Boston Starbucks shut down after video shows rats eating food there

CNN Newsource on July 19, 2026

By Riley Rourke, Brandon Truitt

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    BOSTON (WBZ) — The Starbucks at South Station in Boston has been shut down after a video showed rats eating the food in the display case. The video taken around 10 p.m. Wednesday also shows the rodents climbing on the cash register.

The Boston Inspectional Services Department (ISD) sent over an employee to inspect the location after receiving the video. The Starbucks manager told the inspector that an employee had mistakenly left the food out overnight and they had since thrown it all away.

Rat droppings were also found throughout the stand, including in a cabinet. Fruit flies were seen in the display case as well. The location had “multiple violations of the Massachusetts Sanitary Code and FDA Food Code,” according to the ISD.

The Starbucks was ordered to close due to the “immediate health hazard.” Its food permit was also temporarily suspended until another inspection can be completed and passed. The manager was told to retrain their staff on how to close properly, and the owner of the Starbucks location was instructed to hire a pest control company to address the “rodent infestation.” The location will also need to be cleaned, sanitized, and disinfected.

“Our South Station location is temporarily closed while we address a pest issue. We will not reopen until we are confident that the store meets our high standards of cleanliness and safety. We look forward to welcoming our customers back soon,” a spokesperson for Starbucks told WBZ-TV in a statement.

“While this is a location operated by a third party, we expect all of our locations to provide the customer experience that Starbucks has come to be known for. We’ve been in touch with the licensee and understand that the location will be closed for a short period while they address the issue.”

“It was pretty disturbing,” said commuter Clothilde Donarumo, who was sent the video by a friend. “I’m definitely concerned. I don’t get food here in the mornings, but now I am definitely not going to for a while until I hear an update because that did not look good on that TikTok at all.”

“They don’t realize the medical repercussions,” said commuter Jacqui Russo.

A database from the City of Boston showing all past health inspections had no other violations listed for the location, except for an issue with a check in January 2025. The Starbucks was most recently inspected in December 2025 and passed.

Starbucks closed more than a dozen stores in Massachusetts last year, including the iconic “Golden Teapot” location. The company said the closings were due to “underperforming stores” across the country.

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.

Ankle monitoring company sends letter to mayor’s office threatening to pull out of New Orleans

CNN Newsource on July 17, 2026

By Darrin Post

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    NEW ORLEANS (WDSU) — In an email to Mayor Helena Moreno obtained by WDSU, Jill Dennis of the Assured Supervision Accountability Program says they will begin removing individuals from the ASAP program on Monday.

ASAP will no longer be accepting new enrollments and will officially end its partnership with the city by Aug. 1.

If the ASAP ankle monitoring program is ended, all Orleans Parish individuals currently enrolled in the program would return to the custody of the Orleans Parish Jail.

ASAP claims Orleans Parish Judges are intentionally not using the ankle monitoring service, causing a dip in the program’s numbers.

Dennis writes, “We cannot continue to provide our service to a court whose actions are doing so much damage to our ability to operate a successful business while providing the top-level security we provide.”

In the letter, Dennis claims the nationwide program has been operating in the city of New Orleans at a loss week after week.

Dennis calls for a conversation with the city to explore alternative choices to keep the program running in Orleans Parish.

“Mayor Moreno, our city needs this program. I do not want to leave Orleans. But I don’t know what else to do,” Dennis writes.

A statement from Mayor Moreno’s office states, “The Mayor’s office received the letter from ASAP late Thursday night and needs time to review.”

We reached out to the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office for a comment and they issued the following statement:

“The Sheriff’s Office is responsible for the care, custody, and control of individuals who have been lawfully committed to our custody. We do not determine who is booked into the Orleans Justice Center, nor do we decide who is released or the conditions of their release. Those decisions are made by the courts in accordance with the law.

The Sheriff’s Office does not operate or administer an electronic monitoring program, nor do we order individuals to be placed on electronic monitoring. When a court orders an individual to be released on electronic monitoring, our role is limited to processing that order and ensuring the individual is properly fitted with the required monitoring equipment before release.

As with any changes that could affect the local criminal justice system, we are committed to working with our justice system partners to ensure we can continue to safely provide care and supervision for everyone housed in our facility.

Because this matter involves court-ordered release conditions and private electronic monitoring services, any questions regarding the selection or use of specific electronic monitoring providers should be directed to the appropriate judicial or program administrators.”

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.

Hospital coworkers raise money to honor slain father of 5

CNN Newsource on July 17, 2026

By Rachel Whelan

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    CINCINNATI, Ohio (WLWT) — Nearly three weeks after Lincoln Heights father of five Eddie Crossty was killed, the people who knew him best are making sure his legacy lives on.

Coworkers at Christ Hospital have launched a fundraiser to support Jackson Street Farms, the urban farm in Lincoln Heights where the 50-year-old spent his free time teaching children how to grow vegetables, caring for chickens and mentoring young people in his community.

Instead of sending flowers, they decided to invest in the work they say mattered most to Eddie.

“We wanted to do something that’s going to be a lasting memory,” Tammy McFarland, assistant manager of the emergency department at Christ Hospital, said.

Crossty was shot June 29 in a driveway near Jackson and Leggett streets in Lincoln Heights. He later died from his injuries.

Hamilton County Sheriff’s deputies said a juvenile suspect was later turned in at the Hamilton County Juvenile Center by a parent. The juvenile has since been charged with aggravated murder, murder and two counts of felonious assault.

At Christ Hospital, coworkers say Eddie’s impact reached far beyond his job title.

As supervisor of environmental services, he was known for greeting everyone with a smile, leading by example and making people feel welcome.

“He always greeted everybody with a smile. He knew everybody and everybody in the hospital knows Eddie,” McFarland said.

What many of his coworkers didn’t realize was that when Eddie left the hospital, he headed to Jackson Street Farm.

There, the father of five devoted his time to teaching children how to grow food and mentoring young people.

“When we heard about that, that kind of went along with his personality,” McFarland said. “Always smiling, always funny … always really kind and willing to do whatever he could for somebody.”

Hospital leaders hope the fundraiser will help continue Eddie’s vision for the farm, including plans for a new chicken coop and expanded opportunities for children.

“Maybe build the new chicken coop that Eddie had a vision for, or grow more vegetables or bring more kids in and be able to help them and mentor them and live on his legacy,” McFarland said.

The fundraiser is being managed through the Christ Hospital Credit Union. Organizers say the donation account will remain open through Labor Day, with all proceeds benefiting Jackson Street Farm. Donations must be made in person at the credit union using cash or a check.

Young says the outpouring of support from coworkers comes as no surprise, because Eddie touched lives both inside the hospital and throughout the community.

“He made an impact with the Christ Hospital community and his own community,” Chariss Young, an emergency department manager at Christ Hospital, said. “It’s truly a tragedy, and he’s going to be missed.”

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.

Mother wins $100M verdict against ghost gun seller after son used one for suicide

CNN Newsource on July 17, 2026

By Alexis Mathews

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    LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (WLKY) — A Louisville mother has secured a historic victory in a civil case against an online ghost gun seller.

On Wednesday, a jury awarded the family of Henry Willis $104 million.

The 18-year-old was in a mental crisis when he ordered a ghost gun kit, or untraceable firearm, and died by suicide three years ago. Willis was a Seneca High School graduate.

His mother sued the unlicensed Nebraska-based retailer, Husky Armory LLC, and its parent company for negligence. Attorneys argued that the 18-year-old’s age was not verified during the transaction. They also argued a background check was not required when he purchased the ghost gun kit.

The unlicensed gun retailers did not appear in court during the civil case.

His mother hopes the verdict sends a clear message to those in the gun industry who put profit over people.

Laura Herp, mother of Henry Willis, said, “No amount of money can bring my son back, and nothing will ever make this right. I filed this lawsuit because gun sellers need to be held accountable. And I’m so grateful to this jury for doing their part to make that a reality. I know that far too many families already share my pain. To me, this was always about making sure no one else experiences a tragedy like ours.”

She also hopes this landmark case raises awareness about suicide prevention.

The verdict is believed to be the largest awarded in U.S. history against a seller of firearms.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential support 24/7.

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.

Woman charged in Walmart barcode scam

CNN Newsource on July 17, 2026

By Malcolm Shields

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    WEST PALM BEACH, Florida (WPBF) — A Miami woman was arrested on allegations of conducting a shoplifting scheme at Walmart.

Tammye A. Ovalle-Enireb, 18, from Miami, was arrested on Wednesday, July 15, and charged with larceny and retail theft, fraud swindle or defraud obtaining property and accessory after the fact.

According to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office report, on June 3, at a Walmart located at 9990 Belvedere Road in Royal Palm Beach, Ovalle-Enireb and co-defendant Daruin J. Gutierrez De La Rosa, 22, are accused of taking items to the self-checkout register, scanning barcodes for items that had less value than what was taken by the duo out of the store.

A sheriff’s office deputy contacted a store employee who said he saw the two scan the items.

De La Rosa used two credit cards to pay a total of $105.01 and exited the store.

The employee then made contact the duo and requested to look at the purchase receipt to verify the purchases.

De La Rosa gave the store employee the receipt.

Moments later, the two fled the store to a green Toyota Corolla and left the parking lot. The purchased items were left in a shopping cart with the employee.

The employee was able to determine that the items scanned should have totaled $661.74. The employee provided the deputy surveillance video of the two suspects and told the deputy the store’s desire to prosecute the suspects.

A check of the Toyota’s license plate indicated the vehicle was registered to Ovalle-Enireb. She was positively identified in surveillance video by her mother who also identified the man as Ovalle-Enireb’s boyfriend but did not know his name.

Through investigative means, the deputy was able to find out where Ovalle-Enireb lived, which was at an apartment complex on Lake Crystal Drive in West Palm Beach.

An apartment complex manager told the deputy that De La Rosa was the renter living with Ovalle-Enireb.

De La Rosa lone identification was a Dominican Republic passport.

A photo with De La Rosa’s passport was used in a photo lineup where the Walmart employee identified De La Rosa as the suspect.

The sheriff’s office was informed that De La Rosa arrived at the United States in September 2024 on a B-2 Visa and overstayed in the United States.

A check of credit card transactions and store video revealed De La Rosa and Ovalle-Enireb were involved in five incidents involving the barcode scheme between May 5 and June 6.

Ovalle-Enireb was released from the Palm Beach County Jail on $11,000 bond.

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.

House approves renaming VA clinic after Army Ranger Pat Tillman

CNN Newsource on July 17, 2026

By Tim Fang

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    SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX) — A proposal renaming the Department of Veterans Affairs clinic in South San Jose to honor U.S. Army Ranger and San Francisco Bay Area native Pat Tillman is closer to reality, following a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives.

On Wednesday, the House approved the measure from Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Monterey) and Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Riverside County) that would rename the outpatient clinic on Silver Creek Valley Place. The bipartisan measure was co-sponsored by every member of the state’s congressional delegation.

“Renaming the San Jose VA clinic after Corporal Pat Tillman is about carrying on his legacy of patriotism and passion, as well as the progress we must make as a nation. Pat did nothing half-baked, did everything with a full heart, and represented the very best of our country in academics, athletics, and in service to the United States of America,” Panetta said in a statement.

A graduate of Leland High School in San Jose, Tillman played four seasons for the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals before enlisting in the Army following the terror attacks of September 11, 2001.

Calvert said, “Pat Tillman answered the call of his country in the wake of September 11th, exchanging his Arizona Cardinals uniform for an Army Ranger uniform. His extraordinary sacrifice embodies the patriotism that inspires so many to serve.”

Tillman was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan before he was killed in April 2004. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart

Following his death, the Army originally told his family he had been killed by enemy fire, but later admitted he had actually been killed in an incident of friendly fire.

Panetta said, “At the same time, the circumstances surrounding his death in friendly fire remind us how our Army, Congress, and our country must ensure that this never happens again and how we can always do better when it comes to serving those who serve us.”

The measure goes to the Senate, where Sen. Adam Schiff (D-California) has introduced companion legislation.

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.

Tennessee Association of Woodturners creates hundreds of wig stands for cancer patients

CNN Newsource on July 17, 2026

By Forrest Sanders

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    LOCATION, Tennessee (WTVF) — Wood dust drifted to the floor as members of the Tennessee Association of Woodturners worked on projects.

“We all have a common interest in woodturning, and we all turn on a lathe,” said Chris Price of the Tennessee Association of Woodturners.

Seeing the group work was practically like watching someone molding clay. One art piece sat on a table. It was a wooden apple and plate of wooden grapes, blueberries, and blackberries. The blackberries looked good enough to eat. But. Y’know. Don’t.

“A little crunchy!” Price laughed.

The group can make lots of things, but Price said for many there is something that is their most rewarding work.

Certain pieces are heading over to TriStar Centennial Medical Center and Sarah Cannon Cancer Network.

“We’ll put up a sign telling our patients that they’re free, encourage them to get them,” said Sharalynn Lake, referrals coordinator for radiation oncology. “All gifts to the patients!”

The pieces are often dropped off with Lake.

“These are wig stands that were donated to us,” she said, gesturing to a table covered with pieces.

The idea of making wig stands for people living with cancer was started by the American Association of Woodturners. Price brought it to the Tennessee Association of Woodturners. So far, this chapter has made nearly 400 wig stands.

There’s a beauty in how the pieces are so personalized.

The style of one piece reminded me of the lead character from Breakfast at Tiffany’s. That was totally different from a more psychedelic wig stand that looked more Jerry Garcia than Audrey Hepburn.

“There are times everyone’s in a creative, colorful mode!” Price said.

“Patients get really excited about them,” Lake continued. “I love how the patients will look through them to match their personalities. I know [the patients] have been through so much before they get to us. It’s just a small token that goes a long way.”

“If you’re familiar with cancer and chemo, you know these people have really bad days, and they have good days,” Price said. “We do this out of our hearts. We just want this to be something that brings a smile to your face in the morning, make you have a good day.”

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.

Nashville’s steam locomotive 576 fires up its boiler for the first time since 1952

CNN Newsource on July 17, 2026

By Austin Pollack

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    NASHVILLE, Tennessee (WTVF) — For more than half a century, a locomotive that once helped move troops and supplies in World War II sat as a landmark at Centennial Park in Nashville.

It was once a classic photo opportunity for kids, even adults, who grew up in Middle Tennessee.

Wednesday, the restoration reached a significant milestone: a fire was lit in the boiler for the first time since 1952.

“Today is very special because we’re actually putting a fire in the boiler for the first time,” said Harry Stinson.

“Unbelievable,” said Jim Painter. “Waited a long time for this. Long time.”

For Stinson and Painter, the locomotive carries deep personal meaning.

“My uncle drove this,” Painter said. “Uncle Tommy.”

“Like a lot of people, I climbed on this engine as a kid at Centennial Park,” Stinson said. “I used to hang my head out the window and think, ‘Well, what would it be like for this giant behemoth to go down the rails? What would that feel like?'”

The road to this moment was never easy. Back in 2019, streets were shut down to move the locomotive out of Centennial Park and to the restoration site. For the last five-plus years, a team has been working to bring it back.

“Every day that we worked, I was here,” Painter said.

“I’ve seen everything taken off of it, everything cut up, and everything put back on it,” he added.

The boiler firing marks a major step forward in bringing locomotive 576 back to life — and closer to the day it may once again travel the rails.

The Nashville Steam Preservation Society has been working on this for several years. Leaders say they’ll plan opportunities for residents and fans to see the progress in person.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. WTVF’s editorial team 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.

Retired Savannah police horse ‘Grant’ begins new mission helping veterans through equine therapy

CNN Newsource on July 17, 2026

By Lydia Blackstone

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    RICHMOND HILL, Georgia (WJCL) — After 13 years serving with the Savannah Police Department’s Mounted Patrol, a retired police horse is starting a new chapter — helping veterans and first responders heal through equine therapy.

Grant spent more than a decade patrolling the streets of downtown Savannah before an injury forced him to step away from law enforcement.

But his service didn’t end there.

The horse now calls Valor Farms home, where he is helping veterans find connection, purpose and healing.

“As a 13-year veteran, you’re going to have scrapes, bumps, things that happened to you through your service,” said Shannon Dunlap, a horse trainer with the Savannah Police Department’s Mounted Patrol and Equistride Solutions. “He decided that he needed to step down into a career that was more a walk trot. Because of that, here he is. He’s able to serve and his journey continues.”

Grant’s transition into retirement was made possible through Valor Farms, a Richmond Hill organization founded by Army Ranger veteran Danny Archer.

The farm provides free equine therapy for veterans and first responders, creating a space where people can reconnect and rebuild after their careers change.

“We had the opportunity to essentially have a place for him to come and retire,” Archer said. “Honestly, it’s just been a seamless transition for him.”

Archer says Grant’s story mirrors the experiences of many veterans.

After years of serving others, both Grant and the people he now helps have had to adjust to a new sense of purpose.

“Here’s a classic example of two parallel careers that kind of come to an end,” Archer said. “At some point, you lose your network, your purpose, your identity, and everything else. You’re kind of in a professional and personal fog for a while.”

Archer said horses played an important role in his own healing, which inspired him to create Valor Farms.

The program gives veterans and first responders an opportunity to connect with horses without pressure to share their experiences.

“For any veteran or first responder that’s out there and struggling, seriously, reach out,” Archer said. “This is a place where we’re not going to sit around in a circle and talk about your booboos. There’s no requirement to do that. You don’t have to say anything. You just say, ‘This is what I do and I want to get involved.’”

Now, Grant is part of that mission.

While his days wearing a badge and patrolling Savannah streets are over, those who know him say his purpose remains the same.

“He’s still serving every day,” Dunlap said. “He’s just serving in a new way.”

For veterans and first responders interested in getting involved with Valor Farms, information is available through WJCL’s website.

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.

Man pulls teenage brothers from burning car after train crash

CNN Newsource on July 17, 2026

By Abigail Kurten

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    LAKOTA, Iowa (KCCI) — A man from Lakota is being praised by law enforcement after saving two teenage brothers from a burning car following a train crash.

As he was driving home from work on July 14, Alex Horak said he saw a flash of dust in the corner of his eye — just enough to encourage him to turn down a gravel road he passes almost every day to investigate.

“I saw the train was coming to a stop. It was slowing down. I work in rail, so I know that’s not a good sign. I get a little bit closer around this hill right up here, and I see the car down here,” Horak said.

The car, located about a dozen feet from the road, was mangled and crushed from a train accident. Inside were two brothers, ages 12 and 16.

Within seconds of Horak arriving at the scene, the car burst into flames, just feet away from thousands of gallons of ethanol on the stopped train.

“It all happened so fast that I didn’t have time to really weigh the options. I just knew something had to get done. I couldn’t leave the kids in there,” Horak said.

His actions saved the boys’ lives.

“By him removing those boys from the vehicle, I have no doubt that he saved them from either very critical burns or possibly even death,” said Kossuth County Sheriff Roger Fisher.

The scene remains vivid in Horak’s memory, marked by charred grass, shattered windows, and broken eyeglasses left behind.

But Horak doesn’t see himself as a hero.

“I just did what anybody else should have done. I mean, I saw somebody in trouble. There was something I could do about it, and I just acted,” he said.

Fisher said in the coming weeks, the Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office will host a ceremony recognizing the quick actions of Norak, alongside two emergency communications operators.

Both victims are recovering at a hospital in Minnesota. They sustained head and upper-body injuries in the crash and needed multiple surgeries before starting the long road to recovery.

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.