CNN – National

By Rafael Romo, CNN Eagle Pass, Texas (CNN) — A mother who fled her native country with two children after one was kidnapped; a woman who was forced to strip down by thieves looking for money; an activist made unemployable by speaking out against her country’s government: These are some of the stories CNN heard

By Christina Maxouris, CNN (CNN) — Zoo Atlanta just welcomed the cutest Christmas miracle: a baby rhino. The southern white rhinoceros – the first to be born at that zoo – arrived on December 24, the park said. The calf, whose species is near threatened, is healthy and strong and receiving “appropriate maternal care” from

By Kelly McCleary, CNN (CNN) — Just two weeks ago, the Adams County, Pennsylvania, SPCA was near capacity as its kennels were filled with dogs needing homes. Now, for the first time in nearly 50 years, there are no dogs at the facility and the recent residents are spending the holidays with their new families.

By Paradise Afshar, CNN (CNN) — One person was killed and three others were injured during a Christmas Eve shooting at a mall in Colorado, police said, marking at least the second time in two days that gunshots rang out at a shopping center in the US as people tried to wrap up their holiday

By Rafael Romo, Maxime Tamsett and Raja Razek, CNN Eagle Pass, Texas (CNN) — Amid an unprecedented surge of migrants crossing into the United States, the sheriff of one Texas county bordering Mexico told CNN his officers are struggling to keep up with both the immigration issues and local matters. “It’s a lot. On the

By Ashley R. Williams, CNN (CNN) — The holidays may not be so happy for two households in North Carolina and Maryland after Cincinnati customs officers seized large counterfeit jewelry shipments addressed to residences in both states, according to the US Customs and Border Protection. In the first week of December, officers with the CBP’s

By Ashley R. Williams, CNN (CNN) — A member of a rare and endangered species related to the giraffe was recently born at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, according to zoo officials. The okapi, which zoo officials announced as a boy, was born December 17 to its mother, Kuvua, and father, Kiloro, a news

By Cindy Von Quednow, CNN (CNN) — A mystery donation of rare Air Jordans left at an Oregon homeless shelter earlier this year led to more than $50,000 in auction proceeds returning to the organization. It all started in April, when a pair of gold shoes were anonymously dropped down a donation chute at the

By Sara Smart, CNN (CNN) — A North Dakota state lawmaker made homophobic and discriminatory remarks toward a police officer while being placed under arrest on DUI charges earlier this month, authorities said. On December 15, Republican Representative Nico Rios was arrested and issued a citation for a DUI, DUI refusal and an open container,

By Andrew Torgan and Daniel Wine, CNN (CNN) — It’s safe to say that 2023 has been anything but boring with wars, wildfires, mass shootings and political upheaval dominating the headlines. And while good news seemed to be in short supply, the year wasn’t all doom and gloom. Check out our Good News Generator for

By Sarah Dewberry, CNN (CNN) — Police in Florida have issued an arrest warrant for a man wanted in connection with a Christmas weekend shooting inside an Ocala mall that left one man dead and another injured on Saturday. Authorities issued the warrant for 39-year-old Albert J. Shell Jr. for premeditated first-degree murder and attempted

By Amanda Jackson, CNN (CNN) — Santa Claus has packed his sleigh with toys for all the good kids and he has made sure the reindeer are secured for takeoff. Now, they are traveling around the world to visit millions of households. While you are waiting to hear the jingle of bells in the air that means

By Ashley R. Williams, CNN (CNN) — A 90-year-old woman earned her master’s degree and marked a historic milestone in the process, becoming the oldest person to complete coursework at the University of North Texas, according to university officials. Minnie Payne, originally from South Carolina, finished her degree program in interdisciplinary studies online in July,

By Sara Smart and Ashley R. Williams, CNN (CNN) — A dog’s protective instincts kicked in when it scared off a moose that attacked its owner on a walking trail, according to Alaska State Troopers. The incident happened the afternoon of December 18 in Soldotna, Alaska, while the man and his dog walked the Tsalteshi

By Nic F. Anderson, CNN (CNN) — Human remains discovered in a Virginia city’s woods last year have been identified as belonging to 5-year-old boy who went missing more than 20 years ago, authorities said. The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office discovered the remains in Galax, Virginia, in September 2022, and determined they had been there

By Sarah Dewberry, CNN (CNN) — One man is dead, and a woman is injured after a shooting inside an Ocala, Florida mall Saturday afternoon, according to Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken. Balken said police received 911 calls about multiple shots fired inside the Paddock Mall. He added the call came in describing an “active

By Ashley R. Williams, CNN (CNN) — An Arkansas man who picked up what he thought was a piece of glass at a state park says he later learned his jelly bean-sized find was something much more valuable: It was a 4.87-carat diamond. Jerry Evans visited Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, for