Category: CNN Regional

By Neal Riley, Tammy Mutasa

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    NATICK, Massachusetts (WBZ) — Ina and David Steiner are getting tens of millions of dollars from eBay after being terrorized by former executives and employees in a bizarre harassment campaign. But the Natick, Massachusetts couple says the money isn’t the most important part of the $55.7 million settlement.

The Steiners have a long-running online newsletter that covers eBay and other internet marketplaces. Federal prosecutors say that in 2019, some eBay executives became enraged by their coverage and anonymous comments on the Steiners’ website, and began a cyberstalking campaign that included online threats and disturbing deliveries to the couple’s home like a bloody pig mask and a book on dealing with the death of a spouse.

The couple told CBS News Boston in an interview that the windfall they’re getting is life-changing, but they want this case to be about the fact that no company is too big to be held accountable.

“The most important thing in that settlement agreement is the non-disclosure. The fact that as journalists, we are free to talk about this, there are no encumbrances,” David Steiner said. “A company cannot go and try to influence a journalist’s coverage just because they may disagree with it.”

Some former executives went to prison in the case and eBay paid a $3 million criminal penalty in 2024. Ina Steiner said the civil settlement sends a message of “deterrence.”

“We were really trying to get answers and get to the truth,” she said. “But we also wanted to make sure we did everything we could so this wouldn’t happen to anyone else.”

The harassment campaign involved sending live spiders and cockroaches to the couple’s door, and eBay employees even traveled to Boston to try and put a GPS tracker on the couple’s car, investigators said. The Steiners lived in fear for months.

“It was so scary. It was kind of like a Stephen King-kind of nightmare,” Ina Steiner recalled. “And then when we found out that it was eBay, it was just mind-boggling.”

She said she learned during the ordeal and lawsuit process that big companies “have these armies of security people.”

“They can be weaponized. And even on a regular basis, they are scrutinizing people’s social media activities,” Steiner said. “I don’t think people realize the extent to which what you say online is being tracked and potentially being misused.”

David Steiner said he hopes the settlement “allows us to hopefully live the rest of our lives in peace,” though they’re not about to retire. The couple said they are the kind of people who bring their laptops on vacation and work seven days a week.

“We’re happy that we have some financial security – that’s like understating it, it’s crazy. But it’s the message it sends,” Ina Steiner said. “If we had a choice, absolutely we would never have been stalked and harassed. We never would have.”

As part of the settlement, $6 million will go to various charities, including those protecting free speech. eBay said in a statement that “what the Steiners were subjected to by former eBay employees in 2019 was wrong, reprehensible and should never have happened.”

“If a small company in business, a couple of publishers from Natick, Massachusetts can hold the world’s biggest companies accountable, then everybody else better take notice,” their attorney Chris Murphy said.

The couple says they can’t put a price on getting their peace of mind back.

“It’s starting to sink in, but we’ve had to fight so hard along the way that it’s kind of hard to believe that it’s now over,” Ina Steiner said. “But we’re very happy about it.”

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 Kaicey Baylor

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    BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Baltimore County Police officers are back on the basketball court for the department’s annual Cops and Kids Basketball Clinic.

“This is the 13th year for Cops and Kids Basketball,” said Officer Keith Boone with the department’s Wilkens Precinct Community Outreach Team. “It’s about the ninth year that we’ve done it,” referring to the full-week program.

Officer Keith Boone organizes the camp, along with Officer Keith Mallory. It brings together children ages 6 to 17.

“We work on ball handling, shooting,” said participant Joshua Neguse.

“We do scenario-based drills, a lot of defensive drills,” Officer Mallory said.

The camp helps students build their endurance, while also sharpening their skills. Neguse said he’s been attending the camp for a couple of years.

“This is like also helping you get reps in before high school ball,” he said.

Most importantly, Baltimore County Police want these children and teens to just have fun.

“We get to hang out with them,” Officer Boone said. “We get to mold them. The biggest thing is we get to break down prejudices and walls.”

The officers are also building real connections with new and returning campers.

“You can trust these officers,” Neguse said. “Especially, Officer Mallory; that’s one of my trainers.”

Young people attending the camp are creating strong bonds with officers across the force. Boone said the program has fostered deep conversations with participants and has allowed them to have a different outlook on life.

“With so many juvenile crimes and all of this on the news all the time, it gives them choices to see that they don’t have to go out and do that stuff,” Officer Boone said. “They can come here. They can be safe. They can have fun.”

Young people in the camp also have another person to look up to.

“Help inspire them to be what they want to be in life, if it’s going to be a professional basketball player, a public servant or whatever they want to do,” Officer Mallory 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.

By Mike Hellgren

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    BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Baltimore City’s latest crackdown on dirt bikes has some riders upset and asking for the mayor and police commissioner to meet with them.

They marched from Baltimore City Hall to police headquarters Wednesday afternoon.

Police Commissioner Richard Worley’s spokeswoman said he is willing to meet with them.

Last month, Worley told the city council he “can’t stand” the dirt bikes and police are doing everything they can to get them off the streets.

Some riders say the response is too heavy-handed.

Those protesting how the city has implemented its crackdown stressed dirt bikes have long been part of Baltimore’s culture.

“We need to treat it as such. We cannot continue with the erasure of history,” said James Green, with B360.

But riding on city streets is illegal and could lead to a maximum $1,000 fine or 90 days behind bars.

“No person may drive or ride any dirt bike or other unregistered motorcycle or similar vehicle on any public or private property that is located within the city of Baltimore. In addition, no person may possess any dirt bike or any unregistered motorcycle within the city of Baltimore,” according to the BPD website.

Green said there has to be a middle ground.

“We acknowledge that we want accountability, but we also want as we want the opportunity to regulate what this looks like,” he told a crowd gathered in front of police headquarters.

Critics say the dirt bikes are noisy safety hazards.

Recent incidents have prompted police to clamp down.

They include the death of a rider after a collision with an SUV in Northwest Baltimore in May.

In June, an officer was injured by a dirt bike.

Police told WJZ Investigates they have seized 103 dirt bikes and ATVs so far this year.

“We’re going do everything we can to take every single dirt bike off the streets,” Commissioner Worley told members of the Baltimore City Council June 2nd. “If the businesses out there want to allow them to fuel up at their gas stations, we will cite the businesses for allowing them to fuel up at their gas stations.”

The recent police crackdown led young dirt bike riders to the seat of power in Baltimore — City Hall.

They made their voices heard as they walked to police headquarters—asking the commissioner to meet with them.

“We are standing on these steps because we do not want to be an opposition to law-enforcement. We are standing on the steps because it’s a call to change and say we invite you to our table, because too often, we’ve been fighting to get to theirs,” said Rashad Staton, an activist with Community Law in Action.

The various community groups represented at the demonstration said they understand the need for enforcement but want safe places to ride legally, and feel riders are being demonized.

“I just want peace. I just want to ride and not be criticized for it,” said Kanye Miller. “I want to be free.”

Fellow rider Daron Harrell said, “I feel like it’s unfair to us because we love to ride. It’s not just something that we do. It’s literally built into our community.”

Activist Dayvon Love, with Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle, told WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren, “These are folks who are not saying they should just be allowed to do whatever they want. They’re saying that they want it to be regulated, so they have a place to do it. So, it’s important.”

Love also said, “To crack down in hopes that it just disappears or a law-enforcement-centric approach to it, it just is another example of the way our youth are dehumanized in this society.”

A BPD spokesperson told WJZ that while no group has yet to formally request a meeting, “We welcome the organizers to reach out, and Commissioner Worley is always willing to engage in constructive conversations about public safety and community concerns.”

Retired NFL player Aaron Maybin was among those calling for action on the steps of police headquarters.

“We’re calling on Commissioner Worley, we’re calling on the mayor’s office, we’re calling on all of our legislative policy leaders to come to us, to come to the individuals within the dirt bike community,” Maybin said. “We need them at the table with us so that a solution that is equitable and practical can be implemented.”

He told the crowd, “That same thing that’s always been done is criminalizing our youth, dirt bike riders, and everybody else in the process rather than coming up with equitable solutions.”

Full statement from Baltimore Police

“The Baltimore Police Department is aware of planned protest and remain fully committed to protecting the rights of individuals to peacefully assemble and exercise their First Amendment rights. The Department is prepared to deploy officers as needed to support peaceful demonstrations, assist with traffic flow, and maintain public safety. BPD has and will continue to work in close coordination with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to ensure a respectful environment for all.”

“Please note that to date, neither Commissioner Worley nor members of the Baltimore Police Department have received a request from any community organizations or residents seeking a meeting regarding this issue.”

“We welcome the organizers to reach out, and Commissioner Worley is always willing to engage in constructive conversations about public safety and community concerns.”

“The Baltimore Police Department’s role is to enforce the laws as enacted. Any discussion regarding potential changes to Maryland’s dirt bike laws or regulatory framework is appropriately directed to our legislative partners.”

“BPD remains committed to working with lawmakers, community members, and other stakeholders to support solutions that enhance public safety.”

“Regarding enforcement, BPD has seized 103 dirt bikes and ATVs year-to-date.”

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 Kate Devine

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    RENO, Kan. (KAKE) — A Reno County teenager is calling on Kansas leaders to expand youth mental health resources after new survey data showed local students are struggling at rates higher than the statewide average.

Christian Buckwalter, an incoming freshman at Buhler High School, said his advocacy is fueled by both personal experience and conversations with classmates who have struggled with their mental health.

“I’ve dealt with mental health by starting a campaign at Prairie Hills Middle School last year, helping build more mental health resources for Buhler and working with Rise Up Reno to better understand how mental health affects our youth in Kansas,” Buckwalter said.

His efforts come as the 2026 Kansas Communities That Care Youth Survey found that 38.4% of Reno County students reported feeling so sad or hopeless for at least two weeks during the past year that they stopped doing some of their usual activities. The statewide average was 30.4%.

The survey is administered every two years to students in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12 and is used by communities across Kansas to identify youth risk factors and guide prevention efforts.

Buckwalter said those numbers reflect what he has seen while talking with students in his school district.

“I talked to a lot of people at my school while I was running this campaign, and there’s a lot of stigma because people don’t really feel comfortable talking about mental health. It just isn’t something that’s talked about very much,” he said.

Buckwalter said he has contacted Gov. Laura Kelly, both of Kansas’ U.S. senators and his state representative, urging them to prioritize youth mental health funding.

“I’ve reached out to Governor Laura Kelly, both of our Kansas senators and the Reno County representative for Kansas,” Buckwalter said. “I’m hoping they can put more funding into mental health.”

He said one of his biggest concerns is that some students who need help either do not know where to turn or are afraid to ask for it.

Buckwalter said his passion for advocacy began after experiencing his own struggles with anxiety and depression in middle school.

“Starting around sixth grade through eighth grade, I dealt with anxiety and depression, and I avoided a lot at school,” he said. “Now I’m in Rise Up Reno’s youth leadership program, which teaches students how to be advocates.”

He also said losing a friend and hearing from classmates who had harmed themselves reinforced the need to speak out.

“I was in seventh grade when I found out one of my friends had died from what was most likely mental health-related reasons,” Buckwalter said. “I’ve also had people reach out to me who had hurt themselves because of mental health struggles.”

Buckwalter said he hopes sharing his own experiences will encourage other young people to seek help rather than suffer in silence.

“I feel like the most important thing is that it’s better to tell someone than not tell anyone and let it build up inside of you,” he said.

Kansas currently funds the Mental Health Intervention Team program, which partners schools with community mental health providers to connect students with behavioral health services. Buckwalter said he hopes the state continues investing in and expanding access to mental health resources for young people.

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 Marly Gatewood

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    CLAREMORE, Okla. (KJRH) — Tulsa’s She Brews Coffee Roasters & Transition Program expanded in Claremore.

2 News Oklahoma met the new manager, Tamra Bissell. She told 2 News she spent 3 years behind bars and struggled with addiction.

“I know me coming into recovery, and coming into a program to change my life, I’ve had to do it with different people, places, and things, and you have to be strong,” Bissell said.

Through this expansion, the non-profit said it’s been able to help more women. The goal is always been to equip and empower women transitioning out of incarceration.

“We are now able to employ every woman that comes into our transitional homes,” Bissell said. “Due to the increase in the size of the building and the job training programs we can offer now.”

Bissell earned several promotions because of her good spirit and people skills. She’s also been the team trainer for all of the She Brew locations supporting Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Claremore, Oklahoma.

Francois Cardinal is the Board Chair of She Brews Coffee Roasters and Transition Program.

“Tamra, you could say, is the shining example of someone who has taken this second chance and has completely turned her life around, a true transformation, and is now leading the other women in our program through this transformation process, modeling the transformation journey and outcome for them as a leader in our program. You won’t find anyone more committed to our mission.”

“I didn’t know my potential, you know, at all,” Bissell said. “When somebody is telling you that you can do this, you don’t see it. So, for my leaders and this community to see something in me that I couldn’t see in myself, and giving me the opportunity and telling me to just say yes and they’ll show me how to do it; is just a blessing.”

Bissell said getting the title ‘manager’ isn’t what mattered most, but getting the opportunity to take her life in a new direction.

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.