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Pittsburgh synagogue gunman sentenced to death

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:53 GMT

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The gunman who stormed a synagogue in the heart of Pittsburgh’s Jewish community and killed 11 worshippers will be sentenced to death for perpetrating the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history.Robert Bowers spewed hatred of Jews and espoused white supremacist beliefs online before methodically planning and carrying out the 2018 massacre at the Tree of Life synagogue, where members of three congregations had gathered for Sabbath worship and study. Bowers, a truck driver from suburban Baldwin, also wounded two worshippers and five responding police officers.The same federal jury that convicted the 50-year-old Bowers on 63 criminal counts recommended Wednesday that he be put to death for an attack whose impacts continue to reverberate nearly five years later. He showed little reaction as the sentence was announced, briefly acknowledging his legal team and family as he was led from the courtroom. A judge will formally impose the sentence later.Jurors were unanim...

USPS offering $50K reward for information after mail carrier shot

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:53 GMT

CHICAGO — The Chicago Police Department responded to the North Side following reports of a USPS mail carrier had been shot during an armed robbery Tuesday evening.According to the Chicago Police Department, officers responded after a USPS mail carrier reportedly had been shot on the 3200 block of North Kildare Avenue in the Kilbourn Park neighborhood on Tuesday afternoon. Woman dies after road rage incident on DuSable Lake Shore Drive CPD reported that the USPS mail carrier was transported to Illinois Masonic Hospital. His condition has been reported as stable.The suspect or suspects reportedly fled in a stolen white Kia sedan with the Illinois license plate BF73931.No further information has been made available. The investigation is ongoing.The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is offering up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect or suspects involved in Tuesday's shooting incident. The reward also covers a second robbery of a mail carrier on ...

Alert issued after 10 armed robberies in 3 hours throughout Chicago

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:53 GMT

CHICAGO — An alert has been issued by Chicago police after 10 armed robberies throughout the city Tuesday in a span of just over three hours.In each incident, CPD said three to seven male suspects approached a victim at a gas station or in public.The victims were robbed of their property at gunpoint. The suspects then drove away in a silver or gray Hyundai Sonata. Woman stabbed after drivers ‘began fighting on the street’ in Humboldt Park A timeline of the incidents is below.400 block of West Pershing Road on August 1, 2023 at 2:50 a.m. 2800 block of West 47th Street on August 1, 2023 at 4:10 a.m. 2500 block of South Blue Island Avenue on August 1, 2023 at 4:20 a.m.4600 block of South Western Avenue on August 1, 2023 at 4:30 a.m.1000 block of West 18th Street on August 1, 2023 at 4:55 a.m.1100 block of West 47th Street on August 1, 2023 at 5:00 a.m.4900 block of South Chicago Beach Drive on Aug. 1 at 5:25 a.m.1600 block of East 50th Place on Aug. 1 at 5:30 a.m.  800...

Another former Northwestern player files lawsuit amidst hazing scandal

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:53 GMT

CHICAGO — It what has become a common occurrence since the hazing scandal broke around the program, another former Northwestern University football player is filing a lawsuit. The one on Wednesday is on behalf of a player who took the field for two former Wildcats' coaches. Former offensive lineman Ramon Diaz, who played under Randy Walker in 2005 and then Pat Fitzgerald from 2006-2008, has filed a lawsuit against Northwestern University, the school's board of trustees, Fitzgerald, and former athletic director Jim Phillips. Represented by Patrick Salvi II of Chicago-based Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C along with Parker Stinar Denver-based of The Stinar Law Firm, Diaz says he "was "was subjected to hazing, sexual and physical abuse, racial discrimination, and other dehumanizing acts" during his time at the school. WGN News spoke with Diaz in July about his experiences within the program in July, where he described instances of alleged racism he faced while with the footba...

Five takeaways from Trump’s indictment for trying to overturn the 2020 election

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:53 GMT

(The Hill) - Former President Trump was indicted for a third time Tuesday — on this occasion, for his attempts to overturn the result of the 2020 election.News of the indictment broke soon after 5 p.m. following a meeting of the Washington grand jury that has been weighing the case.In a brief on-camera appearance, Special Counsel Jack Smith accused Trump of a mendacious push aimed at “obstructing a bedrock function of the US government — the nation’s process of collecting, counting and certifying the results of the presidential election.”Trump had previously predicted the indictment — and he has repeatedly blasted Smith.The case now joins two earlier indictments. One pertains to alleged falsification of business records in New York. A second centers on sensitive documents kept at Mar-a-Lago after Trump’s presidency ended.Here are the main takeaways from Tuesday’s indictment.The charges are graveTrump faces four charges.They are: conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to...

Woman stabbed after drivers 'began fighting on the street' in Humboldt Park

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:53 GMT

CHICAGO — A woman was stabbed Tuesday night after an argument between drivers in Humboldt Park.At around 7:55 a.m., authorities were dispatched to the 3600 block of West Division Street on the report of a stabbing.Police said a 29-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman were driving when they became involved in an argument with another driver. CPD said the drivers exited their vehicles and "began fighting on the street."During the incident, the 23-year-old woman was stabbed in her hand by a knife. She was transported to Stroger Hospital with minor injuries. Aurora man facing homicide charge after deadly cocaine overdose The 29-year-old man was also transported to Stroger with minor injuries.CPD placed a 27-year-old man into custody. At this time it's unknown if any charges were filed.

Driver accused of gross negligence in crash that killed actor Treat Williams

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:53 GMT

DORSET, Vt. (AP) — A Vermont driver accused of causing a crash that killed actor Treat Williams has been cited for grossly negligent operation causing death, officials said.An investigation of the June 12 crash in Dorset concluded a vehicle pulled in front of Williams, who was riding a motorcycle and was unable to avoid a collision, Vermont State Police said Tuesday.The driver who was cited, Ryan Koss, 35, of Dorset, was processed Tuesday evening and released ahead of a September arraignment, state police said. A court official couldn’t say whether Koss had a lawyer, and Koss didn’t immediately return an email message seeking comment. Paul Reubens had a quick moment in an iconic Chicago movie Williams, 71, of Manchester Center, was pronounced dead at Albany Medical Center in New York.Richard Treat Williams' nearly 50-year career included starring roles in the TV series “Everwood” and the movie “Hair.” He appeared in more than 120 TV and film roles, including the movies “The Eagle ...

Wednesday Forecast: Temps in upper 80s with isolated shower chance

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:53 GMT

CHICAGO — Sun to start Wednesday with increasing clouds and an isolated shower chance. Wide temperature range, Winds: SSW 5-10. High: 87. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Partly cloudy tonight. Winds: WSW 5-10. Low: 67.Thursday Forecast: Mostly cloudy with isolated shower chance, cooler lakeside. Winds: SSW 0-5. High: 88/82.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog

Pilot killed in southern Illinois helicopter crash was crop-dusting at the time

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:53 GMT

OAKDALE, Ill. (AP) — A pilot killed when a helicopter crashed in rural southern Illinois was crop-dusting at the time, authorities say.Donald L. Pruett, 41, of Mount Vernon was pronounced dead at the scene Monday afternoon by Washington County Coroner Mark Styninger.Pruett was the sole occupant of the helicopter.The crash occurred in a remote farm area, Styninger said. The wreckage was found in a cornfield under overhead power lines, the coroner said. It was unclear if the helicopter struck the power lines.The cause of death appeared to be blunt force trauma pending an autopsy, Styninger said. Video shows crop dusting plane nearly clipping semi-truck in Northwest Indiana The Federal Aviation Administration said the helicopter was a Bell UH-1H “Huey.”The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.Oakdale is about 45 miles (72 kilometers) southeast of St. Louis, Missouri.

Paul Reubens had a quick moment in an iconic Chicago movie

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:53 GMT

CHICAGO — This week, many are sharing their favorite on-screen memories of the actor known best for his role as Pee-wee Herman. Those reflecting on the career of Paul Reubens, who died of cancer at the age of 70 on Monday, might also recall his brief moment in an iconic Chicago movie. If you weren't looking, you might have missed him during the two-hour, 13-minute film. (Courtesy: Universal Pictures)Reubens had a very small part in "The Blues Brothers," the memorable musical comedy from Universal Pictures in 1980 that starred Dan Aykroyd and the late John Belushi. The film featured a host of iconic spots in Chicago while featuring a host of legendary rhythm and blues artists. Pee-wee Herman star Paul Reubens dies at age 70 after cancer fight During his one scene in the film, Reubens was a waiter at the Chez Paul, a famous French restaurant in Chicago that was located at 660 North Rush Street. In an effort to recruit restaurant maitre d' "Mr. Fabulous" (Alan Rubin) back to th...