Category: CNN Regional

By KJRH Digital

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    TULSA, Oklahoma (KJRH) — Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office said DNA evidence on zip ties led to charges against Alonzo Johnson in the 2008 death of Frederick Wilson.

Alonzo Johnson is currently serving two life sentences after convictions related to the contract killing of Tulsa businessman Neal Sweeney. He has been officially charged with Wilson’s murder as well.

During a press conference, Tulsa County Sheriff Vic Regalado said that Johnson was connected to the crime early in the investigation, but the technology wasn’t there to connect him to the murder.

“I can’t commend our detectives and cold case unit enough for not letting this case be forgotten,” said Regalado. “There are a lot more cases that need to be tended to, and we tend to them every day, but we were finally able to break through on this one.”

Wilson’s mother, Sandra Wilson, thanked everyone who helped identify her son’s killer.

“Just because time has passed, doesn’t mean that justice can’t occur,” said Regalado.

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 Brendan King

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    SUTHERLAND, Virginia (WTVR) — The Dinwiddie Sports Complex is equipped with two new mobile AEDs to provide life-saving tools and protection for young athletes.

The Automated External Defibrillators, a medical device used to treat sudden cardiac arrest, were installed through a partnership with Dinwiddie County Parks and Recreation, Virginia Department of Health, the American Heart Association, and the Justin J. Davis Heart Foundation.

Justin and his mother, Karen Brown-Davis, founded the nonprofit in 2017 when he was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect after going into heart failure while having pneumonia.

“When I was diagnosed, I just went into a mode of how can I help somebody else? Or how can I take the stress off of me and make it a joyful experience or a positive experience for somebody else,” Justin said.

The young athlete received a new heart two years ago and continues to serve the community through food distributions and raising awareness about cardiovascular disease.

“All I could think of if something had happened while he was out there. Did I even know CPR? Would we have an AED to save him?” Karen said.

The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation said 89 percent of young athletes who experienced an emergency where an AED was used survived.

“We wanted this AED to make sure that the citizens, the kids, can make sure that they feel safe again. To know that it’s only a couple of steps away and that it’s a timely solution to actually save somebody’s life,” said Quinell Henderson, the county’s parks and recreation director.

Henderson said assistant director Chris Walters spearheaded the effort to get the devices installed in the popular sports complex.

“We just want the message to be you are safe. Your kids are safe. Anybody that comes to Dinwiddie Sports Complex is safe because of the new AED station here at our football field, and also our soccer field on the other side of the complex,” Henderson said.

The foundation hopes to raise funds to install a third AED at the complex’s basketball court.

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 Trevor Sochocki, Sergio Candido, Uly Romero

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    LAKE DALLAS, Texas (KTVT) — A Lake Dallas neighbor is describing the moments he pulled an injured woman from the wreckage of a home that exploded Thursday night, as investigators continue working to determine what caused the blast.

Jacob Sahl said he had just gotten home from work and was sitting on his couch when he heard a loud explosion around 7 p.m. in the 600 block of Moseley Street.

“It sounded like a bomb,” Sahl said. “I go outside and I see my neighbor and I’m like, ‘What happened?’ and she’s like, ‘My neighbor’s house blew up.'”

Sahl, who lives two houses away, ran toward the scene and said the home was already leveled.

As he and others approached, he said they heard someone crying from within the debris.

Sahl said they began moving debris, lifting doors and pieces of the roof, until they found the woman trapped inside. They pulled her out and dragged her to the street moments before the fire intensified.

“As soon as we got her to the street, the whole house just went,” he said.

Sahl said the woman appeared to have serious injuries, including broken bones and burns, but was conscious and able to speak. He said they helped her contact family members before she was taken to the hospital. Her dog also made it out safely.

Authorities have not released an update on her condition as of Friday morning.

Investigation ongoing as neighbors describe chaotic scene Firefighters responded shortly after the explosion Thursday and expanded the perimeter, evacuating several nearby homes as a precaution.

Roads around Moseley Street remained closed Friday morning as crews continued to secure the area and investigate.

Officials have not confirmed the cause of the explosion, though natural gas is one of the possibilities being examined. Atmos Energy crews are assisting at the scene.

Sahl said he did not initially smell gas, describing instead the odor of burning materials.

Others in the neighborhood also described a powerful blast that shook nearby homes and sent residents running outside to see what happened. One neighbor said, “It felt like an airplane hit my house.”

The explosion comes just days after two separate natural gas line strikes elsewhere in Lake Dallas prompted evacuations and road closures near City Hall.

Atmos Energy has not confirmed any connection between those incidents and Thursday night’s explosion.

The company said it responded around 7:45 p.m. and was working with fire crews and emergency officials as the investigation continues.

Officials are expected to examine whether natural gas played a role.

Doug Myers contributed to this report.

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 Wakisha Bailey

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    PHILADELPHIA (KYW) — A Philadelphia church rooted in history and known for its deep commitment to community is celebrating a major milestone.

Monumental Baptist Church is marking 200 years of service, a legacy that stretches back generations — long before emancipation and just decades after the nation’s founding.

For nearly two centuries, the church has opened its doors week after week — adding up to more than 10,000 Sunday services, each one connecting the past to the present.

Inside the current church at 50th and Locust streets in West Philadelphia, the celebration is filled with praise and reflection.

“Can you believe that for 200 years this congregation has been praising the Lord?” said Rev. Dr. Jesse Wendell Mapson, the church’s senior pastor.

Founded on March 24, 1826, Monumental Baptist Church stood through some of the most defining moments in American history—including the era of slavery.

Mapson says the church has always been more than a place of worship—it’s been a place of action.

The church’s history is preserved throughout the building, including a space dedicated to those who came before. Photographs dating back centuries line the walls, alongside original documents, and deeds from earlier locations.

Among the powerful stories are connections to the abolitionist movement.

One leader, William Jackson, worked alongside Frederick Douglass. In one case, church members helped a man escape slavery after he was captured by slave catchers—disguising him and guiding him to freedom through the Underground Railroad.

It’s just one example of how the church has long stood on the front lines of justice and service.

“We’ve always sought to address the issues that affect our people,” Mapson said.

While the building may have changed over time, the mission has remained the same.

“Look where the Lord has brought us from—it’s been a monumental journey,” Mapson said.

As Monumental Baptist Church celebrates 200 years, the focus is not just on the past—but the future.

Reverend Mapson says the key to the church’s longevity is investing in the next generation—making sure the legacy continues for years to come.

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 Anna McAllister

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    MIAMI (WFOR) — Cubans in South Florida are voicing strong opposition to Cuba’s leadership, citing a growing civil and humanitarian crisis and a desire for freedom. The community is demanding regime change to end decades of oppression.

“The only thing that will give the Cuban people freedom and rights is a change in regime. A true democratic change,” said Sylvia Iriondo, president of Mothers and Women Against Oppression.

The demonstration of unity comes as Cuban leaders recently offered to allow exiles worldwide to invest in businesses and property on the island. However, this proposal is being met with immediate pushback from South Florida exiles.

“We’re not going to accept business with a tyranny, we’re not. We’re going to continue telling the world, the U.S. government, everybody about that. It’s immoral,” said Laida Carro.

Another community member expressed deep skepticism regarding the stability and security of such investments. “It has to be new people, not those people there. Because with them, you don’t have anywhere guarantee. With them, they might let you put a business or whatever, and then one day they say you don’t own this anymore. And that’s the way they’ve been doing it for 67 years,” said Elicio Arguelles.

In a separate update, Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski confirmed that the archdiocese recently sent three planes loaded with supplies to Cuba, following a prior aid delivery after Hurricane Melissa months ago.

Archbishop Wenski shared his vision for a peaceful transition. “I hope, the same way that the Cuban bishops have expressed their hope, that there will be necessary transitions that will take place. And that these transitions result in a soft landing. A harsh landing, a landing that would require you know, a lot of violence and further disruption would not be good for Cuba or for its neighbors.”

For Cubans in South Florida, the fight continues until the Communist regime is ousted.

“There’s an incredible feeling of unity throughout the Cuban community here. We feel it in the air that it’s time to be free,” said Dr. Orlando Gutierrez-Boronat.

Iriondo affirmed that the current power structure must be removed, stating, “All of those who have those key positions, who have the power to go against the people, they have to go. They can’t be part of the solution. We need a Cuba. A true, free Cuba.”

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By Emily McLeod

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    ATLANTA (WUPA) — Walking out to your front porch could mean a bag of food for someone in need.

The national nonprofit PORCH Communities has several chapters across the metro Atlanta area, including one in Marietta.

Essentially, neighbors leave nonperishable food donations on their front porch. Volunteers with a local chapter come by to pick it up for those in need.

Porch Marietta chapter member Debby Kramb was out on a cold, wet morning picking up food donations for the nonprofit.

“I’m a retired Cobb County teacher, and so the first food bank that we started to get organized was to fill up Brumby Elementary School snacks, and so I realized how important that was for families, and that’s why I got involved,” said Kramb. “I’ve been doing it for almost four years.”

Once the food has been picked up on designated pickup days, it is then sorted.

“It fills me with gratitude, really,” said PORCH Marietta chapter leader Liz Platner. She started the PORCH Marietta Chapter in 2022, and said that the demand has not slowed down.

“We’re rising to the need,” Platner said. “We’re meeting the needs, so, as much as we have more people who need it, we have a lot more volunteers who are willing to help.”

After the food is sorted by PORCH Marietta volunteers, it’s then brought to the Faith Pantry at Faith Lutheran Church. From there, the Faith Pantry volunteers, known as the Pantry Chicks, sort the food into bags for a local food giveaway benefitting families and seniors.

PORCH Marietta works with 15 different food pantries, including the Faith Pantry.

Faith Pantry volunteer Mitzi Lewis said PORCH Marietta is an important partner.

“Every month we get a delivery. We take approximately 175 to 200 bags over to Brumby Elementary for the families,” Lewis said. “Twenty-five of those being for seniors that are over 75 to 80-year-olds with smaller things in them.”

Lewis said the people who receive these bags need them.

“If we can take something off mom and dad, that they have a couple of meals that now they can pay the light bill, and that’s the goal,” Lewis 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 Mike Sullivan

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    BOSTON (WBZ) — Eighteen-year-old Davonte Jordan was in court on Thursday charged with robbing an elderly woman at gunpoint in Boston’s Charlestown neighborhood on Wednesday in broad daylight. His arrest comes just months after he was charged with assault and battery on a police officer during an incident in January.

“I just can’t believe it. I just honestly cannot believe it,” said Mary Kay Donovan, a neighbor who lives near where the incident happened. “I have never heard of an armed robbery day or night here.”

Police say the robbery happened at the corner of Adams Street and Mt. Vernon Street. The victim told police two masked men approached her from behind at gunpoint, stole her purse, and ran.

“My memories of the late 2000’s, we had a lot of crime here. We had a ton of break-ins. My car got broken into and there was vandalism, kids stealing the cars,” said Simon Basher who lives a block from where the robbery allegedly occurred.

He says the crime dissipated when a police station was built a few blocks away.

“I think we all became very complacent,” said Basher. “We let our guards down.”

Court documents say two other neighbors helped police find the suspects. One spotted the two men and directed officers to where they went, and another woman found the victim’s purse in her backyard. After leaving to bring it to police, she found the victim and began helping her.

“We look out for each other, and you really have to. That’s how it goes here. We are townies and townies stick together,” said another neighbor Michael Feeney.

Court records show police spotted Jordan and a 14-year-old boy near Monument Street. The two fled but were eventually caught. No weapon was found, but the victim’s credit card was allegedly discovered on one of them during a search at the police station.

Jordan and the 14-year-old now face numerous charges including armed robbery of an elderly person.

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.