Girls wrestling tournament in Hendersonville draws 200+, highlighting sport’s growth

CNN Newsource on January 4, 2026

By Web Staff

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    HENDERSONVILLE, North Carolina (WLOS) — Over 200 middle and high school-age girls gathered in Hendersonville on Saturday, Jan. 3, to participate in a wrestling tournament.

The popularity of the sport and the surge in girls getting involved mean more of these events.

One of the event organizers, Darrin May, says the sport has grown significantly since it became sanctioned in North Carolina in 2023.

“North Carolina sanctioned girls wrestling a couple of years ago, and it’s taken off. Right now, girls wrestling is the largest-growing sport in America,” May said.

May said there are teams across the Carolinas and that they are just at the beginning of bringing more people to the sport.

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.

Mare Island Dry Dock in Vallejo to close permanently, all employees to be laid off

CNN Newsource on January 3, 2026

By Tori Apodaca, Cecilio Padilla

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    VALLEJO, California (KOVR) — Vallejo city officials say they’ve been informed that the Mare Island Dry Dock will be closing permanently and all workers are being laid off.

The City of Vallejo says it was told by Mare Island Dry Dock, LLC on Dec. 30 that the company planned to close the facility and terminate all employees in the coming days.

A critical U.S. Coast Guard contract the facility lost out on and “unforeseen business circumstances” were among the reasons for the closure, city officials were told.

U.S. Congressman John Garamendi says he’s outraged by the development, noting that a Portland-based company was awarded the contract to service an ice breaker – a bid that was over $1 million than Mare Island’s.

“I don’t know why they did this, but I am going to find out,” Garamendi said.

More than 80 full-time union and non-union staff work at Mare Island Dry Dock.

City officials say they are working with the Solano County Workforce Development Board to help impacted employees.

“This is an industry that has been coming back the last couple years, and then this occurs,” said Michael Bernick, the former director of California’s Employment Development Department.

It would be the second iconic scheduled for closure in Solano County in 2026. Previously, Anheuser-Busch announced that Fairfield’s longtime Budweiser plant would be closing by February – impacting more than 200 employees.

“These good, union-based, good-paying, blue-collared jobs are very difficult to replace,” Bernick said.

Mare Island has a deep shipbuilding history, it being the site of the first U.S. naval station on the West Coast. Since the closure of Mare Island Naval Shipyard in 1996, local leaders have been working to redevelop the area.

CBS Sacramento reached out to the U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security for comment but has not heard back.

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Vallejo city officials say they’ve been informed that the Mare Island Dry Dock will be closing perma

Guatemalan nationals identified as 2 additional Mt. Baldy hikers found dead

CNN Newsource on January 3, 2026

By Austin Turner

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    LOS ANGELES, California (KCAL, KCBS) — All three of the hikers found dead on Mt. Baldy on Monday have been identified, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

Authorities on Wednesday identified 19-year-old Marcus Alexander Muench Casanova of Seal Beach as one of the hikers after he fell about 500 feet from the Devil’s Backbone Trail. After a friend called emergency services, which commenced a search, crews found two additional bodies in the area.

They’ve now been identified as Juan Sarat Lopez, 37, and Bayron Pedro Ramos Garcia, 36. In a news release, the SBCSD said the men were Guatemalan Nationals residing in Los Angeles.

Authorities believe they fell from Devil’s Backbone on Monday, the same day they were found.

No additional details were immediately made available.

The deaths came shortly after a winter storm caused the terrain to be unsafe on Mt. Baldy. Authorities have since ordered the closure of seven Mt. Baldy trails, including Devil’s Backbone, through Jan. 7.

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.

Beverly community steps up to help neighborhood barber after stage 4 cancer diagnosis

CNN Newsource on January 3, 2026

By Victor Jacobo

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    CHICAGO, Illinois (WBBM) — A beloved barbershop owner in the Beverly neighborhood is battling cancer, and the community he has served for decades is rallying around him.

At Melloswing Barbershop in Beverly, conversation flows naturally among barbers and clients through topics in the news, social media, and personal lives.

“I provide a safe space for clients and barbers alike,” owner Daniel Sorge said.

Sorge said that sense of comfort is intentional, meant to build connection and community in the shop he’s owned for nearly two decades.

But late last year, the rhythm of his life came to a halt.

“In October, I got a diagnosis of colon cancer that had metastasized and moved over to my liver,” he said.

Sorge began treatment to fight the stage four cancer diagnosis, while also trying to keep his barbershop up and running to pay his bills.

“As hard as I strive and struggle to stay productive, it’s a challenge when your body just won’t cooperate,” he said.

Close friends who had gone through their own health battles helped Sorge, including with setting up a GoFundMe campaign, which has seen thousands of dollars raised.

“It’s humbling to the spirit and uplifting to the soul at the same time,” Sorge said.

His doctors said his cancer battle is headed in the right direction, and his chance at survival is thanks to a positive push from friend and coworker Hassan “Zeke” Rogers, who encouraged him to check out about his health.

“I had two colonoscopies done, you know? So, I always come and share the information with everybody else, in case it helps somebody out,” Rogers said.

Rogers said the shop’s spirit of sharing stories and support helped Sorge, and he’s hopeful for his friend’s future.

“I’m watching his courage, and it inspires me,” Rogers said.

Sorge’s cancer fight continues, and it’s one he hopes to conquer so he can spread a valuable message to men like him in his community.

“Moving forward, I hope to be able to share with others the importance of staying timely with those screenings and promoting health and wellness within the community,” Sorge 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.

Brooklyn medical student charged with attempted murder after allegedly shoving man into subway train

CNN Newsource on January 3, 2026

By Andrew Ramos

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    NEW YORK, New York (WCBS) — A Brooklyn medical student has been charged with attempted murder after police say he pushed a 73-year-old grandfather into a moving subway train in the Bronx.

The disturbing attack happened on New Year’s Day, only a few hours after many celebrated the start of 2026.

Victim sustained head injuries after unprovoked attack, police say It happened around 3:30 a.m. Thursday at the 161st Street-Yankee Stadium subway station.

Police said Julio Figueroa was standing on the platform when a complete stranger approached him and shoved him into a southbound 4 train that had just entered the station. Figueroa bounced off the moving train and hit the platform, sustaining head injuries, according to police.

Anton Aleshin, a 29-year-old medical student, was arrested in connection to the unprovoked attack. He faces a number of charges, including attempted murder, assault, reckless endangerment and harassment.

He pleaded not guilty and was ordered held without bail. He’s due back in court on Tuesday.

Aleshin’s attorney is affiliated with the nonprofit organization Legal Aid. They had no comment.

According to prosecutors, Aleshin is part of residency program at Brookdale University Hospital. A spokesperson for One Brooklyn Health system, which represents Brookdale, declined to comment on the case.

Victim recovering in ICU Figueroa, a grandfather to 17 children, is still on the mend in the ICU at Lincoln Hospital. His niece Venis Falu said he has stitches in the back of his head.

“He doesn’t really remember what happened,” she said.

Falu said her uncle was on his way home from a night at Empire City Casino in Yonkers.

“It’s crazy that this could happen to a person who normally goes out, doesn’t bother anybody,” she said.

The motive behind the attack remains unclear.

“To me, it had to be either he was drunk or having a bad day, but that’s no excuse to hurt anybody,” Falu said.

Loved ones are praying for a speedy recovery, but they still want to know why the suspect did this.

“It made no sense,” Falu 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.

Instead of building snowmen, a local family builds a hockey rink in their backyard

CNN Newsource on January 3, 2026

By Web Staff

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    FRANKLIN, Wisconsin (WDJT) — For the past 7 years, a family in Franklin has had a different winter tradition.

Instead of building snowmen, the Howell family builds a hockey rink in their backyard.

Jacob Howell built the hockey rink in his backyard for his kids and their teammates.

The rink is 40 feet by 80 feet, bumping right up to his property lines.

He told CBS 58 that he works in construction by trade and builds the framing and netting himself before putting in a liner and flooding it when the weather gets cold enough.

But it’s not just for the family, local kids also benefit from extra time on the ice.

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.

Asheville-based puppet collective brings eco-friendly creations to life

CNN Newsource on January 3, 2026

By Ben Robinson

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    ASHEVILLE, North Carolina (WLOS) — For 13 years, the Street Creature Puppet Collective has been meeting primarily for one purpose: making puppets.

These puppets are made to be on the go and can be seen at many local parades. Many of the puppets that appear at these events are made from found materials, a popular one being willow reeds.

“It’s very light and easy to bend,” said cooperative member Meka Bunch. “What’s great about it is that it’s sustainable. We use a lot of found materials.”

These materials include bamboo, pool noodles, and even coffee filters. When the puppet collective meets, everyone brings projects to work on, and an experienced puppet engineer is usually on hand to help out.

“I love making things together in community,” said member Jen Murphy. “I also love being out in the street with giant puppets interacting with people.”

Murphy hopes that seeing these puppets in action will spur others to continue this eco-friendly activity.

“You’re showing people, look, you can make this stuff out of garbage!” said Murphy.

This is definitely a case where someone’s trash can be another person’s treasure.

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Rare flesh-eating infection leaves Pennsylvania business owner in the hospital

CNN Newsource on January 2, 2026

By Cheyenne Corin

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    DOYLESTOWN, Pennsylvania (WPVI) — A Montgomery County business owner is continuing to recover in the hospital after being diagnosed with a rare flesh-eating bacterial infection, a medical emergency that has kept him hospitalized since mid-December.

Peter Atkinson, 49, of North Wales, has been at Doylestown Hospital since Dec. 19 after doctors diagnosed him with necrotizing fasciitis, a rare flesh-eating bacteria.

Atkinson said the hospital’s swift response saved his life.

“If it wasn’t for the help of this hospital, I would definitely be dead,” Atkinson said.

Atkinson said his illness initially felt like the flu. He described spiking a 104-degree fever and noticing a mass in his chest area before seeking medical care.

“How did I get this? How did this happen? Apparently, it’s rare, but it’s not that rare because it happened to me,” he said.

He said doctors quickly realized the severity of his condition.

“I showed them, and it was like, wow, not even five minutes later, he came and said, ‘We have to do emergency surgery. We’re going to intubate you,'” Atkinson said.

The infection later progressed to sepsis, and his kidneys began to fail, according to his family. His sister, Marietta Atkinson, said the experience has been especially painful given their family’s history.

“Probably one of the most traumatic events in our life, second traumatic event. In 2016, we lost our sister to sepsis, very similar to what Pete had,” she said.

Family members said Atkinson began to show signs of improvement on Christmas. His wife, Sherri Paulson-Atkinson, described the emotional toll of seeing her husband hospitalized.

“My husband is a fighter, he’s a go-getter, he is always busy, and to see him laying there like that was really hard for me,” she said.

Atkinson owns a towing company and is unable to work for the foreseeable future. To help support the family, a friend started a fundraiser page that has raised $13,000.

“The amount of people that have touched me just in the last couple of days – I can’t fathom the help,” Atkinson said.

Paulson-Atkinson said the family remains focused on his recovery.

“He does everything for us, and we just need him back,” she said.

Atkinson is currently on dialysis. He is scheduled to undergo another procedure and is expected to eventually be moved to a rehabilitation facility to continue his recovery.

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.

‘I want to take full accountability’: Milwaukee father sentenced to 19 years for injuring infant son over video game

CNN Newsource on January 2, 2026

By Mia Bearden

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    MILWAUKEE (WDJT) — A Milwaukee father has been sentenced to 19 years for injuring his 8-month-old son during a video game.

Jalin White, 22, was sentenced to 12 years in prison followed by seven years of extended supervision.

According to the criminal complaint, the child’s mother returned home and noticed something was wrong.

Court records show the baby’s arms were twitching, his hands were changing color, and one eye was swollen shut.

White was holding his son while playing a video game when he became frustrated after falling behind by two points.

Investigators said he threw the baby against a wall and heard the child’s head hit it loudly.

“My intentions were never to hurt my baby boy, everything just happened too quick,” he said.

He took responsibility for his actions in court on Tuesday.

“I want to take full accountability for my actions, of being under the influence, on drugs while my child was in my care. I made a mistake. My mind was moving fast, I was moving fast, and I wasn’t thinking,” he said.

The baby was taken to the hospital, where doctors found a large skull fracture and a serious brain injury.

The child now requires care from multiple specialists and is visually impaired.

“I thank God every day that he is okay and breathing. I’m sorry that he suffered those injuries and I won’t ever let that happen again,” White said.

The child’s mother appeared in court via Zoom but logged off before sentencing, saying it was too difficult for her to continue. White’s family declined to comment.

White told the judge he plans to change when he is released.

“When I go home, I am going to be the best father I can to my J,” he 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.

Mississippi store owner’s pigeon feeding draws mixed reactions

CNN Newsource on January 2, 2026

By Ross Adams

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    BYRAM, Mississippi (WAPT) — At a busy shopping center in Byram, a store owner’s practice of feeding pigeons for nearly 20 years has sparked mixed reactions from the community, including concerns from the mayor about the birds’ impact on the area.

“If you take care, I take care of you. So, I trust in God and that’s why I started this. And after that long time, maybe many years, I still continue feeding birds and birds love me. Birds are like a blessing,” said Newton Patel, who feeds the pigeons outside his liquor store.

Mayor Richard White is concerned about the growing number of birds, which he estimates to be around 40,000.

“He was just being friendly to them and the next thing we know, there’s 40,000 of them out there. It’s a bunch. They were everywhere,” White said. “They would land on the power lines and take turns going to eat and everything.”

The mayor said there are also issues with the birds interfering with fans and air conditioning units, leading to requests for people to stop feeding them in the parking lot, where the birds tend to congregate outside a grocery store near the McDonald’s at Siwell and Terry Roads.

“I don’t think they need to be in that parking lot with all the stuff we’ve got going on in our downtown. That’s our downtown area by the way,” White said.

Despite the concerns, some locals, like Carl Bolton and Dennis Smith, are unfazed by the pigeons.

“I’m not speeding through to run them off. But as long as you drive they’ll move. They ain’t gonna get hit,” Bolton said. Smith added, “They don’t bother me and I don’t bother them. so everything’s good.”

Patel remains committed to feeding the birds.

“Birds are a blessing to everyone if you like it. If someone doesn’t like it, I cannot say. But I love birds,” he said.

Over the years, Patel has spent thousands of dollars on birdseed to continue his practice.

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.