Category: CNN Regional

By Maricela De La Cruz

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    CALIFORNIA (KCRA) — Naturalization ceremonies in several U.S. cities have been canceled following a presidential proclamation that pauses immigration applications from 19 countries deemed “high risk,” raising concerns among immigrants about the future of their citizenship applications.

The cancellations follow the shooting of two National Guard members by an Afghan national suspect.

“As part of the process, you have to show that you have been living in the United States for a requisite period of time, that you have sufficient good moral character, and be able to pass a civics and history test or an English test,” explained Brian Lopez, an immigration attorney.

Hugo Vera, another immigration attorney, expressed skepticism about the need for additional vetting, noting that the current process is already stringent.

“The reason that the administration is giving these cancellations of citizenship ceremonies and reviewing permanent residents’ applications is that they need more vetting, but it’s weird, as immigration attorneys know that vetting is already very, very strict,” he said. “It’s very, very difficult, first of all, to become a permanent resident. It’s a 24-page application with a ton of supporting documents, and they take fingerprints and run all sorts of biometrics before someone becomes a permanent resident.”

Last week, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a new vetting center in Atlanta, claiming it has enhanced capabilities to protect national security and ensure public safety. However, this development has caused concern among immigrants awaiting their oath ceremonies, as it raises questions about the future of their cases.

“Technically, until the person has their oath ceremony, then they’re still not a citizen, so up until that point, it’s theoretically possible that immigration can continue to review that application before they allow them to attend an oath ceremony and complete the final step, which would grant them citizenship,” Lopez said.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson stated, “USCIS has paused all adjudications for aliens from high-risk countries while USCIS works to ensure that all aliens from these countries are vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible. The pause will allow for a comprehensive examination of all pending benefit requests for aliens from the designated high-risk countries. The safety of the American people always come first.”

Vera noted that the changes are sparking a large amount of worry.

“I think there’s a tremendous amount of anxiety and worry about what’s next. If our permanent residence is being attacked now, what’s next? Am I going to be put into removal proceedings if I’m from a certain country?” Vera said.

As the situation unfolds, immigrants must wait to see what additional screening measures USCIS will implement under the presidential proclamation, with guidance expected within 90 days.

Amid these developments, Congresswoman Doris Matsui criticized the administration’s actions, stating, “This is the latest escalation of the Trump administration’s xenophobic agenda. Families who have followed every rule are now being thrown into chaos because this Administration has chosen to target entire immigrant communities. It’s cruel and fundamentally un-American.”

She added, “This is the playbook we’ve seen since day one—weaponizing fear, singling out vulnerable communities, and trampling on basic rights. The same discriminatory rhetoric and policies that are currently putting our Afghan neighbors at risk and have led to aggressive raids that terrorize families are now forcing people into confusion and anxiety at the very moment they should be celebrating their citizenship.”

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By Ayron Lewallen

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    HOMEWOOD, Ala. (WVTM) — An Islamic school in Homewood is on high alert after what it calls “misinformation and inflammatory rhetoric” from Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala.

This week, Tuberville appeared on a radio show and spoke against the Islamic Academy of Alabama of Homewood moving to Hoover. Staff, students and parents said his comments left them feeling scared.

Assistant Principal Stacy Abdein said the school hasn’t received any threats at this time, but they’re not taking any chances. Homewood police increased patrols of the school and gave them a dedicated officer.

“Social media has just exploded with negative comments and hateful rhetoric. We’re at a heightened state right now,” Abdein said.

Abdein said people at the school are disappointed by Tuberville’s comments.

“They’re confused and they’re hurt. They don’t understand why anyone thinks negatively about them,” Abdein said.

The administration at the school is pushing back on what they call “misinformation and inflammatory rhetoric” from Tuberville.

The comments come after Tuberville celebrated the Hoover Zoning and Planning Commission denying the school’s proposal to move its campus from Homewood. That was last Monday.

“I’d be very, very interested to see what they teach in this school,” Tuberville said in an interview with Rightside Radio on Monday. “At the end of the day, it doesn’t need to be here. We’re a Judeo-Christian country that believes in God. We believe in the Bible, and our forefathers built it off of that precedent. At the end of the day, we do not want to change.”

During the interview, Tuberville can be heard saying, “If you believe in the Quran and go by Sharia law and want to chant ‘Death to America’ and teach that nonsense in these schools, I don’t want you here … If you want to do it at home, fine. If you want to live here, but as long as you go by our laws and believe in the things that made this country great, I’m all in.”

Abdein told WVTM 13 she wants to be unequivocally clear that she and her staff aren’t teaching any Sharia law or political ideology—and would never do so. She noted the comments are hurtful.

“One of (the comments) is that there are 50 other Islamic countries. Go find another country to have your school in. What country should we go to? You know, this is our home just like it’s anyone else’s home,” Abdein said.

She added, “I think that the response has been indicative of the divisiveness that’s been happening in our country for some time now. I think it’s sad. It’s very sad to see my country in this state. We, like everyone else, pray for our country to be brought together. We pray for unity. We pray for peace.”

Abdein said the school is a “safe space” for everyone. She welcomes anyone to contact the school to set up a tour to find out what it’s really about. She hopes people will come with the right intentions to learn and be open-minded.

You can also learn about the school’s missions and beliefs on the website here.

“The Islamic Academy of Alabama has been dedicated to its students’ success for over 25 years,” according to its website. It received full accreditation from Cognia, the world’s largest international accrediting organization, which means it “meets globally recognized standards.”

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By Brooklyn Joyner

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    JACKSON, Miss. (WAPT) — After making a stop in Jackson, several monks on a “Walk for Peace” spent the night resting at the Pearl soccer fields. Thursday morning they will walk from Pearl through Brandon and head to Pelahatchie.

This is their first “Walk for Peace” in the United States sharing messages of peace and resilience with the community.

“They have sacrificed so much — some of them are out walking in sandals, some of them are walking barefoot — so they are making sacrifices,” said Kiffany Dugger from Batesville.

The monks were warmly welcomed in Jackson, where Mississippians listened intently to their words on the Capitol steps.

“If you can do that every single day, you will have peace for the rest of your life,” they shared.

Kiffany Dugger, who has been following the monks’ journey on social media since they began in Texas in October, expressed how their presence brought her peace.

“When I saw them on TikTok, I immediately had a sense of peace. I’m going through a transition — I just moved from Houston back home to Batesville, Mississippi — so there is a lot that goes along with that,” Dugger said.

While Dugger seeks personal peace, others like Zuley Yepez from Meridian, Mississippi, pray for peace in their communities.

“United States citizens who are of Latino descent… are being persecuted right now because the Supreme Court made a ruling where it’s ok for ICE to profile people who look like me,” Yepez said.

I have seen so many problems in different countries and different corners of the world,” Pannakara said.

Venerable Pannakara, one of the 17 monks, emphasized that peace is not something that can be given but must be found within oneself.

He shared that their cause is worth the sacrifices, even recounting how one monk survived being hit by a car during their journey.

“We suffer because we are not willing to let it go. But now, as Buddhist monks, we practice and understand the reason behind it, so it’s not a problem for us,” Panakarra said.

The monks have also been distributing yellow bracelets symbolizing good luck.

They are resting on the Pearl soccer field until they continue on their journey Thursday morning.

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By Bethany Cates

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    WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WXII) — Jeffery Saunders, a teacher at Main Street Academy, expressed his deep sorrow and concern following the tragic death of his former student Cameron Graham.

“I’m getting all these calls and video feeds of what’s going on, and I had to stop what I was doing to take it all in,” said Saunders.

Saunders said he viewed Graham as a son, someone he’d mentored, leaving him deeply affected by the incident.

“They said we need to talk to you, we need to talk to you, so I pull off to the side, and I look at the messages, and I go no way,” he said.

He emphasized that his role as a teacher extends beyond the classroom to ensure his students’ success.

“He just touched my heart, and he’ll call me. I would take his work on Friday afternoon and bring it back to school. I even graded it for him,” said Saunders, reflecting on his time with Graham.

Saunders said Cameron was one of his success stories.

“Sometimes he’ll stay at my class, if he needed to be at another class, they’ll ask Mr. Saunders can he come to your class, and I’d say send him down,” he said.

Saunders stressed the need for improvements within the community and school district.

“This shouldn’t have happened, you know, we spend money on metal detectors, but I don’t know,” said Saunders.

Saunders said if he was in the hallway during Tuesday’s deadly fight, he would’ve talked to Cameron just as he did any other time.

“I would’ve stopped him, I would have said come here talk to me, what’s going on, why are you in the hallway, where’s your hall pass? ‘” said Saunders. “Do I need to call G-MA and tell her what’s going on? It could’ve been prevented, I know it could’ve.”

But for now, he said he remains steadfast to his commitment to being there for his students, both current and former.

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By Imani Clement, Mary Saladna

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    MEDFORD, Mass. (WCVB) — A norovirus outbreak will keep a Medford, Massachusetts, elementary school closed for a second day on Friday, the city’s school district announced.

According to a statement from Roberts Elementary, there was a large number of stomach illness cases reported at Roberts Elementary School on Wednesday. Classes were canceled for Thursday, and officials announced Thursday afternoon that classes would not be held on Friday.

“Due to a high number of students and staff members continuing to experience symptoms as a result of the suspected spread of Norovirus at the Roberts Elementary School, there will be no school again for students and staff at the Roberts on Friday, Dec. 12. All other schools in the district will have school,” said Will Pipicelli, communications director for Medford Public Schools.

The school said more than 130 students and staff members were absent from class on Wednesday, with more students and staff members reporting upset stomach symptoms while in the school building.

While the building is closed, a professional company will deep-clean the school.

The school’s cafeteria equipment will also be inspected by the Medford Board of Health to rule out other potential causes.

“Often it’s person to person spread, but it can be food borne, and if you have an outbreak this large, you do have to ask yourself, ‘Did a lot of people eat the same thing?'” said Dr. Shira Doran, Tufts chief infection control officer.

The school said it will share plans later in the school year to make up for the canceled days.

Norovirus is a contagious illness that where the affected usually experience sudden symptoms like vomiting. According to the Centers for Disease Control, norovirus is the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea and foodborne illness in the country.

All other schools in the Medford Public Schools district will continue with classes as usual on Thursday.

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By Don Davis

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    ARIZONA (KGUN) — Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued a consumer alert warning that products marketed as kratom or “all‑natural” supplements and sold at gas stations, smoke shops and convenience stores across the state often contain highly concentrated synthetic opioids — including 7‑hydroxymitragynine — and can behave like heroin or morphine.

“These products are really dangerous and basically act like synthetic opioids, and I have already heard from parents whose kids have become addicted to these products sold over the counter across the state,” Mayes said in the announcement. She said some items are being marketed with slang names such as “legal morphine” or “gas station heroin,” and called out brightly colored gummies and candies that appear aimed at teens and young adults.

Arizona was an early adopter of kratom regulation with the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, which bars adulterated products, bans synthetic alkaloids (including synthetic mitragynine and synthetic 7‑hydroxymitragynine) and requires labels to list amounts of mitragynine and 7‑hydroxymitragynine. The law also prohibits sales to anyone under 18 and caps 7‑hydroxymitragynine at no more than 2 percent of a product’s alkaloid composition.

But Mayes said the statute has proven difficult to enforce. Determining whether a product is adulterated or injurious often requires sophisticated laboratory testing and expert testimony — resources most local law enforcement agencies don’t routinely have for misdemeanor cases. “In its current form, Arizona’s kratom law asks prosecutors to clear a high bar just to prove a misdemeanor,” she said.

To address those enforcement gaps, Mayes said she will work with lawmakers when the Legislature meets in January to strengthen the law and give police clearer, more practical tools. She said she will seek bipartisan support to tighten protections and increase penalties for those who sell these products to minors.

The Attorney General’s office urged consumers to be skeptical of products promising quick fixes for pain, anxiety, focus or energy — particularly items labeled vaguely as “all natural,” “dietary supplement,” “kratom blend,” or explicitly as “7‑OH.” Mayes advised avoiding brightly colored candy‑style products, any item boasting “extra strength,” “ultra” or “max” effects without clear ingredient listings, and products sold in nontraditional outlets like gas stations.

Anyone who experiences an adverse reaction after using a kratom or 7‑OH product should seek medical help immediately.

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By Athena Kehoe

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    TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — A highly contagious equine virus is spreading across parts of the country, and Arizona veterinarians are urging horse owners to take extra precautions after four confirmed cases in the state.

Equine Herpesvirus-1, or EHV-1, does not infect humans. But people can unintentionally carry the virus on their clothes, hands or equipment and pass it between horses.

The national outbreak began at equestrian events in Texas and Oklahoma. The Arizona Department of Agriculture says the case detected in Pinal County is not known to be connected to those events. That horse was later euthanized.

Within the Pima Medical Institute’s Veterinary Technician Program, students are learning proper vaccination techniques. They’re learning these techniques at the Therapeutic Ranch for Animals and Kids (TRAK).

“Right in the middle is nice and fleshy where the muscle is, and you can mark your spot with some alcohol there,” Katie Foust, the Program Director explains.

Dr. Ariana Monterosso, a veterinarian working with the program, said EHV-1 can show up in subtle ways.

“Ataxia or a wobbly gait while they’re walking, inability to use their legs appropriately,” are one of the neurological symptoms, she explains.

The virus spreads through both direct horse-to-horse contact and indirect contact with contaminated surfaces.

“It can actually stay in the environment for two days if it’s pretty warm out in the sunlight in shadier areas it can be up to 21 days,” Monterosso explains.

Foust says administering vaccines to horses is different from working with small animals like dogs and cats.

If a horse tests positive, Monterosso says it must be quarantined for at least 28 days.

“If your horses are interacting with other horses outside of your ranch or your property, they’re going to be more susceptible to contracting this,” Monterosso says.

Monterosso encourages owners to monitor their animals closely and keep up with vaccinations.

She also emphasizes the bond between horses and their caretakers.

“I think they’re a really good reflection of us as people and who we are. They’re going to give back to you what you give to them and I think that’s really nice.”

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By Rachael Lardani

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    LOWER SWATARA TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WGAL) — Police are investigating a “slasher incident” in Dauphin County.

According to the Lower Swatara Township Police Department, an aggravated assault involving a razor took place the morning of Thursday, Dec. 4.

The incident involved two people at the bus drop-off and pick-up location on UPS property along North Union Street.

The police department is seeking information from the public regarding the assault. They are also asking for cell phone videos and witnesses of the incident to come forward.

No further information has been released at this time.

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