Category: CNN Regional

By Frankie McLister

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    MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (WCCO) — Since the First Step Act was signed into law in 2018, efforts have been made to reduce the size of federal prisons. Students at St. Thomas School of Law are helping with that effort, assisting prisoners with submitting clemency applications.

“We literally write and produce the clemency application on their behalf, and then we send it to the highest office in the country, which is the president’s office,” said J.D. Candidate Khalil Yasin, who’s currently in the clinic.

At St. Thomas’ downtown Minneapolis campus, students form relationships with those behind bars.

“You’re trying to compartmentalize what they’ve done, which is awful sometimes, from who they are today,” said Yasin.

It’s called the “Federal Commutations Clinic.”

Under the leadership of prominent professor and attorney Mark Osler since 2011, a small group assists inmates across the country in submitting clemency applications. The clinic has a new class of students and criminal convict clients each year.

Once applications are sent to Washington, D.C., clients can wait years to see if their sentences could be reduced.

In 2018, President Trump signed the bipartisan First Step Act into law, helping reduce the size of the federal prison population.

“We don’t represent people claiming their innocence. We do the opposite. We represent people who are honest and say, ‘Hey, I know what I did was wrong,'” said Yasin.

Despite having the goal of practicing transaction law, he says it’s work that will forever change the fabric of his life.

“I wanted to test myself on whether I was able to look at the worst someone has done and their humanity at the same time. It’s humane and the right thing to show mercy. The Constitution is on our side on this one because the Constitution recognizes the mechanics of clemency.”

The University of St. Thomas says in the clinic’s first six years, 105 inmates had been freed through clemency work by Osler, students and alumni.

“People genuinely are not who they were 20 or 30 years later,” Yasin said.

It’s a perspective he says he’s been able to gain.

“We don’t negate what they’ve done, but choose to acknowledge what they’ve become,” said Yasin.

In some cases, students travel to meet the incarcerated individuals. The group has done a lot of work with those who are in Minnesota’s Sandstone Federal Prison.

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 Joe Brandt

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    PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (KYW) — A man was found dead in a car that had been set on fire near Philadelphia International Airport on Sunday morning, police say.

Police, firefighters and medics responded to the fire before 2 a.m. in a parking lot on the 8400 block of Enterprise Avenue.

The car was on fire when police arrived, and crews worked to put the fire out. The man was pronounced dead on the scene.

The Philadelphia Fire Marshal’s Office determined the fire was an arson.

There’s no word on the man’s identity.

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 Joe Brandt

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    PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (KYW) — Philadelphia is preparing to say goodbye to a police officer killed in the line of duty, planning public viewings and a funeral.

Shane Seiber was shot Oct. 10, 2026, near 52nd and Arch streets in West Philadelphia. The shooter is in custody, and Seiber’s partner, officer Hector Rodriguez, is still recovering from his injuries. Sources told CBS News Philadelphia on Friday that Rodriguez is “up and walking.”

A public viewing will be held for Seiber on Monday, Oct. 19, and a funeral is planned for the following day, Tuesday, Oct. 20. Mayor Cherelle Parker and Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel are expected to attend the funeral and take part in a walking procession escorting Seiber’s casket.

Public viewing and funeral information for Philadelphia Police Officer Shane Seiber Seiber’s public viewing is Monday at the Givnish Funeral Home, 10975 Academy Road, Philadelphia.

First at 5 p.m., there will be a Commander’s March from Archbishop Ryan High School to the Givnish Funeral Home.

The viewing begins at 6 p.m. and will last until 9 p.m.

The funeral is Tuesday morning at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul at 18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

At 6 a.m., Parker, Bethel, members of the 19th Police District and other police department leaders will escort Seiber’s casket to the basilica, the department said in a news release.

A second public viewing will be held at the church from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. before a service begins at 11:15 a.m.

At 12 p.m., there will be ceremonial honors including a flyover and an honor guard salute before Seiber is taken to a private interment.

Officer was a veteran, dad of two, gamer Seiber was born in Trenton, New Jersey, and lived in Bucks County and Northeast Philly, according to his obituary.

He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 2006 and served at Dover Air Force Base. He completed two tours of duty in Iraq from 2007 to 2009, then joined PPD in 2016.

Seiber practiced jiu jitsu and was an avid gamer, especially enjoying World of Warcraft.

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 Rob Flaks

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    NEW YORK, New York (WCBS) — As the search continues for a suspect in the deadly shooting inside a New York City subway station, transportation advocates and the MTA are calling for reforms to keep riders safe.

Darrel Rodriguez, 26, of the Bronx, was gunned down in the vicinity of the northbound E train platform at 53rd Street and Seventh Avenue in Manhattan just after 12:20 p.m. on Saturday, following an argument with another man, police said.

Police said the person they are looking for fled on foot and was last seen wearing a red tracksuit, black vest, a backpack, and a black face covering.

Transit advocates are now calling for a ban on face coverings.

“If they are entering the station at the point of sale with the OMNY, they should have to pull down their mask, and at the platform they should have to do the same,” said Charlton D’Souza, founder and president of Passengers United.

The MTA did not make mention of that in its official statement to CBS News New York but did say it supports efforts from state lawmakers to prohibit concealed carrying of firearms within subway stations, subway cars, and MTA buses.

Notably, the state recently passed legislation mandating video cameras on all train cars. The MTA said it is reviewing Saturday’s footage to determine if the shooting happened on the platform or inside of the train car.

The NYPD said there have now been six killings in the subway system this year, compared to four at this time last year. And it has happened despite a record number of gun arrests underground this year.

While some riders feel it’s still safer than during the COVID-19 pandemic, others said they are having second thoughts.

“It worries us, of course, because we all take the train to go to work and the suspect is still on the run,” said Andres Perez, a friend of Saturday’s victim in Midtown. “We’re neighbors. We know each other. It bothers us.”

“It makes you feel unsafe, you know?” another person said.

Perez said he’s confident the NYPD will make an arrest.

“They’ll get him. They’ll get him. I hope they get him,” Perez said.

Anyone with any information on Saturday’s shooting is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can also submit a tip via their website or via DM on Twitter, @NYPDTips. All calls are kept confidential.

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 Christopher Harris

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    COBB COUNTY, Georgia (WUPA) — Six Flags Over Georgia plans to reopen Friday, but its Goliath roller coaster will remain closed as state investigators examine what led to a rider’s death Monday.

Inspection records show the coaster passed its most recent annual inspection in March, though an inspector noted that bushings needed to be replaced. Cobb County officials said Friday they were not announcing any investigative findings and that the state is leading the investigation.

Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, died after being ejected from the ride, according to preliminary information previously released by Cobb County police. Four minors were also taken to hospitals with injuries that were not life-threatening.

Goliath inspection records show passing result Goliath passed its annual state inspection March 16, according to records from the Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner. The report includes the comment, “Need to replace bushings.” Bushings are pieces that help metal parts stay aligned and reduce friction.

The supplied report does not indicate whether those parts were replaced. Investigators have not announced whether the inspection comment has any connection to Monday’s incident.

Commissioner John King’s office previously said the March inspection found no violations, deficiencies or red tags. That inspection is now under a full review as investigators examine evidence, equipment and relevant documents, according to the agency.

The records also show passing inspection results in 2022, 2023 and 2025 with no specific violations. The 2021 inspection found two violations related to the handrails and TVs in the ride queue.

Another inspection in 2019 found four violations involving possible signs of rusting on the underside of the ride’s exit ramp, trees too close to the track, a footer bolt at the coaster’s outside bond area, and an exposed beam on the exit ramp.

Six Flags president outlines reopening and safety procedures In a statement, Six Flags Over Georgia President Richard Pretlow said the park would open as scheduled Friday, Oct. 16. Other rides and attractions scheduled to operate would be available, subject to normal operating conditions and availability.

“As efforts to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident continue, we remain focused on supporting those affected and maintaining the safe operation of our park and attractions,” Pretlow said.

He said the park’s attractions undergo daily, weekly, monthly and annual inspections, and employees receive extensive training to operate and maintain rides.

“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences remain with the individual involved, their family, friends and loved ones,” Pretlow said.

Cobb County officials explain state’s lead role in investigation At Friday’s news conference, Cobb County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Lisa Cupid said officials understood the community’s desire for answers but emphasized that the investigations remain active.

“I also want to be clear about one thing: we are not announcing any investigative findings today,” Cupid said.

Deputy Chief Damon L. Ballard, who leads the Cobb County Police Department’s Special Investigations and Response Division, said county police are assisting state investigators.

“The state is the lead investigators in this case because we don’t have the authority to inspect or investigate machinery at theme parks,” Ballard said.

Ballard said the state’s findings would help determine whether further police investigation or criminal charges are warranted. If there are no criminal charges, he said, police would close their case after the state completes its investigation.

He declined to discuss details of the incident, including what responding officers witnessed, and said Goliath would remain closed until the investigation is complete.

Cupid said the loss had affected Kariem’s family, park visitors, employees and first responders.

“My heart aches for him and his family, who are going through this very terrible time,” she 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 Da Lin

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    SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX) — The final buzzer sounded, and the Oakland Athletic Club erupted. Fans screamed, hugged and exchanged high-fives as the Golden State Valkyries secured a 68-64 victory over the Atlanta Dream in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals.

For the couple hundred fans packed into the watch party, the four-point win was more than a thrilling start to the championship series. It was another milestone for a team that has captured the Bay Area’s imagination in just its second season.

“What I like about the Valkyries is that they never stopped playing no matter what,” said Berlena Gullett, a 69-year-old Oakland resident. “And they always come out on top at the end.”

The Oakland Athletic Club and nearby Xingones were among the popular spots for fans to gather Saturday, drawing supporters from different generations to cheer on the Valkyries.

For Gullett, the team’s success also represents an opportunity to give women’s sports the recognition they deserve.

“It’s important to lift up women’s sports,” she said. “I think a lot of times, we’re an afterthought. All the energy goes towards the men’s sports.”

The atmosphere was filled with excitement as fans rode the emotional swings of a tightly contested game. The Valkyries held off Atlanta to claim their first victory in the franchise’s first WNBA Finals appearance.

Amber Gautam, a Valkyries superfan, said she was not surprised to see the team reach the championship stage.

“I’m not shocked they’ve made it this far,” Gautam said. “They’re such a fun team. They have such a love for each other too, and it makes it so fun to watch for me.”

For longtime supporters, the team’s unexpected rise has made the moment even sweeter.

Cathleen Otvos, an 85-year-old Oakland resident, offered a blunt assessment of the excitement surrounding the team’s playoff run.

“For some of us, it’s better than sex,” Otvos said.

Beyond the basketball, the watch party offered a chance for fans to come together around a shared source of pride at a time when divisions often dominate the public conversation.

“This is what we need. We are living in a very fractured time,” Gullett said. “So anything that brings us together and reminds us that we are more alike than not, it’s a good thing.”

With the Valkyries now one win into the WNBA Finals, Gullett is already looking ahead.

“I believe the Valkyries are going to win the championship,” she 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.