Category: CNN Regional

By Keira McGuire

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    BALTIMORE (WBAL) — Family and friends of Sophie, a transgender woman who was killed in Charles Village, gathered Sunday for a candlelight vigil to honor her life and demand justice.

“She was somebody’s child, and she deserved to live,” said loved ones who came together on the street where Sophie was found.

Denise Jackson, Sophie’s mother, shared her grief, saying, “She was a wonderful person, and she brought joy to everybody. And they just took my baby away from me.”

Baltimore police said they were called to the 2300 block of Hunter Street on Sept. 11. When officers arrived, they found Sophie suffering from gunshot wounds. She died at the scene.

During the vigil, Jackson reflected on her daughter’s vibrant personality.

“She would brighten up the party. If the party was down, here she’d come; she would start laughing, dancing. That was my baby,” she said.

Sophie’s grandmother expressed her heartbreak, saying, “She loved so many people, and we loved her deeply. My heart aches.”

Leaders of Baltimore Safe Haven, an organization supporting the LGBTQ+ community, also spoke about Sophie’s impact.

“It’s a solemn day. I’m gonna try to do this without crying,” said Renee, a representative of the organization. “Sophie was a friend to many people in our organization.”

As loved ones continue to mourn, they are also calling for justice.

“It’s devastating, and it puts a lot of fear in our hearts,” Renee said. “City of Baltimore, the trans community is here to help you—help us.”

Jackson added, “I’m lost for words. I just want justice for my child—that’s it. I just want justice.”

Baltimore police are asking anyone with information about Sophie’s death to come forward.

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 Camden Morris

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    MCCALLA, Alabama (WVTM) — Representatives of the AI Data Center Revolt Tour visited Alabama to highlight the impact of data centers on rural communities and encourage residents to share their stories and make their voices heard.

“Rural America is under attack by big tech. They want us. They want our land. They they don’t care about us,” said Kathy Latham, Texas state director of Humans First.

Organizers said they hope the event raises awareness about the level of control communities have over this technology and its downstream effects.

“Hopefully people have a renewed sense of urgency as it concerns the development of AI and data centers in communities. You know, this is potentially going to be a deeply transformative technology. The unfortunate thing is, is that as it is being built out and as it is being kind of rolled out into the community is causing a lot of negative effects, both directly at the facilities and the surrounding areas there, but also in the people that are using it,” said Joseph Baker, a co-organizer of the event.

Terri Michal, a vocal opponent of data centers, has previously been removed from a Birmingham City Council meeting during a dispute over public comment rules after repeatedly raising concerns about data center projects. She shared her hopes for community involvement.

“I need them to to get educated. You’re going to have, you know, people don’t have to know everything about everything because this is a complicated issue. But they need to find trusted sources, and they need to keep themselves in them so that they can come and stand and be counted at the city council and at things like this, so that hopefully we can start to make a difference,” Michal 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 Grace Rodriguez

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    SAVANNAH, Georgia (WJCL) — Amy Malavich, a 17-year-old Make-A-Wish recipient from northeast Massachusetts, fulfilled her dream at Grayson Stadium in Savannah by partnering with the Savannah Bananas to promote kindness through their Catch Kindness initiative.

Malavich, who lives with MPS 1, a rare enzyme disorder affecting organs, bones, and tissue, has been a devoted fan of Banana Ball for years, traveling across the country with her family to watch the Party Animals play. When Make-A-Wish asked her to choose her wish, she decided to focus on giving back.

“You know, anyone can go on a trip. So I just wanted to have something with a meaningful impact instead of just something like, you go away for a week and you have a nice vacation, but you don’t really get anything out of it. Whereas this kind of had it impact,” Malavich said.

Her wish led to a collaboration with Party Animals player Bronson “Bronny” Balholm and the Catch Kindness initiative, which encourages fans and players to recognize, celebrate, and spread acts of kindness in their communities.

“You know, you can wish for whatever you want. And she decided a wish to help make a better world. Help promote kindness. Help spread kindness. That’s. Pretty dang beautiful, if you ask me,” Balholm said.

On Saturday, Malavich spent time with Balholm and the Party Animals, exchanging gifts, taking photos, and handing out roses to the crowd. Each rose carried kind messages written by Malavich and the players.

“Don’t be afraid to be you. Your smile is contagious. Give someone a hug tonight. Make someone smile today. Trust the process. Everything happens for a reason,” Malavich said.

Her mother, Jenny Malavich, shared how Amy had been planning her wish for years.

“She’s been trying to figure out what she wanted to do for a couple of years now. And, when she finally had the opportunity, she said she just wanted to give back,” Jenny Malavich, Amy’s mother, said.

Amy said Saturday was a chance to experience something she has loved for years and hopes the kindness she helped spread will continue long after the stadium lights dim.

Amy’s family expressed their gratitude to the Savannah Bananas organization for making her wish come true.

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 Beth Carlson, Nick Sloan

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    KANSAS CITY, Missouri (KMBC) — Ahead of the season opener at home against the Denver Broncos, some Kansas City Chiefs fans got in line to park and tailgate as early as 29 hours prior.

The game kicks off on KMBC 9 on Monday at 7:15 p.m., but tailgaters arrived to line up at the gate as early as 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.

They brought tents, inflatable mattresses, generators, televisions, grills, and everything else needed to keep spirits up before the gates open to the parking lots at 3 p.m. Monday.

“I brought up my entire camping system. I have five kids at home, so my poor wife, who is watching all my children to allow me this opportunity,” Kevin McGuire said.

McGuire was one of the first fans to line up, a bucket-list item for him that came from his dad’s love of Chiefs tailgating. A six-year season ticket holder, it’s the first time he’s lined up this early.

“Definitely have a lot of food. Drinks. Entertainment. I brought a book. I’m probably not going to read it, but I brought it just in case. And obviously, you know, some adult beverages that are going to last us until tomorrow for sure,” McGuire said.

Some fans explained the early line is a tradition and spent Sunday night inviting other fans to enjoy food and football ahead of tomorrow’s game.

“The sleep is not the important thing. It’s the atmosphere. It’s the friends. It’s a family,” one fan said.

Although waiting in line is fun for many superfans, the real atmosphere comes on Monday.

“I think the energy of the crowd is going to keep me going, and the tailgating is going to keep me going. I obviously took tomorrow off. I’m not calling in sick tomorrow, just so everybody knows,” McGuire 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 Kate Ourada,

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    TRACY, California (KCRA) — Tracy High School’s football coach, Jeffrey Pribble, was arrested on Friday after his phone was found recording students in a locker room at a local high school, the Tracy Police Department said.

Pribble, 48, is a teacher and the head coach of varsity football for Tracy High School. He began coaching for Tracy High School in 2004, according to the Tracy Press. Pribble became head coach in 2021.

Police said students discovered a cell phone recording them while changing in an on-campus locker room. The students reported it to a teacher, and police were contacted by a concerned parent.

“When the student and other classmates found the cellphone, they were able to pause the recording before deleting it and then turning the phone over to a staff member,” Kaylin Heefner, a spokesperson for the police department, said.

School resource officers and detectives investigated and found the phone belonged to Pribble, the department said. He was arrested on Friday and Tracy Unified School District has placed him on leave pending the outcome of the criminal and administrative investigations.

KCRA 3 attempted to contact Pribble, but calls went directly to voicemail. It was not immediately clear whether he has an attorney who could comment on his behalf or whether he remained in custody.

A student who asked not to be identified said he saw Pribble nearly every day and had previously been encouraged by the coach to join the football team.

“He was trying to get me to join football, but that’s not really my thing,” the student said. “I see him every day almost.”

The student described the arrest as a shock.

Parents Brittney Plummer and Ryann Carlson said the allegations raised concerns about privacy and the trust families place in teachers and coaches.

“That’s supposed to be their privacy,” Carlson said, referring to students changing inside a locker room.

Plummer said students are particularly vulnerable in that setting.

“The teachers are supposed to do their job and not do inappropriate stuff with the kids,” Plummer said. “It’s scary. They’re vulnerable at that point.”

In a statement to KCRA, the school district said it was aware an employee was arrested Friday on campus and that the district is fully cooperating with law enforcement. However, because this is a criminal matter, the district said it could not provide any further details on the allegations.

In a letter sent to Tracy High School families, the district said it would take any and all necessary actions to protect students.

“We understand that this news may raise serious concerns in the District community,” the letter reads. “The District too is concerned about the well-being of its students and staff and is committed to holding its employees to the highest professional and ethical standards.”

Police said the investigation is ongoing and anyone with information should contact Detective Brian Cockey at Brian.Cockey@TracyPD.com or 209-831-6602 or Detective Joseph Bourassa at Joseph.Bourassa@TracyPD.com or 209-831-6969.

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.