Category: CNN Regional

By Ryan Lovell

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    LEE COUNTY, Alabama (WVTM) — It’s a happy ending for one Lee County boy who was reunited with his favorite toy after losing it following a trip to the movies with his family.

Co was at a movie theater in Opelika on June 21 seeing the newest “Toy Story” movie with his friend “Woody,” but realized hours later that Woody was missing.

In a Facebook post, his mom, Sandi Langley, described her son’s emotions following the devastating discovery:

“We have a heartbroken little boy who would love to have him back,” Langley said.

But little did Co or Sandi know, Woody just went on a little adventure with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

In a heartwarming update, the sheriff’s office gave a rundown of the activities Woody had been doing with his law enforcement counterparts.

Among the many things Woody got to experience, he learned about car seat safety, which deputies said is much safer (and better) than hitching rides on car bumpers.

Woody also got the chance to go through the office’s metal detector (talk about seeing what you’re made of) and ate a lot of doughnuts, pizza and candy.

Woody also had a sit-down with Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones, who told the toy how much his disappearance upset Co and reminded him not to go on a big adventure without telling someone again.

But all is well that ends well, as Woody is back home with his favorite deputy and fellow toys.

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 Khamari Haymer

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    WILKINSON COUNTY, Mississippi (WAPT) — “Two innocent lives gone,” said Terral McDonald, owner of the Orchard Cafe.

The shooting left shattered glass and bullet holes at the cafe. Three people were taken to a trauma center, while four others were treated and released.

“That kind of put an effect on us because we work hard every day. We could not open today because I did not want employees here, and I did not know what was coming in afterwards,” McDonald said.

Officials have not revealed a motive for the shooting. Witnesses said the incident began as an argument across the street, which escalated into gunfire in the cafe’s parking lot.

“I pulled up and saw a car in the yard, and a bunch of debris and stuff on the ground. I really did not know what was going on until police said there was a lot of stuff going on in the driveway,” McDonald said.

McDonald, who has operated his business in the area for six years, said he has never experienced anything like this before. He also expressed frustration about being unable to help law enforcement identify the suspects.

“We were in the midst of changing our systems so I do not have footage of anything, and I am not sure if other businesses around here do or not, but I know something happened that shouldn’t have happened, and I am praying for our youth,” McDonald said.

He stressed the importance of resolving conflicts peacefully to prevent violence.

“When I was growing up, we fought. I was raised in New Orleans. If we had problems, we fought, and then we were back friends. These kids here that are growing up, their emotions are too attacked. If someone tells them they are ugly, they want to fight and shoot,” McDonald said.

The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, with the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation assisting in the case.

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 Ben Frechette

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    DANVILLE, Vermont (WPTZ) — Summer is just getting started, but in Danville, work is already underway on one of Vermont’s most famous fall attractions.

The Great Vermont Corn Maze spans 24 acres and is known for its elaborate designs, bridges, blacklight section, and plenty of wrong turns. Each year, Mike Boudreau, better known as “Mike the Bridge Guy,” builds the maze by hand using graph paper, flags, and a rototiller.

What started in 1999 as a five-acre maze on his wife’s family farm has grown into a massive creative project that brings people back year after year.

For Boudreau, the maze is less about puzzles and more about creating something memorable. Every season brings a new theme, a new design, and a new way to get people lost before they finally ring the bell of success.

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 Phil Tenser

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    BOSTON (WCVB) — Conservators at Boston’s Granary Burying Ground recently found and restored what Mayor Michelle Wu described as one of the oldest gravestones of a free Black person in America. The mayor announced the discovery during the city’s annual Independence Day Oration at Faneuil Hall.

Wu said the team believes the man was once enslaved under the name Sebastian Lake, but died free in 1729.

“That discovery is likely one of the oldest gravestones of a free Black person in America. It’s been there all along. We just had to go look and share the story,” Wu said.

In her July 4 speech, the mayor also highlighted the work of the city archaeologists who used a 251-year-old map to locate a Revolutionary War fort built on the eve of the Battle of Bunker Hill. She said archaeologists found the fort near the base of the Bunker Hill Monument and uncovered the trench along with musket balls and gun flints from the battle.

Mayor Wu said Boston is installing more than 40 new historic markers across Boston to recognize people and places that have been underrepresented in traditional histories.

As examples, she pointed to locations including the former Hyde Park Town Hall, where women cast ballots before it was legal, and the site where Boston students walked out of school to protest segregation.

The mayor said she wants children across Boston to see themselves reflected in the city’s history.

“Every kid growing up in our city should know what’s possible here. If a child in Roxbury or Chinatown or Mattapan learns that people like them built this country and this city, then leading it doesn’t sound so crazy,” Wu said.

Mayor Wu, a Democrat who has often clashed with the Trump Administration and Republican leaders at the national level, said the city’s preservation work is intended to tell what she described as a more complete story of Boston and the nation around America’s 250th anniversary.

“While the federal government tries to narrow the story of America, Boston keeps expanding it,” Wu said.

She said a better understanding of the past can help shape future generations, adding that she wants children visiting museums, reading textbooks or walking through Boston to “find proof of what’s possible in America” through stories of sacrifice, determination, struggle and progress.

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 Wanya Reese

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    WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina (WXII) — Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough gave WXII 12 News an exclusive look at a humanoid robot that could soon be seen in Forsyth County.

“I’m going to show you something. You can’t push him down, and if he did fall down, he would hop back up,” Kimbrough said.

The robot, called a “humanoid,” is part of a partnership with Artificial Intelligence Robotics Arts R&D at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts/Center for Design Innovation in Winston-Salem. It is capable of running, walking, and even dancing.

When it comes to crime, the robot can map out a crime scene or an event using 3D technology.

Kimbrough shared that the humanoid can be used to fight crime in other ways.

“We can send the humanoid into that same situation and accomplish the same thing: hostage negotiations, breach the door, go inside the house, do all the talking and recording. I can program it to do whatever I want it to do, hit buttons. As you saw, it started fighting, started dancing, and it talks. Any motion I want it to do, I can program it to do,” Kimbrough said.

Currently, the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office does not own the robot, which costs $75,000. Kimbrough did not specify if or when the office would purchase it, but said, “It is coming to a town near you soon.”

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 Brooke Silverang

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    WELLINGTON, Florida (WPBF) — Some people go their entire lives without ever running a marathon and then there is Mia Rodriguez -a South Florida native who just finished running 26.2 miles every day, for 30 days straight.

When Mia Rodriguez from Wellington puts her mind to something, she takes it all the way.

“Ive been a runner my whole life and last year I did 10 miles every day for 100 days. I wanted to do something a little bit more challenging this time through. Something a little more tolling on the body but wasn’t as long of a challenge”, said Mia. “So it’s just something I decided to do and I’m doing it for charity as well.”

Mia is raising money with her miles for organizations that are all have meaning to her like, hungry families, kids in need of coaches and for those struggling with mental illness. Planning her miles in the Florida heat and storm season is not always easy but Mia made it happen and has the Strava stats to prove it.

“I’d say the biggest challenges is not even the running at all, it’s been everything else outside of it like the recovery, eating the right amount of food finding the mental fortitude to get back up and get out and go, said Mia. “The running has been the easiest part and just having such a good community like Celis and good running friends has made this incredibly easy. I just feel like the days are flying by.”

As for what’s next, Mia says she’s inspired to do an ultra-marathon and get back into Hyrox training.

Whatever challenge Mia decides to take on, she’ll always have a solid community cheering for her.

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 Brandon Hogan

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    VOLUSIA COUNTY, Florida (WESH) — A Volusia County Beach Safety lifeguard who’s also a candidate in the Ormond Beach mayoral race was hospitalized after a lightning strike Saturday near the Seminole Approach, according to a Beach Safety spokesperson.

Damien Curry told WESH 2 News before 7 p.m. that he had been discharged from the hospital.

“Just got out of the hospital! Toes still tingling! Crazy day!” he said via text.

A patrol vehicle was struck while Curry was standing next to it, the Volusia County Beach Safety spokesperson said in a statement, adding the strike transferred indirectly to him.

Curry was medically evaluated and transported to the hospital as a precaution, the statement reads.

Curry is in the running for Ormond Beach mayor against George Doran, Lori Tolland, and incumbent mayor Jason Leslie.

WESH 2 News interviewed Curry in 2022 when a car crashed through a toll booth and onto Daytona Beach.

On Saturday night, Curry told WESH 2 News he’s home resting and recovering.

We spoke with Heather Brooks, who was vacationing in Ormond Beach.

“That’s crazy. No, I didn’t expect that at all,” she said of the lightning strike. “So, definitely got to be looking out for the lightning I reckon.”

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.