Category: CNN Regional

By Tyler Job

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    MADISON, Wis. (WISN) — Gov. Tony Evers says a Wisconsin Burger King franchise owner had 1,656 child labor and wage payment law violations over a two-year span at its restaurants across the state.

Those allegations include 14 and 15-year-olds starting work without a child labor permit, minors working six-hour or longer shifts without a required break, and children under 16 working before or after the hours permitted for school-age workers, or working more hours than they were given.

“My administration and I are committed to cracking down on fraud and abuse impacting Wisconsin workers, most especially our kids, and we will continue this good work to ensure our laws are working for the folks and families we serve,” Evers said in a news release.

Evers says the violations, which included more than 600 children from 2023 to 2025, are the largest amount of child labor and wage payment infractions in modern Wisconsin history.

The franchisee in question, Cave Enterprises, runs 105 Burger King locations in Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development is ordering Cave Enterprises to pay more than $237,000 in unpaid wages to the employees affected, and penalties of up to $828,000 ($500 per violation for the 1,656 infractions).

“For kids who choose to work, child labor laws provide essential protection to ensure that they can continue to do well in school and enjoy the best parts about growing up in Wisconsin while staying safe in the workplace,” DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek 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 Jessica Schambach, Abigail Ogle

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    Oklahoma (KHBS, KHOG) — Senate Bill 743, which makes it a crime to disrupt worship services in Oklahoma, has been signed into law by Gov. Kevin Stitt following a vote by the Oklahoma Senate.

The law makes it a crime to use profanity, commit rude or indecent acts, or make unnecessary noise during worship services.

“Senate Bill 743 creates enhanced penalties for unlawful disruption of a worship service, including up to a $500 fine or up to one year in county jail for a first offense. A second or subsequent offense is a felony punishable by up to a $1,000 fine, up to two years in prison, or both. Under the legislation, protesters within 100 feet of a place of worship must maintain at least eight feet of distance from individuals entering or exiting, unless consent to approach is given,” state lawmakers said in a news release.

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 Sloan, Eddy Lozano

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    KANSAS CITY (KMBC) — A Kansas City art center is celebrating the past, present, and future of Black history through the work of local artists.

The exhibit, titled “Reclaiming the Canvas,” is on display at the Zhou B Art Center KC and highlights a wide range of styles and perspectives from Kansas City artists.

KMBC 9 photojournalist Eddy Lozano went inside the exhibit to capture the artwork and the stories behind it.

The art experience is open to the public through March 26. More information is available on the art center’s website.

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 Krewe of Carrollton parade was delayed Sunday after an incident involving riders.

According to the New Orleans Police Department, all of the riders on float 10 in the parade were removed after beads were thrown in an aggressive manner towards officers along the parade route.

Police did not confirm whether any cars were damaged during the incident.

The incident is under review.

AG Liz Murrill released a statement in response, writing:

“Absolutely appalling. They should be held accountable. A quick way to ruin Mardi Gras and make it more dangerous for everyone. The NOPD, Troop Nola, and their partners work countless hours during the Mardi Gras season to keep it safe for everyone who lives and visits. This conduct was contemptible.”

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By Josh Wallace

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    AVANT, Okla. (KOCO) — The Osage County Sheriff’s Office reported the deaths of two boys, ages 8 and 9, after they fell through ice on a creek Saturday.

Sheriff’s office officials said they were notified just before 7:15 p.m. Saturday that residents and first responders located the first victim near the bank of Bird Creek in Avant, according to a news release.

The victim was removed from the water and life-saving measures were attempted but were unsuccessful.

Emergency responders then “quickly intensified for the second juvenile,” with crews responding to an area of broken ice on the creek.

“Dozens of emergency personnel worked for several hours utilizing ground teams, aerial drones, a specialized rescue boat, and dive teams. At approximately 11:30 p.m., the second victim was located and recovered,” officials said in the news release.

“The Osage County Sheriff’s Office extends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to the entire Avant community during this unimaginable loss. Incidents involving children are among the most difficult situations first responders face, and this tragedy has deeply impacted everyone involved,” officials said.

Officials said as winter conditions remain, residents should avoid “walking, playing, or operating vehicles on frozen bodies of water,” and that situations involving ice can be unpredictable and “extremely dangerous” even if it appears the ice is solid.

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By Tyler Rinkol

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    OMAHA, Neb. (KETV) — Kids in the Metro can’t wait to show off their latest masterpieces at school.

Kids were able to make their Valentine’s Day boxes at Wick and Paper Studio.

It was all part of the studio’s workshop to help kids with the best designs and find new friendships.

“It’s just an opportunity to just be yourself, and connect with people,” said Jennifer Young, a worker at Wick and Paper studio.

The studio says to check its socials as they will have more events for the upcoming holidays.

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 Bill Schammert

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    OMAHA, Neb. (KETV) — When Amy Beethe first met True, he was 4 years old in a hospital room at Children’s Nebraska.

“He was sitting there all alone,” she said. “It took me back that this 4-year-old was going to go through heart surgery, and nobody was there.”

True doesn’t remember much about that lonely hospital room. But Beethe remembers what the little boy did just before surgery.

She was his pediatric anesthesiologist.

“He faked me out,” she said. “I thought he was asleep, then I pulled down his mask, and he said, ‘Boo!'”

That’s True. He’s a young boy who pushes life to the limits despite his imperfect heart. He was born with hypoplastic right heart syndrome or HRHS.

“He has a severe form of congenital heart disease where essentially one side of his heart is underdeveloped,” said Dr. Jason Cole, a pediatric cardiologist and the medical director of Advanced Pediatric Heart Failure & Transplants at Children’s Nebraska. “He has one side of the heart to do two sides’ worth of work.”

True is one of the roughly 1-in-110 kids born with a CHD. That’s about 40,000 births per year, according to the American Heart Association.

“He’s a true inspiration to us all,” Cole said. “We get strength watching him go through his battles and seeing his successes as well.”

After meeting True, Amy couldn’t shake the sight of the little boy all alone.

“We don’t love True’s heart disease,” she said. “But we know it had a bigger purpose.”

After the heart surgery, Amy told her husband Ryan about True.

“We went up and met True in the hospital and immediately fell in love with him,” Ryan said. “It wasn’t long before we knew we needed him in our family.”

That surgery was in January 2021. By February, True was staying with the Beethes.

Now, True goes by True Beethe. Amy and Ryan adopted him.

“There are so many people who need the extra help,” Ryan said. “To fulfill their lives and the trickle effect it has — they make us better people. You can’t imagine your life without him.”

“He’s truly become my son,” Amy said. “I would battle for him like anybody else. When it comes to his health, I’m a mama bear, and I fight hard.”

True pushes life to the limits, but he also knows his limits. He loves to play sports like basketball and kickball. He’ll get short of breath, and he knows to slow down.

“I like to go to the courts and play with my siblings,” he said.

He’s gone from that lonely hospital room to the love of a large family. In fact, Amy and Ryan didn’t stop adopting after True.

They also adopted his biological sister.

“It’s been good because they’re nice and caring,” True said. “They’re my mom and dad.”

And True has four other biological siblings — two were adopted by another anesthesiologist at Children’s Nebraska, another by Amy’s sister, and another by Ryan’s brother — keeping the whole family close by.

“We found a home for everyone,” Amy said. “It’s like one big extended family.”

But True’s fight isn’t over.

“His strength and resiliency is something we all can learn from,” Cole said.

His multiple heart surgeries don’t equal a permanent fix.

“This isn’t a long-term solution for him,” Amy said. “We’re trying to buy him as much time until he’ll need a heart transplant.”

The Beethes know that day is coming, but they don’t know when.

Until then, they’re all embracing True’s attitude.

“Just keep going and don’t stop,” True 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 Kurt Knue

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    BELLEVUE, Ky. (WLWT) — The Bellevue Police Department spotted a coyote that was napping on the frozen Ohio River on Sunday.

“Warning for any boaters or ice fishers out there,” wrote the department on Facebook on Sunday afternoon. “Sgt. Bonar spotted a coyote napping on the ice. If you have small pets on your boat, or in your ice fishing shack; be sure to keep an eye on them.”

The coyote could be seen resting near the riverbank on the Kentucky side of the river, with the Cincinnati skyline visible in the background. In one image, the coyote later appeared to be walking back toward land.

It was not immediately clear what drew the coyote to the unusual napping spot, or how long it may have stayed there.

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 Ryan Fish

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    AURORA, Colo. (KMGH) — Surgeons at UCHealth Anschutz Cancer Pavilion in Aurora are using new technology to identify cancer cells they normally would’ve missed.

Pafolacianine, also known by the brand name CYTALUX, is a molecule that binds to cancer cells and lights them up with fluorescent markers, making them glow. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it for use in the lungs and ovaries.

Patients get an infusion hours before surgery where doctors use a robot a camera and a near-infrared light to make that fluorescent light visible.

Denver7 spoke with Dr. Robert Meguid, who specializes in surgery on the lungs, esophagus and chest wall. He said pafolacianine is effective in flagging cancers missed by CT scans and the naked eye, and it gives his team more confidence they’ve removed all cancers during a surgery.

Meguid said it’s especially helpful in patients with cancers elsewhere in the body that spread to the lungs.

“This is, to me, a really exciting time in healthcare,” Meguid told Denver7. “Because there’s so many advances that are making it to patient care delivery that are improving their outcomes, to help patients be cancer free or have improved quality of life.”

Meguid said at this point, very few medical centers nationally are using pafolacianine, but that it’s gaining traction. UCHealth Anschutz Cancer Pavilion has been using it for about a year and a half, Meguid said, and it was the first medical center in Colorado to use it on adult lungs.

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.