Latest news with #Kain
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
How a 'Hero' Tennessee Gamer Stopped a Mass Shooting Allegedly Being Plotted in a California Town
Two teen boys caught allegedly planning a school shooting on an online gaming chatroom were arrested by authorities in Northern California A young gamer from Tennessee shared their disturbing alleged plans with local authorities Improvised explosive devices and firearms were allegedly found in both boys' homesA young gamer's quick thinking in an online chatroom thwarted an apparent school shooting plot 2,000 miles away. Two boys, 14 and 15, allegedly planned a school shooting at Evergreen Institute of Excellence in the Northern California town of Cottonwood, intending to kill up to 100 people, Tehama County Sheriff Dave Kain said at a Tuesday news conference. The two teens, who were not named due to their status as minors, allegedly intended to kill one of their parents before carrying out the attack. The co-conspirators allegedly wrote a manifesto, posed for photos wearing the same clothing as the perpetrators of the 1999 Columbine mass shooting and divulged their scheme in an online game's chat. "This was serious," Kain said at the Tuesday conference. "It would have changed our community as a whole." A Tennessee boy read the alleged would-be shooters' disturbing messages and took action. He called the Tehama County Sheriff's Office on the evening of May 9, providing them with the suspect's gamer tag and the contents of the chat. Kain said that the boy's sharp instincts could have saved lives. "This young man had the courage and heroic instincts to call our agency and notify us in order to mitigate any possible threat to our citizens and, possibly, our young people," the sheriff said. "Our investigators took that tip seriously since the beginning."Kain said investigators sent the photos of the two teens posed as the Columbine shooters — sent along with chat logs by the teen — to school administrators, who quickly identified the two teens. Improvised explosive devices, which investigators believed were made for the prospective attack, and firearms were found in the teens' homes when search warrants were executed, Kain said. The California duo had intended to carry out their attack on May 9, per the sheriff, but reversed course after one of them backed out of the plan. It is unclear what motivated the two boys — Kain said that one talked about being bullied when he was interviewed by investigators. Both boys were charged with suspicion of making criminal threats, possession of a destructive device, manufacturing a destructive device and conspiracy to commit a felony, Kain said. Investigators are also working with prosecutors and looking at a potential additional charge of conspiracy to commit mass murder. The teens appeared in court on Thursday, where they were denied bail, the Tehama County District Attorney's Office wrote in a statement. Kain said that the threat was isolated to the two minors in custody, but that sheriff officials had spoken with administrators about instating additional security measures at the school. The sheriff said that as a sign of confidence, his son returned to classes at the same middle school on Monday. Although the department did not provide any details about the quick-thinking Tennessee boy, Kain said that his parents had been invited to Tehama County to be recognized. Read the original article on People
Newsweek
15-05-2025
- Newsweek
'Hero' Teen Gamer Thwarts 'Mass Casualty' Attack on California School
File photo of a young man gaming, taken at the Comic Con festival, in Moscow, Russia, 2019. File photo of a young man gaming, taken at the Comic Con festival, in Moscow, Russia, 2019. Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A "hero" gamer seemingly thwarted a plan to carry out a school attack intended to kill more than 100 people. The Tennessee resident called the Tehama County Sheriff's Office on May 9 to report that a teenager they had been playing online games with was speaking about school violence. When officers investigated, they found that a 14-year-old and a 15-year-old had built and tested two improvised explosive devices as part of their plans to attack Evergreen Middle School in Cottonwood, California, Tehama County Sheriff Dave Kain said at a press conference on Tuesday. "The suspects were hopeful to amass a casualty count in excess of 100 individuals," Kain said. Both teenagers were arrested for criminal threats, possession of a destructive device, manufacturing a destructive device and conspiracy to commit a felony. They were booked into Tehama County Juvenile Justice Center. Kain said: "In the end, I'd like to celebrate this young man—this particular young man out of Tennessee—this young hero, and focus the attention of this event on what it deserves to be: that this young man had the courage and heroic instincts to call our agency and notify us in order to mitigate any possible threat to our citizens, and particularly our young people. "I think this is a good case of where it's evident—if you see something, say something. And in this case, it worked." More to follow.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Yahoo
Douglas County Past: Coughing babe alerts parents to fire; family of missing man suspects foul play
Apr. 21—April 18, 1925 Coughing of babe awakens parents in burning home The coughing of their one-year-old child as smoke lodged in its throat probably saved Mr. and Mrs. John Honsey, 170 Main street from death by fire or suffocation at their home early this morning. The babe was sleeping near the couple when the fire, of unknown origin, broke out. Coughing and crying as the acrid smoke found its way to the sensitive tissues of the child's throat, the baby wailed aloud for its mother. Mrs. Honsey was the first to awake. She perceived the danger immediately, awakened her husband and seized the crying child from its crib. The couple first tried to leave the burning building by the rear door, but a wall of fire prevented them. Mr. Honsey suffered slight burns about the face when he tried to penetrate the fire. His eyebrows and hair were singed. The escape was effected by the front entrance. Meanwhile neighbors had notified firemen. April 19, 1965 Superior man is victim of mishap A Superior man, the father of seven children, died Sunday of injuries received when the auto on which he was working Saturday afternoon slipped from a jack and pinned him beneath the vehicle. The victim, Joseph Stelmaszewski, 45, 1637 Cumming Ave., died at a local hospital where he was taken following the accident which occurred about 3:45 p.m. Saturday. Ambulance attendants reported that they were notified of the mishap by Mr. Stelmaszewski's wife and that he was removed from beneath the vehicle by neighbors. Death was due to internal injuries. April 20, 1925 Find body of man under car The body of Coleman C. Kain, age about 50, residing at 56 East Second street, was found at 8 o'clock this morning a half mile west of the Eighteenth street crossing under a car in the Great Northern ore yards, Allouez. Kain, who was employed as a section worker on the Great Northern died, apparently from exposure, a few minutes after being found by Bert Lindgren, section foreman. The body bears no marks of any kind. Kain was seen Sunday afternoon wandering in the vicinity of the Great Northern roundhouse at Allouez. He appeared to be in a dazed condition and it is believed he spent the night in the yards at Allouez. Police were notified and went to the scene in the police emergency ambulance. Kain was alive when railway employees had lifted him from under the car but he died a few minutes later. He was dressed in a heavy mackinaw and heavy working trousers. A post mortem examination will be conducted to determine the cause of death, according to Coad LeSage, deputy coroner, who has charge of the body. April 20, 1965 1-act plays scheduled by Solon class SOLON SPRINGS (Special) — The sophomore class of St. Croix High School will present three one-act plays at the gymnasium on Wednesday at 8 p.m. The plays, directed by Ernest Korpela, are: "Beware the Bear," "Old Skinflint," and "If Boys Wore Skirts." Casts are: "Beware the Bear," has Stephanie Klinzing as Mank; Patti Chelik as Spooch; Vivian Lawler, Little Alergy; Micki Little as Kim McDonald; Marlis Jellich, Flip; Karea Michal, Mrs. Tuttle; Dorreen Alger, Elaine; Dennis Smith, the intruder; Steve Stegman, radio announcer. "If Boys Wore Skirts" has Linda LeJeune as Connie; Joni Cariolano, Arlene; Tom Burfield, Matt; Janet Olby, Mrs. Crawford; Marvin Olby, Barney; Karen Michal, Margie; John Kidd, Chuck; Mike Tuttle, Phil; Jeanne Schacht, Elsa; Marlis Jelich, Muriel; Howard Wheeler, Dick; Dale Henry, Herbie; the announcer is Diane Smith; Bob Little, Oscar; Steve Stegman, Elroy. Student director is Diane Smith. "Old Skinflint" casts Chris Dahlberg as Miss Florabelle Dodd; Bob Little, old Archie Crothers; Mike Tuttle, Eddie Lambert; George Harbough, Tobias Flint; Jeanne Schacht, Miss Alice. Student director is Chris Dahlberg. April 21, 1925 Superior man still missing Mounting fears that Einar Simstad, age 54, Superior man who vanished from his home here April 11 has been the victim of foul play, were expressed by members of the family today. A week ago Saturday, Simstad, a carpenter, after finishing a job, disappeared and has not been seen since that day. He was hatless and coatless and wore a carpenter's apron when last seen on the corner of Baxter avenue and North Third street. He was under the influence of liquor at the time according to Carl Hagen. All efforts of Mrs. Simstad and members of the family residing at 705 Baxter avenue to find any trace of the missing husband and father have failed. Police investigation revealed that acquaintances of Simstad in the North End of the city believe he has gone to Escanaba, Mich. to work. His family reply to this solution with the query — "Why doesn't father write to us then?" The foul play theory is discounted by police, who say Simstad had no money or valuables on his person when he disappeared. Police will communicate with Escanaba authorities this afternoon in an effort to locate the missing man. Girl weds sweetheart under prison sentence Ernest Van Horn, who will shortly commence serving a two-year sentence in Green Bay reformatory, was married at 2 o'clock this afternoon to pretty Gladys Boulier, his sweetheart. Van Horn was one of the five West Duluth youths implicated in the Palace theater robbery. Gladys lives in West Duluth too. The wedding of the youthful burglar to the Boulier girl was solemnized in the county jail. Members of both families were present and Rev. William J. Barr, Methodist pastor from Duluth performed the ceremony. Following the brief nuptial ceremony Van Horn tenderly kissed his bride farewell with a promise to return to her immediately after his release. On good behavior, Van Horn can obtain his release in about 14 months from the Green Bay institution. Police warn merchants against check artist Local police have issued a warning to Superior merchants and individuals to beware of honoring checks for a "tall man" who has successfully cashed several small checks ranging from $3 to $6 in the last week. Included among his victims are the following: Federal bakery, Hotel Superior, Belknap hotel, Grant bakery and individuals. The bogus check artist is described as being of light complexion, has a long, prominent nose and has been identified as wearing a brown hat and gray coat. Superior news in brief Enter hen coop — A hen house owned by Frank Richter, 715 Broadway street, was entered last night and five hens stolen The heads of three of them were cut off and left at the Richter back door, police were informed. April 21, 1965 Evening Telegram is 75 years old Today, April 21, 1965, marks the 75th anniversary of The Evening Telegram and approximately the 23,475th publication of the newspaper. The old flat bed press of the Telegram made its first run on this date at 1805 Winter Street. Publication was continued without interruption over the past 75 years. Articles and pictures courtesy of retired librarian Judy Aunet with Superior Public Library.
Forbes
11-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
How To Spot And Avoid AI-Powered Tax Scams
Scammers are using AI to impersonate the IRS—learn how to spot the fakes and protect your identity ... More before it's too late. Tax scams are nothing new, but in 2025, they're no longer the domain of clumsy phishing emails or suspicious phone calls with thick accents. Today's tax fraud campaigns are fueled by generative AI, deepfake audio, and smart social engineering that make scams nearly indistinguishable from legitimate IRS communications. The game has changed—and the stakes are higher than ever. As the April 15 filing deadline approaches, cybersecurity experts are seeing a spike in sophisticated tax-themed phishing campaigns designed to exploit anxiety and urgency. According to Abhishek Karnik, head of threat research at McAfee, 'Generative AI gives scammers the tools to create more realistic emails, texts, and even voice-based messages.' A recent McAfee survey found that nearly half of Americans (48%) have received fake IRS messages, and over half (55%) believe these scams are more convincing than ever before. Generative AI is now doing the heavy lifting for cybercriminals. As Truman Kain, a security researcher at Huntress, explained, 'Attackers can now clone the look and feel of an official IRS message with almost perfect accuracy.' Gone are the days of spelling errors and awkward phrasing. Today, an attacker can feed a prompt to an AI model and generate a convincing phishing email or even a voicemail in seconds—complete with personalized details. AI-generated voice messages are especially dangerous. Using deepfake audio, scammers can now sound like IRS agents or tax preparers, delivering threats or refund offers with chilling realism. Kain warns, 'Just because it looks like the IRS is calling doesn't mean that it is.' Phone numbers can be spoofed, and attackers are banking on the fact that victims won't pause to verify. Beyond email and voice, scammers are using increasingly deceptive methods to deliver malware and steal credentials. Chris Simpson, director of the National University Center for Cybersecurity, notes that malicious actors are now leveraging QR codes, URL shorteners, and infected PDFs to distribute malware strains like GuLoader, Latrodectus, and AHKBot. QR codes, in particular, are on the rise. 'They're harder to vet than regular links,' says Kain. 'You can't hover over them to see where they lead, and they move the interaction to your phone, where people are less cautious.' Similarly, PDFs may appear harmless, but are often loaded with phishing links that redirect to fake IRS portals or credential-harvesting pages. What makes these attacks so effective isn't just the tech—it's the manipulation. Scammers exploit fear, urgency, and authority to push victims into fast decisions. According to Karnik, one of the biggest red flags is urgency: 'If a message asks for personal information or payment right away, it's a red flag.' Simpson agrees, adding that the IRS will never request payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Legitimate IRS communication almost always comes by physical mail, not email or social media. So what can individuals do to protect themselves? Start by layering defenses: And above all, never click on links or scan QR codes in unsolicited emails or texts. 'Go directly to the source,' advises Karnik. 'If you're unsure, type in the official URL yourself. Don't trust the message.' While tax season is peak time for these scams, the risks don't end when April passes. Stolen personal information is resold on dark web markets and reused for unemployment fraud, synthetic identity creation and other financial crimes throughout the year. 'Staying safe online all year long doesn't have to be complicated,' Karnik notes. Regularly checking financial accounts, setting up account alerts, and reviewing credit reports are simple steps that go a long way. AI has transformed the cybercrime landscape, arming scammers with tools that were once the domain of Hollywood. As these threats evolve, so too must our defenses. Cybersecurity is no longer optional—it's personal self-defense. With layered protections, skepticism and a commitment to verifying before trusting, individuals can stay one step ahead of the scam artists who want to turn their tax season into a payday.
CBC
31-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Nationalism at the ballet? On mounting a very Canadian Swan Lake
Most ballet companies hope for their shows to end with a standing ovation. The National Ballet of Canada's recent run of Swan Lake pulled off something more unusual: every show began with one, too. That's because, for each performance, the ballet classic didn't start with Tchaikovsky's iconic score. Rather, after the house lights dimmed, audiences were brought to their feet every afternoon and evening by the National Ballet Orchestra's rendition of O Canada. For musical director and principal conductor David Briskin, exceptional circumstances called for an exception to ballet's usual sequence of events. "The decision to play O Canada was a way for the National Ballet of Canada to show solidarity with Canadians across the country who are facing challenges in these uncertain times, and to show our Canadian pride." Moments like these reflect the anxiety many Canadians currently feel, as news that threatens people's livelihoods, values and the nation's sovereignty has become an almost everyday occurrence. But, according to Briskin, the national anthem gave audiences a moment to feel a collective sense of support instead. "The result was beyond anyone's expectations. We have been so moved by the emotional response from our audiences — literally from tears to cheers. It seems to be providing a moment of clarity, unity and a little bit of catharsis for people." Supporting both Canadian artists and audiences has always been the mandate of Toronto's globally recognized ballet company. Artistic director Hope Muir says that "since its inception in 1951, the National Ballet of Canada has proudly represented this country at home and on the world stage." And at such a consequential moment, there is perhaps no production better suited to represent Canada than the company's own rendition of Swan Lake. Recreating a classic Originally premiering in 1877 at Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre, former artistic director Karen Kain restaged this timeless tale of trapped swans and unrequited love for the National Ballet in 2022. Kain, herself among the most prolific Canadian ballerinas of the 20th century, intended for this update to be her parting gift to the company she helmed for almost two decades. Many aspects of her revamp have since garnered acclaim, including its lush, imaginative production design helmed by Andrew Lloyd Webber collaborator Gabriela Týlešová. Yet Kain took many other considerations to ensure that this distinctly Russian ballet was both innovative and endearing to contemporary Canadian audiences. Usually, the details behind a ballet company's creation of a new work would not be public knowledge. But over the entirety of her directorial process, Kain allowed filmmaker Chelsea McMullan unparalleled access to rehearsals, meetings and the everyday lives of the people working together to realize her vision for Swan Lake. Swan Song series trailer 2 years ago Duration 2:08 Swan Song is an immersive new CBC documentary series that brings viewers inside The National Ballet of Canada as the company mounts a legacy-defining new production of Swan Lake, directed by ballet icon Karen Kain as she bids farewell to the company she's become synonymous with. The resulting four-part miniseries, CBC Gem's Swan Song, showed that Kain often made directorial decisions in response to ballet's recent reckonings with racial and gender inclusion. Many in the dance world are still calling for changes to some of ballet's long-standing issues, including the lack of opportunity Black and brown dancers often face. And while acknowledging that as someone whose own professional career started in the 1960s, these concerns still presented a learning curve to her, Kain was nevertheless invested in making her Canadian Swan Lake better reflect the diversity of both the company — and the country. One of Kain's most notable responses was the decision to have Swan Lake's famous corps de ballet (a ballet company's ensemble members) dance on stage with bare legs. Ballet dancers typically wear full-length tights on stage; however, these rarely reflect the skin tone of dancers with darker complexions. While the audience was never far from mind in these decisions, foregoing tights in the Swans' costuming was positively received by National Ballet dancers like Erica Lall. "I love dancing bare legged in Swan Lake; I think it's beautiful" says Lall, a corps de ballet member with the company since 2024. "The Swans are often portrayed as delicate creatures, but in reality, they're powerful and can even be aggressive. Showing the muscularity of our legs really helps convey that strength to the audience." The decision to show the dancer's musculature compliments Kain's desire to characterize the Swans with more nuance. Many scenes in Swan Song show Kain working with former choreographic associate Robert Binet to "humanize" the dancers not simply as Swans, but as women who cope with, and ultimately fight back against, their imprisonment by the ballet's sorcerer antagonist, Von Rothbart. This intention ultimately leads to ensemble choreography that breaks unison at subtle and unexpected moments, and that swells with powerful, collective force in others. What do we stand for? After offering audiences everything on the scale between soft, delicate moments and grand, physical spectacles, the opening night of the National Ballet of Canada's Swan Lake ended much as it started: with a standing ovation. Reflecting upon what drives an audience to participate in these two separate showings of public support, one can't help but consider that the reasons may be quite similar. Indeed, the compelling aspects of Swan Lake's staging, choreography and performance emerge from the company's efforts to represent and empower, however subtle. These are efforts that — much like Canada's own status as a nation — have come under question in recent months. So when audiences give productions like Swan Lake a standing ovation, it may just as well be to celebrate the fact that art of this nature — which carries on a vaunted tradition by helping it evolve — continues to have a place on Canada's public stages. And whether that celebration is in response to O Canada, or a decidedly Canadian rendition of a Russian ballet, one thing is clear: they both have support.
