Category: CNN Regional

By Vanessa Murdock

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    NEWARK, New Jersey (WCBS) — Michael B. Jordan’s best actor win at Sunday night’s Academy Awards resonated at his alma mater, Arts High School in Newark.

Students celebrated Monday, with some speaking about dreaming of someday standing on the Oscars stage, too.

Jordan, who graduated from Arts High School in 2005, captured the Oscar for Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of twin brothers “Smoke” and “Stack” in the smash hit “Sinners.”

Theater teacher Carl Gonzalez taught Jordan as a junior and senior and has been at the school for 24 years. He said every finger was crossed before the winner was read by Adrien Brody, last year’s best actor winner, on Sunday night.

“I was looking for [Jordan’s] reaction and it was lovely when he was looking at his mom and his mom was like, ‘Yes, you’ve won. Yes, your dream came true,'” Gonzalez said.

As a student, Jordan not only attended classes, but played basketball and landed a role on the legendary HBO series “The Wire.” Gonzalez describes him as serious, pensive, charming and easy to like.

“I stand here because of the people who came before me — Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Jamie Foxx, Forest Whitaker,” Jordan said during his acceptance speech.

“It was all vintage Michael B. — lowering the ladder, collaborating, bringing everyone into the fold,” Gonzalez said.

Asked after his victory what his advice is to aspiring actors and young people, Jordan said, “Dream big, dream big, bro. Be kind and be honest.”

That message was received and internalized by the theater students and more at Arts High School.

Senior Lyle Avery was heard screaming on his cellphone Sunday night after Jordan’s victory.

“Just looking up to him, man. Him being another kid from Newark, proving once again that everything is possible,” Avery said.

“We’re just buzzing with excitement and joy and pride,” Arts High Principal Regina Sharpe said.

“I know that’s right. I knew he was going to do it,” junior Nasir Arrington added.

That was the sentiment from every single theater student CBS News New York spoke to — and we spoke to many inspired by Jordan’s story.

“Even though it’s a lot of hard [work], it pays off,” junior Jaylenne Calo said.

“We talk about it all the time. Michael B. Jordan, he’s so successful, won his first Oscar, first nomination. That’s 10 times more impressive — your first nomination and your first win,” junior D’Anthony Daniels said.

“He represents us and if he’s not ashamed to be from Newark and to be from Arts High, why would we be?” sophomore Elani Ruiz said.

For junior Bradalise Idrovo, reminiscing about the win helped her get through state testing.

“I was thinking, wow man, I’m about to go to the class that Michael B. Jordan was [in]. I’m about to talk to the teacher that Michael B. Jordan talked to and got taught by. It allowed [me] to push through. Man, I can’t give up now,” Idrovo 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 Wayne Covil

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    PETERSBURG, Virginia (WTVR) — For many living in the Tri-Cities, hearing there is a threat of severe weather takes on new meaning when the word tornado is added.

Thirty-two years may have passed since a massive tornado struck the area, but for some who lived through that destructive day, time has not eased the fear.

On August 6, 1993, a tornado scarred the earth with a trail of destruction from Old Towne Petersburg into Colonial Heights, then Prince George and Hopewell. Three people were killed when the tornado hit the Colonial Heights Walmart, and one person was killed in Prince George County.

“The Tri-Cities takes Tornado Watches and Warnings very seriously,” Colonial Heights Police Chief Billy Anspach said.

Errick Hayes was in the Tri-Cities when the tornado hit.

August 6 was supposed to be a special day for him as he was set to get out of the military the same day the tornado struck.

He still remembers driving off post and seeing the destruction.

“First time I’ve ever seen anything like that and I’ve been all over the world,” Hayes said.

To this day, he says he is still impacted when there is a tornado threat.

“I worry about it. And then I worry about the trees around my house, it’s got me worried right now,” Hayes said.

Petersburg Fire Chief Wayne Hoover was working that day 32 years ago.

“I was driving Engine 2,” Hoover said. “I distinctly remember seeing a lot of chaos. I can still remember to this day, the strong strong smell of Natural Gas due to busted mains and stuff like that.”

Hoover spent Monday preparing for potential storms.

Bubby Bish was with Southside Virginia Emergency Crew that day.

“We saw destruction in our city,” Bish said.

Bish also remembers how first responders worked together.

“The Petersburg Police Department, they’re law enforcement officers but they did a terrific job that day. They got together and helped move patients, moved debris, it was just amazing how well everyone worked together,” Bish said.

“Immediately you just have a flashback of what happened. It will never go away, it won’t,” Bish said.

While many who lived through that day still struggle with storms, good did come out of it. Among the biggest developments was a two-way radio system that allows departments in Central Virginia to easily communicate with each other during national disasters.

This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. WTVR 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 Patrick Phillips

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    ADAMS COUNTY, Ohio (WCPO) — The trial of rapper Afroman, who is being sued by Adams County Sheriff’s deputies, began Monday.

Joseph Foreman, known professionally as Afroman, is heading to trial this week in a lawsuit filed by Adams County sheriff’s deputies who claim he used their likenesses without permission. Foreman’s defense says the case is about freedom of speech.

The first day of the trial focused on some of Foreman’s social media posts following an Aug. 21, 2022, raid on Foreman’s home. He captured the raid on security cameras around his home and used the footage in a music video for his song “Lemon Pound Cake,” which went viral. Footage he posted on his Instagram page showed multiple officers breaking down a door and entering with long rifles drawn.

Foreman said the warrant that prompted the search was for drug trafficking and kidnapping. He said in a 2023 interview about the raid that he was in Chicago at the time and that his neighbors called and told him that “the police were all over my property.”

The artist said the raid caused “significant damage” at his home. He also said the deputies disconnected his surveillance footage and claimed they stole some of his money when $400 came up missing from what deputies said they had.

“They started investigating themselves and they say it was simply a miscount,” he said in that 2023 interview. “How do you miscount $400?”

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office conducted an outside investigation on the raid conducted by Clermont County and found that no money was stolen, just miscounted.

Foreman did not face charges after the search.

But deputies sued, saying in court documents that they suffered humiliation and received death threats.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Scripps editorial team 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 Cyera Williams

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    BALTIMORE (WMAR) — For Marine Corps veteran Larysa Murray, service didn’t end when she left the military.

“I served in the United States Marine Corps for 5 years.”

Murray left the Marines with the rank of sergeant, but the leadership skills she developed during that time continue to shape her work today.

“Challenges in the Marine Corps as a woman, I guess, would be that we’re just simply outnumbered.”

At the time she served, women made up only a small percentage of the force. Murray says navigating that environment taught her how to connect with people from different backgrounds and experiences.

“You really develop a skill set to be able to connect with people one-on-one to become an effective leader.”

After leaving the military, Murray returned to school and completed both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Soon after graduating, she found another way to serve. She joined Team Rubicon, a disaster response organization that deploys volunteers to communities impacted by natural disasters.

Team Rubicon is a veteran-led humanitarian organization that mobilizes military veterans, first responders, and civilian volunteers to help communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters around the world.

The organization focuses on providing rapid disaster relief after events like hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, and floods. It leverages the skills, leadership, and teamwork developed in the military to deliver aid quickly and effectively in crisis situations.

The organization has deployed on hundreds of disaster response operations worldwide, assisting communities after major disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and large-scale storms.

Murray’s first deployment came just days after finishing graduate school, responding to devastating tornadoes in Moore, Oklahoma.

“During that operation, I really saw that Team Rubicon was drawing the best of the military experiences…the camaraderie and the community through service.”

The mission resonated deeply. Murray became more involved, eventually joining the organization full-time.

“Our primary mission is just getting into areas after a disaster to help the community in need.”

Responding to disasters often means meeting people during the most difficult moments of their lives. Murray says those interactions reinforce the importance of the work.

“You understand how meaningful it is once you interact with the community members and hear their story.”

During Women’s History Month, Murray hopes her journey encourages more women to pursue leadership and service.

“I think it’s important that women keep raising their hands and stepping into those leadership positions.”

Her message extends beyond the military.

“The first step is just to make the decision to give to service.”

Whether through military service, volunteering, or disaster response, Murray says helping others is one of the most meaningful ways to make a difference.

“There’s really nothing greater than giving back to the community and giving to those in need.”

Team Rubicon now has more than 200,000 trained volunteers helping communities recover after disasters across the United States and around the world.

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 Caleb Barnes

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    LEXINGTON, Kentucky (WLEX) — Kids Place Lex is decorating its blank white walls with tiles of eight-inch paintings ahead of an art show this weekend. It’s called the Little Art, Big Hearts show, and it involves 1,400 different pieces of art.

“We sent an invitation out to Fayette and Jessamine County Schools,” said Constance Grayson, executive director of Kids Place Lex. “We have 14 elementary and middle schools that are participating.”

The 1,400 art pieces will be $20 each at this weekend’s show. Proceeds will be split to benefit school art supply funds and Kids Place Lex, a nonprofit that provides free art classes to foster and other at-risk youth in central Kentucky.

The students know their art is being sold to make an impact.

“I mean, the kids knew that they were doing this to promote an awareness about foster care, and they were painting things about pets and family and love,” said Grayson.

That includes art students at Brenda Cowan Elementary School, where 80 art pieces were created. That includes works by Janna Grace Fiscus and Aubrey Oldham.

“It’s kind of like a heart in the middle of the four seasons,” Oldham said, pointing to a red heart over the intersection of two lines. She then directed to each of four boxes. “We have winter, autumn, summer, and spring.”

“Everyone has different opinions on seasons, and some people love all the seasons.”

“It’s the two birds that are shaped into doing a heart shape,” Fiscus said, pointing to her painted peacocks whose necks make a heart shape.

“There was a lot of conversation during studio time about the program and how important it was and it was, it’s been a very, rewarding project,” Brenda Cowan Elementary visual arts teacher Hope Soch shared.

“f I help other people out, that could make maybe a difference, and that could really mean a lot,” added Fiscus. “Maybe not only to me, but maybe to other people.”

“I think that if you look at the paintings, you can definitely see the heart and the feeling that have gone into these paintings,” said Soch.

Visitors at the Little Art, Big Hearts show can write notes to complement the art pieces made by the students.

The show begins on Friday, March 20, between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. On Saturday, the gallery will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The final day is Sunday, March 22, when the gallery will be open from noon to 4 p.m. You can visit Kids Place Lex at 190 Jefferson St.

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 Alex Suckow

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    LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (WLKY) — The coroner has identified the woman who died after getting stuck on a float during Louisville’s big St. Patrick’s Day parade.

The annual parade takes place the Saturday before the holiday on Bardstown Road.

Police said that roughly an hour into Saturday’s parade, around 4 p.m., they were called because a woman who was walking next to a float got her foot caught in it, causing her to fall and get stuck under the vehicle.

That woman has been identified as Joan Pannuti Pottinger, 50.

Police said the vehicle stopped and Pottinger was given first aid. She was taken to a hospital, but died in the ER.

He described what happened as “truly a freak accident.” He said she was marching with members of their church, St. Agnes, when she was caught under the rear wheels.

We’re told a Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office reserve deputy rushed in to help her.

“We appreciate the work of the crowd in lifting up the vehicle and the professionalism of the first responder,” Tony said.

He provided this statement about Joan’s character:

“Joan, like the saint for whom she was named, was fiercely loyal and faithful. She was (and remains) the light of our lives as a mom, wife, and friend. We are a military family and before settling in our forever home in Louisville, we made multiple moves. In every community, Joan has been a passionate force for good, volunteering her time and helping those in need, including in her most recent work fundraising for Best Buddies. We are blessed at the outpouring of community support as we mourn our loss,” he said.

The archbishop of the Archdiocese of Louisville released a statement on Monday, as well.

“I was saddened to learn about the death of Joan Pottinger, a parent of St. Agnes Catholic School and parishioner of St. Agnes Church, who was killed Saturday at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. I want to express my condolences to her husband and her children as they deal with this profound loss.

“Furthermore, I want to extend my sympathy to the St. Agnes community who knew and loved Joan. Please know we are grieving with you.I invite the Archdiocese of Louisville to join me in praying for the repose of her soul, her family, and the St. Agnes School community.Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine about her. May her soul, and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace,” Archbishop Shelton Fabre said.

Parade organizers, The Hibernian Cultural and Charitable Association, Inc, released a statement as well. It read, in part, “It is, however, deeply saddened by the tragic accident at this year’s parade. Its members’ hearts and prayers are with the family, and all impacted by the incident.”

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 Emily Maher

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    TYNGSBOROUGH, Massachusetts (WCVB) — A man is expected to appear in court Tuesday after human remains were found underneath the floor of a garage at a Tyngsborough, Massachusetts, home during a homicide investigation.

Shawn Sullivan, 40, of Tyngsborough, has been charged with murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury and improper disposal of human remains in connection with the alleged shooting of a victim whose identity has not yet been confirmed, officials said.

An investigation that led to the discovery began on March 10, when Nashua, New Hampshire, police received a call from someone who said a friend told him he had killed a woman named “Jill.” The suspect was later identified as Sullivan.

The friend said that Sullivan “claimed that he had shot her and then buried her under the floor in a garage,” according to Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan.

Ryan said detectives from the Tyngsborough Police Department, Tewksbury Police Department and Massachusetts State Police executed a search warrant at the home Sunday and discovered what appeared to be a large patched section of the garage floor measuring about 5 feet long and 3 feet wide.

Investigators used ground-penetrating radar and confirmed something was located beneath the patched area before cutting through the concrete, Ryan said. They ultimately recovered a plastic bag containing human remains.

“They were here until nighttime, after the sun came down, though they stopped digging probably midday,” neighbor Ella White said.

Authorities believe the remains could be those of Jill Kloppenburg, a Lowell, Massachusetts, woman who was last seen in January 2025 and who was reported missing a month later, Ryan said.

Investigators said they believe that Kloppenburg and Sullivan knew each other and that she had visited his home.

Sullivan is currently being held on a murder charge connected to a “Jane Doe” because the remains are not yet positively identified.

“He seemed like a nice enough guy to me,” said neighbor Joseph McRell. “It’s not something I expected. He didn’t seem like a bad guy to me as far as I could tell. It’s a little frightening.”

Sullivan is scheduled to be arraigned in Lowell District 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 Sera Congi, Imani Clement

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    BOSTON (WCVB) — Flowers have a way of making any day brighter – and a local breast cancer survivor has secretly spread that joy to other patients for over a decade.

Ruth Spalding, also known as Chip, remembers how a flower delivery gave her a boost during cancer treatments 20 years ago.

For the last 11 years, through the Ellie Fund, Spalding has paid it forward, funding flower deliveries to go to patients anonymously.

“It is a very authentic way to say, ‘You’re here, and we see you, and we know that you’re struggling and you’re not alone,'” Ellie Fund Executive Director Meredith Mendelson said.

Now this flower fairy’s work is no longer a secret.

The Ellie Fund is creating an endowment to make the effort permanent.

“It makes people happy, and they remember the day. It’s just a lift – you could say it’s a breath of fresh air,” Spalding said.

Spalding’s secret identity was revealed Sunday night at the Ellie Fund’s annual gala.

Many of the patients who received flowers during their most challenging times were there to say thank you.

“I never thought about any sort of an impact, and last night it was very obvious,” Spalding said.

The Ellie Fund will now ensure Spalding’s garden grows in perpetuity through a special fund, partnering with Winston Flowers, so more bouquets can reach more patients.

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 Jacob Murphy

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    RACINE, Wisconsin (WDJT) — Some people in Racine woke up in the early hours of Monday morning to not only high winds and snow, but trees falling in their yards.

Joe Regep lives on Blaine Avenue and had a tree fall into his yard, hit a power line, and knock out his power Monday.

“I looked out my window, and the tree was in my yard,” Regep said. “It hit my gutter, took down the power line, this line was in the middle of the street.”

Neighbors on Blaine Avenue dealt with no power for most of Monday.

“I’ve got a fireplace going, and my brother’s bringing over wood so I can keep that going,” Regep said.

Sabrina Ivy lives on Kentucky Street and woke up to a tree falling on her car and part of a neighbor’s house.

“We were asleep this morning and my son woke us up; he was like, ma, the tree fell on your car,” Ivy said. “I was just waking up out of my sleep, and I was like, for real?”

The good news is there were no injuries to report throughout Racine.

“Yeah, we glad it didn’t hit the house because ain’t no telling how that would have ended up,” Ivy said. “The branches going through the windows, accidentally piercing somebody, but for the most part, we’re grateful that it didn’t land at the house and nobody got hurt.”

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.