Category: CNN Regional

By Rae Daniel

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    KANSAS CITY, Missouri (KSHB) — Two-year-old Hudson loves to play games with his sisters, Abigail and Evelyn, make silly faces and share a laugh that is contagious.

“He is one of the most curious kids that I’ve ever met,” Hudson’s mom, Hali Rauer said. “He does like his routines, but he wants to explore everything and anything.”

For Hudson, communication looks a bit different. He’s nonverbal and has level three autism.

“This is how he communicates,” Rauer said. “He is learning it quite a bit at Easterseals Midwest.”

Hudson uses his AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) device to communicate.

“He has learned colors and his name and family so if he’s missing family members, he can tell us,” Rauer said. “Usually, it’s ‘momma’ to go home.”

It’s one of the reasons why Rauer and Hudson’s sister, 10-year-old Abigail, testified in support of the Purple Alert bill, to be a voice for Hudson.

“Danielle posted in a group saying ‘I’m looking for volunteers, anyone with kids with autism’ so I wanted to go there and be his voice until he’s able to use his own voice with the AAC.

It’s similar to an Amber Alert, however it’s specifically designed to identify missing people with developmental disabilities.

Throughout the hearing in February, many families who testified used the word, ‘elopement.’

“Elopement happens when their nervous system goes into flight mode,” Rauer said. “It can be out of nowhere. So they can be with you, be engaged and then all of the sudden, they are off to the races and you don’t know where they’re going, you don’t know what triggered it and so they can be lost. They don’t know who to turn to because they don’t know danger so they will run towards danger. They really love water, they’re just drawn to it, so if there’s any ponds or lakes or anything around, that’s usually where they’ll go first.”

It’s what Rauer experienced with her son just a few weeks ago.

“I was actually outside with him, playing with a basketball. He was engaged with me, we were just playing and then all of a sudden what I think is he heard a car, because one of his hyper fixations is spinning wheels, he loves them, and then all of the sudden his nervous system went into flight and I feel like they go a lot faster when they’re in the flight response,” Rauer said. “I ran after him, I was able to lunge and grabbed his arm, I fell. Head hit the concrete and I was knocked out and when I came to, he was standing next to me. He really liked the blood on my face, so when I tried to stand up it started going down my face and I got a little dizzy and I started calling for help, and luckily a neighbor came out and knew about Hudson, knew about autism, so she didn’t go and grab him , she just tried to redirect him to go up to the house so I could try and stop the bleeding.”

She said the feeling was terrifying.

“There were two possibilities,” she said. “He could’ve been in front of the car, and it could’ve been the worst day of my life or it could be the second worst day of my life, the car would’ve passed, he would’ve ran, kept running and I don’t know if I would’ve come to in time and it could’ve been just word of mouth, just trying to find him and he wouldn’t of had his words.”

Rauer said without his device, he has no words.

“He can’t say my mom’s looking for me, my dad’s looking for me, I have a family, this is my address, none of that is in his vocabulary,” Rauer said. “He is completely alone.”

“It scares me every single time he runs away,” Hudson’s sister, Abigail said.

She says it’s why she uses her voice, when her brother can’t.

“He can’t stick up for himself so I want to stick up for him whenever I can,” Abigail said.

“He can’t stick up for himself so I want to stick up for him whenever I can,” Abigail 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 Amelia Mugavero

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    Texas (KTVT) — A 51-year-old North Texas man was killed when an EF-2 tornado tore through his family’s home over the weekend, leaving his wife and children injured and his daughter grappling with the sudden loss.

Juan Madrid, 51, was one of two people killed in Saturday’s storm in Runaway Bay. His daughter, Jackeline Madrid, said the family was inside their mobile home when the tornado hit.

“He’s gone. And I’m still in shock,” she said.

Jackeline Madrid described her father as playful and devoted, someone who was always there, even in the smallest moments.

“My dad was always playful… kind of annoying in the best way,” she said. “He’d come into my room just to bug me… and now I’d give anything to have that back. I’ll never have that again.”

She said the storm struck suddenly, lifting and flipping their home within seconds.

“Everything happened so fast… it felt like we were lifted and flipped,” she said. “I was trapped. I didn’t know what was on top of me… it was so heavy, and I just kept asking God to help us.”

In the chaos, she said she saw her father run to help her mother.

“I started calling for him… but I didn’t hear anything,” she said.

The family’s home, where they had lived for two decades, was reduced to debris. While searching through the wreckage, Jackeline Madrid said she found a small but meaningful reminder of her father.

“I found his hats, the ones he wore for fishing and for work,” she said. “I’m going to keep them.”

Jackeline Madrid said her father loved fishing and worked as a landscaper, but above all, he was devoted to his family.

“Anything I needed, I always had him… I didn’t have to worry,” she said.

Jackeline Madrid suffered a fracture and required stitches. Her mother sustained more serious injuries, and her younger brother remains hospitalized.

Despite the devastation, the family has received an outpouring of support from the community, something Jackeline Madrid said reflects who her father was.

“He always put others before himself. He loved helping people,” she 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 Nick Lunemann

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    Minnesota (WCCO) — On a rainy spring day, residents from Friendship Village of Bloomington, Minnesota, spent time brushing, walking and connecting with horses as part of an equine-assisted therapy experience at Hold Your Horses.

The visit came ahead of Mental Health Awareness Month in May and focused on supporting emotional well-being through mindfulness, connection and hands-on interaction with animals.

For resident Karnie Moesenthin, the experience was calming.

“Calm and very, very happy, because it’s just so nice to be able to touch an animal,” Moesenthin said.

Moesenthin, who lives with Parkinson’s disease, said brushing the horses gave her a chance to do something she cannot easily do on her own.

“This is fun. It’s things that I can’t do on my own,” she said.

Hold Your Horses is a local nonprofit that provides therapy alongside horses and the natural world for people of all ages and abilities. Kenz Becco, its executive director, said the organization works with people navigating physical disabilities, trauma, grief, loss, major life transitions and other challenges.

Becco said horses can help people slow down and focus on the present moment.

“Being present, being grounded with the horses, letting the past be the past, letting the future be the future and just being in the moment,” Becco said.

According to information provided by Friendship Village, more than 5.5 million older adults in the U.S. report frequent mental distress. The World Health Organization also reports more than 14% of adults age 70 and older live with a mental health condition.

For Friendship Village residents, the visit offered a quiet way to connect with animals, nature and each other. Resident Barbara Bartholomew said the experience brought back memories from her years around horses.

“It feels good,” Bartholomew said.

Moesenthin said her favorite part was brushing the horses.

“Oh, it’s very smoothing, very soothing. It’s just, it’s soft,” she said.

Hold Your Horses offers programs for people of all ages, including children, adults and seniors. With its herd of therapy horses aging, the organization is working to bring in new horses to continue providing services in the years ahead.

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 Paula Wethington

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    Michigan (WWJ) — State wildlife officials are seeking information on why multiple eagles were recently found dead in an area of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says a total of five deceased eagles were found between April 3 and April 17 in Garden Peninsula, an area that includes part of Delta County. It is bordered by Lake Michigan to the east and Big Bay de Noc to the west.

“We can confirm that the eagles did not die from natural causes, predators or vehicle collisions,” said First Lt. Mark Zitnik, a DNR law enforcement supervisor in Newberry.

The question remains: what killed the birds?

Michigan was home to about 900 breeding pairs of bald eagles in 2023, according to Bird Chronicle. They can be seen in areas such as Pointe Mouille State Game Area in South Rockwood and Maple River State Game Area in East Lansing.

Hazards to the species that were previously documented in Michigan include poisoning via mercury-contaminated fish, along with lead-related poisoning.

State officials ask that anyone who has information about the series of Upper Peninsula eagle deaths send those tips via the DNR’s poaching tipline, call or text 800-292-7800. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, along with local tribes, is assisting the DNR in the investigation.

Eagles are a federally protected species, the DNR says. Penalties for interfering with the birds can include 90 days in jail, fines of up to $1,000, and a reimbursement of $1,500 per eagle.

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 Gino Vicci

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    DETROIT, Michigan (WWJ) — Detroit police said a reckless driver lost control and slammed into a home on the city’s west side, causing the vehicle and the home to erupt in flames on Sunday afternoon.

Police said the fiery crash happened at a home on the corner of Puritan and Harlow avenues.

“When I heard the second boom, I thought, ‘Oh, this is serious, cause we felt it,'” said Anthony Harris, who lives next door.

Harris captured footage from his Ring doorbell camera moments after the crash occurred.

After hearing the loud crashes, Harris said he ran outside to see what it was.

Detroit police said a man in his 20s sideswiped an oncoming vehicle on Puritan and then lost control, crashing into the home. Seconds later, Harris said the car and the house erupted in flames.

“I was looking to see had anybody gotten hurt, but the flames were just tremendous, ’cause you could feel the heat from here,” Harris said.

On Monday afternoon, crews from DTE Energy, the Detroit Fire Department and contractors worked to secure the structure of the home and turn off utilities.

Detroit police said the family living there was not home at the time, and the driver of the vehicle suffered only minor injuries.

“This is totally unbelievable,” said Stephen Grady Muhammad, a community activist with Detroit 300.

Grady Muhammad said he stopped by the home to check on the family and to offer any support they need. He also said what happened is unacceptable and drivers have to be more responsible, especially in neighborhoods with lots of children.

“Think about what you’re doing; it’s ok to have fun out here, but you got to be careful in everything you do because your fun can end up harming somebody else,” Grady Muhammad said.

Moving forward, Harris said something has to be done about speeding here on Puritan and is making a plea — a plea for everyone to slow down.

“Speed kills. You got to come through here like you got some sense; people be flying through here,” Harris 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 Tom Ignudo

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    PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (KYW) — The Philadelphia Eagles exercised the fifth-year options for Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith on Monday, the team announced. The former Georgia Bulldogs are now under contract through the 2027 season.

The deadline for the Birds to exercise Smith and Carter’s fifth-year options on their rookie contracts was on May 1. Carter will earn $27.1 million in 2027, while Smith is set to receive $13.7 million, according to Spotrac.

Carter and Smith were both first-round picks by the Eagles in the 2023 NFL draft out of Georgia, where they won back-to-back national championships. They each played pivotal roles on Philadelphia’s defense en route to the franchise’s second Super Bowl title in 2024.

Carter, who was picked 9th overall in the 2023 NFL draft, earned Second-Team All-Pro honors in 2024 and has been named to the Pro Bowl twice, including in 2025.

Last season, Carter dealt with injuries to both of his shoulders and played in 11 games. He had 33 tackles, 29 pressures, 12 quarterback hits and three sacks.

Nolan Smith, the 30th overall pick in the 2025 draft, also dealt with an injury in the 2025 season. He reinjured his triceps, an injury he played through and had surgery on after the team’s Super Bowl LIX win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

In 11 games last season, Smith had 31 tackles and three sacks. Smith owns the franchise record for the most sacks in a single postseason with four in the season the Eagles won Super Bowl LIX.

Earlier this offseason, the Eagles signed fellow former Georgia Bulldog Jordan Davis to a three-year contract extension after he had a career year in 2025.

The Birds primarily focused on offense in the 2026 NFL draft, but they added a key piece to their pass rush when they acquired edge rusher Jonathan Greenard in a trade with the Minnesota Vikings.

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 Stephanie Stahl

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    PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (KYW) — Nuclear medicine is being called a new frontier in cancer care, and new research shows potential new uses for it in treating gastric and pancreatic cancers.

Nuclear medicine that uses radioactive material is becoming much more popular, and doctors say it can be a lifesaver.

Lori Canzanese is used to getting shots of radioactive material at Penn Medicine.

“When you hear nuclear medicine or radioactive, it can feel pretty ominous,” Canzanese said, “but the actual treatment was pretty calm.”

The 54-year-old mother of two was diagnosed with advanced neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer 10 years ago.

“It was overwhelming when I got that diagnosis,” Canzanese said.

After surgery, Penn’s Department of Nuclear Medicine took over Canzanese’s care. First, with advanced imaging to pinpoint the tumors, and then radioactive material to destroy cancer cells.

“After each treatment, I was considered hot with radiation,” Canzanese said, “and so I had to be in isolation for three days.”

Dr. Phil Mulugeta said Canzanese’s tumors were significantly reduced.

“Nuclear medicine is in a new era,” Mulugeta said. “We can individually pick what kind of radioactive medication is the best for each individual patient.”

Mulugeta says several important research advances are expanding the horizons of nuclear medicine.

“[Nuclear] is a scary word, but there’s no need to be afraid,” Mulugeta said. “These are special kinds of radioactive molecules. No patient has ever been harmed.”

Canzanese says the routine scans at Penn show her tumors are stable, giving her quality time with her family. She’s working to help others with the annual Run for the Stripes, an event at the zoo that raises money and awareness for neuroendocrine tumors.

“I feel fortunate that this treatment was available,” Canzanese said.

Doctors say nuclear medicine can also be helpful in treating prostate and thyroid cancer.

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 La’Tasha Givens

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    ATLANTA, Georgia (WUPA) — The Apex Museum, Atlanta’s oldest African American museum, is buzzing with a new energy from a group of Gen Z interns.

One of them is Kyler Hendricks, a Georgia State University student who spends her days suited in white gloves as she cleans, catalogs, and captures photos for the museum’s digital archive.

One of the standout exhibits where Hendricks works is the Yates and Milton drugstore, a replica of one of the first Black-owned pharmacies in Georgia. Originally located on Auburn Avenue, the exhibit is filled with authentic artifacts not modern props.

Hendricks points out decades-old medical records and prescription pads that belonged to prominent local families, including the King family.

She explains that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his relatives were frequent visitors to the original store, which functioned much like a modern-day CVS or Walgreens by providing a wide variety of essential goods to the community.

Kendricks gives us a tour of the exhibit.

“This one actually specifically was on Auburn Avenue. Everything that you see in here is authentic. These are not props that we got from like Temu or Amazon. She then shows decades-old medical records and a prescription pad. “These are medical records and some of them we did have to give back to the families, like for example, the King family,” she said.

Apex Museum co-founder Dan Moore Jr. expresses great pride in the program.

“Each intern follows a specific track tailored to their scholastic abilities and career goals.”

Under Moore’s direction, interns like Hendricks are learning the intricate work of curating exhibits, such as the Invention Corridor. This hands-on experience allows students to cultivate new skills while deepening their understanding of the past.

The partnership is also proving beneficial for the museum’s outreach efforts, as the interns help translate historical milestones for a younger audience.

Moore highlights how the museum connects the technology of today, such as TikTok, Instagram, and video games, to the work of pioneers like Dr. Valerie Thomas. By explaining how Thomas’s work with concave mirror transmitters laid the foundation for modern 3D technology and gaming, the museum makes historical achievements feel relevant to the “Oculus” generation.

While this year’s cohort includes a diverse mixture of future archivists, conservators, anthropologists, researchers, and archaeologists, they all start with the same foundational task.

Regardless of their final career path, every intern’s first assignment is learning to be a docent, mastering the art of guiding visitors on a tour.

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 Rashad Williams

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    DOUGLAS COUNTY, Georgia (WUPA) — Douglas County Fire Chief Miles Allen has spent decades answering emergency calls—now, he’s making one of his own.

At 57 years old, Allen wears many titles: firefighter, Air Force veteran, husband, and father. But today, he’s also a patient fighting for his life.

“Tomorrow’s not promised,” Allen said. “But it’s very important for me to be around for my family.”

After more than 20 years living in Douglas County — and stepping into the role of fire chief in 2023 — Allen is now facing a deeply personal battle.

Years ago, a routine checkup following knee surgery led to a life-changing diagnosis: polycystic kidney disease, or PKD—a genetic condition that runs in his family.

“My nephrologist recognized that I had cysts on my kidney… and that I had polycystic kidney disease,” Allen said. “My family members have it — cousins, uncles, aunts. It’s something that my family has to deal with.”

Over time, those cysts have enlarged, slowly limiting his kidney function. Now, doctors say he’s nearing a critical point.

Allen faces two options: begin dialysis or find a living kidney donor.

A transplant—especially from a living donor—could significantly extend his life. But time is running out.

“Fighting fire has always been in my blood,” Allen said. “But as you get older, you can’t do the things the young kids do… It’s a blessing to know that you can give to someone to extend their life.”

His story also reflects a broader health crisis.

Christin Cerda with the National Kidney Foundation says PKD can be especially aggressive in Black patients.

“Black patients with PKD often experience faster disease progression, leading to earlier kidney failure—and higher mortality rates,” Cerda said.

Nationally, the numbers are stark.

Roughly a dozen people die each day in the U.S. while waiting for a kidney transplant. Tens of thousands more remain on the waiting list—many growing too sick before a match is found.

Black Americans are disproportionately affected, making up nearly a third of transplant waitlists despite representing a much smaller share of the population—and they are far more likely to experience kidney failure.

Chief Allen is currently registered on two donor lists—through Piedmont Hospital and the National Kidney Registry—hoping someone will step forward.

For now, the man who has spent a lifetime saving others is asking for the chance to keep living—for his family, and for the future he once wasn’t sure he’d have.

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.