Latest news with #CBS-affiliated
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
Father Shoots His Young Family, Including 7-Month-Old and 6-Year-Old, Dead Before Killing Himself in Apparent Murder-Suicide: Reports
A family of four, including a 7-month-old baby and a 6-year-old child, has been found dead at a Montana home in an apparent murder-suicide, according to reports The father has been identified as Nicholas Olson-Hartley, 33, and the mother as Katie Olson-Hartley, 27 "It appears Nicholas Olson-Hartley took the lives of his young family before calling 911," police chief Venezio said, per NBC NewsA family of four, including two young children, has been found dead in a suspected murder-suicide in a home in Montana, according to reports. On Sunday, May 11, just before 6 a.m. local time, Kalispell Police Department (KPD) responded after a man — later identified as the husband and father of the family — allegedly made "multiple concerning statements to dispatch," before ending a mental health emergency call, per ABC Fox Montana. Officers then found the family, including a 7-month-old baby and a 6-year-old child, dead from gunshot wounds at the property in the Silverbrook Estates community, NBC News reported, citing Kalispell Police Chief Jordan Venezio. The father and suspected shooter has been identified as Nicholas Olson-Hartley, 33, by police, and the mother as Katie Olson-Hartley, 27, the outlet noted. "It appears Nicholas Olson-Hartley took the lives of his young family before calling 911," police chief Venezio said, according to NBC News, adding, "After making the phone call to dispatch, he took his own life." "The Kalispell Police Department mourns with the family that is suffering from this senseless tragedy. KPD is making all resources available for our officers to ensure they can process this and move forward in a healthy way to continue to serve the Kalispell community," police said, per ABC Fox Montana. KPD said they believe this is an isolated incident and that there isn't a risk to the public, local CBS-affiliated station KPAX reported. Kalispell Police Chief Jordan Venezio didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. "We are deeply saddened by the recent tragic loss of one of our Silverbrook families," Westcraft Homes, the Silverbrook Estates community's real estate developer, wrote on Facebook on Monday, May 12, without naming the family. "Our thoughts, prayers, and heartfelt condolences go out to all who are grieving — especially the extended family, neighbors, and friends affected by this unimaginable tragedy," the post continued. "And to the first responders whose responsibilities in such situations can bring trauma and heartbreak into their lives too." "Let us honor the lives lost by fostering kindness, reaching out, and lifting one another up. Let us support, listen, and show compassion," they added. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to Read the original article on People
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ex-TV meteorologist fights deepfakes after her image was doctored in scams
For nearly a decade, Bree Smith was a familiar face in Nashville. But, in January, the mom and former TV meteorologist stopped appearing on the local CBS-affiliated station — a decision she made after months of fighting against deepfakes, which are simulated online images or videos that can seem realistic. In Smith's case, an image of her was doctored to create explicit pictures and videos, with her face edited onto different, partly nude bodies, and then used to try to extort money from others. "Sextortion" scams like this one have targeted tens of thousands of Americans in the past year alone, according to the FBI. "I cry myself to sleep most nights, mostly because I don't want my kids to see me," said Smith, who is 43. She recalled first learning about the images in an email, which included a screen grab of an exchange between the sender and an "impersonator" posing as the doctored version of her on the internet. The deepfakes quickly multiplied, accompanying offers for private dinners and intimate acts in exchange for hundreds of dollars, and targeting anyone who might recognize Smith. She began to keep track of new accounts using the deepfake in a Google spreadsheet — and added 24 over the course of just one week, among hundreds that she says have emerged online. A fabricated video also surfaced where a deepfake claims to be Smith. "You're basically taking someone's identity," she said. "You're weaponizing them." Smith has become a vocal advocate for regulations that could empower sextortion victims to fight back against their offenders. And last week, a bill Smith backed passed in the Tennessee Senate. The bill, called the "Preventing Deepfake Images Act," was sent to Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, who is expected to sign it into law. It provides a path for people targeted by sextortion scams to sue if images of them are shared without their consent. "These imposters are trying to take my story, and my story is mine," Smith said. "This is my life. I'm 43 years old and I have worked hard and I have loved well, and I'm not going to just roll over and take this." She said "defining it as illegal is a critical first step," but that work still needs to be done, such as figuring out how to stop it and hold people accountable. As the bill worked its way through the Tennessee legislature, Smith appeared last month before the Tennessee House Criminal Justice Subcommittee to share her experience with deepfakes and the ways in which the scam has impacted her and her family. In her testimony to lawmakers, she said deepfake accounts pretending to be her have shown up on Facebook and Instagram, in quantities too large for her to find and report as an individual person, CBS News affiliate WSMV reported. "I try my best to catch the imposters and block them, but like I said, there have been hundreds of them. It's like whack a mole, they just appear everywhere," Smith told lawmakers. "I'm just supposed to look at them and say, 'nothing we can do, bud?'" There were over 34,000 victims of sextortion in 2023, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. That number climbed to more than 54,000 victims last year. The FBI said financial sextortion, which differs from typical sextortion as it involves an offender threatening to release explicit material unless a payment is met, has been on the rise in the U.S. and targeting minors. Hayley Elizondo, who tracks sextortion crimes at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, said financial gain is the perpetrators' primary goal. "These offenders, their whole game is to make money," she said. "I'm not surprised that we are seeing adults also become the target of financial sextortion. Frankly, they're going to reach out to those who can pay them." Officials say the most important thing for people to do if they think they are a victim of deepfakes is to report them. "If you come across deepfake content that involves you or someone you know, report it to the platform hosting the content," says the National Cybersecurity Alliance, a nonprofit organization. "This can help in having it removed or investigated, limiting its potential reach." The organization also advises reporting it to federal law enforcement, which can be done through the Internet Crime Complaint Center. Kristi Noem says if Kilmar Abrego Garcia returned to U.S. we'd "immediately deport him again" Sneak peek: The Bathtub Murder of Kendy Howard Extended interview: DHS Secretary Kristi Noem on deportations involving children and more
CBS News
01-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Former TV meteorologist fights deepfakes after her image was doctored in sextortion scams
For nearly a decade, Bree Smith was a familiar face in Nashville. But, in January, the mom and former TV meteorologist stopped appearing on the local CBS-affiliated station — a decision she made after months of fighting against deepfakes, which are simulated online images or videos that can seem realistic. In Smith's case, an image of her was doctored to create explicit pictures and videos, with her face edited onto different, partly nude bodies, and then used to try to extort money from others. "Sextortion" scams like this one have targeted tens of thousands of Americans in the past year alone, according to the FBI. "I cry myself to sleep most nights, mostly because I don't want my kids to see me," said Smith, who is 43. She recalled first learning about the images in an email, which included a screen grab of an exchange between the sender and an "impersonator" posing as the doctored version of her on the internet. The deepfakes quickly multiplied, accompanying offers for private dinners and intimate acts in exchange for hundreds of dollars, and targeting anyone who might recognize Smith. She began to keep track of new accounts using the deepfake in a Google spreadsheet — and added 24 over the course of just one week, among hundreds that she says have emerged online. A fabricated video also surfaced where a deepfake claims to be Smith. "You're basically taking someone's identity," she said. "You're weaponizing them." Smith has become a vocal advocate for regulations that could empower sextortion victims to fight back against their offenders. And last week, a bill Smith backed passed in the Tennessee Senate. The bill, called the "Preventing Deepfake Images Act," was sent to Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, who is expected to sign it into law. It provides a path for people targeted by sextortion scams to sue if images of them are shared without their consent. "These imposters are trying to take my story, and my story is mine," Smith said. "This is my life. I'm 43 years old and I have worked hard and I have loved well, and I'm not going to just roll over and take this." She said "defining it as illegal is a critical first step," but that work still needs to be done, such as figuring out how to stop it and hold people accountable. As the bill worked its way through the Tennessee legislature, Smith appeared last month before the Tennessee House Criminal Justice Subcommittee to share her experience with deepfakes and the ways in which the scam has impacted her and her family. In her testimony to lawmakers, she said deepfake accounts pretending to be her have shown up on Facebook and Instagram, in quantities too large for her to find and report as an individual person, CBS News affiliate WSMV reported. "I try my best to catch the imposters and block them, but like I said, there have been hundreds of them. It's like whack a mole, they just appear everywhere," Smith told lawmakers. "I'm just supposed to look at them and say, 'nothing we can do, bud?'" There were over 34,000 victims of sextortion in 2023, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. That number climbed to more than 54,000 victims last year. The FBI said financial sextortion, which differs from typical sextortion as it involves an offender threatening to release explicit material unless a payment is met, has been on the rise in the U.S. and targeting minors. Hayley Elizondo, who tracks sextortion crimes at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, said financial gain is the perpetrators' primary goal. "These offenders, their whole game is to make money," she said. "I'm not surprised that we are seeing adults also become the target of financial sextortion. Frankly, they're going to reach out to those who can pay them." Officials say the most important thing for people to do if they think they are a victim of deepfakes is to report them. "If you come across deepfake content that involves you or someone you know, report it to the platform hosting the content," says the National Cybersecurity Alliance, a nonprofit organization. "This can help in having it removed or investigated, limiting its potential reach." The organization also advises reporting it to federal law enforcement, which can be done through the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Yahoo
Woman, 21, and Toddler, 2, Die and 10 Injured in 'Hellish' House Fire: Reports
A toddler and a woman have died and multiple people have been injured in a "hellish" house fire in Ohio, it's been reported. On Sunday, March 9 at around 1 p.m. local time, the Cincinnati Fire Department responded to reports of a blaze at 773 Summit Avenue in the city's Price Hill neighborhood, per CBS-affiliated station WKRC. The outlet reported that the fire chief described the scene as "hellish," stating that some residents had suffered injuries while jumping from the windows in an attempt to escape the blaze. Firefighters found "heavy fire" on the first two floors of the three-story, two-family home, per the station. CBS News stated that officers had received several 911 calls regarding the blaze. The outlet reported that 10 people, whose ages ranged from 3 months to 48 years old, had been injured and were being treated at the hospital, citing the fire department. Related: 2 Teen Brothers Die in House Fire, Their Mother Survives the Burning Structure: 'They Were Just 2 Really Sweet People' A female adult and a boy died in the fire, per WKRC. The Hamilton County Coroner's Office identified the victims as Nyla Harrow, 21 and Jayceon McGee, 2, in an email to PEOPLE on Tuesday, March 11. Firefighters attempted to rescue the missing individuals and "mounted a heroic attempt to search" for them, but "were ultimately forced out of the building as the fire grew," per CBS News, citing a fire department statement. It took the team two hours to get the blaze under control after they managed to fight the fire from the outside of the property, the outlet reported. They found the two victims' bodies several hours later. "While an initial assessment shows the cause was most likely accidental, the cause of the fire remains under investigation," the fire department said, per CBS News. Among the 10 taken to hospital were seven children, according to WKRC. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Related: Mom of 4 Young Boys Who Died in House Fire Convicted After She Left Them Locked in to Go Shopping WKRC reported that dozens of friends and family members had since gathered to pay tribute to the victims, holding a balloon release. Howard Curtis, whose stepdaughter Harrow died in the tragedy, told the crowd, "What I do on the count of three, I want everybody to say 'I love,' alright, really, this is what it's all about; it's about love, you all coming out here because you are showing us love for our losses. On the count of three, say 'I love,' one, two, three, 'I love,' " the outlet said in an Instagram post. "I want everybody to say a prayer for them tonight and make everything right for everybody, and I'm glad that everybody came here and you all showed love to my babies, my grandbabies," another family member said, per the station. The Cincinnati Fire Department and the Cincinnati Police Department didn't immediately respond after being contacted by PEOPLE for additional information. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Spectator Killed After Athlete Throws Hammer into Crowd During Track and Field Meet in Colorado: Reports
A spectator has reportedly died after an athlete's hammer was thrown out of bounds during a high school track and field meet at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS). On Sunday, Jan. 26 at approximately 9:30 a.m. local time at the university's Mountain Lion Fieldhouse venue, authorities were called and medical aid was rendered after the accident occurred, local outlets KRDO 13 and Fox-affiliated station KDVR reported, citing a UCCS spokesperson. The man was pronounced dead at the scene, per KRDO 13. UCCS Chancellor Jennifer Sobanet said in a statement to CBS-affiliated station KKTV, 'We are heartbroken at this horrible accident and are focused on supporting all involved.' 'A member of the attending audience was killed when a hammer thrown by a participant cleared certified barriers and struck him," UCCS confirmed, according to the outlet. "The Colorado Springs Fire Department responded, provided medical care and ultimately pronounced the audience member dead at the scene. Members of the UCCS Police Department and Colorado Springs Police Department were on scene,' the university added, per KKTV. The person who died was thought to be the father of a member of the Colorado United Track Club who attends Vista Ridge High School, per KRDO 13, citing a statement issued by the club. According to CBS News, Sunday's meet was part of a series of events hosted by the university. A previous event was held on Dec. 15, and the series was set to end with the UCCS United High School Indoor State Championship on Feb. 16, per the outlet. The rest of the meet has now been canceled, per KRDO 13. It's not known if it'll be rescheduled. Colorado Springs Police told CBS News that the man died while trying to protect his wife and son as the object neared the audience. Per World Athletics, "The hammer throw is a track and field event where athletes compete by throwing a hammer, which is a metal ball that's attached to a grip by a steel wire." "The winner of the event is the athlete who throws the hammer the greatest distance while ensuring they stay inside a seven-foot (2.135m) diameter circle," a description added. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. District 12 social workers are thought to be working with authorities "to determine how to best support students," as well as anyone else affected by the tragedy, according to KKTV. Sobanet, the UCCS, the UCCS Police Department, the Colorado Springs Police Department, the Colorado United Track Club and the Colorado Springs Fire Department didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information. Read the original article on People
