Category: CNN Regional

By Cate Cauguiran

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    CHICAGO (WLS) — The artist behind this piece, called “Resilient,” says this it stands in direct opposition to the burning cross seen in Grant Park last week.

When visual artist Damon Lamar Reed crafted this piece five years ago, his hope was to bring Chicagoans together. It reminds people that you can still rebuild after being broken.

“The sewing and the kind of patchwork is one of those things, like something may seem like it’s kind of broken, but you know, when you kind of re-stitch it, it’s actually stronger than before,” Reed said.

The artwork dubbed was originally part of a traveling art display in 2021, called “Parade of Hearts,” with the organization Luv Institute. It was featured in 12 different neighborhoods.

The Luv Institute brought back Reed’s work on Monday in Grant Park, a stark contrast to what someone left behind last week. A mother and daughter stopped in their tracks after spotting a burning cross leaning against a tree in Grant Park.

The burning cross is widely considered to be a symbol of racist hatred.

Reed says the message he hoped his art would send five years ago still stands today.

“What’s actually happening with the heart even today, was about kind of spreading that message of love throughout of all of Chicago neighborhoods,” Reed said.

Following the incident, Chicago police released images of a person of interest seen allegedly fleeing the area near Columbus and Balbo.

Father Michael Pfleger with Saint Sabina Church has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

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 Megan De Mar

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    CHICAGO (WBBM) — Patients at a Chicago-area IVF provider say there’s been massive confusion about whether their precious frozen embryos are being shipped to a storage facility more than 1,000 miles away.

It all started with an email that went to some patients last week.

The email said that Kindbody had entered into an agreement with a cryogenic storage facility in Massachusetts. The problem is that not everyone got it, and that’s when the panic set in for some patients.

“When you put your heart in somebody’s hands, and you trust them with your family and your future,” said patient Lauren Soyk.

She battled through 12 rounds of in vitro fertilization at Kindbody—a health-tech IVF start-up with several offices in the Chicago area, including West Loop and Wicker Park.

“So much of it was out of pocket. We ended up selling our house and living with my parents for a year, and every bit of it was worth it because we have our beautiful daughter,” Soyk said.

Another patient, Olivia Blackert, can sympathize with the daily injections, medications, and uncertainty that can come with IVF. She suffered a miscarriage and stillbirth before welcoming her son last year.

“I always said that I wasn’t gonna cry when I gave birth, and me and my husband both bawled like little babies,” Blackert said.

So to them, their remaining embryos, possible siblings to their kids that are currently frozen at Kindbody, are priceless.

“We will do anything and move heaven and earth to protect our embryos,” Soyk said.

So when screenshots of emails started floating around online that Kindbody embryos were being shipped to the New England Cryogenic Center in Massachusetts, confusion sat in for Blackert. Soyk said she found out through a Facebook group.

Soyk called Kindbody and said an employee told her nothing was being moved. But when she called the Massachusetts facility, an employee said they were. Blackert was also in the dark.

“Maybe you know, I just missed the email, and they sent something on the portal, and I just didn’t see it. So I got on the portal—there’s nothing there,” Blackert said.

A KindBody spokesperson confirmed that the company entered into an agreement with the Massachusetts center to provide long-term cryogenic storage. They said all patients should have received both an email and a message in their patient portal. It’s unclear why some patients like Soyk and Blackert didn’t.

While experts in the field tell us long-term storage facilities are often used in IVF and can be more cost-effective, many of its patients are wondering why the facility has to be so far away.

“Is there’s not accountability, there’s not clear transparency, and it seems as though some people still don’t know what’s going on,” Soyk said.

Kindbody tells CBS News Chicago that patients with procedures through the end of August will keep their frozen tissues in Chicago, but those planning a transfer in more than 90 days will have their embryos transported back and forth at no charge.

Patients can opt out of the move to the east coast and send their embryos to another facility of their choosing.

Full Statement from New England Cryogenic Center spokesperson “New England Cryogenic Center (NECC) has entered into an agreement with Kindbody to provide long-term cryogenic storage for its reproductive patients. Through this agreement, Kindbody patients will benefit from access to NECC’s dedicated, state-of-the-art biorepository facilities.”

“This is a cryogenic storage agreement. NECC has entered into this agreement with Kindbody to provide dedicated long-term cryogenic storage for its reproductive patients; NECC did not acquire Kindbody’s clinics or clinical operations.”

“The transfer of reproductive tissue will take place over the next three months and will be carried out by a trusted, specialized transport partner, with meticulous attention to safety and integrity every step of the way. All transports will be GPS tracked and temperature monitored.”

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By Steven Yablonski

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    PASCO COUNTY, Florida (WFOR) — A Florida man was arrested and charged with DUI after troopers say he was found with dozens of open White Claw cans in his car during a traffic stop on Saturday, investigators say.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a trooper was on patrol along Interstate 75 near mile marker 280 in Pasco County when he spotted a speeding driver.

That vehicle, a Honda Civic, was traveling at more than 90 mph when it passed the trooper, investigators said.

The trooper was able to perform a traffic stop and said that the driver was heavily intoxicated. In addition, 34 open White Claw cans were found on the passenger seat of his vehicle, the FHP said.

The driver, who was identified as Conor William Parady, 34, of San Antonio, was arrested and charged with DUI.

He was brought to Pasco County Jail with a blood alcohol level of 0.117, the FHP said.

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By Kimberly King

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    ASHEVILLE, North Carolina (WLOS) — A day after Asheville police confirmed a 23-year-old woman who had been reported missing was found dead from an apparent drug overdose inside a vacant public housing unit, News 13 has confirmed additional overdose deaths at the same housing complex, with three total, including Rachael Tuck’s suspected overdose. APD confirmed the number since the start of 2026.

So far this year, 28 people have died from overdoses within Asheville city limits. New data from the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner also shows Buncombe County climbing higher among the state’s hardest-hit counties for fentanyl-related deaths. It now ranks as the fifth-highest county in the state for fentanyl deaths, with data as of March 2026 reviewed for a year.

“Every day there’s a number of incidents of overdose,” said Micheal Woods, Western Carolina Rescue Ministries executive director.

Woods says overdose calls have become a near-daily reality. He frequently sees emergency notifications such as “Person in cardiac arrest after drug overdose in Asheville” come up on his phone.

“Without question, we have a problem here in Asheville,” Woods said.

On Tuesday, Asheville police confirmed Racheal Tuck, 23, who had been reported missing by family members earlier this month, died from an apparent overdose. Toxicology results are still pending and could take several months.

An incident report obtained by News 13 shows family members reported her missing on June 4. The Asheville Housing Authority confirmed Tuck was found in a vacant apartment at Pisgah View Apartments. The Asheville Housing Authority reports issues of break-ins and drug use inside vacant units as staff try to address prior mismanagement of the complexes.

Woods says fentanyl continues to fuel the region’s overdose crisis.

“Buncombe County is not immune to this. Drugs are coming in. Law enforcement is doing what it can do. The medical community is doing what it can do,” Woods said.

Problems persist despite those efforts. New figures from the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner show Buncombe County now ranks fifth in the state for fentanyl-positive death rates on a per-capita basis, up from seventh in previous reports. The latest report shows Buncombe County’s fentanyl-positive death rate at 22.9 deaths per 100,000 residents over the most recent 12-month period, well above the statewide rate of 12.5.

“We’re basically seeing drug use being done in every community, every neighborhood,” Woods said. “In places where there’s so much poverty and so much desperation, you’re going to see a higher number of overdoses.”

State medical examiner data indicate that counties across North Carolina continue to struggle with fentanyl-related deaths, with Buncombe County remaining among the top 10 counties statewide and moving higher in the rankings during recent reporting periods.

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By Bri Buckley

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    MIAMI, Florida (WFOR) — Shark diving operators in South Florida are raising concerns that a bill currently moving through Congress could wipe out their industry.

The Florida Safe Seas Act, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this month, is now headed to the Senate for consideration. If enacted, the legislation would prohibit the use of bait to attract sharks in federal waters off the Florida coast, though it would include an exception for shark fishing.

Supporters argue the bill will improve safety for swimmers, beachgoers, and anglers. Opponents, however, contend the measure would effectively dismantle the multimillion-dollar shark diving tourism industry in South Florida.

“This industry has created a natural guardianship for sharks; it is showing people that sharks are worth more alive than dead; it’s showing people the importance of sharks, really,” said Tanner Mansell, who operates Tanner Underwater Charters out of Jupiter.

Mansell argues that banning bait would leave operators with no viable alternative. “It would completely eliminate the industry because if we could go out there and swim with sharks without using bait, I would, I would be more than happy to do that,” he said.

He noted that his charters typically operate 3 to 4 miles offshore, well away from beachgoers, and argued that shark fishing from the beach presents a greater safety risk.

“So they’re taking the same chum that we use to attract sharks offshore, but you can put it on a hook and throw it at the beach and lure sharks in if you want to catch them right next to beachgoers, so there’s a huge double standard here,” Mansell said. He also disputed claims that dive charters are responsible for drawing sharks closer to shore, pointing to the high volume of recreational fishing boats in the area.

Conversely, the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust supports the legislation, citing the need to address shark depredation—a situation where sharks target hooked fish or fish being released back into the water.

“I think anything we can do to address the shark depredation issue is going to pay dividends in the long run,” said Kellie Ralston, the organization’s vice president for conservation and public policy.

Ralston highlighted research indicating that more than 40% of breeding permit fish, a key recreational fishery in the state, were being lost to sharks during the catch-and-release process. “I think couched in kind of this larger focus on shark depredation, I think we’re poised to see some really positive results out of this that’ll benefit our anglers, our boaters, our waters and our fisheries to be sustainable for the long term,” she added.

The bill is sponsored by Rep. Daniel Webster, R-Clermont. A spokesperson for Webster’s office stated that the legislation mirrors existing Florida state law prohibiting shark feeding off the coast.

“The bill would extend these protections to federal waters, aligning with existing federal law surrounding Hawaii and Pacific territories,” the spokesperson said. “With the bill passing the U.S. House of Representatives on June 2, it now goes to the Senate for consideration.”

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 Daniela Leon

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    KANSAS (KSHB) — The first express toll lanes in Kansas are seeing slow but steady growth as most drivers along U.S. 69 continue to use the free lanes.

As part of our effort to capture a range of commuter perspectives, we spoke with drivers who regularly travel the corridor. Opinions were split.

Amanda says the 69Express lanes have made a noticeable difference in her commute.

“I use it every day when I go to work, especially if there’s traffic. It really helps when I’m in a rush,” she said.

But others, like Andrew, avoid the express toll lanes altogether.

“I moved here from a small town, so this construction was new to me. I’m glad it’s over,” Andrew said. “I never take the express lanes. I don’t think there’s a purpose for them.”

Some drivers fall somewhere in between.

“The express lanes are there for you to use,” Larry said. “If you want to use it, use it. If you don’t, then don’t. Quit worrying about it.”

The Kansas Department of Transportation says roughly 90,000 vehicles travel U.S. 69 every day.

In March, about 51,000 drivers used the express lanes — in total for the month, not per day. That number climbed to 64,000 in April, indicating growing interest in the new pay-to-drive option.

But when you compare monthly express lane usage to the total traffic on the highway, only about 1% to 2.5% of drivers are choosing the express toll lanes. The rest are sticking with the free lanes.

“As construction has been wrapping up and the express lanes opened in February, we anticipated that there would be a time period of folks getting used to the express lanes. And we also knew that because of some of the interchange improvements and other work that was part of the 69Express project that congestion would be relieved on its own without people having to choose to use those lanes,” said KDOT spokesperson Delaney Tholen. “As we look down the road into the future, we see that there will be more people living in the area, more people traveling through the corridor, and we expect that more people will be choosing on a daily basis to utilize the express lanes.”

The 69Express lanes stretch from 103rd Street to 151st Street. Toll prices vary depending on the direction of travel, time of day, traffic congestion and whether drivers are paying with KTAG.

According to KDOT, the lanes generated more than $43,000 in revenue in March. Figures for April have not yet been released.

“Funding for this project came from state, local and federal sources,” Tholen said. “The city of Overland Park also committed money to the project, and that money will be repaid through revenue collected from the express lane tolls.”

KDOT has not yet calculated exactly how much time drivers are saving by using the lanes.

A reminder: express toll lanes follow the same speed limit as other lanes. In May, Overland Park police reported issuing 42 warnings and 20 citations for lane violations on U.S. 69.

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

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By Liam Clymer

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    FENTON, Michigan (WJRT) — A Fenton ice cream store celebrated Flag Day with a unique challenge: kids who recite the Pledge of Allegiance in front of a crowd win free ice cream and mini-golf tickets.

Co-owner of Uncle Ray’s Dairyland, Dave Durant, said Flag Day is one of his favorite holidays.

“It never gets old,” said Durant.

Durant partnered with Fenton’s Veterans of Foreign Wars auxiliary to spread knowledge about the U.S. and its history through the challenge.

“These kids, every single one of them, has gone through a lot of trouble to come here and we want to treat them like the most important person in the world,” Durant said.

Ten-year-old Weston Shoemaker said he feels special to take part in celebrating his history.

“Because of our country and it’s the 250th anniversary,” Shoemaker said.

Shoemaker strapped on a watermelon helmet of his own making and marched off bravely to recite the pledge.

He wanted ice cream with his favorite topping: everything.

For Durant, the event serves as a special reminder.

“Our future is bright, I’m telling you guys,” Durant said.

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By Timea Horvath

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    REDDING, California (KHSL) — A certified nursing assistant at Copper Ridge Care Center in Redding has dedicated more than 30 years to caring for residents at the facility.

Cathy Chappell, known to co-workers and residents as “Mama Cathy,” has been working at the care center since 1993.

“They ask me why I stay, I ask myself too, but I’m telling you why, because I love my job,” Chappell said.

Her dedication comes at a time when healthcare facilities across California are struggling to fill positions. State workforce projections show many counties are already facing nursing shortages, with demand expected to grow in the years ahead.

Jennifer Leigh Davis, assistant director of nursing at Copper Ridge, said Chappell’s longevity in the field motivates others to join the profession.

“Seeing her in this field for so long, she’s inspired anybody to get in it for the right heart and she has said you have to have that kind of heart to be in this field. It’s not easy, it’s challenging, but I feel like the rewards of the job are better than what people may think they are,” Davis said.

Chappell says retirement is not in her plans yet. She plans to continue working as long as her body allows.

“You know what babe, I want to retire, then I don’t, I still want to do my job. And like I say, I’m going to leave it in God’s hands, my mind says I got to do what my body say, if my body says I can’t do it then I might have to throw my card in, but knowing I got the strength, I’m going to keep pushing myself,” Chappell said. “Cause every morning I get up, sometimes I don’t want to come to work. But when I come to work and I look at when I walk through this door and I see everybody how much they missed me and I walk to a resident’s room and I get that love, that’s what pushes me more.”

As facilities work to attract the next generation of caregivers, Chappell says the secret to staying in the job is simple. Love the people you serve.

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.