Category: CNN Regional

By Brittany Decker

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    TALLADEGA, Alabama (WVTM) — A visit to Talladega uncovers the Marianna Greene Henry Special Equestrian Program, where therapeutic horseback riding offers children with disabilities a chance to thrive.

Erin, a blind participant, exemplifies the program’s impact. She has been part of the program since she was three, spending seventeen years in the saddle and proving, “Anything is possible if you put your mind to it.”

The program was founded by Pat Greene, who started with a small initiative in his side yard with six kids and two horses. Now, at 94, Greene has seen it grow into one of the largest therapeutic equestrian centers in the nation, serving 300 to 400 children annually, including those who are deaf, blind, deafblind, or living with multiple disabilities.

“I feel like my life has been so much more meaningful going something like this, as opposed to just, playing golf and being a, you know, a typical retiree,” Greene said.

The program was inspired by Greene’s daughter, Marianna, who loved horses and children with disabilities. Tragically, she passed away at 32 while waiting for a heart transplant, followed by her youngest daughter.

“And, I know Marianna would be delighted to see what is what’s happening in her name,” Greene said.

Erin, who grew up in the program, now gives back, saying, “Here I have everything I need. I really have everything I need. I can teach the kids what I’ve already learned.” The program offers unbridled joy and limitless possibilities for its participants.

Dennis Gilliam, President of the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind, praised Greene’s contributions, saying, “So the legacy of Mr. Greene can’t be understated. The impact that he’s made not only to AIDB, but to the community and to people all over the nation. I think we should all aspire to give back to the community like Mr. Greene has.”

Greene, who spent 40 years at BellSouth and served 36 years with the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind, is retiring from the board of trustees but will remain on the foundation board, where he has been the longest-serving member since 1989.

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By Kelcie Bolden

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    CLEVELAND, Mississippi (WAPT) — Classmates of a Delta State University student found hanged on campus are paying their respects.

They held a vigil and balloon release Thursday night in remembrance of Trey Reed.

The events came hours after the Cleveland Police Department announced Reed’s death was ruled a suicide.

The 21-year-old was found in a tree Monday morning near the pickleball courts in the middle of the university campus.

Students say they’re thinking of Reed’s family during this difficult time.

An initial report from the Bolivar County coroner said there was no sign of assault or foul play.

Final toxicology results may take two to four weeks to complete.

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By Alexis Crandall

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    RUTLAND, Vermont (WPTZ) — When you think of viral videos, a local public works department probably is not the first thing that comes to mind. But that is exactly what has happened to the Rutland Department of Public Works.

The video showing crews removing more than 100 feet of roots from a pipe has racked up millions of views.

It started simply enough when the department responded to reports of flooding after a quick heavy rain in early September in a neighborhood off of Dorr Drive.

Its work to get to the root of the problem is now captured in a video seen around the world.

“I said, ‘Well, let me get my phone out just in case it works,'” said DPW Commissioner Bob Protivansky. “So, the rest is kind of history.”

He said he never expected the video posted to the department’s Facebook to go so far.

“I was just trying to highlight a big accomplishment from our crew to city residents. It was quite surprising what they found when they started pulling on that root.”

In the video, crews pull nearly 100 feet of willow roots from a sewage pipe — something Protivansky has never seen before on this scale.

“Maybe our sewer cleaning truck has found things like bike tires and weird stuff like that, but not roots. Usually, roots are dangling from the top of the pipe, down a little bit. We find those and deal with them before they grow 100 feet,” said Protivanksy.

He never expected so many people would see the video, which has now racked up millions of views on TikTok.

“I’m sure the people in the industry have been through a little bit of this before, but never to that scale. So they’re like, let’s look at what Rutland did. But mostly shocking to see.”

Protivansky praised the crew’s quick thinking that saved the city from having to dig up more pipes in the neighborhood.

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By Terry Stackhouse

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    PORTLAND, Maine (WMTW) — A Maine mother is suing the developer behind some of the most popular video games for kids.

The 83-page lawsuit was filed this week in U.S. District Court.

The legal documents claim makers of the games added features they knew would be addictive, without implementing safety features.

“The most important thing is to hold these manufacturers accountable for their actions,” said attorney Brett Dwight Baber.

He is representing Casey Henderson, a mother from Somerset County.

She is suing Microsoft and the makers of popular video games, including Roblox, Fortnite and Minecraft.

The lawsuit claims they’re marketed to young children with features they knew would be addictive to maximize time spent and improve the odds of in-game purchases.

The lawsuit claims these games have caused her 9-year-old “diminished social interactions, lack of interest in other hobbies, and withdrawal symptoms such as rage, anger, and physical outbursts.”

“Any attempt to remove [the child] from their games is met with severe withdrawal symptoms, including anger, and refusal to maintain proper hygiene or sleep,” the lawsuit also claims.

None of the defendants named immediately responded to requests for comment.

“They’ve intentionally built these psychological devices into their games to get kids to play constantly. The more the better. And they profit off it, and this is a billion-dollar industry with a capital B,” Baber said.

The lawsuit seeks monetary relief and claims the plaintiff has suffered and continues to suffer injuries and damages exceeding $75,000.

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By Phil Tenser

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    BOSTON (WCVB) — Federal prosecutors accuse a Harvard Business School graduate of targeting other alums in a Ponzi scheme that lasted more than two years.

Vladimir Artamonov, 46, of Maryland, is accused of defrauding investors who participated in an investment opportunity he called “Project Information Arbitrage.” According to the U.S. attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York, Artamonov told investors he would put their money into investments ahead of public announcements of moves by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

Federal prosecutors said Artamonov raised more than $4 million from investors, but actually used the money for “risky short-term” investments that did not implement the strategy he promised and led to millions of dollars in losses. Other money from investors was used for personal expenses.

Prosecutors said he concealed major losses while continuing to solicit new investments and promised customers that profits were coming.

“When investors eventually demanded the return of their funds, Artamonov repaid old investors with new investors’ funds, or declined to repay investors altogether. Ultimately, Artamonov returned less than $400,000 to investors,” U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton’s office said in a statement.

Artamonov faces one count of securities fraud and one count of investment adviser fraud.

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By Ari Hait

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    LAKE WORTH BEACH, Florida (WPBF) — More than 40 students and staff at Lake Worth High School were injured during a fight on campus that led to a school resource officer spraying pepper spray.

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue said 32 of the injured had to be hospitalized.

All of the injuries are considered to be minor.

Video obtained by WPBF 25 News shows two girls fighting in the cafeteria as a large crowd gathers around them, cheering and screaming.

Another video shows the school resource officer stepping in and spraying pepper spray all over the cafeteria to break up the fight.

“It went in my eye, my nose, in my throat,” said Madelin Lopez, a sophomore. “And it kept burning.”

“People were coughing,” said Ashley Lucas, a junior. “They were trying to cover their mouth.”

“People were having asthma attacks and stuff,” said Jazzy Simon, a freshman.

“It was really burning my face,” said Angie Dejuan, a sophomore. “I couldn’t breathe at all.”

Dejuan said she has asthma and was one of the students who had to be hospitalized and given oxygen.

She said she wasn’t sure what was going on until she got hit in the face with the pepper spray.

“I was like nothing is going to happen, so I wiped my eyes off,” she said. “And then I opened my eyes. That’s when I started feeling the burning. I just needed water, something thrown in my face.”

Lopez tells a similar story.

“I couldn’t even see,” she said. “I was coughing a lot.”

Lopez said she saw the officer spraying, but didn’t know what it was until her eyes, nose, and throat started to burn.

She needed someone else to call her mom.

“I had told my friend to call her for me, because I couldn’t speak, because my throat was burning a lot,” she said.

Lopez said there’s no way she’s going back to school Friday.

Dejuan said the same thing.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow, but I’m definitely not going to school tomorrow,” she said.

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By Christina Watkins

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    ORLANDO, Florida (WESH) — The family of a 32-year-old man who was found unresponsive on an Epic Universe ride on Wednesday shared their plans to honor his life.

Kevin Rodriguez Zavala died from multiple blunt impact injuries after riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Epic Universe, according to the medical examiner.

Rodriguez Zavala, who was a wheelchair user, is remembered by his family as a beloved brother, son, uncle and friend.

They described him as “truly one of a kind” with an “old soul” and a heart full of compassion, love and understanding.

His family said he was the kind of person who always made time to listen, offer thoughtful advice and lift others up, even when facing his own challenges.

“As a son, he brought warmth and pride to our parents’ hearts. As a brother and uncle, he was a source of laughter, guidance, and unconditional love. As a friend, he was loyal, thoughtful, and always present,” his family said.

To honor Rodriguez Zavala’s life, his family has started a GoFundMe to help cover funeral and memorial expenses.

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James Willingham
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