Category: CNN Regional

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.

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 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.

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.

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 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.

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.

By Jiovanni Lieggi

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    ELMA, New York (WKBW) — When temperatures drop in Western New York, it does not just feel cold. It becomes dangerous.

For Matt, who didn’t want to share his last name, that danger became real on a recent night in Elma.

Matt said he had run out of gas, and when he reached for his phone to call for help, it was dead.

With temperatures hovering around negative nine degrees, he says there was no choice but to get out of his car and try to flag someone down.

“I had no other choice,” Matt said. “It’s minus nine degrees. I’m walking behind my truck saying, ‘Please, please, I just need somebody. I need a phone.'”

Matt said that cars passed and no one stopped, until someone did.

Lt. Mike Fontana of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority Police Department saw Matt. He wasn’t responding to a call and wasn’t dispatched, according to the department. He simply saw someone who needed help.

“I either would’ve been dead or catching something that puts me on the doorstep of it,” Matt said.

Lt. Fontana pulled over and stayed with him. With 16 years on the job, he says stepping in was second nature.

“We get the opportunity every day to provide some form of assistance,” Fontana said. “Whether it’s helping a victim or a person in need — we’re there.”

Matt reached out to the department to tell them what the moment meant to him.

“It shows a positive light on our department, it shows a positive light on our profession, and it shows a positive light on the good side of human nature, to look out for one another,” Fontana 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 Victoria Quevedo

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    IMMOKALEE, Florida (WFTX) — The Guadalupe Center in Immokalee brought second graders to Hideaway Beach on Marco Island for their annual Buddy Day event, giving many children their first experience at the beach.

“My dream has come true,” said Pedro, a second grade student.

“It’s a special day, because our students are able to experience different opportunities, like going to the beach, looking for seashells, learning about birds,” said Dawn Montecalvo, president and CEO of Guadalupe Center.

The Guadalupe Center is an early education center with the mission to break the cycle of poverty through education. During their beach trip, children rotated through different learning stations.

“We explore the beach. We do shelling, we look at books, we learn about birding,” said Bill Dempsey, president of the Guadalupe Center Board of Trustees.

For more than 25 years, Buddy Day has paired second graders with community volunteers for a day of learning and exploration at the beach.

“It’s really great to bring two generations together and each learning from each other and becoming friends and buddies,” Montecalvo said.

“It’s an amazing day where buddies, these are older people, come enjoying with these young, wonderful children to share the love,” Dempsey said.

For many students, the experience was unforgettable.

“I’ve never been to the beach,” one student said.

“I love buddy day,” said another.

“I like the beach, its the best day ever,” a third student shared.

“I’m happy because I want to learn more about seashells,” another child added.

According to Dempsey, the event creates a strong bond between the Marco Island and Immokalee communities while providing second graders with memories that will last a lifetime.

“It’s the best day ever,” another student said.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. WFTX 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.