Category: CNN Regional

By Megan De Mar

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    BENSENVILLE, Illinois (WBBM) — A driver in west suburban Bensenville thought dashboard camera video showing another driver rear-ending her would be enough to get the damage covered by insurance, but two months later, her car is still undrivable, and she has a warning for other drivers.

Emily Mendiola was driving on Grand Avenue in Bensenville with her friend and toddler in the backseat of the car on Aug. 9 when her dashcam shows her slowing down gently as the car behind her rams into the back of her 2024 Toyota Highlander.

The other driver told an officer that “he was unable to stop in time to avoid collision,” according to a police report on the crash.

“Obviously, the bumper needs to be repaired,” Mendiola said.

Just from a visual inspection, the officer noted there had been more than $1500 in damage to the car.

Mendiola went to her repair shop in Elmhurst, which estimated the damage at over $8000.

“The liftgate’s completely smashed in half,” she said. “This whole thing’s cracked open.”

More than two months later, the other driver’s insurer, Direct Auto, has repeatedly told her — despite the police report and the dashcam video — they couldn’t “establish liability” in this case.

“It’s been nothing but a nightmare,” Mendiola said.

The mother a 2-year-old hasn’t been able to drive her car for two months. Mendiola went to the Illinois Department of Insurance for help.

In a response to the Illinois Department of Insurance, Direct Auto said they were in dispute about the cost of the repairs and that the repairs could be performed at one of the company’s “preferred vendors” – not for $8,000, but for less than $1,300.

“You should be able to use any licensed repair shop, and insurers can’t require that you use theirs,” said Scott Holeman, spokesman for the Insurance Information Institute.

Holeman said that’s the law in Illinois, but insurance companies might only cover damages equal to the estimate from their preferred shops, which explains Mendiola’s situation.

She said the insurance company has given her until Oct. 26 to take their offer or leave it.

“I’m giving up at this point,” she said.

Holeman said his best advice for Mendiola is to get her insurance company involved.

“Even if you’re not at fault, you may want to have your insurer work out the details with the other insurer to recoup costs. Now, initially, you may have to pay your deductible, but often your insurer will go negotiate those claims for you and get that deductible back,” she said.

Mendiola said that’s what she plans to do, and she wants other drivers to know it’s something they might have to consider from the start.

“Even if you do everything right, you still might not get the answers that you know you actually need; not even that you want, that you need,” she said.

A Direct Auto spokesperson said the company “does not comment on any individual claim nor do we provide any documentation to outside parties not relative to the claim. Direct Auto has no comment.”

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By KMTV Staff

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    OMAHA (KMTV) — A child brought a loaded handgun to a northwest Omaha preschool during “show and share” prompting an investigation by the childcare center and police. No one was injured during the incident.

According to an update sent to families, the child had the handgun in their bag and carried it to the carpet area at Cadence Academy, near 176th and Maple Streets.

A statement from the center says the teacher immediately placed weapon in a tote bag, removed the children from the area, and notified the front office, where managers alerted law enforcement.

The child will not return to school until an investigation is complete, according to the statement.

The school praised the teacher’s response to the situation.

“The teacher handled the situation calmly, ensuring all children were safe, that the firearm was secured, and law enforcement was alerted,” the statement said.

The preschool said it has reached out to families to ensure they are aware of all school rules and protocols that contribute to a safe environment.

“We are grateful that our teacher’s quick actions ensured that no one was harmed,” the preschool said in a statement. “While our response procedures worked as intended and our staff responded swiftly and appropriately to ensure everyone’s safety, we are taking several actions to increase our vigilance following this occurrence.”

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. KMTV verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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By Molly Hudson

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    OMAHA (KMTV) — An Omaha man is organizing meal deliveries for TSA agents at Eppley Airfield as the government shutdown continues.

“It kind of started making me think, they are not really appreciated right now,” said Mike Scofield, a Dundee neighbor.

Mike Scofield started the effort after witnessing a conversation during the last government shutdown while waiting in an airport security line.

“There was a person between us who basically kind of turned around and said, ‘well, they are going to get paid, it’s totally fine,’ and I was like, but their pay has been disrupted, right, they are not getting paid right now,” Scofield said.

He decided he wanted to do something to give back, and make sure they know they are appreciated, and he is doing it again this time.

“My friends basically last time, just got together and we just started putting money in a pot and then once a week we would actually just find a local restaurant and just bring food down to the, down to the airport,” Scofield said.

One of those restaurants has been Mangia Italiana. Owner Tony Constantino said he didn’t know the full story behind what Mike was doing until reporter Molly Hudson told him on the phone.

“He didn’t ask for anything, he just mentioned that he was doing it and that was it, and we are honored that he chose us to do it,” Constantino said.

Molly: “Knowing that you were kind of a smaller part of neighbors helping neighbors, how does that feel?”

Constantino: “Great, great, it’s uh, we need more of that, and what he is doing I think is wonderful, and helping people out when they are in a little bit of a need is fantastic.”

Mike says about 40 people have given money, raising about $4,000 so far. They made their first deliveries on Tuesday and plan to deliver again this weekend.

His message to others: Say thank you.

“Thank the TSA agent that’s in line, you know, thank somebody who is doing their job, you know, just be a little bit more patient with them because they are underneath a lot of stress right now,” Scofield said.

Scofield is accepting donations for the meal delivery effort. He says the best way to connect with him is through Facebook.

Scofield says if he has donations left when the government reopens, he will donate the money, likely to a food bank or pantry.

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By Jazmon DeJarnette

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    MONTEREY BAY, California (KSBW) — Leave it to fans of Taylor Swift to bring a classic 32-year-old Monterey Bay Aquarium T-shirt back to life.

Liz MacDonald, one of the masterminds behind honoring the Swifties’ request, said this was an all-hands-on-deck effort.

“We were in the archives, digging through. We were contacting former aquarium staff members, all trying to find out more. And then, of course, all the Swifties online were also doing their own sleuthing. And I think it was really a whole group effort to bring the aquarium and Liberty Graphics together so that we could make this happen,” MacDonald said.

This is the aquarium’s way of saying “thank you” to Swift for the shout-out and to fans who not only flooded the aquarium’s comments but also supported the aquarium’s mission in the way Swifties know best.

“We also saw an uptick in $13 donations, which is wonderful. That’s like a little thank-you from the Swifties. So we really appreciate that,” said MacDonald.

The aquarium added a special spin to claiming a tee: They’re asking fans to donate $65.13 (Swift’s lucky number) to match Swift, letting fans show their appreciation for the adorable sea otters and the aquarium’s history of ocean conservation. As always, Swift fans were ready for it.

“It came out this morning at 9:40. I bought it at 9:50, and I’m so excited for it to come,” said Margaux Burnham, a Swiftie.

After the fundraiser went live at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, it met its goal of $1.3 million in less than eight hours. A day after launch, the fundraiser sits at $2.3 million.

“Ever since I saw the movie, I’ve been, like, checking online—on Reddit, on social media—like, are they going to re-release a shirt?” Burnham said.

All the money raised will go back to the aquarium to help otters like Ivy, Ruby, and Opal, whose names happen to reference lyrics in the star’s songs.

“Opal—yeah, you know—her name was voted on by the fans, so we don’t know. Was Taylor one of the ones who voted? I’m not sure who can say, but only she knows,” said MacDonald.

Theaquarium has paused orders and backorders for now after raising over $2.3 million.

“Our small team is working as fast as pawsible to catch up—delivery may take a bit longer than usual due to high demand. We appreciate your patience! Those whose gift is on backorder we will reach out when we have an estimated shipping timeline,” said the aquarium in a social media post.

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By Kayla James

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    LAUREL, Iowa (KCCI) — Students and staff at East Marshall Elementary School in Laurel found a good reason to celebrate together this week: Mick Good’s 86th birthday.

Good is one of two custodians at the elementary school.

“Their day changes every day, and it’s a busy day,” said Mark Albertsen, the school’s principal. “Whether it’s breakfast or lunch, they’re cleaning the hallways, cleaning the classrooms.”

That daily workload is just what occurs during the school year. Even when the around 300 students who go to East Marshall Elementary School are not there during the summer, the custodians are hard at work.

“They empty all the classrooms and scrub them down really good. They put the desks back in for the teachers to be ready for the beginning of the school year,” said Albertsen. “Mick himself, being 86 years old, will empty a whole room by himself. His goal in the summer is usually to empty out one a day, and then he’ll get it cleaned and put it back.”

Good has worked in the education field in some capacity for 68 years.

“I started when I was 17 years old, but then I took a little break,” said Good, who tells us he started as a social studies teacher. “But my parents were still teaching at the school — at Ferguson — so I still worked there off and on. I taught in school for 18 years.”

Good says he also coached six-on-six girls’ basketball, softball and baseball.

At 86 years old and working four hours a day as a custodian, Good is a prime example of the phrase “age is just a number.”

“I get here about 4:45 in the morning,” said Good. I vacuum the building, and the head custodian cleans the bathrooms, and then we leave. At 1 p.m., normally, I come back and I’m here in case somebody gets sick, and then I pick up the garbage.”

When he returned to school just before 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, on his 86th birthday, he was met with something he did not expect.

On the school playground near a fence decorated with balloons sat the students. His close family and friends were nearby. Teachers and staff stood, dressed in shirts with a picture of him dressed as Elvis on the front.

“I was always a big Elvis fan, so we started having an Elvis Week,” said Good, explaining what led to him dressing up for multiple years as Elvis, one of his favorite singers. “I got a jumpsuit. On Friday, we’d have a real special day where I gave away a lot of stuff. I had a lot of Elvis memorabilia.”

On his 86th birthday, everyone who stood in front of the school was prepared for the tree dedication ceremony for him. Several months before, Albertsen asked Good what his favorite tree was. The answer: Redmond American linden trees, which were what several students and staff helped plant in front of the playground on his birthday.

The birthday celebration came with gifts, including from the New York Yankees — Good’s favorite baseball team. Albertsen reached out to the organization, which sent back a card with a message for Good.

Another message was one by the students. It was shared during the celebration and very much loved by Good, who has conversations with the students of East Marshall Elementary School every day he is in the hall. The students also speak to him when they pass him, and some even help him while he is working in the afternoon.

“You see him around the kids, and he’s giving fist bumps to them,” said Albertsen.

“I just enjoy the kids, you know?” added Good. “They’re great and they’re nice.”

Good could retire. He knows that. However, he enjoys working with the people within East Marshall Elementary School and connecting with the students. On his 86th birthday, they made sure he knew just how much they love and appreciate him.

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By Jennifer Franciotti

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    BALTIMORE (WBAL) — There are more than three dozen runners who have been competing in the Baltimore Running Festival for 25 years — as long as the races have been around.

They’re part of an elite club, but they’re strangers to one another. Dan Buccino and Ray Smith are running the 5K while Urbane Maust is running the full marathon, as he has done each year.

“When it started, it was just after Sept. 11. There was a question as whether it was going to happen at all. So, I thought it was important that Baltimore have a marathon,” Buccino said. “I’ve sort of joked that I’ll do anything for a T-shirt and a medal, especially.”

Smith is proud that he has been able to keep running all these years.

“In fact, one year I had a foot issue and wound up doing the 5K on crutches,” Smith said.

“Really blessed to be able to make it through all these years, honestly, because there are so many things that can go wrong. It’s hard enough if everything goes right to just be able to get out there and keep doing it,” Maust said.

At 75 years old, Smith said he started doing the marathon as a way to stay in shape.

“And then, once I got started and had the streak going, I just wanted to stay with it,” Smith said.

The trio hopes to be able to do it again next year — and beyond.

“I plan to be back for hopefully 20 more,” Smith said.

“I don’t know how much longer I can keep going,” Maust said. “It gets tougher each year, but I’m hoping to keep it going for a while.”

“I want to keep the streak going as long as I can,” Buccino said.

This year, there are 38 runners competing in their 25th Baltimore Running Festival. They’re all invited to a special VIP tent after the race, where they’ll get some pretty cool swag to celebrate their silver anniversary.

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By Jason Rantala

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    MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — It’s been a tough few months for Hennepin EMS in Minneapolis. Responders have seen multiple mass casualty incidents, including the deadly shooting seven weeks ago at Annunciation Catholic Church.

But now, a new four-legged member of the team is bringing comfort in the wake of tragedy.

Rigsby, a 4-month-old English Springer Spaniel, has been a valuable member of the Hennepin EMS team for two months now.

They got Rigsby through Soldier’s 6, a nonprofit that provides service and therapy dogs to military veterans, first responders and those with PTSD.

Rigby comes to work everyday with his handler, Mary Welch, who says he’s one of the most calm puppies she’s ever dealt with. He’s been a huge support for a lot of the staff, she says, and she sees it on their faces everyday.

One of Rigsby’s first weeks was during the Annunciation shooting, where his presence was crucial.

“We were able to see people who experienced one of the worst things they will probably experience in their career, and Rigsby brought a little bit of joy to their day,” said Welch, Hennepin EMS’s deputy chief of staff.

Tom Sweeny is a trainer with Soldier’s 6.

“A lot of people, they have dogs and they come home from their long day at work, they sit down on the couch, dog jumps up with them and it calms them down. It lowers the heart rate,” Sweeny said.

Soldier’s 6 gives therapy dogs to honorably discharged veterans, police officers, firefighters, paramedics, correctional officers and 911 dispatchers.

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