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Ed Burke trial: Verdict is in

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:45:42 GMT

BREAKING UPDATE: A verdict is in, according to WGN's Mike Lowe. WGN will update this story once it's announced.Original story:CHICAGO — After a quiet Wednesday in the Ed Burke trial, jurors are back at the Dirksen Federal Building to decide the fate of the former powerful alderman.The jury has been deliberating for roughly 21 hours now. They offered few hints to its progress Wednesday — sending no notes or questions to Judge Virginia Kendall.Legal experts said the case is a complex one and could take quite some time for jurors to decide.The most complicated aspect is count one of the indictment, which is the racketeering charge. It allows federal prosecutors to tie together seemingly unrelated acts as a pattern.There are also a number of criteria that must be met to to find someone guilty under those specific charges. Jurors are reviewing evidence in four alleged schemes.Those schemes allegedly tie Burke to a Burger King franchise, the Field Museum, a Binny's Beverage Depot sign and...

Non-emergency road closures to be suspended, where possible, for holiday weekends: IDOT

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:45:42 GMT

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced Thursday that lanes that have been closed for construction will reopen, where possible, for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, in order to minimize travel disruption.IDOT says non-emergency closures will be suspended from 3 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 22, to 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 25, and again from 3 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 29, to 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 1.The following lane closures will remain in place for IDOT District 1 during the holiday weekends: City of ChicagoOutbound Bishop Ford Freeway (eastbound Interstate 94) ramp to eastbound 130th Street; closed, detour posted.Southbound Du Sable Lake Shore Drive (U.S. 41) along Jackson Park; lane closures continue.Outbound Kennedy Expressway west of Addison Street; right shoulder closed.Cook CountyNational Parkway between Golf Road and American Lane in Schaumburg; closed, detour posted.Franklin Avenue between Runge Street and Mannheim Road (U.S. 12/45) in Franklin Park; lane reduct...

New university in Austin now accepting applicants for inaugural class, offering scholarships

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:45:42 GMT

Editor’s note: The above video shows KXAN’s morning headlines for Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The University of Austin (UATX) said it was now accepting applicants for its inaugural freshman class.“Students will be fully immersed in a classical college learning experience consisting of the discovery, transmission, and preservation of knowledge, while also learning how to build, create, and innovate for the future,” UATX said.The school said each enrolled member of the incoming Fall 2024 class would be offered a Founders Scholarship, which covers the full cost of undergraduate tuition for four years at the institution. According to UATX, Niall Ferguson, a co-founder of the school, will teach classes in its inaugural year. "As a founder and trustee of the University of Austin, I feel strongly committed to establishing a unique pedagogical culture on our campus,” said Ferguson. “Academic freedom needs to work in practice as well as to exist on paper, as it doe...

Hochul signs bill to establish task force for missing BIPOC females

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:45:42 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On Thursday, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation to establish a task force on missing females who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color. According to the FBI, over 115,000 BIPOC females were reported missing in 2022. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! "The statistics are alarming: thousands of women and girls who are Black, Indigenous, or people of color go missing every year," Governor Hochul said. "We have a moral obligation to treat these cases with the care and seriousness they deserve, and this new Task Force will be a critical part of that effort."The Task Force will comprise nine members, including representatives of the Office of Family and Children's Services, the Division of Criminal Justice Services, and the New York State Police. Priorities include developing policies to increase education and addressing discrepancies in the care with which these cases are treated. Push to make Child V...

First of DIA’s new concourse train cars pulls into the station, more on the way

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:45:42 GMT

The first of Denver International Airport’s new, upgraded train cars pulled into the station Tuesday afternoon, more than two years behind schedule.Built by international train manufacturer Alstom, this car is one of 26 expected to arrive in Denver throughout next year, both to replace half airport’s current fleet and to add 10 cars to the roster, according to a Tuesday news release from DIA.“Passenger traffic at DEN is expected to reach more than 78 million by the end of this year alone, and 100 million annual passengers are expected within the next three to five years,” DIA’s CEO Phil Washington stated in Tuesday’s release. “We are preparing for the future in a variety of ways, including renovating the Great Hall, adding gates to concourses, and adding capacity to the train to the gates.”Delivery of the 26 new train cars was originally scheduled to begin in early 2021, but was pushed back several times due to global supply-chain issues.The...

Samuel Girard returns to Avalanche after time in players’ assistance program

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:45:42 GMT

Samuel Girard has rejoined the Colorado Avalanche after spending nearly a month away from the team.Girard participated in the team’s morning skate Thursday ahead of a game against the Ottawa Senators. He entered the NHL/NHLPA Players Assistance Program last month, which the league announced Nov. 24.Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said Girard will not play against the Senators.“We’ll treat it like any injury,” Bednar said. “He’s healthy now, 100%. Get him up to speed and get him back as soon as we can, but we’ll just monitor him and keep him an eye on him while he’s on the ice. Converse every day and when he’s feeling like he’s ready to play, then he’ll go in. It won’t be today.”Girard released a statement through his agency, CAA, when he entered the program, saying he needed to take care of his mental health. He was seeking help for severe anxiety and depression, which had led to alcohol abuse.Bednar said mem...

These shows will return to the Disneyland Resort in 2024

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:45:42 GMT

Disneyland is calling all dreamers! The Anaheim-based resort announced Thursday its entertainment lineup for 2024, which includes the return of fan-favorite shows and nighttime spectaculars. Shanghai Disneyland’s Zootopia-themed land could come to Disneyland Resort in Anaheim Here are the entertainment offerings Disneyland fans can expect to see in 2024.At Disneyland:  “Mickey’s Mix Magic”: Disney’s most popular tunes will be enhanced by projections, lighting and laser effects to transform the atmosphere at Disneyland Park into a family-friendly dance party. On select nights, fireworks will accompany the show. The show will be performed from Jan. 8 to March 21 and again from April 15 to 25.“Magic Happens” parade: The daytime event will return to Disneyland Park beginning on Feb. 2. The parade features Mickey Mouse and other characters as moments from Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios films are brought to life.“Wondrous Journeys”: The fireworks show, wh...

Man Fatally Struck in Pedestrian Accident on Dinuba Boulevard [Visalia, CA]

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:45:42 GMT

Man Pronounced Dead after Pedestrian Collision near Prospect StreetVISALIA, CA (December 21, 2023) – One man died Monday night in a pedestrian crash on Dinuba Boulevard and Prospect Street. Dispatchers responded to the intersection around 8:20 p.m.Investigators found that a male pedestrian was hit by the driver of a northbound white Chevrolet near the intersection. The driver stayed at the scene and collaborated with the investigation.Emergency responders transported the pedestrian to Kaweah Health Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries. The identity of the deceased victim has not been disclosed to the public.After initial investigations, authorities do not believe drugs and alcohol played a role in the collision. Visalia officials will release more details about the crash as they become available.The team at Sweet James offers their warm and sincerest sympathies to the friends and family of the deceased man. May you find comfort and strength during this devastatin...

Strategists: Biden needs to keep reaching out to Black voters

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:45:42 GMT

By Bill Barrow | Associated PressATLANTA — Some top Democrats are worried that a dip in Black voter turnout, along with other challenges, could doom President Joe Biden and his party in 2024.A group of Democrats is offering a new analysis of the most recent campaigns in Georgia and Michigan, pitching those battlegrounds as models for drawing in more Black voters next year and beyond. They argue that Democratic power players need to think — and spend money — in new ways, going beyond efforts that can be last-minute or superficial as they try to reassemble Biden’s 2020 coalition.“The days of the symbolic fish fry and one-time church visit are over,” wrote the authors of the analysis by strategists widely credited for helping flip Georgia and Michigan to Biden. “Black voters have always required an approach to voter engagement as diverse as the Black voting coalition.”Biden has long depended on Black voters — first as a Delaware senator and most notably in...

Ravens ‘disrespected’ by point spread favoring 49ers on Christmas

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:45:42 GMT

As the NFL’s lone two 11-3 teams standing, the 49ers’ and Ravens’ clash on Christmas Day should be a gift for football fans.But the Ravens seem to think the point spread is a lump of coal and are intent on making it bulletin board material.In comments this week, via ESPN’s Jamison Hensley, the Ravens expressed defiance in the face of the point spread that lists San Francisco as 5.5-point favorites in Levi’s Stadium.“I don’t want them to pick us,” Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson said. “I like being the underdog. I believe we play better when we’re doubted and [when] people aren’t choosing us to win the game. I feel like we play better all the time, so just do it all the way to February. That’s all I ask.”It’s not surprising that the 49ers would be favored at home, but 5.5 is a substantial mark. Baltimore has only been an underdog once this season, when it upset the Bengals in Cincinnati.Ravens head c...