BOSTON (WHDH) – Around 400 children from every neighborhood in Boston got in the holiday spirit Tuesday night while they shopped with Boston police officers at a Target in Dorchester as part of the 17th annual Shop with a Cop event.

“It is far better than the North Pole and a little warmer, too,” Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox joked.

The joy is all made possible by the Boston police department, the Boston Police Foundation, and its sponsorship partners.

“This is what they truly do,” said Dan Linskey, Vice Chair of the Boston Police Foundation. “Cops care, and our Boston cops care about our community, care about the kids, and leading the way to make sure kids have a great holiday season.”

The event started more than a decade ago with about 100 children, and soon grew to what it is today.

Officers involved said they know the true meaning of Christmas is sharing joy with the community.

“The first time kids are seeing a police officer, if it’s a positive experience with the magic of Christmas, that’s a lot better than a negative interaction with a police officer any time,” said Linskey.

Other law enforcement agencies also got in on the fun, with members of the MBTA transit police to the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department also shopping until they dropped.

“I’m thankful for all our officers who care so much not only about the residents but the kids. This is a kids event. That warms my heart,” said Cox.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers have found their next special teams ace. A team that has had one for years and decades – John Fiala of the late 90s, Clint Kreidwalt, Sean Morey, and Chidi Iwuoma of the mid-2000s, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Tyler Matakevich of the mid-late 2010s, and Miles Killebrew of the 2020s, Carson Bruener is carrying that torch into 2025 and beyond.

A seventh-round pick who made the roster for his ‘teams value, he’s been putting that role to good use. Though Bruener has logged just one defensive snap this season, he’s quickly emerged as a core special teamer. His 220 special teams snaps rank fifth on the team and his 14 tackles on that unit is an excellent number.

Sunday’s showing against Baltimore was his marquee performance to date. Three special teams tackles, all on kick coverage, with high-end reps. Twice, he bowled over his would-be Ravens’ blocker en route to the returner.

On this rep, he is aligned at R2, fourth-in from the left. No. 39 dies a slow death as Bruener runs over him while keying the returner. Baltimore’s runback is clunky with the returner ahead of his up-man, losing a blocker in the process, and Bruener keeps him lateral and pinned to the sideline. Sebastian Castro and Jabrill Peppers also do nice jobs here to run him out of bounds.

Very similar here. Bruener again runs through his blocker even more forcefully this time, and the returner has nowhere to go. Bruener is no longer blocked and in position to make the tackle. He finishes this play off himself.

His final tackle was an assist and not solo. A little less impressive. Still, it was a solid rep shedding the block of TE Charlie Kolar, squaring up the returner, and combining with Peppers to make the stop.

The tackles themselves don’t tell the whole story. Bruener’s three stops put the Ravens at: their 26, 26, and 29 yard line. That’s six to nine yards inside of where a touchback would come out to the 35 yard line. Hidden yardage that works in Pittsburgh’s favor.

An underrated part of Omar Khan/Andy Weidl’s first two draft classes are the seventh round hits. In 2023, there was OL Spencer Anderson. In 2025, Bruener. Two serious contributors to the roster.

Kick and punt coverage are the first line of defense. It must be strong. The Steelers have been excellent here, and Bruener looks like a stud in the making. It wouldn’t be surprising he became a special teams captain in 2026 and held the job for the next seven years.

STAMFORD, CONN. – A growing pile of garbage near the Stamford train station in Connecticut is raising concerns among commuters and local authorities.

What we know:

Metro North riders have noticed the unsightly accumulation of trash, including mattresses, couches and clothing, just north of the station.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) told FOX 5 NY‘s Richard Giacovas that it is aware of the situation, suggesting it reflects someone’s living conditions rather than illegal dumping.

Efforts to address the issue

According to the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, state law imposes a $219 fine for dumping items larger than one cubic foot. 

Additionally, vehicles used for dumping can be confiscated, and offenders may face arrest. The state can also sue for cleanup costs, with fines reaching up to $25,000 a day.

The city of Stamford’s highways department actively tackles illegal dumping and offers legal disposal options, such as the Katrina Mygatt Recycling Center and the Scale House, where residents can dispose of up to 200 pounds of material daily for free.

What they’re saying:

A spokesperson for the Connecticut DOT said that local and state agencies are collaborating to relocate individuals found living at the site and to provide essential services.

Plans are underway to outsource the cleanup to a third party, especially if hazardous materials like needles are present, the DOT said.