Category: CNN Regional

By Adam Thompson

Click here for updates on this story

    BALTIMORE, Maryland (WJZ) — A public health researcher at Johns Hopkins University was arrested by immigration officers while boarding a domestic flight this week.

A Johns Hopkins spokesperson confirmed that Fatima Ameaka, an employee at the Bloomberg School of Public Health, was detained while preparing to board a flight for a personal trip.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told our media partner, The Baltimore Banner, that agents with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) arrested Ameaka on July 28 at Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) Thurgood Marshall Airport.

DHS said Ameaka entered the United States in 2023 on a visa that has since expired, and will remain in ICE detention while awaiting an immigration court hearing.

The detention comes as the Trump administration ramps up immigration enforcement at U.S. airports amid increased collaboration between the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and ICE, according to ICE sources.

“Though we cannot comment on the specifics of her situation, we want to assure our community that the university is actively working to provide support for Dr. Ameaka, including ensuring she has access to legal representation,” a Johns Hopkins spokesperson said in a statement.

The spokesperson added that the university is “deeply concerned” about ICE detaining Dr. Ameaka, who they described as “a respected member of our community.”

CBS News Baltimore reached out to ICE for comment but has not received a response.

ICE sources told CBS News that increased collaboration between TSA and ICE has fueled more reports of immigration arrests at U.S. airports.

Sources said that TSA has been giving tips and leads about noncitizen travelers to ICE, including information on immigrants who don’t have criminal records but are suspected of civil immigration violations, such as overstaying a visa.

In May 2025, TSA and ICE agreed to boost information sharing between the two agencies, according to a memo disclosed this week by the group American Oversight.

An ICE source told CBS News that undocumented immigrants traveling at airports are “easy targets” ICE agents can arrest in secured locations and while having information about their cases in advance.

In a statement to CBS News, Homeland Security confirmed that immigration enforcement at airports has increased.

“DHS reversed the horrendous Biden-era policy that allowed aliens in our country illegally to jet around our country,” DHS stated. “Under President Trump, DHS will no longer tolerate this. This administration is working diligently to ensure that aliens in our country illegally can no longer fly unless it is out of our country to self-deport.”

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 Tammy Mutasa

Click here for updates on this story

    BILLERICA, Massachusetts (WBZ) — A U.S. Postal Service worker was robbed at gunpoint in the parking lot of a Billerica, Massachusetts, postal facility in broad daylight on Thursday. Billerica police say they were called to the sorting service facility on Brick Kiln Road at 4:25 p.m. for a report of a robbery.

Police say two men in a four-door black Cadillac displayed a handgun and demanded an arrow key, which opens collection boxes. The suspects then fled toward Chelmsford Street, according to police.

There were no reported injuries. People who were nearby when it happened say they’re shocked.

“It’s definitely strange, caught me by surprise,” said Marlon Felisberto. “Never seen anything like this before, it’s a very calm, quiet town.”

The robbery unfolded right next to a busy strip mall where police went door-to-door asking questions and looking for surveillance videos.

Billerica Select Board member Daniel Darris-O’Connor was having an ice cream social campaign event at a store in the mall at the time.

“This type of violence and threats and crime has no place in our community. We don’t often hear stuff like this happening in Billerica. Billerica is a safe place,” said Darris-O’Connor. “I’m shocked to hear that happened. I hope the person who was involved is doing good and is all right, that must be a super traumatic thing to go through. I have faith in our local police here and federal authorities all involved and hopefully they can get this person.”

Typically, criminals use the stolen keys to steal large batches of mail for check fraud, identity theft, and financial scams.

No one has been arrested. The incident is being investigated by the Billerica Police Department and law enforcement partners.

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 Neal Riley

Click here for updates on this story

    NEW SHOREHAM, Rhode Island (WBZ) — Rising ocean temperatures are drawing more hammerhead sharks to New England waters, researchers say.

The Rhode Island-based Atlantic Shark Institute said this week that it tagged a hammerhead shark off Block Island for the first time ever.

Executive Director Jon Dodd said in a statement that the arrival of hammerheads in New England and this “milestone” tagging “raises a lot of questions” about the sharks’ migration patterns and habitat use. The electronic tag on the shark will allow the institute to follow the shark as it moves along the East Coast for up to a decade or more.

“With our warming waters, many of the shark species that New England residents associate with Florida and southern states are finding our water temperatures much more attractive than they would have just 25 years ago,” Dodd said.

In an interview with WBZ-TV last year, state shark biologist John Chisholm said hammerheads are also becoming an increasingly popular sight off Massachusetts, “especially around the islands and south of the Cape where the water gets really warm during the summertime.”

Chisholm said he expects other southern shark species to start popping up in the Northeast, including the bull shark, which is known to be the most aggressive toward humans.

The shark seen off Rhode Island was a scalloped hammerhead, which can grow up to 11 feet and weigh up to 335 pounds. Their range typically only goes as far north as New Jersey, according to a government map.

Massachusetts beachgoers don’t have to worry too much about hammerheads. Chisholm described the species as a “fish-eating shark” that is generally not interested in humans, but people should still keep their distance due to the sharks’ sharp teeth.

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 Elijah Westbrook

Click here for updates on this story

    PASSAIC, New Jersey (WCBS) — Search crews will return to the Passaic River Friday morning to continue looking for a little girl who has been missing for more than a day.

First responders are looking for a 10-year-old girl after police say she and two other children were swept into the river while playing near a boat ramp Wednesday night. An 11-year-old girl survived, but the body of a 10-year-old boy was recovered.

Passaic Mayor Hector Lora said crews have been searching along a nine-mile stretch of the river using boats, sonar and drones.

The search, starting at 9 a.m., will focus on the stretch near Rutherford. Officials say they have already searched the area from the Passaic-Garfield border to Newark.

Lora said there was a sonar hit under the bridge just after 11 a.m. Thursday. A diver went into the water, but the girl was not found.

“They are beginning to understand that this is a recovery operation. They are extremely hurt, but they are thankful for everyone, and the families have bonded together,” Lora said.

A small memorial has been created where pictures of the girl are posted on a bridge.

Overnight, the little girl’s family waited, hoping for some kind of breakthrough.

“She was just at Thanksgiving dinner last time I seen her. She was just a bundle of joy to be around,” said relative Darrel Meggins.

The mayor said the family has been surrounded by support from the community, which has been gathering along the riverbanks since the tragedy first unfolded.

“We are going to be here. I am going to be until we find her,” one woman 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 Alexa Herrera, Christina Fan

Click here for updates on this story

    NEW YORK, New York (WCBS) — Loved ones and community members will say their final goodbyes to Sgt. Angel Rampersad, a Queens resident who was killed overseas during the war with Iran.

Rampersad, who was posthumously promoted to staff sergeant, died during a missile attack on July 17 at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. The 28-year-old was initially listed as missing before military officials confirmed her death.

The Ozone Park community has been mourning her loss, remembering her as a “hometown hero” and a beloved daughter, sister, spouse and friend.

The funeral will be held at Calvary Assembly of God on Rockaway Boulevard. Hundreds are expected to attend, carrying yellow ribbons and American flags to honor her and the ultimate sacrifice she made.

CBS News New York will stream the funeral at 9 a.m. It can be viewed in the live player on this page.

Rampersad was born in Trinidad but grew up in New York. She attended P.S. 108, then Forest Hills High School, before graduating from John Jay College with a degree in criminal justice.

At a vigil Monday night, friends and neighbors described her as humble, down-to-earth and someone who lit up every room she entered.

Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani are both scheduled to attend her funeral this morning.

The governor praised Rampersad for living a life of courage and selflessness while ordering state flags to be flown at half-staff.

Following this morning’s service, a funeral procession will travel down Cross Bay Boulevard. Members of the public are urged to line the streets to pay their respects as she makes her final journey home.

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 Larry Seward

Click here for updates on this story

    MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Florida (WFOR) — Parents on Medicaid said their children with autism and behavior disorders are losing crucial therapy hours in South Florida.

The parents blame state cuts and insurance changes that keep some specialists away from patients.

Betty Garcia said her son Marcos, 14, is hurting. Therapy that helped him make friends and control outbursts caused by Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has nearly disappeared, Garcia said.

Dozens of Miami-Dade County behavior therapy providers approved by the state for such services lost contracts with the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). The agency oversees Medicaid’s low-cost health coverage for the state’s lowest-income families.

Six months ago, her son’s therapy was cut from 30 hours a week to 8.

“He came home from school and told me, ‘ Mom, sometimes I feel like I am invisible,” Garcia said.

Garcia quit her job as a pharmacy tech to help manage her son’s behavior.

“He’s asking me, Mom, why is my heart crying right now,” Betty Garcia said. “I remember I was in panic because that is a hard description.”

The impact is visible. Rainbow Behavior Therapy in Kendall is mostly an empty office. Owner Aliana Gurris said the state canceled the business’ contract to serve Medicaid clients with no explanation.

“Nothing (in the letter talks) about something (being) wrong, about any complaints, nothing,” Gurris said. “Then, that’s it. Finished. Stopped. (They) withheld the payment and that’s it.”

She is not alone — another clinic told CBS News Miami the same thing in June.

Attorney Henry Marines believes the issue is getting worse. Marines represents therapy providers accused of fraud.

“None of the cases I represented, not one, did (AHCA) find any wasteful abuse,” Marines said. “However, they delayed payment of these agencies, and these kids were left without services because money was not coming in to pay the technicians for services being rendered.”

Sunshine Health, which manages Medicaid insurance coverage for AHCA, also drew blame from Marines for service delays. In 2025, Sunshine Health issued a temporary pause on adding practitioners to make sure the state’s network providers are all credentialed.

CBS News Miami messaged Sunshine Health and AHCA for comment. Neither responded before the deadline for this story.

It hardly surprises Garcia. Her son is now being offered medication to replace the lost therapy.

“I prefer not to talk about that,” Garcia said.

Her family worries they may never get another option.

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 Victoria Rodriguez

Click here for updates on this story

    CANYON COUNTY, Idaho (KIVI) — A new winery taking shape in Idaho’s historic Sunnyslope Wine Region is blending tradition with technology.

Gem 73 Winery, expected to open in August, is incorporating renewable energy and innovative vineyard practices designed to reduce energy use, conserve water and protect its grapes—all while minimizing its impact on the surrounding environment.

Owners Joel and Cindy Poppen invited Idaho News 6 to tour the facility, which is still under construction. While the winery will soon welcome visitors, much of its technology is already hard at work in the vineyard.

The vineyard uses sensors to monitor soil moisture and temperature, allowing a drip irrigation system to deliver only the amount of water each vine needs. Poppen says the approach helps conserve water while improving efficiency.

To naturally manage pests, the vineyard also features owl and kestrel nesting boxes. The birds of prey help control rodent populations without the need for additional intervention.

New Sunnyslope winery uses solar power and innovative technology to build a more sustainable future As grapes begin to ripen, another piece of technology takes over.

Three solar-powered laser systems sweep across the vineyard, reflecting light off strategically placed strips to deter birds from feeding on the fruit.

“It hits little reflective strips. Those little pings of light scare away the birds,” Poppen said. “It doesn’t harm them at all. It just makes it unpleasant for them to be around, so they go other places.”

Rather than covering the vineyard with costly bird netting, the lasers provide a wildlife-friendly alternative that protects the harvest while allowing birds to remain part of the area’s natural landscape.

Innovation extends beyond the vines.

The winery itself is built into a hillside, providing natural insulation that helps reduce heating and cooling demands. Its roof is covered with 210 solar panels capable of generating about 86 kilowatts of electricity—enough, Poppen says, to power the facility during peak operating season and potentially send excess energy back to Idaho Power.

For the Idaho Wine Commission, projects like Gem 73 represent the future of Idaho’s wine industry.

“I think it’s so great. It’s progressive,” said Moya Delaney with the Idaho Wine Commission. “It’s using the resources that we have to maximize to be better.”

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

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Allie Jennerjahn

Click here for updates on this story

    LAKEWOOD, Colorado (KMGH) — A Colorado woman, who has spent much of her life under the threat of wildfires, is channeling that experience into action — teaming up with a Lakewood tattoo shop to raise money and collect donations for fire departments across the state.

Alyssa Rose grew up on a ranch in Conifer and has been evacuated or put on notice at least 10 times due to wildfires. She said the repeated threat has left her feeling “hyperfixated” on what she can do to help those battling the fires.

“My parents are very elderly, and my mom was in a car accident when I was in seventh grade that left her paralyzed from the chest down,” Rose said. “Because of that, and definitely because of their age, mobility and like kind of being on top of things and being ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice is not easy for them.”

It was at True Blue Tattoo in Lakewood where Rose shared those thoughts with shop owner Russ Pearson. He asked her what he could do to help — and a fundraiser was born.

“I am a teacher here in Colorado, and I don’t really have a way to change the entire world or change even maybe outside of Colorado, but my hope is to get people to come in and support this event,” Rose said.

On August 15, the community is invited to come to True Blue Tattoo and choose a small pre-drawn tattoo for $40. The event runs from noon to 7 p.m., and Pearson said he hopes to get a couple hundred people through the door. The designs are Colorado-themed.

“I have some, almost, like everything pretty much ready to go, so you can just kind of come in and pick it out, and then there’ll be somebody up here kind of taking order in which people walk in,” Pearson explained. “So we’ll just like be in line, grab one, go to the available artist, and get it done, and it should run pretty smoothly. I’m hoping.”

For those who aren’t interested in getting a tattoo, Rose said donations of money, household goods, clothing and non-perishable food items are also welcome.

“I want to help people. I want to help Colorado, and I think that a lot of people also want to help, but don’t know how, don’t have a starting point. And here you go. This is your starting point. I am giving you a place to step up and donate,” Rose said.

To ensure the money reaches fire departments, organizers are partnering with Elk Creek Firehouse to contact and divide contributions among departments in need. Rose has committed to distributing all donations by the end of August.

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

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Lindsey Belsky

Click here for updates on this story

    BAKERSFIELD, California (KERO) — A limousine pulled up to Action Sports in Bakersfield on Wednesday, and 15-year-old Luis Rodriguez had no idea what was waiting inside.

Luis, a sophomore at Liberty High School, was diagnosed with a brain tumor in October 2021 after suffering intense, debilitating head pain. Since then, he has endured 2 brain surgeries and continues to take ongoing medication. Doctors continue closely monitoring his condition through routine MRI scans. The illness has made reading and speaking more challenging, but Luis has made meaningful progress and continues to improve, working hard toward his goals even when exhausted.

Even during his toughest battles, riding a bike gave him strength, freedom, and the chance to build one of the most meaningful friendships of his life.

“Biking got me closer with the first friend that I ever made when I moved over here,” Luis said. He always was a big lover of friendship, and having a bike is a big part of that for him.

When his previous bike was stolen, Luis lost more than a way to get around. He lost the way he often visited friends, spent time outside, and felt more independent. When Make-A-Wish asked what he wanted most, his answer was simple, a bike of his own.

Action Sports found the exact model Luis wanted and added anti-flat sealant, 2 locks, a phone holder, a water pack, and a helmet to help keep him safe on the road with the bike secure.

“He doesn’t want anything. You have to say, ‘Hey, this is for you, so you can pick something.’ And then he’s like, ‘Are you sure? My mom doesn’t have to pay for it?’ He’s just that kid,” Kerry Ryan, owner of Action Sports, said.

Westchester Kiwanis helped bring the wish to life through funds raised at local community events. Natalie Martinez, president of Westchester Kiwanis, said the group rallied quickly once they heard Luis’s story.

“This kid just wants a bike. And then now he can get sunglasses, he can get a helmet, he can get all this stuff. It’s just all the difference in our hearts that makes the difference in the student’s life,” Martinez said.

Crown Limozine, a longtime Make-A-Wish partner for nearly 3 years, provided a special ride for Luis and his family to and from the store as well.

For Make-A-Wish Central Coast and Southern Central Valley, the moment was about more than a new bike, it was about giving Luis new adventures, lasting memories, and more chances to experience the joy of riding alongside his friends.

“I just hope he leaves with hope, strength and joy… and that he is able to make so many memories with his friends while he’s riding his bike,” Laura Corsello, wish coordinator for Make-A-Wish, said.

Corsello, who has worked as a wish coordinator for 10 years after starting as a volunteer with the organization, said Luis left a lasting impression.

“He’s an extremely humble, amazing young man who you wouldn’t know has been through everything he’s been through,” Corsello said.

Pattie Mullins, CEO of Make-A-Wish Central Coast and Southern Central Valley, said the community’s response made the moment possible.

“The power of a wish is at its best when the community comes together like this. Luis is a warrior among us, and this wish celebrates not only his perseverance and courage but also reminds us of the strength of this community when it comes together,” Mullins said.

Luis said his new bike will let him visit his friends without always relying on his mom or sister for a ride. One of the first things he plans to do is hit the road with his friends, a milestone that once felt out of reach.

“To be honest, I was in shock,” Luis said.

Make-A-Wish Central Coast and Southern Central Valley grants wishes for children with critical medical conditions across Kern, Kings, Tulare, Inyo, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties. Today, more than 200 children in the region are still waiting for their wish experience. The organization is currently holding a Summer of Wishes toy drive and is seeking community partnerships and donations to help make more wishes happen.

For more information or to help grant a wish, visit wish.org/cvs.

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

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.