Author: CNN

KDKA

By Ross Guidotti

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    PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A South Park man says several people protested in front of his house, claiming someone who lives there is promoting animal abuse because they work at PPG Paints Arena. But the homeowner said the protesters were there for all the wrong reasons.

Lou Ruzzi and his family have been living in South Park for decades on a road where nothing much happens. But late last week, he was on a walk and coming home from that walk, he found loud animal rights protesters in front of his house.

“They said they were protesting against the rodeo that was being held at PPG Arena coming up in February,” Ruzzi said.

And the reason they picked Ruzzi’s home in particular? One of his daughters works at the arena.

“She’s an usher there. She has nothing to do when it comes to scheduling these types of events,” Ruzzi said.

KDKA learned the group protesting is the Christian Animal Rights Association.

“Their rationale was that they wanted to get to the employees basically because they weren’t getting what they wanted from management,” Ruzzi said.

Ruzzi says not only were these people protesting a part-time usher at PPG Paints Arena, but his daughter doesn’t even live with him.

KDKA reached out to Matthew King, who heads up the Christian Animal Rights Association. He confirmed his group was responsible for the protest and also confirmed its goal of raising awareness about alleged animal cruelty at rodeos.

“You are talking to the wrong person. You are going after the wrong people. Go protest at the PPG Arena,” Ruzzi said.

“Stay out of the neighborhoods. We don’t want you here,” Ruzzi 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.

WLNY

By Hannah Kliger

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    NEW YORK (WCBS) — A community care van is rolling through South Brooklyn neighborhoods to deliver case management and check-in services to people facing criminal charges while out on pretrial supervised release.

On Livonia Avenue, community navigator Troy Johnson climbs behind the wheel of the van, which functions as a mobile office for Brooklyn Justice Initiatives staff. Johnson has worked as a navigator since May, visiting people on supervised release to help them comply with court orders.

“I spent some time in prison. I realized during that period that, no, I’m not a bad boy,” Johnson recalled. “So I’m always looking for opportunities, even outside of the workplace, to help others.”

The pilot program targets Brooklyn residents who have previously struggled to meet the terms of their release. Instead of requiring them to travel to an office, the van brings services directly into their neighborhoods.

Curtis Huggins, Director of Community Initiatives at the Brooklyn Justice Initiative, said participants receive far more than basic check-ins.

“They essentially get a mobile office without having to come into the office to complete their check-ins, get wraparound services, they get provisions, care packages, clothing items,” Huggins said.

The initiative is a partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice. City officials say research shows that increasing compliance with supervised release conditions can lower recidivism.

“Supervised release participants return to court at a rate of 87%. And so the city has really been focused on looking at the flip side of that statistic. How do we make it much higher? How do we serve people better?” said Jordan Montoya, executive director of Diversion and Transition at the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice.

During a stop in Midwood, Johnson met with 39-year-old Allen Keller, who received a care package filled with snacks while checking in with his case worker.

“It’s been helpful in the sense that it kept me out of jail,” Keller said. “My counselor… is helping me rebuild bridges with my family members. And that is a tremendous strain in my life.”

The van primarily serves parts of South Brooklyn considered transit deserts and focuses on participants 35 and older, many of whom juggle work, child care, or responsibilities to aging parents.

“These are individuals who are parents, community members who have a variety of obligations outside of the court system. And we allow them to be able to maintain, engage with that,” Huggins said.

In some cases, workers transport participants to their new Brownsville hub on Livonia Avenue, where they can access additional services such as hot meals and free haircuts before their court appointments.

“We can potentially assist them in whatever it is that they need in their life to put it back on track,” Montoya said.

The three-year pilot aims to give participants a stronger shot at a second chance while leaders study whether the approach can help build safer communities across Brooklyn.

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.

WJZ

By Nicky Zizaza

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    BALTIMORE (WJZ) — The instructor of a water aerobics class in Baltimore calls the non-traditional workout “Big Energy,” and attendees say it is helping them start the new year strong.

WJZ’s Nicky Zizaza jumped into the pool to kick off our Health Watch series, Fitness Remix 2026.

The water aerobics class is held inside a Baltimore pool at Digital Harbor High School. The class is breaking stereotypes about water aerobics.

The music is loud; the energy is high, and the man leading the class has turned fitness into a movement.

“I will give 100 percent. Big energy,” the group chants before class begins.

Terrell Talbert did not seek out water aerobics. The class found him in June 2025. Now he is known simply as Big Energy, a name he proudly embraces.

“I was subbing for another instructor, and she asked me to sub a water aerobics class,” Talbert said. “I thought it would be something different than the normal classes I teach.”

That something different quickly became something he fell in love with.

“I did it, and I fell in love instantly,” Talbert said. “It is great for your joints.”

Talbert transformed the class into an energetic faith-based experience.

“When I first started, I was going easy,” he said. “Then I was like, no, I’m Mr. Big Energy. I have to put my own spin on it, my own love for it, and my own passion, and that’s when I said I’m gonna change the music, change the moves, and we just gonna go all the way Big Energy.”

Participants said the impact goes far beyond the pool.

Dr. James Darby admits he was skeptical at first.

“I kind of strayed from workouts because I have a really bad ankle injury,” Darby said. “I cannot run anymore or do impact workouts.”

He started attending about three months ago.

“I have gone from 397 pounds to 357 pounds,” Darby said.

For others, the class represents a turning point before medical intervention.

“I was considering surgery,” said attendee Nicole Pulley. “He told me to come to him first. I have lost 17 pounds since I started.”

Talbert said the focus is not just physical fitness but mental health.

“When I look at fitness, I look at mental health,” he said. “When you are stressed and moving your body, that dopamine rush goes straight to your head.”

Despite the intensity, the workout is gentle on the body.

“There is no swimming,” Talbert said. “Your head never goes underwater.”

He said it is especially helpful for people with joint pain.

“If you have knee problems, this will not make them worse,” he said.

Talbert also brings something personal to the pool.

“I have been a big guy all my life,” he said. “Big jokes and fat jokes do not bother me.”

What he has created is more than a workout class. It is a community where people feel strong, supported, and seen.

“This is more than water aerobics,” Talbert said. “It is a full experience.”

Talbert teaches two classes a week, and all are welcome to sign up. Since starting, he has become a viral fitness sensation. He also leads step classes, dance classes, and a fitness boot camp.

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.

KDKA

By Meghan Schiller

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    PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A Pittsburgh area woman says she never expected the outpouring of support when she shared the details of her traumatic experience on social media.

Stray voltage from a nearby streetlight shocked her and her dog Denim, leaving him immobile.

“I want to raise awareness around this situation that apparently happens in Pittsburgh because it shouldn’t,” said Montana Mitchell.

For the first time, Mitchell is reliving what she can’t stop replaying in her mind. A post-run cool-down walk on Smallman Street with her dog Denim ended in panic.

“I wear his leash around my waist, and so it was a small buzz I felt around my waist, so I thought the shock was coming from me at first, so I ripped out my AirPods and took off my Apple Watch.”

But that didn’t help, and Mitchell watched her beloved chocolate lab scream out, convulsing, and foaming at the mouth right next to a streetlight on the sidewalk near 11th and Smallman streets.

“He had been thrown to his side, his legs were pushed out, and it looked like he was being tased,” said Mitchell. “When I realized he was being shocked, I didn’t know where it was coming from, so I didn’t know what to pull him away from. He’s also 85 pounds.”

Now she wonders if his size or her quick thinking saved him.

“I kind of had this split-second thought of, ‘OK, I got to get in there.’ So, I leaned over and started taking off his harness and his collars. That’s when I really felt the jolts of the shock. It went up and down my arms, through my chest, and down my spine.”

Miraculously, both Mitchell and her pup survived.

City officials confirmed Monday that something had previously struck the bottom of the streetlight, shifting the wires and causing a pinch in the wiring that energized the pole.

This happened almost two years to the day after Bob Robinson-Dassel’s dog Nikki died from electrocution after walking over a metal plate beneath a streetlight on the Murray Avenue Bridge, also energized by faulty wiring.

At the time, the City of Pittsburgh and former Mayor Ed Gainey’s administration hired a consulting company that recommended a city-wide check of its streetlights and electrical wiring.

Mayor Corey O’Connor’s administration told KDKA-TV that never happened.

“Once I learned that this wasn’t the first time this had happened, that’s really what compelled me to speak out publicly,” Mitchell said. “Otherwise, if it were a true freak accident, I would have kept it between family and friends.”

Mitchell told KDKA-TV that she is meeting with attorneys and plans to make a decision by the end of the week.

The city told KDKA-TV that it will now continue to complete the suggested city-wide inventory of all of the city’s streetlights to prevent this from happening again.

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.

KDKA

By Andy Sheehan

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    PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Twin boys have been seen selling lemonade for long hours several times a week, often in cold weather, on street corners throughout Pittsburgh and the suburbs for months.

Hundreds of people have posted concerns on the social media platform Reddit, saying the twins are being exploited and demanding action. The police have been called, and complaints have been filed with the Office of Children, Youth and Families. KDKA Lead Investigator Andy Sheehan looked into the concerns about the so-called lemonade twins.

The boys sell lemonade day after day, hour after hour, around the Pittsburgh area. While they appear to be working alone, KDKA Investigates observed a woman, believed to be their mother Sahira Mohammad, sitting within eyesight in a car nearby. Customers say the twins ask for $20 a cup but accept as little as $2 or $3.

It’s not clear where the money goes or whether it’s a business or a charity. They have an Instagram page that says they serve lemonade for peace. Mohammad told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette this summer that the lemonade sales “instill a sense of confidence, independence and discipline in her boys, as well as the value of entrepreneurship.”

However, many of the hundreds of people posting their concerns on Reddit say they believe the twins are being exploited, documenting multiple times they’ve been out in sub-freezing temperatures and during school hours. They say they’ve called the police, ChildLine and have asked CYF to intercede.

“We’re really grateful to the community reporting when they have concerns, whether it’s about these children or any other children that we see, and, of course, we’re taking action on those reports of abuse,” said Erin Dalton, director of the Allegheny County Department of Human Services.

Dalton said she is prohibited from discussing any investigation, but said complaints of this nature automatically initiate a process: a screening that can lead to an investigation, a finding within 60 days and possible action.

“I cannot report on where we are on any of these referrals, but those are processes that are underway for any referral that comes in,” Dalton said.

KDKA’s Andy Sheehan asked, “In this case, are these legitimate concerns?”

“We take every complaint and every concern about child abuse and neglect seriously, and we investigate those that we feel are merited,” Dalton said.

But a determination of abuse or neglect may not be so clear in this case.

If this is a family business, child welfare experts say that it may be little different from kids doing daily chores on a family farm. The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police has responded to several complaints but has found no evidence to charge the woman criminally. The police bureau issued a statement saying, in part:

“Officers have looked into the matter and so far they have found that the none of their sales have occurred during school hours or they occurred during days off from school. The children are also under supervision by a parent. At this time there is nothing to suggest any criminality with respect to their venture.”

Two days after Christmas, KDKA Investigates found the twins packing up their stand on the corner of Forbes and Murray avenues in Squirrel Hill. The mother left her car to collect them, and KDKA Investigates asked her to comment.

KDKA’s Andy Sheehan asked, “People are concerned about your kids.”

Mohammad said, “Can you please get the camera out my face?”

KDKA’s Andy Sheehan responded: “People are concerned about the state of your kids.”

“Can you please get away from me and my children, please. Thank you,” Mohammad 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.

KYW

By Tom Ignudo

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    PHILADELPHIA (KYW) — A 16-year-old boy was found shot dead inside a Chipotle bathroom on the edge of Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia Monday, police said. The shooting happened as students and staff returned to campus for the first day of the spring 2026 semester.

The teen was found shot in the chest inside the Chipotle on the 1100 block of West Montgomery Avenue at around 5 p.m., according to police. The restaurant is on the ground floor of The View at Montgomery apartments, which is near Temple’s Student Center and TECH Center.

Police later identified the boy as Khyon Smith-Tate of North Philadelphia. Philadelphia Police Department Chief Inspector Scott Small said the 16-year-old was pronounced dead at 5:24 p.m.

“The loss of life to gun violence is a profound tragedy, and there are no words that can make sense of it,” Temple University President John Fry and Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Jennifer Griffin said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones.”

Small said police believe the shooting happened inside the bathroom of the Chipotle.

The 16-year-old and another minor asked for keys to enter the restroom, according to Small. Moments later, Chipotle employees found the 16-year-old shot in the chest. One spent shell casing from a semiautomatic weapon was also found inside the bathroom. While police didn’t identify the 16-year-old, Small said his last known address is eight blocks away from where the shooting happened.

Small said the Chipotle was very crowded and busy at the time of the shooting, and several people who were inside were being held for questioning. So far, they haven’t gotten information from anyone who heard a gunshot inside the store.

A person of interest was taken into custody a few blocks from the scene, but their involvement wasn’t clear, Small said. Police said Tuesday that no suspects had been arrested and no motive has been determined.

Small said police believe Smith-Tate entered the bathroom with another minor, but investigators aren’t sure about the latter’s whereabouts.

Police are seeking more information on three possible suspects, described as teenagers carrying backpacks.

Small said there are plenty of cameras in the area and police will use them in their investigation.

“We are heartbroken by the tragic incident that occurred at our restaurant on the 1100 block of Montgomery Avenue in Philadelphia and we hope the individuals responsible are apprehended and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” a Chipotle spokesperson said in a statement. “The safety of our employees and guests is our top priority. We are cooperating fully with the Philadelphia Police Department, and the restaurant will remain closed while we assist with their investigation.”

Chipotle added that the company is offering counseling services to workers at the restaurant.

Employee Jesús Lucero was off work and said he got messages from co-workers about the shooting.

“No one actually knows how it happened,” Lucero said. “But the crew members are OK. Everyone that’s working was OK.”

Meanwhile, students are processing the shooting just steps from where they attend class — an area they say often draws teens after school.

“Like a big crowd or something on the streets, I don’t know what neighborhood they come from, but it’s usually in the afternoon after school,” Mauricio Gonzalez, a sophomore at Temple, said. “I mean, someone needs to watch out for these children. Where are their parents, you know? They’re not looking out for these people.”

Temple is encouraging any students impacted by the shooting to seek support through Tuttleman Counseling Services.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.

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.

WCBS

By Jenna DeAngelis

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    PATERSON, New Jersey (WCBS) — A New Jersey mother is speaking out after her special needs child was allegedly given hot sauce as discipline by his teacher.

While not confirming details of the claims, Paterson Public Schools confirmed that teacher has been let go.

CBS News New York sat down with the mother, who wants to raise awareness for other parents.

Quasheema Frye is the proud, protective mother of two sons with autism. Lamond, who is 6, is nonverbal.

“I feel like I got to talk for him and I got to be here for him and that’s why I’m stepping up and I’m just getting this out,” Frye said.

The concerned mother was outraged over allegations a teacher at Paterson’s Dale Avenue School gave her son hot sauce.

“It’s a kid. How could you even think of doing something like that to a kid?” Frye said.

She said she was alerted to a Facebook post from Dec. 22, claiming a teacher at the school, “is putting hot sauce in the students’ mouths as discipline for their behavior.”

Kenya Hilton, a substitute in the district, posted the allegations after she says another substitute told her about the incident.

“She was in the bathroom taking another child to the bathroom, washing her hands. Then she just hears a crazy yelling,” Hilton said. “She said that he ran into the bathroom and started rinsing his mouth out, and ‘That’s when I knew something was wrong.’ She says she saw the teacher put the hot sauce in the other children’s mouths.”

Hilton said the new substitute teacher — whose name she didn’t get — said she reported the incident to a superior, but Hilton was worried it wouldn’t be enough.

“I’m the mom of a neurodivergent child as well, and, honestly, my heart was hurting. I was disgusted,” Hilton said.

Hilton says the day after her Facebook post, she was contacted by an investigator and the district sent a message to parents, alerting them that “the allegation is being investigated.”

That’s when Frye said she contacted the school to see if it was her child’s class, and received a call from the principal more than two weeks later.

“She said, ‘and I’m sorry to inform you but your son was one of the children,'” Frye said.

However, Frye says at a meeting Monday the principal backtracked, saying it was not her son, leaving her with more questions than answers.

A Paterson Public Schools spokesperson said the district immediately initiated an investigation and the individual is no longer employed by the district.

“The District is aware of the allegation regarding an incident at Dale Avenue Elementary School and immediately initiated an investigation in accordance with established protocols. The individual involved is no longer employed by the District. We are committed to ensuring that every student feels safe, respected, and supported. Due to the nature of the matter, we are unable to share additional details at this time,” the spokesperson said.

“More needs to be done then. You just firing this person. They need to be held accountable. They need to be in jail. Like, there’s so many things I could think of, like hot sauce?” Frye 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.

WFOR

By Najahe Sherman

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    MIAMI (WFOR) — It’s a monumental milestone – two exceptional young women have become Eagle Scouts.

For Emily Mayol and Victoria Parra, this moment has been years in the making.

“I was so overjoyed. Like, I don’t think I can ever be that excited about something,” said Emily Mayol.

“Tears were shed, but I was just really excited. They were happy tears,” said Victoria Parra.

Becoming the first female Eagle Scouts in Troop 65’s 50-plus year history required outstanding leadership, commitment to community service, and breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated organization

It wasn’t until 2017 that the Boy Scouts of America welcomed girls. Scout Master Edward Steinman, who has led the troop for years, fully embraced this change.

“It was always boys. It was called Boy Scouts of America, now it’s just Scouts of America. It was a very, very good thing for them to do, because it adds a lot to the program,” Steinman said.

To earn the prestigious Eagle Scout rank, Mayol and Parra completed 21 merit badges, each representing a mastered skill, progressed through all scouting ranks, and spearheaded impactful community projects.

Mayol saw a need in her school’s drama club and created acting blocks.

“They’re blocks that you can stand on, you can use as props and we ended up making a stand for them as well to give more space to the theatre room,” said Mayol.

Now, those blocks are essential tools in all her school’s theater classes.

Parra addressed an invasive plant crisis in her local park by building collection stations and bins.

“So the park was suffering greatly and I grew up in that park. So, I wanted to make sure that it was safe and that it would always be beautiful,” said Parra.

She redesigned placards to educate park-goers about invasive species, encouraging community involvement in preserving the area.

Jennifer Mayol, their Scout Master for six years, cherishes this moment.

“It was very emotional because it was the end of a long road with scouts and that they were the first two girls on Miami Beach was fantastic,” Jennifer Mayol said.

These trailblazing young ladies aim to inspire the next generation and offer this advice.

“There is going to be difficulties. So, you just need to be able to commit to what you love, and to follow through,” said Parra.

“As long as you just try your best, and you stay true to who you are, you can do it,” said Mayol.

This achievement is more than a personal triumph. It embodies true leadership, commitment to community, and the courage to break barriers.

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.