Category: CNN Regional

By Jeramie Bizzle

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    GILBERTS, Illinois (WBBM) — A Rutland-Dundee Fire Protection District firefighter has died after suffering a medical emergency during training last week.

The district announced the death of firefighter Greg Witt on Sunday.

Witt was hospitalized after suffering a medical emergency on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Details about the emergency were not released.

Witt, who also served as a U.S. Marine, joined the Rutland-Dundee Fire Protection District in January 2019.

“Greg was a member of our family,” said Chief Reedy. “He served his country as a Marine and served this community as a firefighter, and he did both with honor. Our hearts are with Greg’s family, and with every member of this department who served alongside him. We ask that everyone give them the time and space they need to grieve.”

Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

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 Kelsy Mittauer

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    TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KTVT) — The organization featured in millions of transgender rights flyers is now suing to find out who is behind the mass mail campaign.

The Transgender Education Network of Texas, or TENT, has filed a petition asking a Travis County judge to allow them to take oral depositions or written questions before a lawsuit is officially filed. According to the petition, the author of the mailer “co-opted TENT’s name, materials (including photographs), branding and website without TENT’s knowledge or consent, violating state law.”

Form 202, which was filed on Thursday, is a procedural tool typically used to identify unknown defendants.

The filing goes on to say the mailers were “deliberately distributed in a manner calculated to cause maximum harm to TENT and to create confusion and strife among the Texas electorate.” The petition “seeks to reveal the person or persons responsible for meddling with Texas elections and smearing TENT’s name,” as “Texas voters are being deceptively targeted and tricked en masse.”

Also, on Friday, the United States Postal Service identified the company whose bulk mail permit was used to ship the flyers.

According to the USPS, the permit is held by Three Z Printing, located in Teutopolis, Illinois, whose website proclaims, “We help you look good on paper.” The I-Team contacted the company; as of late Friday afternoon, we had not heard back.

It is not clear what role, if any, Three Z Printing had beyond the use of its permit; owning the permit does not mean the company printed the flyers, just that it allowed the use of its permit so the sender could qualify for discounted postage.

Who that sender is, remains unclear. The company listed on the return address section of the mailer is Texas Transgender Student Union, LLC. Business records show it was formed a month ago using a registered agent service in Sheridan, Wyoming. The registered agent company is associated with more than 300,000 LLCs. Hours after the I-Team visited the office in Sheridan, Northwest Registered Agent said it was cutting ties with the Texas Transgender Student Union.

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 Naveen Dhaliwal

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    NEW YORK, New York (WCBS) — A woman was sexually assaulted at knifepoint in Central Park on Saturday evening, police say.

It happened just after 8:30 p.m. near East 66th Street and Fifth Avenue.

According to police, an unidentified man approached a 39-year-old woman, displayed a knife and sexually assaulted her.

Police say the victim was taken to a local hospital in stable condition.

No arrests have been reported. Police did not immediately provide any information on a potential suspect.

City Council Member Virginia Maloney, who represents the area, is calling on the NYPD to identify the attacker.

“As an East Sider and a runner myself, I am often in Central Park, and it is critical that women and all people feel safe there at any hour,” Maloney said.

Police vehicles were visible patrolling the park throughout much of Sunday, but some visitors said the increased presence does not fully ease their concerns.

“It’s very concerning,” park-goer Janet Remouns said. “We have to watch out for each other and keep safe.”

According to the latest statistics from the New York City Police Department, there have been four rapes reported in the Central Park Precinct so far this year compared to three at the same time last year.

New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin reacted to the alleged attack in a post on X, writing in part, “Every New Yorker deserves to feel safe in our city. The perpetrator remains at large, but I have confidence that the NYPD will work swiftly to apprehend him and bring him to justice.”

“This is the second reported attack on a woman on the east side of Central Park in the past week. I run in Central Park myself. Women deserve to feel safe there, at any hour,” Council Member Virginia Maloney said in a statement, in part.

Saturday’s alleged assault comes just days after another woman said she was attacked and robbed in Central Park. That incident happened on Oct. 18 near West 93rd Street and West Drive.

The 32-year-old victim told CBS News New York she was riding a bike through the park on her way home from work when her AirPods fell to the ground. She said when she stopped to pick them up, one man punched her multiple times and two other men grabbed her.

The three suspects allegedly stole her book bag and ran away. No arrests have been made in that incident.

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 Ricky Sayer

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    CORAOPOLIS, Pennsylvania (KDKA) — The Cornell school community came together Sunday night in an emotional candlelight vigil held in Coraopolis for head football coach Ed Dawson, who died after collapsing during the team’s game on Friday night.

His praises echoed throughout the home stadium where his impact could be seen by all, but it was off that field where his impact was felt most deeply.

“He measured his seasons in young men, not wins,” said Coraopolis Mayor Michael Alan Dixon.

“He had a way of being tough and loving at the same time,” another speaker said.

Dawson collapsed during Friday’s game at Rochester High School in Beaver County. He was taken to a hospital, where he later died. He was just 55.

“We’re going to feel this for a while, so it’s going to be hard,” said Superintendent Dr. Aaron Thomas. “We lost a big part of us.”

Thomas hired Dawson in 2009. The two talked every day. He called Dawson a natural mentor.

“He knew that sometimes you got to put your arm around a student, sometimes you got to love them up, and sometimes you got to tell them what they need to hear, not what they want to hear,” Thomas said, explaining it came from a space of love and caring.

Raequan Troutman, a 2023 Cornell football graduate, felt that firsthand, adding that Dawson had a profound impact on his life.

“Coach was like a second father to me,” he said.

Ahead of the candlelight vigil, Troutman spent a long time sitting at the center of the field. Not only was it where a memorial to Dawson had been placed, but it was also a spot Thomas had met Troutman before every game.

“Either to talk about the game plan or to tell each other we love each other,” Troutman said, explaining that he felt a connection to Dawson while sitting there.

Love was an integral part of their relationship.

“Coach will call you down there every week just to make sure you’re good,” Troutman said. “I’ve been in a dark place in my life where I damn near wanted to take my own, and nobody was there but Coach. He checked on me every single day, texted me every day.”

Dr. Thomas said they had to meet with players late Friday night to inform them of Dawson’s passing.

“They took it very hard Friday night, so yeah, we’re going to love them up the best we can,” Thomas said.

Just like Coach did.

Counselors are being provided to students this week. Thomas said they haven’t figured out what will happen with Cornell’s next football game.

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 Ross DiMattei, Tom Gardiner

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    PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (KYW) — Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner fired back at Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel Friday as a war of words between them over the killing of a police officer escalates.

The feud stems from the 2023 acquittal of Eric Lewis in a homicide case and whether police misconduct contributed to that outcome.

Lewis is now charged with shooting two Philadelphia police officers on Oct. 10. Sgt. Shane Seiber was killed, and officer Hector Rodriguez was seriously wounded.

In 2023, Lewis was found not guilty of murder in a separate road rage case from 2019 that left Christopher Williams dead.

Krasner blames a botched investigation by police and alleged misconduct by a former officer who he said lied about fake tips and a fake suspect in that case. In a press conference Friday, Krasner called out Bethel’s “inner circle,” claiming some people have been spreading misinformation in the wake of the Oct. 10 shooting.

“The truth is that that acquittal was the direct result of one of the worst investigations that I’ve seen in nearly 40 years of criminal practice,” Krasner said.

But Bethel said Krasner’s public criticism of his department was inappropriate while officers’ families were grieving.

Bethel also wasn’t happy that Krasner aired out his grievances in a video on YouTube.

Bethel voiced his frustration at a news conference Thursday.

“The community was suffering, my officers were suffering, and you stand up, and you talk about something that is unnecessary,” Bethel said.

Krasner said his office is considering bringing charges against the former Philadelphia police officer he accuses of sinking the previous homicide case against Lewis.

Asked what charges he plans to bring, Krasner did not offer details but said, “Stay tuned.”

Bethel has said that the officer was fired last year, but he said accountability must go both ways.

“I will hold my department accountable when we are wrong, but everybody else should hold them damn selves accountable as well,” Bethel said.

Krasner said two prosecutors were unfairly blamed for the earlier acquittal, despite what he describes as serious problems with the investigation. He added he texted Bethel and Mayor Cherelle Parker after the shooting, offering to help, but communication has broken down.

“One Philly, a city united, means we all talk to each other,” Krasner said. “It means we all communicate with each other.”

After Krasner’s news conference Friday, a Philadelphia Police Department spokesperson released a statement, saying the department’s focus remains on the families of officers Seiber and Rodriguez, and they will not prolong their pain through a public back-and-forth.

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 Amanda Callahan

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    BOSTON, Massachusetts (WBZ) — Think you know Boston? Well, your knowledge is being put to the test.

Find the Good Boston is a 3-week-long scavenger hunt looking to test your knowledge of the city, taking place across a dozen neighborhoods.

It’s being hosted by Elevate Cities, an organization looking to renew excitement and pride in communities across the country.

“You gain these points and this creates this healthy competition, this opportunity to play and rediscover your city,” Elevate Cities Vice President of Civic Activation Janett Cordoves said.

Boston is one of the organization’s inaugural scavenger hunt spots.

“These places that have given so much to the community were starts and points for innovation. They just hadn’t been told, those stories hadn’t been told and this was the opportunity to do so,” Cordoves said.

The challenge has participants find landmarks all over the city, varying from cultural centers in Roxbury to music venues in Allston. Playing is free, and you can join by yourself or create a team on the organization’s website.

“Each challenge you’ll see has something where it says a photo and caption, some of them might have a different prompt, but it’s basically telling you what you need to do to actually get the points,” Breakout CEO Michael Farber said, whose company designed the challenges for the scavenger hunt.

Once you complete a challenge, you take a picture and upload it to the app.

“It’s a really great opportunity for people to be a tourist in their own backyard and get to learn a lot of fun things that are happening and unlock some really great prizes that support small businesses,” Farber said.

You unlock rewards as you go and the top three finishers will earn medals, along with lifelong Boston trivia knowledge.

“The purpose of the game is one to just celebrate what makes Boston so special,” Farber said. “It’s been really fun seeing people along the journey with us get really excited.

The faster you finish the challenge the more points you earn, but everyone has until Nov. 13 to complete it.

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 Matt Schooley

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    HOLBROOK, Massachusetts (WBZ) — Police body camera captured officers in Holbrook, Massachusetts, rescuing a driver who was pinned inside his Jeep as it went up in flames following an alleged drunk driving crash.

It happened just after 3 a.m. Sunday on Pine Street.

Sgt. Martin Faherty and Officers Jonathan O’Brien and Matthew Richards arrived on scene and found that a 37-year-old Holbrook man had crashed into a utility pole, snapping it in half and leaving low-hanging wires across the front of the Jeep.

The driver’s right foot was pinned underneath the damaged dashboard, preventing him from escaping. The man’s foot and sneaker were on fire.

“I can’t. You’re going to rip my foot off. It’s stuck. It’s getting hot,” the man tells officers, as heard on their body cameras.

The officers were able to pull the man’s foot free and carry him to safety nearby. In total, police said the three officers were able to free the man within a minute of their arrival.

O’Brien suffered minor burns to his fingers during the rescue, police said.

Firefighters responded and extinguished the fire. The driver was treated on scene and taken to South Shore Hospital in Weymouth but is expected to be OK.

Holbrook Police Chief David Del Papa praised the actions of the officers for helping save the driver.

“These officers did an incredible job under dangerous conditions,” Del Papa said. “The outcome would have been much different had they not arrived so quickly and acted immediately. Their quick response likely saved his life.”

The driver of the Jeep will be summonsed on charges of second offense operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, marked lanes violation and speeding.

Police could not yet release the man’s name because the court has not yet issued a criminal complaint.

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 Adam Thompson, Drew Aunkst

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    TOWSON, Maryland (WJZ) — An armed security guard shot and killed a knife-wielding man inside Crackpot Bar in Towson early Sunday morning, according to Baltimore County police.

Police said a man pulled out a knife during a physical altercation shortly before 1 a.m. at the restaurant in the 8100 block of Loch Raven Boulevard.

An armed security guard working at the location fired his handgun, striking the man who was pronounced dead at the scene.

A woman was also injured and was taken to a hospital for treatment. The security guard remained at the scene and is cooperating with investigators, according to police.

Baltimore County Police are investigating the shooting and say it was an isolated incident and that the public was not in any danger.

“For the most part, I’ve lived in this area my whole life, and it’s always been very family-oriented, so to hear that is definitely a little concerning,” said Andrea Pinson, who lives in the area.

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.