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Events that shaped Chicago: 2023 Year in Review

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:42:00 GMT

CHICAGO — As the new year looms, pressing issues that dominated headlines in Illinois in the year 2023 range from significant strikes to devastating storms and drastic changes in the sports scene. Over the course of the last 12 months, when it came to crime in Chicago, homicides trended down. While a victory for the city's police department, robbery and thefts spiked, and stolen vehicle reports skyrocketed by more than double. More Coverage:Keeping yourself safe: Chicago crime experts offer tips on how to avoid carjackings, minimize harmKeeping yourself safe: Tips from Chicago crime experts on how to avoid robberiesFor Mayor Brandon Johnson, 2024 will be the first test of his new crime-fighting strategy, unveiled at year’s end. WGN Exclusive: Migrants, crime, investment in people: Brandon Johnson’s first 6 months as mayor COVID-19's official end as a public health emergency came in 2023, closing a chapter three years after it began. More Coverage: WGN's Medica...

More suburbs taking action to prevent migrant busses from arriving without notice

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:42:00 GMT

BROADVIEW, Ill. — The mayor of the Village of Broadview is the latest suburban leader to take action and put restrictions in place on migrant buses arriving in her jurisdiction.Mayor Katrina Thompson said she decided to take action by signing an executive order because the next village board meeting isn’t for more than two weeks and she anticipates migrant buses could potentially arrive here before then.“It’s not that we don’t have love and compassion toward others but we have a real situation,” she said. “We have to plan and we didn’t anticipate this was another journey we were going to be on. It kind of takes me back to when we were in Covid and the crisis. Always in a crisis mode to fix a problem.”  Steady flow of migrant buses continues as city officials work to bring order to the chaos While migrant buses haven’t arrived in Broadview yet, Thompson anticipates it could happen soon, as it has in other Chicago suburbs.She signed an executive order setting rules in plac...

California law: Officials must use arrestee's pronouns if sharing mugshots

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:42:00 GMT

(KTXL) — A new California law is placing more rules on the use of mugshots posted to law enforcement agencies' social media accounts. Starting on Jan. 1, 2024, police departments and sheriff's offices will have to include the name and pronouns provided by the person arrested when their mugshot is posted on the agencies' social media accounts. California police can no longer ask you this at a traffic stop starting in 2024 The new law, AB 994, also further limits the circumstances under which law enforcement can share a mugshot on social media and adds rules on the removal of new and existing mugshots from these sites. Using the name and pronouns provided by the arresteeAB 994 will require police and sheriff's offices to use the name and pronouns provided by the arrestee if their mugshot is to be posted on the agencies' social media accounts. This applies to individuals accused of any crime. The agencies will be authorized to use other legal names or aliases if these will assist in...

Texas liquor stores to be closed over New Year's holiday

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:42:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — New Year's weekend will be dry for some Texans, as state law will shutter liquor stores from Saturday night through Tuesday morning.The Texas Liquor Control Act, mandates that no liquor stores are to be open on Sundays or major holidays like Christmas and New Year's Day.With the start of the new year falling on a Monday, stores will be closed for 61 hours once stores close up shop at 9 p.m. Saturday and won't reopen until 10 a.m. Tuesday."I'm glad I'm here today to buy it. New Year's must be a big day for people to buy liquor, that's not a great day to be closed," Arun Chatterje said.Chatterje was shopping at an Austin liquor store Thursday evening, and said news of the long closure this coming weekend was a surprise.He said it should be up to business owners to decide whether or not to be open on special days like New Year's Day."The liquor store owner wants to be open? That's great. They'd rather stay at home and sleep? That's great, too," Chatterje said.Back in 20...

Timberwolves fend off shorthanded Mavericks

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:42:00 GMT

Teams play below their level of abilities against inferior teams in the NBA all the time throughout an 82-game season.MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – DECEMBER 28: Naz Reid #11 of the Minnesota Timberwolves commits an offensive foul as he passes the ball against the Dallas Mavericks in the second quarter at Target Center on December 28, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)It happened in Boston on Thursday, as the Celtics — considered by many to be the best team in the NBA — had to go to overtime to hand Detroit its 28th straight loss.It happened in Minneapolis, as the Timberwolves tried to beat themselves numerous times before finding enough offense to down the short-handed Mavericks 118-110 at Target Center.Minnesota overcame 22 turnovers that led to 29...

ATV breaks through Red Lake ice, riders make it to shore wet and cold

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:42:00 GMT

BELTRAMI COUNTY, Minn. — Two men have safely returned to shore after their ATV broke through the ice on Upper Red Lake on Thursday morning.According to a release from Beltrami County Sheriff Jason Riggs, at 7:29 a.m. Thursday,  dispatchers received a call from two fishermen who reported that they fell through the ice while on an ATV about 1.5 miles north of the lake’s southern shore.The men reported that they were able to get out of the water but were stranded and couldn’t get back to the resort they came from, the release said. Emergency responders were dispatched for an ice rescue, and the resort began sending help as well.The men arrived back at the resort at 8:05 a.m. and met with first responders. Despite being wet and cold, there were no reported injuries, the release said.Arrangements have been made to remove the ATV from the lake as soon as the ice strengthens.This incident comes just days after three men were rescued from the lake after breaking through the ice while ...

Lola Saratoga support event after smash & grab

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:42:00 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -Two weeks before Christmas, the front door of Lola Saratoga was smashed in by two male suspects who then stole over $130,000 worth of inventory. Security footage showed those suspects bashing display cases and stealing the designer bags in less than two minutes.The crime shocked Saratoga’s business community. "I myself own a business a few blocks away. To hear something like this happen in my hometown… there’s no words to describe it," said Hostess of Ladies for Lola, Amanda Pierce. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! As a friend of the store, Amanda Pierce wanted to help. Pierce connected with 35 other local businesses for an event called Ladies for Lola. A booming atmosphere welcomed guests inside to shop and enter raffles.Owner, Megan Druckman, says even after losing 90% of inventory during the busy holiday season, her team of 12 employees kept going. "We started ordering more inventory, we did our best t...

'The sweetest soul ever' - Family and friends mourn loss of Marquisha Williams

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:42:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The frantic search for a St. Louis mother of four is over. Illinois State Police recovered the body of 29-year-old Marquisha Williams near Chicago on Thursday.Williams’ ex-boyfriend and the father of her children, 31-year-old Trenton Ivy, is charged with first-degree murder in connection with her disappearance and death.Williams’ family and friends gathered Thursday at Mount Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in North St. Louis. The group was seen sharing hugs and tears as the heavy reality of the situation set in. Police: St. Louis woman Marquisha Williams found deceased in Illinois Her mother, Norvette Chavis, tells FOX 2 that Thursday’s devastating discovery at least gives her family some peace knowing their loved one will be returned home for a proper burial.“I’m glad they found her," said Chavis. "Glad we have closure. It was going to drive me crazy if they hadn’t found her."Chavis had a message for the countless number of people who stepped up to help them in their...

Woman, boy held hostage in St. Louis home for five hours

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:42:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A St. Louis woman and child were running door to door, screaming for help in the middle of the night, after reportedly being held hostage.The frightening moment was captured on a doorbell video camera as one woman knocked on the door asking for the residents inside for help around 1 a.m. Thursday."My ex-boyfriend, he just held me and my son hostage," the woman said while also calling 911. Police: St. Louis woman Marquisha Williams found deceased in Illinois The 10-year-old boy could also be heard asking for help.With seconds to spare, Marquitta Lewis opened the door."Her little son ran into [the house]. I couldn't do nothing but lock the door," Lewis said.Doorbell video captured the man running onto the porch, appearing to chase after the woman and child."He had ran up and tried to kick the door, then he started knocking," Lewis said. "Then I guess he heard my boyfriend's voice."St. Louis Police said the woman and boy were being held against their will at a nearby home...

Iconic Silver Dollar City roller coaster takes final ride

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:42:00 GMT

BRANSON, Mo., (KNWA/KFTA) — Silver Dollar City has announced the closing of one of its most popular rides.According to a press release, the Branson theme park's historic indoor roller coaster 'Fire in The Hole' will pull through the station one last time this Saturday, Dec. 30. WATCH: The new Fire in the Hole roller coaster in Silver Dollar City The release states that the 48 guests, selected through various social media giveaways will be the final public riders on the roller coaster and will receive a mounted piece of the coaster track, along with other keepsakes commemorating the ride's retirement. Although there are preselected guests for the final ride, Fire in the Hole will be open all day on Saturday for anyone to ride the indoor coaster one last time.“Though we are now down to the final hours of the original Fire In The Hole, this ride has been meaningful to our guests for generations,” said Brad Thomas, Silver Dollar City president. “The coaster tells a story of the Ozark...