Category: CNN Regional

By Jack Watson

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    CATONSVILLE, Maryland (WMAR) — Tom Pless spent more than 40 years teaching in Baltimore County. Now, he runs a metal radio station from his basement, which he says reaches a quarter million listeners worldwide.

Pless has a man cave most can only dream of; basement jam sessions are next-level. For thousands of followers across several platforms, he runs 97 Underground.

Pless taught at Dundalk High School for 42 years, where the origin story of 97 Underground begins: broadcasting on FM radio waves.

“My students, because I taught there for many years, decided we wanted to go and put up a radio station in-house,” Pless recalled.

Around the rise of grunge in the 1990s, the Underground left traditional airwaves. It found a new home on the internet, and it’s still rocking today from his home.

“I’m excited about it. It just continues to go. The legacy goes with it. I could write a book if I had time to put all the ideas together, but it’s been really fun,” Pless said.

DJs, many of whom worked for the old station, send in their work. The station does play old school metal, but also gives a boost to newer artists; playing at local venues makes for quite the community-builder in Music City Maryland.

“I just think [Catonsville is] a nice little place to involve yourself in. We have a lot of local bands in the area that play the kind of genre we have, and I’m here to support and interview them and try to give them some credence to what they do,” Pless said.

You can find O’s gear and movie posters in thousands of Maryland basements, but you won’t find the subterranean community Pless has built.

“I’m not a young man anymore, and I’ll go as long as it takes for me to continue to enjoy it. When it stops being fun, then it’s over,” he concluded.

“But I don’t think that’s ever going to stop being fun,” he laughed.

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 Nick Sloan

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    KANSAS CITY, Missouri (KMBC) — Kansas City has played a starring role in the return of “Ted Lasso,” but one local landmark featured in the show is already seeing the impact beyond the screen.

The Season 4 premiere took viewers across the Kansas City metro, highlighting familiar locations including the Country Club Plaza, CPKC Stadium and spots in Blue Springs and Lee’s Summit.

But the episode also spent time inside the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, using the Kansas City institution to introduce viewers around the world to the history of the Negro Leagues and one of baseball’s most legendary pitchers, Leroy “Satchel” Paige.

Nearly two weeks after the episode debuted, museum President Bob Kendrick said the response has been noticeable.

“We have just been flooded with folks, local folks who are fans of Lasso, who saw the museum featured in the show, and that prompted them to come and visit the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum,” Kendrick told KMBC photojournalist Eddy Lozano.

The interest isn’t limited to people walking through the museum’s doors.

Google Search trends indicate searches related to Paige and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum have increased by more than 5,000% compared with the same period last year.

For Kendrick, it demonstrates both the enormous reach of “Ted Lasso” and what can happen when Kansas City’s history is introduced to an audience that may have never encountered it before.

“Whatever it takes,” Kendrick said of bringing new visitors to the museum. “But it also speaks to how big that show is.”

Kendrick credited “Ted Lasso” star and co-creator Jason Sudeikis, a Kansas City-area native, with giving the museum and its history special attention in the episode.

Kendrick was there when the scenes were filmed nearly a year ago, but he said seeing the finished product still caught him by surprise.

“When I saw it in the show, it was a little emotional for me as well,” Kendrick said.

Kendrick credited the episode for capturing the feeling the museum represents while introducing a new generation and audience to Paige.

Paige was one of the most celebrated players in the Negro League’s history and lived in Kansas City.

“The thought, the care, the concern that he gave this piece of history. I thought it came out beautifully,” Kendrick said.

Kendrick believes another wave of fans could come through following the Kansas City metro fans who stopped by after watching the show.

“I think not only will we see more local folks come, we will see people from internationally who will now plan a visit because they saw the museum in Ted Lasso,” Kendrick 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 Kurt Knue

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    MASON, Ohio (WLWT) — Even at the Cincinnati Open, dogs have managed to find a way into our hearts.

No matter where you looked on the Lindner Family Tennis Center grounds over the past two weeks, there were no lack of puppies, hounds, and pooches to be seen out and about.

Penelope, a volunteer service dog recruited to assist this year at the Open, was among the many who had been a fixture on the tournament grounds over the past two weeks. In the process, she would unexpectedly end up meeting many of tennis’s biggest stars.

This includes Penelope getting belly rubs from Jessica Pegula, playing fetch with Coco Gauff, and posing for pictures with Madeira native Caty McNally.

Penelope’s owner, Timothy Finke, says that he’s glad to see the smiles that Penelope brings to the players and tennis fans who have come to Cincinnati from all around the world.

“She’s played fetch with Leylah Fernandez, Coco Gauff, Caty McNally, all kinds of players,” said Finke. “Sascha Zverev, the first day that we were here, was practicing and came over and loved on her for about 20 minutes and gave her six tennis balls. So we have a collection of about, probably 40 tennis balls.”

Penelope has even met some of the players’ famous dogs of their own: As she beat Serena and Venus Williams in doubles tennis this week, Marta Kostyuk was among those who met Penelope with her own dog, Mander, by her side.

Meanwhile, Kostyuk’s doubles teammate, Mason native Peyton Stearns, also drew notice for frequently having her own dog, Pebbles, by her side throughout the tournament, while also giving interviews with her in her lap.

Elsewhere, Xinyu Wang’s dog, Beita, was spotted on the Lindner Family Tennis Center grounds as she practiced for her matches, with China’s top-ranked professional tennis player also eventually getting to be among the many to meet Penelope for herself.

While the Cincinnati Open may be coming to an end on Sunday as the annual tennis season moves onto its next leg, the numerous dogs like Penelope who served as a fixture on its ground undoubtedly will live on as simple source of joy in the hearts and minds of players when they think back on the memories that were made at this year’s tournament by simply doing what they do best: being man’s best friend.

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 Web Staff , Anthony Sabella

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    NORFOLK, Virginia (WTKR) — The Virginia Stage Company is now assessing damage and beginning cleanup after Thursday’s severe rain caused damage to Wells Theatre.

Water poured through parts of the ceiling during the storm, causing ceiling tiles to fall and damage the building, according to VSC. The video released by the company — seen below — shows some of the damage.

“Virginia Stage Company crew and staff worked throughout the incident to contain the water, protect the theatre and its equipment, and begin cleanup efforts,” the theatre company said in a release.

News 3 visited the theatre Friday afternoon and was told damage assessment is still happening. Company staff say they believe standing water had pooled on the roof and weakened the structure. A restoration company was seen working in the building and News 3 was told the roof is being looked at.

Saturday performances have been canceled, but VSC says upcoming performances of ‘Come From Away’ scheduled to run from September 2-20 are slated to move forward. If impacted, ticket holders will be contacted by the Virginia State Company with any information.

“Virginia Stage Company has received an extraordinary outpouring of messages, well wishes and offers of assistance from throughout the Hampton Roads community. The organization is grateful for the support and is continuing to assess the damage before determining what additional assistance may be needed,” the company 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 Ja Nai Wright

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    ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, Maryland (WMAR) — Joseph and Benjamin Toms were visiting their father’s home when a massive explosion collapsed their neighbor’s house. The brothers rushed over without hesitation, pulling the victims from the debris before first responders arrived.

Benjamin Toms said he and his brother felt the blast before they even knew what had happened.

“We just all of a sudden felt this like, huge shake and a huge boom, and the whole house rattled, and we all were kind of like, what the hell was that,” Benjamin said.

The brothers ran outside and saw their neighbors’ house had collapsed from an explosion. Joseph Toms, a Navy corpsman, said he immediately spotted a survivor and sprang into action.

“I ran. I saw feet. I yelled at him, and I’m in the Navy; this is stuff I am trained to do as a Navy corpsman. He is a teacher, so he didn’t hesitate, and I am so proud of him, and other people were hesitant to come in. I yelled, ‘We have a light pulse,’ we saw her feet. We both grabbed part of the roof and lifted it up. We started to try to get her out, and then finally two other neighbors rushed in, and they helped us lift it up, get her out, and that’s when the first responders came in,” Joseph said.

Fire officials made multiple attempts to save 76-year-old Linda Synowcynski’s life, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

After pulling Linda from the rubble, the brothers shifted their focus to finding her husband, Stan Synowcynski.

“As soon as the police officers showed up, they started CPR on Mrs. Linda. We were able to shift focus. Myself, Ben, and another neighbor, we jumped in the rubble. We started looking for Stan; we were calling out for him. It took a few minutes, but we finally heard after like three or four minutes; he must have come to, his voice,” Joseph said.

Fire officials were able to get Stan out of the rubble. He was airlifted to Bayview Burn Center and remains in critical condition.

Benjamin said that even in shock, he knew helping was the right thing to do.

“If my family were ever in a situation like that, I would hope neighbors would do the same thing,” Benjamin said.

The brothers said they were only in town for Benjamin’s wedding this weekend, but they are grateful they were at their father’s house when the explosion happened so they could help.

Portions of Green Holly Drive remain closed as the investigation into the explosion remains ongoing.

Authorities say there is no threat to the community and the scene is expected to remain active.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. WMAR 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 Karolina Buczek

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    FRANKFORT, Kentucky (WLEX) — Kentucky lawmakers honored a 12-year-old Lexington boy who saved a man from drowning earlier this summer.

Avory Woolery received a citation of achievement from the Kentucky House of Representatives on Wednesday and met with the governor to celebrate his heroic actions.

LEX News first introduced Woolery at the beginning of July, when he jumped into a pool at his apartment complex and saved a man from drowning without any hesitation.

“He was drowning, and I’m not going to let somebody drown,” Woolery previously told LEX News.

Since then, Woolery has started a brand new school year — and his classmates have already heard about what he did.

“At school [I’m] overwhelmed. I’m getting bombarded with questions,” he said.

At the award ceremony, lawmakers told Woolery they hope his action inspires others.

“We hope somebody out there will see this and they’ll think when they’re in the same situation to be a little bit more like Avory,” Rep. Chad Aull said.

Woolery said the path to doing that is simple.

“Try and be the best person you can be whenever someone is in danger or someone just needs a friend,” Woolery 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 Carlee Hogsten

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    JESSAMINE COUNTY, Kentucky (WLEX) — Four World War II veterans are celebrating milestone birthdays this year, and Wilmore leaders are asking the community to help honor them with birthday cards.

Thomson-Hood Veterans Center and Wilmore Mayor Harold Rainwater are collecting cards for the veterans — with a goal of collecting enough to match each veteran’s age. Cards can be sent to Wilmore City Hall at 210 South Lexington Avenue, Wilmore, KY 40390.

“It’s very important to hear their stories. It’s important to honor them. It’s important that they feel appreciated,” Rainwater said.

With only about 500 World War II veterans remaining in Kentucky, each one holds special significance.

“There’s so few of them, and I think there’s still nine in this facility,” Rainwater said.

The first veteran celebrating a 100th birthday is Glenn Cummins, who served in the Philippines during World War II and later as a paratrooper in Japan.

“I stayed there a year. Where the temperature is 110, and it’s misery,” Cummins said.

Vincent Gualliardo is turning 101. He served four years in the Navy and was sent to Japan after the war.

“The secrets of life is, well, you always try to help the other person,” Gualliardo said.

Ronald Grimes is also turning 100. He volunteered for the Army, knowing he would likely be drafted anyway.

“Well, they were taking everybody if they could breathe,” Grimes said.

While Cummins, Gualliardo and Grimes live at Thomson-Hood, the celebration also extends to Corbin, where 103-year-old Paul Jones is also waiting for cards.

Sam Hutchinson, administrator at Thomson-Hood, said cards will be distributed to each veteran on their birthday.

“Send it to the Wilmore City Hall, and we’re going to disperse those to each veteran on their 100th birthday to make sure that they know that the country still remembers them,” Hutchinson 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.