Teen ensuring women receive necessary breast cancer screenings in Ukraine despite war

CNN Newsource on February 17, 2026

By Najahe Sherman

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    MIAMI (WFOR) — February is National Cancer Prevention Month, and one South Florida teenager and her friend have teamed up to make sure women in their home country of Ukraine get the necessary breast cancer screenings despite the ongoing war in Ukraine.

For Isabel Gurvitch, starting the non-profit MammogramMe was personal.

Her mother is a breast cancer survivor.

Her family relocated to Miami from Ukraine to escape the war, but she realized many women in her home country aren’t able to take the preventive steps needed to protect their health.

“So, we started MammogramMe to remind women, ‘Hey, you guys need to check yourselves.’ There are things that can kill you in your own body, and we are helping women now in Ukraine get mammograms,” said Gurvitch.

Isabel Gurvitch and her best friend, Mahika Jassal, who now lives in Poland, started a partnership with one of the biggest hospitals in Ukraine, Adonis.

“We send the money to Adonis, and then Adonis will provide the mammograms. Over the last three years, we’ve done over 200 mammograms,” said Gurvitch.

Mahika Jassal FaceTimed us from Warsaw, Poland, where she leads a MammogramMe chapter.

“I go to the American School of Warsaw, and so we established a chapter there, and we have a club with over 35 members. When we give every round of mammograms, and we see the women whose lives we’ve touched, it just really feels like our work has an impact, and it always feels good to see we’re able to help them in some way,” said Jassal.

The movement has taken off, the ladies now have five chapters that help raise money.

“I’m beyond proud. These girls are amazing and they did it all on their own,” said Anna Gurvitch, Isabel’s mother.

“You’re 17-years-old. Where does this drive come from?” asked CBS News Miami.

“It comes from personal experience, from my mom and having to leave a country I called home. It’s a lot of hurt that I turned into grit, so other women don’t have to go through it,” said Gurvitch.

The ladies have big plans for the future of the non-profit.

Their next goal is to raise enough money so they can help provide cancer treatment for women in Ukraine who can’t afford lifesaving care.

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.

Santita Jackson, daughter of Rev. Jesse Jackson, says her father was always a champion of people

CNN Newsource on February 17, 2026

By Adam Harrington, Audrina Sinclair

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    CHICAGO (WBBM) — Santita Jackson, the daughter of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, said Tuesday that she hoped people would remember her father as their “champion.”

Jackson died Tuesday morning at the age of 84.

“As a father, he was always present, and I couldn’t ask for any more than that. That was the presence of his life was his presence in my life and in the life of my siblings,” said Santita Jackson. “But I hope that people will remember him as their champion, as someone who when he fell down, he got up, because he said the ground was no place for a champion.”

Jackson first moved to Chicago on a Rockefeller grant to study at Chicago Theological Seminary, and was ordained as a minister in 1968.

“He took that calling very seriously, and our mother did. They were in ministry together,” said Santita Jackson, “and it’s been heartwarming to have felt the love for the people, to have seen the tributes.”

Santita Jackson also emphasized that her father was always looking to lift people up. She pointed to his campaign for president in the 1984 Democratic primary, when he became the first African American to launch a nationwide presidential bid.

“In his 1983 speech, November 3, 1983, when he announced his run for the presidency, he said, ‘When I win, you will,'” said Santita Jackson.

Santita Jackson noted that the Rev. Jesse Jackson was the only candidate in that Democratic primary to pledge to put a woman on the ticket with him if he won.

Quoted by Dartmouth Libraries, the Rev. Jackson said during a Democratic primary debate on Jan. 15, 1984: “[T]here is the need to involve the persons who in the past have been denied in the ways of justice within our society. Women are 53% of this nation. Seventy percent of all poor children live in a house headed by a woman. Our [Democratic National] Convention in San Francisco will be 50% female. So there’s a basis for having equity. We now have women in Congress and the Senate, on the Supreme Court. Lastly, if indeed Mrs. Indira Gandhi can run India, a nation of 600 million people, if Golda Meir could run Israel in the time of war, if Mrs. Thatcher can run Britain, a woman can run this country.”

When Walter Mondale eventually won the Democratic primary that year, he put a woman, Geraldine Ferraro, on the ticket as his running mate for vice president. Santita Jackson gave her father credit for Mondale’s move.

Mondale lost to President Ronald Reagan, who won a second term in November 1984. But Santita Jackson also gave her father credit for “laying the groundwork” for later successful Democratic presidential candidates, including President Bill Clinton in 1992 and President Barack Obama — who of course also had a Chicago background — in 2008.

“He was making a philosophical change, making space for a Bernie Sanders, for progressive politics,” said Santita Jackson. “It was, everyone is in, and nobody is out.”

Santita Jackson also highlighted her father’s oratory and his community efforts, such as the youngsters mentored by the PUSH Excel Oratorical Society.

“I hope that the power of his words will live on, and the power of service,” she said. “You know, Dr. [Martin Luther] King [Jr.] said that everyone can’t be famous, but everyone can be great, because everyone can serve.”

Santita Jackson said her father and his institution took on all kinds of service beyond what the general public knows about.

“Having been in a food line himself, we have been giving away food throughout the holidays for more than 60 years, because he understands,” said Santita Jackson.

Santita Jackson said her father always communicated to everyone that he believed in them, and worked to ensure that everyone he encountered and helped could be somebody with a voice.

“As Reverend Jackson would say, ‘My mind’s a pearl. I can learn anything in the world.’ And he meant that. And ‘up with hope, down with nope,’ and he lived all of that, and as he said, ‘I am a public servant,’ and he lived to serve the public, the people,” said Santita Jackson, “and he was a man of the people. He was never part of the elite.”

Santita Jackson referenced her father’s speech at the 1984 Democratic National Convention in San Francisco.

“My constituency is the desperate, the damned, the disinherited, the disrespected, and the despised,” Rev. Jackson said at the convention. “They are restless and seek relief. They have voted in record numbers. They have invested the faith, hope, and trust that they have in us. The Democratic Party must send them a signal that we care. I pledge my best not to let them down.”

Santita Jackson said she hoped her father would be remembered for loving and standing up for people until the end.

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Simpson Road Trojans honored in Atlanta, 64 years after historic Little League dream

CNN Newsource on February 17, 2026

By Sam Crenshaw

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    ATLANTA (WUPA) — When was the last time you attended a celebration that was 64 years in the making? For the Simpson Road Trojans, one of Atlanta’s best Little League baseball teams, that long-awaited recognition finally arrived this week.

In 1962, the Simpson Road Trojans made history as the first all-Black team from Georgia to earn an invitation to the Little League World Series. But instead of their moment of glory, the team was sidelined by an accusation of having an overaged player—a claim that was later proven false. By then, however, it was too late for the Trojans to fulfill their World Series dream.

“We were just 12-year-old kids who loved baseball,” recalled Terrance Chatman, co-executive producer of a new documentary about the team. “The more adversity they experienced, the more they triumphed over all of it.”

Coach Larry Morrow remembers the obstacles the team faced in 1962. “Back then, there were people who tried to keep us from going,” he said.

Dr. Eddy Von-Mueller, co-executive producer of the documentary, reflected on the larger significance: “We’d like to think that kids are exempt from the casual brutality that systemic racism and Jim Crow meant. But the truth is, it wasn’t just that they were Black—it was that they were winning.”

This week, eight surviving players, their coach, and family members gathered at Atlanta City Hall, where they were honored with a proclamation initiated by City Councilman Byron Amos. The ceremony was a powerful reminder that the Simpson Road Trojans have not been forgotten.

“It meant so much,” said Levi Miller, the team’s third baseman. “God blessed us to do what we did.”

The Trojans’ story is now the subject of a documentary, ensuring that their legacy—and their long-overdue celebration—will inspire future generations.

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.

Witnesses describe confusion, fear in deadly hockey rink shooting

CNN Newsource on February 17, 2026

By Riley Rourke, Juli McDonald

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    PAWTUCKET, Rhode Island (WBZ) — Two people were killed and three were critically wounded in a shooting at a high school hockey game in Pawtucket, Rhode Island Monday afternoon.

Witnesses described the fear and confusion when shots rang out during a co-op boys hockey game at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena around 2:30 p.m. Two adults were killed and three victims are in critical condition at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence. Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves said the shooter, identified as Robert Dorgan, died from a “self-inflicted” gunshot wound. She said the shooting stemmed from a family dispute.

The shooting happened on what was senior day for the players.

“It was supposed to be a special day for the team, and it’s really sad,” said Melissa Dunn, whose son plays on one of the teams.

People inside the arena said they didn’t realize they were hearing gunshots at first.

“You just hear the loud noises. And we’re used to the kids banging on the board with their skates, so we thought it was that at first,” Dunn said.

“I thought it was balloons at first. It was loud. It kept going on, so I ran right into the locker room right after I got off the ice,” said Olin Lawrence, a sophomore goalie from Coventry High School.

Lawrence and the other players barricaded themselves in the locker room while people in the stands ran out of the arena

“We were just trying to be safe. We were trying to see if everyone was all good and if everyone was safe. Just to get everyone on the door,” he explained. “We pressed against the door and just tried to stay safe down in there. It was very scary. We were very nervous. It was a lot of shots.”

But once Dunn left the arena, her first thought was of her son’s safety.

“I tried to get back in the rink, and I actually got back in there to find out where he was, and I saw them doing CPR in the stands and it was just really disturbing,” she told reporters outside of the Pawtucket Police Station. Dunn and her son were both okay. He said that he feels pretty shaken up about the incident, but was not injured.

People said that they never expected this to happen at their neighborhood ice rink.

“You don’t know what it feels like until you’re actually in it. It’s very scary,” Lawrence said.

“Really a lot of the parents shaken up. Some I could hear crying that the shooter was sitting behind them, next to them, not knowing what was about to happen,” one woman said.

Kevin Hernandez, a photographer who lives down the street from the arena, said he frequently takes photos of the sports being played there. He was not at the arena at the time, but was there yesterday to photograph a basketball game.

“It’s unbelievable. It’s devastating. I think only about two months ago we had a similar event in Brown. This hits even closer to home. That event was maybe 15 minutes. This was now five. It’s really scary to know that I was in a setting like this just yesterday. I can’t believe it,” Hernandez said.

Pawtucket, Rhode Island is about 5 miles from Providence and 45 miles south of Boston.

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.

Musical “Penelope” allows audiences hear story of Odysseus from his wife’s point of view

CNN Newsource on February 17, 2026

By Lisa Hughes

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    BOSTON (WBZ) — A new production at the Lyric Stage in Boston is telling the story of “The Odyssey” in a way you’ve never seen before. In the musical “Penelope,” audiences finally get to hear Odysseus’ wife’s side of the story.

“She’s kind of a footnote in the Odyssey. So putting her front and center and telling her point of view about what’s going on is really interesting and exciting,” said actor Aimee Doherty, who portrays the title character.

“What is universal is that moment where we’ve all had to say, this is not the future I wanted, this is not the future I expected,” said producing artistic director Courtney O’Connor. “How do I move forward?”

O’Connor jumped at the chance to stage this musical.

“We love origin stories. We love hearing suddenly this other person’s point of view on something. It’s the same story, but it is from someone else’s point of view. And that only enriches and deepens that original story for us.”

While it is a one-woman show, Doherty said it may be a bit different from what you might expect.

“I am not alone on stage. I have a beautiful big orchestra behind me,” Doherty said.

Music director Dan Rodriguez said, “It’s almost structured more like a concert where Penelope is just hanging out with the band, singing her thoughts.”

And the band interacts with Penelope throughout the production.

“To see (Dan) and Aimee working on the music, it’s not just another character in the show. The music is the show,” O’Connor said,.

“The music is beautiful,” Doherty added. “It’s like a pop rock instead of musical theater, which is interesting and challenging for me to do.”

“It takes elements from all these different genres and weaves them together into something, I think pretty special,” Rogriguez said.

You can see “Penelope” at the Lyric Stage in Boston through March 1st.

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$15,000 vintage guitar reportedly stolen from music store, police say

CNN Newsource on February 17, 2026

By Adam Thompson

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    BEL AIR, Maryland (WJZ) — Police in Bel Air, Maryland, are searching for a stolen vintage guitar worth $15,000.

Officers said three women and a man entered the store “Music Land” on Gateway Drive on February 3. Surveillance video shows them taking a 1947 Martin D-28 acoustic guitar from a display area, concealing the instrument and leaving the store.

The guitar has a distinct cracking on the back from prior refinishing along with a unique serial number.

Police shared a photo of the group who are being sought for identification and interview purposes. No charges have been filed.

Anyone with information should contact the Bel Air Police Department at (410) 638-4500 or kmartin@belairmd.org.

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.

Lina Guerra’s body was found in the kitchen freezer — as her husband flew to Hong Kong: Affidavit

CNN Newsource on February 17, 2026

By WTKR Web Staff

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    NORFOLK, Virginia (WTKR) — Lina Guerra, the 39-year-old Norfolk woman reported missing at the beginning of February, was discovered by Norfolk police in the kitchen freezer after her husband, 38-year-old David Varela, allegedly killed her, according to an affidavit from the FBI.

Police also say Varela flew to Hong Kong on Feb. 5, the day after Guerra was reported missing.

Norfolk Police are working with NCIS, Homeland Security and the FBI in the search for Varela, who is a reservist on active duty with the U.S. Navy. Authorities have not reached him since his departure.

Speaking with News 3 Wednesday through a translator, Paola Ramirez, who is married to Guerra’s brother and lives in Colombia, said Varela was a jealous husband.

Guerra’s family reported her missing after not hearing from her for two weeks. Varela told her family in Colombia, South America that Guerra was arrested and imprisoned on shoplifting charges.

They said he even sent him a picture of them together and said he was him visiting her in jail. In the picture sent to Guerra’s family by Varela, she appears to be wearing an orange jumpsuit.

In the messages shared with News 3, Varela tells Paola that he has not stopped crying and hasn’t eaten in more than a day due to his wife’s incarceration.

Court records confirmed that Guerra was never charged with or convicted of this shoplifting crime.

The family says Varela was jealous, wouldn’t let her work, wouldn’t let her have friends, wouldn’t let her study and wouldn’t let her go out alone.

“I want to emphasize that there had been violence before from David,” Ramirez told News 3 through a translator. “He had hit her previously, but she didn’t tell us because she didn’t want to worry us. He appeared to be very religious, very calm, normal, that’s why this is so shocking; we never imagined he’d do something like this.”

Guerra’s family says she was empathetic, loving, and always worried about others.

“Lina was the pillar of our family,” Ramirez said. “She put others above herself. She was very loved and adventurous, hardworking, very humble.”

Varela has been charged with first-degree murder and concealing a dead body, police say.

Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi is seeking to extradite Varela back to the U.S. to face the charges.

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.

Why Bucks Coal Fired Pizza is scaling back on its viral iguana pizza

CNN Newsource on February 17, 2026

By Christy Waite

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    NORTH PALM BEACH, Florida (WPTV) — Bucks Coal Fired Pizza in North Palm Beach will not be offering a pizza topping that went viral on social media.

Our Christy Waite connected with Frankie Cecere, the owner of Bucks, to learn how the idea of iguana pizza began.

“My buddy hit me up and was like, ‘How do you feel about me bringing in some iguana meat and making iguana pizza?’ I said, absolutely,” Cecere said.

Cecere said it was the first time he had ever made an iguana pizza, but his shop serves meats like gator and venison.

The video went viral during Florida’s historic cold snap. While iguanas were falling from trees, Bucks was expanding their menu. The video inspires customers to try something new.

“We have received about 1,500 calls for iguana pizza. It’s highly sought after, apparently,” Cecere said. “We were getting 200 to 300 calls a day.”

Those calls also led to complaints and a visit from the Health Department.

“People called in saying we had live iguanas in house like an animal cruelty issue,” he said. “We don’t have live iguanas here.”

Despite not having, selling, or killing iguanas, he has decided to scale back and not serve iguana meat, at least for now.

Cecere tells WPTV that he is currently looking for a vendor to supply iguana and is working to learn more about iguana serving regulations.

“I thought it would fall under catch and cook — you don’t need a license to harvest iguanas, because they’re an invasive species — but apparently, there’s no statute for it,” he said

From tree to table, invasive to innovative, it seems iguana has become just as controversial as pineapple on pizza.

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“I was on a bridge ready to jump”: How a gaming community helped save a veteran’s life

CNN Newsource on February 17, 2026

By Cyera Williams

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    SEVERNA PARK, Maryland (WMAR) — For many veterans, the toughest battles don’t end when the uniform comes off. For retired Army medic Anthony Potter, the fight followed him home.

Potter served eight years in the Army as a medic.

“I loved every second of it,” said Potter.

He was medically retired due to health conditions. But the transition to civilian life proved to be one of his greatest challenges.

“It was a little bit difficult because you’re in this environment where you know everything you’re doing every day… And then once you get out, you don’t really have a direction.”

After leaving active duty, Potter worked several jobs, moved from New York back to Maryland, and tried to settle back in with family. But he says reconnecting with “blood family” felt different from the tight-knit community he had in the military.

“Coming back from the community and family that you get from the military back to a blood family where there are different ties, and there are different values than you learn in the military… It’s a little bit difficult navigating those situations.”

During that period, Potter says he struggled deeply with his mental health.

“There was a point in my career where I was on a bridge and right there about to jump off…” said Potter.

He says a stranger yelling at him in Korean changed his trajectory that day and ultimately his life.

“I was in that dark place, so I know how hard it can be to get out of it, and it’s just a matter of extending that hand to the people who are in that dark place,” said Potter.

Today, Potter is studying mental health and serving as an ambassador for American Legion Gaming, a digital community created to connect veterans through online platforms like Discord.

The Maryland chairman of American Legion Gaming, Clayton, describes the initiative as a modern outreach effort.

“So it started off as a marketing initiative with the American Legion… and it’s kind of grown exponentially in the last few years to where what we try to do is try to find veterans where they are.”

Clayton says nearly 60 to 70 percent of veterans identify as gamers. The organization uses that space to foster connection and prevent isolation.

“Uh, so we know that a lot of veterans and those in active duty self-isolate… And so we know that, unfortunately, when they self-isolate, they self-delete. And so we’re just trying to make sure we get a hold of them, uh, and help them where they are.”

The online server now connects nearly 10,000 members nationwide. For those unfamiliar with Discord, Potter explains it simply:

“So it’s on an app called Discord. So you get the app called Discord, and then you can join this server called American Legion Gaming… everybody kind of has somewhere where they can fit in.”

Potter says the difference between this group and others he joined is the sense of belonging.

“Once I found ALG, it was more of a family, and I talked to these people about real-world issues that I’m having, and people are there for you because these people care.”

He says the community can turn a “really dark night” into something entirely different.

“You end up having the night of your life playing with some random people you’ve never talked to before… and you made all these new friends that you never would have met if you didn’t go and check this out.”

The program isn’t limited to virtual spaces. In Maryland, eight American Legion posts have expressed interest in starting their own local “bunkers,” and events have already drawn dozens of veterans. A recent kickoff event brought out about 40 people, even amid bad weather.

Beyond gaming, the posts also host VA claim assistance, scholarships, nonprofit donations, and community networking.

Clayton says American Legion posts are often misunderstood.

“A lot of people will see the American Legion… and they would see the bar, and they think, oh well, that’s just a place to go and drink… What I like to tell people is that inside is the reward for your service and your volunteerism… The outside is where all the hard work goes.”

For Potter, the mission is simple: make sure no veteran feels alone.

“I use it to kind of reach out to other veterans and to let people know that they’re not alone… that sense of community and being able to reach out and know people are there, it’s really everything.”

He shares the same message with every veteran he meets.

“Come and check us out… It’s hard when you think you’re the only one going through these things, but you’re not… we’re here for each other.”

For those who want to learn more about ALG, organizers are hosting a “Sunday Funday” on Feb 22 at American Legion Gaming from Noon to 2 p.m.

If you or someone you know is struggling, you can call or text the Veterans Crisis Line at 988 and press 1 for confidential support.

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.

Ex-chef at charity restaurant accused of gambling with nonprofit’s credit card

CNN Newsource on February 17, 2026

By Leigh Searcy

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    GEORGETOWN, Kentucky (WLEX) — A chef at Russ’ Kitchen, a community restaurant in Scott County focused on feeding those in need, is accused of using the nonprofit’s credit card to gamble instead of purchasing food for the charity.

Jacob Southworth, who served as chef at the restaurant operated by the Amen House nonprofit, is charged with theft by deception after allegedly spending more than $3,300 gambling at Red Mile Gaming using the organization’s credit card.

In November, Southworth expressed enthusiasm about his role at the restaurant. gambling at Red Mile Gaming using the organization’s credit card.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Fayette District Court by the Amen House executive director, Southworth made two gambling transactions at Red Mile Gaming. Investigators say he spent $1,061.99 on November 16 and again on December 6, totaling $3,345.27 in gambling expenses charged to the charity’s credit card.

The executive director froze the credit card and filed a theft report with Lexington police after discovering the unauthorized charges.

Russ’ Kitchen opened as a collaboration between a local business group and the Amen House to ensure no one in Scott County goes hungry. The restaurant is named after 12-year-old Russ Bourget, who died tragically in a UTV accident.

In November, Southworth expressed enthusiasm about his role at the restaurant.

“I’ve been in this kitchen, trying to get this place ready for about a month now. So it’s just been me and Russ hanging out. And I still get goosebumps walking in this place,” Southworth said.

However, according to the criminal complaint, Southworth did not show up for work on December 7 and refused to meet with Amen House management. On January 14, 2026, the complaint states Southworth admitted to using the business credit card at Red Mile Gaming for gambling and indicated he did not have the money to pay back the business.

Attempts to contact Southworth at his Georgetown address were unsuccessful.

The news surprised regular Russ’ Kitchen customer Daniel Shore, a retired trucker.

“That’s shocking especially from this place, very,” Shore said.

Shore, who has become disabled, praised the Amen House and Russ’ Kitchen for their community service.

“Very important because going from working all my life to to nothing with disability you can’t survive without this,” Shore said.

Southworth is due in court for a preliminary hearing on Friday.

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.