Category: CNN Regional

By KABC Staff

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    LOS ANGELES (KABC) — A federal grand jury indicted four people on Tuesday in connection with a suspected terror plot to bomb targets in Los Angeles and Orange counties on New Year’s Eve.

The four suspects are Audrey Illeene Carroll, 30; Zachary Aaron Page, 32; Dante James Anthony-Gaffield, 24; and Tina Lai, 41. They are all from the Los Angeles area.

Each of them is charged with one count of providing and attempting to provide material support to terrorists and one count of possession of unregistered firearms, the Department of Justice said in a statement.

Carroll and Page also are charged with one count of conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction, the DOJ said.

According to the indictment, the defendants are part of the Turtle Island Liberation Front (TILF), an anti-capitalist and anti-government group. They also are alleged members of what Carroll characterized as a “radical” TILF faction that communicated using an encrypted messaging group called “Order of the Black Lotus.”

In November, Carroll drafted an 8-page, handwritten document titled, “Operation Midnight Sun” that described a bombing plot targeting U.S. businesses across Southern California this upcoming New Year’s Eve, according to the DOJ. Among other things, the plot included details on the co-conspirators’ intended targets, instructions on how to manufacture bombs and source the bomb-making materials, and guidance for the co-conspirators to avoid leaving evidence behind that could be traced to them.

The DOJ said the New Year’s Eve bombing plot was designed to “completely pulverize” the targets, which included technology and logistics companies with offices across Southern California. After drafting the bombing plot, Carroll allegedly recruited others – including Page, Gaffield, and Lai – to join the attack plan.

“The charges a federal grand jury returned today reflect the seriousness of the conduct: a planned terrorist attack on American soil on New Year’s Eve,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “If convicted, this group of self-professed left-wing radicals will face decades in federal prison. We will continue to investigate and prosecute any and all terror groups and bring them to justice.”

According to authorities, throughout early December, the suspects procured bomb-making materials to build and test explosive devices in the Mojave Desert on December 12, including by obtaining bomb-making materials such as potassium nitrate, sulfur, charcoal, and pipes.

On December 12, they traveled to the Mojave Desert to build and test explosives that they planned to use as part of the New Year’s Eve plot, said the DOJ. The FBI arrested them before they could make functional explosive devices.

All four suspects are in federal custody without bond. All the defendants will be arraigned in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles. Lai’s arraignment is scheduled for January 2, 2026. Carroll and Page are scheduled to be arraigned on January 5, 2026. Gaffield’s arraignment is scheduled for January 20, 2026.

If convicted, Carroll and Page would face a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison, and Gaffield and Lai would face a statutory maximum sentence of 25 years in federal prison.

A fifth person, believed to be linked to the group, has been arrested in New Orleans for allegedly planning a separate attack.

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 Allyson Rael

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    KAYENTA, Arizona (KOAT) — A suspected drunk driver was arrested after plowing into a crowd of people at the Kayenta Christmas Night Parade in Kayenta, Arizona.

According to Navajo Nation police, around 5:10 p.m. Monday, the driver drove into the parade route and hit four people who were waiting for the parade to start. Navajo police say a life was lost during the tragic event.

The Navajo Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Navajo Department of Criminal Investigation are investigating this incident. It remains an active ongoing investigation.

Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren released a statement Monday saying in part, “I am deeply saddened by the tragic incident that occurred this evening during the Kayenta Township’s Christmas Night Parade… Please pray for the victims, their families, and everyone impacted by this devastating incident.”

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By Nick Sloan

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    KANSAS CITY, Missouri (KMBC) — Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway and Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson have secured a grand jury indictment and filed a civil action against a Kansas City funeral home accused of exploiting grieving families.

Hanaway announced Monday that her office filed a petition for injunction, civil penalties and other remedies against Frank Savory IV and S. Family Enterprises LLC, which does business as Savory and Sons Funeral Home.

The petition alleges the defendants made false promises and engaged in unfair practices while selling funeral services in the Kansas City metropolitan area.

“When a funeral home exploits grief with false promises, we will hold them responsible,” Hanaway said. “Families should never face the risk of having their trust in a funeral home betrayed. We are glad to secure this indictment alongside Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson for the people of Missouri.”

The Attorney General’s Office said the investigation was conducted with the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office.

Prosecutors allege that between 2023 and 2025, Savory operated and managed the funeral home and sold funeral services without the license required to practice in Missouri.

A Jackson County grand jury indicted Savory on charges of financial exploitation of a disabled person, stealing, and deceptive business practice.

“The Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office is proud to partner with Attorney General Hanaway’s Office in pursuing justice for those impacted by Savory and Sons,” Johnson said. “We will never tolerate exploitation of our community’s most vulnerable members. My office will continue to hold any business accountable that engages in criminal activity that harms the people of Jackson County.”

KMBC 9 Investigates has covered this case for months.

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By Erin Lowrey

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    TERREBONNE PARISH, Lousiana (WDSU) — A Gray man has been arrested after he was accused of beating and strangling a woman in front of her children.

According to the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a domestic incident in the 100 block of T Beb Court.

The victim, a woman, said the father of her children, Ryan Chaisson, 32, assaulted her in front of her children.

Deputies said they saw visible injuries on the woman, including lacerations, redness and marks consistent with strangulation.

According to the sheriff’s office, Chaisson took off with the victim’s car without her permission. Later that morning, he was found at a home in Gray with the victim’s car.

He was taken into custody and booked in the Terrebonne Parish Criminal Justice Complex.

Chaisson is facing charges of domestic abuse, child endangerment, false imprisonment and theft of a motor vehicle.

Anyone experiencing domestic violence or who has information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office at 985-876-2500.

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By Jason Burger

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    NORMAN, Oklahoma (KOCO) — A University of Oklahoma graduate teaching assistant has been removed from her teaching duties following a student’s claim of religious discrimination after receiving a zero on an essay that referenced the Bible.

The university said that its investigation into Samantha Fulnecky’s claim concluded that the assistant was “arbitrary in the grading of this specific paper.” A statement from OU on Monday explained that the assistant’s prior grading standards and patterns were examined, along with her statements related to the matter, leading to her removal from instructional duties.

“I’ve gotten 100 on every single essay in this class, and I write them all the same—exactly the same. The TA has never had a problem with how I write my papers in this class,” Fulnecky, a junior at OU, said.

She also criticized the university for allowing professors who restrict free speech.

The graduate teaching assistant, who was placed on administrative leave after the complaint, directed KOCO to her attorney, who said, “She continues to deny that she engaged in any arbitrary behavior regarding the student’s work, and is considering all of her legal remedies, including appealing this decision by the University.”

During a protest earlier this month, some individuals argued that the paper should have been written at a higher level.

“It’s not discrimination. It’s accountability. If you want the grades, you have to do the work,” Lucy, a protester, said.

Michael Givel, a professor of political science at OU, previously said he was concerned about the expedited nature of the investigation.

“It was highly expedited. Usually, these processes take several weeks before there’s a hearing, or if there is even a hearing,” Givel said.

Givel, who is with the American Association of University Professors at OU, said that the university has not provided specific reasons for the assistant’s removal, questioning the transparency of the process.

“They have claimed in the past in press releases that this was due to supposed and disturbing claims of ‘religious discrimination’ that clash with academic freedom. Is it now? Instead, they hide behind vague statements and essentially assertions of ‘trust us’. At this point, they need to show us and not tell us,” the AAUP said in a statement.

The AAUP has organized an online petition supporting the graduate assistant, advocating for academic freedom and due process.

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By Victoria Holley

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    OMAHA, Nebraska (KETV) — The suspected “ringleader” of a fraud scheme involving an Omaha bank and more than two dozen suspects has changed her plea.

Rukyia Dean pleaded no contest to criminal conspiracy in Douglas County District Court Monday. A second-degree forgery count was dropped.

Earlier this year, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office announced Dean as one of 28 suspects in an alleged fraud check scheme. Investigators said the suspects stole more than $53,000 from accounts at First National Bank in Omaha.

DCSO alleged Dean recruited accomplices, who had a history of homelessness, with the promise of money. Dean’s sentencing is set for Feb. 24.

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By WLWT staff

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    CINCINNATI (WLWT) — A powerful message about winter weather driving is coming from a mom who lost her daughter in a freak accident more than a decade ago.

In early December, whiteout conditions in western Indiana led to a massive pileup.

WLWT spoke with retired Cincinnati police Officer Eric Franz, who said his son was trapped in that terrifying wreck. When his son called him, he said he recalled that 2013 tragedy.

“We all remember that one young lady got out of her car and the cable hit her and killed her, and I didn’t want to see anything like that happen to my son or anybody else,” Franz said.

Franz is referring to the 2013 I-275 pileup in Colerain Township that killed 12-year-old Sammy Reagan.

Sammy’s mother watched our recent story with Franz, and she wanted the chance to talk with him now that they’re forever connected.

On Monday, the two were hopping on an emotional video call, sharing words of gratitude.

Jill Reagan thanked Franz for continuing to spread Sammy’s story and raise awareness about the dangers of winter road conditions, and Franz thanked Reagan for sharing her daughter’s story so bravely.

Reagan said the day Sammy was killed, she and her babysitter got out of the car they were in to climb over the cable barrier, but a semi hit it, breaking a cable loose and killing Sammy.

Jill said she’s been sharing the advice “stay in your car, stay safe” since January 2013, when she lost her little girl.

Now, she’s thankful it helped save a life.

“I was really happy that she was remembered in such a trying moment for them,” Reagan said. “And I feel like because of her accident, somebody else was saved.”

Reagan said she wants others to think of Sammy and share her story this winter. The day she was killed, the whiteout hit in under 60 seconds.

It’s an important reminder to be prepared for any conditions this time of year.

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By KCCI staff

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    MORAVIA, Iowa (KCCI) — Appanoose County Sheriff Gary Anderson confirmed Tuesday afternoon that an 8-year-old boy who fell through the ice of a rural pond has died.

According to the sheriff’s office, deputies received a report of a possible drowning shortly after 3 p.m. Monday in the 27000 block of Highway J3T. The boy had been fishing at a pond near his family’s residence when he fell through the ice.

Authorities said the child had been fishing for approximately 45 minutes when his parents went to check on him and could not locate him. They then noticed a hole in the ice and called 911.

Emergency responders found the boy unresponsive in the water about 25 yards from the shoreline. Personnel from the Centerville Fire and Rescue Department used ice rescue suits to recover him approximately 42 minutes after the initial call before he was taken by air ambulance to a hospital in the Des Moines area.

The incident remains under 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.