Mom who battled breast cancer while pregnant now advocates for early detection

CNN Newsource on October 15, 2025

By Kelsey Jones

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    NEWPORT NEWS, Virginia (WTKR) — A mother who works at Riverside Cancer Care Center in Newport News battled breast cancer while pregnant. Now, she’s sharing her story during Breast Cancer Awareness Month to encourage other women to prioritize early detection.

Kelsey Halley, now a breast cancer survivor, still gets emotional when reflecting on her diagnosis five years later.

“It’s traumatic to be able to be told that you have cancer and to suddenly have the future and the health you thought you would have taken away,” Halley said.

Halley was 30 and in her third trimester of pregnancy when her world changed in December 2020. As an oncology nurse at Riverside Cancer Care Center, she understood the importance of self-breast examinations. When she felt a lump in her breast, she instantly knew it was something more serious than pregnancy symptoms.

Three days before Christmas, she was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer.

“Everything was suddenly quick acting and they had me see maternal fetal medicine to make sure everything was okay with baby, make sure we were going to make the best option for him,” Halley said.

Despite her high-risk pregnancy due to the cancer diagnosis, Halley was able to deliver a healthy baby boy. According to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, rates of breast cancer in women under 50 are rising quickly, with women under 40 tending to have more aggressive forms. Halley does not have a family history of breast cancer.

“I was very fortunate that my doctors were listening to me and reacting,” Halley said.

Shortly after giving birth, Halley underwent a mastectomy and started chemotherapy. After ringing the bell, she began hormone therapy to ensure the cancer wouldn’t return. She’s now in remission and credits her family and community for getting her through her darkest days.

When asked if there were days she wanted to give up, Halley was honest about the struggle.

“There were plenty of days that I was just tired of it all and overwhelmed,” Halley said.

Through it all, she’s urging women not to ignore potential cancer symptoms.

“It’s better to say something and have a test come back negative than to not say anything at all and then suddenly the cancer is everywhere,” Halley said.

Her message serves as a reminder that early detection can save lives, making her an advocate not only for herself but for others diagnosed with breast cancer.

Halley is looking forward to walking in this year’s “Making Strides of Peninsula Walk 2025.” The event is Oct. 19 at Newport News Park from noon to 3 p.m., and she encourages survivors, advocates and caregivers to come out.

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Firefighter reunited with premature son after near death house fire

CNN Newsource on October 15, 2025

By S.E. Jenkins

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    FORT WORTH, Texas (KTVT) — Home together at last. A Fort Worth firefighter who nearly died in the line of duty is home with his premature son.

While Caleb Halvorson was at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, fighting to survive after an engulfed garage roof collapsed on him last month, his son, Hudson, was in a NICU.

Trapped under a burning, collapsed roof and pulled from debris Just over a month ago, Caleb Halvorson was trapped under a collapsed garage roof while fighting a fire on South Williams Street in Fort Worth’s historic Southside neighborhood. A mayday call went out — every firefighter’s worst fear.

He was trapped for nearly two minutes before his crew pulled him from the debris. Since then, the road to recovery has been long, with multiple skin grafts, infections and burns deeper than doctors initially thought.

Motivated by newborn in NICU Through it all, his greatest motivation, his newborn son, was waiting for him. Baby Hudson was born 13 weeks early, weighing only 1 pound and 9 ounces.

Hudson spent nearly four months in the NICU.

On Monday, the two fighters reunited at home.

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Applebee’s server named Everyday Hero after saving choking customer’s life with quick thinking

CNN Newsource on October 15, 2025

By Erin Miller

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    CHESAPEAKE, Virginia (WTKR) — A server at Applebee’s on Sam’s Circle in Chesapeake became a hero when he saved a choking customer’s life during what was supposed to be a birthday dinner celebration.

Harvey Miller had only been working at the restaurant for a couple of weeks when the emergency unfolded on a Sunday evening. A customer enjoying her steak dinner suddenly began choking, and the bartender quickly alerted the rest of the staff.

“One of our patrons was enjoying a lovely steak, and she got it lodged in her throat, and the bartender summoned us in the kitchen that there was somebody choking,” Miller said.

Without hesitation, Miller sprang into action, drawing on years of experience as a Boy Scout and later as a Boy Scout leader.

“Fortunately, I was a Boy Scout most of my life, and a Boy Scout leader after that. So, it was an easy fix. It was easy to come to the rescue to help her,” Miller said.

He said he didn’t think twice about helping. He immediately approached the customer, asked if she was choking, and when she confirmed she was, he performed abdominal thrusts that successfully dislodged the food.

“I just, I hopped to it. It was no thought at all. You know, we knew she was choking. You always ask the first question, can you breathe? Are you choking?’ She acknowledged she was and then I grabbed her and was able to give her some, some thrust in her abdomen, and fortunately, it came right out,” Miller said.

The customer Miller saved was Deborah Goldsmith, who was celebrating a birthday dinner with her fiancé that evening. Goldsmith reached out to News 3 that night to share Miller’s heroic actions.

During a surprise reunion arranged by News 3, Goldsmith met Miller properly for the first time since the incident.

“I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to even learn your name that day. I’m Harvey,” Miller said.

“Hi Harvey, Thank you so much. You just don’t know a blessing,” Goldsmith replied.

“Oh, my goodness, I couldn’t have been here today. So, thank you. You just saved my life. That’s what you did. I appreciate everything I really do,” Goldsmith said.

Miller received News 3’s Everyday Hero Award and a $300 Visa gift card from partner Southern Bank for his quick thinking and life-saving actions.

Miller credits his Boy Scout background for preparing him for the emergency and encourages others to learn similar skills.

“I would advocate for the Boy Scouts. I would advocate for First Aid, CPR, and just being around some positive people like my family here at Applebee’s,” Miller said.

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

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Police arrest pit bull owner and boyfriend in connection to dog park attack

CNN Newsource on October 15, 2025

By Julia Falcon

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    Texas (KTVT) — A woman whose pit bull allegedly attacked a 47-year-old woman at a Lake Worth dog park last week was arrested early this morning, according to police.

Autumn Billings was arrested around 3 a.m. Wednesday in Lake Worth. Her boyfriend, 51-year-old Rhimmain Little, was also arrested and charged with hindering apprehension or prosecutor known felon, police said.

The attack on Wednesday left the victim bleeding from both arms, her leg, and her right side, police said. Billings is being charged with attack by dog causing serious bodily injury, a felony.

“I realize these arrests will not heal any physical wounds, but I pray it brings a subtle sense of relief and closure for the victim and her family,” a Lake Worth police spokesperson said.

Victim hospitalized in serious condition The victim, who called 911 after the attack, was taken to a hospital in stable but serious condition after initially receiving aid from officers before medical personnel arrived, police said.

On Sunday, Lake Worth police said the dog was located and safely secured at the Lake Worth Animal Shelter, voluntarily surrendered by the suspect’s boyfriend. Police said Billings’ boyfriend did not disclose her whereabouts.

Police initially said the pit bull’s owner was possibly a homeless woman who fled the scene before officers could identify her. Officers had unknowingly interacted with the suspect before hearing the victim’s screams.

“Because they feared for the victim’s safety and did not know the suspect or her dog was involved at the time, they immediately left to assist the victim,” Lake Worth police said in a news release. “When they returned after obtaining more information, the suspect was gone.”

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Woman charged with murder in her mother’s death told officers she is “God”

CNN Newsource on October 15, 2025

By Paula Wethington

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    Michigan (WWJ) — An Ohio woman has been charged with homicide and felony firearms in the shooting death of her mother on Oct. 5 in Southfield, Michigan.

Southfield Chief of Police Elvin V. Barren said Tuesday that Ada Mae Simmons-Jones, 45, was found fatally wounded in her home on the evening of Oct. 5 in the 18000 block of Bainbridge Drive in Southfield.

Barren said the victim’s 3-year-old grandchild and a 77-year-old woman were also at home at the time of the alleged murder. He said that while she was being arrested, she “referred to herself as God.” He added, “This homicide, this murder, was premeditated.”

Barren said Riley Donaldson, 22, of Cincinnati, Ohio, was taken into custody on Oct. 6 in the parking lot of a CVS store in Detroit. An arraignment hearing took place Oct. 10 in 46th District Court, court records show. She is being held without bond. A probable cause conference is scheduled for Oct. 22. First-degree murder is punishable by life in prison without parole.

“Ada Mae Simmons-Jones’ death is a tragedy,” Prosecutor Karen D. McDonald said about the case. “While nothing can bring her back or repair the loss for her loved ones, we will fight to get her justice.”

In a press conference Tuesday, Barren provided security video that included a timestamp of a car driving up to the home that night and leaving shortly afterward, along with bodycam footage of the arrest taking place.

“In a hurry to flee the scene, our suspect left her purse behind, which contained identifying items,” Barren said.

Barren said Donaldson is also believed to have driven the night of the shooting to Lake Township, Ohio, which is near Toledo, but was found in Detroit the following day.

Three men who were in a car with Donaldson when she was arrested in the drugstore parking lot have been released, police said.

“Those three men did not have anything to do with the homicide,” Barren said.

Investigators say the dispute between Donaldson and Simmons-Jones appears to be over the custody of the 3-year-old girl, who is Donaldson’s daughter but was under the care of Simmons-Jones. The girl is now in the custody and care of a grandfather, Barren said.

“Our condolences to the family,” he said. “In essence, they have lost two people.”

Donaldson does not have a prior criminal history, the chief said.

“We are not going to let anyone use mental health as an escape,” Barren said. “There is a process with that where the judge will decide.”

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Driver ejected as vehicle slams into home in Detroit

CNN on October 15, 2025


WWJ

By Paula Wethington

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    DETROIT, Michigan (WWJ) — A vehicle crashed sideways into a house on Roselawn Street in Detroit, resulting in injuries to the driver, but not to anyone inside the house.

Detroit police said the man who was driving the 2015 Ford Taurus lost control of the vehicle leading up to the crash at 3:20 a.m. Wednesday. The driver was thrown out of the vehicle during the crash into the home, police said. He was taken to DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital and reported to be in stable condition.

Although there were two people inside the home, neither of them was injured, police said.

Jordan Burrows contributed to this report.

Jackie Jackson said she and her daughter were sleeping in their bedrooms at the time, and the noise of the crash woke her up. She went to see what happened and discovered the car driver on the floor of their living room.

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Driver ejected as vehicle slams into home in Detroit

CNN Newsource on October 15, 2025

By Paula Wethington

Click here for updates on this story

    DETROIT, Michigan (WWJ) — A vehicle crashed sideways into a house on Roselawn Street in Detroit, resulting in injuries to the driver, but not to anyone inside the house.

Detroit police said the man who was driving the 2015 Ford Taurus lost control of the vehicle leading up to the crash at 3:20 a.m. Wednesday. The driver was thrown out of the vehicle during the crash into the home, police said. He was taken to DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital and reported to be in stable condition.

Although there were two people inside the home, neither of them was injured, police said.

Jordan Burrows contributed to this report.

Jackie Jackson said she and her daughter were sleeping in their bedrooms at the time, and the noise of the crash woke her up. She went to see what happened and discovered the car driver on the floor of their living room.

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Meet the Minneapolis Fire Department’s first all-Indigenous crew

CNN Newsource on October 15, 2025

By Reg Chapman

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    MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (WCCO) — The Minneapolis Fire Department is making history with the first all-Indigenous fire crew.

For the past six months, a crew of four has manned Engine 10 in Fire House No. 6 in Minneapolis.

Captain Michael Graves, fire motor operator Jessie Strong, and firefighters Johnny Crow and Bobby Headbird make up Minneapolis’ first all-Indigenous fire crew.

“We picked Engine 10, Station 6 to kind of be close to Little Earth and Franklin community where it’s mostly, and it’s highly dense population of Natives in that area,” said Graves.

All the firefighters represent different Nations: Graves from Red Lake, Headbird from Leech Lake and Strong from the Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe.

“I’m from Pine Ridge, I’m Oglala Lakota,” said Crow.

They’re proud to serve the community that raised them.

“All of us come here from the community, our families are here, our friends are here, we’re from the city of Minneapolis and we’re trying to give back to the community that has given us a lot,” said Crow.

The crew’s chemistry was instant. Their goals were the same: to inspire kids and adults in the Indigenous community.

“When we come on scene, we get smiles, people see us, they go ‘What? We have an all-Native crew?’ They are amazed at seeing it,” said Graves.

Station 6 is the busiest in the city. The rig and its Native crew make dozens of runs a day.

“We enjoy this, we enjoy taking runs. We enjoy helping so we take a lot of pride in being busy,” said Crow.

With frequent calls comes exposure to what’s hurting their community. Poverty, drug use and violence makes for a constant fight to steer young people in another direction.

“We’re kind of making a new path for our community and I think that’s why we are received really well by the community here because they understand the importance of where we are at in our position and it gives hope to the next generation,” said Crow.

They want their service to be an example to all who see them or are helped by them.

“Without the community, we don’t have a job, so we are here for them, the community, and we really appreciate going out into the Native community and supporting them,” said Headbird.

Battalion Chief Steph Johnson is also Native. The goal of the Minneapolis Fire Department is to have its roster reflect the city’s diversity.

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Therapy dogs offer solace after deadly Michigan church attack

CNN Newsource on October 15, 2025

By Melea VanOstrand

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    INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A team from central Indiana has returned home after helping a Michigan community heal from a tragic church attack.

The team included two comfort dogs that helped people heal.

The dogs spent several days offering emotional support to survivors and first responders after the deadly church shooting in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan. Four people died and eight others were wounded in the Sunday attack just as services were underway in the crowded sanctuary.

The dogs’ handlers say the canines have a way of bringing peace where words often fall short.

Two of the six comfort dogs, Magdalene and Eternity, traveled to help people cope after the Sept. 28 attack. A former Marine drove a pickup into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, fired shots, and set the church on fire.

Suzanne Ward was one Eternity’s handlers and went on the weeklong trip to Michigan. One of the moments that stuck out to her was at the coroner’s office, when an employee came in on her day off for comfort Ward said, “One of the dogs just noticed that she was just really hurting and just went over and just buried her head in this lady’s lap, and the lady just hugged on this dog for a good 30 minutes.”

Ward says the woman personally knew the gunman and had a lot of angst to relieve.

Lutheran Church Charities runs the Comfort Dog Ministry, a national program to connect trained therapy dogs with people in crisis. Dog Magdalene has been serving at Cornerstone Lutheran Church in Carmel since 2023, and Eternity just joined the team in September.

Judy Callahan, director of development and top dog at Cornerstone Lutheran Church, said about the dogs, “They provide comfort to those who are hurting, and or grieving and under stress.”

The golden retrievers work six days a week serving central Indiana and visit places including nursing homes, hospitals, recovery and foster care agencies, schools, and anywhere where tragedy is.

Callahan said, “The dogs have over 2,000 hours of training before we get trained to handle them, but there is ongoing training with them. We have 14 handlers for the two dogs right now.”

Max Murphy, Carmel site pastor and pastor of care for Cornerstone Lutheran Church, says the Comfort Dog Ministry started just a few years ago. He’s glad it’s now grown to a team of 45 people who work with the dogs in the community. “I have just been amazed at how we’re able to share the love of God through this ministry. It’s become so much more than I realized it could be.”

Nicole Lewis, the dogs’ primary caregiver, said, “They like to play and run around, so when they’re not working they get to be real dogs and have fun together which is really fun to see.”

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Largest cocaine cache in 3 years seized in traffic stop

CNN Newsource on October 15, 2025

By Cat Sandoval

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    WHITESTOWN, Indiana (WISH) — A routine traffic stop became a huge drug bust, police say.

Whitestown Metropolitan Police Department said on Tuesday that it confiscated 24.5 pounds of cocaine worth nearly $200,000. Ten large, silver-wrapped packages were inside a duffel bag at the back of the car of Tionia Britany Miles, 36.

Police Capt. John Jurkash said it’s the largest quantity of narcotics the department has confiscated not just this year, but in the past three years.

The traffic stop turned drug bust happened about 8:30 p.m. Monday on southbound I-65 near the Whitestown exit for Boone County Road 550 South.

Jurkash said, “This was overnight shift, so while people were maybe watching ‘Monday Night Football’ or tucking their kids in for the night, our guys were out looking for criminals and criminal activity. This is a pretty significant one that I just hope the community sees and appreciates the hard work and dedication that our officers are putting in.”

Initially, officers detected a strong odor of marijuana, which led them to search the rest of the vehicle. Indiana is one of four U.S. states where marijuana is illegal. A police dog named K9 Jeter assisted with the arrest.

The police captain said, “This is a testament to how hard those handlers work with their partners and just how great an asset police K9s are.”

The department’s three police dogs and their handlers have made 104 narcotics busts since the start of 2025.

Jurkash said 1 in every 11 arrests in Whitestown is drug-related. The majority of drugs they confiscate are marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin. Jurkash said the department is committed to combating drug trafficking and keeping dangerous substances off roadways and out of the community.

“This very directly could have hit close to home if the drugs were headed to Indianapolis to be distributed. We don’t know that at this time, but Indianapolis is a local nearby city that’s 10-15 minutes south of us.”

Miles on Tuesday night was in Boone County Jail. The Indianapolis resident faces preliminary felony charges for dealing cocaine. Online court records on Tuesday night did not yet show a case filed against Miles.

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