‘We’re going oh my God please wind stay to your left’: Florida brush fires contained

CNN Newsource on February 27, 2026

By Angela Rozier

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    ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Florida (WPBF) — Dry and windy conditions are fueling brush fires across the Treasure Coast, prompting St. Lucie County officials to issue a local state of emergency and a county-wide burn ban.

The latest wildfire burned about 10 acres near the Indian River Estates community in Fort Pierce, next to the Savannas Preserve State Park. The fire is contained, but crews are watching for hot spots.

Resident Dottie Powell, whose property is butted up against the preserve, said she watched the smoke from her backyard as firefighters worked to stop the flames from spreading. “It started right over there, you see right there, and it was going down,” Powell said.

Powell said the wind had neighbors worried as smoke filled the area.

“And in this opening here you could see all the smoke, and we’re going, oh my God, please wind stay to your left,” Powell said.

Firefighters with the Florida Forest Service, St. Lucie County Fire District and Department of Environmental Protection returned Thursday to put out hot spots.

St. Lucie County Fire District Chief of Operations Daniel Mikels said the region is experiencing extreme drought conditions.

“So, our drought index right now is well over 600,” Mikels said. We start getting alarms when that drought index is over four. So, we’re well past that 400 number.”

Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News

The fire district also shared video of crews responding to another brush fire off South Header Canal Road Wednesday. Officials said the dry conditions are contributing to an unusually dangerous wildfire season.

“Because it’s so dry because of the recent cold snaps in my 20-plus career here, this is probably one of the worst times, the worst wildfire droughts that we’re seeing,” Mikels said.

He said homeowners near wooded areas should take steps now to protect their property.

“For people that are living close to these urban interface areas, having a defensible space around their house, clearing out their gutters, making sure they don’t have anything on the roof or hanging on the roof,” Mikels said. “Because with this wind and dispersion, it’ll carry embers down, and that’s how you can have some of these spot fires.”

Powell is hoping for relief soon.

“I think this weekend we’re supposed to get some rain.

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‘First of its kind’: Massive illegal casino gambling ring dismantled in Central Florida, Uthmeier says

CNN Newsource on February 27, 2026

By Allison Petro

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    TITUSVILLE, Florida (WESH) — Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the takedown of an illegal casino gambling ring operating throughout Central Florida.

Uthmeier said the counties involved were Volusia, Brevard, Flagler and Duval.

Authorities seized 525 gaming machines and nearly $200,000 in cash. Uthmeier said the number is likely to continue rising as the investigation progresses.

He said this practice continues to happen because current penalties are too low, with offenders often facing only misdemeanor charges.

Uthmeier said the gambling operation not only sucks revenue from the state’s economy, but also facilitates more serious crimes.

Some of these crimes include human trafficking, money laundering and even drug smuggling.

Uthmeier said he’s been calling on the legislature to increase the penalties for illegal gambling, advocating for felony charges against those involved in these activities.

On Jan. 9, Senate Bill 1580 was filed. This bill would increase the penalty for those who operate an illegal gambling house.

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‘Large hunting knife, chunks of flesh’: Teens arrested after Pennsylvania stabbing hospitalizes victim, police say

CNN Newsource on February 27, 2026

By Rachael Lardani

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    WEST MANHEIM TOWNSHIP, Pennsylvania (WGAL) — Two teens were arrested in connection with a stabbing that hospitalized a person in York County, according to the West Manheim Township Police Department.

Investigators said the stabbing happened behind the SpiriTrust Lutheran in the 1800 block of Oak Hills Drive in West Manheim Township at 3:34 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 23.

According to court documents, a bystander called 911 after finding the victim with a “deep” stab wound on his right side.

Security video shows the victim, wearing a backpack, and two suspects walking together near the Walmart and Sheetz when an altercation broke out, the documents stated. Investigators said the suspects then ran from the scene with the victim’s bag.

The two suspects were identified as:

Felix Rodriguez, 19, of Hanover Anor Braham, 17, of Hanover

When officers arrived, they said they found blood splattered on the road and in the snow as well as a “large combat/hunting style knife with blood and chunks of flesh attached to it.”

Investigators said a witness who knew the victim told them the victim left to buy marijuana from the suspects and never returned, and that he had a handgun in his backpack when he left.

Suspects arrested Police said they executed a search warrant on Tuesday, Feb. 24, on Baer Drive and arrested Rodriguez. They also found a pellet gun, clothing, a backpack, ski masks, latex gloves and drug paraphernalia, according to the documents.

During an interview, Rodriguez told investigators that he and Braham went to sell the victim three ounces of marijuana when a fight broke out, according to police. Rodriguez said Braham then stabbed the victim in the side and took the victim’s gun, the documents stated.

Police said they executed a search warrant on Wednesday, Feb. 25, and arrested Braham.

According to investigators, Braham told them he had the knife when the fight began and that both Rodriguez and the victim drew handguns. Braham said he stabbed the victim and left the knife in the victim’s body, the documents stated.

Police noted that the victim’s handgun has not been recovered and that he remains in critical condition.

Charged Rodriguez was charged with the following:

Robbery Criminal use of a communication facility Manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver Theft by unlawful taking or disposition Braham was charged as an adult with the following:

Attempted criminal homicide Criminal use of a communication facility Prohibited acts; penalties Robbery Theft by unlawful taking or disposition Aggravated assault Possessing instruments of crime Possession of a firearm by a minor The incident remains under active investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the West Manheim Township Police Department at 717-632-7059.

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Grandparents heartbroken after children found in ‘homemade caged crib’

CNN Newsource on February 27, 2026

By Morrissey Walsh

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    NEWBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pennsylvania (WGAL) — The grandparents of children allegedly forced to live in a “homemade caged crib” and a car seat for up to 20 hours a day in York County, Pennsylvania, have spoken out about their heartbreak after the arrests of three family members.

Expression of devastation

Richard Cardona and his wife, Ruth Cordero, expressed their devastation after seeing the conditions their grandchildren were subjected to. An expert described the situation as “child torture.”

Estranged from his ex-wife, Lori Cardona, and children, Ashley and Michael Cardona, for many years, Richard said he was appalled by the living conditions.

“I found out there were charges because the police had me come into Newberry Police Department and give my statement of what I saw,” he said.

He described seeing his granddaughter strapped into a car seat too small for her 5-year-old self and his grandson in a “homemade caged crib constructed with stacked cribs, ratchet straps, zip ties, locking mechanisms.”

“When I saw his hand sticking out of the cage, he said a hug. I had to hug him,” Richard said.

Scene prompts a call to CYS

He says he and Ruth immediately contacted Children and Youth Services (CYS).

“We got in the car by the time we hit, halfway up the block, I was already calling children and youth, and he grabbed the phone and just started talking, and we were like, crying,” Ruth said.

The York County District Attorney stated that CYS visited the home from late February to mid-March, and the children were taken into emergency custody on March 22, 2024, three weeks after the first visit.

“They do good for a lot of children, but there are areas and gaps that are cracked and broken,” Richard said.

Grandparents seeking custody

The children are currently with a foster family, but Richard and Ruth are seeking custody.

“That’s all that I cared about is the children being safe. And I wanted to have my grandchildren to raise them properly with family values and love,” Richard said.

Strapped in car seat for up to 20 hours a day

The district attorney said the five-year-old girl was strapped in a car seat for upward of 20 hours a day.

Richard recounted the moment he saw the straps, saying, “I tried to put my fingers into the straps. I couldn’t put them in. They were tight.”

The district attorney referred to the case as “extensive.”

Richard said, “I’ve seen a lot of things. Never shed a tear. That broke me. That really broke me.”

The children were taken into emergency custody in March 2024, and the arrests came almost two years later.

“The children are saved. That’s the most important. They could take another year. I wouldn’t care. The children are safe. That’s all that I cared about is the children being safe,” Richard said.

Three family members arrested Wednesday

Ashley Cardona, the children’s biological mother, Lori Cardona, Ashley’s mother, and Michael Cardona, the children’s uncle, were arrested Wednesday morning for their roles in the alleged abuse.

“I just ask God to forgive them because that’s all we can do, is ask God and hope that they take the time to ask God to forgive them, because that’s something that no child should be able to go through,” Ruth said.

The grandparents remain heartbroken over the situation.

“I don’t wish that upon nobody. Nobody, nobody, nobody, nobody deserves to be treated like, let alone the child,” Richard said.

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Meta to alert parents when teens repeatedly search suicide or self-harm terms on Instagram

CNN Newsource on February 27, 2026

By Aliyah Chavez

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    NEW MEXICO (KOAT) — Meta is introducing a new feature on Instagram that will alert parents if their children repeatedly search for terms linked to suicide or self-harm. The company says it’s part of other efforts to provide critical information quickly when a teen may be in trouble.

Starting next week, parents enrolled in Instagram’s “Supervision” feature will receive notifications via text, email, and in-app alerts if their teen searches for harmful topics.

These searches are typically blocked, and teens are directed to resources and helplines. Tapping the alert will open a full-screen message with guidance on how to support the teen.

Instagram clarified that this rollout is not related to the ongoing lawsuit from the state of New Mexico, which accuses Meta’s platforms of being a “breeding ground” for child sexual exploitation. The company stated, “Launching a feature like this takes time — from consulting with experts both internally and externally, to the technical development — and we’ve been working on it for months.”

The “Supervision” feature is designed for users aged 13 to 17, allowing parents to monitor screen time, set time limits, and limit followers.

“We understand how sensitive these issues are and how distressing it could be for a parent to receive an alert like this. The vast majority of teens do not try to search for suicide and self-harm content on Instagram, and when they do, our policy is to block these searches, instead directing them to resources and helplines that can offer support. These alerts are designed to make sure parents are aware if their teen is repeatedly trying to search for this content, and to give them the resources they need to support their teen,” a Meta spokesperson wrote to KOAT.

Meta did not disclose the specific number of searches required to trigger a notification, as they do not want teens to circumvent the system. Additionally, teens will not be notified when their parents receive an alert.

Meta has not provided public numbers on how many parents are currently enrolled in Instagram’s parental supervision features. Aside from the lawsuit in New Mexico, Meta is also facing trial in California over claims that its platforms deliberately make children addicted to them.

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Jaden DeJesus-Eves, a standout freshman Christian Brothers High School basketball player, dies

CNN Newsource on February 27, 2026

By Daniel Macht

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    SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KCRA) — The Christian Brothers High School community is mourning the loss of a student-athlete who died, KCRA 3 has learned.

Jaden DeJesus-Eves was a star player as a 6-foot-8-inch freshman on the Sacramento Catholic school’s varsity basketball team, according to athlete profiles.

“We learned yesterday that our beloved student, Jaden Eves, had passed away,” Christian Brothers spokesperson Kristen McCarthy said. “We are heartbroken as we hold Jaden and his family in prayer.”

Jaden’s mother described him as pure light and a very joyful kid.

“He was my one and only. Honestly, he was my world,” she said. “He gives me a hug in the middle of the games and people have given him a hard time about it. And he’s like, I’m still going to give my mom a hug.”

Jaden was known as a gentle giant and a force on the basketball court. She said basketball was his passion.

“He had big dreams, he had goals, and he knew what it was going to take to get there,” his mother said. “We raised him to have strong faith, true love of family and community, passion for basketball all day, every day. Basketball.”

His coach, Jermaine Brown, told KCRA 3 he’s the kind of kid who kept his teammates smiling.

“If you had a bad day, Jaden was coming in and walking in and just smiling and we just loved it so much,” Brown said. “He loved everybody.”

Jaden played his final basketball game on Tuesday night, but before he did, he led his team in prayer as he had done for the last five games.

“We went in the locker room all together and Jaden led us all in prayer. And he was ready for the moment,” his coach said.

When asked how they want people to remember Jaden, this is how his mother and coach responded.

“His love for the game, his love for his brothers and his love for his mom. That’s all he talked about. That was his world. Every day. He talked about it. The things he wanted to accomplish for his mom,” Brown said.

“Jaden was a light, I might be a little biased, but he just he had a good heart and it and it was visible,” his mother said.

She also described him as a “bright light, a true gentle giant. He was a wonderful young man and a beloved student, teammate, classmate, and friend.”

KCRA 3 spoke to a player on Thursday from Natomas High School who played both with and against Eves.

Marcus Harris described him as a friend and a rival.

“He was a great basketball player. You know he was very tall for his age, a 6’8″ freshman so it was very hard to guard him,” Harris said. “A very gentle, a very compassionate young man. You know, he’s a gentle giant. He just cared for everyone, very goofy guy.”

Details on his cause of death have not yet been confirmed.

A prayer service was held on Thursday morning at Christian Brothers.

The basketball team lost a playoff game on Tuesday night.

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Banana car spotted in Monterey County: Here’s why it’s here — and how to get a ride

CNN Newsource on February 27, 2026

By Ricardo Tovar

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    SALINAS, Calif. (KSBW) — If you’ve been on social media in recent days, you’ve likely seen photos and videos of a banana car around Monterey County.

It has many wondering: Who is driving this potassium-powered pickup? Why is it here? What is it promoting? When did it arrive? And where will it pop up next?

KSBW 8 has answers.

The driver, Steve Braithwaite, 65, who lives on a farm in Michigan, said he’s in Monterey County because it gets cold this time of year back home — and his “Big Banana Car,” as he calls it, has no heater.

He makes a living — “not much of one,” he said — driving people in his fruit-themed vehicle. He said he makes enough money for gas and food, but relies on the kindness of strangers for places to stay as he pursues his dream of taking the banana car around the world.

Braithwaite said he received a couch-surfing offer in Salinas from someone who shares his love of hot rods. He said he traveled up Highway 1 through Big Sur to get to Salinas and has already spent time in Castroville and Cambria. He said he loves downtown Salinas because it feels like stepping back in time.

Braithwaite, originally from Oxford, England, immigrated to the United States 40 years ago. He said he got the idea to build the banana car after watching the British version of “Top Gear” and seeing vehicles such as the “fastest garden shed” and a couch car.

He said the final inspiration came after he left a gas station, saw a bowl of fruit and decided to model the car after the shape of that very banana.

Braithwaite said he started building the vehicle in 2008, finished it in 2011 and has been driving across the United States ever since. He said he has been to every state except Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Washington, Oregon and Idaho. He has also traveled to parts of Mexico and to Toronto.

Braithwaite said he planned to take the car overseas, but the COVID-19 pandemic derailed those plans. He said he was unable to make money for two years and used his savings to get by. Now, he said, he hopes to take the banana car to other countries soon and is looking for someone who can record and edit video to document the trip online.

Braithwaite said the Big Banana Car will offer rides this weekend at The Power Plant Coffee 1 in Moss Landing.

Rides are scheduled from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, and Sunday, March 1, weather permitting.

Braithwaite said the rides help fund his travels and are pay-what-you-like. Riders must bring car seats if required by law, and the car can take up to three riders at a time.

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Exclusive: Woman run over at Point Lobos speaks after jury awards her nearly $19M

CNN Newsource on February 27, 2026

By Felix Cortez

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    CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA, Calif. (KSBW) — Helen Anthony, a Rhode Island woman, has been awarded nearly $19 million by a Monterey County jury for injuries she sustained when she was run over by a state parks volunteer at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve in June 2023.

Anthony expressed gratitude to the jury, saying she was “appreciative of the jury who took a month of their time to hear all the evidence.”

She detailed her injuries, stating, “I have a traumatic brain injury. I had my jaw totally dislocated on both sides. My teeth were knocked out, my top teeth. I had a fracture underneath my left eye,” and added, “I was face down, not breathing on the side of the road.”

The driver was a state park volunteer who accidentally pressed the accelerator instead of the brakes.

Anthony filed a claim against the state parks, arguing that the 82-year-old park docent was not a state employee, thereby clearing the state of any liability.

Anthony said, “This was just unbelievable. Not only that, the state actually threatened us with a letter, threatened us by letter, saying that if we brought this frivolous suit against the state, they were going to sue us for costs. I mean, it’s just unbelievable.”

Anthony’s attorneys argued that the docent was the responsibility of the state, was driving a park’s vehicle, and was not properly trained.

Her attorney, Roger Dreyer, said, “No one was in charge. And if you don’t put anybody in charge, no one’s responsible. Guess what happens? Things like this tragedy. You got to have accountability. You got to have people assigned to do their job. And then you have to watch them to make sure they did it.”

After a month-long trial and a day and a half of deliberation, the civil jury sided with Anthony, awarding her nearly $19 million for pain, suffering, and loss of wages.

At the time of the accident, Anthony was a councilwoman and land use attorney in Providence, Rhode Island.

She said, “The deficits are such that I can’t do my law practice or be on city council, which is something that I’ve been passionate about.”

Dreyer emphasized the impact of the loss, stating, “This money, Ms. Anthony, would flush it down the toilet if she could go back to having her real life for her family and for herself. No amount of money compensates someone for the grievous nature of her loss.”

California State Parks issued a statement saying, “California State Parks respects the jury’s decision and expresses its sincere and deepest sympathy to Helen Anthony and her family for the injuries she suffered at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve.”

The parks department is considering an appeal to the $18.9 million judgment, while Anthony and her attorneys hope the department will review its training and protocols for volunteers statewide.

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Twin Falls immigrants and refugees share their stories at ‘Becoming Idaho’ event

CNN Newsource on February 27, 2026

By Lorien Nettleton

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    TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KIVI) — Two Magic Valley residents — a refugee-turned-advocate and a child of immigrants — are sharing their personal stories as part of a community storytelling event called “Becoming Idaho.”

Chandra Upreti, director of the Twin Falls office of the United States Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, is a refugee himself. He said his parents fled their home country of Bhutan when he was only 6 months old. After leaving Bhutan and before arriving in the United States, Upreti and his family lived in a refugee camp in Nepal for nearly 17 years.

“My parents fled when I was only six months old. I did not choose to become a refugee,” Upreti said. “Today I’m a very proud U.S. citizen, a parent, and also in a place where I’m able to help fellow refugees. It means a lot to me, and I’m looking forward to sharing my own personal story.”

Upreti is one of the guest speakers at the Feb 26 “Becoming Idaho” event, part of Idaho Solutions ‘The More You Know’ lecture series.

The event is an opportunity to highlight the diversity that has long defined Twin Falls.

“It’s really nice to see folks coming from different parts of the world,” added Upreti. “And live in a community that we all share.”

Twin Falls has welcomed refugees since the 1980s, resettling people from 47 countries over the past 46 years. Prior to the Trump administration’s restrictions on refugees, the office resettled about 200 individuals each year. Today, the center is on track to resettle fewer than half that number.

A pediatrician in Twin Falls and the child of immigrants from Honduras and Costa Rica, Dr. José Peña said he grew up in a bilingual household. He said those language skills allow him to connect with patients and community members who do not speak English.

“America has always been known as a land of opportunity, a land that’s welcoming to immigrants or to people that are from outside, and one of the ideals that I hope that a lot of people really cherish is that [we are] kind of a melting pot,” Peña said.

Peña said he hopes the event changes minds about immigration and diversity.

“I think it’s good to hear a different accent or hear someone speaking a different language,” Peña said. “My hope would be the people who can go to this experience and come away thinking ‘OK, this is actually a really good thing.'”

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

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North Carolina mom thanks firefighters for saving her and her family during fire: ‘They were my angels’

CNN Newsource on February 27, 2026

By Jon Dowding

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    MORRISVILLE, North Carolina (WTVD) — A Morrisville mother shares her experience being saved by firefighters during Monday night’s fire at the Camden Westwood Apartments.

A fire started on the balcony outside of a first-floor apartment on Monday, then quickly spread up the building. The flames moved through the attic, engulfing the entire top floor of the building.

Amanda Blanchard says she, her husband, and her 10-month-old daughter live in a third-floor apartment in the complex. They just moved there in November.

She says the evening started normally. Her husband came home from work, and she was heating a bottle for her daughter, when she smelled smoke.

I said, we’re trapped. Like, we’re trapped, – Amanda Blanchard

“When I went to the door to open it up, I was just met with a wall of smoke and fire,” she said.

ABC11 asked Blanchard whether her smoke detectors went off.

“No, I didn’t hear anything,” said Blanchard. “The only time I was aware of a fire was when I opened that door and saw fire.”

She shut their front door, went to their balcony, and was met by heavy black smoke.

“I said, we’re trapped. Like, we’re trapped,” she said. “I don’t know if anyone knows we’re here.”

Scared and not sure of a way out, she grabbed her phone.

“I called 911, and I said … I have a 10-month-old baby. We’re stuck. Help us,” said Blanchard.

Moments later, she heard a heavy knocking on her door from the firefighters who came there to rescue her and her family. She shared a tearful message for them as she shared her experience.

“They were my angels. My angels, for sure,” she said. “Thank you. Thank you for getting us out and not leaving us behind.”

Blanchard and her family are staying at a local hotel as they find a new place to call home.

Still, she is so thankful for the help from her neighbors and the Morrisville community.

“The amount of love I’m feeling from everyone around is incredible. For someone who’s not even grown up here. It’s amazing,” she said. “Check your fire alarms. Check that your documents are safe. Make a plan. Cherish your loved ones. That’s all I can say.”

ABC11 reached out to Camden about her claim that her smoke detectors did not go off during the fire. They have not returned our request for comment.

If you want to help affected residents like Blanchard, the property group shared details here about how you can help.

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