Category: CNN Regional

By Nikki DeMentri

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    PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (KYW) — As the United States continues the countdown to its 250th anniversary, a new, free exhibit in Philadelphia focuses on religion during the American Revolution.

“Coming to Christ Church is almost like taking a step back in time,” executive director of Christ Church Preservation Trust Zack Biro said.

There are more than three centuries’ worth of stories to tell at Christ Church, especially when it comes to the Revolution and those who led that effort, including George Washington, who attended services at the church.

“Christ Church and the American Revolution: Fractured Symbols, Traditions and Congregations” is open at the nearby Neighborhood House.

“This was a piece of George III’s coat of arms. We think it hung inside the church, we’re not exactly sure where, but it was likely vandalized in July 1776,” Biro said.

That’s one example of what’s on display. Visitors can also see a 1766 prayer book — with some revolutionary edits.

“In July 1776, when the vestry of Christ Church voted to support the revolution, they went through the Book of Common Prayer and crossed out any mention to the king, the royal family, the empire, anything that had to do with England. This was quite an act of treason to actually go through the book and cross out any mention of these things,” Biro said.

Some of the documents and artifacts in the exhibit will rotate. There’s also a virtual exhibit.

“The exhibit focuses on showing both loyalists and patriots who were at Christ Church, who sometimes sat in the same pews, who had conflicting allegiances and thought differently about what was happening at that time,” Biro said.

The free exhibit remains at the Neighborhood House at Christ Church, located at 20 North American Street in Old City, through the end of the year.

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 Libby Smith

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    HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colorado (KCNC) — Throughout the year, CBS Colorado recognizes high school students who are excelling in science, technology, engineering, and math, STEM. Future Leaders award winners get $1,000 and a profile on CBS News Colorado. The newest Future Leaders award winner is Mishika Bhatia, a recent graduate of Rock Canyon High School.

Bhatia has spent the last two years researching a treatment for Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome, PMOS.

“PMOS…it’s a reproductive and endocrine disorder,” Bhatia explained.

PMOS is the new medical name for PCOS, polycystic ovarian syndrome. PMOS is very common, effecting 1 in 10 women of reproductive age globally. It leads to irregular periods, cystic acne, hair loss, and infertility.

“I actually, two years ago, was diagnosed with PCOS or PMOS. And I went through seeing doctors, looking for potential treatments, discovering there was really nothing that could cure this disorder,” Bhatia told CBS Colorado.

Finding a therapeutic drug that targets the symptoms of PMOS became a passion project for Bhatia.

“I discovered that (the plant) saw palmetto targets a pathway in males that a lot of research has been done on, but it targets the same pathway in women and that pathway hasn’t been explored yet, so I’m applying the science that has been done in males to PMOS and women,” Bhatia said.

She partnered with Dr. Joshua Johnson on the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and was able to begin her research in his lab. She started with cell studies and then moved on to pharmacological testing.

“Isolating the enzyme pathway I believe is at work in the cells and then testing saw palmetto in a variety of dosages on the enzyme itself. I’m also starting the process of breaking down saw palmetto into its different components,” she explained.

Bhatia has presented her work at various competitions along the way. At the Denver Metro Regional Science and Engineering Fair, she won second place overall and first place in her category. At the International Science and Engineering Fair, she took second place in Translational Medical Science. She was also named a top 300 Science Scholar at the Regeneron Science Talent Search.

“I think if anything going to those competitions provided PMOS a lot more awareness and attention,” Bhatia said.

“Why do you think that your success is so important in the future?” asked First Alert Meteorologist Lauren Whitney.

“My goal is if I can get this research enough attention, I would not only be able to help women with PMOS, but also hopefully make discoveries and more research in all the other fields that reproductive science actually impacts,” she replied.

Bhatia is not only a trailblazer in the lab, she is a member of the Lady Trailblazer organization. She’s started five chapters of the Girl Persist program at high schools along the Front Range.

“It is essentially a program that runs leadership and development and professionalism programs for young girls all across Colorado,” she said. “I really love the mentoring and the teaching. Even through biotech, I’ve gotten to mentor some wonderful young women, help them do similar research projects.”

“You’re going to the University of Michigan. What are you hoping to do in college?” Whitney asked.

“I’m studying pharmaceutical sciences and drug development on a pre-med track and then I’m also studying business, so as of now I hope to go to medical school,” she responded.

Bhatia hopes to one day be a physician scientist with a fully developed drug treatment for PMOS already under her belt.

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 Eric Henderson

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    MINNESOTA (WCCO) — A congressional report released Monday accuses senior Minnesota officials, including Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison, of ignoring clear warnings of widespread fraud in federally funded social programs as early as 2019, and retaliating against state employees who tried to raise concerns.

The 205-page report was released by the Republican-led House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Committee investigators allege state officials had the authority to stop payments and ban fraudulent providers but repeatedly failed to act. The report estimates roughly $300 million in meal program fraud and also flags potentially $9 billion more in questionable Medicaid payments.

The report also alleges that state employees who raised concerns about fraud faced retaliation and intimidation.

“Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison are responsible for one of the most stunning oversight failures this Committee has ever examined,” committee Chairman James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky, said. “Billions of dollars were stolen because Minnesota state leaders turned a blind eye to rampant fraud and retaliated against state employees who dared to raise concerns.”

Comer also sent a letter to Vice President JD Vance, urging the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud to conduct a thorough review of Minnesota’s social services programs dating back to 2019. On social media, Vance said he referred the allegations to the Department of Justice.

“If state officials in Minnesota or anywhere else in the country facilitated fraud or looked the other way while this theft was happening, if they actively prevented state and federal officials from stopping fraud and bringing fraudsters to justice, or if they intimidated and harassed whistleblowers who courageously tried to shine a light on this problem, they must be held accountable,” Vance wrote.

Both Walz and Ellison have appeared before the House Oversight Committee in the wake of the Feeding Our Future fraud case. In March, Comer questioned both officials on why payments from programs impacted by fraud were not stopped sooner. Walz responded, “We’re not going to stop payments that feed children until we have the proof that things happened.” Ellison said his office “doesn’t have the authority to do a stop payment.”

Walz’s spokesperson responded Monday afternoon, saying the committee “has proven time and time again to be nothing more than a joke,” adding that Walz “is glad to see fraudsters are going to prison. If the committee is concerned about corruption, they should investigate why President Trump continues to let fraudsters out of prison.”

A spokesperson for Ellison on Monday said his office “disagrees with much of the contents of the report and believes it mischaracterizes much of what actually happened,” saying “Republicans in Congress issued a report riddled with inaccuracies and misrepresentations in an effort to politicize the issue of fraud, instead of actually helping Minnesota protect tax dollars and go after fraudsters.”

Ellison’s spokesperson added, “The only type of criminal fraud that state law gives the Attorney General’s Office the jurisdiction to prosecute is Medicaid fraud. Other criminal fraud falls under the jurisdiction of county and city attorneys or the federal government. It’s also important to note that the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office does not have the authority to oversee state agencies like the Department of Human Services or the Department of Education, it cannot dictate what actions those agencies do and do not take, and it does not have the authority to order those agencies to stop payments to providers or other vendors. In fact, federal regulations require Attorney General Ellison’s Medicaid fraud team to be entirely separate from the Department of Human Services.”

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 Nicole Comstock, Dean Fioresi

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    SANTA MONICA, California (KCAL, KCBS) — Santa Monica city officials are urging people to stop feeding the squirrels at Palisades Park due to a swelling population and potential environmental concerns.

The hundreds of ground squirrels, which typically spend their time combing the grass for crumbs and approaching visitors in search of a treat, are native to the area. However, they’re traditionally found burrowing deep into the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

In recent years, wildlife experts say that people who have fed them junk food and provided an abundant supply of food have caused their population to explode.

“The problem is, it’s always the food supply,” said Marcia Rybak, the director of Coast and Canyon Wildlife Rehabilitation. “Everything is shelter and food with wildlife, or all animals, really.”

Rybak says that any drastic measures taken to eradicate the squirrels likely wouldn’t work, and that if people simply stopped feeding them, the population would naturally dwindle to more sustainable levels.

On Monday, CBS LA reporters witnessed the squirrels munching on cheesy crackers and a packet of ranch dressing.

“They’re very dominant squirrels,” said Nicole Smith, who was visiting on Monday. “This is their park. They’ve taken over.”

As far as erosion problems, Ryback said it’s unclear if it’s actually an issue, but with the number of squirrels now living in the area, it’s certainly a possibility.

Visitors say that the challenges that come with the squirrels create a moral dilemma.

“I do understand both sides, and you don’t want to go down the path of getting rid of what’s naturally there,” said Joe Affleck.

Rybak said that 20 years ago, city leaders floated the idea of giving the squirrels birth control, but it never happened. She says that one potential issue that could come with a sudden decrease in food is more aggressive behaviors.

Santa Monica city leaders have not yet responded to CBS LA’s request for comment on if the population is larger than it was last year, when they posted signs around the park asking people to stop feeding them.

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 Manuel Bojorquez

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    FLORIDA (WFOR) — A major shakeup is brewing in the race for Florida’s District 20.

CBS News Miami has learned that four Black candidates had a private meeting to discuss consolidating down to one or two candidates. They believe it would improve their chances of defeating Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz in the August primary.

“It was good to see that we could come together and have a cordial conversation,” said Dale Holness, one of the candidates.

“It’s a tough conversation, but the sense in the room that we should have someone with the lived experience of the majority of the people in that district was very, very strong,” he added.

District 20 is one of Florida’s few majority-Black districts and has been represented by Black lawmakers for the past 34 years. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick represented the district until she resigned amid a congressional ethics investigation. She is running again and confirmed she was part of the meeting.

“I don’t think people understand that this is a national issue, how this really affects everyone,” she said. “And all of us called to run at this moment have the responsibility to ensure that we can preserve the district,” she added.

Elijah Manley is running, too.

“It makes it easier for her to win when the Black vote is split, but I think that the strongest candidate can build a coalition to win this race,” he said.

Candidate Luther Campbell was out of town for a fundraiser and was not available for comment.

It is unclear exactly how the group of candidates would determine who should move forward. But they have about 10 days to make the decision. The deadline to file to run for the seat is Friday, June 12.

Wasserman Schultz has blamed Republican redistricting efforts to gain more GOP seats after her current district was overhauled by the state legislature.

Her campaign told CBS News Miami she is traveling and was not immediately available for comment.

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 Riley Rourke, Louisa Moller

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    WALTHAM, Massachusetts (WBZ) — A 31-year-old man has been charged with manslaughter after an alleged road rage incident turned deadly in Waltham, Massachusetts.

Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan said it happened on May 27 just before 9 a.m. in the entryway of a gas station on Weston Street. The victim, 23-year-old Nicholas Dagostino, told police that he was attempting to take a left into the gas station but 31-year-old Timothy Scalisi of Waltham was blocking the entryway with his car.

Ryan said that an argument ensued between Dagostino and Scalisi before things became physical. Dagostino got out of his car and allegedly pulled his fist back as if to hit someone, according to Scalisi’s attorney Arthur Kelly.

Scalisi then allegedly picked Dagostino up and “violently brought him to the ground.” Prosecutor for the Middlesex District Attorney, Mary O’Neill, said that Scalisi was a high school and college wrestler and was trained in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

“He used that experience to lift another person off the ground and throw him, not onto padded floors or a padded wall or padded mats that he would be used to in training but to throw him onto the pavement,” O’Neill said.

“He didn’t punch him; he didn’t kick him,” Kelly said. “I think it was more of an accident than anything intentional whatsoever.”

Scalisi then fled in his car. Investigators do not believe Scalisi and Dagostino knew each other.

“All this guy was trying to do is do his job, come in and get some gas and that’s it. I was shaking,” said gas station manager Betsy Bailey who called 911. “He was bleeding from the back of the head, and he was very, very, very out of it.”

Dagostino was taken to a nearby hospital with blurry vision, nausea, vomiting, and a headache. He had suffered a brain bleed and a small fracture on his head from the fight. He later died at Lahey Burlington Medical Center on May 29.

Police said they were able to identify and locate Scalisi using surveillance footage and Flock cameras. He was arrested and charged with manslaughter as well as assault and battery causing serious bodily injury. He was arraigned in Waltham District Court on Monday and released on $10,000 bail. He was ordered to stay away from the Dagostino family as well.

“There wasn’t a dangerous weapon involved. I think he’s been overcharged in this case,” Kelly said outside the courthouse.

He will return to court on July 2.

Ryan said there was heavy traffic at the time of the incident and is asking anyone who may have seen something to contact the police. They are looking for any dashcam video or information that could help them piece together what led to the assault. Anyone with information is asked to call Waltham detectives at 718-343-3550 or email them at tips@police.waltham.ma.us.

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 Aaron Parseghian

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    BOSTON (WBZ) — Nearly 251 years after the Battle of Bunker Hill, archaeologists are searching beneath Charlestown’s Breed’s Hill for new clues about one of the most significant sites in the American Revolution.

The excavation is focused on locating and learning more about the earthen fortification known as the redoubt, which colonial soldiers hastily hand-constructed overnight leading up to the battle on June 17, 1775.

“Many maps [of the redoubt] have been drawn, but they all disagree with each other. So, we’re really hoping to lock in exactly where it was located. And if we can, figure out exactly what it looked like, that’s an added bonus,” said Joe Bagley, the City of Boston’s Archaeologist.

Right now, crews are digging two different trenches, identified through ground radar as potential locations of where the redoubt once stood. The project marks one of the first archaeological surveys conducted on that portion of Breed’s Hill.

The crew consists of the City of Boston archaeology program and several military veterans with the organization American Veterans Archaeological Recovery. The Pennsylvania-based group was started to help veterans transition into civilian life and find careers in archaeology. Much of their work is focused on historic battlegrounds and national parks.

“I think as a veteran, you do draw a family connection to the individuals who fought and in a lot of cases died on sites like this,” said Stephen Humphreys, CEO of AVAR. “What we really try to do with the archeology is make it less about kind of that huge picture and more about those individual stories that archeology can really tell, based off those artifacts that we’re finding in the grounds.”

Just two days into the two-week-long dig, archaeologists had already uncovered several notable artifacts.

Among the finds are a 400-year-old stone tool believed to have been used by a member of the Massachusett Tribe, a fragment of a 19th-century Victorian doll, and a mysterious key.

Though the most significant discovery so far may be a gun flint connected to the Revolutionary War battle itself.

“This is a gun spall, or a gun flint, that was used in a musket. This is from the Battle of Bunker Hill. So, this would have actually been here during the battle,” Bagley explained. “This one gave me chills when it came out.”

The excavation is expected to continue for two weeks as researchers search for additional evidence of the redoubt and the people who lived, fought and worked on the hill.

“This isn’t just the history of the battle. It’s also the history of Boston,” Bagley said. “We’re really excited to actually see so many pieces of history, kind of connecting all of those stories beyond just the battlefield, which is incredibly important.”

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 Joe Holden

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    PHILADELPHIA (KYW) — Philadelphia police are continuing to search for the gunman who shot and killed a Penn State student near his home in South Philly over the weekend.

Police and prosecutors are hoping a cellphone they recovered will have DNA on it that leads them to the person who shot and killed 22-year-old Billy Schmidt.

Flowers and photos surround a fire hydrant at a growing memorial for Schmidt in South Philly. The Penn State communications major was shot and killed near 20th and Durfor streets Saturday, not even a block from his home.

Schmidt’s father is searching for reasons why it happened.

“I was shocked,” said Billy Schmidt, who is the victim’s father. “I ran into his room. I didn’t believe it.”

Investigators said Schmidt left a neighborhood bar when two people approached him. Police said one of the two stole his phone.

Surveillance video shows Schmidt chasing after them, asking for his phone back. Investigators said the shooter then fired once, hitting him in the chest and killing him.

“He was a great kid, he was like my best friend,” his father said. “Never had a problem with anyone, very respectful.”

Schmidt’s father later located the phone under a car.

Prosecutors said it will be valuable in trying to identify those responsible as detectives continue looking for evidence.

“They are working diligently and have been back out to the scene to survey and recover anything else at this time,” Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney Bill Fritze said.

While District Attorney Larry Krasner was talking about an increase in his office’s budget to make Philadelphia safer Monday, CBS News Philadelphia asked about the tragic circumstances of what happened to Schmidt.

“It resonates with me, too,” Krasner said. “Crime is going to continue in human existence. The real question is, how do you manage it? Are you managing crime, reducing it? Reducing victimizations?”

Schmidt’s grieving father wants answers.

“I want them to pay,” he said. “I don’t want them to get away with this.”

Police also recovered a single spent shell casing at the scene of the shooting. They’re also looking for more surveillance video.

Sources told CBS News Philadelphia investigators are looking to rule out if the shooting is an isolated incident, or if there have been phone robberies recently in South Philadelphia or Center City.

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By Eva Andersen

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    PHILADELPHIA (KYW) — With the FIFA World Cup set to start Thursday, soccer fans across Philadelphia are already gathering to celebrate — and local restaurants are preparing to welcome visitors from around the world.

At Brauhaus Schmitz in South Philadelphia, fans packed the German beer hall Sunday evening to watch Colombia take on Jordan in a pre-World Cup “friendly” match.

“For my family, fútbol is life,” said Joana Plazas, a Colombia supporter. “I grew up watching it with my father, my uncles, my grandparents.”

Plazas said watching matches alongside fellow fans helps recreate the atmosphere she grew up with, especially because the restaurant broadcasts the matches in Spanish.

“It just makes it so much more of an incredible experience,” she said.

Creating a welcoming experience for fans across the globe is something Brauhaus Schmitz owner Doug Hager said he’s prioritizing.

“We’re not just a home base for Team Germany,” Hager said. “All the countries are welcome to come to Brauhaus and watch this beautiful game.”

The restaurant has decorated its space with soccer scarves representing countries from around the world and introduced tournament-themed food and drink specials. They’re going to show all matches on their many big screens and even throw five FIFA celebratory block parties.

Meanwhile, at Mamajuana Cafe in Fishtown, staff recently installed a giant viewing screen ahead of the tournament.

“We’re going to have at least 10 watch parties, but we might even have more,” said spokesperson Kory Aversa.

The Caribbean and Latin American restaurant is also serving specialty drinks in trophy-inspired cups designed to appeal to visiting fans.

“It’s almost like a handshake, if you will, to the soccer fans who are visiting Philly,” Aversa said.

And with kickoff just days away, businesses across Philadelphia say they’re ready to play host.

“Philadelphia is America,” Hager said. “Couple that with a sporting event in Philadelphia where we truly have the most passionate fans — it’s a match made in heaven.”

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.