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Northeast winter storm shuts schools, knocks out power

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:25 GMT

The start of a winter storm with heavy, wet snow led to hundreds of school closings, canceled flights and some power outages in parts of the Northeast on Tuesday.The storm’s path included parts of New England, upstate New York, northeastern Pennsylvania and northern New Jersey. Snow totals by the time it winds up Wednesday were expected to range from a few inches to a few feet, depending on the area.“This is shaping up to be a unique winter storm for our small state in that there will be big differences in snowfall amounts depending on where you are located,” said Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, who ordered all executive branch state office buildings closed. “Some towns may receive a significant snowfall total, while others may receive a fraction of that amount or maybe even just rain.”The airport in Albany, New York, which began clearing snow on Monday night, was open, but canceled 16 morning departures early Tuesday. Bradley International Airport in Connecticut also was open an...

18-year-old fatally shot while riding in vehicle on Southwest Side

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:25 GMT

CHICAGO — An 18-year-old man has died after being shot while riding in a vehicle on the city's Southwest Side.Police said the shooting happened around 11:15 a.m. Monday in the 5800 block of South Western in Gage Park. The 18-year-old was a passenger in a vehicle when another car approached and someone inside opened fire.He was shot in the upper back and transported to Holy Cross Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.The medical examiner has identified the 18-year-old as Robert Santos. 16-year-old boy dies after South Side shooting No other injuries were reported.No one is in custody. Area One detectives are investigating.

Man accused of battering 50-year-old CTA driver on South Side

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:25 GMT

CHICAGO — A man was arrested Monday after allegedly battering a woman working as a CTA driver on the South Side.Just after 8:50 a.m., Anthony James, 20, was arrested in the 1100 block of 63rd Street.Moments earlier, police said he battered the bus driver in the same block. 2 vehicles wanted after man dies in suburban hit-and-run James was charged with aggravated battery against a transit employee.He is due in bond court on Tuesday.

Florida 8-year-old accused of cutting another child's throat

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:25 GMT

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) – An 8-year-old boy accused of attacking another child at a Lake County home Saturday has been arrested.According to WESH, the 8-year-old is accused of choking a foster child at the residence. The boy then reportedly let the child go when he said he couldn't breathe.The report cited an affidavit stating that the boy allegedly then grabbed a knife and swung it a the victim, cutting the child's throat when the victim approached him.The knife was taken away from the boy by the victim's friend. While the 8-year-old was looking for the weapon, he allegedly threatened to "kill everyone," according to the affidavit. Seaweed blob visible from space takes aim at Florida Gulf coast The 8-year-old then allegedly went to grab a stick to try and hit the victim, the affidavit said. However, other children standing nearby reportedly stopped the boy.According to the Lake County Sheriff's Office, the 8-year-old boy was arrested and taken to the Lake County Detention Cent...

16-year-old boy dies after South Side shooting

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:25 GMT

CHICAGO — A 16-year-old boy has died after being shot multiple times Monday evening on the South Side, Chicago police said.At around 6:50 p.m., officers responded to the 400 block of E. 88th Street in Chicago's Chatham neighborhood.A 16-year-old boy was discovered with gunshot wounds to the left arm, chest and chin. He was transported to the University of Chicago Hospital in critical condition, where he later died.The medical examiner has identified him as Gregory Wilson.Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesAccording to police, the victim is being uncooperative with their investigation. No one is in custody. Anyone with information may leave an anonymous tip at cpdtip.com.

Illinois becomes third state to mandate paid leave for workers

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:25 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois will become one of three states to require employers to offer paid time off for any reason after Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a law on Monday that will take effect next year.Starting Jan. 1, Illinois employers must offer workers paid time off based on hours worked, with no need to explain the reason for their absence as long as they provide notice in accordance with reasonable employer standards.Only Maine and Nevada mandate earned paid time off and allot employees the freedom to decide how to use it, but Illinois’ law is further reaching, unencumbered by limits based on business size. Similarly structured regulations that require employers to offer paid sick leave exist in 14 states and Washington, D.C., but workers can only use that for health-related reasons.Illinois employees will accrue one hour of paid leave for every 40 hours worked up to 40 hours total, although the employer may offer more. Employees can start using the time once they have work...

Illinois bill would put the brakes on video conference calls while driving

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:25 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WGN) — Illinois drivers may have to steer clear of Zoom video calls while behind the wheel if a new state proposal becomes law. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannulias says House Bill 2431, sponsored by Illinois Rep. Marcus Evans and Illinois Sen. Javier Cervantes would make the roads safer as the popularity of video conference calls while driving rises. Illinois law would ban vaping in public places"We need to take steps to change the culture surrounding distracted driving, which will lead to more responsible drivers and ultimately save lives," Giannulias stated in a release announcing the proposal. "Zooming takes hands, eyes and minds off the focus of driving. Our goal is that a combination of increased education, stronger laws and tougher enforcement will encourage drivers to change bad behaviors for the better."Under the proposal, motorists would still be allowed to participate in video conference calls via a hands-free device or if the video is turned of...

Dean's A-List Interview: Idris Elba on "Luther: The Fallen Sun"

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:25 GMT

CHICAGO - After serving as the star of the series that aired on the BBC through most of the 2010s, the time has come for Idris Elba to make a movie featuring one of his most popular characters."Luther: The Fallen Sun" on Netflix features the actor in the role of John Luther, a brilliant but disgraced detective who is assigned to solve a kidnapping. The film was released on the streaming service on March 10. As it premieres, Dean Richards talked with Idris about the new film on "Dean's A-List Interview" on Tuesday. They discussed him taking on the role of Luther along with other characters he's played during his career.You can watch Dean's interview with Elba on the March 14 WGN Morning News in the video above or below. Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

Biden to unveil executive order to increase background checks on gun sales

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:25 GMT

President Biden on Tuesday plans to announce an executive order that aims to increase the number of background checks conducted before gun sales, cracking down on firearms dealers who violate federal law.The goal of the executive order, set to be unveiled during a Biden visit to Monterey Park, Calif., is to move the U.S. as close to a system of universal background checks for all gun sales as possible without requiring legislation from Congress. Biden has called for Congress to pass universal background checks, but such legislation is a non-starter in the GOP-controlled House. The order will direct Attorney General Merrick Garland to ensure that gun sellers “who do not realize they are required to run background checks under existing law, or who are willfully violating existing law, become compliant with background check requirements,” according to a fact sheet released by the White House.Last year's bipartisan gun legislation, which Biden signed into law in June, updated ...

Experts gauge excessive force questions after Mustang Ridge arrest

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:17:25 GMT

Investigative Summary: A 59-second video recorded in Mustang Ridge sparked a Texas Rangers investigation and raised questions about what excessive force looks like. KXAN dug into why the Rangers decided to take no action against the officer involved and spoke to experts about what can be considered excessive force.MUSTANG RIDGE, Texas (KXAN) — Matthew Ortega thought he was witnessing an officer using excessive force in late October 2022.He was in his car with his wife by his side and his stepson in the backseat. They were heading to the barber shop, but something caught Ortega’s eye.“I seen an officer that looked like he was yelling commands and real agitated,” Ortega said.He told his wife to start recording. What they captured was an arrest in progress. A man was on the ground and a police officer was standing above him.In the recording, the officer is seen using his foot to push down the man’s head. Ortega thought that was too much. “Hey, stop stepping on his head,” Ortega is he...