Humpback whale caught in fishing rope freed off Massachusetts: “It was an honor,” rescuers said

CNN Newsource on June 16, 2026

By Neal Riley

Click here for updates on this story

    Massachusetts (WBZ) — A young humpback whale was freed from entanglement in fishing gear off the coast of Massachusetts on Sunday.

The Provincetown-based Center for Coastal Studies said boaters spotted the “relatively small whale” struggling in the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, which encompasses 842 square miles between Cape Ann and Cape Cod. The Marine Animal Entanglement Response team responded and found the whale with rope around the base of its tail that was essentially anchoring it in place.

The center said rescuers only had a short amount of time to act with storms in the forecast on Sunday evening. They used a hook-shaped knife at the end of a 30-foot pole to make a series of cuts to the rope – and it worked. The crew stayed with the whale until it was able to start swimming around again.

Researchers believe the whale has a good prognosis despite being injured by the entanglement. Whale watchers have repeatedly called the MAER hotline about the whale in the past month because it has deep wounds on its body from a previous entanglement, the center said.

A responder from the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary was part of the effort to free the whale.

“It was an honor to help this whale and great to continue the collaboration between our teams,” Maria Harvey said in a statement.

Entanglement and vessel strikes are two of the most serious threats to whales. Just last week, a critically endangered North Atlantic right whale, recently seen off Cape Cod, was observed with fishing gear in its mouth in Canada’s Gulf of St. Lawrence.

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.

Atlanta nonprofit’s STEM summer camp inspires students to dream bigger through robotics

CNN Newsource on June 16, 2026

By Alexa Liacko

Click here for updates on this story

    ATLANTA (WUPA) — While school may be out for the summer, students at one Atlanta camp are still learning — this time through robotics, engineering, and problem-solving.

A new partnership between Atlanta nonprofit Children’s First and STEM education organization The STEM Plug brought a high-tech robotics camp to metro Atlanta this summer, exposing foster children and at-risk youth to hands-on STEM experiences designed to build confidence and creativity.

“We don’t want to just teach STEM to kids and for them to consume it,” said Rich Gilliam, founder of The STEM Plug. “We want them to feel like they can be creators.”

The STEM Plug operates robotics camps across the Southeast, introducing students to science, technology, engineering, and math through interactive projects.

This year, Gilliam partnered with Children First, an organization that serves foster children and at-risk youth throughout metro Atlanta. While Children First hosts summer camps every year, organizers said adding robotics programming gave students an opportunity many had never experienced before.

While school may be out for the summer, students at one Atlanta camp are still learning — this time through robotics, engineering, and problem-solving.

A new partnership between Atlanta nonprofit Children’s First and STEM education organization The STEM Plug brought a high-tech robotics camp to metro Atlanta this summer, exposing foster children and at-risk youth to hands-on STEM experiences designed to build confidence and creativity.

“We don’t want to just teach STEM to kids and for them to consume it,” said Rich Gilliam, founder of The STEM Plug. “We want them to feel like they can be creators.”

The STEM Plug operates robotics camps across the Southeast, introducing students to science, technology, engineering, and math through interactive projects.

This year, Gilliam partnered with Children First, an organization that serves foster children and at-risk youth throughout metro Atlanta. While Children First hosts summer camps every year, organizers said adding robotics programming gave students an opportunity many had never experienced before.

“As a kid, I didn’t have much confidence that I can do anything within STEM, right? So that’s why I struggled,” he said. “So that’s why I created STEM Plug to really help kids now at that earlier age that they can feel like they can have that confidence, that they could be creators.”

Gilliam hopes introducing children to technology early will help prepare them for future careers in growing industries.

“If there’s companies out here that have 10-, 15-year goals out, we need to reach the kids that are younger, right?” he said.

Students said the lessons extended beyond building robots.

“Robotics is important to me because it can help me in my everyday life,” participant Dante Hollis said.

Gilliam said he has watched students develop critical life skills throughout the program.

“A lot of times the kids might not notice it, but I definitely notice every day of them just really, really learn those skills that we want them to learn, which are critical thinking and problem solving,” he said.

Several students said Gilliam’s encouragement made a lasting impression during the two-week camp.

“He’s patient with people,” said 13-year-old Cach Arel. “He’s patient with people, even though people want to quit, but he still convinces them to keep going.”

Hollis said Gilliam helped him overcome one of his biggest challenges.

“He taught me how not to give up, and giving up was one of my hardest challenges because sometimes I messed up and I wanted to quit right then and there and stop, but he kept me pushing and helped me keep going and trying my best,” Hollis said.

Gilliam said he hopes this summer’s program will be the first of many collaborations in metro Atlanta, believing that a small amount of encouragement can inspire students to pursue lifelong opportunities in STEM.

The idea for the partnership originated at Invest Fest Atlanta, a convention that connects startups and organizations looking to collaborate on initiatives that benefit the city. Children’s First offers year-round programs serving Atlanta-area families.

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.

Paralyzed Minnesota man’s invention aims to help people with mobility issues walk again

CNN Newsource on June 16, 2026

By Derek James

Click here for updates on this story

    Minnesota (WCCO) — At 17, a car accident left Alan Tholkes a paraplegic with a spinal cord injury. What followed has been a lifetime spent solving problems he understood firsthand.

“Being a user of the product, you start to train yourself to look at it. You can see the problems, right? I think that’s the foundation of any good designer invention is just identifying the problem, how can you make something better,” said Alan Tholkes, founder and inventor of the WalkPort.

For over four decades, Alan Tholkes designed wheelchairs, standing devices and mobility products used around the world.

His wife, Monaliza, says the drive to help others never switches off.

“He would have a pen and a paper on the side of the bed, and in the middle of the night would wake up and design a product,” said Monaliza Tholkes.

She says Alan Tholkes often includes their children in the process, as ideas become inventions. His latest is called the WalkPort. It’s designed to help people with paralysis, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and age-related mobility issues experience walking again.

The idea came after Alan Tholkes spent hours traveling to a rehabilitation center for a brief walking session.

“I’m back home and I’m thinking, ‘Well, that was good, wow. I want to do it again, but I want to do it right now, right here at my house,'” explained Alan Tholkes.

For Janice Binstock, the results were immediate. Earlier this year, she suddenly lost the use of her legs and tried the WalkPort after finishing physical therapy.

“My balance was a big factor with what I dealt with, and when I got on the WalkPort, I could just walk. I didn’t have to concentrate on my balance. And I could see what I was doing,” said Binstock.

Today, she’s walking again without assistance.

A lifetime after losing the ability to walk himself, Alan Tholkes is still finding ways to help others take their next steps.

“The reaction on people’s faces when they get to experience something they haven’t been able to experience before is pretty gratifying,” said Alan Tholkes.

“I just think it gives each individual hope,” said Binstock.

The WalkPort will be built with manufacturing partner Data Metalcraft in Arlington, Minnesota. The first machines will roll off the assembly floor in August.

Alan Tholkes plans to retire in Florida at the end of this month.

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.

Houston City College Celebrates History-Making VICEROY Scholar Caressa Brown First HCC Student Selected for Prestigious Air Combat Command ENVOY Internship

CNN Newsource on June 15, 2026

By Francis Page Jr.

Click here for updates on this story

    June 15, 2026 (Houston Style Magazine) — Houston City College has earned another proud moment in the history books—and this one comes with wings, discipline, cyber talent, and a Houston-sized salute.

On April 16, 2026, Houston City College announced that Caressa Brown, an HCC VICEROY Scholar, had made institutional history as the first HCC student ever selected for the prestigious VICEROY ENVOY internship with the U.S. Air Force Air Combat Command at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. The announcement marked a milestone not only for Brown, but also for HCC’s expanding role in preparing students for national security, cybersecurity, data, artificial intelligence, and defense workforce careers.

Brown’s achievement became even more meaningful on May 8, 2026, when HCC celebrated her graduation with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Computer Information Systems. In true history-making fashion, Brown did not simply walk across the graduation stage—she walked into a future that reaches from Houston classrooms to America’s defense command centers.

“This is so exciting. I am just in awe,” Brown said, reflecting on the opportunity.

This summer, Brown will report to Langley Air Force Base, where she will be embedded within Air Combat Command, a major operational component of the U.S. Department of Defense. Through the competitive, paid, mission-focused VICEROY ENVOY internship, she will gain real-world exposure to national defense environments and projects aligned with cyber, data, artificial intelligence, and operational technology needs.

“From what I understand, during my time in this internship, I’ll be exposed to different operating systems—not only in aircraft, but across military operations as a whole,” Brown said.

What makes Brown’s story sparkle with Houston Style Magazine-worthy inspiration is the road she traveled to get here. Before stepping into the world of cyber and national security, the 33-year-old built a career in the beauty industry. She earned a cosmetology degree in the Dallas area, later owned a salon and spa, and discovered a deeper passion while running the business: technology.

While managing inventory systems, building her website, and learning the digital side of entrepreneurship, Brown realized she was not just operating a business—she was decoding the systems behind it. That spark led her back to school, where she pursued computer information systems at HCC while also working toward a second associate degree in business administration.

Brown is also a participant in the U.S. Navy Baccalaureate Degree Completion Program and is working toward a commission as an Information Operations Officer, fulfilling a dream she has carried since she first wanted to join the military at age 17.

“Ms. Brown stands out for her professionalism, discipline and clear commitment to national service,” said Robert Glover, VICEROY principal investigator/program manager and director of HCC Military Education Programs. “As the first student from the college to enter the VICEROY ENVOY internship pipeline, she is setting a new standard and opening doors for future scholars who hope to follow a similar path.”

For Houston, this is more than a student success story. It is a workforce development story. It is a women-in-technology story. It is a second-act story. It is also a reminder that community colleges are not backup plans—they are launchpads.

From salon owner to computer information systems graduate, from entrepreneur to future military officer, from HCC scholar to Air Combat Command intern, Caressa Brown is proving that reinvention is not only possible—it can be powerful.

And as she prepares for her Summer 2026 internship at Langley Air Force Base, Brown carries with her the pride of Houston City College, the promise of Houston’s next-generation workforce, and the unmistakable message that history is still being made by students bold enough to believe they belong in the room.

photo

To learn more about the HCC VICEROY Scholars Program, visit hccs.edu/viceroy

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.

Kierra Lee
KIELEESTYLE@GMAIL.COM
4096658446

Student-built aircraft completes first flight at California airport

CNN Newsource on June 15, 2026

By Ainsley Van Reusen

Click here for updates on this story

    YUBA CITY, California (KHSL) — A student-built aircraft took to the skies Saturday morning at Sutter County Airport, marking a major milestone for students in CORE Charter School’s Career Technical Education Airplane Build Program.

The Van’s RV-12iS aircraft, registered as N502TF, completed its inaugural flight at 8 a.m. after being built by students through a partnership between CORE Charter School, AeroSTEM Academy, and Tango Flight.

Students worked alongside aviation mentors and instructors to construct the aircraft while learning engineering principles, aviation safety, problem-solving, and teamwork.

The project was led by retired United Airlines pilot and instructor Dave Lane with support from volunteer mentors. Ten students completed work on N502TF, while a new class of 13 students is already building the program’s third aircraft.

Funding support was provided through the California Department of Education’s Career Technical Education Incentive Grant, with CORE Charter School serving as the lead agency in the grant consortium with AeroSTEM Academy.

School officials said the project gives students hands-on experience while preparing them for careers in aviation, engineering, manufacturing, and skilled trades.

Community members, families, aviation enthusiasts, and local leaders gathered for Saturday’s event to celebrate the students, instructors, and mentors who helped make the project possible.

“This flight represents much more than an aircraft taking to the sky,” organizers said. “It showcases the hard work, perseverance, and technical skills our students have developed throughout this extraordinary project.”

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.

Protesters gather outside Angelini’s Ristorante after owner’s controversial video

CNN Newsource on June 15, 2026

By Lauryn Schieffer

Click here for updates on this story

    ONALASKA, Wisconsin (WXOW) — Around 30 protesters lined the sidewalk across from Angelini’s Ristorante in Onalaska on Saturday in response to a viral video in which the restaurant’s owner used derogatory language while explaining why he prefers hiring male servers over female servers.

The demonstration began at 4:00 p.m. Protesters held signs stating, “Respect Women” and “Do Not Eat Here.”

“All we want is for people to gently respect women,” said protestor Rebecca Albrecht. “Hands-off approach; you don’t have to be around us, but you need to be kind, and that is really, really important to me.”

A noticeable group of people gathered on the opposite side of the street showing their support for Angelini’s.

Owner Tony Angelini was observed using a microphone to direct profanities and gendered insults toward protesters and the organizer.

Angelini declined to comment when 19 News reached out.

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.

Meet the 91-year-old woman in Tenn. who has attended her local rodeo for 75 years straight

CNN Newsource on June 15, 2026

By Austin Pollack

Click here for updates on this story

    FRANKLIN, Tennessee (WTVF) — Joan Bledsoe has attended every single day of the Franklin Rodeo for 75 years.

The 91-year-old has done it while surviving multiple cancer diagnoses.

The annual three-day event in Franklin marked its 75th year in May. Bledsoe has been there for all of them — and she has no plans to stop.

“I have not and enjoyed every single one of them,” Bledsoe said.

Her first cancer diagnosis came 40 years ago. She has been diagnosed twice with breast cancer and twice with colon cancer. Nothing has ever come in the way between her love for the rodeo and animals.

“Because I’m alive at all and able to go to the rodeo, I’m blessed and God has performed a miracle,” she said. “Because they didn’t think I’d live – they really didn’t.”

Bledsoe’s dad introduced her to the rodeo and horses. She recalls going to one of the earlier events.

“I remember it because the horse broke loose and came up in the stands,” she recalled. “Because all we had were football type stands. And it came up and everybody cleared up but my dad and me and we got it.”

That connection to the rodeo world runs deep — and so does her message for others.

“Every person that’s on this earth is important. And every person has something to give if they can find it,” Bledsoe said.

Bledsoe says she plans on attending the rodeo for many years to come.

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

Model railroad club keeps history on track at century-old hotel museum in Tennessee

CNN Newsource on June 15, 2026

By Austin Pollack

Click here for updates on this story

    DICKSON, Tennessee (WTVF) — The roads we travel today were once more rail. The United States is approaching 200 years of railroading, and in Dickson, a model railroad display inside a 113-year-old building is keeping that history alive.

The Clement Railroad Hotel Museum at the Hotel Halbrook State Historic Site served as a railroad hotel for 40 years. Today, it is home to a detailed, ever-changing model railroad layout built by the Dickson Model Railroad Club.

“Based on early photographs of downtown Dickson from the 1920s, 30s, and 40s, they were able to recreate the downtown scape,” said Zach Kinslow, who runs the historic site.

He said Dickson’s railroad history carries significant regional weight.

“We were one of the most important rail hubs in the state of Tennessee, if not the southern United States,” Kinslow said.

“It has always been something that has really fascinated the American public, young and old,” Kinslow said.

The model layout includes recreations of Dickson landmarks — a fire station, train station, Ferris wheel and general store, among others. Jere Swader, a member of the Dickson Model Railroad Club for about 10 years, said the display is never truly finished.

“We’re adding new features all the time,” Swader said.

But keeping the layout running takes effort, and Swader said the club’s membership skews older.

“A lot of us older guys, it’s hard for us to get underneath and do the intricate wiring and things that’s required,” Swader said.

“Most of us are retired,” he said. “And we do have a couple of members that are younger,” Swader said.

The club hopes even more younger peope will step in to help carry the work forward.

For some members, the hobby is more than a pastime. Several are veterans, and Swader said the club has become a place of healing.

“We are retired military and retired civilians as well,” Swader said.

“Most of us, me included, don’t really like to talk about the war,” he said. “Unless we’re talking to each other.”

“[The model will] keep your mind off of the bad things and you can concentrate on the better things,” Swader said. “The more time you can put into this, the more self-satisfaction you could have.”

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

Summer camp staffer arrested in alleged sexual assault of child at UC Berkeley dorm, authorities say

CNN Newsource on June 15, 2026

By Cornell Barnard

Click here for updates on this story

    BERKELEY, California (KGO) — A 27-year-old summer camp staff member is in custody, accused of sexually assaulting a child under the age of 14 inside a UC Berkeley residence hall over the weekend.

According to The Berkeley Scanner, the alleged assault took place overnight Saturday during an overnight summer camp program being held on campus.

Authorities say they were first notified between approximately 1:15 a.m. and 2 a.m. about what was initially reported as an attempted sexual assault inside a dormitory.

Following an investigation, police determined that the incident was not an attempt, but a completed sexual assault.

The suspect, a 27-year-old man from Vallejo who is believed to be a staffer with the camp, was arrested and booked into Santa Rita Jail.

Jail records show he is being held on $425,000 bail.

He is expected to be arraigned on Wednesday.

Police say officers provided immediate safety measures and support services for the child.

The incident has shaken members of the campus community, many expressing concern over the safety of children participating in programs held on university grounds.

“Especially for a young kid, that’s going to be traumatizing for them,” said Francis Wang, a UC employee.

A university spokesperson confirmed that the summer camp involved was not operated by UC Berkeley, though it remains unclear which organization was responsible for running the program.

Residents and community members say the case raises broader concerns about oversight and safety at youth camps.

“I can’t believe this is happening,” said Berkeley resident Bowen Giang. “I’ve been to a lot of camps in the U.S. – as a kid, this is definitely terrifying, not only for the child, but for parents and everyone in that environment.”

The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to call UC Berkeley police at 510-642-6760.

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.

Family dog shot and killed by LAPD during Knicks celebration at condo in Los Angeles

CNN Newsource on June 15, 2026

By Tim Pulliam

Click here for updates on this story

    CANOGA PARK, LOS ANGELES (KABC) — A celebration of the New York Knicks’ NBA championship turned tragic on Saturday in Canoga Park when Los Angeles police officers responding to a call about a screaming woman shot and killed the family dog, authorities and witnesses said.

The police department says the dog rushed at officers after they were called to check on a woman who was screaming inside a condo building on Jordan Avenue. The dog, Jameson, was a 2-year-old golden retriever, Saint Bernard and poodle mix.

Cellphone video from the condo building shows the emotional aftermath.

“Oh my god! Oh my God,” a woman cried. “I cannot believe this is happening. I cannot believe this is happening.”

The dog’s owner had been celebrating the Knicks’ championship win with her family before the shooting, witnesses said. A photo taken moments before Jameson was killed shows the dog wearing a New York Knicks shirt.

“We were just so happy. We were just so happy. We were just celebrating the Knicks. We were f—— celebrating the Knicks,” the woman screamed.

The incident began just after 8 p.m., when a neighbor asked police to check on a woman who was screaming, according to first responders.

Video from the Citizen App shows the urgent scene in the neighborhood.

Raymon Alvarez, who lives across the street, said he heard the screaming while heading out for a walk.

“The screaming I heard was like, ‘Ah! Oh my God! Oh my God!’ Like just, pure screaming,” Alvarez said.

When he returned home, he said he heard gunfire.

“I didn’t think they were gunshots at first because this area is not really known for any sort of gun violence,” Alvarez said.

The dog owner’s son told Eyewitness News off-camera that his mother had simply been celebrating the Knicks’ championship win and that Jameson was energetic but not violent.

“He’s such a good dog!” the woman can be heard screaming in the video from the scene.

Now, a memorial is growing in the hallway where neighbors watched Jameson die.

The neighbor who called police told Eyewitness News off-camera that they they feel guilty for calling 911, but sincerely thought their neighbor was in trouble.

The circumstances that led up to the police shooting are under review.

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.