Category: CNN Regional

By Marissa Sulek, Adam Harrington

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    NEW CHICAGO, Indiana (WBBM) — The chief of police in New Chicago, Indiana, stood accused Sunday of selling a pawn shop a gun that was being held as evidence and then trying to have it bought back, among other allegations.

New Chicago police Chief Earl Mayo was charged with theft, official misconduct, and attempted obstruction of justice, as well as unlawful possession of an anabolic steroid, according to court documents.

Chief Mayo was booked Sunday as an inmate in Clark County, Ohio, after authorities said he tried to evade arrest.

Court documents said this past Thursday, a Lake County, Indiana, sheriff’s police commander received a firearm trace request for a gun associated with an upcoming criminal trial.

It turned out the gun, a Taurus G3, had been sold to a pawn shop in Hobart, Indiana, which a Lake County sheriff’s detective said was unusual as the gun was being held as evidence in a criminal investigation, court documents said.

Authorities later determined that it was Chief Mayo who sold the gun to the pawn shop, Mega Gash Pawn in Hobart, court documents alleged. Chief Mayo was also the arresting officer in the case with which the gun was associated, court documents said.

Another New Chicago officer told Lake County Sheriff’s detectives that he received a call from Chief Mayo asking him to go to the pawn shop where Mayo had sold the gun and buy it back, court documents alleged. The officer said Mayo also told him to go to the chief’s home and retrieve other guns, court documents alleged.

Specifically, Mayo wanted the officer to retrieve suppressors or suppressed firearms from a safe in the chief’s house, court documents alleged. The officer told investigators that Mayo had said he had things inside his home that the “feds” would never find, court documents alleged.

Another person, Taneka Borders, was also charged in the case. Investigators said when a Lake County Sheriff’s commander went to Mayo’s Merrillville, Indiana, home, they found Borders at the front door of the house.

Investigators said Borders tried to destroy several glass vials, and when questioned, she admitted that Mayo had told her to go to his home and collect his testosterone and steroids, court documents alleged.

The manager of the Mega Cash Pawn in Hobart told investigators that a woman came to buy back the Taurus G3 from its new owner while wearing a tracksuit like the one Borders was wearing when questioned by investigators, though the manager did not identify her.

The charging document against Borders accuses her of trying to help Mayo obtain a gun.

Meanwhile, the manager of the pawn shop said he had purchased multiple guns from Mayo in the past, and documents listed Mayo as the seller of 12 guns to the pawn shop, court documents alleged.

Chief Mayo’s father, Jerry Williams, is the Democratic nominee for Lake County sheriff. He released the following statement Sunday:

“My wife and I and our family are deeply concerned over recent information regarding our son, Earl Mayo, of the New Chicago Police Department. We raised all of our children with love, guidance and a strong foundation of values. We’ve always held our children to higher standards, as we have ourselves.

“We are aware there are allegations that are troubling, and we struggle to reconcile them with the values we worked so hard to instill in all of our children and grandchildren.

“Under our criminal justice system, Earl is presumed innocent unless and until proven otherwise. We respect that fundamental principle, and it is important that the legal process be allowed to proceed fairly and impartially.

“If it is ultimately established that Earl engaged in the conduct alleged by the government, then he must and should accept responsibility for his actions and face the consequences.

“This is an extremely difficult and emotional time for our family. Given the seriousness of this matter and the ongoing legal proceedings, we cannot comment any further on the undisclosed details of this situation.”

CBS News Chicago also found that Chief Mayo wrote a self-published book titled, “When Lines Are Crossed: Love, Trust, Betrayal” — a story about a bad cop turned good battling his morals.

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 Julia Avant

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    DETROIT (WWJ) — One hundred men were dressed to the nines on Sunday afternoon in Detroit for the sixth annual 100 Men in Suits initiative.

Hosted by Unity in the Community, the men during the event went head-to-head on Livernois Avenue, also known as the Avenue of Fashion, to win a custom suit. The event also aimed to showcase to men the importance of dressing well and being good to the community.

“It’s an eye-opener for Detroit to let everybody know that this is how men [are] supposed to dress,” Teddy Passion, an event participant, said. “This is how men [are] supposed to act.”

Democratic U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens of Michigan attended the showcase.

“I love the purple suits. I will say the purple suits caught my attention, but I also like the understated suits as well. I just like seeing Detroit in action. I love saying that Detroit deserves its biggest champions, our best voices. You know, that’s all around us here today,” Stevens said.

All proceeds from the event went to Metro Detroit families in need.

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 Christa Swanson

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    COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (KCNC) — A family of black bears is safely back in the wild after they were discovered under a Colorado home.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife says a mother and her two toddler cubs were discovered underneath the back deck of a home in Colorado Springs’ Northgate neighborhood.

Officers reportedly immobilized the bears and took them several hours south to a better habitat. They were given a “wake up” drug and released back into the wild.

Earlier this month, another five bear cubs were released from the Frisco Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. The bear cubs were orphaned last summer and were severely underweight when they were discovered.

Some of them were also becoming accustomed to being near developed areas, which could put both the bears and local residents at risk.

They spent the winter in artificial dens at the rehabilitation center. Once they woke from hibernation and gained enough weight and strength, CPW took them to an area with a better habitat and released them.

CPW says there are approximately 20,000 black bears in Colorado. Young bears usually den with their mother and other littermates during their first winter, but are self-reliant by their second spring, they explained. Cubs who become lost from their mothers can fall victim to vehicle collisions or other predators.

CPW encourages residents to contact them at (303) 297-1192 or contact their local police department if they spot a bear in a residential area that needs to be relocated.

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 Nick Lentz

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    KALAMAZOO, Michigan (WWJ) — Fifty pounds of crystal methamphetamine have been seized and a 31-year-old man is in custody in connection with a narcotics investigation, according to the Michigan State Police.

The state agency’s Southwest Enforcement Team seized the drugs and made the arrest following months of work on the probe, which identified the Kalamazoo, Michigan, man. According to officials, he is “suspected of being one of the largest narcotics distributors operating in Southwest Michigan.”

While conducting surveillance on Thursday, investigators observed the man meet with his “suspected source of supply,” the agency said. The man fled from deputies with the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office in Berrien County, Michigan, in a vehicle after they tried to conduct a traffic stop.

The man’s vehicle was stopped with spike strips on Highway 31 near Berrien Springs, Michigan, after a pursuit, according to the agency. He then left the vehicle on foot.

Officials said the man was taken into custody on Friday following an eight-hour search that involved K-9 units and drone operators. He was taken to the hospital for a medical evaluation before being placed at the Berrien County Jail.

Detectives seized the methamphetamine from the man’s vehicle, the agency said.

Crystal methamphetamine in and around a suitcase that was seized by the Michigan State Police on May 21, 2026, in Berrien County, Michigan.

Charges against the man are pending, according to officials.

“This incident highlights the significant dangers posed by narcotics traffickers to the public, communities, and law enforcement personnel,” the agency said in a social media post on Saturday regarding the seizure and arrest.

Anyone with information about illegal drug activity is urged to email tips to the agency or leave an anonymous message at 269-982-8664.

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 Matt Schooley

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    BOSTON (WBZ) — Veteran Boston firefighter Robert “Bobby” Kilduff Jr. died Saturday night after falling from the third floor of a Dorchester home while battling a large fire.

It happened around 8:15 p.m. on Treadway Road. The Boston Fire Department shared video that show flames raging through the roof of the home.

A mayday call was issued when Kilduff fell. He was rushed to the hospital but did not survive. Early Sunday morning, firefighters stood and saluted Kilduff’s body during a dignified transfer as he was moved from the hospital to the medical examiner’s office.

Kilduff was a third-generation firefighter and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.

“Bobby was known throughout the department as one of those people you could go to for anything. He was just a firefighter’s firefighter. He would do anything for you, he would do anything for the people of the city,” Boston Fire Commissioner Rodney Marshall said at a news conference early Sunday morning.

The veteran firefighter is survived by his adult daughter and son.

“He was our friend, our brother, and a dedicated family man,” Sam Dillon, Boston Firefighters Local 718 president said in a statement.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said during the news conference that “Boston lost a hero tonight.”

“Firefighter Robert Kilduff, Jr. came from a family of firefighters, and he held this calling as the highest duty to serve and protect,” Wu said. “Because of his actions, working alongside his fellow firefighters, every resident came out of the flames safe and sound. On behalf of the City of Boston, we extend our deepest condolences to the Kilduff family and all of Bobby’s loved ones.”

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey ordered flags in the state be lowered to half-staff at all state buildings in memory of Kilduff.

“His heroic actions last night saved the lives of five individuals, in addition to the countless people he rescued throughout the course of his distinguished career. His death serves as a reminder of the dangers firefighters face every day when they put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe,” Healey said in a statement. “My heart goes out to his family and his brothers and sisters in the Boston Fire Department. On this tragic day and every day, I want all of our Massachusetts firefighters and their loved ones to know that we stand with you, and we are forever grateful for your service and sacrifice.”

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 Lissette Nuñez

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    SUMMIT, Illinois (WLS) — Emmett Till’s cousin and the great-great-great-grandson of the Jim Crow laws architect hope to inspire others as they share their friendship.

It was reunion that some would not expect during Memorial Day weekend.

“I can remember when Emmett was kidnapped and murdered. I was there when they took him,” said Till’s cousin, Argo Temple Church of God in Christ Rev. Wheeler Parker Jr.

Parker came together with Charles Sims, the great-great-great-grandson of James Z. George, a late U.S. senator from Mississippi.

“My great-great-great-grandfather authored the 1890 constitution, which he became the primary author of the Jim Crow law. So, for me, coming here, I think, it is long overdue,” Sims said.

The two met in Washington, D.C. last year at the Smithsonian. Parker invited Sims to his church in Summit to worship and speak at his congregation, something that Sims took him up on.

The two families’ histories are worlds apart and filled with pain, but Sunday was about healing.

“That’s why I’m here, I think, to show the unity in the community, to show brotherhood, and to show that we can reach across party and racial lines,” Sims said.

“Having Charles here and willing to stand up and come forth and acknowledge the wrongs, without any animosity or real hate, just to talk about history, shows how far we’ve come and how much work we still need to do,” Parker said.

Their message on Sunday is meant to inspire hope that even through divisive times, love can win.

“Love is stronger than pain, that we all have the ability to sit down to show love and bring that unity back to the community, even if it took 80 years or 150 years,” Sims 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.