2 Georgia residents monitored after cruise ship hantavirus outbreak, health officials say

CNN Newsource on May 7, 2026

By Zachary Bynum

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    ATLANTA, Georgia (WUPA) — The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is actively monitoring two Georgia residents who recently returned home after disembarking from the MV Hondius, the cruise ship at the center of a hantavirus outbreak that has raised concerns among global health officials.

According to DPH, both individuals are currently in good health and have shown no signs of infection. They are adhering to the latest recommendations provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In a released statement, the CDC said:

“The Administration is closely monitoring the situation with U.S. travelers onboard the M/V Hondius cruise ship with confirmed hantavirus. Our top priority remains the health and safety of all U.S. passengers. The Department of State is leading a coordinated, whole-of-government response, including direct contact with passengers, diplomatic coordination, and engagement with domestic and international health authorities.

As the global leader in health security, the U.S. government is deploying its premier health experts to respond to this evolving situation. Collaboration with international partners is ongoing to provide technical assistance and guidance to mitigate risk.”

The agency says that at this time the risk to the American public is considered extremely low.

All Americans aboard the ship are urged to follow health officials’ guidance as efforts continue to bring them home safely.

Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), emphasized the importance of transparent communication and evidence-based guidance for those affected by the outbreak, echoing calls for calm and vigilance as authorities continue their response.

The outbreak, which was first reported earlier this week, has health experts on alert due to the rare nature of hantavirus transmission aboard cruise ships.

According to CBS News reporting, the virus typically spreads through contact with rodent droppings, urine, or saliva, and human-to-human transmission is considered extremely rare. The MV Hondius incident marks an unusual case, prompting heightened surveillance and coordination between public health agencies worldwide.

CBS News further reports that the cruise ship, which had been traveling through polar regions, has been thoroughly sanitized, and all passengers have been advised to monitor their health closely.

The CDC and international health agencies are working to trace possible sources of exposure and ensure that protocols are in place to prevent further spread.

At this time, the Georgia DPH emphasizes that there is no immediate risk to the public.

The two monitored residents continue to remain symptom-free, serving as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and rapid response in managing emerging infectious disease threats.

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Tennessee Republicans advance redistricting map after overnight impasse over new congressional districts

CNN Newsource on May 7, 2026

By Chris Davis

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    NASHVILLE (WTVF) — Tennessee Republicans advanced a proposed congressional redistricting map out of committee after an overnight impasse, setting the stage for a full floor debate in both chambers.

The Republican-backed map carves Shelby County into three different congressional districts and keeps Nashville divided among three districts as well. The Democratic version of the map, which would have kept Memphis and Nashville whole, failed in committee.

In the House, the new congressional map passed in the House Congressional Redistricting Committee and the House Finance Ways and Means Committee. In the Senate, the map passed in the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Finance Committee.

Several companion bills also cleared their required committees. A bill that would change the candidate filing deadline passed in both the necessary House and Senate committees. A bill that repeals a previous Tennessee law banning redistricting between federal censuses also passed the required committees.

Public opposition to the map was swift and vocal. Audience members broke chamber rules and began chanting in protest during the proceedings. A similar scene played out in the House. It took several minutes for state troopers to clear the committee room, and once that happened, legislative leadership decided not to allow members of the public back in for the rest of the day. Only journalists were permitted to remain.

State Sen. John Stevens (R-Huntington) defended the Republican approach. “Tennessee is a conservative state and our congressional representation in Washington should reflect that,” Stevens said.

Stevens was direct about the map’s political purpose. “We are attempting to maximize the chances that the congressional delegation of Tennessee will maintain a Republican majority of the U.S. House of Representatives. That is our intent,” Stevens said.

Democrats brought in Congressman Steve Cohen of Memphis, who could lose his longtime seat if the map passes, to speak against the proposal. “The people of Tennessee will lose. This is a loser for the people of Tennessee,” Cohen said.

“If you don’t have a Democratic congressman, you’re gonna be up a creek without a paddle. And I was the paddle,” Cohen said about being able to fight for local priorities during the Biden administration.

Former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams also testified in opposition. “This body is being asked to dismantle the protections that helped bury the abomination that was Jim Crow,” Abrams said.

The Republican-proposed map advanced out of Senate Judiciary Committee with 9 ayes and 2 noes. The Democratic version failed, receiving 2 ayes and 9 noes.

If the Republican bills advance as anticipated, it sets the stage for a floor debate in both the House and Senate Thursday over whether the congressional map should be redrawn, with a primary election months away.

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Four-year-old shows she can swim with one arm

CNN Newsource on May 7, 2026

By Kristi Harper

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    BALTIMORE (WMAR) — Marion Durfee is 4 years old, and she is learning to swim — kicking, reaching, rolling over to save herself, and blowing bubbles with the best of them. She does it all with one arm.

Marion was born with amniotic band syndrome, a condition in which fiber-like bands wrap around a developing limb, preventing blood flow and growth.

Her mother, Ally Durfee, said the diagnosis came before Marion was even born.

“We found out while I was pregnant and so not really sure like why it was caused or what to do, so it was, it was a shock and then worry if she was going to be OK.” Ally said.

Ally and her husband, Liam Durfee, were first-time parents with no personal experience with a differently abled person. But once Marion arrived, their perspective shifted.

“Once we, you know, met her, a lot of those concerns went away. We realized that it wasn’t going to hold her back,” Ally said.

The family found their way to the Kennedy Krieger Bennett Blazers Adaptive Sports program, where Marion is working on motor development — building the balance, strength, and confidence that will carry her through life.

Gwena Herman, founder and co-director of Bennett Blazers Adaptive Sports, said the program’s philosophy starts early and runs deep.

“Like any other child, um, they need to be able to participate and be active, so our program starts at motor development which Marion is in — that point you’re just working on building confidence, um, because confidence will carry them through all of life,” Herman said.

Herman said the program’s guiding principle is simple but powerful.

“Our motto is to teach kids they can before somebody tells them that they can’t. So when the earlier on that you teach them that, um, the better off they’re gonna be all around — for the child and the the parents,” Herman said.

For Ally and Liam, the experience has shaped them as much as it has shaped Marion.

“There’s like no one way to do things and so it might be different than how myself or other people might do it, but that doesn’t mean she can’t,” Ally said.

Liam said the journey has made him a better listener.

“Just being able to listen to her better, listen to um the challenges that she’s going through, trying to empathize with them,” Liam said.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. WMAR verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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‘We love our teacher so much’: Students deliver an act of kindness to their teacher

CNN Newsource on May 7, 2026

By Eileen Buckley

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    NIAGARA FALLS, New York (WKBW) — Three Niagara Falls High School students are being recognized for going above and beyond for their math teacher — showing up after school to clean up a mess left by her former neighbors, delivering a special act of kindness.

Kabraun Miller, Ramir Matthews and Asa Allen-Collins heard their math teacher, Patti Gabriele, expressing frustration about trash that had been dumped outside her home after neighbors moved out.

Without being asked, the students organized themselves and got to work. Niagara Falls High School shared a photo of the students on Facebook with the caption: “This is what character looks like.”

“We love our teacher so much,” Allen-Collins said.

The students said they created a group chat, got the address from Gabriele and showed up ready to work.

“We made a group chat. She wrote down the street on a piece of paper, and we just showed up at the time that she told us to; we got straight to work,” Allen-Collins said.

Gabriele said she was surprised by how quickly — and efficiently — the students responded.

“They actually overheard me complaining about the neighbors moving out and leaving it a mess,” Gabriele said.

She told the students to arrive by 5 p.m. and said she was caught off guard when they were right on time.

“I told them, be there by five. And I was a little shocked that at five o’clock, here they come, and they showed up and jumped right into it, and they took care of things in like half an hour. What would have taken me hours,” Gabriele said.

Matthews tells me the motivation was simple.

“I wanted to help her out, because she’s, you know, she’s a lady. She shouldn’t be doing that by herself,” Matthews said.

When I asked what compelled him to help, Matthews said it came down to character.

“Just being a kind student and a kind young man, trying to build myself to be a better young man,” Matthews said.

Miller said his faith guided his decision to act.

“I stay in my Bible. I pray a lot. You know, it talks about giving back and helping out. So when I hear, first of all, a lady, a woman, a teacher that I respect, I hold dear, and I was willing to jump into action,” Miller said.

Allen-Collins said Gabriele’s consistent kindness in the classroom made the decision easy.

“Ms. Gabriel, she’s just been a great teacher, like throughout every day in the classroom, just always kind, respectful. She gives the same respect to us that we give back to her,” Allen-Collins said.

Gabriele said the outpouring of attention that followed has been unexpected.

“They’re good kids, and, you know, I see them every day, so it’s like, we laugh and we joke about it. Nobody ever thought it would take off like this,” Gabriele said. “This meant a lot to me.”

The students said they hope their actions inspire other teens to step up for the people around them.

“I feel like it’s something that we should be doing regardless,” Allen-Collins said.

“You should do this for any teacher that you respect; they will respect you back,” Matthews said.

Miller said the reward is not the point.

“You shouldn’t have to feel like you need a reward. It should be within you…like out of the kindness of your heart,” Miller said.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. WKBW verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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Battle over $850,000 Quincy saint statues comes before Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

CNN Newsource on May 7, 2026

By Neal Riley

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    BOSTON, Massachusetts (WBZ) — The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court is weighing whether two statues of Catholic saints can be installed at the entrance to a new public safety building in Quincy.

Quincy officials say the 10-foot-tall statues of St. Michael and St. Florian are important to police officers and firefighters. The high court heard arguments Wednesday morning about the long-running dispute between the city and some residents of different religious faiths who say their presence in a government building would violate the Massachusetts Constitution.

Some have objected to the statues’ cost, which is about $850,000. But the court is focused on the religious symbolism of the statues, with the American Civil Liberties Union and others arguing that they don’t belong on public property. Justice Gabrielle Wolohojian asked how common the statues are, saying, “I take it that there’s not another fire department or police department in the commonwealth of Massachusetts that has these statues on the front of a building.”

Joseph Davis, an attorney for the city of Quincy, pointed to similar displays at police and fire departments in Los Angeles, New York City and Bristol, Connecticut.

“So none in Massachusetts, and you’ve come up with three out of the probably hundreds of thousands of police and fire department buildings in the country,” Wolohojian replied.

Quincy has argued that as the patron saints of police and fire departments, the statues are important symbols to first responders.

“They’ve come to represent firefighters and police officers, whatever their beliefs or backgrounds,” Davis said.

The court also had tough questions for the side opposed to the statues. Justice Scott Kafker said he’s trying to figure out why the proposed statues cross the line.

“The Supreme Court’s cautioning us … there’s not a hermetically sealed separation between church and state,” Kafker said. “Some of it’s allowed.”

The ACLU’s Jessie Rossman said Quincy is sending the wrong message to followers of other religions, as well as non-religious people.

“It’s the government using its platform to elevate a religious belief over the beliefs of others,” she said.

A Norfolk Superior Court judge in October temporarily blocked installation of the statues. It’s not known when the justices will issue their decision.

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Tearful Mother charged with killing her 2 children in Massachusetts court arraignment

CNN Newsource on May 7, 2026

By Neal Riley

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    DEDHAM, Massachusetts (WBZ) — Janette MacAusland, the Wellesley mother who allegedly confessed to killing her two young children, appeared emotional as she faced a judge in a Massachusetts courtroom on Wednesday.

MacAusland was arraigned on two charges of first-degree murder in Dedham District Court. A not guilty plea was entered on her behalf. She wore a gray sweatshirt and glasses and kept her hands clasped in front of her while looking down during the proceedings.

The judge ordered her held without bail. Her next court date is July 13.

Investigators say the 49-year-old showed up to her aunt’s house in Bennington, Vermont on April 24 and admitted to killing her 6-year-old daughter Ella and 7-year-old son Kai. There was dried blood on MacAusland’s neck from a large cut, the aunt told police.

“She said ‘I wanted the 3 of us to go to God together but it didn’t work,'” the aunt said.

When police arrived, they asked MacAusland if her children were OK.

“I strangled them and then I tried to kill myself,” MacAusland allegedly said, according to an affidavit.

Wellesley police conducted a well-being check at MacAusland’s home on Edgemoor Avenue, where they found the children dead in her bed. Court records show MacAusland’s husband Samuel had filed for divorce last October was seeking custody of the children and their home.

MacAusland appeared virtually in a Vermont courtroom last week and agreed to return Massachusetts to face murder charges. She was wearing a padded vest in jail during the proceedings.

Family babysitter Cale Darrah told WBZ-TV that the tragedy was unexpected.

“She seemed to just deeply love her children, like any other mother that I’ve come across,” Darrah said.

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Bill would let traffic cameras ticket drivers for speeding, going through red lights in Massachusetts

CNN Newsource on May 7, 2026

By Neal Riley

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    BOSTON, Massachusetts (WBZ) — Some lawmakers are making another push to get drivers to slow down and stop at red lights by legalizing traffic cameras in Massachusetts.

A bill proposed in the state Senate would allow cities and towns to install cameras that take pictures of license plates when someone breaks a traffic law. The system would then send a ticket to the owner of the car.

Among the violations the cameras could catch: Failing to stop at a light that’s already turned red, making a right on red where it’s not allowed, going 10 mph or more over the speed limit, and blocking an intersection.

Bill sponsor Sen. William Brownsberger of Belmont says there’s a lack of enforcement on Massachusetts roads.

“There’s a lot of speeding, there’s a lot of people going through red lights, there’s a lot of people blowing through right turns on reds,” he told WBZ-TV. “I do think it’s gotten worse over the past few years.”

Violators could face fines between $25 and $150. But no points would be added to a driver’s license, so insurance rates would not be impacted. To address privacy concerns, the bill only allows cameras to take pictures of license plates – not the driver.

The bill would not let cities and towns make money on the fines; they would simply cover the cost of maintaining the equipment.

“It’s not going to be a cash cow for anybody. Municipalities are not going to have any incentive to just throw these up and basically tax people for going through the community,” Brownsberger said.

Similar bills have been proposed previously in Massachusetts without success, and the Legislature has a July deadline to get this passed.

“We need this to start making our roads safer again,” Brownsberger said.

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 lawmakers demand answers from Air Force about jet fuel spill at Joint Base Andrews

CNN Newsource on May 7, 2026

By JT Moodee Lockman

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    PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Maryland (WJZ) — Maryland lawmakers are asking the Air Force to answer questions about a 32,000-gallon jet fuel spill on Joint Base Andrews that prompted an investigation and clean-up effort.

State delegates wrote a letter to Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink, claiming there has been a lack of transparency surrounding the leak.

Leaders said the leak resulted in 20,000 gallons of fuel being released, contaminating the soil outside the base at the waters of nearby Piscataway Creek.

The lawmakers raised concerns about what they called a delay in the Air Force providing “full information” to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE).

According to their letter, the Air Force’s “failure to promptly notify for many weeks prevented MDE from implementing measures to minimize the spread of the contamination.”

WJZ has reached out to the Air Force for comment.

In mid-April, base officials said federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Response Center, were notified of the leak and mitigation efforts were initiated.

The 32,000-gallon leak occurred between January and March, according to MDE officials. The jet fuel leaked from a refueling system, which has since been shut down, officials said.

The leak was discovered by staff on the base who saw a visible sheen and smelled fuel coming from Piscataway Creek, officials said.

A contractor is working to clean up the leak and investigate the cause of the system failure, according to MDE. The agency said in April that drinking water was not impacted.

“The installation continues to work closely with regulatory partners to ensure all appropriate steps are taken to address the release and protect surrounding waterways and ecosystems,” officials said in April. “The base is also coordinating with public health agencies to ensure the safety and well-being of the base populace and surrounding communities.”

Maryland lawmakers listed several questions for Sec. Meink about the status of the containment efforts, the current systems used to detect fuel leaks, and measures to prevent future incidents.

“Legacy pollution from Joint Base Andrews has already resulted in PFAS contamination in Piscataway Creek and the surrounding area, and this fuel spill adds to existing environmental stressors affecting the watershed,” lawmakers said. “The release has the potential to cause further ecological harm to the Piscataway Creek, which flows into the Potomac River, a key Chesapeake Bay tributary.”

The lawmakers included the following questions and requested a briefing and written response:

Detailed timeline of when the leaks were detected and what contributed to the delay in reporting it? How much fuel has gone into Piscataway Creek versus the ground? What is the base using to measure the fuel loss? What immediate and long-term strategies are being used to address water and soil contamination? What measures will be taken to ensure containment of contaminated areas during rain or other weather conditions? What monitoring systems are being used to detect future leaks? What steps are being taken to prevent similar incidents in the future? How will ongoing updates be communicated to agencies and the public? What impacts has the leak had on base operations?

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2 Southwest planes clip each other at BWI airport

CNN Newsource on May 7, 2026

By Bryant Reed

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    BALTIMORE, Maryland (WJZ) — Passengers aboard two Southwest Airlines flights were forced to change planes earlier this week after the airplanes clipped each other while leaving the gates at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport.

According to both the FAA and Southwest Airlines, during pushback, Southwest flights 1048 to Connecticut and 562 to Houston backed into each other and caused minor damage to the wingtips.

Southwest said the planes were immediately removed from service.

The air carrier said no passengers were injured, and an internal review is underway.

In a statement, Southwest said, “Safety is their top priority for both passengers and employees.”

The FAA is investigating. On Live ATC, the pilot of flight 1048 can be heard telling air traffic controllers about the incident after the collision.

“Hey, ground, Southwest 1048, we had contact between the 2 aircraft back here,” the pilot said. “We’re going to need to taxi straight ahead back to Alpha 7.”

However, beforehand, the FAA said that the area is an area where air traffic controllers typically do not have any communication with the crew.

CBS News Baltimore was told that navigating the gates at BWI for pilots and planes takes a bit of geometry. Patience and awareness are needed to safely maneuver.

Dwain Celistan, a frequent flier, said that despite air travel coming under scrutiny over the past year for crashes and failed communications, it doesn’t scare him away from using that mode of transportation.

“It’s becoming more frequent and more concerning, but I still believe it’s the safest way to travel and so while it does occur it’s so infrequent as to not deter me from wanting to fly,” Celistan said.

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Mid-Missouri aircraft company helps customers build and fly their own planes

CNN Newsource on May 6, 2026

By Laney Toliver, KOMU 8 Reporter

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    MEXICO, Missouri (KOMU) — — In a hangar in central Missouri, pieces are built and put into a kit for customers to purchase.

Zenith Aircraft Company has been manufacturing kit airplanes in Mexico, Missouri, since the early 1990s, operating in a niche corner of aviation where buyers build their own aircraft from supplied parts and instructions.

The company traces its origins back to aeronautical engineer Chris Heintz, who began designing light aircraft in the 1970s. Zenith Aircraft was later established in Missouri to produce and distribute those designs in kit form, according to company history.

Ownership has remained within the family. Sebastian Heintz, the company’s owner and president, said the business is rooted in his father’s work in aviation.

“My dad started building airplanes even before I was born, so I kind of grew up in the business,” Heintz said. “Being surrounded by airplanes, it was always a love for me. And we’ve been doing this for over 34 years now.”

Zenith does not sell completed aircraft. Instead, customers receive pre-manufactured components and assemble the plane themselves.

The company operates in what aviation groups describe as the experimental and amateur-built aircraft category, where thousands of aircraft are registered across the United States each year.

For many customers, Heintz said, the appeal is both financial and personal.

“Building an airplane is an interesting way of going about it,” he said. “And the nice thing is, when you’re flying in the airplane that you’ve built yourself, there’s definitely a big reward there.”

Most builds take hundreds of hours, often stretching across multiple years depending on the builder’s experience and available time.

Roger Dubbert, a demo pilot with Zenith Aircraft, said many customers come to the company later in life after years of wanting to build and fly their own plane.

“I’m talking to customers who have waited all their lives to build their own aircraft and fly it,” Dubbert said. “And so it’s very rewarding to be with them and help them achieve their goals and then take them for a demo flight.”

Dubbert, who has worked with Zenith since the 1990s, said he also built his own aircraft, a Zenith 701.

“I built a Zenith 701 back in ’98, and we use it as a demo airplane also,” he said.

During a flight in one of the company’s aircraft, Dubbert said the plane being used had taken about two years to build.

Heintz said the building process can feel intimidating at first, especially for first-time builders.

“It’s getting started, having the confidence in yourself that you can do it, and then actually doing it,” he said.

To help with that learning curve, the company hosts workshops where builders can practice skills such as drilling and riveting before beginning their own aircraft.

While modern manufacturing techniques have made kits easier to assemble, Heintz said the core appeal has not changed.

“It used to be you got a flat piece of sheet metal, you had to cut it, measure it, drill it,” he said. “Now the parts are ready for assembly.”

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