Category: CNN Regional

By Kylee Leahy

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    MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. (WBND, WBND-LD) — Michigan City Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch is rejecting allegations from Local 150 union that city officials violated workers’ rights during a protest at the Phoenix Data Center project.

The dispute began last week when members of Local 150 picketed the construction site on Royal Road, displaying an inflatable rat to protest what they called unfair hiring practices. The demonstration ended with the arrests of two union members on Oct. 29.

Michigan City police said the workers were taken into custody for criminal trespass after refusing to leave private property.

“Officers were encouraged to redirect picketers to public property,” Police Chief Steve Forker said. “After more than an hour of negotiations… they were both placed under arrest for criminal trespass.”

In a news release, Local 150 accused city officials of violating protesters First Amendment rights and siding with out-of-state, nonunion contractors. The union said it plans to continue its demonstrations and is reviewing legal options following the arrests.

Mayor Deuitch pushed back against the accusations during a Monday news conference, calling the controversy “political theater and a smear campaign.”

“They’ve chosen to politicize a private land dispute, falsely blaming local government and attempting to incite unrest in our community,” Deuitch said.

Deuitch emphasized that the Phoenix Data Center project is a development between Phoenix Investors and the state of Indiana, not a city-led or taxpayer-funded project. She also said multiple local union contractors are already working on the site.

“This isn’t about union or anti-union,” she said. “It’s really about power and politics. And there’s no room for that here in Michigan City.”

The mayor also accused Local 150 business representative John Watson — who is running for a seat on the LaPorte County Council — of using the dispute to advance his campaign.

Deuitch urged both sides to resume negotiations directly with Phoenix Investors rather than with city officials.

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By Sydney Ferguson

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    WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) — Tuesday, prosecutors formally charged a former news anchor in the stabbing death of her mother at a south Wichita home on Friday morning. We’re learning more about her mother, who was a marriage and family therapist in Wichita, as clients say they want her to be remembered for who she was.

Sedgwick County court records show a charge of intentional and premeditated first-degree murder was filed against Angelynn Mock on Tuesday. She made her first court appearance that afternoon.

Alexandra Brewer was one of many clients who commented on KAKE News posts to express their sadness at 80-year-old Anita Avers’ passing, trying to make it clear how helpful she was to them.

“I never expected to hear something like that, especially because no one deserves that ever,” said Brewer. “It was just so shocking, because of who she was and because of how she was as a human and her age.”

Brewer struggled to describe the shock of learning that her therapist of over a year, Avers, was stabbed to death in her Wichita home, police say, by her own daughter.

Brewer describes Avers as a wise and empathetic guide — one she grew close to while seeing her for marriage counseling during her engagement. She says she was supposed to see Avers at Wichita Counseling Professionals on Rock Road just last week, but she never scheduled it.

“I just was behind on the homework she gave me,” said Brewer. “She was just very warm, very loving, and had a way of just making you feel compassionate towards yourself.”

Brewer says Avers was extremely professional — so much so, she never knew if the woman had any issues with her daughter.

“If she was teaching from experience, she wasn’t letting you know that was from experience. She just– she just was there for you,” said Brewer, now having to grapple with the fact she won’t be.

Investigators say when they showed up to Avers’ home in South Wichita on Friday, they found her daughter, Angelynn Mock, outside with cuts on her hands, and Avers in bed with multiple stab wounds.

Mock is a former TV news anchor who worked in Oklahoma City and St. Louis. Her LinkedIn says she left the business in 2015.

Tuesday Mock appeared in court for the first time, facing charges of intentional and premeditated first-degree murder. Brewer says it’s too soon to feel relieved about it.

“I just wish that everyone could see that part of Anita, not just this tragic ending. I wish you could see the rest of what made her, her,” Brewer said.

Brewer says Avers’ teachings made her a better parent and will have a lasting impact on her family and the families of all of her clients.

“When someone like her passes, it’s like, ‘oh,’ you know, ‘that’s the end of a life,’ but really, her impact is going to be something that just continues to go on throughout generations,” said Brewer.

She says Avers was like a grandma — strong in her faith with a genuine love for her clients. Brewer says that love must have carried over into her personal life.

“That love was felt like when I was there,” said Brewer. “I only had a short amount of time with her, and I’m just I can’t express how happy and grateful I am that I got to experience her for a little bit of time that I did.”

Mock is being held on a $1,000,000 bond. Brewer says she has no doubt Avers was a good person despite the complexities of what happened to her.

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By Abner Sosa

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    PRAIRIE GROVE, Ark. (KHBS, KHOG) — A Prairie Grove business owner is speaking out after her husband was taken into federal immigration custody following a traffic crash last week.

According to Prairie Grove police, 27-year-old Waldin Sanchez was arrested Friday night after he allegedly drove off the road and struck a utility box near the city library. Police said an officer reported smelling alcohol on him and, because of a language barrier, took him to the Washington County Jail for sobriety testing.

Sanchez was arrested on charges of driving without a license and careless driving. Prairie Grove Police Capt. Jeff O’Brien said that once Sanchez was booked into jail, county protocol required checking his immigration status. When officials discovered he was in the country illegally, he was held for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Maria Verde, who co-owns Del Rio Supermarket with her husband, said she is struggling to keep the family business open while he remains in custody hundreds of miles away in Louisiana.

“They said that if he wasn’t drunk, he would be released. But obviously…” Verde said.

Verde said she later learned her husband had been transferred to a federal detention center in Louisiana, where he is awaiting a hearing later this month. She said she has only received two brief phone calls from him since his arrest and has had to track down information about his case on her own.

“You have to be on top of these things because nobody tells you where your family member is or even gives you a call,” she said.

Immigration attorney Aaron Cash, who is not involved in the case, said detention does not necessarily mean deportation. He said people in Sanchez’s situation typically have a right to see a judge and may apply for asylum or cancellation of removal, depending on their circumstances and family ties in the United States.

“Certain people can apply for asylum,” Cash said. “Others can apply for what’s called cancellation of removal if they can show a certain amount of time in the U.S. and hardship to family members who are citizens or permanent residents.”

Cash said he has seen more ICE detentions triggered by minor traffic violations after local jails share information with federal immigration authorities.

Verde said the past few days have been overwhelming but that her Prairie Grove neighbors have offered support.

“The community; I never knew these people until I opened the store,” she said. “Now I have friends. They come and check on me. We’re all so close, all neighbors.”

As of Tuesday night, Sanchez remained in federal custody in Louisiana. ICE did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Verde said she plans to keep Del Rio Supermarket open as long as she can while also raising her three children.

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By Nick Sloan

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    OLATHE, Kan. (KMBC) — Police say a roadside disturbance near Interstate 35 and 119th Street on Monday led to the discovery of drug paraphernalia and nearly $7,000 in stolen checks.

According to the Olathe Police Department, officers were called to the area to investigate a “rolling disturbance.”

Police said the investigation revealed drug-related items and more than $6,900 in stolen checks belonging to several victims from Missouri and Oklahoma.

No charges have been announced.

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By Erin Lowrey

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    WESTWEGO, La. (WDSU) — A New Orleans film worker died while working on a set in Westwego Monday.

According to the Jefferson Parish Coroner’s Office, James “Trapper” McEvoy was working on a set when he was electrocuted during an accident on set.

An autopsy is currently being conducted.

IATSE Local 478, a branch of the film union McEvoy was working for at the time of his death, issued the following statement regarding the accident:

IATSE Local 478 posted this to their social media:

“Today we grieve the loss of one of our fellow members who was killed in a tragic incident on a production filming in Louisiana.

“Our deepest condolences are with the family who lost a loved one, and the crew who lost a friend and colleague. All workers have a right to safety on the job.

“We have engaged the Entertainment Community Fund to provide counseling for crew members and are sending an IATSE representative to Louisiana to support the members and Local Unions on the ground there.”

Film Louisiana President Jason Waggenspack issued the following statement:

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of a crew member on the set of an independent film in Louisiana. Our hearts go out to the individual’s family, friends and colleagues, and we extend our sincerest condolences to everyone affected by this heartbreaking event. The Louisiana film community is built on collaboration, creativity and care for one another, and the safety and well-being of every person on set must always come first. This is a profound loss for our entire industry, and we stand with all those who are mourning today.”

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By KNXV staff

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    PHOENIX (KNXV) — Dylan Skalina was celebrating Halloween like any other 12-year-old — trick-or-treating with friends and collecting candy. Hours later, the Arizona boy suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm that would change everything.

Despite medical teams’ best efforts, Skalina’s family received the heartbreaking news that nothing more could be done. In an extraordinary act of love, they honored Dylan’s giving spirit by choosing organ donation.

Skalina would have turned 13 years old on Wednesday. Instead of cake and presents, the boy’s family and friends will be sharing memories and remembering a boy whose generosity will live on.

On Tuesday at 8 p.m., Phoenix Children’s hospital will hold an Honor Walk, recognizing the Skalina family’s decision to give life to others. Skalina’s organs and tissues will help more than 300 people.

As the Skalina family prepares for the child’s memorial service, they find comfort knowing his final act will create countless new beginnings for families in need.

A GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up to help the Skalina family.

This year, more than 350 organ donors have helped save more than 900 lives.

According to the Donor Network of Arizona, data shows that the 6 – 10 age range is the least likely to become an organ donor—true for both Arizona and the country—though the wider pediatric age range (under 17) represent 5% of Donor Network of Arizona (DNA) donors since 2024 and 2% of candidates on the national organ waiting list.

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This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. KNXV’s editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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By Madeline Bartos

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    OAKDALE, Pennsylvania (KDKA) — A Bible that was lost more than 20 years ago after Hurricane Ivan battered western Pennsylvania will be reunited with its owner after it was found in the strangest of places.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, the Oakdale Hose Company said that a firefighter found something he didn’t recognize while going through his bunker gear to make sure everything he needed was in his pockets.

The firefighter found a small green change purse, which the chief opened up, hoping to find an ID or something inside to identify the owner. Instead, he found a small pocket Bible with an inscription and the date of May 12, 1997.

The chief and his wife did some internet sleuthing, leading them to former Oakdale resident Amanada Clotz. When the chief reached out to her, he said she was able to describe the Bible.

Clotz explained that her uncle, who was like a father figure to her, gave it to her when she needed it most. She said she lost the Bible in 2004 when Hurricane Ivan devastated the Pittsburgh area. But the Bible is undamaged, the inscription is in perfect condition, and there are no stains on the outside.

“We (Amanda included) are at a total loss on how this could happen,” the fire company wrote on Facebook. “How did it survive in great condition after Ivan and so many other natural disasters that Oakdale has seen in the last 21 years? How did it end up in our building that has been flooded so many times? And how in the hell did it end up in his coat pocket?”

The fire company said Clotz was very emotional. She offered to pay for shipping, but the chief is sending it to her for free.

“The only stipulation is that she has to pay it forward! Help someone out when they need it! This girl has an angel looking after her and we think he’s pretty cool!” the fire company said.

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