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How a Chicago Latina is emphasizing diversity leading into the 2024 Democratic National Convention

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:39 GMT

CHICAGO — A well-known Chicago Latina shared her story Thursday, one where she will be a key figure in organizing the upcoming 2024 Democratic National Convention.This week, Lisa Hernandez — born and raised in the Petrowski Park area of Chicago's Little Village neighborhood — sat down with WGN News' Lourdes Duarte to talk diversity for what's expected to be one of the largest political events of next year.Hernandez took over as chair of the Illinois Democratic Party about a year ago, becoming the first Latina to do so, and her new role comes as Democrats around the country tackle a number of issues, including immigration — a problem Chicago has struggled mightily with on its own, as thousands of migrants have been forced to live at local airports and police stations as City leaders scramble for a solution.Already, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration has brought up the possibility of more migrants being bused to the City leading up to the 2024 DNC as a way for Republicans ...

'Our first home': Woodstock family speaks after explosion, fire destroys home

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:39 GMT

WOODSTOCK, Ill. — A family that has lost everything after a gas explosion earlier this week in Woodstock is speaking out.Their house was among the 20 structures destroyed. It leveled one home and has made two neighboring buildings inhabitable. Tom Skilling announces retirement "I'm heartbroken," Armani Peralta said. "That was our first home. Our established home and all my baby's things."Peralta, her three-month-old baby girl Alanie, and her partner who shares the same first name as Armaine, lived in the two-unit building that went up in flames Monday afternoon after the home next door exploded."I came home from work around 12ish, 1 o'clock," Armaine Bannister, said. "Everything was blocked off. I drove around the block to see if I could come from that way to pick them up, couldn't do it. There was an officer there so I talked to him. He said to just grab the baby, grab the wife and just get out. There's a gas leak." 20 buildings damaged, 22 displaced after home explosion in Woo...

Missed Taylor Swift's Era's Tour? Shake it Off. Concert movie now showing in theaters

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:39 GMT

CHICAGO — Even if you did - or didn't - get to see her in concert, Chicagoans can now experience Taylor Swift's 'Era's Tour' in a new way. Following the world premiere of Taylor Swift's movie last night in Los Angeles, the concert movie is opening a day early. It's why the Swifties were out in force Thursday evening at AMC River East to talk and see all things Taylor. Beyoncé vs Taylor Swift vs NASCAR: Who’s was the biggest boon to Chicago this summer? "I've been a big Taylor Swift fan for the past 13 years or so, maybe 15 years," said Mauricio Gonzalez. "I got to see the 'Era's Tour' five times, actually. Twice here in Chicago. So I'm looking forward to seeing it on the big screen." Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines The movie runs two hours and 40 minutes, considerably shorter than her concert. The tour could gross $2.2 billion in North American ticket sales by some estimates.Click here for theaters and showtimes in your area.

Colorado officer found guilty of homicide in Elijah McClain case, 2nd officer acquitted

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:39 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) – A jury has returned a split verdict in the case against two Aurora, Colorado police officers charged with Elijah McClain's death in 2019. One officer, Randy Roedema, was found guilty of criminally negligent reckless homicide and third-degree assault. The other officer, Jason Rosenblatt, was acquitted of all charges.Sentencing for Roedema is scheduled for Jan. 5, 2024 at 1:30 p.m.Roedema has been on suspension from the Aurora Police Department during the investigation while Rosenblatt had been fired by the department.Aurora Police Chief art Acevedo released the following statement on X, formerly known as Twitter:“I know many have been waiting a long time for the involved parties to have their day in court. As a nation, we must be committed to the rule of law. As such, we hold the American judicial process in high regard. We respect the verdict handed down by the jury, and thank the members of the jury for their thoughtful deliberation and service. Due to the additiona...

Texas Republicans divided over US Speaker fight

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:39 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Congress is moving further away from electing a speaker to lead a paralyzed House of Representatives, and some Texas congressmen are leading the charge of opposition against U.S. Rep Steve Scalise, their party's designee for speaker."I'm not going to be with Steve on the floor," Central Texas Republican Congressman Chip Roy said Thursday. "We need to figure out what to do. Let's pick the right speaker, let's unite, and let's move forward."Roy is calling for stronger assurances regarding federal spending cuts, border security legislation, and safeguards placed on aid to Israel.Victoria-area Congressman Michael Cloud is also opposing Scalise.Other Texans, however, are calling on the House to swiftly approve Scalise as Speaker to address urgent issues like aid to Israel and border security legislation. "We need to immediately come to the floor, vote in a speaker, because the world is on fire," South Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales said. "You see what's happening in ...

Jurors convicts Colordo police officer in death of Elijah McClain, acquits a second

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:39 GMT

Elijah McClain is pictured in this undated photograph. (Photo provided by family of Elijah McClain)BRIGHTON — Jurors on Thursday delivered a split decision in the trial of two Aurora police officers charged in the death of Elijah McClain, convicting one officer but acquitting the other after nearly three weeks of testimony.The jury found Aurora police officer Randy Roedema, 41, guilty of criminally negligent homicide and third-degree assault — the two lesser charges he faced.Jurors acquitted former officer Jason Rosenblatt, 34, on all charges. He put his head in his hands on the defense table after the verdict, then cried as he hugged supporters and his attorneys. He had been charged with reckless manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and second-degree assault.Roedema sat quietly when the verdict was read and did not comment when he left the courtroom. Some of his supporters wept when they heard the guilty verdict. Criminally negligent homicide is a low-level felony, while thi...

White Bear Township couple mark two milestones at the hospital: their first baby, and their wedding

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:39 GMT

Ellie DeMars Zepper and Eric Zepper of White Bear Township were planning to get married at the Ramsey County Courthouse in St. Paul this week, but their son had other plans.Arlo Marcos Zepper — all 8 pounds, 13 ounces and 21¼ inches of him — was born at 7:11 a.m. Sunday at M Health Fairview St. John’s Hospital in Maplewood, six days before his due date.“We knew we were pushing it,” Eric Zepper said. “We kind of like to do things at the last minute.”When the couple arrived at St. John’s in the wee hours of Sunday morning, staff asked if they wanted to speak with a hospital chaplain. “I jokingly asked, ‘Do they do marriages?’” Ellie Zepper said. “Because that was the one thing we wanted to do before the baby arrived. We wanted to tie the knot and make it official.”The couple got engaged and exchanged rings last month during an outing to the Renaissance Festival in Shakopee. “We’ve known for awhile that we were going to do this,” Eric Zepper said. “It wasn’t a big sur...

Doctors group calls its 2009 ‘excited delirium’ paper outdated and withdraws its approval

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:39 GMT

A leading doctors group on Thursday formally withdrew its approval of a 2009 paper on “excited delirium,” a document that critics say has been used to justify excessive force by police.The American College of Emergency Physicians in a statement called the paper outdated and said the term excited delirium should not be used by members who testify in civil or criminal cases. The group’s directors voted on the matter Thursday in Philadelphia.“This means if someone dies while being restrained in custody … people can’t point to excited delirium as the reason and can’t point to ACEP’s endorsement of the concept to bolster their case,” said Dr. Brooks Walsh, a Connecticut emergency doctor who pushed the organization to strengthen its stance.Earlier this week, California became the first state to bar the use of excited delirium and related terms as a cause of death in autopsies. The legislation, signed Sunday by Gov. Gavin Newsom, also prohibits police officers from using it in ...

ATV/UTV accidents involving minors on the rise in Missouri

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:39 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Missouri State Highway Patrol is warning parents about the dangers that off-road vehicles, like ATVs and UTVs, present for children. Of the nearly 300 ATV crashes last year in Missouri, more than 70% of them resulted in injuries, leaving 26 people dead. This year, MSHP says those numbers are on the rise and include too many kids. All-terrain vehicles, better known as ATVs, don't just exist in rural areas anymore. The vehicles are popular for all ages on trails, fields and neighborhoods. The problem is, some behind the wheel are driving without much experience. Football coach shot in front of players at practice, St. Louis community shocked "We just have seen an increase in the number of crashes, particularly with younger kids that are being injured or killed in these crashes," said Captain John Hotz with the Missouri State Highway Patrol. "You're seeing a lot of kids out there, particularly in unsupervised roles, where they are driving these big, powerfu...

DEA takes new course of action as powdered fentanyl plagues streets and schools

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:11:39 GMT

FERGUSON, Mo. - A room full of grieving families gathered Thursday at St. Louis Community College in Florissant Valley, all in an effort to work with St. Louis’ DEA division to combat powdered fentanyl overdose deaths. The Drug Enforcement Administration looks to a new course of action as powdered fentanyl not only plagues the streets, but is also making way into St. Louis-area schools. Last month, during the DEA's division summit, special agent Michael Davis informed us of new statistics in the St. Louis metro. On average, seven out of every 10 pills sold over the table now contain fentanyl here in the area. Football coach shot in front of players at practice, St. Louis community shocked Davis says a surge in overdoses and seizures is what’s forcing the need for a new course of action. He says the region could surpass 1,000 deaths by the end of the year. "We're seeing record numbers of powdered fentanyl and fake pills, and these are pills that look like legitimate prescription pi...