DOJ to investigate Maine over transgender inmate at Windham women’s prison

CNN Newsource on March 27, 2026

By Russ Reed

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    WINDHAM, Maine (WMTW) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Thursday that it notified Maine Gov. Janet Mills of the beginning of a federal investigation into whether the state engages in a pattern or practice of housing transgender inmates who were assigned male at birth in women’s prisons.

The DOJ said it will specifically investigate allegations that Maine has allowed a transgender inmate who was assigned male at birth to remain housed with women at the Maine Correctional Women’s Center in Windham despite complaints that the transgender inmate has assaulted or harassed several female inmates.

The Justice Department also said it will launch a similar investigation in California and has notified Gov. Gavin Newsom.

“Keeping men out of women’s prisons is not only common sense — it’s a matter of safety and constitutional rights,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement. “The Trump administration will not stand by if governors are facilitating the abuse of biological women under the guise of inclusion.”

“Incarcerated individuals can be particularly susceptible to having their rights violated,” Andrew B. Benson, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maine, said in a statement. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to protecting the civil rights of all Maine citizens, no matter where they live, and will work with our colleagues in the Civil Rights Division to ensure that this vulnerable population is protected from harm while housed in state custody.”

The DOJ noted that it has not reached any conclusions regarding allegations in these matters.

“Despite the Department of Justice’s claims, this is yet another politically motivated, predetermined investigation designed to target states that stand up to the Trump administration and its abuses,” a spokesperson for Mills said in an email to Maine’s Total Coverage political reporter Jackie Mundry.

“The Department of Corrections takes resident safety concerns very seriously. Anytime a resident makes a report of physical violence or harassment to staff, the department investigates,” a Maine Department of Corrections spokesperson said in an email to Mundry. “If the conduct that occurred rises to the level of a crime, it is referred to the [District Attorney] for prosecution. If it violates the department’s disciplinary policy, the residents involved are disciplined.”

The announcement from the Justice Department comes nearly a year after Bondi said all nonessential federal funding had been pulled from the Maine Department of Corrections because a transgender inmate was being held in a women’s prison. Bondi made that announcement during an appearance on the Fox News program “Fox & Friends” on April 8, 2025. A graphic run during the interview showed that the Maine DOC was losing more than $1.5 million in federal grants.

Bondi did not mention the inmate by name, but did say the inmate had killed their parents and a dog in a stabbing.

Maine’s Total Coverage previously covered a double-murder case in which the convict was transgender. Andrea Balcer, who went by Andrew at the time of the crime in October 2016, was sentenced to 40 years in prison in December 2018, nearly three months after pleading guilty to stabbing their parents and the family’s dog to death.

A search of the Maine DOC online database on Thursday shows Andrew Balcer, who has a listed alias of Andrea Balcer, is serving a sentence at the Maine Correctional Women’s Center in Windham.

The Women’s Center is in a separate housing unit of the Maine Correctional Center in Windham and has a capacity of 86 inmates, according to the Department of Corrections.

Days after the nonessential federal funding for the Maine Department of Corrections had been pulled, Bondi announced that the DOJ had filed a lawsuit against the Maine Department of Education. Bondi argued that Maine violated Title IX by allowing transgender athletes who were assigned male at birth to compete in girls’ sports.

Mills and her administration have argued Maine has allowed transgender athletes to compete in girls’ sports in order to be in compliance with state law, namely the Maine Human Rights Act.

The Maine Department of Education has argued the Title IX case was one made in political retaliation after Mills challenged President Donald Trump during a February 2025 confrontation over transgender athletes participating in women’s and girls’ sports. That heated exchange happened during a National Governors Association event at the White House, during which Mills told Trump: “We’ll see you in court.”

A judge has ordered both sides to be ready for the Title IX case to go to trial by April 1.

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.

‘Criminals from head to toe’: Charlotte men charged after luxury car-theft ring busted

CNN Newsource on March 27, 2026

By Chloe McCoy

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    CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (WYFF) — Two men have been charged in connection with what officials are calling a multi-million-dollar luxury car theft ring that spanned ten states and was funded by “violent” drug trafficking.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of North Carolina says the ring spanned North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Missouri.

Agents arrested 43-year-old Andre Lamar Sumner and 40-year-old Erren Woodson, both of whom pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States, possession of a stolen vehicle and possession with intent to distribute kilogram quantities of marijuana.

According to filings, the FBI and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department had been tracking a high-end stolen vehicle ring involving luxury cars and trucks from car dealerships, rental car companies and private individuals across the United States.

Sumner allegedly operated as a “fence,” or someone who works as the middleman and finds buyers for stolen property, for the company.

Officials say Sumner’s role was to fence high-end stolen vehicles such as BMW, Land Rover, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz and Rolls-Royce, as well as trucks and other expensive models from Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford and RAM.

Sumner would then sell the cars at a price much lower than the market price after altering the Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) and fraudulently registering them in various states.

According to court documents, Sumner physically possessed or had knowledge of at least 31 stolen vehicles estimated to be worth more than $2 million. He also kept some of the vehicles for personal use.

In September 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Sumner’s home and found four stolen luxury cars with fraudulent VINs.

During the search, officers found 71 pounds of marijuana, approximately two pounds of psychedelic mushrooms, three firearms, approximately $118,619, as well as narcotics packaging, money counters, a vacuum sealer and digital scales.

Woodson was also alleged to be an armed drug trafficker who reportedly received eight stolen cars from Sumner and regularly discussed the stolen cars and prices. His involvement as a drug trafficker helped fund the purchase of the stolen cars, reports say.

In December 2023, law enforcement searched Woodson’s home and seized 86 pounds of marijuana, seven pounds of psychedelic mushrooms, nine firearms, $586,000 and two stolen vehicles.

Sumner was sentenced to 5 years and 10 months in prison, and Woodson was sentenced to 4 years and 3 months.

“Sumner and Woodson were criminals from head to toe – driving around in expensive stolen vehicles, engaging in fraud, and dealing drugs with piles of guns and ammunition,” said U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson.

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Fire destroys popular bar and restaurant, community rallies to show support

CNN Newsource on March 27, 2026

By Yazmin Rodriguez

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    SOUTH CONNELLSVILLE, Pennsylvania (WTAE) — Fox’s Tavern in South Connellsville, Fayette County, was destroyed by a fire, leaving the community in shock and prompting a local fundraiser to support the popular bar and restaurant.

“That’s my bar, and it had a big hole through the center of it. Everybody is very sad,” kitchen manager Lee Shroyer said.

The fire erupted shortly before 3 a.m. Thursday after neighbors heard a popping noise at Fox’s Tavern. The flames quickly spread.

“The fire was coming through the roof. It was only about a hole that big. And then, in, like, five minutes, it was like probably about 10 feet across,” said Jesse Driscoll, who lives directly behind the restaurant.

“The firefighters, they’re locals, they come here all the time. They were crying because, you know, you go to these places every day or every weekend, and you probably don’t realize how much it becomes a part of your life until it’s gone,” Driscoll said.

In response, the local owner of Coffee at Crawford is stepping in to help.

“We decided at the coffee shop that we wanted to do something for the Fox family, and we came to the agreement that it would be best if we did a basket fundraiser,” owner Susanna Flesik said. “This was me saying, ‘OK, what can I do that wouldn’t be just me sitting around and praying for the family?'”

The fundraiser idea quickly gained traction.

“Immediately, everybody was like, ‘I’ll donate, I’ll do a basket, I’ll do a gift certificate, where do you want me to bring it?’ And so, it just kind of snowballed,” Flesik said.

Starting Wednesday, April 1, the baskets will be on display at the coffee shop for community members to bid on.

Winners will be announced the following week at the coffee shop and on Facebook Live, with all proceeds going toward Fox’s Tavern.

“I’ve seen us rally. I’ve seen businesses and just individual people rally around this community, and I really knew that if somebody started something that everybody would rally around his family,” Flesik said.

The cause of the fire remains unknown, and the state fire marshal is investigating.

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Florida couple fights to reclaim 50 French bulldogs worth $1.2 million seized from home

CNN Newsource on March 27, 2026

By Terri Parker

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    FORT PIERCE, Florida (WPBF) — More than 50 French bulldogs, allegedly worth about $1.2 million, are at the center of a courtroom fight in St. Lucie County, where a Fort Pierce author and podcast host is trying to get the dogs back after the city seized them from her home.

Aimee Cabo Nikolov and her husband, Boris Nikolov, say they were breeding the dogs to improve the French bulldog line. But the city of Fort Pierce alleges the animals were found living in poor conditions and should never be returned.

The city alleges the dogs were found in distress and living in bad conditions. Court filings describe dozens of dogs allegedly kept in crowded areas throughout the property, with some animals found in cages and spaces described as covered in feces.

Investigative Reporter Terri Parker was inside the courtroom during the four-day trial, where Cabo Nikolov took the stand and denied abusing or neglecting the dogs.

“There has been no abuse or neglect. I love these dogs. This is a travesty of justice,” Cabo Nikolov told Parker after the hearing.

Nearly 50 dogs rescued from overwhelmed owner in Palm Beach CountyNearly 50 dogs rescued from overwhelmed owner in Palm Beach County Investigators say they seized more than 50 dogs from the home because the animals were in distress and some later proved to be sick.

Because there is also an active criminal investigation, police have not yet released the pictures and video taken during the seizure.

The case involves a breed with a high price tag. French bulldogs are among the most expensive dog breeds in America, with some puppies selling for tens of thousands of dollars. The dogs in this case are alleged to be worth about $1.2 million.

French Bulldog4 suspects face charges for stealing 19 French bulldogs from Port St. Lucie home During cross-examination, Cabo Nikolov was asked whether she had 50 to 60 dogs in her home in May and June of last year.

“I don’t know. I didn’t count them,” she answered.

Court testimony also established that Cabo Nikolov did not have a breeder’s license.

And even though investigators found a website called AngelWing Frenchies advertising her puppies for sale, Cabo Nikolov testified she did not recall having a website where she was selling dogs.

Outside the courtroom, Parker asked Cabo Nikolov why she had so many dogs if she was not selling them.

“I’m an artist. I want to improve the breed. I feel that the Frenchie breeds, that we’ve lost some of the Frenchie breed’s structure,” Cabo Nikolov said.

But according to court filings, investigators allege Cabo Nikolov was not just breeding French bulldogs. The filings say she was trying to create a new breed by mixing French bulldogs with poodles, dogs that are not recognized by the American Kennel Club.

When Parker asked why she was moving in that direction if she says she wants to restore the breed, Cabo Nikolov responded that there are shows beyond AKC events and described herself as more of a hobby breeder.

“There’s many different shows. You don’t have to show at the AKC shows. There’s different shows that are offered. There’s also hobby shows, and I consider myself more of a hobby breeder, being that I’m just in it to improve the breed,” she said.

There is another twist in the case.

Cabo Nikolov’s lawyer told Parker the case is fabricated and involves fake 911 calls and altered evidence reports. A former city employee testified that she discovered some reports had been changed after the raid.

The FBI was also involved at some point, though it is not yet clear why.

At stake are more than 50 dogs, allegedly worth $1.2 million, and two sides fighting to keep them.

The trial is set to continue next Tuesday.

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‘Smelled like sewage and death’: Parents question safety after school odor incident

CNN Newsource on March 27, 2026

By Rachael Perry

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    PALM CITY, Florida (WPBF) — Parents of students at a local middle school are demanding more information after they claim a foul odor forced some children to leave campus.

The incident happened on Wednesday at Hidden Oaks Middle School in Palm City. According to the principal, the unpleasant odor may have stemmed from a portable restroom on campus.

Parents of students at the middle school told WPBF 25 News that their children described the odor as rotten eggs, sewage, and death.

Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News

Christopher Forte, the principal at Hidden Oaks Middle School, first issued the following statement to parents on Wednesday afternoon.

“We want to make you aware that maintenance crews are on campus today conducting a scheduled roof cleaning using a non-toxic spray that created an unpleasant odor, which lingered into some buildings, but caused no harm to students and staff. We sincerely apologize that families were not notified in advance and appreciate your understanding.” — Christopher Forte, Principal.

However, later that evening, Forte issued a second statement where he explained that the smell may have actually come from a portable restroom on campus.

The release is as follows:

“Hidden Oaks Middle School Families,

We want to make you aware of a situation that occurred on campus today involving an unpleasant odor and provide you with updated information.

Earlier today, we shared an initial message with you based on the information available at that time. Based on additional review, the odor appears to be associated with activity involving a portable restroom on campus that is part of an ongoing roofing project. The project is being performed by HiTech Roofing, and the unit was serviced by Coastal Waste and Recycling during the school day. The odor was described as sulfur-like.

While multiple vendors were operating on site at the time, this situation reflects a breakdown in coordination that should not have occurred, and we are addressing that directly.

Immediate steps have been taken to prevent a recurrence. The portable restroom has been relocated away from the building, and service to the unit will not occur during school hours. We are also reviewing site coordination protocols to strengthen oversight moving forward.

If your child is experiencing any health-related concerns, we encourage you to consult your healthcare provider and notify our school so we can remain aware and responsive.

The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority. We are committed to addressing this situation and ensuring stronger coordination moving forward.

Thank you for your continued support.” — Christopher Forte, Principal.

WPBF 25 News Reporter Rachael Perry spoke with parents of children who attend Hidden Oaks Middle School and heard concerns regarding both children and staff reporting feeling sick and coming home with a rash.

WPBF reached out to the school district about those claims. A spokesperson said they are aware of the concerns that were raised and continue to monitor and respond as appropriate.

Jeffrey and his wife Amanda have a daughter who attends the middle school, and said she came home early Wednesday because of the smell.

“Our daughter called my wife during the day, around 10 a.m., and told her that she was sick. I guess there was a smell that was reported in the building, and she came home, and she had a rash on her leg, and she was nauseous for a little bit,” Jeffrey said.

Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.

Amanda posted about the incident in a private Facebook group for Palm City parents. Her post has more than one hundred comments on it, with some parents sharing similar concerns.

Amanda said she kept her daughter home on Thursday and heard from other parents that the smell hadn’t gone away yet. She also said it seemed that the upstairs classrooms were the most impacted.

“It makes us feel unsafe to be able to send her back at this point right now because he [a school staff member] should have been evacuating those classrooms and calling the fire department or somebody to at least come and investigate,” she said.

Leadership at the middle school is encouraging parents to contact their child’s health care provider and notify the school if their child is experiencing any health-related concerns.

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Bodycam: Man arrested after allegedly ramming gate at Florida airport, trying to get on planes

CNN Newsource on March 27, 2026

By Dacia Johnson

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    DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (WESH) — Body-worn camera video released Thursday shows the arrest of a man the Volusia Sheriff’s Office says rammed a gate and entered airport property.

It happened Wednesday afternoon after the man drove through a gate at Daytona Beach International Airport and onto the airfield, attempting to enter multiple airplanes, VSO said.

According to VSO, the driver, later identified as 58-year-old Bryan Parker of Holly Hill, was “highly intoxicated.”

In the video of the arrest, Parker says he doesn’t remember.

“I went to an AA meeting … the next thing I know, I’m doing cocaine, drinking and smoking pot,” Parker says to the deputy.

“So you were doing all kinds of drugs and ran through a gate?” the deputy asks.

“Yeah and I crashed my car,” Parker says.

Personnel indicated the vehicle plowed through the gate and headed toward the Embry-Riddle section of the airport, VSO said.

Parker then approached an occupied, running airplane and attempted to board it, but was unsuccessful because the plane had already been locked.

Parker made two more attempts, ultimately boarding an unoccupied plane, VSO said.

He was not on the plane for long before airport operations and Embry-Riddle security took him into custody.

The damaged gate was replaced with a temporary fence.

Parker is facing multiple charges and is being held without bond.

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300-pound hammerhead shark found dead on Florida beach

CNN Newsource on March 27, 2026

By Tyler Watkins & Kyle Schmidt

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    NAPLES, Florida (WBBH) — Crews removed a hammerhead shark that was found along Naples Beach on Thursday morning.

The Naples Police Department contacted the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission after it was found near 15th Avenue South at approximately 8:30 a.m. NPD said the shark was estimated to weigh about 300 pounds, and it was pulled to the 17th Avenue South beach end.

“I’ve been living here in Florida, ever since the 60’s… I’ve seen sharks but nothing the size of that,” Naples resident Frederick Pulice said.

A City of Naples Parks and Parkways boom crew helped FWC load the shark into one of their trucks for further investigation. NPD said the shark was already dead when it was found.

FWC said the great hammerhead shark was transported to an FWC lab for a necropsy.

If you encounter fish kills or dead sharks, FWC advises the public to reach out to its fish kill hotline by calling 1-800-636-0511. You can also make a report by filling out a form here.

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500-pound swordfish caught in the Florida Keys, family says it took 5 hours to reel in

CNN Newsource on March 27, 2026

By Carson Zorn

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    FLORIDA KEYS, Florida (WBBH) — A nearly 500-pound swordfish was pulled from the waters of the Florida Keys during a charter boat trip.

Captain Jose Rodriguez is from Cape Coral and works as a charter fishing captain in the Florida Keys.

Rodriguez recently brought a Pennsylvania family out on the water, as they were celebrating their son’s upcoming high school graduation.

While on the boat, Rodriguez and the family caught a 480-pound swordfish. It took them more than five hours to reel in the almost quarter-ton fish from the water.

Despite the grueling process, the experience gave Rodriguez and a Midwestern family a trip they’ll never forget.

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Pennsylvania teacher uses TikTok and GoFundMe to rescue canceled field trip

CNN Newsource on March 27, 2026

By Baylee Martin

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    LANCASTER, Pennsylvania (WGAL) — Tania Turner, an eighth-grade language and literature teacher at Wheatland Middle School in Lancaster, used social media to raise funds for a canceled field trip to Hersheypark due to a $10 million budget deficit at the School District of Lancaster.

Turner said, “My whole goal is to make an impact in any way that I know how. Yes, English and reading and writing is so important, but also the experience of being a student is super important too.”

The news of the cancellation was a shock to Turner and her students.

“I just could not let it go,” Turner said.

Taking matters into their own hands

Determined to make the trip happen, Turner created a GoFundMe campaign with a goal of raising $8,000.

“In two and a half days, we got the $8,000,” Turner said. “And right now we’re at over that $9,075, I think.”

Tania posted a TikTok on her page, which has over 11,000 followers. It gained attention and now has over 20,000 views.

Turner’s efforts were supported by her students, including Zoe Trottie, who helped spread the word through TikTok videos on an account she created dedicated to the fundraiser called eighthgradehershey.

“I thought it would be a good idea since we’re trying to raise enough money to go to Hersheypark if we made a video every day trying to advertise the GoFundMe,” Trottie said.

The videos received significant attention, with the first video garnering 15,900 views, the second 6,400 views, and the last update receiving 2,792 views.

Initiative turns emotional

Turner was moved by her students’ initiative.

“When one of my girls showed me the video, I cried because it was just really amazing to see them come together and work towards something that is totally achievable,” she said.

With the funds raised, the tickets are now bought, and the trip is set.

Trottie shared her excitement, saying, “My favorite ride is either the Fahrenheit or Candymonium.”

Despite her fear of heights, Turner is ready to join her students on the roller coasters.

“I’m a little scared of heights a little bit, but they say, Miss Turner, please, this is our last year. And then I’m like, OK, fine. And then I’m like, close to tears on the roller coasters,” she said.

Community impact

Turner emphasized the importance of community impact and the future of her students.

“We can do things that are positive for the community, and also that can make an impact on the kids because they’re our future,” she said.

Trottie added, “I learned that one person can make a big impact on everything.”

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Florida man armed with sword threatens neighbor during argument, police say

CNN Newsource on March 27, 2026

By Steven Yablonski

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    CAPE CORAL, Florida (WFOR) — A Florida man has been arrested after police say he threatened a neighbor with a sword during a dispute on Wednesday evening.

Cape Coral police said they responded to the 1800 block of Everest Parkway regarding a disturbance involving a weapon just before 7 p.m.

The caller said that a man, who was later identified as 41-year-old Raul Elosegui Fernandez, threatened him with a sword before fleeing the scene in a white Chevrolet pickup truck.

During the investigation it was learned that a dispute between neighbors escalated when Fernandez grabbed a tan-handled sword with a roughly 3-foot metal blue blade from his truck, raised it above his shoulder, and approached the victim while making threatening statements, police said.

The victim then went back inside his home and called police.

Cape Coral police said that they eventually located Fernandez’s truck at his southwest 6th Place home, where the sword was seen inside.

The sword was taken as evidence, and Fernandez was arrested.

Police said he was charged with Assault with a Deadly Weapon.

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