, Spindale Police said. Officers took cover, waiting for backup as more people left the building from vehicles parked in front of it.

The press release said there’s no evidence, at this time, that shots were fired at law enforcement.

Spindale Police Department investigators responded to the scene and then requested help from the Tri-City Violent Crimes Task Force, the Facebook post said.

The police department said a physical fight between several people started at a house party. While the fight was happening, someone got a gun and fired several times inside the building. It’s unclear if other people at the party shot back at the “initial gunman,” Spindale police said.

Within minutes, the “aggressors” went back to the residence and fired multiple times inside the building from the roadway with an “ARP” or AR style pistol, the press release said.

The police department said a physical fight between several people started at a house party. While the fight was happening, someone got a gun and fired several times inside the building. It’s unclear if other people at the party shot back at the “initial gunman,” Spindale police said.

Within minutes, the “aggressors” went back to the residence and fired multiple times inside the building from the roadway with an “ARP” or AR style pistol, the press release said.

The home was hit 14 times, with many bullets going into the neighboring unoccupied apartment, the Facebook post said. A total of 22 shell casings were recovered from 3 different calibers of guns.

No one was reported shot, the Spindale police said.

The investigation is ongoing. The police department asks anyone with information on this incident to call them at (828) 286-3464.

According to the press release, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, Forest City Police Department, and Rutherfordton Police Department responded to an officer’s initial request for assistance.

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Man accused of sexually assaulting woman: “She believed that she was going to die”

CNN Newsource on November 2, 2025

By Nick Lentz, Adam Duxter

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    Minnesota (WCCO) — A 21-year-old man has been charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct in a sexual assault that happened in Vadnais Heights, Minnesota, on Tuesday evening, according to court records.

Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the assault 1000 block of Pond View Court around 7:56 p.m. They met with a 51-year-old woman who had cuts on her face and a bruise on her throat, according to charges. She also had leaves in her hair and told deputies at the time that it hurt “too much to sit down.”

The woman said she was walking on Centerville Road near Langer’s Tree Service and using headphones to speak with a friend when a man, later identified as Tristen Alan Leritz, covered her mouth with his hand and “told her that he tripped and fell into her,” court documents said. He allegedly then grabbed her and took her to the ground.

According to charges, the woman’s headphones and phone fell into nearby grass. She fought Leritz, yelled out to her friend to call 911 and yelled for help. He allegedly pinched the woman’s nose, covered her mouth and used his forearm to press down on her neck.

“She believed that she was going to die,” charges said.

Leritz then sexually assaulted the woman, according to court documents. The woman said the assault lasted between 15 and 30 minutes and that she could not breathe at times.

According to court documents, the woman separated herself from Leritz when the assault stopped and started to run into the middle of Centerville Road. He “casually” walked toward her on the sidewalk and said, “I have to leave this way too,” charges said.

Deputies found the woman’s shoes, headphones, glasses and Leritz’s glasses at the scene, according to court documents.

Officials said his missing glasses tipped off his family, who then notified the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office.

The woman went to the hospital where a nurse noticed several cuts and bruises around her body, charges said. The nurse also collected DNA that the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension then analyzed and matched to Leritz.

BCA Superintendent Drew Evans said the agency raced to get the DNA results in near-record time.

“This ended up being a team of five people that had to work on this, pretty much full-time, to be able to get to this result in less than 24 hours,” Evans said.

He admitted to assaulting the woman during an interview with investigators, according to charges, saying he saw her walking and then said, “F*** it, since I’m a virgin.”

Leritz told investigators later in the interview that he “fully raped her,” court documents said.

“You can’t find a case that rattles the community more than a criminal sexual conduct with a stranger,” Jeff Ramacher, undersheriff with the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, said.

According to charges, Leritz is 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 248 pounds.

“This utterly senseless attack shocked an entire community with its brazen nature,” Ramsey County Attorney John Choi said in a written statement on Friday.

Leritz’s first court appearance is scheduled for Monday morning, the attorney’s office said.

Sexual Assault Resources

(SOS – Ramsey County) Sexual Violence Center (SVC – Hennepin County) Aurora Center (U of MN) 360 Communities (Dakota County) Hope Center (Rice County) Canvas Health (Washington County) Alexandra House (Anoka County) General Sites for information related to sexual assault and resources throughout Minnesota:

Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault General Sexual Assault Websites:

Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)

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Boy holds food drive, grocery giveaway for his 8th birthday

CNN Newsource on November 2, 2025

By Noel Brennan

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    Illinois (WBBM) — A seven-year-old boy in south suburban Tinley Park has some big plans for his eighth birthday. But they don’t involve a party; instead, he’ll be helping people in his community.

Alex Annin and his cousins Demetrius and Ezra young have worked together on a food drive that will culminate on Alex’s birthday.

His mom Kymbria Young said plans for a traditional party changed after Alex saw a man experiencing homelessness.

“The light turned green, so we had to drive off and we weren’t able to give him money, so Alex was really distraught,” she said. But the experience gave him a new birthday wish.

With support from his mom’s nonprofit, Season to Soar, Alex hopes to help more than 150 of his neighbors in need.

Alexander and his cousins are preparing for a food drive. On Saturday morning, they will give way free groceries at Carrie Jacobs Bond Elementary School in Englewood. He said he’s doing it because it’s good for the community and also it helps the Earth.

Alex and his mom say they were inspired by a six-year-old Chicago girl who did something similar in 2017. The food drive in Englewood runs from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Alex turns eight on Sunday.

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Delaware woman heads to first Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup for the Blind

CNN Newsource on November 2, 2025

By Stephanie Stahl

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    DELAWARE (KYW) — A Delaware woman is making history as part of the blind U.S. team competing in the first-ever Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup for the Blind.

Shannon Britt, who’s legally blind, is practicing cricket, and instead of seeing the ball, she’s listening.

Britt, who lives in Smyrna, is getting ready to compete in the first-ever Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup.

“I didn’t think I was going to make the team,” Britt said. “I was just going to try something new, and I wound up being decent at it.”

Britt was born with a rare eye cancer. A series of operations and interventions left her with very limited vision.

“Everything’s really blurry and just foggy,” Britt said.

But that doesn’t stop Britt. She’s spent a lifetime learning to adapt.

Britt’s mother, Donna Britt, helps with practice and is thrilled her daughter will be competing internationally.

“We never treated her any different when she was young,” Donna Britt said, “and she grew up being just like everybody else. She’s done a lot of amazing things in her life, and this is just the cherry on top.”

Shannon Britt says that because her team is for people who are totally blind and she can see a little, she has to wear special shades.

“On the team, I’m what’s known as like an all-arounder,” she said. “I can bowl. I can bat. I can field. Because they want to keep it fair, all B1s have to wear B1 shades, which will totally black out my vision.”

Britt and her U.S. teammates will compete against five countries in the World Cup that’s happening in India and Sri Lanka. She leaves Friday for India. The first match happens next week.

“I’m 44 years old,” she said, “and never thought I would be an international sports person.”

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