Man charged with sending white powder to Chicago area members of Congress

CNN Newsource on October 27, 2026

By Sara Tenenbaum and Lauren Victory

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    QUINCY, Illinois (WBBM) — A man from downstate Quincy, Illinois, has been arrested on federal charges in connection to letters containing white powder that were sent to members of Congress in the Chicago area.

Matthew Unglesbee, 37, is charged with mailing threatening communications and mailing false information and hoaxes, according to court documents filed in U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois.

The mystery in this case may not really have been such a mystery. Investigators said Unglesbee put his real name and mailing address on the concerning letters.

According to the documents, the FBI received an anonymous tip reporting Unglesbee for mailing substances to members of Congress. According to the affidavit, the tipster said they heard Unglesbee say he mailed letters to congresspeople across the country.

According to court documents, after three members of Congress reported to the FBI’s Chicago office that they had received envelopes with suspicious powder inside, they were able to compare the envelopes.

The first three letters the FBI was notified about contained “a white granular substance” and a handwritten letter reading “HA HA,” court documents said. The fourth letter, which was reported to the FBI two days after the first three, also had a white grainy substance and a handwritten letter reading “HAH enjoy the gift.”

Each of them had a handwritten address and return address, court documents say, and all were postmarked in Springfield, Illinois.

The return addresses also listed the sender as “Matthew Unglesbee” and the return address matched his address in government records, law enforcement said.

While the substance appeared similar to possible toxins or biological agents, law enforcement said testing did not find it was a harmful or toxic substance.

This may have been a copycat situation, authorities believe.

According to the court documents, when the FBI went to his home to interview him about the letters, Unglesbee admitted to the officers he had mailed them after hearing someone in a restaurant mention a news story about other lawmakers — including U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) — receiving envelopes with white powder in them.

In the criminal complaint against him, investigators wrote that “Unglesbee claimed he was joking, but recognized that the recipients would not know he was joking and could perceive it as a threat.”

Unglesbee told FBI agents the substance in the letters he had mailed was table salt, court documents said. He denied any involvement with the letters mailed to members of Congress outside Illinois.

“The use of the mail to threaten others, including the mailing of threatening substances, will not be tolerated. These threats will be investigated and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. My office appreciates the resources dedicated by the FBI and our law enforcement partners to keep our citizens safe,” said U.S. Attorney for Central Illinois Gregory M. Gilmore.

U.S. Reps. Jan Schakowsky, Mike Quigley and Brad Schneider all received suspicious letters at their district offices in Skokie, Chicago and Lincolnshire in the past weeks. Schakowsky’s office received suspicious mail twice in seven days. In all cases, hazmat teams responded and the FBI was called to investigate. Sen. Tammy Duckworth and Rep. Robin Kelly also confirmed receiving suspicious letters.

“I’m aware of reports that a suspect has been taken into custody in connection with the most recent suspicious letter sent to my Skokie office. I’m grateful to the law enforcement officers who acted quickly and decisively to help ensure the safety of me and my staff and are working to hold those responsible accountable,” said Schakowsky in a statement. “I will not let threats stand in the way of serving the people of the 9th District. My community relies on the services our office provides, and my team and I will continue doing the work I was elected to do.”

Quigley says his district offices got two threatening letters.

“When you read these, their intent is to intimidate and threaten just weeks before the midterm election,” he said. “It wasn’t implied, it was direct threats. Somehow, threats and violence have become normalized.”

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Unglesbee was being held in their county jail to face state charges of harassment through electronic communications at the time federal charges were filed against him.

The FBI says that during a search of his home, a fifth unsent letter was found addressed to a Congress member’s office in Washington, D.C.

“Some of these threats don’t make sense they aren’t rational that’s why some are really hard to catch the person. I just think they get caught up in the craziness and intensity and the anger,” Quigley said.

Unglesbee is listed as a registered sex offender in Adams County in the Illinois State Police database, with an address listed in Quincy, Illinois.

According to federal court records, Unglesbee made an initial appearance on the federal charges on Monday afternoon by video conference. Federal prosecutors are seeking to have him detained pending trial, and a detention hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday.

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.

Los Angeles residents sue city over Hollywood sign crowds: “Reached its peak”

CNN Newsource on October 27, 2026

By Jeff Nguyen and Amy Corral

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    LOS ANGELES (KCAL, KCBS) — A group of residents who live near the world-famous Hollywood Sign, which attracts millions of visitors from around the world every year, have filed public nuisance lawsuits against the city of Los Angeles, asking officials to do more.

The lawsuits aren’t looking for money. Instead, they seek a court order that would force the city to maintain the area so it’s “free of obstructions, health hazards, fire risks and other public nuisances.”

On Sept. 27, people watched in horror as a fight broke out between a group of e-bike riders and the driver of a car underneath the Hollywood sign. The brawl was captured on cellphone video and shared among neighbors.

Cindy Cobb, who has lived in the neighborhood for eight years, says “there’s definitely a frustration level… that’s kind of reached its peak.”

In a statement to CBS California Investigates, Mayor Karen Bass’ Office said they have not seen the lawsuit but “LAPD has dedicated additional units during peak periods of congestion” for traffic and parking enforcement.

“LAPD also deploys additional traffic officers during peak times, in addition to ongoing regulation of tour buses and more. LAPD has collaborated with LADOT to implement a traffic plan for the area,” Bass’ office wrote in a statement. “The Mayor’s office will continue working to address this issue with our public safety partners.”

LA Councilmember Nithya Raman’s Office, who represents the area, said in a statement that residents should not have to “absorb the gridlock and safety risks that come with that on narrow hillside streets,” and that her office has been working to address the issue since she took office. Her staff said they have funded additional presence from LAPD and the LA Department of Transportation.

Since May, deployments during the weekends have led to increased ticketing and towing in the area. Raman’s Office said they used her discretionary funds and that this “is the largest investment” they have made to date.

“Building on those deployments, we have also identified funding for a pilot Hollywood Sign Traffic Management Plan that will test a new approach to staffing and traffic control on peak visitor days and holidays, along with a study of longer-term solutions for access and congestion in the area,” Raman’s office wrote in a statement. “We’re moving forward with that work now, so a plan is in place ahead of the 2028 Olympics.”

It’s not just neighbors but city leaders who say social media and mapping apps have been drawing large crowds to the iconic landmark. According to the lawsuit, they cause traffic jams that could make evacuating in a fire difficult, if not impossible. In addition, discarded cigarette butts are easy to find even though smoking is prohibited in the area.

The group of neighbors who have filed the lawsuit say they decided to sue after years of complaints to the city had little impact. They have joined forces with attorney Ilan Wurman, who’s filed public nuisance lawsuits against cities like Phoenix. His firm won a judgment to clear out an encampment in 2022, and he believes the same legal argument applies to the Hollywood Hills.

“Cities have an obligation to maintain their lands, their public rights of way, their streets and sidewalks, their parks free of nuisances and nuisance-creating injuries the same way that a private landowner is obligated,” Wurman said.

In mid-May, the city put in new signs to restrict parking on the weekends and holidays. But Cobb says, “Attempts by the city and the council district have not really done anything to mitigate the situation because it’s just too many people in too small of a space.”

Earlier this year, CBS California Investigates captured a Los Angeles Fire Department engine, weaving through congestion to get to a nearby fire. Max Martens has documented a similar incident when a fire engine was stuck on the narrow road in front of his home filled with cars.

He also captured tempers flaring during a standoff between people in a car and others in a white pickup that was going downhill on the wrong side.

“I have witnessed police, ambulance, fire vehicles get caught in traffic snarls and be delayed… if there had been an urgent emergency or evacuation, we would all be in trouble,” Martens said.

Data collected by the city’s traffic cameras show the problem is getting worse.

During a 13-day period in July 2025, 42,000 vehicles traveled through the neighborhood. This summer, the number shot up to more than 48,200 vehicles, which is a 15% jump during the same period.

Neighbors also have concerns over public health as the crowds draw food vendors who are often unlicensed and leave behind plastic gloves, sanitary wipes and used toilet paper.

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.

Heather Jefts Outlines Plans for Property Tax Relief in Williamson County Judge Race

CNN Newsource on October 27, 2026

By Lisa Valadez

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    Houston, TX (Houston Style Magazine) — First elected to Cedar Park City Council in 2017, Jefts says she would focus on reducing county debt, strengthening regional infrastructure, improving public safety and expanding public participation in county government. Heather Jefts, a Cedar Park City Council member first elected in 2017, is running for Williamson County judge with a platform focused on property tax relief, fiscal responsibility, public safety, infrastructure improvements and government accountability. Jefts and her family moved to Cedar Park in 2005, where she and her husband raised their two sons. A small business owner, community leader and nonprofit volunteer, she has emphasized applying her municipal government experience to the challenges facing a growing Williamson County. Her campaign platform highlights affordability, transportation, water access, conservation, economic development, parks and trails, and public safety. In responses to Houston Style Magazine’s questions, Jefts outlined how she would approach the county’s financial obligations, coordinate regional infrastructure projects and make county government more accessible to residents. Property Tax Relief and Fiscal Responsibility Property taxes and the cost of housing are central to Jefts’ campaign. She said she would use the administrative, budgetary and policymaking authority of the Williamson County Commissioners Court to expand housing options and improve affordability across the county. Jefts said housing costs have made homeownership unattainable for many young people. She believes increasing housing options at different price points could help stabilize the market and provide more opportunities for residents. She also identified county debt as a significant concern, stating that Williamson County has the highest debt per person of any county in Texas. Jefts said she would work with Commissioners Court to begin paying down debt ahead of schedule. Her approach would focus on reducing debt service obligations to create additional flexibility in the county budget. She said this could allow the county to lower its tax rate while saving money on interest and maintaining funding for essential services. Jefts said a consistent program of early debt repayment would provide financial flexibility without requiring cuts to vital services. She also outlined a way for residents to measure progress through annual budget reports showing how much debt the county has paid down and how much has been saved. Her experience in Cedar Park is a central part of her argument for this approach. According to her campaign website, Jefts helped decrease the city’s tax rate annually while paying off more than $21 million in city debt ahead of schedule. Her campaign also credits her with helping secure a AAA bond rating and saving taxpayers more than $7 million in interest. Jefts also points to Cedar Park’s first-ever Homestead Exemption as part of her record on property tax relief. At the county level, she said her objective would be to balance tax relief with the resources needed to support public safety, roads and other essential services. Growth, Traffic and Regional Infrastructure As Williamson County continues to grow, Jefts said infrastructure planning must keep pace with the needs of residents and businesses. She identified three areas for attention: expanding and integrating water and wastewater systems, closing broadband access gaps, and investing in transit that moves people and goods safely and efficiently. Jefts said her experience working on regional issues involving water, air quality, transit and transportation would help her pursue solutions that extend beyond individual city boundaries. Water availability is a particular concern in her infrastructure plans. Jefts pointed to the Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority and Brushy Creek Regional Wastewater System as examples of regional cooperation involving Cedar Park, Leander and Round Rock, with Austin participating in the wastewater component. She said regional systems can reduce costs for participating communities and help address recurring drought concerns. Rather than requiring every city and municipal utility district to independently manage water sourcing, treatment, wastewater treatment, pipelines and delivery, Jefts advocated for a countywide water project. According to Jefts, such a project could help smaller communities, distribute costs more fairly, strengthen drought resilience and establish consistent conservation and water-quality standards throughout the county. She also raised concerns about the financial pressures communities face when developing water infrastructure independently. In her view, regional coordination could reduce competition over resources and help protect communities from outside entities seeking to control water supplies. Transportation and congestion are also priorities. Jefts said she wants to expand coordinated transit systems throughout Williamson County, pointing to regional planning efforts that include suburban transit and infrastructure improvements. She cited the regional Comprehensive Climate Action Plan, which includes infrastructure projects intended to address regional needs while reducing environmental impacts. Jefts said she has laid the groundwork for expanding coordinated transit systems across the county. Her experience in Cedar Park also includes work on a Mobility Master Plan and support for technology-based traffic signals designed to improve traffic flow and safety. She said these types of initiatives could benefit communities throughout Williamson County. Jefts’ broader transportation goals include addressing congestion, improving safety for pedestrians and bicyclists, and reducing air pollution associated with increasingly congested roads. Leadership, Public Safety and Countywide Representation Jefts said her experience on Cedar Park City Council has prepared her to work with elected officials who have different perspectives and priorities. She said much of her time on council involved working with Democratic minorities or councils with closely divided membership. Despite those differences, she said council members were able to work together on initiatives for the city. If elected county judge, Jefts said she would seek to establish a collaborative working environment on Commissioners Court while maintaining a focus on fiscal responsibility, public safety and sustainable growth. Her campaign points to several Cedar Park initiatives as examples of her approach to local government. These include investments in fire and police facilities, construction of Fire Station No. 5, funding for a Public Safety Training Facility, and the creation of a joint Mental Health Task Force involving Cedar Park police, the Williamson County Sheriff’s Department and Bluebonnet Mental Health Services. She also cites voter-approved drainage improvements, reclaimed water initiatives, expanded parks and trails, and the development of Lakeline Park, a 200-acre park in Cedar Park. Jefts serves on the Capital Area Council of Governments, where her work includes emergency response and disaster preparedness. She is also First Vice Chair of the Clean Air Coalition, which works on regional air quality and public health issues. She said public safety and community well-being would remain central to her countywide agenda, alongside the infrastructure and financial decisions needed to support continued growth. Transparency, Ethics and Public Participation Increasing public access to county government is another component of Jefts’ platform. She said she would seek changes to Commissioners Court meetings to allow residents to provide comments both online and in person during agenda items. She also proposed holding one evening meeting each month to make participation easier for residents whose work schedules prevent them from attending during regular business hours. Additional proposals include expanding constituent services, increasing opportunities for community input and pursuing ethics reforms intended to keep residents at the center of county decisions. Jefts’ campaign website emphasizes accessible representation and public engagement. It describes her experience holding hundreds of constituent office hours and increasing public outreach around major Cedar Park projects. Her municipal record also includes financial disclosure requirements for city council members and a more stringent revolving-door policy for council members and staff, according to her campaign website. Jefts said she would bring the same emphasis on transparency and ethical leadership to county government, with residents given more opportunities to understand county decisions and participate in the process. Background and Campaign Priorities Jefts holds a degree in Sustainability Studies and Economics from The University of Texas at Austin. Before and during her public service, she worked as a small business owner and volunteered with community and nonprofit organizations. She served six years on the board of the Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center, including two terms as president during its capital campaign and construction of a new facility. Her community involvement has also included literacy initiatives, diaper ministry and other volunteer activities, according to her campaign website. Her campaign brings together three central commitments: economic responsibility and tax relief, public safety and community well-being, and sustainable growth and connectivity. As county judge, Jefts said she would seek to reduce debt, improve infrastructure coordination, expand opportunities for residents to participate in government and maintain the services families rely on as Williamson County grows. More information about her background and campaign platform is available at jeftsforjudge.com.

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.

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713-748-6300

Newport Beach residents, business owners hit by record-setting high tides

CNN Newsource on October 27, 2026

By Jasmine Viel, Lesley Marin and Dean Fioresi

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    NEWPORT BEACH, California (KCAL, KCBS) — King tides caused more flooding along the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach on Monday, sending water into streets, homes and businesses for the second time in as many weeks. With even higher tides expected in the coming days, residents are racing to keep the water out.

“We had a record high tide that came in about an inch and a half higher than anything we’ve ever seen before,” said Newport Beach city officials, who added that tides Tuesday could be at least two inches higher than Monday’s record.

A family living on Balboa Boulevard was already armed with brooms as they worked to sweep the ocean water from their living room on Monday after the powerful waves, paired with the Kelvin wave phenomenon, brought record-setting tides to the area.

“There’s a three-story home next to us, and just from the high tide coming up, flooded the whole first floor,” said Carson Hill.

Sandbags were stacked high near the Fun Zone and Pizza Pete’s, some of the many businesses that just finished cleaning from the last flooding incident earlier in October.

“Pizza Pete’s, this morning, poor guy. He was scooping water out with a Coca-Cola cup,” said one woman.

Jan Naval, the pizza shop owner for the last 16 years, said he quickly realized the cup was no match for the water.

“I was here at 8:30 and it’s fine, hardly any water,” Naval said. “I came back at 9 o’clock and it was like a lake here. … Two weeks ago, no warning, we just woke up with water everywhere … and it’s dirty water.”

Hill, who also runs his family’s boat service business, said that sandbags stacked along the wall of the ferry dock have been unable to withstand Mother Nature.

“We had an extremely high tide, which compromised the sea wall,” Hill said. “It breached the sandbags, and then once it started flowing, the water just took out all the other sandbags. … We’re prepared for the high tide and the Kelvin wave, but there’s no way you can really stop it without building up all our sea walls.”

Newport Beach city crews were already working to fortify weak spots along the dock with tarps and more sandbags on Monday, while on the other side of the peninsula, workers were still busy using heavy equipment to construct a massive wall of sand.

“It’s a big wall. We’re pushing up a dozer and we brought 108 loads of sand at The Wedge,” said Reece Waldron, of T.E. Waldron Inc.

Last week, city leaders declared a local emergency ahead of the king tides. which are expected to last into the new year. On Tuesday, high tide was again predicted in the morning.

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California’s golden mussel invasion sparks increased concerns from Stockton-area leaders

CNN Newsource on October 27, 2026

By Nina Burns

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    STOCKTON, California (KOVR) — Invasive golden mussels continue to spread through California waterways, increasing concerns about damage to water infrastructure, threats to agriculture and rising costs for boaters and communities.

The issue was the focus of a public discussion Monday in Stockton, where Rep. Josh Harder and Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom discussed efforts to contain the mussels and limit their spread.

Stockton was where golden mussels were first detected in California more than two years ago.

“It continues to be where we have the biggest problem with golden mussels across our state,” Harder said.

Since their arrival, the mussels have spread to other waterways, attaching themselves to boats and potentially clogging pipes and other water infrastructure.

Ransom warned that the impacts could reach households and farms through higher costs and increased risks to water supplies.

“Our water payers are going to pay more. Our farmers are going to have to charge us more, and we are at more risk as a community until we deal with this issue,” Ransom said.

The concerns extend to boaters on the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, where fisherman Jason Jones said he has seen more golden mussels over the past year. He said boat owners can face expensive cleaning costs if the mussels attach themselves to their vessels.

“Some people do leave their boat in there, and it does get on there, and so they do have to pay and have it taken out and cleaned professionally,” Jones said.

Jones also questioned whether enough money is being directed toward protecting local waterways.

Mountain House Vice Mayor Ronna Green said she attended Monday’s discussion because she believes more communities need to understand the threat.

“It is really a state of emergency, and I don’t really feel like every city is aware of what’s going on in our waterways, so that’s what brought me out today,” Green said.

Green said she wants to see more action to control the species.

“There’s been a lot of research already, a lot of data already put out there. We just need to do the work,” she said.

California has already enacted Ransom’s Golden Mussel Response Act, while Harder’s federal legislation has yet to become law.

Harder’s bill would establish a rapid-response program, expand inspection stations and support research into ways to eradicate the mussels. The legislation received a congressional hearing last month but still needs approval before it can take effect.

Harder said the immediate focus should be on preventing further spread.

“We need to do a better job of that containment and that monitoring and surveillance first before we move into how we’re actually going to get rid of them,” he said.

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$1 million stolen train cargo of tennis shoes and backpacks recovered

CNN Newsource on October 27, 2026

By Julie Sharp

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    CHATSWORTH, California (KCAL, KCBS) — Detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department’s Cargo Theft Task Force recovered $1 million in stolen train cargo at a San Fernando Valley business linked to online sales of the goods.

On Oct. 21, LAPD task force detectives, along with Burlington Northern & Santa Fe (BNSF) Police and several other agencies, including the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations, served a search warrant at the 21000 block of Nordhoff Street.

The warrant was triggered by an eBay sale of allegedly stolen, limited-edition runDisney x Brooks shoes.

The transaction led detectives to DesignerDeals4Less in Chatsworth, where $1 million in BNSF Railroad train property was discovered, including Brooks, Hoka, New Balance, Adidas, ON, Salomon, and JanSport shoes, as well as JanSport backpacks, totaling 35 pallets of cargo.

Detectives contacted the business owner, who admitted to purchasing the stolen train property from illegitimate distributors of the brands.

The owner, 51-year-old Heros Tasci from Simi Valley, was booked at Van Nuys Jail for receiving stolen property.

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Mayor Whitmire Announces Lizzo and En Vogue to Headline Houston’s 2026 Holiday Celebrations

CNN Newsource on October 27, 2026

By Francis Page Jr.

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    October 27, 2026 (Houston Style Magazine) — Houston’s holiday season is ready to hit a high note—and this year, the soundtrack has serious star power. Mayor John Whitmire announced Monday, October 26, that Houston-raised superstar Lizzo will lead the 77th Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade, while legendary R&B group En Vogue will headline the city’s Deck the Hall celebration in December.

The free Thanksgiving tradition steps off in downtown Houston at 9 a.m. Thursday, November 26. Four-time Grammy Award winner and Emmy Award winner Lizzo returns to the city that helped shape her musical journey as parade grand marshal. Once a flute-playing member of Alief Elsik High School’s marching band, she will share the festivities with that very band—a hometown reunion with enough heart to rival the holiday dinner table.

Expect a moving celebration of Houston pride, featuring 15 floats, 10 oversized balloons, marching bands and performances. Among the eye-catching attractions are giant character balloons and H-E-Buddy, the familiar face of a grocer that has become part of Texas family life.

Houston’s Thanksgiving parade dates to 1949, when Santa Claus arrived at Union Station before traveling to Foley’s downtown department store. Seventy-seven editions later, the spirit remains remarkably familiar: neighbors gather, children marvel and the city celebrates what unites it.

H-E-B deserves a special holiday salute. Founded in Kerrville in 1905, the Texas-grown retailer has made community service as much a part of its identity as groceries. Its food-bank support, Feast of Sharing meals and longstanding commitment to Texas families reflect a simple belief: the season means more when everyone has a place at the table. That same spirit shines through its sponsorship of Houston’s signature Thanksgiving parade.

The holiday cheer continues Saturday, December 5, as Reliant presents Deck the Hall, the Mayor’s Holiday Tree Lighting and Concert, at Hermann Square outside City Hall. R&B royalty En Vogue will bring signature harmonies and decades of hits, joined by powerhouse vocalist Jessica Sanchez and soul singer MAJOR. The free event promises festive activities, treats, a fireworks finale and the lighting of Houston’s 52-foot holiday tree, adorned with 4,000 ornaments and nearly 100,000 energy-efficient LED lights.

Mayor Whitmire is inviting families from every neighborhood to share these moments together. City officials are coordinating with sponsors and partners, including H-E-B, Reliant, RODEOHOUSTON, bp America and Downtown Houston+, to make the celebrations welcoming and memorable.

The two occasions also spotlight civic partnerships that keep cherished downtown experiences accessible across generations, cultures and neighborhoods—proof that Houston’s greatest holiday attraction has always been its people.

Whether you’re cheering for Lizzo before the turkey reaches the table or singing along with En Vogue beneath the December lights, Houston has two opportunities to make cherished memories without an admission charge.

This season, the invitation is simple: bring your loved ones, bring your holiday spirit—and let Houston bring the music. For parade details, reserved seating and street closures, visit Houston’s Thanksgiving Parade. For concert information, visit Deck the Hall. Additional updates are available at the Mayor’s Office of Special Events.

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.

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Irvine Lake begins mass draining project for upgrades to 93-year-old reservoir

CNN Newsource on October 27, 2026

By Rina Nakano

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    ORANGE COUNTY, California (KCAL, KCBS) — Irvine Lake began draining this morning ahead of the El Niño and to upgrade the 93-year-old reservoir.

Aside from making room for the upcoming El Niño, the water draining is part of the Irvine Ranch Water District’s $470 million Santiago Creek Dam improvement, which provides drinking and irrigation water to 900,000 customers of the 1.5 million people living in the downstream floodplain.

“We need to replace the outlet tower and the spillway completely,” said John Fabris, a spokesperson for Irvine Ranch Water District. “We’re going to bring it up to state-of-the-art in terms of seismic safety.”

Wendy Tochihara likes to fish in the lake and wonders where the fish will go.

“We want to save that fishery. It’s huge,” she said. “I want a full fishery assessment of that lake.”

She said that the trophy-class fishery is home to massive catfish, trout, sturgeon, wipers and bluegill.

“These bass that were put in that lake are called F1 largemouth bass,” Tochihara said. “Those are the purest form of Florida strain largemouth. You can’t get them.”

Right now, the fish have a home that’s around 23 feet deep. In three weeks, it’s expected to go down to five feet. Once the contractors are prepared to work on the dam, that’s when crews will drain it completely.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife said they can’t enforce anything since the fish are non-native species that live in a private lake. They suggested residents contact Irvine Ranch Water District or Orange County Parks to temporarily relocate the fish or host a fishing derby.

Fabris said he expects O.C. Parks will restock the lake when the project is done in 2032. Tochihara said it won’t be the same.

“If all those fish are dead and they stock the lake with smaller fish, it’s no longer a trophy-class fishery,” she said. “Are the people going to come back?”

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.

Group of 6 men steals 3,000 pounds of frozen crab from tractor-trailer in Philadelphia, police say

CNN Newsource on October 27, 2026

By Joe Brandt, Kyle Burton

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    PHILADELPHIA (KYW) — A tractor-trailer driver hauling frozen snow crab had thousands of pounds of his cargo taken as he slept in his truck in Southwest Philadelphia, police said.

Police were called out to the 3400 block of Island Avenue just before 5 a.m. Tuesday and spoke to the truck driver.

He told police that he was asleep in the truck when he awoke to the sounds of movement outside. He peered through the window and said he saw six men removing boxes of crab from the truck.

When the driver got out, one of the men chased him down the street.

The group of men fled in a gray Ford F-150 pickup truck and a gray Dodge Caravan minivan, according to the driver.

Police estimate the group’s total catch amounted to two pallets of frozen snow crab, or about 100 30-pound boxes of the frozen seafood.

Earlier this month, a group of masked men stole about five pallets of beef from a tractor-trailer in Northeast Philadelphia. The suspects in that case left in a Ford F-150 and a Jeep, according to police.

Police say sleeping truck drivers are often targeted as they wait for their appointed delivery time in the morning.

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BMX world champion continues to outpace competition at 14

CNN Newsource on October 27, 2026

By Nicholas Lentz

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    WOODBURY, Minnesota (WCCO) — It’s a competition that takes just 30 to 40 seconds, but a lot happens in that short amount of time. A Woodbury, Minnesota, BMX racer is crushing the competition against all odds.

It’s a sport that takes many muscles.

“I’d really say your quads,” BMX racer Jemma Tollefson said. “Your core is, like, key for the gate. And then your arms, too; involves your whole body.”

Each racer has one goal.

“It’s all about who can get from point A to B the fastest,” Jeff Tollefson said.

Jeff Tollefson fell in love with BMX in the 70s.

“So, I still have my trophies from way back then, and mine are only three feet tall,” he said.

Jeff Tollefson competed but couldn’t travel far.

“I grew up poor, and my mom didn’t bring me anywhere,” he said.

But now, because of Jeff Tollefson’s protégé student, Jemma Tollefson, he’s traveled the world. Jemma Tollefson is also his daughter.

“So sometimes, we have to distinguish between being in coach mode and being dad, especially in these teenage years. But yeah, we spent a lot of time traveling the country. I think she’s been to 31 states already,” Jeff Tollefson said.

It all started in Woodbury, Minnesota.

“Her third word ever was bike,” Jeff Tollefson said.

He added that Jemma Tollefson, as a kid, would ask him to go out and ride with her.

“And then I’m like, hey, do you want to go down the hill? And then that was where I saw she had no fear on my mountain bike. She was going 17 mph on a balanced bike,” Jeff Tollefson said.

Jemma Tollefson is only 14, but she’s already a world champion.

“It was, like, pretty unreal,” she said.

Jemma Tollefson won the title in Australia, a feat that was against all odds.

“We’re at a big disadvantage here in Minnesota compared to the southern California, Texas and Florida states. We do the best we can, just trying to ride wherever we can,” she said.

Jeff and Jemma Tollefson regularly drive roughly 90 minutes to a track in St. Michael, Minnesota, chasing titles and adrenaline.

“It’s still scary now, even though I’ve been riding for nine years. So, no matter what, I think it will still be, like, scary, just, like, the thought of messing up, the thought [of] like coming unclipped or something. Like, anything can go wrong in that second,” Jemma Tollefson said.

WCCO asked her what the big dream is following her world title win.

“Olympics, number one. So, I hope to get a medal and I hope to get first,” Jemma Tollefson said.

Her father says he’s very proud of her.

“Never thought from that first day of her getting on a balance bike that we would be, you know, discussing being a world champion,” he said.

The next big races are over Thanksgiving, with two championships for the end-of-year standings. Jemma Tollefson is currently ranked No. 1 going into the finals.

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