McKenna Ewen - Journalist, CNN
McKenna Ewen
Journalist, CNN
McKenna Ewen covers the Midwest for CNN. He is based in Minneapolis, MN.
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Watch: Jewelry store robbed of nearly $2M in gold, rings, and necklaces
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Nov 1, 2024
Security camera footage captured the moment three alleged thieves stole nearly $2 million worth of gold, rings, and necklaces from a store in Nashville. Orlando Valdes-Hernandez and Milleni Garcia were charged with several crimes including two counts of aggravated kidnapping and felony theft and are being held without bond as they await extradition to Nashville and the identity of the third suspect is unknown, and they are still at large.
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Video captures ‘racially-motivated’ shooting in Minneapolis neighborhood
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Oct 29, 2024
Minneapolis resident Davis Moturi was doing yard work when his neighbor shot him through a window on the second story of his house, fracturing his spine and several ribs, after a year of ongoing issues and over a dozen calls to police. The neighbor, John Sawchak, has been charged with four counts, including attempted murder, stalking, and harassment.
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Matthew Perry’s mom talks about the loss of her son in ‘Today’ interview
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Oct 28, 2024
Matthew Perry’s family opened up on NBC’s “Today” a year after the “Friends” actor passed away from a drug overdose at age 54.
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‘We’re fed up’: Ballot boxes are dividing neighbors in this swing state
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Oct 16, 2024
The battle over ballot drop boxes is playing out across the country ahead of the November election. In Wausau, Wisconsin it’s pitting neighbors against neighbors after the mayor wheeled away the drop box.
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NASA’s largest spacecraft launches for Jupiter’s moon
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Oct 14, 2024
The Europa Clipper, the largest spacecraft built for planetary exploration, is on its way to determine whether Jupiter’s moon, Europa, is habitable.
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How a stunning $1 billion building restoration may signal Detroit’s comeback
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Oct 11, 2024
For 30 years, Detroit’s Michigan Central Station lay abandoned and became a symbol of the city’s decline. But in 2018, Ford bought the building and launched a $1 billion dollar restoration plan to rebuild not only the station, but create a new tech hub that they hope will support the city’s future.
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Chemical reaction causes plume of smoke that evacuates Atlanta suburbs
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Oct 1, 2024
A fire at a Georgia industrial plant caused a chemical reaction that has forced around 17,000 people to evacuate, potentially leaving harmful chlorine in the air.
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Watch some of Maggie Smith’s best moments
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Sep 27, 2024
Dame Maggie Smith appeared in over 50 films and was one of Britain’s best-known actresses.
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See Hoda Kotb’s tearful announcement that she’s leaving ‘Today’
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Sep 26, 2024
Hoda Kotb, the co-anchor of NBC’s morning show, “Today,” announced that she is leaving her position early next year.
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Octopus seen hunting with fish and punching them if they don’t cooperate
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Sep 24, 2024
A new study found that typically solitary octopuses can actually work with other fish to hunt and will punch them if they are do not cooperate.
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Dashcam video shows 8-year-old girl driving mom’s car to Target
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Sep 18, 2024
Bedford Police said they located the girl about 13 miles from her home in Ohio. Officers let the girl “finish her Frappuccino” before she was taken home safely.
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Two children were trapped in a burning house. Watch how police responded
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Sep 13, 2024
Dramatic bodycam footage shows police rescue two children just seconds before flames engulfed their house in Vidor, Texas.
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Analysis: Retired Police Chief on what went wrong in Tyreek Hill detainment
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Sep 10, 2024
Retired Police Chief Charles Ramsey breaks down key moments from bodycam footage of the detainment of NFL Wide Receiver Tyreek Hill.
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Burglary suspect flees police, gets stuck and needs to be rescued
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Sep 9, 2024
NYPD rappelled the burglary suspect down from a tall structure, and he was taken into custody.
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12-year-old’s first phone gets mysterious texts meant for NFL player
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Sep 5, 2024
CNN affiliate KPNX talks a boy in Arizona whose first phone was randomly assigned 49ers rookie Ricky Pearsall’s old number.
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Video shows Turkish group assaulting US Marines
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Sep 3, 2024
More than a dozen members of a Turkish national youth organization were taken into custody in the port city of Izmir after local authorities say they assaulted two US Marines.
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CNN commentator Van Jones does a vibe check at the DNC. See how it went
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Aug 22, 2024
CNN political commentator Van Jones speaks with Democratic National Convention attendees about the source of their renewed joy.
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‘They’ll trust us more than mainstream media’: DNC credentials 200+ influencers
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Aug 21, 2024
For the first time, the Democratic National Convention invited influencers to cover the event, credentialing more than 200 content creators. CNN’s David Rind speaks to a few of them about their experience.
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CNN 10: The big stories of the day, explained in 10 minutes
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Aug 18, 2024
Today on CNN 10, the US government is suing Ticketmaster’s parent company Live Nation in a groundbreaking lawsuit. The antitrust action alleges that Live Nation abused its industry dominance to harm fans nationwide for years. Then, a court ruled Elvis Presley’s Graceland mansion will remain with the family and cannot be foreclosed upon– for now. All that and more on this episode of CNN 10.
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Judge goes viral again after suspect tells him to ‘kiss my a**’
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Aug 13, 2024
A Michigan judge sentenced a defendant to up to 558 days in jail for contempt of court after he repeatedly cursed at him.
The 25 days that unraveled Biden’s campaign
Jul 21, 2024
Here are the key events that have shaped one of the most crucial months in Biden’s career — and would eventually sunset his half-century life in politics.
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Arkansas driver encounters flash flood on way to work
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Jul 17, 2024
Rainfall levels topped five inches in only three hours, which is a rainfall rate only expected once every 500 years, according to NOAA data.
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He was a fake elector for Trump. He still oversees elections and protesters want him out.
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Jul 2, 2024
Robert Spindell, who serves on the Wisconsin Elections Commission, submitted false electoral college votes for former President Donald Trump in 2020. Protesters are calling for his resignation.
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See how this town gets the most fun out of one of the biggest lakes in the world
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Jun 24, 2024
In Duluth, Minnesota, Victor Blackwell enjoys Lake Superior in every way imaginable: fishing for lake trout, walking along world’s largest freshwater sandbar, drinking spirits distilled with the lake’s water, and finally — dining at a 100-year-old tavern where the chef cooks his catch of the day.
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This is one of the few places in the country to see this special summer light show
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Jun 24, 2024
Knoxville, Tennessee — famous for Dolly Parton, the Tennessee Volunteers…and fireflies? Just outside the city you can watch synchronous fireflies flash in unison, a phenomenon that’s special to the region. After celebrating all things Dolly Parton with the locals, CNN’s Derek Van Dam catches a firefly-powered light show in the woods.
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Climate protesters disrupt annual Congressional Baseball Game
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Jun 13, 2024
On June 12, climate protesters were tackled to the ground by police after they ran onto the Nationals Park field during the annual Congressional Baseball Game.
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CNN 10: The big stories of the day, explained in 10 minutes
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May 22, 2024
Today on CNN 10, actor Scarlett Johansson hired legal counsel after accusing OpenAI of using a synthetic voice for ChatGPT that sounds “eerily similar” to hers. Then, Ireland, Spain, and Norway have announced plans to formally recognize a Palestinian state. All that and more on this episode of CNN 10.
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CNN 10: The big stories of the day, explained in 10 minutes
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May 21, 2024
Today on CNN 10, scientists from Australia and the UK captured video of a rare deep-sea hooked squid, one of the largest deep-water squids in the world. Then, the International Criminal Court is seeking arrest warrants for Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on charges of war crimes over the October 7 attacks and the ongoing war in Gaza. All that and more on this episode of CNN 10.
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CNN 10: The big stories of the day, explained in 10 minutes
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May 20, 2024
Today on CNN 10, Blue Origin’s tourism rocket launched the latest passengers to the edge of space after a nearly two-year hiatus. The New Shepard rocket carried six customers, including the retired US Air Force captain selected by President John F. Kennedy in 1961 to be the nation’s first Black astronaut candidate. Then, the world’s largest seafood restaurant chain, Red Lobster, known for its cheddar bay biscuits, has filed for bankruptcy. All that and more on this episode of CNN 10.
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Rare footage shows deep-sea creature attacking camera
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May 20, 2024
Scientists from Australia and the UK captured unique footage of the rare deep-sea hooked quid, one of the largest deep-water squids in the world.
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President Biden calls for ‘immediate ceasefire’ in Gaza
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May 19, 2024
During a commencement speech at Morehouse College in Atlanta, President Biden said leadership is “doing what you believe is right even when it’s hard and lonely.”
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‘Self-determined’: Activists explain coining the term ‘Asian American’
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May 18, 2024
It’s Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a time that celebrates the history of more than 50 ethnic groups. So where did the term ‘Asian American’ even come from? Two activists who helped coin the term in 1968, Vicci Wong and Dr. Floyd Huen, explain.
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CNN 10: The big stories of the day, explained in 10 minutes
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May 16, 2024
Today on CNN 10, President Joe Biden and Donald Trump have agreed to continue the tradition of presidential debates for the upcoming election, but with a twist. The candidates will first debate on June 27 on CNN ahead of the usual fall debate, an event not organized by the Commission of Presidential Debates since 1988. Then, Korea’s annual Space-Out Competition challenges the social norm for productive rest and how doing nothing can be valuable. All that and more on this episode of CNN 10.
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Watch raccoon interrupt Major League Soccer game
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May 16, 2024
A raccoon was captured and safely released after it ran onto the field during a Major League Soccer game between the Philadelphia Union and New York City FC.
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See driver crash through bridge after multi-car collision in Kentucky
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May 16, 2024
Newly released dashcam footage shows the moment a driver lost control of a semi truck after a multi-car collision on Clark Memorial Bridge in Louisville, Kentucky. 33-year-old Trevor Branham has been charged for his alleged role in the crash, which happened in March. The case now is headed for a grand jury.
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CNN 10: The big stories of the day, explained in 10 minutes
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May 15, 2024
Today on CNN 10, as Russia pushes into northeastern Ukraine, the United States announces an additional $2 billion in military spending. CNN visits the Arabian Peninsula to see how the UAE is producing energy using household waste, and we hear from one dentist who provides care to an underserved population and dedicates himself to a mission much greater than himself. All that and more on this episode of CNN 10.
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CNN 10: The big stories of the day, explained in 10 minutes
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May 12, 2024
Today on CNN 10, some companies are considering a 4-day work week to prevent employee burnout. We introduce you to a performance wellness company that just made the switch. Then, we travel to Lady Elliot Island off the eastern coast of Australia to examine the delicate ecosystem’s history and future. Plus, there’s a rare fossil on display in Chicago. All that and more on this episode of CNN 10.
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Boeing cargo plane lands with no front wheels at Istanbul airport
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May 8, 2024
A Boeing-767 cargo plane landed on its nose after making the journey from Paris to Istanbul. Airport staff in Turkey guided the aircraft to land safely after the gear failure.
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CNN 10: The big stories of the day, explained in 10 minutes
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May 8, 2024
Today on CNN 10, NASA released a new immersive visualization that shows viewers what it’s like to get sucked into a massive black hole. Then, TikTok is suing the US government to try to block a ban of the popular Chinese social media app. All that and more on this episode of CNN 10.
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Police investigating shooting outside of Drake’s home
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May 7, 2024
Police are investigating after a security officer was shot outside of rapper Drake’s home in Toronto, Canada. It’s unclear if Drake was at his residence during the time of the shooting.
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Hear what Putin said at his inauguration
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May 7, 2024
Russian President Vladimir Putin was sworn in for his fifth term in an inauguration ceremony in Moscow.
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Watch: Boat capsizes during training race, sends crew members flying
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May 6, 2024
The USA SailGP Team’s boat was damaged after flipping on its side during a training race in Bermuda.
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Man aims gun at pastor during church service
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May 6, 2024
A gunman pointed a gun at a pastor during a church service in Pennsylvania before being tackled by a member of the congregation. According to CNN affiliate WTAE, the suspect, identified as 26-year-old Bernard Polite, was arraigned on several charges including attempted homicide.It’s unclear if he has an attorney. CNN affiliate WTAE reports.
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‘They told us that this material would be safe.’ Toxic PFAS discovered on US farms
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May 2, 2024
Farms across Maine are discovering toxic PFAS chemicals in their soil and water. But the problem could impact millions of acres of farmland nationwide.
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‘Shut the f**k up’: Officer seen kneeling on man’s neck before his death
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May 1, 2024
A 53-year-old man crashed his vehicle into a utility pole and fled to a nearby veteran’s hall in East Canton, Ohio. While he was being placed under arrested, he told officers at least 7 times that he couldn’t breathe.
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CNN 10: The big stories of the day, explained in 10 minutes
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Apr 24, 2024
Today on CNN 10, President Joe Biden has signed a bill that would effectively ban TikTok in the US if the parent company ByteDance does not sell it. The social media platform is ready to take the fight to court, claiming that this ban is unconstitutional. Then, NASA’s images reveal a lava lake on the surface of Jupiter’s moon Io. All that and more on this episode of CNN 10.
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CNN 10: The big stories of the day, explained in 10 minutes
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Apr 23, 2024
Today on CNN 10, the Voyager 1 spacecraft has finally sent decipherable code back to Earth again, after NASA engineers fixed a communication problem. Voyager 1 is currently about 15 billion miles away and 46 years old. Then, there’s a new social media trend in China as youth are sporting their “gross” outfits to work. It’s a form of rebellion against what many Chinese youth call toxic work conditions, low pay, and long hours. All that and more on this episode of CNN 10.
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CNN 10: The big stories of the day, explained in 10 minutes
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Apr 22, 2024
Today on CNN 10, a piece of space garbage from the International Space Station pierced the roof of a Florida home. NASA believed space junk would disintegrate as it entered Earth’s atmosphere, but this small piece survived. Then, Columbia University in New York has announced that all classes must be held virtually after pro-Palestinian protests have raised tensions. All that and more on this episode of CNN 10.
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Once lush Mexican lake, now a bed of rock
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Apr 17, 2024
Lake Pátzcuaro in Michoacán, Mexico has been impacted by several “environmental factors” as well as water theft, according to Pátzcuaro’s local government.
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Dog helps rescue owner who fell through ice
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Jan 19, 2024
After a 65-year-old Michigan man fell into an icy lake, his dog, Ruby, came to the rescue.
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Watch Buffalo Bills fan slide down stadium stairs
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Jan 15, 2024
The Buffalo Bills recruited community members to help shovel snow ahead of Monday’s playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Some didn’t seem to mind the sub-freezing temperatures.
About
McKenna Ewen covers the Midwest for CNN. He travels the country in search of extraordinary people and explores the universal conflicts that connect us all.
In 2022, he won a National Emmy Award for Science, Technology, or Environmental Coverage. He was also named Multimedia Journalist of the Year by the White House News Photographers Association. Prior to joining CNN, Ewen worked at The Washington Post and Minneapolis Star Tribune.
He is a childhood cancer survivor who graduated magna cum laude from the University of Minnesota.
