Category: CNN Regional

By Fernanda Silva

Click here for updates on this story

    KANSAS CITY (KSHB) — Three Argentine cyclists have spent the last nine months biking more than 10,000 miles through 17 countries — all to watch their national team play in Kansas City.

Vicente Conculini, 29, Miguel Silio, 56, and Yamundu Martínez, 49, left their hometown of Gualeguaychu, Argentina, in August. They are now in Oklahoma, with Kansas City nearly in sight.

“You have to be a little crazy to go on this kind of adventure,” Conculini said.

To make the trip possible, they quit their jobs and have been living off their savings. Along the way, strangers have helped keep them going.

“Sometimes people invite you to sleep in their homes, sometimes they give you water on the road, give you food, ask how you’re doing, and honestly that’s something really beautiful about this trip,” Conculini said.

The journey has not been without its challenges. The group says they climbed to more than 15,700 feet in elevation at one point.

“The body suffers — you really feel it,” Silio said.

“We already knew about the physical suffering, the problems that could come up, whether bike breakdowns or harsh weather conditions — rain, cold and headwinds,” Martínez said.

But for the trio, the hardships are part of the point.

“The journey is the road itself. The final destination is only the finish line, but along the way you live, look around, enjoy and discover the places you travel through — that’s what it’s all about,” Silio said.

The three combined their shared passions for cycling, soccer and travel to plan the ride.

“We brought together those three passions we have and decided to cross all of the Americas — 17 countries, more than 10,500 miles — to reach Kansas City, where Argentina is based,” Conculini said.

Martínez said the motivation was simple.

“For the Argentine national team, for football, to get to know countries, to meet people,” Martínez said.

Now that the finish line is close, the emotions are mixed.

“There’s a kind of stress in knowing that you’re arriving, and the anxiety that creates. And on the other hand, you start to feel a small emptiness of finishing this trip. It’s a mix of feelings and emotions,” Silio said.

There are also personal deadlines to meet. Conculini noted that Miguel’s wife set a firm limit on the trip.

“Miguel’s wife only gave him one year to be away from home — he can’t go beyond that,” Conculini said.

The group plans to arrive in Kansas City as the Argentine national team arrives and intends to follow the team throughout the competition.

For Conculini, the greatest reward of the journey has been the people they met along the way.

“I think the most important thing is the people and how you connect with them,” Conculini said.

The group is also making a public call for cyclists in Kansas City to join them for the final hour of their ride into the city.

“We want to make a public call to everyone who has a bicycle to join us for the final hour of our 10-month journey across the continent,” Silio said.

“We would love for people at the finish line to also be part of this, and to give us that small gesture of affection, which would mean so much to us,” Silio continued.

Details on the final route and meeting point are still being worked out.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. KSHB 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 Hannah McDonald

Click here for updates on this story

    COOPERTOWN, Tennessee (WTVF) — A Coopertown man says the IRS sent him a $20,000 tax refund by mistake — and that trying to return it cost him years of frustration, interest charges, and eventually his entire tax refund.

Wilson Perry Kirby, 76, a retired Montgomery County Highway Department worker who describes himself as plain-spoken and country, received the erroneous refund on May 10, 2022. He says he immediately tried to give the money back, but ran into wall after wall, even with his accountant’s help.

“She didn’t make a mistake, I didn’t make a mistake, they made a mistake,” Kirby said.

A Coopertown man says the IRS sent him a $20,000 tax refund by mistake — and that trying to return it cost him years of frustration, interest charges, and eventually his entire tax refund.

Wilson Perry Kirby, 76, a retired Montgomery County Highway Department worker who describes himself as plain-spoken and country, received the erroneous refund on May 10, 2022. He says he immediately tried to give the money back, but ran into wall after wall, even with his accountant’s help.

“She didn’t make a mistake, I didn’t make a mistake, they made a mistake,” Kirby said.

“I’ve tried the president, governor, mayor, they don’t mind asking you to vote for them, but when you need help you can’t get ahold of nobody,” Kirby said.

Kirby lost his wife, Norma Jean, in August 2024 and has been fighting the battle largely on his own since then.

“She knew how to text, she got a computer in there. I don’t even know how to cut it on,” Kirby said. “But she stuck by me and I wouldn’t have what I have today.”

Kirby says things finally started moving after I got involved. By the end of the month, he says he is expecting this year’s refund, which would bring the case to a close.

“And if it hadn’t been for you I wouldn’t of gotten nothing done,” Kirby said.

Kirby has also done significant advocating for himself throughout this process and never gave up — something he credits in part to his own stubbornness.

“I’m hard-headed, and I get set in my ways, and I’m that way,” Kirby said.

“Might’ve helped,” I said.

“Yeah,” Kirby said.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. WTVF 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 Tony Geftos

Click here for updates on this story

    WEST BLOOMFIELD, Michigan (WXYZ) — Five women staying at Grace Centers of Hope in Pontiac received free makeovers at Lush Hair Studio in West Bloomfield, giving them a fresh start as they prepare to re-enter the workforce.

Stylists spent the day doing hair, nails and makeup for the women who have faced addiction, abuse and homelessness.

Sandy Super, the owner of Lush Hair Studio, said the idea came after she and her staff toured the Grace Centers of Hope facility.

“They are women that have had some sort of addiction or had some kind of issues, abuse in their lives and had some really rough times. And as they’re getting through and getting ready to go out back into the workforce, we wanted to have them come in and give them full makeovers to make them feel beautiful from the inside out,” Super said.

Grace Centers of Hope offers women and their children a second chance, providing rehabilitation services, job assistance and pathways to stable housing.

Amber Smelser, one of the women receiving a makeover, described how her appearance had been tied to her pain.

“When you look all raggedy, you think about all the bad stuff that you’ve gone through,” Smelser said.

Laura Cardew, 40, has been at Grace Centers of Hope for one month. At one point before that, she lived in a tent.

“Being homeless really traumatizes you. Living outside really traumatizes you,” Cardew said. “If it wasn’t for Grace, where would I be right now? I’d be back on the street. I’d be back in that tent trying to work things out.”

Michelle Merritt, another resident, reflected on how far she has come.

“Before I went to Grace, I went to jail for 45 days. And then I went to Grace and I’ve been there ever since. Seven months and I’ve been seven months sober,” Merritt said.

Chrisynda Miller said she is focused on building a new future.

“I’m getting my GED. I’m learning new life skills,” Miller said.

The stylists said the experience was just as meaningful for them.

Chelsea Contway, a stylist at Lush Hair Studio, said she felt a personal connection to the women she was helping.

“I see myself in these women, and it could’ve been me, too,” Contway said.

Stylist Parker Berry said the event aligned with what she loves most about her work.

“I love making people feel confident and feel better about themselves and like their best selves. So, this really ties into it,” Berry said.

Stylist Madeline Exner said she was glad to contribute more than just her skills.

“Super stoked to be helping them out, and donating my time, donating products and color so that we can get them madeover for their new chapter,” Exner said.

Stylist Rianna Baughman described the broader mission of Grace Centers of Hope.

“From rehabilitation, to making sure that they have jobs, to making sure that they have homes that they can later call their own,” Baughman said.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. WXYZ 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 Faraz Javed , Brandon Speagle

Click here for updates on this story

    DEXTER, Michigan (WXYZ) — A Dexter mother found an unexpected way to connect with her nonverbal autistic son — through art.

Crissy Stratford, an artist showcasing her work at the Kensington Metropark Art Fair, said art has taken on a meaning far deeper than creative expression in her life.

“Art means to me, oh my goodness, art means communication,” Stratford said.

That communication traces back to her son, Chad, who is 27 years old and largely nonverbal. He was diagnosed with autism at age 3.

“I didn’t know what to do with that. So I just resorted to what I know best, which is drawing,” Stratford said.

Stratford began drawing books filled with images she knew would capture Chad’s interest. The approach worked.

“I drew Chad’s book and I drew things I knew that he would be interested in. And he loved these because they were areas of high interest. So he would be able to look at them and read them,” Stratford said.

She then gave Chad blank books of his own. What came back surprised her.

“He was able to tell me without words what was on his brain. And here he is, here we are in the living room. Here he is playing with his little toy when he was little. It’s not that he would be able to communicate with me without using his words, which is really cool,” Stratford said.

The discovery caught her completely off guard.

“Oh, yeah. Oh, it most certainly did, yes,” Stratford said.

Chad’s drawings reveal a rich inner world — scenes from family life, favorite places, and cherished memories. Among them are illustrations of the Country Bear Jamboree at Disney World, a place he loves.

“Just like things that he loves. Like he couldn’t tell me, I love writing this right, but he could actually write, this is Christmas. I love presents. He couldn’t say that, but he can draw,” Stratford said.

Through his artwork, Stratford said she has been able to experience a side of her son she never knew existed. Looking at his drawings still moves her.

“Always. Yeah. Oh, totally. Yeah, I love looking at his work,” Stratford said.

Stratford encourages other families navigating similar challenges to lean into visual communication.

“I recommend making everything more visual for your student or for your child. Visual is so important for people who have disabilities or who have autism,” Stratford said.

Stratford was among more than 130 artists participating in the 10th edition of the Kensington Metropark Art Fair. The Fair wraps up Monday, May 25th. To learn more about the fair head to: kensingtonartfair.com

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. WXYZ 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 Jeffrey Lindblom

Click here for updates on this story

    LAPEER, Michigan (WXYZ) — Inside a Michigan prison, an unlikely partnership is changing lives on both sides of the bars.

Blue Star Service Dogs pairs prison inmates with rescue dogs — animals pulled from the streets or the pound — and trains them to become service animals for veterans and first responders. The program has shaped more than 200 dogs for first responders and touched the lives of 350 inmates across 4 Michigan prisons.

Every Thursday at Thumb Correctional Facility — the program’s longest-running location — selected inmates teach dogs to sit, walk, pick up a leash if it’s dropped, and assist during medical emergencies, all while ignoring distractions. Handlers keep their dogs by their side 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for between 4 and 6 months.

Trish Barnes, Executive Director of Blue Star, said the mission is personal. A former animal control officer who says she witnessed animals living in disturbing, difficult, and debilitating conditions, Barnes has seen firsthand how the bond between humans and dogs can be transformative.

“God put me in the right place at the right time. It’s amazing,” Barnes said. “And there were times when I thought suicide was the answer. This dog gives you a purpose. I can’t imagine a life without service animals.”

Mathew Sica, Blue Star’s Director of Training, has been with the organization for 15 years. After facing tragedy in his family, his driving motivation has remained the same since he joined in 2011.

“Suicide prevention,” Sica said. “We’re really good at making good dogs great. You can change someone’s life.”

Inmate Kevin Campbell has been a handler for 5 years and is serving a life sentence.

“I’ve been incarcerated for 37 years,” Campbell said. “We broke rules. We broke laws.”

Screenshot 2026-05-22 at 6.33.40 PM.jpg WXYZ-TV Campbell’s current dog, a puppy named Titan, is preparing to transition to his new owner, Army veteran Estin Cantrell.

“To know that we can turn these dogs over to a deserving veteran who served our country — you can’t put that into words,” Campbell said.

Cantrell, who sustained injuries during his service as an Army infantryman and has difficulties getting out of bed, is ready to bring Titan home.

“When that vest comes on, I have to treat him like a medical device,” Cantrell said. “I may say I don’t want to get out today, but the dog will say, I have to get out… because I’m a dog.”

Fellow inmate Darius Huntington is also serving a life sentence and described how the program has helped him through his darkest moments.

“It was a robbery gone bad,” Huntington said. “When I’m going through my worst days, this dog helps me. I’m better than I was. I’m grateful for Blue Star.” Barnes said the impact on inmates goes beyond dog training.

“And they say the first time they felt love is through a dog’s eyes,” Barnes said.

Prison counselor Tonya Wysong echoed that sentiment.

“People love dogs, and they’re learning new things in their lives that they’ve never had before,” Wysong said.

Veteran Alexis Naveen, who has interacted with the program’s dogs, said the work being done inside prison walls carries meaning far beyond them.

“Whether they’re in here or out there, they’re making a difference,” Naveen said.

For Campbell, saying goodbye to Titan after months together is difficult — but the purpose behind it makes it worthwhile.

“He’s a special one for me. He’ll always be a part of this program and a part of me,” Campbell said.

Blue Star Service Dogs is funded through grants and donations.

———————————————————————————————

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Scripps editorial team 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 Marissa Sulek, Adam Harrington

Click here for updates on this story

    NEW CHICAGO, Indiana (WBBM) — The chief of police in New Chicago, Indiana, stood accused Sunday of selling a pawn shop a gun that was being held as evidence and then trying to have it bought back, among other allegations.

New Chicago police Chief Earl Mayo was charged with theft, official misconduct, and attempted obstruction of justice, as well as unlawful possession of an anabolic steroid, according to court documents.

Chief Mayo was booked Sunday as an inmate in Clark County, Ohio, after authorities said he tried to evade arrest.

Court documents said this past Thursday, a Lake County, Indiana, sheriff’s police commander received a firearm trace request for a gun associated with an upcoming criminal trial.

It turned out the gun, a Taurus G3, had been sold to a pawn shop in Hobart, Indiana, which a Lake County sheriff’s detective said was unusual as the gun was being held as evidence in a criminal investigation, court documents said.

Authorities later determined that it was Chief Mayo who sold the gun to the pawn shop, Mega Gash Pawn in Hobart, court documents alleged. Chief Mayo was also the arresting officer in the case with which the gun was associated, court documents said.

Another New Chicago officer told Lake County Sheriff’s detectives that he received a call from Chief Mayo asking him to go to the pawn shop where Mayo had sold the gun and buy it back, court documents alleged. The officer said Mayo also told him to go to the chief’s home and retrieve other guns, court documents alleged.

Specifically, Mayo wanted the officer to retrieve suppressors or suppressed firearms from a safe in the chief’s house, court documents alleged. The officer told investigators that Mayo had said he had things inside his home that the “feds” would never find, court documents alleged.

Another person, Taneka Borders, was also charged in the case. Investigators said when a Lake County Sheriff’s commander went to Mayo’s Merrillville, Indiana, home, they found Borders at the front door of the house.

Investigators said Borders tried to destroy several glass vials, and when questioned, she admitted that Mayo had told her to go to his home and collect his testosterone and steroids, court documents alleged.

The manager of the Mega Cash Pawn in Hobart told investigators that a woman came to buy back the Taurus G3 from its new owner while wearing a tracksuit like the one Borders was wearing when questioned by investigators, though the manager did not identify her.

The charging document against Borders accuses her of trying to help Mayo obtain a gun.

Meanwhile, the manager of the pawn shop said he had purchased multiple guns from Mayo in the past, and documents listed Mayo as the seller of 12 guns to the pawn shop, court documents alleged.

Chief Mayo’s father, Jerry Williams, is the Democratic nominee for Lake County sheriff. He released the following statement Sunday:

“My wife and I and our family are deeply concerned over recent information regarding our son, Earl Mayo, of the New Chicago Police Department. We raised all of our children with love, guidance and a strong foundation of values. We’ve always held our children to higher standards, as we have ourselves.

“We are aware there are allegations that are troubling, and we struggle to reconcile them with the values we worked so hard to instill in all of our children and grandchildren.

“Under our criminal justice system, Earl is presumed innocent unless and until proven otherwise. We respect that fundamental principle, and it is important that the legal process be allowed to proceed fairly and impartially.

“If it is ultimately established that Earl engaged in the conduct alleged by the government, then he must and should accept responsibility for his actions and face the consequences.

“This is an extremely difficult and emotional time for our family. Given the seriousness of this matter and the ongoing legal proceedings, we cannot comment any further on the undisclosed details of this situation.”

CBS News Chicago also found that Chief Mayo wrote a self-published book titled, “When Lines Are Crossed: Love, Trust, Betrayal” — a story about a bad cop turned good battling his morals.

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 Julia Avant

Click here for updates on this story

    DETROIT (WWJ) — One hundred men were dressed to the nines on Sunday afternoon in Detroit for the sixth annual 100 Men in Suits initiative.

Hosted by Unity in the Community, the men during the event went head-to-head on Livernois Avenue, also known as the Avenue of Fashion, to win a custom suit. The event also aimed to showcase to men the importance of dressing well and being good to the community.

“It’s an eye-opener for Detroit to let everybody know that this is how men [are] supposed to dress,” Teddy Passion, an event participant, said. “This is how men [are] supposed to act.”

Democratic U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens of Michigan attended the showcase.

“I love the purple suits. I will say the purple suits caught my attention, but I also like the understated suits as well. I just like seeing Detroit in action. I love saying that Detroit deserves its biggest champions, our best voices. You know, that’s all around us here today,” Stevens said.

All proceeds from the event went to Metro Detroit families in need.

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 Christa Swanson

Click here for updates on this story

    COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (KCNC) — A family of black bears is safely back in the wild after they were discovered under a Colorado home.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife says a mother and her two toddler cubs were discovered underneath the back deck of a home in Colorado Springs’ Northgate neighborhood.

Officers reportedly immobilized the bears and took them several hours south to a better habitat. They were given a “wake up” drug and released back into the wild.

Earlier this month, another five bear cubs were released from the Frisco Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. The bear cubs were orphaned last summer and were severely underweight when they were discovered.

Some of them were also becoming accustomed to being near developed areas, which could put both the bears and local residents at risk.

They spent the winter in artificial dens at the rehabilitation center. Once they woke from hibernation and gained enough weight and strength, CPW took them to an area with a better habitat and released them.

CPW says there are approximately 20,000 black bears in Colorado. Young bears usually den with their mother and other littermates during their first winter, but are self-reliant by their second spring, they explained. Cubs who become lost from their mothers can fall victim to vehicle collisions or other predators.

CPW encourages residents to contact them at (303) 297-1192 or contact their local police department if they spot a bear in a residential area that needs to be relocated.

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.