Category: CNN Regional

By Joe Van Ryn

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    WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP, Minnesota (WCCO) — A crowd gathered in White Bear Township, Minnesota, to honor the men and women who died during the Vietnam War as a traveling memorial brought a piece of the nation’s history closer to home.

The Wall That Heals, a three-quarter-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., gave visitors a chance to reflect on the more than 58,000 service members whose names are etched into the wall.

“We’ve been to over 800 communities in 49 states in the last two years,” said Tim Tetz, site manager for The Wall That Heals.

Tetz said bringing the memorial directly to communities allows people more time to connect with the names and stories behind the wall.

“When you go to Washington, D.C., you have 10 minutes to visit the Vietnam Memorial, 10 minutes to visit the Korean War Memorial, 10 minutes to visit the Lincoln Memorial, and then the Smithsonian,” Tetz said. “You have so many things that you want to do because you’re only there for a limited number of days. Having it here, having it in your community, you can carve out that time and say, ‘OK, let’s relearn this.'”

For Sue Prachar, the visit was a chance to honor her brother.

“It’s right here, Gerald Riedlberger,” Prachar said as she found his name on the wall.

Prachar said she has visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, but having the replica in her community gave her another opportunity to remember her brother.

“I have to honor him whenever I can,” she said.

Prachar still remembers the day her family learned Riedlberger had died.

“His body came back on my dad’s birthday,” she said. “My mother was the one that answered the door with the servicemen. We knew exactly what happened.”

Prachar said her brother’s service remains a source of pride.

“He did something honorable. And we are proud of him,” she said.

Vietnam veteran Dave Britz also visited the memorial to remember friends he lost.

“I have some friends that are on the wall,” Britz said. “I have a few others that passed away from Agent Orange.”

Britz said the memorial is a reminder of the sacrifices made by Vietnam veterans and a chance to recognize those in the crowd who also served.

“When I see a vet like today and everyone that had a Vietnam vet hat or shirt or whatever on, I went over and I just said, ‘Welcome home,'” Britz said.

The Wall That Heals will continue its visit in White Bear Township through the Aug. 9, giving visitors a chance to remember those who served and those who never came home.

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 Juliegrace Brufke | Quincy News Correspondent

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    Washington (Quincy News) — Market Recap: Wall Street pulled back Thursday as investors locked in profits ahead of the July employment report. The Dow fell 0.9%, the S&P 500 slipped 0.2%, and the Nasdaq edged down 0.1%. Airbnb reported stronger-than-expected results after the close as more travelers booked trips. The company raised its full-year outlook, citing continued strong demand for travel.

Brent crude futures were down about 0.7% Friday morning, while Treasury yields were little changed ahead of the closely watched July employment report.

Today’s Focus: The July employment report arrives at 8:30 a.m. ET, offering one of the clearest snapshots of the economy. The report shows how many jobs employers added in July, whether unemployment changed and how quickly wages are growing. Because the Federal Reserve closely watches the labor market when setting interest rates, today’s report could influence borrowing costs and financial markets in the coming weeks.

ON THE SCHEDULE FOR FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026

-8:30 a.m. ET – July employment report

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 Dean Fioresi

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    HOLLYWOOD, California (KCAL, KCBS) — A man will be living inside a billboard above the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood as part of a Netflix movie promotion over the weekend.

The furnished billboard, which sits above Sunset Boulevard near Selma Avenue, is part of the campaign for the upcoming “The Last House” film, which releases on Friday, according to Netflix’s website. The performance begins Thursday and lasts through Sunday.

Aerial footage above the billboard showed the performer inside the furnished living room that was built 30 feet above the street. Netflix officials said that the man would be interacting with people as they passed by the area with a whiteboard.

The room appeared to have a lounge chair, a table and some books, among other typical household items. Each of the windows was adorned with curtains and some plants. Later at night, the man could be seen wearing a red robe and pajamas.

While he couldn’t directly speak with CBS LA, he wrote a simple message to let the world know he’s watching:

“Hi CBSLA,” the whiteboard said.

At times, he was seen doing stretches, eating food, peering out the windows with binoculars and listening to music with headphones.

“The Last House” is a sci-fi thriller that tells the story of a family that has to work together to survive after they’re trapped inside their house by an ominous force, the streaming service’s website said. It stars actors Great Lee, Wagner Moura and Gabriel Barbosa, among others, and is directed by Louis Leterrier.

Some residents went out of their way to witness the spectacle after getting social media alerts about a man who was trapped on a billboard.

“I was just around the corner and I got a notification on the Citizen App,” said Miro Markarian. “I said, ‘I’m gonna drive over and check it out. It’s pretty cool. It’s a good marketing stunt, very creative.”

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 Dean Fioresi

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    LOS ANGELES, California (KCAL, KCBS) — A gang intervention activist was fatally shot in the Hyde Park neighborhood of South Los Angeles on Thursday afternoon, according to the CEO of 2nd Call, the nonprofit organization the victim worked with.

It happened at around 3:15 p.m. near Crenshaw Boulevard and W. 59th Street, according to Los Angeles Police Department officers. They were called to the scene after learning that a man in his 40s was struck by gunfire.

The victim, who was identified by 2nd Call as Reginald Foreman, was pronounced dead at the scene by Los Angeles County firefighters.

Police said a man was seen running from the area after the shooting.

A white van parked near the spot where the shooting occurred had a “2nd Call” logo on the side. The logo is for a nonprofit organization that works “towards community safety, justice, and liberation” by helping high-risk individuals, ex-felons, parolees and others in personal development, according to their website.

Officials for the nonprofit said that Foreman was a critical part of their team who many looked up to. They said he was on call working on a fencing project to make the area safer when the shooting happened.

“Very positive, uplifting person. Wanted to help others. This is truly a loss,” said Skipp Townsend, co-founder of 2nd Call. “He was not the guy he was when he was 17 or 18, so, I look at him as being an influence. He could’ve helped influence to where we could’ve saved a lot more lives.”

He said that the loss will leave a very heavy mark on their foundation.

“For me, it’s killing me inside. For the team, I don’t know if they’re gonna come back out here,” Townsend said.

Thursday’s shooting marks the second incident in the last two months to kill a 2nd Call activist, after Eric Washington, who was also a former staff member for California Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson, was fatally shot at a Fourth of July party in Compton.

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 James Taylor

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    SACRAMENTO, California (KOVR) — Most high school students don’t set foot on a college campus until after graduation. At one Sacramento City Unified School District campus, it’s a graduation requirement.

Students at Sacramento New Technology Early College High School are required to take college courses before earning their high school diploma, a model school leaders say is unique in California.

The program is a partnership between the high school and Sacramento City College. Kids are given time during their regular school day to go to the college campus, which is less than two miles away, and they get to choose what subjects they study.

“They learn how to navigate it here in high school with full support,” Principal Jessica Martin said. “That way when they graduate, it’s not so scary. It’s not so hard.”

Sixteen-year-old Julio Reyes, now a junior, has already earned multiple college credits through the program.

“It’s a different environment. You’re around much older people,” Reyes said.

Reyes added, “Even though you are a high schooler, they treat you like an adult.”

While many California high schools offer dual enrollment opportunities, Martin said Sacramento New Technology Early College High School is the only campus in the state where college coursework is required for every student.

“We have a 100% college-going rate,” Martin said.

The campus currently serves about 150 students, but Martin said there is room to grow.

“We’re changing the minds of students that didn’t think college was possible,” she said.

The school’s college requirement is part of a broader career readiness model. In addition to completing college coursework, every student must also participate in an internship and perform community service before graduating.

Some students even earn an associate degree by the time they receive their high school diploma.

For Reyes, who hopes to one day own his own business, this program is helping put him on that path at an early age.

“It’s encouraging to push myself to do more,” he 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 Madisen Keavy

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    CALAVERAS COUNTY, California (KOVR) — A longtime German shepherd breeder is believed by friends to be the woman found dead inside a home in Northern California’s Calaveras County as the Gann Fire swept through the area. It’s a loss they say came after she made the heartbreaking decision to stay behind with the dogs she loved.

Friends identified the woman as Susan Solari, the longtime owner of Hinterland German Shepherds, a breeding operation that had been based on the property for decades.

A burned sign bearing the name of the kennel is now one of the few reminders left standing after the wildfire moved through the area.

Joan Wilson, a neighbor and friend of Solari, said the two had spoken shortly before the fire reached the property. Wilson said she tried to convince Solari to evacuate as conditions worsened.

“She was screaming and yelling, ‘No, I wasn’t going to evacuate,’ ” Wilson said. “There was fire all around.”

Wilson said she contacted authorities and warned them that Solari was still at the property, behind a locked gate and would not leave without her dogs.

“I told them she was there, that her dogs were there and she couldn’t get her dogs out,” Wilson said. “She wasn’t going to leave them.”

For decades, Solari raised and showed German shepherds at Hinterland German Shepherds, according to the kennel’s former website.

Wilson described Solari as independent, determined and deeply committed to her animals.

“She was a great show dog lady. She was headstrong. She was a strong woman,” Wilson said.

Wilson said she evacuated safely with her own family and animals, but the loss of her friend has been difficult to process.

“I wish she would’ve listened to me. I wish I could’ve grabbed her. ‘Come on, you’re coming with me,’ ” Wilson said.

Cal Fire continues to battle the Gann Fire, which has burned more than 10,000 acres in Calaveras County and destroyed over a dozen structures.

“The community around here lives with fire,” said Cal Fire spokesperson Chris Vestal. “They know there’s a likelihood they have to evacuate, and when they get an evacuation order, they’re going to leave.”

Fire officials continue to urge residents to follow evacuation orders and warnings as the response continues.

For Wilson, she said she understands Solari made her own choice, one she believes was rooted in the same love for animals that defined her life.

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 Itay Hod

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    SAN ANSELMO, California (KPIX) — Three-year-old Leo Davies of San Anselmo loves basketball. Though “love” might not be a big enough word.

Put a game on television, and he’ll sit there, completely captivated. His parents aren’t exactly sure why, and Leo can’t tell them.

“Leo’s first three years of life have largely been in the hospital, in surgeries, in therapies,” said Cassie Davies, Leo’s mom.

Leo was born with a rare chromosome disorder, missing genes that left him with a cleft palate, multiple surgeries and developmental challenges that have made nearly every milestone harder to reach.

He has only a few words. Mostly, his smile does the talking.

Because so much of his childhood has been spent in hospitals instead of playgrounds, Leo doesn’t have many friends his own age.

“When it came to planning his third birthday party, I just asked myself: what would make him happiest on his birthday? And it’s watching people play basketball,” Cassie said.

So, she opened the Nextdoor app and posted an unusual request: Would anyone be willing to come play a pickup game simply so her little boy could watch?

She wasn’t sure if anyone would respond, but she figured it was worth a shot.

“Within minutes, it was just all these comments, direct messages, people hearting, sharing. Within the first 48 hours, 32,000 people viewed it,” Cassie said.

That brings us to Leo’s birthday. One by one, people started showing up — complete strangers, including the entire Tam High basketball team.

Henry Bennett, captain of the Tamalpais High School Hawks, said his mom had seen the post and urged them to play.

“Just knowing us doing something so little means so much for a kid like him,” Bennett said.

By the end, more than 50 people had come to celebrate. The Hawks gave Leo a signed basketball. The Golden State Valkyries — one of his favorite teams — heard about the game and sent gifts of their own, which included a customized team jersey with his name on it.

But none of that turned out to be the biggest surprise. As the team gathered around Leo to sing “Happy Birthday,” the little boy with so few words suddenly found three new ones.

“I love it,” Leo 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 Carlos E. Castañeda

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    OAKLAND, California (KPIX) — A child under 10 years old was behind the wheel of a car in Oakland on Thursday when it crashed and hit a woman walking her dog, police said.

The incident happened at about 9:30 a.m. in the area of 35th and Mangels avenues in the Barlett neighborhood of East Oakland. The Oakland Police Department said officers who responded to a report of a crash involving a pedestrian arrive to find a woman in her 30s who had been hit by a sedan. Medics took her to a hospital in critical condition, police said.

There were two children in the vehicle, the driver and a passenger who was also under 10 years old, police said. Both children were injured and taken to a hospital in stable condition, police said.

The investigation determined that the white Toyota Camry was heading northbound on 35th Avenue when it struck a vehicle heading south 35th Avenue and then lost control, hitting the pedestrian who was walking her dog and in a crosswalk at 35th and Mangels Avenue. The car came to a halt after jumping a curb and crashing into a fence of a home on the corner, narrowly missing a fire hydrant.

The dog was later found unharmed in the area, according to the East Bay Times.

Cellphone video from a bystander showed individuals applying chest compressions to the injured woman and at to one of the children before police officers and medics arrived.

“They were doing CPR the whole time,” said witness Anthony Hudson. “It was tragic and I’m still a little shook by it.”

“Once she got hit, on impact, that’s when she lost consciousness, you know what I mean?” said witness Lavelle Shah-Marquis. “So you did not hear her scream, you didn’t hear none of the kids make noises. The only sound you hear was the crash.”

Witnesses said two Good Samaritans kept the woman alive until medics arrived.

“The airbag actually hit the children, hit them so hard, put them in the back seat of the vehicle,” said Shah-Marquis.

Police said it was unknown if alcohol or drugs were a factor in this collision. The parents of the two children were contacted and were cooperating with the investigation, police said.

“These parents need to be held responsible, that was the first thing I thought in my head,” said Shah-Marquis. “Because you have someone here that literally could possibly lose their life on account of being irresponsible.”

Anyone with information about the incident was asked to contact the Police Department’s traffic unit at 510-777-8570. Those with videos or photos that could help investigators were asked to send them to cidvideos@oaklandca.gov.

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.