Category: CNN Regional

By Jesse Zanger, Naveen Dhaliwal

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    OLD BRIDGE TOWNSHIP, New Jersey (WCBS) — Lightning apparently struck a home and sparked a fire in New Jersey amid torrential storms Thursday.

It happened in Old Bridge Township around 3 p.m.

Two women who live in the home managed to escape with their four dogs, but one woman said her three pet birds, who were in cages, did not survive.

“I said to myself, that’s really close. I didn’t feel it like some people did, but I heard it – bang,” neighbor John Johnson said.

Johnson said police pounded on his front door, and let him know that the neighboring building was on fire.

“And I heard the door being beat on. I ran downstairs and the police officers was there,” he said. “He said, ‘Your neighbor’s on fire. Get ready to get out of here.’ I went upstairs and put on some clothes and came outside.”

One of the women who lives in the home that was struck said just about everything inside was destroyed.

Flash flooding also causing problems Thursday’s heavy rains caused flash flooding in some parts of New Jersey.

Some of the locations are not far from areas that endured torrential flooding earlier this week.

Click here for the latest storm watches, warnings, alerts and advisories. In Hazlet, heavy rain came down fast, leaving a car stranded in high water.

“My street was flooded. That subsided. It took, like, maybe 30 minutes,” Hazlet resident Wayne Szaro said.

“Cars were coming through. They were plowing through it. It was submerging over their hood,” Hazlet resident Joe Bennett said. “It was eventually somebody was going to come through and was going to get stuck.”

In South River, streets quickly filled up as storm drains were overwhelmed, and water took over a local park, spilling across fields and surrounding areas.

There were also reports of flooding in New Brunswick and Keyport.

Thunder rolled and rain pelted cars on the New Jersey Turnpike, slowing traffic even more during rush hour, and in Edison, video showed Route 1 completely flooded out.

Local officials say they spent the day cleaning clogged storm drains. Some homeowners said they got water in their basements, but for the most part, the water subsided by Thursday night without any significant damage.

Rain totals piling up As of 5 p.m. Thursday, there had already been significant rainfall in New Jersey.

CBS News New York’s Lonnie Quinn said the rain had been coming down in “buckets.”

– Kendall Park picked up 4.83 inches – New Brunswick got 3.05 inches – Dayton got 2.83 inches – Skillman picked up 2.4 inches – Rutgers Gardens got 2.05 inches

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 Riley Rourke

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    BOSTON, Massachusetts (WBZ) — A Boston man has been charged after allegedly making bomb threats and bringing explosives on board a Commuter Rail train in June.

Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said it happened on June 27, just before 10:30 p.m., at North Station. A witness reported a man who was loudly commenting about making bombs and giving them to extremist groups.

“The witness also reported that the man said he was inspired by the January 6 attacks at the U.S. Capitol,” said the DA’s office in a press release.

Police arrived to find 29-year-old Shane Cautillo with a lithium battery, an electric scooter with a bag, and an electric towel warmer with wires sticking out.

After an X-ray was performed, police said that they found “a possible power source, fusing, explosive charge, and switch in the container” and were able to successfully disarm it. Another X-ray was performed on the bag attached to the scooter. Officers found commercial fireworks and a power pack inside. Several fireworks detonated, causing an explosion as they attempted to disarm the device.

No one was hurt in the incident.

They also found small batteries, a cell phone, a BOOM Margarita wine cocktail, a power adapter, and a duct-taped lithium battery inside the electric towel warmer.

“This man had the materials to make a possibly dangerous device,” Hayden said in a statement.

A K-9 dog cleared the train and surrounding areas at the popular commuting station.

Cautillo was taken to Boston Medical Center for evaluation after threatening to harm himself.

He was charged while at the hospital with unlawful possession of fireworks, possession of a hoax incendiary device, possession of a hoax device or substance, and disorderly conduct on a public conveyance. He was arrainged on June 29 and held on $10,000 bail. He was also ordered to stay away from all MBTA transit options and not possess any dangerous weapons.

He will return to court on July 28 for a pre-trial hearing.

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 Janay Reece

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    BALTIMORE, Maryland (WJZ) — A tanker truck carrying 7,500 gallons of diesel fuel crashed in South Baltimore early Friday morning.

The truck appeared to have hit two parked vehicles on South Hanover Street near Washburn Avenue before stopping on a sidewalk around 2:30 a.m.

No injuries were reported and it’s not clear yet what caused the crash.

Authorities said about 20 gallons of fuel spilled out and the block was shut down overnight. The Baltimore City Fire Department and Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) were called in and a crew was able to contain the spill.

The fuel was moved into another tanker truck. The damaged truck was prepared to be towed away.

It belongs to Power Transportation Systems, a freight carrier based in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

No other information is available at this point in the investigation.

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 Abby Dodge, Ana Maria Soler

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    PLANTATION, Florida (WFOR) — A family is grieving the death of a 2-year-old boy who drowned in a pond at an apartment complex in Plantation on Thursday evening.

The boy was first reported as missing at around 5:30 p.m. by his grandmother who called 911. The dispatcher said that it was a 10 to 15 minute time delay from when the call came in to when she called.

The dispatcher described the boy as non-verbal and known to go toward water.

A family member then found the child in a pond near the complex, located in the area of 16th Street and 108th Avenue, before police arrived. Bystanders began CPR, telling the dispatcher that water was coming out of the boy’s mouth.

Plantation Fire Rescue rushed the boy to Broward Health Medical Center, where he died.

Plantation police stretched a line around a large pond surrounded by apartments and canvassed the complex for several hours.

Neighbor Erwin Garcia, who has lived in the complex for nearly a decade, said he was devastated by the news.

“I have two kids, so it breaks my heart,” Garcia said.

Garcia said he had never considered the ponds a safety concern before.

“We have lakes everywhere here in South Florida, all of Florida. But no, I don’t even think about that,” Garcia said.

He said he does not know the family but is hoping they find comfort.

“I just feel so sorry for them,” Garcia said.

Plantation police said that it is investigating the circumstances surrounding the drowning.

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, Tara Lynch

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    BALTIMORE (WJZ) — A reported fish kill has left approximately 5,000 dead fish and other species on the surface of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, according to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE).

The MDE says fish kill spreads along the Canton Waterfront Park to South Ann Street and near the Domino Sugar plant.

Officials documented approximately 5,000 dead menhaden, 126 dead blue crabs, and a small number of other fish species at the surface.

The dead fish have caused a stench from Canton to the Inner Harbor.

“Smells kind of like a cross between rotting garbage and an outhouse at a festival,” said Richard Korecky, a visitor from Texas.

What caused the fish kill?

Experts say a one-two punch of the drought and heat wave likely caused the smell and dead fish.

The MDE says the fish kill is likely caused by low dissolved oxygen linked to a localized “Pistachio Tide” event because of the 30-degree temperature difference between this week and last week.

“For it to happen this early is kind of unique, and a lot of it is likely due to the fact that it was so hot here last week,” said Charmaine Dahlenburg, director of conservation at the National Aquarium. “We were in temperatures over 100, and then we dropped down to the 80s.”

Typically, this type of natural event happens in the fall during an annual “turnover” when the days are significantly warmer than the nights. This causes the surface water to cool and sink to the bottom of the harbor, causing bacteria from the floor to rise.

A sulfur bacteria bloom creates a green surface sheen and produces a sulfur odor as it decomposes, depleting oxygen in the water, the MDE said.

The National Aquarium said it began receiving reports of the smell and dead fish on Wednesday.

These bacteria don’t require a lot of oxygen. At the surface, non-oxygenic photosynthesis takes place, and a sulfur-like byproduct creates not only the smell but the green hue.

The drought likely caused an algae bloom, too. Because the area hasn’t had significant soaking rain, the water stays still and doesn’t mix, causing algae to grow.

Menhaden are essential to Maryland’s wildlife, serving as a food source for birds and other sea life. They are also used in fish oil pills as well as pet food.

Blue crabs are also dying because of these phenomena.

“Think about how long you could hold your breath underwater, so it’s very taxing to these animals,” Dahlenburg said.

The smell is likely to last for a few days and a heavy rain storm will make it go away, according to the National Aquarium.

Previous fish kill in the harbor

In 2025, there were at least three fish kills in Baltimore’s harbor within weeks.

Last September, the MDE estimated that 25,000 dead menhaden were found in the water from Canton to Locust Point.

On August 28, 2025, MDE said it found at least 120,000 floating dead fish between Harbor Point and Fort McHenry. Days earlier, a weather-related fish kill saw 61,000 dead fish in the harbor.

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 CBS San Francisco

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    OAKLAND, California (KPIX) — The Oakland Zoo is now home to a female tiger rescued from a notorious Northern California wildlife sanctuary that was forced to shut down last year.

On Thursday, the zoo announced in a press release that the tiger, named Sitara, is estimated to be 13 years old, is not yet ready for public viewing as she is still being rehabilited and experiencing some lameness in her left hind leg. The tiger currently has access only to her nighthouse and a temporary outdoor space; the zoo’s animal care staff help her navigate her new habitat which includes pools, a waterfall, raised platforms, grass, and vegetation – all things the zoo said she has never had before.

Sitara’s placement was part of an effort to rehabilitate a group of five tigers rescued after the closure of the Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Foundation, in Orovile, Butte County, in early 2025. The foundation was shuttered after the California Department of Fish and Wildlife denied a renewal of a restricted species permit amid documented animal welfare violations. A subsequent lawsuit filed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), resulted in Kirshner operators and their affiliates agreeing to give up possession of the tigers.

Before their rescue, the tigers were abandoned at a Kirshner-affiliated facility in Solano County, whose owner reached out to the Oakland Zoo for help finding them a suitable home, PETA said in a press statement. After being processed by Oakland Zoo veterinary staff, two male tigers were transferred to the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) in Sacramento County, and a third male taken to the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas, both accredited sanctuaries. The fifth tiger, an elderly 16-year-old female, was found to be suffering from end-stage arthritis and spinal disease, and after not responding to intensive care, she was euthanized.

“These tigers endured hell on Earth in Kirshner’s clutches, on top of which, when authorities closed in, the roadside zoo shuffled the animals around to other seedy facilities like so many stolen goods,” says PETA Foundation Managing Director of Captive Wildlife Debbie Metzler. “PETA’s lawsuit put Kirshner’s cronies on notice and helped ensure that these tigers will finally get the care they need at accredited facilities.”

Sitara, whose name translates to “star” in Hindi, moves into the Oakland Zoo’s tiger enclosure after the deaths of the zoo’s previous rescued tigers, Mia and Lola, earlier this year.

“The current tiger cases are not an isolated effort; they are part of a sustained, mission-driven response to wildlife exploitation and trafficking,” Darren Minier, Oakland director of animal welfare and research said in a prepared statement. “Through direct rescue operations, partnerships with accredited zoos and sanctuaries, engagement in wildlife policy, and public education, Oakland Zoo continues to advocate for higher standards of care and stronger protections for captive wildlife.”

Tigers in the wild usually have a life expectancy between 10 to 15 years, while those in accredited, high-quality sanctuaries can live between 15 and 20 years, and sometimes into their early 20s.

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 Francis Page Jr.

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    July 9, 2026 (Houston Style Magazine) — Fort Bend County families, business travelers, students, dreamers, cruisers, mission-trip planners, wedding guests, and everybody who suddenly remembered that “international getaway” requires more than matching luggage—mark your calendars. Beverley McGrew Walker, Fort Bend County District Clerk affectionately known as “The People’s Clerk,” is hosting a special Passport Fair on Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at The Cottage House in the Veranda Community, 23323 Pearl Glen Dr., Richmond, TX 77469.

This community-centered event is designed to make applying for a U.S. passport easier, more convenient, and less intimidating for residents across one of Texas’ fastest-growing and most beautifully diverse counties. In other words, before you can say “bonjour,” “hola,” “ciao,” or “where is my boarding pass?” Walker’s office is making sure Fort Bend County is ready for the runway.

“The Fort Bend County District Clerk’s Office continues to offer passport application services to the greater Fort Bend County community,” said District Clerk Walker. “As the Fort Bend County District Clerk for the last seven years, making it easier to obtain a passport and improving the jury selection process has always been a labor of love.”

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That labor of love is more than a slogan. It reflects the kind of public service that meets people where they are—especially working parents, busy professionals, seniors, students, and families who may not have time during the traditional workweek to navigate passport paperwork. A Saturday Passport Fair is government with its sleeves rolled up, clipboard ready, and community first.

Walker’s leadership carries historic weight. A licensed Texas attorney and longtime public servant, she is serving her second term as Fort Bend County District Clerk. Her background includes public education, law, civic leadership, community outreach, and a trailblazing chapter as the first African American woman to serve on the Houston City Council. She has also been recognized for a lifetime commitment to volunteer service—proof that public service is not just what she does, it is who she is.

Fort Bend County itself is a powerful backdrop for this passport push. With an estimated 975,191 residents as of July 1, 2025, and a population that has grown more than 18 percent since 2020, Fort Bend is not simply expanding—it is connecting. Its families, entrepreneurs, students, veterans, professionals, and first-generation Americans represent a global community with local roots. A passport, then, is not just a document. It is a bridge to family, commerce, education, culture, opportunity, and sometimes a much-needed beach chair.

Appointments for the Passport Fair are limited and can be made by visiting fbctx.gov/passports. Residents are encouraged to schedule quickly and check back periodically if appointment slots are filled, as cancellations may open additional times.

Applicants should come prepared. All applicants must appear in person, including minors. Children under age 16 must appear with both parents. If one parent is unavailable, the applicant must bring a completed DS-3053 Statement of Consent form or a notarized authorization letter from the absent parent, along with a copy of that parent’s identification, front and back.

Current U.S. passport processing times listed by Fort Bend County are 4–6 weeks for routine service and 2–3 weeks for expedited service, which requires an additional $60. Passport photos will be available on-site for $15. Applicants should also note that payments are separated: passport application fees must be paid by check or money order to the U.S. Department of State, while acceptance fees are paid to the local acceptance facility. Cash will not be accepted at this fair.

For first-time adult applicants age 16 and older, the U.S. Department of State currently lists the passport book fee at $130, passport card at $30, and book-and-card combination at $160, plus the $35 facility acceptance fee. For children under 16, the passport book is listed at $100, the card at $15, and book-and-card combination at $115, plus the $35 acceptance fee.

Walker said it best: “There is no higher calling than serving the public.” And on July 25, that calling comes with forms, photos, family logistics, friendly guidance, and a reminder that good government can still feel personal.

For Fort Bend County, this Passport Fair is more than a convenience. It is a community invitation to move boldly, travel wisely, and prepare for the world—one stamped booklet at a time. Passport Fair – Event Details: What: Fort Bend County District Clerk Passport Fair Host: Beverley McGrew Walker, Fort Bend County District Clerk When: Saturday, July 25, 2026 Time: 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Where: The Cottage House in Veranda, 23323 Pearl Glen Dr., Richmond, TX 77469 Appointments: fbctx.gov/passports Questions: Fort Bend County District Clerk’s Office, 281-341-4515

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.

Kierra Lee
KIELEESTYLE@GMAIL.COM
4096658446

By Houston Style Magazine Staff

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    July 9, 2026 (Houston Style Magazine) — Houston’s next wave of visual storytellers is not waiting politely in the wings. They are framing the shot, mixing the colors, bending the medium, and stepping confidently onto the gallery wall. Beginning Saturday, July 11, Redbud Arts Center in the Houston Heights will open “Emerging Visions: A Celebration of Collegiate Talent,” a juried collegiate exhibition showcasing promising student artists from across the Greater Houston area.

The exhibition opens with a public reception from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will remain on view through Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in Redbud’s West Gallery. Admission to the reception is free, making this a perfect opportunity for Houston families, collectors, educators, art lovers, and curious weekend wanderers to support the creative leaders of tomorrow—before everyone else starts bragging that they “discovered them first.”

Seven current and former Houston City College (HCC) students were selected for the exhibition, placing their work alongside student artists from institutions including the University of Houston, University of Houston-Clear Lake, Houston Christian University, Texas Southern University, Sam Houston State University, Glassell School of Art, Lone Star College and San Jacinto College.

Among the featured HCC artists is recent graduate Diana Quijada, whose inkjet print, “Orca at White Oak Music Hall,” captures a live performance from the venue’s second floor. Rather than simply focusing on the crowd or the spotlight, Quijada’s image reveals what many concertgoers rarely notice: the wires, music sheets, stage architecture, and behind-the-scenes structure that help transform sound into spectacle.

“I wanted to capture the stage presence that the audience down below rarely sees, such as the wires and music sheets,” Quijada said.

Also representing HCC are student artists whose works span graphite, mixed media, oil, metal print, photography and more. Redbud’s posted exhibition selections include HCC artists Michael Cortez with “Limbo,” Bea Dumadag with “Voyeuristic Intention,” Alice Gunn with “Alice’s Dead!!?!&…,” Aaron Herrera with “Interference,” and Michael Mallory with “Meteor Over Bristlecone Pine.” Several works are listed for sale, giving Houstonians a chance to do more than admire young talent—they can invest in it.

View/Buy Available Artwork: Emerging Visions 2026 at Redbud Arts Center

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Redbud Arts Center Executive Director and Curator Tanja Peterson said the exhibition was created to give emerging artists a meaningful professional platform. The show will be juried by Clare Elliott, a Houston-based independent curator and fine art appraiser. Awards include a 2027 East Gallery exhibition for first place, $300 for second place, $200 for third place, and honorable mentions. Winners will be announced during the opening reception.

For students, the experience is bigger than a single night. It is an introduction to the expectations of the professional art world: submitting work, preparing pieces for presentation, facing outside critique, and learning how to stand beside one’s creative voice with confidence.

Corey Ackelmire, HCC studio/art instructor and program coordinator, said juried exhibitions help students grow beyond the classroom. “It teaches them to prepare their work for presentation to an outside juror who they have not had any interaction with before,” Ackelmire said. “This is an expert in the field who is evaluating their work and is determining that theirs is of quality to be on exhibition. It’s a strong résumé builder and a valuable experience.”

Houston City College continues to serve as a creative launchpad for students seeking affordable, accessible pathways into art, design, photography, digital media and professional creative careers. In a city powered by culture, entrepreneurship and imagination, HCC students are proving that Houston’s art future is already in motion—and it looks beautifully bold.

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Event Details What: “Emerging Visions: A Celebration of Collegiate Talent” When: Opening Reception, Saturday, July 11, 2026, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Exhibition Dates: July 11 – Aug. 29, 2026 Where: Redbud Arts Center, West Gallery, 303 E. 11th Street, Houston, TX 77008 Admission: Free View/Buy Artwork: redbudartscenter.com/emerging-visions-2026 More on HCC Art Programs: hccs.edu

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.

Kierra Lee
KIELEESTYLE@GMAIL.COM
4096658446