Category: CNN Regional

By Carson Zorn

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    BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. (WBBH) — A Lee County man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after being found guilty of mutilating two cats and leaving their severed heads in a box.

According to the State Attorney’s Office, Robert James Luther III, 38, was sentenced to five years in prison to be served consecutively on each of the four counts he was found guilty of: two counts of aggravated animal cruelty and two counts of aggravated stalking. The consecutive sentences bring Luther’s total sentence to 20 years.

Luther was convicted in May following a three-day trial.

According to the SAO, the crime occurred on March 13, 2025, in Bonita Springs. A man saw a box sitting on top of his mailbox, and when he looked inside, he found two severed cat heads. The box was wet and smelled like gasoline.

During the investigation, Lee County deputies confirmed that Luther had been near the scene and were able to determine that his van had been in the area the morning of the crime, the SAO said. The victim and his wife had been threatened by Luther for more than a year.

Around the time of the crime, a deputy located Luther at a nearby car wash scrubbing his van, the SAO said. Surveillance footage from the car wash showed Luther scrubbing his van for three hours. Footage also showed Luther had a red gas can sitting on top of the van.

The victim positively identified Luther, who was then arrested as he sat parked in his van behind a closed business. A search of Luther’s van revealed multiple firearms, a pellet gun, a machete, a saw blade, dark clothes, and two rolls of duct tape.

Deputies also searched Luther’s phone and found a video of Luther shooting two cats in the woods. The cats in the video matched the heads found in the box, the SAO said.

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 Juliegrace Brufke | Quincy News Correspondent

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    Washington (Quincy News) — Market Recap: Wall Street rebounded Thursday after stronger-than-expected Microsoft earnings lifted technology stocks. The S&P 500 gained 1.7%, the Nasdaq jumped 2.8%, and the Dow added 1.2%, recovering much of the ground lost in Wednesday’s selloff. Treasury yields held steady following the day’s inflation data, while oil prices pulled back after this week’s sharp rally.

Amazon shares jumped in after-hours trading Thursday after the company beat earnings expectations on strong AWS growth and upbeat guidance. Apple shares slipped despite topping estimates, as investors focused on weaker-than-expected services revenue and supply chain concerns.

Today’s Focus: The Employment Cost Index, a key gauge the Fed watches for wage inflation, comes out at 8:30 a.m. ET this morning. We’ll also get the final July consumer sentiment reading from the University of Michigan, offering a preview of consumer mood before next week’s big jobs report.

Exxon reported second-quarter earnings of $14.5 billion, or $3.48 per share ($3.52 adjusted), while Chevron beat forecasts with $12.1 billion in earnings, or $6.06 adjusted per share, its best quarter since 2022 as higher oil prices boosted results

ON THE SCHEDULE FOR FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2026

-8:30 a.m. ET – Employment Cost Index

-10:00 a.m. ET – University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment (Final, July)

-Earnings – Exxon Mobil and Chevron

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 James Taylor

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    RANCHO CORDOVA, California (KOVR) — Many code enforcement violations can go unnoticed until someone files a complaint. Rancho Cordova is now using artificial intelligence to help spot potential problems across the city.

“It’s been a huge resource for us,” Rancho Cordova Neighborhood Services Director Russell Ducharme Jr. said.

Code enforcement officers are driving through the city with AI-enabled cameras mounted on their vehicles, recording images as they travel.

“It’s videoing as the car is moving, so you can go up to 40 miles an hour and it’s taking in the data,” Ducharme said.

The system is trained to identify potential code enforcement violations and flags about 1,200 issues a month, according to the city.

“Overgrown lawn, junk and debris in the public view, parking on dirt, landscaping violations, boarded-up windows, illegal dumping that’s on a sidewalk,” Ducharme said.

The technology comes from a company called City Detect.

AI scans the camera feed and marks potential violations, which are then sent to code enforcement officers for review.

“We want a human in the loop,” Ducharme said. “We want our officers to be able to use their discretion and make good calls.”

Before the cameras were introduced, Ducharme said code enforcement officers could visually review each property only about twice a year.

Now, he said the system can cover the city’s roughly 26,000 properties in a month.

“Twenty-six thousand properties here in the city we can do in a month,” Ducharme said.

The use of cameras to inspect properties could raise privacy concerns, but city officials say protections are in place and officers are trained on how the technology should be used.

“We are very, very respectful of people’s privacy. We are not overreaching,” Ducharme said. “All of our officers go through specific training.”

When officers confirm a violation, the property owner is sent a warning letter and given time to address the problem before citations are issued.

“This isn’t a money grab,” Ducharme said. “We’re not using it to issue admin cites every single time we get a reading back.”

City leaders are also considering increasing code enforcement fines.

A first violation currently carries a $100 fine. Under the proposal, that would increase to $250, with fines of up to $1,000 for repeat violations.

“When it hits their pocketbook, they understand what the expectations and standards are,” Ducharme said.

Rancho Cordova is also exploring whether the cameras could be used to monitor pavement conditions and identify potholes on city streets.

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 Madisen Keavy, Makena Locsin

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    STOCKTON, California (KOVR) — A man accused of setting a Corvette on fire in a Stockton driveway was caught on camera moments before the sports car went up in flames Thursday morning.

Exclusive video obtained by CBS News Sacramento shows the suspect, identified by Stockton police as Emanuel Ariza-Martinez, riding up to a home on Raleigh Drive on a bicycle before approaching the parked Corvette with a gasoline can.

The video shows Ariza-Martinez inspecting the vehicle before pouring gasoline over it. The video appears to show him drinking from the gas can, prompting first responders to request an ambulance after a witness who recorded the video told dispatchers what they had seen.

The man is then seen lighting the red Corvette on fire but stays at the scene watching the car burn from across the street, according to police. Ariza-Martinez was arrested on scene without issue.

The sports car owner told CBS News Sacramento it’s a total loss. There were no injuries.

Ariza-Martinez was booked at the San Joaquin County Jail for felony arson. He is expected to make his first court appearance next week.

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 Tim Fang

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    SANTA CRUZ, California (KPIX) — A 16-year-old California lifeguard who rescued a 10-year-old from powerful waves during a daring rescue caught on video has spoken out about the harrowing experience.

The California State Parks released a statement from Ryder Williams, the rookie lifeguard who rescued the child at Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz County on Saturday.

At the time of the incident, the coast was under a significant swell event and high surf advisory. The swell was providing consistent waves of 4 to 6 feet, with waves occasionally reaching an estimated 10 feet.

“I was at the waterline 15 yards downcoast of Tower 2 making a safety contact when I looked up and saw a child about 20 (yards) up from the tower lose his footing in ankle deep water,” Williams said.

The teen radioed the incident and headed into the water.

“I put my fins on my wrist, popped my buoy and entered the water to get ahold of the child. Due to the volatility of the water, I was unable to tube up the victim,” he said. “After the first wave I was unable to pull him out because he was limp and the waves were pushing so hard.”

Two to three more waves struck the pair before another lifeguard, identified as Aaron Bohnen, entered the water. After several bystanders jumped into the water to try and help, Williams yelled at them to get back to shore.

The lifeguards were able to bring the child to safety. After assessing the 10-year-old, Williams said he returned to his lifeguard tower and worked the remainder of his shift.

“I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to return the child to his family safely. This is my job and I love what I do. I’m thankful to my fellow lifeguards who perform rescues just like this every day,” he went on to say.

Video of the rescue went viral and has caught the attention of President Trump, who publicly invited the lifeguard and the boy to the White House.

Sumit Rai, the boy’s father, spoke to The Associated Press and said he was beyond grateful to the lifeguard who saved his son Nathaniel. The boy had been visiting the California coast from the Dallas area.

“He ran into that water despite those conditions that are deadly. You have 10-foot waves; you have riptides and currents coming in,” Rai told the news organization. “It is not safe for him to go into that water. So he’s risking his own safety.”

According to the agency, lifeguards in the Santa Cruz District performed 34 rescues that weekend.

California State Parks employs about 600 seasonal lifeguards every summer and there are about 70 permanent lifeguards in the department. On average, the lifeguards perform about 10,000 rescues every year.

“Our State Park lifeguards courageously risk their own lives every day to keep our visitors safe. Their dedication never goes unnoticed and they are truly heroes to their local communities, Californians and the nation,” the agency said.

Visitors to the coast should continue to exercise caution, as forecasters say sneaker waves and strong rip currents are possible for the next several days. The National Weather Service has issued a Beach Hazards Statement for shorelines in the Bay Area and Central Coast through Saturday.

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By Laurie Perez

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    VENICE, California (KCAL, KCBS) — Describing themselves as a professional neighborhood watch group, former gang members and addicts are helping Venice residents clear encampments from their doorsteps.

“We want the best for our children, and we want the best for our community,” founder Bobby Luna said. “We knew that we can step in and help.”

For three years, Luna said he’s dedicated his life to making Venice, his hometown, safer and better through his group called Ghost Town. The 10 men, all Venice natives, will come to people’s homes or businesses and get encampments or people living on sidewalks, doorsteps and yards to leave.

He’s public about the fact that he and others on his team are former gang members and addicts. He said they use that experience to show the unhoused they meet that there’s hope.

“Show them that there’s hope, because they want to talk to someone who’s been there,” Luna said.

He gave one example of talking to a person living in an RV near a school. Luna explained to the man that there were children playing in the area and convinced him to move.

“We’ve known this guy since we were in elementary,” Luna said.

With more than 350 clients, Ghost Town is now everywhere and their customers rave about their work to move encampments that once held them hostage.

“Sometimes I would deal with people who they start accosting me or trying to get in,” business owner Kismet Salem said. “I can call them immediately … The way they deal with everybody, it’s really amazing and beautiful and very human-to-human.”

Critics, like longtime homeless advocate Peggy Kennedy, said the group reflects a movement of vigilantism.

“I call it thug security,” she said. “I have experience where they came to me and harassed me … Sure, they might be local guys; that might be true. They might have some connections with people, but I think the connection is, ‘Here’s some cash, and if you come back, we’ll get you.’ People on the street understand that.”

Luna vehemently denied that characterization. He said they offer money for meals or to help someone out, not to get them to leave.

“Never has that happened. We don’t operate like that,” he said. “We don’t talk to people disrespectfully. We do not put our hands on anybody.”

Whatever their methods may be, homeless advocate Mel Tillekeratne has some concerns, mainly that Ghost Town employees are still in the process of getting state certification and licenses that would allow their workers to legally carry guns and provide security.

“This is not a state-sanctioned agency,” he said. “They’re operating in public places. And, where do these people go?”

Tillekeratne and other critics see what Ghost Town does as simply moving the problem down the road.

“You don’t care what happens to the people as long as they’re not in front of you,” Kennedy said. “Displacement is not a permanent solution.”

Luna doesn’t claim Ghost Town is solving homelessness, but it does help connect unhoused people with resources. He said their services start at about $250 a month and can go up to $1,000 or more for big businesses.

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By Michele Gile

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    ORANGE COUNTY, California (KCAL, KCBS) — Several inches of sand fill the front row of Aliso Beach’s parking lot after surf coupled with high tides pounded the Orange County shore.

Sets up to 8 feet have been crashing on a narrow stretch of the beach, which is close to the spot where a 5-year-old girl drowned last month after a big wave pulled her into the ocean.

Lifeguards were on high alert on Thursday, telling parents and children playing in the water to move away from breaking waves. Aliso Beach has a steep drop-off near the shoreline, where several kids took the warnings seriously.

“It’s dangerous,” beachgoer Maddox Lawrence said. “If it touches your knees, you go back a little.”

Overhead swells are creating some nervous moments for people living along the Alamitos Bay peninsula in Long Beach after sections of the high berms that protected nearby homes were breached as the high tide moved in. The waves also broke down the plywood wall along the boardwalk.

Beach crews are continuously reinforcing the berm to keep the water out of homes and alleys.

Orange County’s high surf advisory and high rip current risk continues through Saturday. Lifeguards advise people to stay out of the water unless they are experienced and know their limits.

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By Jennifer McRae

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    JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colordao (KCNC) — A couple in Colorado has been arrested in connection with a deadly shooting over the weekend that investigators said is linked to an alleged hit-and-run crash that happened just minutes earlier. According to investigators in the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Steven Simpson and Corryn Simpson were arrested on Wednesday.

The incident began around 10:28 p.m. Saturday when Littleton police were notified about a hit-and-run crash near S. Santa Fe Drive and W. Belleview Avenue. At the time, dispatchers were told that a blue Ford F-150 struck a couple of vehicles and then drove away.

Investigators identified Steven Simpson, 25, and his wife, Corryn Simpson, 26, as the driver and passenger in a white BMW SUV that was one of the vehicles struck by the truck. According to the arrest affidavits, Corryn Simpson called Littleton police to report the crash and said that they were following the Ford truck.

Investigators said that Steven Simpson saw the Ford attempting to merge on Santa Fe Drive when the truck struck a sedan, causing it to crash into the BMW SUV. The truck then continued westbound on West Bowles Avenue.

According to the arrest affidavits, the dispatcher instructed them to stop pursuing the truck, but they continued to follow the vehicle. During the 911 call, investigators said Steven Simpson was heard making a threatening statement, which was followed shortly after by the sound of two gunshots.

At 10:32 p.m., investigators said Jeffcom 911 reported a 911 hangup call which led to Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputies being dispatched to the area of West Dorado Avenue and Grant Ranch Boulevard. Jeffcom 911 called the number back and reached the driver of the Ford truck who said someone was chasing him and fired shots at his vehicle. He said that one of the shots struck his friend, a passenger in the truck, later identified as Andrew Bott, 23, of Littleton.

The driver followed directions from the dispatcher and pulled into the parking lot of Columbine High School. When deputies arrived, they immediately began lifesaving efforts on the victim. Bott had been shot in the head and rushed to the hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

According to the arrest affidavit, the driver of the Ford told investigators that he and Bott were driving from a bar in Denver and while on West Bowles Avenue, they had been hit by a white SUV on the driver’s side. While correcting the truck, the SUV ended up on the passenger side of his truck and Bott said, “He has a gun.” The driver told police he heard the gunshots and saw Bott slump over.

The arrest affidavit describes Littleton police officers recovering two spent SIG 9mm Luger+P casings in the intersection where the shooting happened.

According to the arrest affidavit, Steven Simpson told detectives that he stopped following the truck after dispatchers advised him to do so and that they drove home. He told detectives that he did not know anything about a gun being involved.

A SIG Sauer brand holster and a single live bullet, identified as the same type of ammunition as the spent shell casings recovered at the shooting scene, were found inside the home where the Simpsons live, according to the arrest affidavit. Additional ammunition of the same kind was also located within the home, along with two 9mm SIG Sauer P365 handguns, a 9mm Beretta 92X and a 9mm rifle, as detailed in the arrest affidavit. The firearms were later test-fired and submitted for evaluation; results of the testing are pending, according to the Jefferson County Regional Crime Lab.

Steven Simpson is being held on charges of first-degree murder and Corryn Simpson is being held on charges of accessory to a crime, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

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By Doug Myers

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    WATAUGA, Texas (KTVT) — A Watauga man is facing serious charges after allegedly carrying out a brutal baseball bat attack that left the victim with severe injuries and unable to clearly tell officers what had happened, authorities said.

Anthony Curtis Jr., 20, has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to the Watauga Police Department.

The victim, who was found in their driveway, was taken to a local hospital with serious head injuries.

Police say the incident occurred on Wednesday in the 6500 block of Ridglea Drive.

According to authorities, officers canvassed the area, learned Curtis had fled into a nearby home, and secured the area while detectives obtained a search warrant. Because investigators believed Curtis was still inside, the North Richland Hills Regional SWAT Team was called in.

Officers found Curtis inside the residence and recovered the bat believed to be the weapon. He was arrested without incident and taken to jail, police said.

CBS News Texas will provide updates as more information becomes available.

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