Category: CNN Regional

By Cassandra Garcia , Aja Dorsainvil

Click here for updates on this story

    MARTIN COUNTY, Florida (WPTV) — A driver survived after a large oak tree toppled over and smashed his truck’s windshield, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office said.

The incident happened Monday along SR-714, also known as Martin Highway, near Selah Drive. Deputies say heavy wind gusts caused the large, rotted oak tree to fall into the roadway and collide with a Toyota Tacoma as it came down.

The impact sent large limbs through the windshield, striking the driver on the side of his head, deputies said.

The driver was transported by ground to Lawnwood Regional Medical Center with minor injuries.

Longtime drivers of the route said beauty and danger go hand-in-hand along Martin Highway.

“It’s just oak trees all the way down the line. Over the years and decades they have crowded over the road and created this beautiful canopy effect,” said Okeechobee resident Graham Foy, who travels the road daily.

Foy explained he avoids the route when the wind picks up.

“It really doesn’t take much more than a 30 mph wind to bring something crashing down,” said Foy.

Another driver, Chris McCarty, said storms send debris everywhere.

“There’s usually brush flying everywhere, especially palm fronds,” she said.

After listening to these drivers concerns, WPTV’s Cassandra Garcia asked the county what is being done to prevent these types of incidents.

Martin County told her the following in a statement:

“The County conducts annual evaluations and maintenance of all roadways and related assets. The most recent maintenance on County Road 714 occurred in October 2025 and included vegetation management, undergrowth clearing, and tree removal.

County crews also perform routine post-storm assessments and cleanup. During removal of the fallen tree involved in the accident, an inspection observed a healthy, green canopy, which would not have warranted further evaluation under standard assessment protocols.”

Both Foy and McCarty said they wouldn’t want to see the scenic route destroyed, but hope maintenance keeps pace with the hazards. For them, Martin Highway is as dangerous in high winds as it is beautiful on a sunny day.

“I would tell everyone out there, slow down on that road, because at least that will give you a chance to maybe stop before the branches fall,” Foy said.

“Mother nature always wins, that’s what I always say,” added McCarty.

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 Colter Anstaett

Click here for updates on this story

    HAMPTON, Virginia (WTKR) — Christopher Daily has a new way to get around.

“It’s a whole lot easier to go on two wheels than two feet,” Daily said.

He was one of the many people in need of a bike who stopped by Buckroe Coffee Co. in Hampton to get one for free.

“I actually grew up doing a lot of bike riding. It actually would put me back on the road, both for whatever I need to do as well as for leisure,” said Daily.

The bikes come from Hampton Strong, a nonprofit that collects and fixes up old bikes and then gives them away.

“Man, it makes my soul sing,” said Hampton Strong President Jeff Pugh.

Pugh runs the nonprofit.

“We’ve got a bike lane right here in front of Buckroe Coffee that gets you to three public beaches. So that was one of our driving forces. Like, get people on the road, and safely,” Pugh said.

When Buckroe Coffee Co. Co-owner David Spring found out he needed some help, Spring offered to handle the bike giveaways so Pugh could focus on the everything else.

“It just seems like a way you can give directly back to people who don’t have the very basic essentials to get to the grocery store or to get a job or anything. So, it just feels like a real impactful moment,” Spring explained.

“To see that a business owner is driven like that makes me want to drive even harder,” said Pugh.

Spring was also motivated by what he calls his bike test. As a way to get a feel for crime in the area, he occasionally puts a bike outside the coffee shop to see how long it takes to get stolen. One time, he tracked down the thief who said he needed a bike to get a job.

“I just gave him the bike. It just seemed like the right thing to do,” Spring said.

Daily said he’s thankful for people like Pugh and Spring.

“It’s good to know that there’s community outreach out there donating things that actually help people that really need it,” said Daily.

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 Felix Cortez

Click here for updates on this story

    SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KSBW) — State leaders have announced that sport fishing for salmon will reopen on the Central Coast starting April 11, with commercial fishing set to begin the following month, marking a significant moment for commercial fishermen who have been unable to fish for salmon since 2022.

“It’s the news that everybody’s been waiting for,” said Blake Anderson, Santa Cruz Harbormaster, expressing the anticipation surrounding the reopening of salmon season.

The state Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed that recreational fishing will commence on April 11, while commercial fishing is scheduled to kick off in May.

The Santa Cruz Harbor is preparing for an influx of boaters, which is expected to benefit local businesses.

“We expect a lot of visitation here, a lot of boating,” Anderson said. “It’s good for the harbor, good for the businesses around here. You know, recreational salmon is really important and it’s part of our culture here in Santa Cruz.”

An abbreviated recreational salmon season last year lasted about two weeks, but the reopening is particularly significant for commercial fishermen who have been unable to fish for salmon since 2022.

Anderson noted the challenges faced by larger boats due to quota restrictions but highlighted the opportunity for smaller boats to harvest salmon and earn money.

State wildlife leaders have determined that salmon stocks have recovered sufficiently to allow sport and commercial salmon fishing from south of Pigeon Point in San Mateo County to the U.S./Mexico border.

Hans Haveman, owner of H&H Fish Market, expressed excitement about the reopening, emphasizing the popularity of salmon and its improved health this year.

Haveman said. “You know. it’s definitely the fish. Everybody wants a 3 to 1 salmon over anything else. And it’s like a little healthier this year. We’re really excited.”

Predetermined fish quotas will dictate the duration of the fishing seasons, which could last weeks or months. Local fish markets are eager for the return of fresh salmon, although Hans cautioned that there might be some sticker shock due to limited supply.

“This year is going to be abbreviated, but we’ll have a few fish that’ll come in and it might be some sticker shock because it won’t be a lot of them,” Haveman said. “But we’ll try to keep prices down and then take care of our local fishermen as best we can. And some of our local eaters, too.”

The exact date for the start of the commercial season will be determined in mid-April.

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 Aaron Cantrell

Click here for updates on this story

    WILSON COUNTY, Tennessee (WTVF) — A Tennessee mother is getting a second chance years in the making—now free from the shadow of her past after receiving a pardon from Governor Bill Lee for convictions out of Wilson County.

For Jessica Birch, the moment she learned her pardon had been approved played out on social media—marking the end of a long journey and the start of a new chapter.

Birch began documenting that journey in 2022, sharing her efforts to restore her civil rights.

For years, she was in and out of jail in Wilson County, facing drug-related charges and lifestyle choices that led to a felony conviction in 2017—even after entering recovery.

But she says there was a turning point.

“I realized it’s not always everybody else’s fault,” Birch said.

She eventually moved to Knoxville, got clean and began rebuilding her life—finding housing for herself and her children despite the challenges that come with having a criminal record.

Still, her past continued to follow her.

When her son’s school changed its field trip policy, and she was no longer allowed to attend because of her record, Birch said she knew something had to change.

“No matter how far I go, I’m always going to be a number to the system, and I’m always going to be told no,” she said.

That moment pushed her to begin the process of applying for a pardon.

Her first attempt was denied.

But Birch tried again in 2024, eventually earning an interview.

Birch said the process wasn’t easy, but in January 2025, she received unanimous support during her hearing.

Months later, she got the call—her pardon had been approved by Gov. Lee.

“You have a remarkable story,” Lee said in a video shared by Birch. “I’m grateful you’ll be able to do it a little more freely now.”

Last week, Birch returned to the Wilson County Criminal Justice Center one final time—this time walking out with her rights restored.

“Every time I pushed that bar to come out the door, it’s always been so heavy… and this time it was so light,” she said. “It just flew open for me.”

Now, Birch said the journey was worth it—especially for her children.

She has since launched a nonprofit called Handcuffs to Hope, which supports people impacted by trauma and the criminal justice system.

Now, she’s hoping to connect with Jelly Roll, who was also part of the same group granted pardons by the governor last year, because she thinks they could do great work together in the Volunteer State.

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

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 Austin Pollack

Click here for updates on this story

    MURFREESBORO, Tennessee (WTVF) — Students at Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro shaved their heads Friday to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.

Students organized and ran the event, as they have for the past several years. Some students from Fairview High School joined in, too.

Dozens of students volunteered to have their heads shaved as part of the school’s St. Baldrick’s event, which organizers described as the school’s biggest philanthropy effort of the year.

For some participants, the cause is deeply personal.

“This is something, it means a lot to me,” said freshman Mahayla Shirley. “One of my classmates passed away from leukemia on the second, so that’s been really hard for me.”

Shirley was among those who shaved her head.

For Fairview High senior Maddie Bartee, the decision to participate had been years in the making. After a bad haircut in eighth grade, Bartee said she made herself a promise.

“So then literally from eighth grade on I told myself I’m going to grow it out all of high school – try not to cut it and stuff, and be able to shave it by the end of the year,” Bartee said. “I wanted to do something to be able to give back and say I gave myself to them fully.”

Shirley said she hopes the visible gesture sparks conversations about the impact of childhood cancer.

“When people see this, they have questions,” Shirley said. “So it’s a really great way to get to talk to people and just really help get out there the impact of childhood cancer and how we should be fighting to make a better step and it’s unique.”

Shirley and Bartee combined have raised close to $3,000. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation funds research to fight pediatric cancer.

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

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 Nick Sloan

Click here for updates on this story

    KANSAS CITY, Kansas (KMBC) — The Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Department is asking for the public’s help to identify a person who rescued a driver from a burning vehicle earlier this month.

The department said in a Facebook post that crews responded March 5 to a crash on northbound Interstate 435 near State Avenue, where a vehicle hit a bridge pillar and caught fire.

Before firefighters arrived, a bystander pulled the driver from the burning vehicle.

The department said that likely saved the individual’s life.

“We’re just trying to find this individual so we can thank them for helping save a life,” the department said in a follow-up comment.

The Good Samaritan left before crews could get their name.

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 Kaitlyn Ross

Click here for updates on this story

    SUWANEE, Georgia (WXIA) — An 18-year-old Suwanee grocery store employee is now officially the best bagger in the country.

Rocco Cammorata, who works at Publix, recently won the top prize at the National Grocers Association Best Bagger Championship, earning a $10,000 grand prize and national bragging (or, more precisely, bagging) rights.

“This year, I went to nationals, and I won it all,” Rocco said.

While bagging groceries might seem simple, the competition judges contestants on speed, weight distribution, and technique.

Rocco says there is a clear system behind every bag.

“Get your two walls in on the side, cans on the bottom, put your filler items in the top,” he explained.

Contestants must pack groceries in under 53 seconds while keeping fragile items protected and balancing the weight of each bag.

Training for the national stage took months.

“We would train three or four days a week for an hour and a half,” Rocco said. “My dad or mom would time me, and then I would go weigh my bags.”

His father, Martin Cammorata, says the whole family got involved.

“Training was boot camp for him. We called it Rocco’s Den,” Martin said.

The job is also a family tradition. Martin has worked at Publix for 32 years, and Rocco’s older brother has also competed at nationals.

“It’s in the blood, for sure,” Martin said.

Rocco’s manager says the win reflects the pride he brings to the job every day.

“It’s amazing for the store, amazing for his peers, amazing for Publix,” said store manager Scott Drew. “Rocco really prides himself on the way he bags and how he takes care of our customers.”

The national title is the first win for someone from Publix and the state of Georgia.

Despite the national recognition, Rocco says he’s still focused on doing the job well for the people who come through his checkout lane.

“You have to move fast and get everything in the bags in an orderly fashion,” he said.

And if anyone wants to learn the technique, the champion says he’s happy to teach.

“If I train you,” he 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.