Category: CNN Regional

By Tammy Mutasa

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    Massachusetts (WBZ) — During a meeting with Wayland Public School leaders and the Middlesex District Attorney, the mother of the student targeted in the latest hate incident called on the district to do better in a powerful message. Other frustrated parents packed into the meeting at the Wayland Community Center Monday night.

“It is a heart-wrenching experience to witness your child subjected to such hate,” said the student’s mom through tears. “Our hearts ache for my son and others who look like him.”

Disturbing display in locker room The mom, who did not want her name published, thought her 16-year-son was safe at school. But she says the junior was targeted with a disturbing display found in the locker room – a yellow plastic “children at play” sign wearing his football jersey hanging from the ceiling with a belt around its neck.

“I just want justice for my son. He deserves justice,” she said. “It’s devastating and heart-wrenching to know that my son is enduring pain from the incident, and they will be returning to school in a week.”

School leaders say the students involved in the hate incident are being held accountable for their actions, which is part of their nondiscrimination protocol, but legally they can’t elaborate as the investigation continues.

“I think at the local level, the state level and county level, we have to do better because this is a really, really tough time,” said interim superintendent Dr. David Fleishman.

“We know we can do better and if we didn’t want to, we wouldn’t be here,” said Town Manager Michael McCall.

Middlesex DA task force The Middlesex DA says they have an anti-hate, anti-bias task force working to address hate crimes for the last five years.

“You also have to have in place, what is going to be the response,” said Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan. “It’s not helpful to say we’ve got this problem and where are we going with this problem but is there something we need to hold someone accountable.”

The community recent rallied and the conversation is a start for healing, but everyone admits they can do better to stand up against hate.

“I’m glad Wayland is taking a stand and I’m glad that they’re coming together but we need more. We need more. Something needs to be done,” said the student’s mom.

It is not the first time Wayland Public Schools have faced racism concerns. In 2022, racist graffiti targeting former Superintendent Omar Easy was found near the high school.

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By Mike Darnay, Chilekasi Adele, Garrett Behanna

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    BUTLER, Pennsylvania (KDKA) — A home in the city of Butler was heavily damaged when a vehicle slammed through the front of the building during a late-night police chase.

“It was devastating. It was scary,” Tonya Green, who lives across the street, said.

The crash happened at a home near the intersection of New Castle Street and Hansen Avenue during a police chase just before midnight on Monday, dispatchers said.

One person was taken to the hospital from the crash that dispatchers said was originated by Pennsylvania State Police troopers.

State police later confirmed the pursuit began at the Sheetz location along New Castle Street in Butler Township. Troopers observed a silver Volkswagen Jetta with a man, later identified as Joseph Bailie, in the driver’s seat.

The vehicle was running, and the headlights were on, but Bailie appeared to be unconscious, as his head was slumped over and he was not moving, police said.

Troopers knocked on the vehicle windows to get Bailie’s attention and made multiple requests for identification, but he began to flee soon after, shifting the vehicle into drive and striking the concrete pole in front of him.

Bailie then shifted into reverse and accelerated at a high rate of speed, almost striking one of the troopers, police added.

During the pursuit, police say Bailie approached the intersection of Hansen Avenue and State Route 356, attempted to negotiate a right turn onto Hansen Avenue, but lost control of the vehicle due to his speed. He then crashed into the residence.

“I heard this big bang,” Green said.

KDKA’s news crew at the scene observed that the front of the home was heavily damaged, with caution tape blocking off part of the area.

“It’s a mess!” Green said.

It appeared that the vehicle, which was removed from the scene, had slammed through the front porch and into the home. The residence was vacant at the time of the incident, police confirmed.

Bailie proceeded to exit the vehicle and fled into the residence, where he was found and taken into custody. He has been charged with fleeing to elude a police officer, reckless endangerment, DUI, and various traffic violations.

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By Eric Miller

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    North Carolina (WRAL) — A North Carolina woman will have to pay $1.75 million after a jury found her liable for destroying a Durham couple’s marriage.

The lawsuit filed in Durham County Court accused Brenay Kennard – an influencer with nearly 3 million followers on TikTok and 274,000 followers on Instagram – of seducing and having an affair with her manager, Tim Montague.

“She has received justice from losing her husband and the father of her children,” said Robonetta Jones, who was the attorney for Akira Montague, Tim Montague’s ex wife.

The jury found Kennard liable for criminal conversation and alienation of affection.

North Carolina’s alienation of affection law allows a spouse to sue the person they blame for an affair that ends a marriage. North Carolina is one of the few states that allows jilted spouses to sue someone for interfering in their marriage.

Akira Montague, who brought the suit to civil court, married Tim Montague on Oct. 20, 2018, according to the lawsuit.

Akira Montague claimed the affair caused her mental anguish, damage to her health and deprived her children of a two-parent household.

Kennard slammed the verdict saying Akira Montague knew her marriage was over and allowed the affair.

“She gave her consent,” Kennard said. “She said it was okay because she knew her marriage was over with, and it was done.”

The alleged affair played out both in the manager’s home, and on Kennard’s social media, Akira Montague claimed.

Tim Montague eventually left his wife for Kennard.

In previous North Carolina cases involving alienation of affection, plaintiffs have received millions of dollars.

In 2011, Carol Puryear was ordered to receive $30 million from Betty Devin. Carol Puryear was the former wife of Donald Puryear, who owns a trucking company in Raleigh. The settlement is the largest of its kind in North Carolina history, according to court records. In 2018, NFL star Fletcher Cox was sued by a North Carolina man named Joshua Jeffords, who claimed the football player had an affair with his wife. The lawsuit ended in an undisclosed settlement. In 2021, former state Sen. Rick Gunn settled a lawsuit filed by Arthur Johns for $3 million. Gunn was accused of having a long-running affair with Johns’ wife, who was Gunn’s legislative assistant.

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By Ally Kadlubar

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    RALEIGH, North Carolina (WRAL) — A wrong-way driver was involved in a head-on crash with a Raleigh police cruiser on New Hope Road near Poole Road early Tuesday morning.

Raleigh Police said the driver of a white BMW was going south on the northbound lanes on New Hope Road just north of Poole Road just before 3:15 a.m. An officer was driving and changed lanes to avoid the crash, but the vehicle hit his cruiser head-on.

The BMW driver attempted to run away, but the officer chased him. The driver was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The officer was not injured. The crash is under investigation.

The WRAL Breaking News Tracker captured video of heavy damage to the front-end of the police cruiser. The front of the car was destroyed. Both vehicles’ airbags were deployed. Debris was scattered on the road.

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By WRAL Staff

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    DURHAM, North Carolina (WRAL) — A Durham woman is facing multiple felony charges after she was accused of posing as a bank agent and defrauding a woman out of $80,000.

Yanru Cui, 28, was arrested on Monday by Wake County Sheriff’s deputies. According to arrest warrants, Cui was accused of posing as an agent from Wells Fargo named “Anna” and exploiting a woman.

Deputies said an “unknown party” contacted the victim, telling her there was an issue with her online payment system.

After an investigation with the Cary Police Department, deputies arrested Cui.

She is charged with two counts of felony obtaining property under false pretenses and two counts of felony exploiting an older or disabled adult.

Cui is being held on a $100,000 bond and is expected in court on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.

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By Cyera Williams

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    Maryland (WMAR) — At Hereford High School in Baltimore County, history isn’t just taught — it’s lived.

For social studies teacher Marcus Robinson, every lesson about freedom, service, and sacrifice carries a personal connection.

The U.S. Army veteran spent 20 years in uniform before trading his fatigues for a classroom, now teaching U.S. History and AP African American Studies.

“I’ve wanted to be a teacher since I was a kid,” Robinson said. “It’s always been my passion. I took a short detour — about 20 years in the military — but this is where I’ve always wanted to be.”

Robinson served as a Patriot Missile Specialist, responsible for intercepting and destroying incoming missiles and aircraft. His global deployments shaped his worldview and how he prepares students for success.

“A classroom isn’t a place for strict military structure,” he explained, “but the discipline and preparation carry over. My students deserve the best, most well-prepared instruction possible. That mindset came from the military.”

“After September 11th, I knew I wanted to serve. I joined as soon as I turned 17,” Robinson said. “That call to service never goes away. It’s why I became a teacher. Veterans still want to serve their communities — that never leaves you.”

Inside his classroom, Robinson’s military experience shows up in quiet ways — through preparation, consistency, and compassion. He tells new educators, “You won’t be everybody’s favorite teacher, but you’ll be somebody’s favorite teacher.”

His students often ask about his service — how many times he deployed, what countries he’s been to — and Robinson uses those questions to bring history to life.

“They absolutely know I’m a veteran,” he said with a smile. “A lot of the countries we talk about in class, I’ve actually been to.”

Though originally from Buffalo, New York, Robinson and his wife chose Maryland as their forever home after retirement. He quickly found that even outside the military, camaraderie is alive in the hallways of Hereford High.

“When I learned one of our front office staff, Mandy, also served, it was great,” Robinson said. “The experiences we’ve had are unique, and it’s nice to have someone to share that understanding with.”

As Veterans Day approaches, Robinson hopes people remember that the desire to serve doesn’t end when a uniform comes off.

“Veterans live in every community,” he said. “We may be teachers, postal workers, or neighbors — but that call to serve is still there.”

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