Category: CNN Regional

By Chanteé Lans

Click here for updates on this story

    NEW YORK (WABC) — It’s Black History Month and a powerful piece of American music is finally reclaiming its place in the spotlight.

Nearly a century ago, composer and choir director William Levi Dawson made history when his Negro Folk Symphony premiered at Carnegie Hall – a rare honor for a Black composer at the time.

Though widely praised, the work was soon forgotten and went unheard for decades – until now.

“Last year April 2025 was the first time that William Levi Dawson’s work, the Negro Folk Symphony, was performed again at Carnegie,” said composer and performer Damien Sneed.

Negro Folk Symphony’s debut by the Philadelphia Orchestra in Pennsylvania and at Carnegie Hall in 1934 made Dawson the third African American composer whose symphony was premiered by a major American orchestra.

The music draws deeply from African American spirituals like the bond of Africa – offering a profound musical reflection of the Black experience in America.

“I was whisked transcendently into a place of seeing people having to work under harsh conditions,” Sneed said.

Sneed, who is also a professor at Howard University and Juilliard, was with the Gateways Festival Orchestra last year that brought back Dawson’s work to Carnegie’s main stage after nearly a century.

“It was incredible, 96 musicians of color on one stage, it was just powerful,” Sneed said.

That was last April, but this year during Black History Month, the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra will perform at Carnegie Hall.

In 2003, Billy Hunter Jr. became the first Black Principal Trumpet of the Met Opera and of any major U.S. orchestra.

“I think it says volumes,” he said. “But it’s not just music right, I think it’s in all aspects of society, systemic racism.”

Like Dawson, the Met Orchestra’s Sasha Romero is a trombonist.

“It’s nice to feel connected to a bit of Black history as a mixed-race person,” Romero said. “I particularly feel the lost history that my mother’s ancestors have from slavery.”

It’s a cultural work that transcends through time.

“I think we have a responsibility and a duty to make sure that his voice is never lost,” Sneed 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 Jaysha Patel, WABC Staff

Click here for updates on this story

    NEW YORK (WABC) — A father in Queens claims he was drunk when his 2-year-old son was beaten so badly that he ended up on life support in the hospital.

Dayvon Morrison, 30, was arraigned on attempted murder and assault charges Wednesday morning. He was ordered held without bail.

Morrison apparently said he was drunk, and when he woke up, he saw “multiple bruises on the victim’s face but did not seek medical attention at that time.”

He said, “he must have hit the victim but doesn’t remember because he was intoxicated.”

The beating is alleged to have occurred inside the Manhattan View Hotel, which is now operating as a shelter, sometime on Friday night.

Instead of going to get his son help, Morrison allegedly took the child in a stroller to East Harlem Saturday morning.

The boy did not get medical care until early Monday morning.

Police responded to a 911 call near East 102nd Street and Third Avenue on Monday at around 3 a.m. and found the boy with severe head trauma.

The victim is on a ventilator with a “blown right pupil, fractured pelvis, laceration to the liver, damage to the brain stem, multiple brain bleeds and swelling to the brain, among other injuries.”

The boy’s mother posted on social media asking for prayers: “My baby is fighting for his life in the ICU please, I can’t do anything but pray.”

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 Forrest Sanders

Click here for updates on this story

    NASHVILLE (WTVF) — An organization that works to find homes for children in the foster care system is sharing a certain need. They’re looking for parents to foster or adopt siblings. For many reasons, those siblings can be separated in the foster care system.

This is the story of one couple who answered call.

A crowd gathered in a hallway at the Rutherford County Judicial Center. At the center of the crowd was Larry and Tammy Pointer. They go by Mrs. Tammy and Mr. Larry.

This was not what a family reunion usually looks like.

“A lot different!” Mr. Larry laughed. “Ribs, steaks, chicken, hamburgers, hotdogs.”

Those reunions are usually in a backyard. The best part? Someone other than Mr. Larry works the grill.

“I’m at my seat sitting down!” he laughed. “I earned that privilege!”

Even still, this was a family reunion and one where the family was growing.

I need to share a few things that led us here.

Mr. Larry and Mrs. Tammy met while they were both bus drivers for metro schools.

“Did you know Mrs. Tammy was the one?” I asked.

“Not really, I didn’t,” Mr. Larry said as both he and Mrs. Tammy laughed. “I didn’t, not at first.”

The two later hit it off and married with a certain shared care for children.

“Being a school bus driver, and having 70 kids on one bus at a time without a monitor, I knew how kids act,” Mrs. Tammy explained.

They ended up fostering 20 children.

Over at Youth Villages, foster care assistant director Claire Moses said there is always a hope they can keep siblings together who are in the foster care system.

“We have homes that are sometimes divided by gender, so like a boy home or a girl home,” she explained. “Sometimes when siblings are removed from a home, the siblings they have are some of the most important people in their life. We want them to keep that relationship and live with one another, because they have such a shared experience.”

With that in mind, Mrs. Tammy and Mr. Larry lead a huge group of family and friends into a courtroom.

A brother and sister can’t appear on camera or be named out of a request for privacy by the family. They were being adopted together by Mrs. Tammy and Mr. Larry.

“It’s a wonderful feeling,” Mrs. Tammy nodded. “We know we have a village out here, and we’re not in this alone to have all our family.”

“I’m in awe of individuals that have stepped up to help,” the judge told Mrs. Tammy and Mr. Larry. “It takes special people, and you are special. It is selfless. It is such a selfless act, and this court really, really appreciates it. The court hereby grants this adoption. Congratulations.”

It wasn’t a cookout, but this was a family gathering to remember forever.

“We can love on each other and learn how to grow together,” said Mrs. Tammy.

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 Kayla McDermott

Click here for updates on this story

    LAKE WORTH BEACH, Florida (WPTV) — Florida will join just two other states in restricting driver’s license exams to English only, with the change taking effect Friday.

The Florida Department of Motor Vehicles announced the policy change with less than a week’s notice, prompting a rush of people seeking to take their driving tests in languages other than English before the Feb. 6 deadline.

“We’ve been getting tons and tons of phone calls,” said Felix Ortiz, owner of U-Drive It Driving School in Lake Worth Beach. “It’s gone up to about 20 to 30 people a day.”

Tamia Morales, who was studying at the driving school ahead of the deadline, said the change creates barriers for non-native English speakers.

“I think that’s a barrier for people who don’t fully understand the language,” Morales said in Spanish. “Difficulty arises when there are more complex words or expressions that I can’t understand.”

The DMV said the policy aims to promote clear communication, understanding of traffic laws and responsible driving.

However, Darlyin, another student at U-Drive It, disagreed with the reasoning.

“It’s awful because they’re like, ‘What are they saying? How do I do this?’ and it makes you feel bad,” she said.

Ortiz expressed concern that the language restriction could lead to unintended consequences, noting that road signs rely on shapes and colors that can be understood universally.

“The signs have certain shapes and colors, you know, that can be understood everywhere,” Ortiz said. “My opinion, they’re probably going to drive without a license. That’s my biggest fear.”

He says the driving school will most likely be making changes to the way it educates students come Friday.

“We’re going to try to change curriculums around, try to see how we can aid the public in taking their road tests in English,” he said.

WPTV reached out to Governor Ron DeSantis’ office, asking if this change stems directly from a triple fatal semi-truck crash on the Turnpike last year, where he says the driver could not read or understand English.

His team just provided a social media statement the government made praising the DMV’s decision, emphasizing that people need to know English and understand road signs.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. WPTV 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 Alex Barber

Click here for updates on this story

    GRAYSON COUNTY, Kentucky (WLEX) — Tristan and Taylor Pharis may seem like opposites, but their brotherly connection runs deep.

“I’m the white-collar guy, and he is the blue-collar guy. He is the total opposite. People don’t think we are brothers,” Tristan Pharis said.

Despite their differences, Tristan has nothing but admiration for his brother’s dedication to his wife and three children. This winter, Taylor has been plowing the roads.

“He’s a hustler. He tries to work and make ends meet any way he can,” Tristan said.

The winter of 2026 brought particularly challenging conditions across Kentucky, with repeated cycles of snow, ice, and refreezing creating treacherous road conditions.

“Here it was like snow, then it froze, then it snow, then that frozen, then that melted. It just keeps refreezing,” Tristan said.

On January 28, those dangerous winter conditions changed everything for the Pharis family. Taylor was plowing the Western Kentucky Parkway in Leitchfield when he was involved in a crash with a semi truck. The impact was severe enough that Taylor had to be airlifted to the University of Louisville Hospital Trauma Center with life-threatening injuries.

“He didn’t even see the truck coming. You get a call that he was in a serious accident. If it could been any different. We could have had a wife and three kids without a father,” Tristan said.

Even in his most vulnerable moments, Taylor’s first thoughts weren’t about his own condition but about his family’s future.

“One of his first words when he woke up was he thought he was going to lose his house,” Tristan said.

Taylor has remained hospitalized since the crash but is stable. There is no timeline for when he will be able to return to work and support his family.

The accident has served as a stark reminder of how quickly life can change.

“In a blink of an eye, life can change. It’s said too many of times, but when it hits home. It’s even more true,” Tristan said.

Through this difficult time, the brothers have discovered that their bond has only grown stronger.

“As much as we loved each other before this. It’s obviously when you’re that close to somebody that only makes that bond stronger,” Tristan said.

Tristan has set up a GoFundMe page if you would like to help his family, and a P.O. Box if you would like to write a letter of encouragement. The address is PO Box 87, Leitchfield, KY 42754.

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 Taylor Epps

Click here for updates on this story

    BUFFALO, New York (WKBW) — They’re here, and they’re healthy. The Lottbreins welcomed Holly, Mason, Stefan, Connor and Layla on December 18 at Golisano Children’s Hospital.

“It’s surreal,” said Jessica Lottbrein, mom. “It’s so fun to watch them as individuals and then come together as all five.”

Jessica went into labor a few days earlier, but doctors were able to hold off a few days, and then it was all hands on deck.

“It was like a well-oiled machine; we had everyone that needed to be there from the second they were born, from the time they were stabilized, so each baby had about five team members,” said Dr. Kavya Rao, neonatologist.

They were born between 2:03 and 2:11 am, all breathing well, at around 2 lbs. More than a month later, they’re around 4 lbs.

They are now a family of nine, and the quints have two older sisters, ages 5 and 1, eager to welcome them home.

“You go to a park when they’re a little older, somebody approaches you, ‘Oh, which one’s yours?’ All of them,” said John Lottbrein, dad.

They’ll stay in the NICU until doctors feel they’re strong enough to go home. Until then, the Lottbreins are figuring it all out.

“A lot of it’s just gonna be us navigating and relying on each other to figure it out, that we’re able to come together to support all 7 kids,” said Lottbrein. “People are talking about trying to get a bus for us.”

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 Michael Chen

Click here for updates on this story

    SAN MARCOS, California (KGTV) — A San Marcos woman is recounting her harrowing escape from an apartment fire that damaged two apartment buildings Monday, displacing dozens of residents.

Tania Lezama was sitting on her couch watching TV Monday afternoon when she heard a noise that drew her to her back door. When she opened it, she was met with disbelief.

“I was scared. I tried to do something, but I was frozen,” Lezama said.

The flames left her frozen for a few moments before she called 911. Lezama, who was home alone, says the sight of the fire spreading quickly through her longtime home at the Cactus Garden Apartments sent her racing through the unit.

Lezama’s daughter, Karen, pointed out what remains of a fence that caught fire, which quickly spread into Karen’s bedroom.

“The only thing I see is just the fire is coming inside to the bedroom, and a lot of smoke, and that’s the only thing I see,” Lezama said.

As she ran out barefoot and holding only her keys, half her home was on fire. She left her front door open, hoping her cats would escape.

The three-alarm fire damaged units in two different apartment buildings, displacing more than 24 people.

“Devastated,” Karen said when asked how she feels looking at the damage.

Video shows the aftermath of the fire inside their two-bedroom apartment. Nearly all of their belongings were ruined, including photos of Lezama’s mother, who has passed away.

“My mom had big pictures, and those were the only ones she had of her mom,” Karen said.

Karen says the search for something else priceless — their two cats — has put their recovery on pause.

“They both mean the world to me. They are my children. I’m like a crazy mom right now. I can’t think. I can’t sleep,” Karen said.

As they search for their cats, the family, which did have renters’ insurance, plans to help their neighbors, some of whom did not have insurance. Karen hopes to start fundraisers to help their recovery.

“I don’t know about the future, but we’re going to get through it together,” Karen said.

Fire officials say the fire started outside a unit in Lezama’s apartment complex. The investigation is ongoing.

A GoFundMe campaign has been started to help the Lezama family with their recovery.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. KGTV 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 Michael Chen

Click here for updates on this story

    SAN DIEGO, California (KGTV) — A man who helps maintain the well-known Pride fence in Scripps Ranch narrowly escaped being hit by a car Saturday night in what police are calling a hate crime.

Stephen Gunter was checking on rainbow lights that had been vandalized around 11 p.m. when he noticed a Toyota Prius following him. Cell phone video captured the harrowing moments as the car drove over the curb and directly at Gunter, who jumped over his fence to avoid being struck.

“I don’t know what they’re doing,” Gunter can be heard saying in the video as the car crashes into a succulent plant.

The video shows the car backing up before driving forward again. A large rock stopped the vehicle the second time, allowing Gunter to record the license plate as it drove away.

Gunter said he was on the phone with 911 when the car returned and drove on the curb, narrowly missing him again. The driver then got out of the vehicle.

“Unplugged lights, carried them to the middle of road,” Gunter said, describing how the man made racially offensive gestures and remarks before driving off and running over the lights.

“I was shaking,” Gunter said. “When the car started coming toward me, I knew he wanted to hit me.”

Police arrested 29-year-old Jonathan Parada less than an hour after the attack. He was booked on hate crime and assault charges.

The Pride fence has been targeted more than 20 times since it was first installed. I first reported on the fence in 2022 after it was spray-painted and hit with paint. Over the years, pride flags have been torn, and the fence has been hit with paint, eggs, feces, and more.

“Exhausting, to see the hate,” said Brittany Fuller, Gunter’s partner, during a previous interview about the ongoing vandalism.

This latest incident escalated to violence, leaving tire marks on the sidewalk where the car drove over the curb.

“It just breaks my heart that something that stands for love and acceptance would elicit that kind of violence. It’s really scary,” Gunter said.

Despite the ongoing attacks, Gunter and the Scripps Ranch Pride Council are planning to display several art installations on the fence in the next few months, including a Pride-themed artwork.

The rainbow lights now adorn the fence again after it was temporarily painted over due to a pending home sale that has since been rescinded.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. KGTV 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 Mike Castellucci

Click here for updates on this story

    LAKEWOOD, Colorado (KMGH) — Gordon Close has a museum that no one can see. It’s like tuning a guitar and never hearing the music.

Gordon opened the Melody Music store in Denver in 1973. Seven years ago, he moved locations and turned it into a museum.

“I always called it a mini museum with major memories because it has a lot of memories,” he said.

Like the microphone Elvis used to record his songs.

“When we do tours of the museum, people ask if we can get the spit out of the mics to bring Elvis back,” Gordon said.

But those microphones are not on display; they’re in a box. In fact, his entire museum is in storage, spread throughout the town in several storage units.

His mini museum with major memories closed two months ago.

“We did tours, but we had very poor parking, and the location was difficult. What happened was the landlord decided they needed to make a lot more money out of a museum than what we could afford, and they rented it out from underneath us. We had basically four and a half weeks to move everything out,” Gordon said.

There are only six Gibson Crest guitars in the world, and he owns one.

“Gibson probably doesn’t even know I exist,” he said.

Gordon says the perfect ending to this song would be finding a new building for this one-of-a-kind museum.

“We want a permanent home, a final place. I’m tired of moving all that stuff around. It’s difficult,” he said.

Gordon hopes the case isn’t closed on all that history, and that maybe a beautiful song will come from it.

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.