Category: CNN Regional

By Evan Sery

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    UTICA, Michigan (WXYZ) — Inside Toy Box in Utica, it’s not the racecars or the dinosaurs that are the most popular toys — it’s what’s not there.

“We, we’re out,” staff can be heard saying throughout the day.

Owner Ron Manoviec says the scene repeats itself constantly at his store.

“They walk in, we don’t have it, they do a circle around the store, and they’re out,” Manoviec said.

The culprit behind the empty shelves is Needoh — a squishy, collectible toy made by Schylling that has been on the market since 2017, but reached widespread popularity in recent months.

According to Psychology Today, Schylling has done a masterful job marketing a variety of different types, from Teeny to Super Needohs. If a Needoh isn’t out of stock — like the Atomic Needoh on the official product website — it’s nearly impossible to find.

Shoppers like Jacque Miller aren’t deterred, moving from store to store in search of the toys.

“They collectibles, man, they squishy, and fun to play with. I got like four of them in the car right now,” Miller said.

Manoviec says the craze extends well beyond his store or the state of Michigan.

“It’s a worldwide phenomenon, it’s not just us, not just Michigan, it’s everywhere,” Manoviec said.

Lines formed outside Toy Box last month during a rare Needoh drop. Manoviec says he now posts on social media the moment new stock arrives to manage the crowds.

“We’ll post them the moment they come out, so that avoids the lines, if we say ‘Needoh tomorrow,’ they’re gonna line up tonight,” Manoviec said.

Not everyone understands the appeal. Nicole Edington, who lives in Mount Clemens, is still trying to figure it out.

“They’re impossible to find, the kids trade them like Pokémon cards, I really don’t get it at all,” Edington said.

Social media has played a major role in fueling the frenzy. Rachel Kovitch, who collects Needohs, says influencers helped push the toys into the mainstream.

“Influencers and famous TikTok accounts were posting about them,” Kovitch said.

Kovitch says she owns more than 100 Needohs and has built a large following of her own. Her TikTok account, Puttfamilly, has nearly 70,000 followers and 5 million views.

“I will post videos about my putty, unboxing them, showing them off, and showing rare needs,” Kovitch said.

For those still searching, Manoviec says supply is on the way — eventually.

“It’s coming, it’s gonna be here, we’re just waiting, we’re so far behind, the last batch we had was a backorder, from, we’re talking, February,” Manoviec said.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. WXYZ 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 TJ Eckert

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    TULSA, Oklahoma (KJRH) — When Jeff Rule drives around the block, people notice.

“It’s a 1937 Chevy,” Rule said of his family car. “It’s got everything original.”

Everything. From the seats, to the speedometer, to the suicide doors, even the engine.

“It was bought brand new for a couple hundred bucks by my great uncle,” Rule said. “And then from there, it’s just passed down through the family.”

Jeff’s great uncle was Charlie Pribbarnow, a World War I veteran. His prized possession now in the hands of Jeff and his dad David, a Vietnam vet.

“As early as I can remember, I remember this being in the garage, and going on rides. My dad working on it,” Rule said.

Back then, they didn’t have radios in the car. They also didn’t have air conditioning. So, if you wanted a little A/C, you had to get your window at the right angle.”

“It has none of the amenities that we have in our cars now of course,” Rule said. “Big steering wheel. No power steering in it. No power brakes, it’s all muscle.”

Jeff’s dad used to take the car and drive vets around Green Country. This time, it’s Jeff driving this time capsule in the Capital Cruise, with his dad in the passenger seat.

“It’s actually been a while since me and him have been in the car riding around together,” Rule said. “This is what you would’ve been seeing driving on the original Route 66. People driving their families.”

Driving a piece of history, on America’s most historic road.

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 Alex Gaul

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    CEDARBURG, Milwaukee (WTMJ) — A Cedarburg whiskey shop is using artificial intelligence to solve one of the most common frustrations in the spirits industry: Buying a bottle you end up not liking.

Barrels on Bridge, which opened in 2024, has introduced an AI agent called BOB to help customers navigate its inventory and find bottles tailored to their individual palates.

Co-owner Brendan Ryan, a former attorney who opened the shop with his wife Tierra, says the tool was born out of two converging trends: People are drinking less overall, and when they do drink, they are more selective than ever.

“We all hate it when we go to a shop, and we buy something, hoping we’ll like it. Take it home. We end up not liking it, and it just sits on the shelf and gets dusty,” Ryan said.

BOB is pre-loaded with the store’s full inventory and Ryan’s personal tasting notes. Customers can type in preferences — or even describe who they are shopping for — and the tool generates tailored recommendations, based on tasting notes and personality.

“It really helps people take a deeper dive into their own palate as well as save money,” Ryan said.

After receiving recommendations, customers can sample suggested bottles in store — many of which are rare finds — before committing to a purchase.

“How we will weather any ups and downs is because we put the customer first,” Ryan said.

That philosophy has resonated with shoppers. Solomon Gatton, a customer who attended TMJ4’s Let’s Talk Cedarburg community event earlier this week, says the shop stands apart from others.

“There are so many shops that you could go into that could care less about you, and he does. That’s what kept me coming back,” Gatton said. “It’s nice to be able to find something unique that I can go grab right now.”

Ryan says the goal is to bring the bourbon trail experience of Kentucky and Tennessee to Wisconsin — using technology to make that possible without losing the human element.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. WTMJ 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 Ben Jordan , Photojournalist Kyle Gustafson

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    WALDO, Milwaukee (WTMJ) — Jon Bigler has grown and sold Christmas trees on his farmland in Waldo for 30 years. A natural gas pipeline runs beneath the heart of his property, but Bigler says the trees he planted above it had never been a problem — until recently.

ANR Pipeline Company, owned by TC Energy, had trees cleared within 25 feet on both sides of the of the pipeline a few months ago without Bigler’s approval. An aerial view of the property shows a long strip of cleared land where only stumps remain.

“Instead of giving me a couple more months, they went right out and cut them down and chipped them up,” Bigler said.

Bigler says hundreds of trees that were ready for this year’s holiday season were among those removed.

“And they can’t wait until Christmas? Come on,” Bigler said.

TC Energy offered Bigler nearly $32,000 in damages — but the non-disclosure agreement that came with the offer included a significant condition. The agreement states:

“The Owner agrees not to knowingly and intentionally re-cultivate, re-seed, etc. any crops, trees or vegetation… that is subject to the ANR pipeline… as part of a commercial business.”

Bigler says he rejected the offer.

“No. No way in hell. No way,” Bigler said. “I can’t plant trees here at all. I can’t have nothing here.”

TC Energy spokesperson Suzanne Wilton agreed to an interview and said safety drove the company’s decision.

“We understand this has been difficult for Mr. Bigler, and we respect the impact that this has had on his business. Our responsibility is to keep people safe, including Mr. Bigler, his property and the surrounding community,” Wilton said.

When pressed on why the NDA would require Bigler to never grow Christmas trees over the pipeline again, Wilton said the company is required to meet regulations and that the agreement has been in place for many years. Wilton also said the trees had grown substantially over time, which is why the issue arose now.

Wilton says safety is non-negotiable, but compensation is.

“We have tried to talk with Mr. Bigler. We remain ready and willing to have that conversation, and we just need Mr. Bigler to come to the table,” Wilton said.

A right-of-way agreement obtained through the Sheboygan County Clerk shows that in 1965, the former landowner agreed to let the company bury a pipeline underground in exchange for $122. TC Energy says that the agreement gave the company the right to clear the trees without Bigler’s permission, so long as the company pays for damages.

However, the right-of-way document also states that if compensation is not mutually agreed upon, it is “to be determined by three disinterested persons” — one negotiator appointed by the company, another by the landowner, and a third mutually agreed upon by both parties.

Bigler claims that the process was never followed because he was never asked to have a third-party negotiator represent him. He also says TC Energy never contacted him to help choose a mutually agreed upon third negotiator.

“Treat me fair. Go back to your word when I started,” Bigler said. “Yes, you can plant softwoods.”

With the cleared section of land and an uncertain path forward, Bigler says he does not know what the future holds for his farm.

“How do you hope this situation ends?” Investigative Reporter Ben Jordan asked.

“I hope I can get my land back the way it was,” Bigler responded.

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 Kirk Tupaj

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    UTICA, New York (WKTV) — Two 13-year-old boys jumped into action to save a young girl from drowning while swimming.

Ayham Alzanam and his cousin Alksaam Alterri were on their way to swim when they saw a girl in water about 4 to 5 feet deep struggling.

The boys said the girl may not have realized how deep the water was and started to panic.

“So, there was a couple people here. There were a lot of people here. A lot of grownups, and there were teenagers there. There was one like right next to her. Someone like directly right next to her but did not help,” Ayham Alzanam said.

Older teenagers were nearby watching, but Alzanam and Alterri decided to help.

“I thought she was going to be dead because no one was helping. Like everyone’s just watching and standing there as she’s drowning,” Alzanam said.

The boys pulled the girl to the shoreline, called 911, and started CPR. The girl’s father was nearby and took over CPR.

Ayham’s brother Ayman Alzanam called the boys heroes.

“It’s very concerning that the girl almost died. They’re the only ones that did all the work by calling the police and the emergencies to come,” Ayman Alzanam said.

Ayham’s father Jamil Alzanam said he is proud of his son.

“Ayham is skinny, but he go in the water, and he tried to help the lady and push on her and called the police, and he tried to call me, but I’m working and can’t answer the phone, and he called his mommy,” Jamil Alzanam said.

Utica Police said after three days in the hospital, the girl is expected to make a full recovery.

“They tell me you are a superhero,” Alksaam Alterri said.

“They’re just saying you’re a hero and stuff, and I just say ok because it’s like… it’s the right thing to do. It’s not a hero. It’s the right thing to do,” Ayham Alzanam 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 Esme Murphy

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    MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (WCCO) — Monday marks six years since George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis.

People gathered at 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, also known as George Floyd Square, throughout the day to remember and celebrate his life. The somber remembrance was sprinkled with joy at the site of his death.

Floyd’s uncle, Selwyn Jones, got the news the morning after May 25, 2020.

“I basically think, going back through the time, because when I heard what happened to my nephew, on the 26th, my whole life changed. The whole world changed,” Jones said.

George Floyd’s girlfriend, Courteney Ross, delivered books to one of the many stands that held memorabilia about a man whose death changed a city and a nation.

“Floyd would like it like this. Floyd would like everybody celebrating. He never liked to see tears in anybody’s eyes. I tell everybody whenever he saw anyone in need, he would take his big arm and wrap it around them,” Ross said.

There are a few new businesses in the area, including a photo studio in which Kingdemetrius Pendleton displays his work, which focuses on the killing and destructive aftermath.

“I am asking that people don’t just come out on this particular day, but come out all particular times because this community needs their help,” Pendleton said.

Among those who lived through the trauma was Terrill Griffin, one of the Minneapolis firefighters who helped save Minneapolis from burning.

“I feel like there is a tremendous amount of growth that can take place here, a tremendous amount of healing still has to come forward,” Griffin said.

A candlelight vigil at the site took place on Monday around 8 p.m., the hour that Floyd was murdered.

The future of what George Floyd Square will look like remains unresolved. Minneapolis City Council President Elliott Payne said the council will be voting on one proposal in early June, both by a council committee and the full council.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey says work on renovating the area will begin in the summer.

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 Dan Raby

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    HART COUNTY, Georgia (WUPA) — A high-speed chase ended with a man accused of driving a stolen car jumping into a North Georgia lake to try to get away from officers, officials say.

Sean Mays, a 29-year-old resident of Gumlog, Georgia, is charged with multiple felonies.

Officials say the situation began early Sunday morning, when a white 2017 Subaru Outback was reported stolen from Hart County.

Around noon, a trooper with the Georgia State Patrol spotted the vehicle on Highway 17 in Lavonia and attempted to stop the driver, identified as Mays. Instead of following orders, police say Mays sped off, leading to a chase that saw speeds of over 100 mph.

The pursuit ended when Mays crashed into a guardrail of a bridge on Gumlog Road. Deputies say Mays then jumped into Lake Hartwell to try to get away, but he was caught by officers and deputies with assistance from a civilian’s boat.

Photos posted on Facebook by the Lavonia Police Department and the Hart County Sheriff’s Office showed a soaked Mays getting pulled into the boat by officers.

Mays is now charged with felony theft by taking, felony entering auto, felony fleeing and attempting to elude, and other traffic-related offenses.

The investigation remains active.

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 Larissa Scott

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    RUSKIN, Florida (WFTS) — Inside Shields Middle School in Hillsborough County, Teresa Dixon’s 8th-grade civics class has been working on something special.

“I am very excited,” said 8th grader America Ramirez.

It’s a time capsule.

“To be opened in 50 years to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence,” said Dixon.

The students are writing letters.

“To the future,” said Dixon.

“Hopefully in 50 years, the students that are reading the letters can really get a glimpse of what it was like 50 years prior,” said Deanna McCahan, principal of Shields Middle School.

These 8th graders are writing about all sorts of things for future students.

“I’m just writing, basically asking them and telling them how it is now,” said 8th grader Junior Colon.

“I want to tell them about my time here in Shields Middle School. I also want to tell them about what’s going on currently in 2026,” said Ramirez.

“I’m just writing about how cool I am and how my friends are cool and how my girlfriend is cool,” said 8th grader Anthony Delgado.

The students have been excited about this time capsule.

“They were jumping up and down. This is amazing,” said Dixon.

“They’re actually talking about like, ‘Oh, in 50 years, where am I going to be? How old will I be?’ Some of the students were talking about ‘Oh, they’ll be grandparents,’ Maybe they’ll have grandkids that are at this school,” said McCahan.

“I bet you I’m going to be wrinkly and you can see my cheekbones,” said Delgado.

When I was there, students read their letters to me, filled with details of their day-to-day lives, their hopes, questions about what the future might be like, and what learning is like now.

“When you think about it, as kids, from just the time they started their education journey in kindergarten to now, things have changed so much. A lot of their instruction is hybrid. Some of it is in person, but some of it is on the computer. With all of the changes that have happened over their lifetime, to think about those changes that are going to keep evolving and what it’s going to look like in 50 years is really exciting for them,” said McCahan.

Dixon listened to her students with pride as they shared what they wrote.

“I’m glad to have this opportunity, honestly, for them. This is just a cool way to leave this school for everybody else,” said Dixon.

“I hope they’re using this time to reflect on who they are now and what’s happening now and really kind of think about what the future might look like. Actually taking this in, more than just saying ‘oh this is something fun to do,’ I’m hoping that they do some reflection on this,” she added.

And while no one knows what the future holds in 50 years, one thing that seems pretty certain is that these students will be okay.

“Chase your dreams. There’s really nothing that will stop you. And if it does stop you, move it out of the way,” said Delgado to his fellow students.

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 Chantaye Imani

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    BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — At Historic Union Cemetery, a Bakersfield business owner is working to preserve the legacy of his father and other local veterans.

George Clerou, whose family founded Clerou Tire Company in East Bakersfield in 1942, said honoring veterans is deeply personal.

“All four of these individuals were from Bakersfield,” Clerou said while looking through photographs of his father and his friends in uniform. “And they all went to high school together.”

The photos tell the story of a generation of Bakersfield men who went off to war together during World War II.

Clerou’s father, Joseph Clerou, was a Bakersfield native who played football at Bakersfield High School and Bakersfield College before earning a scholarship to the University of San Francisco. After graduating, he joined the Marine Corps.

“They said all of a sudden, ‘Hey Joe, you’re going to Pendleton and you’re a company commander,’” George Clerou said. “And here he was, a second lieutenant fresh out of Marine Corps boot camp.”

As World War II intensified, Joseph Clerou trained soldiers before deploying to Guadalcanal.

He later traveled to New Zealand, where he helped train members of the Second Marine Division.

In November 1943, he was deployed to Tarawa, one of the bloodiest battles in the Pacific theater.

“He was now a captain in a pioneer battalion handling logistics and supplies, and that was a very heated battle,” George Clerou said.

Joseph Clerou survived several more battles and later served during the Korean War.

By then, he was married with two children, including George.

“He figured, ‘I can’t get shot at again,’” George Clerou said. “Instead of being deployed to Korea, he ended up spending the Korean War in Virginia.”

George Clerou said growing up with a military father came with discipline, but also love and respect.

“He was a colonel in the Marine Corps, so you didn’t want to cross him,” he said. “It was his way or no way, but we all loved him.”

Today, Clerou continues to honor veterans through both the family business and his role on the board of Historic Union Cemetery.

“People don’t understand the sacrifice, or they take that sacrifice for granted,” he said. “I don’t want to forget them. I don’t want to forget any of these headstones. They all have a story.”

Joseph Clerou 1919-2003.

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