Category: CNN Regional

By Alan Shope

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    KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KMBC) — With the FIFA World Cup bringing millions of visitors to North America, advocates gathered Sunday evening in Kansas City’s Loose Park to shine a light on human trafficking and support survivors.

About 50 people attended a candlelight vigil organized by Rotary districts in Missouri and Kansas. Organizers said the event honored survivors, remembered families impacted by trafficking and encouraged the public to stay alert to warning signs.

One of the speakers, human trafficking survivor Victoria Pierce, shared how she was lured online at 18 by someone who promised her a better life.

“We have to keep talking about it,” Pierce told the crowd, sharing her story of survival and recovery.

Organizers said the World Cup provides an opportunity to educate the public because of the global attention surrounding the tournament.

“Worldwide there’s over 45 million people that get trafficked every year,” said Usha Reddi, president of the Rotary Club Against Human Trafficking. “In Missouri there’s about 300 annually, and in Kansas there’s about 200 to 300, but that’s only the individuals that we know of.”

Similar awareness events are being held in other World Cup host cities across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

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 Metia Carroll

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    NEW ORLEANS (WDSU) — The New Orleans Police Department is investigating after an individual reportedly threatened Entergy crews working to restore power in the French Quarter following a transformer explosion.

Entergy issued the following statement:

“Power has been restored. Overnight, Entergy crews responded to an outage impacting approximately 900 customers in the French Quarter. Cause is under investigation, believed related to a fire beneath an underground vault.

“While responding to the outage, Entergy crews were menaced by an individual threatening to shoot our lineman with a gun— delaying resolution of the incident. NOPD has been notified and is on the scene.”

New Orleans Police issued the following statement on the threat:

“NOPD was notified that a call was made to Entergy’s call center during which a threat was made. NOPD is working with Entergy to investigate the matter.”

Police say they were notified around 10:36 p.m. that an underground electrical transformer exploded near the intersection of Conti and Bourbon streets, resulting in a fire in the roadway.

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 Shanice Hopkins

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    NORMAN, Okla. (KOCO) — Clean-up continues Monday morning after Saturday night’s storms left damage across the Oklahoma City metro.

Thousands of people are still without power as crews continue recovery efforts, making progress in the hardest-hit areas. As of 8 a.m. Monday, more than 8,000 customers still don’t have power in Cleveland County.

Since Saturday night, city crews have worked to clean up debris and downed power lines as well as to reopen streets.

“We are seeing extensive damage across town. Lots of tree limbs down. Trees have fallen. We are addressing those that are blocking the street,” Scott Sturtz with Norman Public Works said. “Also, lots of traffic signals that are out of commission due to the lack of power or because of winds that knocked them down.”

Norman officials said damage assessment is still underway. Starting Monday morning, residents can report storm damage or debris in public areas through Norman’s action center.

Disaster emergency Gov. Kevin Stitt has declared a disaster emergency for two Oklahoma counties following severe storms that caused extensive damage on the Fourth of July.

Stitt signed the executive order Sunday, declaring a disaster emergency for Washington and Cleveland counties.

“State and local crews are out across Cleveland and Washington counties this morning checking on families, clearing debris, and helping our communities get back on their feet after these severe storms,” said Stitt in a news release. “As crews work to get power restored to those impacted, please help by reporting damage and checking on your neighbors.”

The executive order will remain for 30 days unless it is amended by the governor. More counties could be added to the executive order as assessments continue, according to the news release.

Cooling shelters Cooling centers are active and can be located by calling 211 or visiting OGE’s cooling center portal. There are stations across the state that are open for those who need a cool place to rest.

Disaster relief and assistance The state is coordinating with Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief, and chainsaw teams are assisting residents in Norman and are available in communities where they may be needed.

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 Abigail Kurten

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    DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) — Nearly 400 residents of Parkside East apartments in Des Moines are displaced after severe flooding submerged parts of the complex, leaving behind extensive damage and a long road to recovery.

J.B. Conlin, CEO of Conlin Properties, which owns the apartments, described the flooding as extraordinary.

“I think this rain event was a once in the lifetime,” Conlin said.

Conlin said he began evacuating residents at 3 a.m. Friday, and efforts have now shifted to cleaning up the damage.

Residents on the first floor suffered the most significant losses.

“If you were a resident that lived on the first floor, you probably lost everything. And that’s the real tragedy here,” Conlin said.

Currently, nearly 80 displaced residents are staying at Hoyt Middle School, where the American Red Cross is providing shelter, food, and safety.

“It was kind of jarring just pulling up to the scene at the apartment complex, to see the flood, to see the rescue boats go out and evacuate people. And to know that it happened in the holiday weekend, it was kind of gutting,” said Dacian Wilson of the American Red Cross.

Crews are working to tear out drywall, repair flooring, and remove debris from the apartments. It is expected to take at least a month before residents on the second and third floors can return, while first-floor residents face an even longer wait.

Conlin said his team are working to rehome as many residents as possible in other properties.

“Trying to get them some resources and financial resources is one of our biggest goals,” he said. “We’re trying to throw as much as we can to get these buildings back in shape.”

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 Dylan Olsen, Marissa Sulek, Adam Harrington, Tim Jacobi

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    Chicago (WBBM) — A Delta Air Lines flight landing in Chicago was hit by a firework as it was coming to land at Midway International Airport on Saturday.

The Federal Aviation Administration said just around 8:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4, the pilot reported that a fireworks mortar struck the aircraft while on descent just before landing.

The plane, Delta Flight 1076, was heading into Midway from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Across from the airport’s perimeter and runway and in the area near 63rd and Central Avenue, residents say fireworks were nonstop the night of the fourth.

“Maybe at least 20 per minute I would say, at least,” said Christina Bernabe.

Bernabe has lived next to Midway for over 20 years. She says she was surprised to learn a firework hit a landing plane.

Air traffic control audio indicated that the flight crew felt a big bang, and hoped it was just a mortar that went off underneath the plane. The ATC audio indicated that Chicago police were notified.

DePaul University transportation and aviation expert Joe Schwieterman says it’s something he’s not heard of happening.

“I’ve been watching aviation my whole life and have seen about everything from different kinds of birds to projectiles, but never a firework. So, this really is an indication that these risks pop out of nowhere,” he said.

Schwieterman says a pilot’s approach to Midway is difficult enough. It has short runways, dense traffic, and tightly configured neighborhoods surrounding it.

As to what could have been damaged?

“Perhaps a firecracker goes off right at the intake of the jet engine. That could cause something and combine that with another factor like a wind shear or an unexpected weather pattern,” Schwieterman said.

He added that it’s possible the person who set off the firework could be cited by police.

The aircraft, an Airbus A319, did land safely and taxied to the gate. There were 52 travelers and six crew members on the plane, Delta said. No one was hurt in the incident.

Chicago police said the firework caused minor paint damage. On Sunday, the plane was under evaluation to make sure there was no damage done, Delta said.

Bernabe says she is grateful everyone onboard and in her neighborhood are safe.

‘God forbid a plane, something happens, and lands on a house or on the block,” she said. “Was really shocked. Glad everyone is ok. Definitely a bit frightening.”

Chicago police referred further questions to the FBI.

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

By Allie Triepke

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    BOISE BENCH, Idaho (KIVI) — As flowers, stuffed animals and handwritten messages continue to grow at a memorial on the Boise Bench, the family of 15-year-old Sterling Wolfgang Thomas hopes the community remembers him not for the crash that took his life, but for the kindness he showed everyone he met.

Sterling died Thursday night after an e-bike and motorcycle collided near the intersection of Morris Hill Road and Phillippi Street in Boise.

His uncle, Matt Thomas, said Sterling’s gentle spirit and compassion left a lasting impact on family, friends and even people who only knew him briefly.

“Everyone who knew him loved him, and he was always so nice,” Matt Thomas said. “He was just such a loving kid.”

Matt said Sterling had a habit of reminding those around him how much they meant to him.

“Anytime you’d walk in the house, you could just pass him, and he’d say, ‘Love you. Love you Matt. Love you’,” he said.

Since Sterling’s death, his family has been overwhelmed by support from the community. Friends, teachers, neighbors and classmates have reached out with stories describing the 15-year-old’s kindness and positive attitude.

One story, Matt said, perfectly captured who his nephew was.

“One lady messaged me that he was over at her house last week and he was so appreciative. She said, ‘he complimented my oatmeal.’ I’m like, who compliments oatmeal? Only Sterling would.”

Those memories have inspired a message now shared across social media and displayed at the growing memorial: “LLS,” or “Long Live Sterling.”

Matt said the phrase has taken on an even deeper meaning for him.

“A lot of the kids have been sharing LLS… it means Long Live Sterling,” he said. “I like that, but I also like LFS in the sense of ‘Live for Sterling,’ because he was so kind.”

While the family continues to grieve, Matt hopes Sterling’s death also sparks conversations about e-bike safety.

He believes communities could help prevent future tragedies by offering safety education and training for young riders.

“I do think that there should be some requirements, safety tests, approvals that the parents are required to make sure their kid passes,” Matt said. “I think it would be very, very powerful if communities would hold a Saturday training for e-bike protection and regulation.”

As the investigation into Thursday night’s crash continues, Sterling’s family says they hope his legacy will be one of kindness, compassion and love for others—qualities they say defined the way he lived every 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.

By Maggie Bryan

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    SUPERIOR, Colorado (KMGH) — As wildfires continue to destroy homes and displace families across Colorado, survivors who have lived through this kind of loss are stepping up to help.

Fire officials in Custer County said the Aspen Acres Fire has destroyed more than 180 structures, including at least 55 homes. The fire has grown to nearly 87,000 acres and is the state’s largest active wildfire.

Erica Solove knows the kind of pain families are going through. She lost her Sagamore neighborhood home in Superior after the Marshall Fire tore through multiple communities and destroyed her entire neighborhood in 2021. Now, she works for a national nonprofit called Extreme Weather Survivors, which aims to help disaster survivors by connecting them with free trauma resources and support.

“I think the experience of losing your home in a disaster is inherently isolating,” Solove said. “Your world and community and familiar comfortable bubble suddenly vanishes.”

She said the trauma of losing a home brings challenges many survivors never expect, like brain fog, decision fatigue and strained relationships.

“It is a really tough road to walk,” she said. “There are many people across the country who have walked a similar path, and not only that, but they want to help, they want to give back.”

Solove leads an EWS mentorship program that pairs survivors further along in their recovery with those who have just experienced a disaster. She also runs a monthly webinar, which connects families with mental health experts, many of whom are disaster survivors themselves. EWS has worked with families across the nation, including survivors of the Los Angeles wildfires in 2025.

She said the main goal of EWS is to provide a community that supports disaster survivors long after the initial tragedy happens.

“There’s this initial outpouring of donations and community support and media coverage… but then people forget. Life resumes as usual, and those survivors are left to fend for themselves, and the timeline of recovery is realistically many years,” Solove said.

Her own lifeline after the Marshall Fire was staying connected with her neighbors.

“That really was one of the only silver linings of going through this experience was seeing how neighbors can come together and build community,” she said.

EWS is not only for people who have been impacted by wildfires, but also natural disasters like hurricanes, floods and extreme heat.

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.