Author: CNN Newsource

By Adam Mintzer

Click here for updates on this story

    SCOTTSDALE, Arizona (KNXV) — Arizona has gained an international reputation as a factory for UFC talent, and one Scottsdale fighter is using the Valley’s training culture to chase the sport’s biggest stage — while also navigating the increasingly political world of combat sports.

Eitan Kagan, an American-Israeli MMA fighter, was born in the United States but spent most of his life in Israel. A few years ago, he returned stateside, a move he says was necessary to reach the highest level of the sport.

the state’s training culture to chase a UFC title fight Screenshot 2026-05-12 at 10.52.36 AM.png Photo by: KNXV Tough, hungry, resilient: How Arizona became the proving ground for the next UFC champions Screenshot 2026-05-12 at 10.52.36 AM.png By: Adam Mintzer Posted 7:44 AM, May 13, 2026 and last updated 10:00 AM, May 13, 2026 SCOTTSDALE, AZ — Arizona has gained an international reputation as a factory for UFC talent, and one Scottsdale fighter is using the Valley’s training culture to chase the sport’s biggest stage — while also navigating the increasingly political world of combat sports.

Eitan Kagan, an American-Israeli MMA fighter, was born in the United States but spent most of his life in Israel. A few years ago, he returned stateside, a move he says was necessary to reach the highest level of the sport.

“I always wanted to be the best in the world at something. So if I could do that, I’ve had a dream to be in the UFC. So if I could do that, I’m going to shoot my shot,” Kagan said.

Training in Arizona has put Kagan alongside elite competition every day.

“Being here, being surrounded by fighters, by UFC guys, by Bellator champions, whatever it is, brings you closer. Iron sharpener sharpens iron,” Kagan said.

That environment is no accident. Joel Lopez, owner of RUF MMA, has built his Arizona-based promotion into a proving ground for fighters chasing a Las Vegas main event.

“We want to create true champions on and off the cage,” Lopez said.

Lopez says the road to a Vegas main event runs directly through the Valley.

“We’re like the provinces in The Gladiator movie… It’s close enough for the Vegas fighters to come here,” Lopez said.

But Lopez says Arizona’s dominance in the sport goes beyond its proximity to Las Vegas or the talent pipeline flowing from Arizona State University’s wrestling program and area boxing and jiu-jitsu gyms. He says the desert heat itself forges champions.

“Fighters in the state are tough. They’re hungry and very resilient,” Lopez said.

More fighters in the state also means more fights — and more time in front of crowds. That exposure introduces athletes to another dimension of the sport: politics.

Kyle Green, who studies the intersection of UFC and politics at SUNY Brockport, says combat sports have moved to the right over the past decade, in part due to President Trump’s close relationship with UFC CEO Dana White. Trump is even hosting a bout on the White House lawn in June.

“It’s a stage where we get to see all these tensions that exist in society play out, and they’re often very magnified. And in combat sports, it’s less subtle,” Green said.

But Green says that doesn’t mean the fighting fanbase all shares the same views.

“Gyms become places where fighters and coaches speak out on these issues. It can divide communities,” Green said.

That division played out after Kagan’s latest title fight. He won — and after the victory, he wrapped himself in the Israeli flag, drawing a mix of cheers and boos from the crowd.

“I think there was extra because Israel and now the whole political situation… it’s not neutral,” Kagan said.

Four years into his Arizona fighting career, Kagan knew what message he wanted to send.

“We need more love in this place. We’re all similar. We’re often the same thing. We all try to do better things like these divisions. Don’t help anyone,” Kagan said.

The UFC bout scheduled for the White House lawn is set for June 14 and will include Sean O’Malley, who trains at Red Hawk Academy in Peoria.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. KNXV 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 Karina Nova and Juan Carlos Guerrero

Click here for updates on this story

    DANVILLE, California (KGO) — It’s not often a lesson plan gets a whole classroom so excited that students give themselves extra work. But that’s what has been happening regularly in Sara Stinson’s science class at John Baldwin Elementary School in Danville.

The excitement revolves around Jackie and Shadow, a pair of bald eagles in Big Bear Valley. A webcam points at their nest 24 hours a day.

“When I found out about the Jackie and Shadow camera, I started watching it in all of my classes,” Stinson said.

The lives of Jackie and Shadow fit right in with Stinson’s unit on life cycles.

“We get to see the eagles set up their nest, then we get to see them lay eggs, and then we get to see the eggs hatch and the chicks grow,” Stinson said.

The webcam has been a regular part of her lesson plan for years.

Then a few months ago, she learned that the area where the eagles hunt could be developed into luxury homes, unless the San Bernardino Mountain Land Trust can raise $10 million dollars to buy the land by July 31st.

“I started sharing the information with them and they felt so passionate about it. They were like, ‘What can we do?'” Stinton said.

The students took that concern into their next class with teacher Nancy McCaul.

“They were furious that it was happening and they were like literally yelling, ‘We need to do something,'” McCaul said.

It just so happened McCaul was starting a persuasive writing unit.

“Instead of doing the normal unit, we shifted a little bit to persuade people in the community, famous people, to donate to this cause,” she said.

The letters the students wrote are being sent to people around the world, from family members of the students to social media influencers and famous singers like Taylor Swift.

“When we first heard about this news, it was very sad for us because we are worried that the thing we have been watching for years can go away,” fourth grader Evie Cook said.

The students have also been raising money on their own by doing bake sales and lemonade stands, and even making bald eagle origamis.

“They’ve been walking up and down the streets of downtown Danville with posters informing people. They have been thinking about starting a social media campaign,” McCaul said.

All this has deeply moved the group trying to save the area, known as Moon Camp.

“It touched my heart, tears me up,” said Jenny Voisard of Friends of Big Bear Valley.

The group has been fighting the new development near Fawnskin for 25 years.

Earlier this year, the developer gave them one final chance to buy the land for $10 million dollars, so they launched a campaign to raise the money.

“We don’t plan to do anything with it. We want to keep the trees for the flying squirrels and the eagles and everybody else. It’s the last undisturbed shoreline,” said Voisard.

The concern is not just the bald eagles. Big Bear Valley is home to rare plants like the Ash-gray Indian paintbrush and the area is considered a biodiversity hotspot.

While the development would not directly threaten the tree where Jackie and Shadow have their nest, it will impact their hunting grounds.

“Jackie and Shadow use the area extensively for perching and foraging for food. That is their chosen nesting place,” added Voisard.

So far, Friends of Big Bear Valley has raised a quarter of the $10 million dollars needed to buy the land before the July 31st deadline.

Students in Stinson’s class get daily updates on the fundraising.

“Every class, first through fifth grade, comes in and one of their first questions is how much money have we raised?” Stinson said.

Voisard says that if Friends of Big Bear Valley can’t raise the full $10 million in the next three months, the group plans to take out loans and pay the debt off with more fundraising.

“Failure is not an option,” Voisard said.

For more information on the fundraiser, go to savemooncamp.org.

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 Jadius McGhee

Click here for updates on this story

    LA CROSSE, Wisconsin (WKBT) — While most people slow down as they age, Gary Raabel is doing the opposite. At nearly 90 years old, the La Crosse man continues to prove that age is just a number through his unwavering commitment to fitness.

Raabel has made exercise a cornerstone of his life for nearly seven decades, transitioning from his military service in the Army to a dedicated routine in the weight room. His passion for fitness has only intensified with age.

“I’ve been going to the gym ever since I was 20 years old. The last 20 years, I’ve been coming to the gym now just about all the time. I just love it, you know?” Raabel said.

At Premier Fitness in La Crosse, Raabel has become something of a legend. Staff members say he stands out not just for his age, but for the intensity and dedication he brings to every workout.

“When he lifts he’s literally like a machine. He’s not your average 90-year-old. He lifts heavier than a lot of my 30-year-olds in here,” said Sally Johnson, owner of Premier Fitness & Wellness. “He really is the epitome of what you can expect to have happen to you if you stay strong and you keep moving.”

Raabel’s influence extends beyond his personal achievements. Fellow gym members say his work ethic and positive attitude have become a daily source of motivation for everyone around him.

“He is quite the motivator. We come in every day. He gets up, comes in every day. Does this workout, you know, it’s all about being healthy, a mind, body and spirit. And Gary is the epitome of all those things,” said Toni Schultz, a friend of Raabel’s at the gym.

Alvis Norman, another friend, sees Raabel’s story as inspiration for people of all ages. “It’s a story for everybody that’s either his age or trying to get to his age that you can do this if you put the effort into it,” Norman said.

For those looking to follow in his footsteps, Raabel offers straightforward advice rooted in decades of experience.

“You got to exercise to stay fit. It’s kind of hard to start when you’re in the last stage of your life. You know. But, if you do exercise, then you should just stay with it year after year,” Raabel said.

The nearly 90-year-old shows no signs of slowing down. Raabel says he plans to stay active for as long as his body will allow him to, continuing to inspire others through his remarkable dedication to health and fitness.

His story serves as a powerful reminder that maintaining an active lifestyle can lead to extraordinary results, regardless of age. At Premier Fitness, Raabel continues to redefine what it means to age gracefully while motivating others to pursue their own fitness goals.

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 Anser Hassan

Click here for updates on this story

    FREMONT, California (KGO) — Crews spent most of the day boarding up the main entrance to Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Company, a popular Fremont coffee shop, after a breakin early Tuesday morning. It’s the fourth breakin in less than two years.

Surveillance video shows a truck smashing through the front door around 2 a.m. Two suspects entered the shop and searched for less than a minute before leaving. The owners said the suspects likely escaped with only a few dollars but caused about $20,000 in damage, which is not covered by insurance.

“Door frame is gone. Windows are gone. Doors are gone. And they took like $2,” said Hamza, a coowner of the shop, who didn’t want to use his last name over security concerns. “Unfortunately, insurance doesn’t cover things like this. It is more so for things like customer injury, liability stuff inside. So, this will have to be 100% outofpocket.”

Hamza said the business has been doing well since opening two years ago. Qamaria is the first Yemeni coffee shop in the South Bay.

“Our beans are single-sourced straight from Yemen, brought into Michigan where they are roasted, and then directly shipped to us,” Hamza said. “So, our coffee is actual real coffee – not something you can just go buy at a local store.”

Qamaria is open late at night, which is a big draw. But Hamza believes that may have also made it a target.

“People saw how busy we were, especially late night. You don’t normally see that for coffee shops. They were probably assuming we have a lot of cash on hand,” he said.

Hamza said the first break-in happened four months after the grand opening. After the third incident, the business went cashless.

“We did face a lot of backlash from the community for going cashless,” Hamza said. “And we did lose some business. But this is why we do it, right? Because if we continue to keep cash on the premises, we are just going to keep getting broken into.”

In a statement to ABC7 Eyewitness News, Fremont officials said detectives are actively investigating the case, adding: “The police department will continue to conduct directed patrol checks in the area to support safety and crime prevention.”

Hamza said Fremont police were able to identify the vehicle using a license plate reader, but the vehicle had been reported stolen.

“Even if they can get the license plate, car came back stolen. At the end of the day, there is no resolution to it. From the first to this one, there hasn’t been anything done,” he said.

Fremont officials said that even though the vehicle was stolen, it remains a piece of evidence that could help investigators track down the suspects.

Hamza said the business has already seen increased expenses due to tariffs and inflation. One option is to hire private security, but that would be another out-of-pocket cost.

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 Mike Bunge

Click here for updates on this story

    MASON CITY, Iowa (KIMT) — Four chicks arrived at the IOOF Home and Community Therapy Center on Monday morning, part of a program designed to provide emotional support for elderly residents.

The chicks came from Hoover’s Hatchery, a local Iowa hatchery that has been in business since 1944. The birds will live at the facility for the next six to eight weeks while they grow their feathers and gain size.

Residents will be able to spend time near the chicks. Staff will care for them, and family members visiting loved ones will stop by the brooder.

“Having that emotional support from an animal does provide some comfort for the residents,” IOOF Spokesman Anthony Romualdo said. “Some residents don’t even have family.”

Programs placing chickens in care facilities have spread across the United States and internationally. A program called HenPower has placed chickens in more than 40 UK care homes since 2011, and Northumbria University found measurable reductions in loneliness and depression among residents.

In 2013, the Life Care Center of Nashoba Valley in Massachusetts introduced chickens as a calming tool for residents with dementia. Similar programs have since expanded nationwide.

Experts say chickens trigger long-term memories in residents who grew up around farms. They give people a daily reason to engage through feeding, watching and collecting eggs, and they calm dementia patients in ways other animals do not.

The birds can be observed from a window, fed from a wheelchair or held in the lap. Mobility is not a barrier.

The chickens may also bring families back to visit more often. Kids love being around chicks, giving grandchildren a reason to visit more frequently.

“It’s a big draw for our facility and our residents, families and staff to bring little ones,” Romualdo said. “Anytime we have events like our Easter egg hunt or Halloween, we have kids running around here everywhere and the residents just love it.”

Hoover’s Hatchery hand-selected four breeds for IOOF Home, each chosen for personality and visual interest. The breeds include a Sapphire Gem, a New Hampshire Red, a Production Blue and a Blue Breasted Brown Leghorn.

When the chicks are ready to move outside, Hoover’s will return to install a Lean-To Easy Clean Chicken Coop. The coop is designed to make daily care easier for staff and residents.

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 Ali Hoxie

Click here for updates on this story

    DETROIT (WXYZ) — Gas prices have many metro Detroit drivers looking at electric and hybrid vehicles, but making the switch can feel overwhelming. However, a Detroit man is making it his mission to change that.

Ray Smith reached out to me following a story I did a few weeks ago, speaking about a lack of charging stations in the state.

He said there are practical ways to get the most out of an electric vehicle; you just have to know where to start.

This is Ray Smith, and he has a passion for teaching people all about EVs. He is the program director for Blast Detroit, a non-profit organization leading the way in electric-vehicle training.

“We started in a local garage here, small,” Smith said.

“Do you feel like there’s a misunderstanding when it comes to EVS?” I asked Smith.

“There’s a lack of instructors,” he replied. “So that is one of the pathways, to train people with a mechanical background, and put them more in an EV space.”

He has connected with Michigan Works and Macomb County Community College to help educate students on how to operate and fix EVs. I spoke with one of his former students, Stephanie Marshall.

“It’s the way of the world, it’s what’s happening now, so if I am going to be in the electric field, this is something that I need to be educated on,” Marshall said.

Being educated is something Ray tells me is part of the issue, including knowing the pros and cons of EVs. So he put me in touch with Kelli Sloan, the Vice President of the Tesla Owners Club of Michigan.

She gave me a tour of her Cyber Truck, including showing me ways to look up charging stations right from the truck. She says drivers should not be turned off by “range anxiety” and that most EVs have this feature.

“We’ve been to California, we’ve been to St. George, Utah, we’ve been to the Florida Keys, we’ve been to Virginia, we’ve been to Washington DC. The truck has not sat still very much since we had it, and we have had zero issues charging the vehicle,” Sloan said.

But there are other concerns, including outlasting rough weather.

“If you buy an electric vehicle in the summer, you expect a certain range that you’re told about, and when cold weather sets in, your range is significantly reduced,” said Luke Deptula, a trainer at Blast Detroit.

A recent study from AAA found that extreme temperatures drain both efficiency and your wallet. In heat, hybrids lose about 12 percent in fuel economy, and EVs are in the 10 percent range. The cold cuts fuel economy in hybrids by around 23 percent, and EVs lose nearly 40 percent in range, and it can cost more to charge at public charging stations in extreme cold and heat.

But there are some good perks to driving EVs, including avoiding the sky-high gas prices and a nice, smooth drive, compared to gas-powered vehicles.

“I think that every motorist should at least have some knowledge of EVs, because it does give you choices,” Smith said.

You can learn more about Blast Detroit at this link, as Ray told me that there are excellent pre-owned Electric Vehicles available at Dealer Auctions for half the cost of New Vehicles, and Blast Detroit can help with finding the right one for those interested.

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 Peter Maxwell

Click here for updates on this story

    ST. CLAIR SHORES, Michigan (WXYZ) — What started with a single Snoopy doll has grown into a massive, 60-year collection — and a museum that has raised nearly $50,000 for local charities in St. Clair Shores.

Tucked inside Mike’s On The Water along the Nautical Mile is a Snoopy museum unlike anything most visitors have ever seen.

“Everybody collects something. I happen to collect Snoopy’s,” owner Michael LeFevre said.

From the outside, there’s no hint of what’s waiting inside the waterfront restaurant. But step through the doors and you’ll walk straight into Snoopy history.

“I think anything that could be a Snoopy or have a Snoopy on it is here,” Audrie Strum of Grosse Pointe said.

“I’ve never seen so many Snoopy’s ever in my life. There’s so many!” Amy Cotten of Grosse Pointe said.

More than 16,000 Snoopy collectibles fill the museum, from Pez dispensers to original artwork and classic Peanuts memorabilia. Nearly every inch of space — from the floor to the two-story ceiling — is covered.

“A lot of stories in here. Every cabinet has a story,” LeFevre said.

LeFevre’s love for Snoopy began in 1965, when his father brought his sister Susan Marie home from the hospital.

“He was carrying her into the house in one hand and in the other hand was a plush Snoopy, an 18-inch plush Snoopy, and I grabbed it, slept with it and the rest is history,” LeFevre said.

The collection spans more than 60 years and includes pieces from around the world.

“I found him in Paraguay, I found him in Rio, I found him in China, I found him in Germany, I found him in Russia — yes, Snoopy’s worldwide,” LeFevre said.

While his passion for Snoopy began with his sister’s birth, the museum now serves as a tribute to her memory. Susan died in 2012 after battling breast cancer.

“She called me Snoop and I called her Snoop, and it’s got a great passionate bond right there,” LeFevre said.

Since the museum opened three years ago, visitors have helped raise nearly $50,000 for local charities — turning a lifelong passion into something that gives back to the community.

“When people come see the museum, we suggest to put a couple of bucks in the box,” LeFevre said.

Whether you’re a lifelong Snoopy fan or simply curious, the hidden gem is quickly becoming a destination along the Nautical Mile.

“It’s a passion,” LeFevre 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 Scott Noll

Click here for updates on this story

    CONGRESS TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WEWS) — Standing with his left arm bandaged and stitched back together, the words “thankful” and “blessed” probably aren’t how you would expect Wayne County Sheriff Thomas Ballinger to explain his day.

But hours after Ballinger and Wayne County Sergeant Dan Broome were stabbed while investigating reports of a suspicious person, both officers were out of the hospital and recovering from their injuries Tuesday night.

“Just very thankful that everybody came together and the outcome is what it was,” said Ballinger. “Both of us are here, and the individual’s in jail.”

The sheriff said he and Broome were riding together on patrol Tuesday morning, when they encountered Chad Palmer walking along State Route 539 near West Salem.

Ballinger said Palmer seemed agitated and was yelling as he approached and then walked past the sheriff.

“I tried to stop him, and his back was turned toward me,” said Ballinger. “He had a backpack on the front of him with his hands inside the backpack against his chest, and once I reached out to secure him, he turned, and that’s when he cut my left forearm with his knife.”

The sheriff said he turned and then saw Palmer wrestling on the ground with the sergeant.

“When I turned around and looked, he said ‘he got me,’ and as soon as he said that, the individual took off running,” said Ballinger.

The sheriff, bleeding from a two-to-three-inch cut on his forearm, said he grabbed his radio and called for help before tending to Broome’s injuries.

“A lot of chaos,” said the sheriff. “It’s something we train for, but we don’t experience every day.”

Both officers were rushed to hospitals for treatment.

“I had my radio still on, so I knew what was going on, and then people kept me posted what was happening,” said the sheriff, who admitted he ignored repeated requests to turn the radio off and put the phone down.

State records showed Palmer was already on parole after serving prison time for felonious assault and other charges.

He was arrested after investigators said he was on Facebook live and poured gasoline on himself before negotiators talked him off the roof of a shed.

Ballinger said deputies responded to reports before the stabbing that Palmer was acting suspiciously, but said there was no reason to believe he would be armed and dangerous when officers were called about him again.

“I don’t think there were any red flags other than knowing who he is and that kind of thing, but nothing pointed us in this direction,” said Ballinger.

The sheriff said he plans to return to work on Wednesday.

Doctors told him that because the knife cut into his muscle, he may need surgery.

As for what the sheriff would like to see happen to his accused attacker, Ballinger said he would leave that to the justice system to sort out.

“I don’t have a vendetta against him,” said Ballinger. “I just don’t want him out hurting other people or himself.”

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 Kaylee Olivas

Click here for updates on this story

    EUCLID, Ohio (WEWS) — Two years after Euclid Officer Jacob Derbin lost his life while on duty, his mother is still seeking answers from that night.

Derbin was shot while responding to a disturbance at a home in the 300 block of East 211th Street just before 10 p.m. on May 11, authorities told us in 2024.

Derbin was transported to University Hospitals, where he died from his injuries, according to police.

Derbin’s mother, Dawn, who is also the administrator of his estate, has been asking how and why since his death.

She said she has yet to be given those answers.

“We want the truth, and we want transparency and accountability. The public deserves it, and Jacob deserves it. I deserve those answers,” Dawn told News 5 on Tuesday.

Late Friday, on behalf of Derbin’s estate, Dawn filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio Eastern Division.

The 28-page lawsuit accuses the Chagrin Valley Dispatch Center of failing to relay crucial information about the severity of the situation.

It says the woman who phoned in the domestic dispute to Chagrin Valley dispatchers mentioned her child’s father, Deshawn Vaughn, threatened to shoot her and her family members and had previously shot her brother.

The lawsuit states that information wasn’t passed along to Euclid officers until 40 minutes later.

Euclid Police supervisors failed to come up with a tactical plan before sending Derbin and two other non-veteran officers, Alicia Mitchell and Samuel Jackson, to respond to the call, according to the lawsuit.

Body camera footage previously obtained by News 5 revealed the woman telling Derbin and other officers they could look in her backyard for Vaughn. Shortly after that, gunfire rang out.

Jackson blindly fired shots, which drew more gunfire in Derbin’s direction, the lawsuit said. Vaughn escaped and was later found to have committed suicide in Shaker Heights.

The lawsuit accuses officers of recklessly shooting at the suspect, drawing return fire that ultimately killed Derbin.

Derbin was shot seven times, the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit claims the other Euclid officers failed to move Derbin to safety and render aid, delaying necessary medical attention.

“During that response and in the aftermath of his death, it became clear that the Euclid Police Department had failed to adequately train and equip its officers to respond to calls like this where there was a threat of known violence,” FFG Partner Jacqueline Greene told News 5.

Greene is representing the Derbin family in this case.

She alleges that Derbin’s supervisors, who are listed as defendants in the suit, failed to provide any kind of instruction or intervention for the officers responding to the call.

“There are questions that should be answered. There are questions that the department should be accountable for, and the department should hold its officers accountable in the review of the events that led to Jacob Derbin’s death,” Greene said.

Dawn said she feels like she has been fighting for basic information in her son’s death.

She told News 5 she has tried having conversations with those at the Euclid Police Department for the last two years and claims she has only been met with deflection.

“No family should have to fight this hard to find out what happened to their baby. Nobody. It is torture,” Dawn said. “This all started with just me wanting to know my son’s last words, and I couldn’t get a straight answer from how many times he was shot to where he was.”

Greene acknowledged Euclid Police did follow proper procedure in calling the Bureau of Criminal Investigation to review the shooting, but said there are some unusual inconsistencies in it.

“They didn’t require their officers to give statements. They didn’t require them to give interviews. Not a single member of the Euclid Police Department sat down with BCI to give an interview about what happened. It’s highly unusual in BCI investigations to come across a full file without a single interview of a person in the department,” Greene said.

Last year, BCI finished its investigation, concluding that “there is no evidence to suggest that anyone other than the suspect was responsible for Jacob’s death,” and clearing the officers of any wrongdoing.

Greene said no internal investigation into the shooting was conducted.

“Does the Euclid Police Department actually want to grapple with what happened here and why and how Jacob Derbin died? It appears not based on their lack of commitment to transparency and lack of commitment to a full and thorough investigation of the events leading to and causing his death,” Greene said.

The alleged lack of commitment is noted in the lawsuit, too. It ties it to several different incidents that happened over the course of the last decade.

Both Greene and Dawn said they now want to put a stop to it.

Not only are they seeking accountability and transparency, but Dawn said she hopes this lawsuit sparks “meaningful change” in the department.

“I do not want this to happen to anybody else ever again,” Dawn said. “What happened to Jacob can never happen again to anybody, to any civilian, to another officer. Jacob was funny. Jacob was a protector. He always did the right thing. He believed in integrity. He believed in service. He was a proud soldier. He’s just amazing. He was an amazing, incredible human being. He should still be here.”

Greene said the suit is still in the process of being served to everyone involved.

“Then we’ll proceed down the typical path of litigation to seek the answers through discovery and other means in the context of the courts,” Greene said.

News 5 reached out to the City of Euclid for a response to the lawsuit.

“The City of Euclid, the Euclid Police Department and its officers continue to mourn the loss of Officer Jacob Derbin. The City of Euclid has recently received the lawsuit filed by the Estate of Jacob Derbin and per its policy it will not be commenting on the pending litigation. After reviewing the matter with legal counsel, the City will respond through the proper legal proceedings,” Euclid Law Director Patrick Cooney said on Tuesday.

I reached out to Derbin’s father via social media for comment but didn’t hear back.

Dawn is still calling for a full independent U.S. Department of Justice investigation into her son’s death.

“I believe significant evidence and investigative concerns were not fully addressed, including evidence I believe was not presented to the grand jury. I want every fact surrounding what happened that night fully examined through every legal and transparent process available,” Dawn said.

A day after our report aired, the Euclid Fraternal Order of Police sent News 5 a statement, saying, “The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 18 stands firmly behind the officers and supervisors of the Euclid Police Department following the filing of a civil lawsuit arising from the tragic line-of-duty death of Officer Jacob James Derbin.”

The statement also says, “Independent investigations were conducted following Officer Derbin’s death, including reviews by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office, and the grand jury process. Those investigations concluded that the suspect who ambushed officers and opened fire was solely responsible for Officer Derbin’s death.”

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 Kristen Skovira

Click here for updates on this story

    CINCINNATI (WCPO) — A local business is putting a unique spin on the vending machine experience by serving up surprise drinks from around the world, with customers never knowing exactly what they’re going to get.

The Mystery Machine is designed to dispense drinks completely at random, with more than 1,000 possible combinations.

Founder Harrison Baer says the concept traces back to his childhood, when a simple vending machine became a daily destination for him and his friends.

“Every single day we would gather together and meet up at this one very typical vending machine, but there was something very mysterious about it… it was the thrill of not knowing what drink you were going to get that excited us a ton.”

Baer said that early fascination eventually turned into a business idea built around surprise, choice and shared experiences. He told us he quit his corporate job, cashed out his 401K and put everything into the business so that customers can find the same joy he had as a kid.

Currently, customers can select from different categories like kids’ drinks, international drinks, diet, caffeine-free or sparkling drinks, as well as plain ole mystery drinks. What they get will be up to the machine (unless they pick one of three classic options — Coke, Diet Coke and spring water).

There’s also a special golden can that gives you a special prize, like a coupon for a free dessert.

Today, the Mystery Machine has expanded to four locations across the Tri-State: inside Factory 52’s Gatherall in Norwood, Al’s Delicious Popcorn in Over-the-Rhine, Dreamy’s Icecream in Union, Ky., and at Molly’s Cupcakes at the Liberty Center in Liberty Township.

The goal, Baer said, is to turn a simple purchase into something more interactive — and something people experience together.

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.