Category: CNN Regional

By Spencer Schenkel

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    PORT CHARLOTTE, Florida (WBBH) — A man was arrested after deputies say he and two other suspects were committing fraud at multiple Home Depot stores across Sarasota and Charlotte counties.

Deputies with the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office say Raphael Davis, 20, would enter a Home Depot to return items that another suspect bought at that location in cash. They say that he would make the return using a photo of the receipt used to make the purchase. Surveillance footage from the Home Depot reportedly shows the fraudulent returns being made.

Then, deputies say a third person would make a return on the same item at another Home Depot location, this time using the physical receipt. They say that these returns would be made within 60 seconds of each other, because Home Depot security negates the receipt after the return when one minute passes.

This happened to multiple Home Depots, their organized theft investigator told deputies. On Friday, CCSO pulled Davis over as he was leaving a Port Charlotte location.

Davis was arrested and faces a charge of scheme to defraud obtaining property less than $20,000.

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 John Iz

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    MIAMI (WPBF) — The U.S. Coast Guard rescued two men Sunday morning after they reportedly drifted away from their vessel near Caesar Creek, 4 miles east of Elliot Key in Biscayne Bay.

Crew members aboard the tug vessel Allie B notified Coast Guard Sector Miami at approximately 7:30 a.m., reporting two individuals drifting offshore without life jackets.

The Station Miami Beach rescue crew arrived at the scene at approximately 8:10 a.m. and located both men in stable condition.

“We are grateful we were able to bring these mariners home safe to their families today,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Timothy Fiala, a Station Miami Beach boat crew member. “We want to remind all mariners of the importance of having a proper life jacket for each person aboard your vessel and how it could play a critical role in saving the life of you or your loved ones.”

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 Erin Hynes, Alex Suckow, Renee Maloney

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    SCOTTSBURG, Indiana (WLKY) — A man has been hospitalized with life-threatening injuries following a “road rage” shooting on I-65 in southern Indiana, and the suspect has been arrested, according to Indiana State Police.

Around 2:30 p.m. Friday, ISP responded to a shooting at the 27-mile marker on I-65 northbound, just south of Scottsburg.

ISP said one driver, a man, shot into a vehicle and struck that driver, also a man, during a road rage incident.

According to ISP, it doesn’t appear that the suspect and victim know each other.

ISP said they were stopped in the fast lane for some type of construction work. At some point. the men got out of their vehicles and exchanged words.

“The driver of the second vehicle apparently got out and went up to the other vehicle to speak with that gentleman that first came back, and the first driver shot that driver at that point. So, it happened very quickly, apparently all over a road rage incident,” Sgt. Carey Huls said.

The victim was hit in the stomach. ISP initially said his injuries were not serious, but now is calling them life-threatening. The victim’s identity has not been released.

Everyone stayed at the scene and the suspect, identified as 28-year-old James Dowdell of Shelbyville, Kentucky, was arrested and charged with attempted murder.

Indiana State Police are investigating and say that while the investigation is ongoing, there is no threat to the public.

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 Omose Ighodaro

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    CANTON, Miss. (WAPT) — Witnesses say a house explosion and fire in Canton left one man and a child seriously injured Saturday. The incident is raising concerns among neighbors who say it’s the second explosion in the area in less than three weeks.

Canton fire crews told 16 WAPT they responded to the home on McDonald Avenue near Denson Street around noon. While crews confirmed the fire and explosion, the cause remains under investigation.

Neighbors say the blast was so powerful it shook nearby homes.

“I heard a big boom,” said Renada Jackson, a caregiver for a neighbor who lives nearby. “You literally could feel it in your chest, and it opened the screen door; it was just that big.”

According to neighbors, a man and two children were inside the home when the explosion happened. Neighbors told 16 WAPT he was airlifted to a hospital.

Several neighbors, including those who did not wish to appear on camera, said the loud sound, fire, and heavy smoke were something they’ve never seen before. They described the incident as frightening. They say the back-to-back explosions leaves them concerned about their safety.

“This is the second house that’s exploded from a gas line being up under the ground,” said Rodriquez Brown, who lives in the area. “I know the guy. We went to high school together. I’m hoping that he is okay, him and his family.”

“Two houses in less than three weeks’ time that done exploded,” Jackson said. “I’m praying that gas leak don’t run and come this way, and especially while I’m here.”

Canton fire officials have not yet released information about what caused Saturday’s explosion or confirmed the extent of injuries.

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 Doug Meehan

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    MASHPEE, Massachusetts (WCVB) — What started as a fond childhood memory for two brothers has now turned into a full-fledged, successful business on Cape Cod. That memory and now business is, of all things, popcorn.

“Popcorn has always been a Smith family tradition,” said Pat Smith, co-founder of Smith Family Popcorn.

Pat Smith and his brother, Dan Smith, both spent their summers as kids on the beaches of Ocean City, Maryland. During that time, the taste and smells of eating freshly popped popcorn from the boardwalk harkened warm family memories.

After leaving corporate America, the brothers wanted to create that same experience for families on Cape Cod. But when they first launched their small-batch gourmet treat in 2018, business didn’t exactly pop.

“We looked at each other and said, ‘We might have made a big mistake quitting our jobs and opening up a popcorn shop.’ But I knew if I handed it to people, people would love it,” Pat Smith said.

People did indeed love it. Now eight years later, with dozens of flavor options and a storefront at the Mashpee Commons, the Smith family is cooking up hundreds of thousands of bags of popped deliciousness a year.

“The way you should make it is with butter, brown sugar, salt, classic ingredients, and you have to get it to a cracking point,” Pat Smith said.

The Smiths’ success isn’t limited to the summer months. Business in November and December can be just as hot as the warmer months.

“Our holiday season is actually as busy as our summer season. It’s all just compacted into about four or five weeks,” Dan Smith said.

In addition to the Mashpee brick-and-mortar store, needing to keep up with demand, the brothers opened up a manufacturing operation in Hyannis to handle wholesale and grocery store orders.

They’ve expanded to offer a new line of popcorn designed specifically for your pup.

“The dogs go crazy for it. It’s an awesome training treat for the dogs cause it’s low (in) calorie. So, we have a lot of people who train service dogs, police dogs, use it,” Pat Smith said.

Like the name implies, this Made in Mass company is as much about family as it is the popcorn.

“Since 2018, it’s been a family affair. And we’ve taken on employees that now are part of the family. So that’s really the cool part about it,” Dan Smith 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.

By TJ Dysart

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    MILWAUKEE (WISN) — A Milwaukee man said he received strange text messages about his stolen car, including photos of the vehicle and a request for money, but the sender has not disclosed its location.

D.J. Todd said his 2025 Honda CR-V was stolen last Saturday from 21st and Wells streets.

“This is the car I take my kids to school in. I have groceries that I need to pick up with this car,” Todd said.

Todd reported the theft to police, but on Friday morning, he woke up to a text message from an unfamiliar number.

“Good morning, I think I found something that belongs to you,” the message read.

The text included a photo of Todd’s stolen car and a message stating, “Been sitting here for almost a week now.”

Todd said the sender also shared a picture of a receipt from his car that had his phone number on it.

The mystery texter then wrote, “Wouldn’t mind a small finder’s fee.”

When asked if he felt his car was being held for ransom, Todd said, “Without a doubt.”

The person behind the texts has refused to disclose the car’s location.

Todd said he has not asked directly where the car is, explaining, “Safety is important to me, and I think that would be a riskier move that I do not need to do.”

On Friday night, 12 News called the number attached to the texts and asked where the car was located. The person on the other end hung up after we asked for the car’s location.

Todd said he still does not know where his car is.

12 News also reached out to police, sharing the text message thread and photos, but did not receive a response 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.

By Spencer Burt

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    SALT LAKE CITY (KSTU) — Conditions that have fueled the Bonneville Fire near the University of Utah campus died down overnight, allowing crews to gain some containment as of Monday morning.

The latest estimate places the fire at 495 acres, with state wildfire officials sharing that they have achieved 5 percent containment.

“Air and ground crews made strong progress [Sunday] on the fire. Overnight, increased cloud cover and humidity helped moderate fire behavior, resulting in minimal activity,” the Salt Lake City Fire Department said.

Despite the easing of conditions, a “READY” evacuation notice — the lowest in the system of “READY, SET, GO” evacuation preparedness criteria — remains in effect for the Arlington Hills neighborhood between 11th Avenue and Tomahawk Drive.

“READY means THERE IS CURRENTLY NO IMMEDIATE THREAT, but conditions could change quickly. Residents should take steps now to prepare in case an evacuation becomes necessary,” SLCFD wrote on X.

Officials added that although the fire did spread northwest, it is still south of Dry Gulch Drainage, east of the Bonneville Shoreline, and north of Red Butte Canyon.

Hiking trails in City Creek Canyon, Red Butte Canyon, Bonneville Shoreline, and Dry Gulch are closed.

A shelter-in-place order originally in place on Saturday evening was lifted for the entire university campus.

The University of Utah Hospital remained operating as usual and was accepting walk-in patients. Ambulances were directed to other hospitals in the area for a time, although that order has also been lifted.

“The campus community will continue to see fire on the hillside and experience smoke in the neighborhoods throughout the night,” school officials wrote. “Some residual smoke may continue to impact the health campus and student housing as the fire burns further into the foothills. Be cautious when opening windows.”

Fire officials initially reported that Red Butte Garden and the Natural History Museum were to be closed Sunday due to wildfire risk. However, both locations were later given clearance to open to patrons at their normal business hours with caution.

Officials are asking the public to avoid the area, and also to not fly drones nearby, as doing so can interfere with helicopters and planes that are used for firefighting purposes.

There have been a few road closures in the far east portion of the campus. Several hiking trails in the area are also closed to the public.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

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 Jeff Tavss , Suzanne Stevens

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    SALT LAKE CITY (KSTU) — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is looking to sell the Salt Lake City warehouse it purchased earlier this year to house an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center, according to a new report.

The New York Times said the Salt Lake City warehouse is one of seven that the government is now trying to offload, either by selling the facilities or giving them to other federal agencies.

DHS originally purchased the warehouse just west of Salt Lake City International Airport for a reported $145 million.

According to the report, the warehouse plan, which was an initiative favored by former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, is no longer supported by current Secretary Markwayne Mullin.

Eleven warehouses have already been purchased, with four still on schedule to become ICE detention centers. The remaining warehouses, including the one in Salt Lake City, are now subject to being sold.

Earlier this month, Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County filed a lawsuit over the warehouse and the planned detention center, claiming it was “cloaked in secrecy” and violated federal laws.

When contacted by FOX 13 News, the office of Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson had no comment about the New York Times report.

Thursday’s news was welcomed by those who spent hours protesting the site after it was purchased, but for protest organizer TJ Young, the fight is far from over.

“I think it’s just making Salt Lake City an unattractive site for DHS and a problem,” said Young. “So we want to continue being a problem.”

Marie Cornwall with Uproar Utah shared similar sentiments, but isn’t ready to stand down just yet.

“We’re over the moon. We’re celebrating, but with caution,” she said. “Until we get something official, we’re just going to keep going with our plans.”

Although neither Wilson nor Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall shared their thoughts on the report, the Utah Democratic Party called out DHS and ICE for their change of plans.

“Mass detention has no place in Utah, at any price,” said the Utah Democratic Party. “ICE paid millions for an SLC warehouse, and may now sell or abandon it. This is fiscal recklessness and an insult to taxpayers.

“Let us be clear: ICE is not welcome here.”

Besides Salt Lake City, the other locations where ICE is reportedly looking to unload its facilities are Romulus, Michigan, Social Circle, Georgia, Flowery Branch, Georgia, Hamburg, Pennsylvania, Tremont, Pennsylvania and Roxbury, New Jersey.

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.