Category: CNN Regional

By Kaley Fedko

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    ATLANTA (WUPA) — Retirement did not last long for one Atlanta school principal.

After 10 years leading Burgess Peterson Academy, David White is back, and this time he’s making sure everything inside the school’s building runs smoothly.

White retired last September from being the school’s principal, but home didn’t suit him for long.

“I found myself really kind of lonely and disconnected,” White said. “I had lost my sense of community, for sure, so when this position became available, I kind of laughed because I used to say that it would be the perfect retirement job.”

White applied for the open site manager position and got the job. Now he enjoys being back in the same halls that bring him joy.

He is six weeks into the new job.

“I find myself now always looking to see if there are lights that are burned out, if there are issues that need to be addressed,” said White. “There’s always the need for touch-up painting, right? Because kids have dirty little hands, and they love to pick paint.”

During CBS News Atlanta’s visit, White was repairing a broken lightbulb in the boy’s bathroom.

“The light started flickering, like, just blinking off and on, and so of course the kids were saying it was haunted,” he said.

Around the school, his impact hasn’t faded.

Students and staff light up when they see him.

“It’s been really great to see their excitement to be here every day and to see Mr. White,” said principal Dr. Holly Brookins. “I really feel that having him back has added so much value to our community, and it’s really been a joyful thing for all of us.”

With a tool belt and new titles, White proves that no matter the role, some people never stop showing up for the places they love.

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 Athena Kehoe

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    TUCSON, Arizona (KGUN) — It’s not your typical theft. Tucson police are searching for the people accused of stealing two python snakes from a midtown pet store. The theft happened Monday at Desert Pet Center.

Police say the suspects are an adult man and woman who were with several children in a wagon.

One of the owners of the store, Jennifer Sherry, said she just wants the snakes back.

“The cheapest one they took was $200,” Sherry explains.

The surveillance footage appears to show a suspect put a snake into their purse.

“I feel bad for the kids,” Sherry explains, as the footage reveals the adult suspects also had kids accompanying them.

“Now we’re a little on edge,” Sherry says, “we’re an independent business and just trying to help our customers.”

Sherry said ball pythons are generally calm, but they need a humid environment to stay healthy, which can be difficult to maintain in Arizona. “We want them to thrive. These snakes have a hard time shedding when the humidity is not right. If they don’t shed right, they don’t eat right. There’s different things that go into the care of these snakes, so just getting them back would be the best thing.”

Tucson police said the case has been assigned to Midtown Neighborhood Crimes detectives and remains under investigation.

Officers also said some photos circulating online may be from a different store, and they are still working to confirm which images and descriptions are connected to the Desert Pet Center incident.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Tucson police or 88-CRIME to remain anonymous

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 Denzen Cortez

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    ANTELOPE, California (KCRA) — A Roseville High School wrestling coach is sharing his story after a frightening early morning drive nearly turned deadly.

Onterrio Burris, 20, says he was heading home from Elk Grove Monday morning when his brakes suddenly gave out just a mile from his house.

“I’m pushing it all the way down, like, to the floorboard. And there’s no brakes at all,” Burris recounted.

Burris, who relies on his vehicle to get to work and helps transport student-athletes to practices and matches, says he pushed the brake pedal to the floor, but nothing happened.

Thinking quickly, he used his emergency brake to bring the car to a stop. But within moments, the situation escalated.

Burris says smoke began pouring through the vehicle’s air conditioning vents, and he could see flames inside the cab. He says he inhaled some of the smoke before jumping out and attempting to open the hood, but couldn’t get it open.

“I’m also super lucky that it didn’t lead to my rear end, because my gas tank was right there, and I had about a half a tank, and if that would have caught on fire, would have just blew up completely,” Burris said.

Realizing the danger, Burris grabbed his belongings and moved away from the vehicle. Seconds later, the car burst into flames.

Burris was not injured, but the fire was so intense that it melted a nearby vehicle as crews worked to extinguish the flames.

Beyond the close call, the loss is also personal. Burris says the truck was a gift from his grandfather and carried significant sentimental value.

He has been a wrestling coach at Roseville High School for three years and says the loss of his vehicle could impact how he supports his athletes, especially with summer training approaching.

A GoFundMe has been created to help Burris following the explosion.

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 Geneva Zoltek

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    PAHRUMP, Nevada (KTNV) — It’s the land of the undead — or perhaps land that is undead — as dozens of Pahrump locals are stuck paying taxes on property they can’t legally use.

They’re dubbing it the “Zombie Lot” crisis.

“This was supposed to be our home, and instead it’s turned into our nightmare,” said Jack Schluneger, who owns property in Pahrump,

Schluneger’s place is a 5-acre empty plot off Z Street which he purchased from a real estate agent in 2019. He said, the hurdles are non-stop.

“We got over $200,000 invested in this property already,” Schluneger told Channel 13 that cost includes drilling a well over 200 feet deep to access the aquifer.

“This is going to be a zombie lot,” Schluneger said.

Schluneger said he cannot afford to move forward on the development, and is currently facing red tape and citations from Nye County — including for shipping containers he’s using to store his belongings.

“To tell you the truth, it’s hurt us a lot financially,” Schluneger said.

He’s not alone. According to sources Channel 13 spoke with, thousands of these “Zombie Lots” are scattered across the unincorporated community.

Over the weekend, dozens of people who are dealing with the problem took to the streets outside the Golden Nugget in Pahrump to raise awareness.

Here’s the crux of the problem: Those who own the plots are unable to build on their land because they aren’t connected to water or sewage lines. And according to state law, some of those lots are too small for wells.

That’s an expensive infrastructure problem.

And according to Nye County Commissioner Ron Boskovich, it’s a problem that’s decades old. He said the issue comes down to cost, not zoning.

“Where do you get money to fix a multi-million dollar problem that you didn’t create, and the taxpayers didn’t create, but another company 50 something years ago did and now, it’s providing a problem that no one ever wanted,” Boskovich said.

He said the company, Preferred Equities Corporation, has long-since been dissolved.

“I want them here. I want them to develop, but I also can’t have other taxpayers pay for that,” Boskovich said.

Until a solution is found, the lots remain in limbo, leaving buyers stuck paying taxes on land they once hoped to call home.

Channel 13 will continue to follow this story as it develops.

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 Justin Adams

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    DENVER (KCNC) — Travelers passing through Denver International Airport now have a new way to freshen up before takeoff.

“A Shaving Grace Hairport,” a barbershop kiosk located on Concourse B, is a first-of-its-kind concept designed specifically for an airport setting, offering grooming services in a fast, convenient format.

The shop is owned by Houston entrepreneur Vida Humphries, who relocated to Denver for the opportunity.

“So, we have a lot of foot traffic, a lot of people who are just interested in having a haircut before they fly or even when they land,” Humphries said.

The kiosk serves both passengers and airport employees, offering haircuts, beard trims, styling, and other grooming services, even during tight layovers or unexpected schedule changes.

Unlike traditional barbershops, the concept was engineered with airport safety in mind. Humphries developed a system that secures barber tools in a lockbox built into the back of the barber chair, ensuring compliance with Denver International Airport’s security requirements while still delivering a high-quality experience.

The business is part of the airport’s kiosk program, which aims to expand amenities for travelers. The goal is to provide a quick, efficient option for those looking to clean up before a flight or immediately after landing.

The shop offers a full menu of services, including men’s and children’s haircuts, beard trims, lineups, shampooing, and hair coloring. A variety of grooming products is also available for purchase.

The kiosk is currently operating under an 11-month contract with the airport. Early demand has been strong, and Humphries said he hopes to expand to Concourse A in the future.

He is also hiring as the business grows. Haircuts at the kiosk range from $45 to $70.

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 Shellye Leggett

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    LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Companies around the world are relying on artificial intelligence to provide added security in crowded places, including the Las Vegas Valley.

One new tool is a four-legged robotic drone dog. Thousands of robotic drone dogs are deployed around the country to provide an extra layer of security in high-volume areas.

The robots all have names, including one named Dan that operates on the Las Vegas Strip. The machines do not get tired, do not need coffee breaks, and do not get scared in dangerous situations.

Kurt George, the vice president of Asylon Robotics, showcased the robotic drone dog at the International Security Conference. He demonstrated how the machines can keep high-volume areas safe and said the company wants the robots embedded in local spots.

“His eyes and ears all being back to a security center where we have operators working 24/7 that are seeing what the dog sees,” George said.

The robots are designed to provide perimeter security for indoor and outdoor spaces, such as Allegiant Stadium, Harry Reid International Airport, music festivals, and the Strip. They work alongside human security teams and act like a moving camera with eyes and ears on the ground. The robots can walk around on their own, or a human can take control.

“Not a scary robot like in Terminator or AI, but what it does is it secures facilities and just keeps people from being where they’re not supposed to be. We like to say it protects the people from the property and it protects the property from the people,” George said.

Tourists visiting Las Vegas say the technology looks like something out of this world. Fred and Amy Kosier, who are visiting from Wisconsin, said the robot seems like a good way to keep civilians and law enforcement safe.

“This is kind of wild. This is a very futuristic,” Fred Kosier said.

“I would feel safe if, if it was walking around,” Amy Kosier said.

Asylon Robotics expects to roll out more of the robots every month. The company says the partnership between people and artificial intelligence will only continue to grow.

“AI not only is going to be able to detect abnormalities like that’s going to go in or detect threats, and then AI at that point again with human direction will be able to say call the police, call on-site security,” George said.

Over the next 10 to 15 years, the company says the technology will become even more advanced, keeping people out of harm’s way during dangerous situations.

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

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 Spencer Burt

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    GRAND COUNTY, Utah (KSTU) — It just couldn’t moooooo-ve.

Multiple police agencies and local volunteers stepped up Wednesday to save a cow whose lack of fear got the best of it.

The animal stepped into a cattle guard and got stuck, according to the Grand County Sheriff’s Office. Cattle guards are metal grates that act as a barrier when a road goes through a fence on open range land. Cows and other hoofed animals tend to avoid the guards because the spaces between the bars are just wide enough for their hoof or foot to get stuck, while small enough to allow cars and trucks to drive over them.

However, the cow in question ignored that and apparently stepped on the grate with reckless abandon, falling in.

Sheriff’s deputies worked with Utah Highway Patrol and the Bureau of Land Management to rescue the stuck cow. Some ranchers even volunteered to help.

The crew took an excavator and attached a heavy-duty chain to its bucket. That chain was then connected to some towing straps and a long piece of cloth, which they roped around the animal to lift it out.

“Situations like this don’t always have a positive outcome, so we’re grateful this one ended well,” the sheriff’s office wrote in a social media post.

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 Madison Thomas

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    MARANA, Arizona (KGUN) — Dozens of electric cooperative lineworkers from across the state gathered in Marana on Wednesday to put their skills to the test in a day-long competition hosted by Trico Electric Cooperative.

“These results that we get at the banquet, they will be talked about the rest of the year until next year,” said Austin Barney, who is an Apprentice Lineman for Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative.

With bragging rights on the line, competitive spirits were on full display.

“We all try, and we’re all hard on ourselves a little bit if we don’t do exactly how we want,” Barney said.

However, for the nearly 50 apprentice linemen competing, camaraderie is what’s at the core of this event.

“These guys are all my friends, my co-workers and even people from other co-ops, we have good relationships because we’ve all competed,” Barney said.

“Being able to come together as a group, compete and build that relationship with one another helps us want to help each other out when they need our help,” Trico Operations Construction Manager, Jeremy Burnett, said.

Events ranged from an obstacle course to a ‘hurt man rescue.’

“A lot of things like the ‘hurt man rescue’, that’s something we have to qualify in every year,” Barney said. “It’s important to be efficient at it. So if the real-life situation happens where we need to help somebody from the top of a pole, we can.”

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.