Police arrest 19-year-old after dog abuse video circulates online

CNN Newsource on February 1, 2026

By Zachary Bynum

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    BROOKHAVEN, Georgia (WUPA) — Brookhaven Police Department have arrested a 19-year-old Brookhaven resident following an animal cruelty investigation that began after a video circulated on social media.

Police say Aspen Easterling, 19, was taken into custody Friday night in connection with the alleged abuse of a dog at a residence on Town Boulevard.

According to investigators, officers began receiving multiple complaints on Jan. 30 from residents who reported seeing a video online that appeared to show a dog being abused within the City of Brookhaven. As the video spread, police say they received numerous emails and tips from concerned members of the public.

Detectives were able to identify the suspect and confirm the associated address. Based on the information gathered, officers obtained both a search warrant for the residence and an arrest warrant for Easterling, police said.

Around 9:35 p.m. Friday, officers executed the warrants at the location without incident and took Easterling into custody.

Police say the dog, a three-month-old Maltipoo, was found at the residence and appeared to be in good health. DeKalb County Animal Control responded to the scene and took custody of the animal.

Easterling was transported to the DeKalb County Jail and charged with animal cruelty. The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Brookhaven Police Department at 404-637-0600. For adoption or animal status inquiries, officials say residents should contact DeKalb County Animal Control.

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Atlanta Craft Club creates “third space” for creativity and connection

CNN Newsource on February 1, 2026

By Olivia Young

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    ATLANTA (WUPA) — An Atlanta woman has turned a personal hobby into a growing space for creativity and community.

“Hi, welcome. How y’all doin’?” Lexi Bynum said as a group of women walked into a private room at a local brewery.

It was bring-your-own-craft night at the Atlanta Craft Club.

“This is our solo table, so if you came by yourself, you’re welcome to sit there and meet new people,” Bynum told attendees.

By day, Bynum works as a designer at an aerospace company. In 2024, she decided to turn her love of crafting into something bigger.

“I was like, it can’t be that hard to put one together,” Bynum said.

What started as a few tables inside a brewery quickly grew into packed events.

“I had to go and create an actual business and do all the businessy things that crafty girls don’t love doing,” she said. “But since then, we’ve grown. We have our own brick-and-mortar studio as well.”

“I’ve been here since the beginning,” said Hyemi Byun.

For others, the club offers a first-time experience.

“This is my first time,” said Azariah Burrell. “My friend invited me. We’re trying to not do as many dinner or food outings. I’m trying to get into crafting and have more hobbies. That’s one of my goals for this year.”

The club welcomes all kinds of crafters.

“So we’re doing some gem painting,” Burrell said.

“I decided to bring this top that I’m knitting,” said Kianna Nelson. “I’ve been going to this craft club event for a couple of months now. I started because I moved here from Florida, and it was a nice way to meet people who had the same interests as me.”

“We do play crafts, jewelry making. Junk journaling is probably our most popular,” Bynum said.

Inside a junk journal, everyday items like receipts and book pages are turned into art.

“Basically taking scraps of things from your day-to-day life,” said junk journaler Leigh Ann Dooley. “I really love newspaper, so this is a spread I did.”

While some club events are ticketed, the bring-your-own-craft night is free.

“Especially in this economy, I think it’s hard to leave the house without spending a lot of money,” Byun said.

The club offers what many call a “third space” — a place beyond home and work.

“I think we get stuck in this cycle of going from home to work, maybe the gym, and then that’s it,” Burrell said. “To have a third space to come and just be creative and sit with friends and meet new friends, I’m really grateful.”

Sometimes, the strongest thing created isn’t art — it’s connection.

“We met each other through one of these events, and we’ve been coming ever since,” Nelson said of her friendship with Byun.

“You get time to sit in fellowship with each other and actually talk,” Burrell said.

Different projects, stitched together by the community.

“Find a way to play and enjoy yourself as an adult,” Bynum said. “It’s so necessary. It’s a good way to pour back into yourself.”

More information about events and registration can be found on the Atlanta Craft Club’s website and Instagram.

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.

Father and son among crew of 7 on fishing boat Lily Jean that sank off Gloucester, family member says

CNN Newsource on February 1, 2026

By Paul Burton

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    GLOUCESTER, Massachusetts (WBZ) — Flowers, signs and a wreath are laid at the Fisherman’s Memorial in Gloucester, Massachusetts as the U.S. Coast Guard announced it suspended the search Saturday morning for the six missing crewmembers of the fishing vessel Lily Jean that sank off the coast on Friday. The body of one crewmember was recovered, and so was an empty life raft.

“Our crews searched as long and as hard as they possibly could, always with the hope of bringing your loved ones back to Gloucester,” said Capt. Jamie Frederick, commander of Coast Guard Sector Boston.

For over 24 hours, Coast Guard crews conducted an exhaustive search in dangerous conditions covering more than 1,000 square miles using multiple aircraft, cutters and other boats.

“Despite these efforts, we have only located one deceased crewmember. Five crewmembers, and one NOAA observer remain missing,” Frederick said. “I believe there is no longer a reasonable expectation that anyone could have survived this long.”

Ricky Beal told WBZ-TV on Saturday that his brother Paul Beal and nephew Paul Jr. were on board the vessel when it sank. “It’s just devastating. I can’t explain it,” Beal said.

“I started fishing first, and Paul was, he used to come along with me, and then he worked on some of the party boats, the boats for hire,” Beal said. “The support from the community has been unbelievable.”

Greg Sousa owns the Crow’s Nest in Gloucester and knows several of the fisherman onboard the Lily Jean who are presumed dead.

“It’s a real local boat with real local guys,” Sousa said. “Everyone is talking about it. Paul is one of the good guys. PJ, you know, father and son gone at the same time.”

Grief and crisis counselors will be on hand at Our Lady of Good Voyage Church over the next two days to help families and community members impacted by the tragedy.

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Father and son among crew of 7 on fishing boat Lily Jean that sank off Gloucester, family member says

CNN on February 1, 2026


WBZ

By Paul Burton

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    GLOUCESTER, Massachusetts (WBZ) — Flowers, signs and a wreath are laid at the Fisherman’s Memorial in Gloucester, Massachusetts as the U.S. Coast Guard announced it suspended the search Saturday morning for the six missing crewmembers of the fishing vessel Lily Jean that sank off the coast on Friday. The body of one crewmember was recovered, and so was an empty life raft.

“Our crews searched as long and as hard as they possibly could, always with the hope of bringing your loved ones back to Gloucester,” said Capt. Jamie Frederick, commander of Coast Guard Sector Boston.

For over 24 hours, Coast Guard crews conducted an exhaustive search in dangerous conditions covering more than 1,000 square miles using multiple aircraft, cutters and other boats.

“Despite these efforts, we have only located one deceased crewmember. Five crewmembers, and one NOAA observer remain missing,” Frederick said. “I believe there is no longer a reasonable expectation that anyone could have survived this long.”

Ricky Beal told WBZ-TV on Saturday that his brother Paul Beal and nephew Paul Jr. were on board the vessel when it sank. “It’s just devastating. I can’t explain it,” Beal said.

“I started fishing first, and Paul was, he used to come along with me, and then he worked on some of the party boats, the boats for hire,” Beal said. “The support from the community has been unbelievable.”

Greg Sousa owns the Crow’s Nest in Gloucester and knows several of the fisherman onboard the Lily Jean who are presumed dead.

“It’s a real local boat with real local guys,” Sousa said. “Everyone is talking about it. Paul is one of the good guys. PJ, you know, father and son gone at the same time.”

Grief and crisis counselors will be on hand at Our Lady of Good Voyage Church over the next two days to help families and community members impacted by the tragedy.

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.

Maryland woman trapped in the Philippines is back in the U.S., Sen. Van Hollen says

CNN Newsource on February 1, 2026

By Tara Lynch

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    BALTIMORE (WJZ) — A Maryland woman who was trapped in the Philippines is now back in the United States with her family, according to Senator Chris Van Hollen.

Friends of 24-year-old Chantal Anicoche said she was in the Philippines doing humanitarian work when she was taken into military custody.

A community event at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) raised awareness for Anicoche in January. Organizers said she was being held by the Filipino government.

In a statement, Van Hollen said he spoke to Anicoche and that he’s grateful for the efforts made to support her return.

The woman and her family are requesting privacy at this time.

Anicoche’s friends previously described her as the life of the party. They said she was very passionate, particularly about humanitarian issues in the Philippines.

They said she was in Mindoro, a rural island with a large indigenous population, when the Armed Forces of the Philippines dropped bombs and opened fire on New Year’s Day.

Rika Ramos, a friend of Anicoche, previously said she was very worried for her.

“When I first heard the news that she was missing, I was devastated. I was crying,” Ramos said.

In a social media video posted by the country’s military on Jan. 8, Anicoche was seen emerging from a hole. The Filipino government said she was there for eight days after the attack.

“The military was pressured, we believed into surfacing her, and they posted a video online that many human rights advocates, humanitarians, believe is possibly staged,” said Gordon Mutch, a member of the Baltimore Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines at the time.

“I was actually glad that she was alive, but it was hard to see her in those conditions,” said Frances Quijano, who is a friend of Anicoche.

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 allegedly steals plane, lands it at airport

CNN Newsource on January 31, 2026

By Matthew Rodriguez

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    LOS ANGELES, California (KCAL, KCBS) — FBI agents arrested a Los Angeles County man who allegedly stole a plane in Washington and flew it to an airport in Corona.

The agency’s LAX Joint Terrorism Task Force arrested Christian Estoque, 39, for suspicion of operating an unregistered aircraft. Investigators said that Estoque is not a registered pilot.

In the criminal complaint filed on Wednesday, investigators believe Estoque and his girlfriend stole a plane from Auburn Municipal Airport on Jan. 3. Authorities believe the couple tampered with the aircraft’s transponder to conceal their flight path. While they could not determine the exact flight path, investigators said the airplane was spotted at another airport in Kelso, Washington, on Jan. 4.

Authorities eventually located the stolen plane three days later at Corona Municipal Airport in Riverside County.

Agents arrested Estoque during a surveillance operation at Corona Municipal Airport after witnessing him attempting to steal another plane on Jan. 27, according to the FBI. Investigators said Estoque was not listed on the plane’s registration. They added that the plane has not been registered since 2017.

Estoque told investigators he bought the plane but did not register it, according to the complaint.

Also in the complaint, agents said Estoque admitted to being high on methamphetamine while flying the plane.

He made his initial court appearance on Thursday. He was released on bond.

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Texas Gov. Abbott issues disaster declaration as deadly screwworm flies spread north in Mexico

CNN Newsource on January 31, 2026

By Steven Rosenbaum, CBS Texas Staff

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    TEXAS (KTVT) — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration to help bolster the state’s efforts to prevent the spread of New World Screwworm (NWS) flies, his office said Thursday.

The larva of the insect can burrow into the flesh of living mammals like cows and horses, and can be deadly. The flies have not reached Texas, but are being tracked in Mexico as sightings slowly move northward toward the border.

“State law authorizes me to act to prevent a threat of infestation that could cause severe damage to Texas property, and I will not wait for such harm to reach our livestock and wildlife. With this statewide disaster declaration, the Texas NWS Response Team can fully utilize all state government prevention and response resources to prevent the re-emergence of this destructive parasite. Texas is prepared to fully eradicate this pest if need be,” Abbott said in a statement.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture calls the New World Screwworm a “devastating pest.”

“When NWS fly larvae (maggots) burrow into the flesh of a living animal, they cause serious, often deadly damage to the animal,” the USDA says. “NWS can infest livestock, pets, wildlife, occasionally birds, and in rare cases, people.”

The Texas Parks and Wife Department says the maggots will lay eggs in “open wounds or orifices of live tissue such as nostrils, eyes or mouth.”

“These eggs hatch into dangerous parasitic larvae, and the maggots burrow or screw into flesh with sharp mouth hooks. Wounds can become larger, and an infestation can often cause serious, deadly damage or death to the infected animal.”

Efforts to stop the spread of New World Screwworm flies

The Texas Parks and Wife Department first issued a warning over the screwworms just over one year ago. Since then, the state and federal governments have taken multiple steps to prevent the NWS flies from spreading and protect American agriculture.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is constructing of an $8.5 million facility at Moore Air Base in the Rio Grande Valley to breed millions of sterile male NWS flies, then release them into the wild to mate with females and prevent them from laying eggs. The federal government has also temporarily suspended imports of live cattle, horses and bison from Mexico.

The Texas Department of Agriculture deployed traps along the border last summer loaded with a synthetic bait that mimics the smell of rotting animal flesh ao attract, trap and kill the flies. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller estimated last year that the traps would eradicate up to 90 percent of NWS flies.

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A mother of five was shot and killed in an alley. Why did it take police 10 hours to find her body?

CNN Newsource on January 31, 2026

By Jermont Terry

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    CHICAGO, Illinois (WBBM) — As Chicago police investigate the murder of a mother of five who was found shot to death in a Woodlawn alley earlier this month, neighbors are wondering why it took investigators 10 hours to find her body.

Moments after shots rang out near 64th and Drexel around 4:30 a.m. on Jan. 18, an off-duty Chicago police officer called 911. Despite the officer telling dispatchers the number of shots and where the gunfire came from, police did not find Kiara Jenkins’ body until 10 hours later.

“The police didn’t get into the area until the afternoon,” said one neighbor who asked to remain anonymous.

Neighbors are questioning what went wrong and what police did after the first 911 call.

“It’s just the safety of our neighborhood; her being a mother,” the anonymous neighbor said. “Maybe she could’ve had a chance.”

At 4:54 a.m. that day, police received a 911 call, and not just from anyone. Law enforcement sources said an off-duty Chicago police officer who lives on the block was awakened by at least five gunshots.

That officer told a 911 dispatcher the shots came from the alley. The officer even provided a badge number in hopes of police checking out the scene.

Police said officers responded and closed out the shots fired call at 5:08 a.m.

“Something’s definitely missing,” the anonymous neighbor said.

In the alley where Jenkins’ body was found 10 hours later, many buildings and homes have security cameras that will record any car or person going down the alley. Many neighbors shared their video with CBS News Chicago.

None of those cameras have any record of a police car going through the alley between 4:30 a.m. and 5 a.m.

“If a police car had come down the alley at 4:30 in the morning, 5 o’clock in the morning, the camera would have picked it up,” the anonymous neighbor said.

The department did not elaborate on what closing out that shots fire call entailed.

A friend found Jenkins’ body in the alley near her car after going to check on the mother of five when she didn’t show up to church.

“For that much time to go by, it doesn’t make sense,” the anonymous neighbor said.

What’s even more troubling, neighbors reflected on something else from that morning.

While the off-duty officer heard gunshots, others heard a car alarm blaring on and off from the alley for more than 40 minutes after the shooting.

“I thought it was kind of weird that a car alarm was constantly going off. It woke me up out of my sleep,” the anonymous neighbor said. “That car alarm, what was that alarm? Was that her trying to get help? Was that her trying to alert someone that I’m over here?”

Police have not said if Jenkins’ car keys were next to her body, but her car, purse, and identification were all found at the scene, leaving neighbors to wonder about her last moments.

“If police had come in the area when the 911 call came in, they could have heard that, and maybe that would’ve made a difference,” the anonymous neighbor said. “I feel the family deserves to know. Where were police? Where was the response?”

CBS News Chicago has submitted an open records request for the first 911 call made by the off-duty officer and all police communications from when the call was cleared, but has yet to receive those records.

No one was in custody for Jenkins’ death as of Friday night.

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.

Teenager uses Make-A-Wish request to start foundation helping other kids at Children’s Hospital

CNN Newsource on January 31, 2026

By Ross Guidotti

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    PITTSBURGH, Pennslyvania (KDKA) — Duncan Simmons is a very taciturn, contemplative 16-year-old who’s been through a lot. And while he doesn’t want to be called a hero, what he has done in the eyes of many, including his dad, is a very big deal.

About two years ago, Duncan was diagnosed with Burkitt leukemia. He spent several weeks in UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh battling to beat that what was trying to beat him. He won the fight.

During his recovery, Duncan was approached by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, saying he could, if he wanted, go on trips or get things as a reward for his physical and mental toughness. He decided that wasn’t for him. Instead, he chose to help the kids whose days are spent at the Children’s Hospital.

“Start a foundation to help other people get the food that they like to eat. The food in the hospital is OK, but it gets boring after a little bit,” he said.

And that was the beginning of the Duncan’s Diner foundation.

Duncan’s father, Chris, says Duncan’s Diner gives kids options for food from outside the hospital walls.

“If the kid wants a pizza, they can get a special pizza,” Chris said. “If they want a chili dog, if they want anything, they can do that.”

Make-A-Wish made the initial donation, followed by DoorDash, with $5,500 dollars in gift cards. Sheetz also came through with Sheetz gift cards, which are focused on helping parents with more than just food. The cards can be used to fill up the family car for trips to and from the hospital, and in some cases, across the country.

Chris says more foundations are getting in line to help out. So far, they’ve gathered $25,000.

It’s all because Duncan Simmons saw his plight as a way to help those who could use some normalcy in their lives. Even if it’s just some food to enjoy and maybe smile in a place where happiness is always a welcome commodity.

“It definitely makes you feel a lot better,” Duncan said. “It’s a hot meal, it tastes good, it’s something you haven’t had in a while. It’s good all around.”

For more information on Duncan Diner and how you can donate money or help, check out this link.

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.

Diver details rescue operation after vehicle goes off Parkway East into Monongahela River

CNN Newsource on January 31, 2026

By Ricky Sayer

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    PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania (KDKA) — A diver who responded to the Monongahela River on Thursday after a woman crashed her vehicle off Interstate 376 and into the icy river detailed the rescue operation.

Eric Capets, a Pittsburgh River Rescue dive instructor, was one of the six divers at the scene on Thursday. Jacinta Stevens was rescued after her vehicle plunged off the Parkway East and into the river. She later died at the hospital.

Investigators said Stevens was submerged in the water for approximately 40 to 60 minutes.

“Cold water is a hindrance to the diver, but it’s a blessing for the victim,” Capets said. “It extends their chance of survival because the oxygen man goes down. So if we could get a victim under the water, very cold water, out up to, I would say, 90 minutes, maybe even two hours, there’s a chance we can bring them back.”

He said the car was heavily damaged, but right side up in what the city’s EMS chief said was about 20 feet of water. Divers opened the door, grabbed the woman, brought her to the surface and began CPR as she was transported to the hospital.

The dive team is based next to PNC Park at the Pittsburgh River Rescue boathouse. The unit has multiple boats at the facility, but officials said it didn’t make sense to use them, partially because of how thick the ice was and partially because of how close this was to the side of the river.

Underwater, Capets said visibility was excellent at 4 feet. Two divers were involved in the first dive to rescue the victim. Capets was part of a solo second dive to make sure there were no additional victims or vehicles. One complicating factor during the rescue mission was the ice above the divers.

“In the case of an emergency, the diver could not come up because there’s an ice cap,” Capets said. “That’s the most dangerous aspect of it. That and the cold water. Your core temperature stays pretty warm. But your hands, you lose a lot of dexterity in your fingers, which makes retrieving a victim very difficult.”

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