Category: CNN Regional

By Alyssa Munoz

Click here for updates on this story

    SANTA FE, N.M. (KOAT) — Joel ‘Deano’ Valdez, a Marine veteran, has been missing for a month, prompting his family to search for answers in Santa Fe.

Valdez’s cousin, Monique Garcia, said Sept. 18 started as a normal day for him. Valdez had finished a job in Silver City and stopped in Santa Fe on his way home to Coyote, visiting an ATM and Allsup’s.

After not hearing from him the rest of that day, the family grew concerned. The next few days, charges were made on his debit card. The family said the amount used at another gas station was out of character for him and was enough to fill up a few cars.

“On the 19th is where things got suspicious with the amount of money that was charged at a gas station. Then, on the 20th, there were some abnormal charges at a local store. It kind of escalated from there where we don’t know who was using his card,” Garcia said.

Valdez, who grew up in New Mexico, served two tours in Afghanistan and is a father of three. While New Mexico State Police are investigating his disappearance, the family has conducted their own searches, hoping to bring him back to his wife and children.

“He’s an ordinary person living an ordinary life, and if this could happen to him, it could happen to anyone. He was combat trained and had situational awareness. So, for something like this to happen, it just lets us know that something sinister happened,” Garcia said.

State police have not said whether foul play is suspected in Valdez’s disappearance. Valdez was last known to be driving a white truck with New Mexico license plate 248THP. Anyone with information is asked to contact the New Mexico State Police. Those who want to assist with the search can also reach out to Garcia.

Family’s timeline of September 18: 11:45-12:15 p.m.: Valdez left Silver City.

2:30 p.m.: Valdez texted his wife saying he was on his way home.

3:30 p.m.: Valdez spoke with his cousin, confirming he was on his way home.

5:30- 5:40 p.m.: Transaction at Wells Fargo and Allsup’s on Cerillos Road in Santa Fe.

6:49 p.m.: Valdez’s father called him, but the family said his phone was off.

Please note: 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 Cecil Hannibal

Click here for updates on this story

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KCRA) — Sacramento’s Indian community is celebrating Diwali with traditions that include cooking sweets and offering prayers for family prosperity.

“Everyone is like a family here. Food is a big part of our celebration. We love to cook a lot of sweets,” said Shrdha Shah from BAPS Sacramento.

For Pizza Twist owner Sean Dutt, the celebration means cutting out early to be with family.

“The store’s open but I’m going to go and celebrate with my family,” Dutt said.

Pizza Twist on Sacramento’s K Street which serves Indian fusion pizza along with classic options as well.

“This is some of the stuff that comes from Indian,” Dutt said as he showed KCRA 3 some of the sauces he imports from India that now cost more, and prices could rise even higher.

He received an email indicating that his prices are going up soon after the Trump administration implemented 25% tariffs on imports from India. The Southeast Asian country also issuing tariffs putting a nearly 50% tax on certain goods.

“There’s nothing I can do, you just got to go with it, just pray. Pray for a change, everybody’s trying to survive,” he said.

“We haven’t really seen that big impact right now because maybe some of the shops are still using the stocks that they have already,” said Selvi Jana, the president of Indian Association of Sacramento. “It is definitely impacting our lives.”

During this time of celebration, the Indian Association of Sacramento is preparing its community for the economic challenges ahead.

“Times tough are right now when you see restaurants closing every day, just hanging in there hoping for change,” Dutt said. “It’s just hard times right now.”

Please note: 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 Jacquelyn Quinones

Click here for updates on this story

    SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KSBW) — Sea otters in Santa Cruz are once again making waves by hopping onto surfboards, two years after the notorious sea otter “841” first captured attention, leading to new warning signs for surfers.

Beachgoers expressed their support for the otters, with one local capturing the interaction on video. “I was out with one of my friends and out of nowhere this otter just hops onto this guy’s board and it almost looks like he’s biting it but it kind of looked chill so I think it’s good,” said Nathan Santiago.

Last week, a similar incident led to the installation of signs at Steamer Lane, warning surfers of an “aggressive sea otter” and advising them to enter at their own risk.

“They’re in their territory, the otters, so they have every right to be there,” said another observer.

A tourist, Kristian Voulopos, who caught the incident on camera shared their surprise.

“I was wondering why everybody was standing here looking. I was like what’s happening,” Voulopos said. “I thought it was the waves…I thought the waves were good and I was really excited but it was actually the otter which is cool.”

Other beachgoers expressed their enthusiasm for the otter’s surfing skills.

“I think the otter should be catching waves here that’s so cool,” said one person.

“Honestly, who would have thunk it? Like an otter on a board that is just too cool,” another person added.

According to those at the scene, the otter did not harm anyone and was simply enjoying itself, with many people also enjoying the rare sighting.

It is unclear wheter this is the same sea otter hoping on surfboards or multiple.

Please note: 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 Mariana La Roche, James Stratton

Click here for updates on this story

    WEST ALLIS, Wis. (WISN) — A 4-year-old boy died after being found unresponsive in West Allis, leading to the arrest of two suspects.

According to the West Allis Police Department, the incident began when the West Allis emergency dispatch center received a call Saturday around 8 a.m., from a mother driving to the hospital with her unresponsive son.

Dispatchers told the woman to stop near a West Allis Fire Department station on 108th Street (Highway 100) and Greenfield Avenue, where they provided CPR instructions.

Fire department personnel arrived at the scene, rendered aid and transported the boy to Children’s Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Police arrived at the scene to initiate an investigation. Officers arrested the parents, a 21-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman, both from West Allis.

The medical examiner identified the child as Dante Campbell.

According to search warrants obtained by 12 News, when the family woke up Saturday morning, the father told police the boy was “stiff” and “smelled bad.”

Records show he told police the child had fallen down the stairs Friday night, but court records indicate photographs showed bruises “on all sides of his body” that were inconsistent with a fall.

Before contacting emergency services, the parents dropped off Campbell’s twin at a friend’s house near 114th and Walker. A search warrant states the mother told the friend, “I need to go to the hospital my son is not breathing. I think he is dead!”

During interviews, the mother described the boy’s father as being “heavy handed” with disciplining the children, the search warrant states.

Police executed a search warrant on Cruz’s Chevrolet Malibu, 2004 model, where they discovered a gray child’s shirt with apparent bodily fluids.

The West Allis Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Bureau continues to investigate the case, which will be referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s office for review and potential criminal charges.

Police are not seeking any additional suspects.

WISN 12 News spoke to Rosy Hudson, a family member who says she took care of the boy and other kids for years.

“He was my baby,” she said Monday.

She said she, another family members, are all devastated.

“I was planning for graduations, girlfriends, their college,” she said. “I wasn’t planning for any of this. He wasn’t even given a chance.”

Hudson created this GoFundMe for funeral arrangements and to help the other children in the family.

Hudson said she and other family members reported abuse of Campbell to the Wisconsin Child Protective Services several times in the last few months.

Monday, a CPS spokesperson tells WISN 12 News CPS can neither confirm nor deny any investigation, citing confidentiality laws.

Please note: 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 Shay O’Connor

Click here for updates on this story

    NEW ORLEANS (WDSU) — An emotional scene as loved ones remembered a beloved sous chef who was killed in an armed carjacking on Sept. 30.

WDSU reporter Shay O’Connor was live from outside of Brennan’s restaurant along Royal Street in the French Quarter where Morgan worked. Those who knew and loved the chef said he would not be forgotten. She caught up with his crew at Brennan’s who said they will always remember his infectious personality.

Thomas Jones said, “He was always able to share food with love. Service first. But tasty little snacks next.”

“He was a total comedian … he made everyone laugh even if you wanted to or not,” said Alvin Bentley.

“Peanut” said, “He made a name for me. ‘Peanut.’ Because I couldn’t remember anything in the kitchen. I had just started working there.”

Chef Morgan’s crew at Brennan’s remembered his life, along with Morgan’s family and other loved ones who traveled to New Orleans from other states. They all said Morgan loved his family.

Bentley said, “He talked about his girlfriend everyday. There wasn’t a day that didn’t go by that he didn’t talk about his son. Especially with the Disney trip.”

Morgan left his mark in the culinary field, training those who wanted to learn to cook, like Shallin, who is from Zimbabwe.

“One day I burned something. I said, ‘Sorry chef, I burned this.’ He said, ‘Don’t be sorry, Shallin, be better.’ He was that person. He would push you to the limit … And that’s what I loved about him.”

The sous chef was shot and killed in late September while attempting to pick up his 2-year-old son from day care, just a block away from where his funeral was held weeks later. His partner and son seen releasing butterflies at his service.

Before a second line in his honor outside of the restaurant where he gave his all.

“There’s no chef like him.”

Morgan’s crew said they called themselves the Party Kitchen. They said they will miss Morgan’s fried chicken sandwiches, an all-around Brennan’s favorite.

Please note: 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 Anna Behning

Click here for updates on this story

    OMAHA, Neb. (KETV) — The Omaha City Council will vote on an amended ordinance to ban homeless encampments on public property at the city council meeting on Tuesday. The ordinance is proposed by Councilmember Brinker Harding.

The new amended version highlights a diversion program for people charged with living in an encampment. The ordinance states that someone found living in an unlawful encampment will be given a 24-hour notice to close the encampment.

The amended proposal says the diversion program, a problem-solving court, would be developed and utilized by the city prosecutor. Violators of the ordinance could face up to 30 days in jail and a fine, no more than $300, or both.

Councilmember Harding says his main concerns are harm to public property, health, and safety of the city.

Omaha Mayor John Ewing Jr. says he does not support any ordinance on homeless encampments, until his pilot program is given a chance, including improvements between the city and outreach groups.

The meeting is at City Hall at 2 p.m.

Please note: 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 Emily Sanderson, Danielle Dindak

Click here for updates on this story

    CINCINNATI (WLWT) — Cincinnati Police Chief Terri Theetge has been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation into the “effectiveness of her leadership.”

Stephen Imm, with the Finney Law Firm representing Theetge, states she has “no intention” of resigning.

“There is no justification for this action,” Imm said during a press conference Tuesday, stating Theetge was placed on leave on her 35th anniversary of her joining CPD.

Imm states Theetge was asked to resign late last week, but has no intention of resigning and they are working to get her back to work.

“She is a dedicated public servant, this is in her blood, her DNA, she wants nothing more than to be a servant,” Imm stated.

Imm claims Theetge is being used as a “political scapegoat” saying the city has not claimed to have a cause for removal.

Imm claims Theetge has brought forth several ideas to combat crime, including engaging with county judges on low bonds, but said the mayor would not move forward with that proposal.

When it comes to next steps, Imm states they are considering all options.

Imm states removal, he believes, would be a violation of constitutional rights.

“The chief’s sincere hope is the city will rethink this hasty and unlawful decision and reinstate her to her position promptly,” Imm said.

When asked what Theetge is doing since being placed on leave, Imm said right now, she is simply on leave and still absorbing what has happened in the last 24 hours.

Imm said when she was advised late Monday afternoon, she packed up some personal items and left City Hall. He said he was the one to deliver the news to Theetge.

Cincinnati City Manager Sheryl Long, who placed Theetge on leave, states the move comes “pending an internal investigation on the effectiveness of her leadership in the Cincinnati Police Department.”

Assistant Chief Adam Hennie has been named interim chief.

“The City continues to face serious public safety challenges that underscore the need for stability at the command level. Therefore, I’ve named Assistant Chief Adam Hennie as Interim Police Chief. Our focus remains on maintaining stability within the department and ensuring the highest standards of service to our residents. I have full confidence in Interim Chief Hennie and the department’s command staff to continue their dedicated work at this time,” said City Manager Sheryl Long.

Shortly after Imm’s press conference began on Tuesday, Long released another statement thanking Theetge’s service to the department and looking forward to the leadership Hennie will provide as interim.

“We respect Chief Theetge’s decades of service to the City of Cincinnati. Public safety is this Administration’s top priority and we are responsible for delivering on that for the public,” Long’s statement begins. “The City remains committed to a fair and transparent process that protects both the department and the people we serve. Interim Chief Hennie’s strong operational experience and steady leadership will help ensure stability as we complete this investigation.”

Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval also shared a new statement Tuesday, saying, “I am grateful for Chief Theetge’s decades of service. I have full confidence in Interim Chief Hennie, and City Manager Long and I had the opportunity to meet with him and his Assistant Chiefs this morning.”

Pureval stated that during their meeting with Hennie, they talked about his plans for “greater use of technology, visibility, and rapid response to critical incidents – on top of spearheading the recommendations from the climate assessment.”

“At this moment and moving forward, our focus remains on keeping Cincinnatians safe,” Pureval said.

Imm also represents former Cincinnati Fire Chief Michael Washington. City Manager Sheryl Long fired him in March of 2024 because of concerns over workplace culture. Since then, the city has been slapped with a lawsuit. That case is making its way through federal court.

Up until last Wednesday, Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval expressed full confidence in Theetge, but he later stated that due to ongoing violence, “all options are on the table.”

Imm stated Tuesday he believes the directive for Theetge’s leave came from the mayor.

The mayor responded to that claim, stating, “No, I did not direct this. This is an administrative issue and it’s the City Manager’s decision.”

Theetge is the first woman to lead the Cincinnati Police Department and has been on the force for more than 30 years. The future of her position lies in the hands of the city manager.

Please note: 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.