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'Soulless predator' receives 76 years after trying to murder victim, police in plot

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:25:40 GMT

JOLIET, Ill. — A former suburban school bus driver received 76 years in prison Tuesday for attempting to kill his victim, the victim's mother, two officers and a hitman in a foiled plot.Christian Shepherd, 44, of Ottawa, was initially charged with criminal sexual assault in May 2010.While in prison, he attempted to hire another inmate to murder the victim he was charged with sexually assaulting, the victim’s mother and two detectives. Shepherd gave the inmate a map to the residence of one of his intended victims as well as a "taunting statement" for him to read prior to the potential crimes.Officials said the inmate turned the documents over to police and wore a wire, which allowed authorities to gather audio evidence.Shepherd then hired a second inmate to kill the initial potential victims as well as the first hitman. the second inmate also informed police about Shepherd’s plans. ‘Stop, stop, stop’: Murder warrant issued for 18-year-old accused of shooting Crown Point teen to dea...

Chris Christie makes 2024 bid against Trump official

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:25:40 GMT

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) on Tuesday filed paperwork to run for president as he looks to take on former President Trump a second time in 2024.Christie is the latest Republican to enter the burgeoning 2024 Republican primary field. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) announced bids to knock Trump off his perch for the GOP presidential nomination last month while former U.N. Ambassador to the U.S. Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy launched their campaigns earlier this year.Former Vice President Mike Pence is expected to formally announce a bid on Wednesday in addition to North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum. New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu announced this week that he's declining a run at the White House.Christie ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, ending his campaign in February of that year following a disappointing showing in the New Hampshire primary. He placed sixth in the early prim...

Red Stars make the most of a rare Monday NWSL game

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:25:40 GMT

LOS ANGELES — The Chicago Red Stars got a very unique opportunity to start the week.Monday night games are quite rare in the National Women's Soccer League, but the club got the chance to take the field last night in Los Angeles on that day this week.Thanks to a scheduling conflict at BMO Stadium on Sunday, the match was moved 24 hours later, with some dubbing the game "Monday Night Football."For at least one night, it was lucky for the Red Stars, who are trying to turn their 2023 NWSL season around as June begins.Thanks to a pair of goals by Ava Cook, the club knocked off Angel City FC 2-1 for their second consecutive win in regular season play. The Red Stars beat the Pride at SeatGeek Stadium on May 27 in an NWSL league contest, but did lose in a Challenge Cup match to Racing Louisville on May 31. It was the first career brace for Cook, who got her scores in the first half in the 16th and 27th minutes. She became the fourth in Red Stars history to have two goals in a half, joining...

Indiana abortion clinic closes amid ‘unnecessary’ restrictions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:25:40 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A northern Indiana abortion clinic will close nearly a year after the state approved a ban on the practice, with “unnecessary” and “politically driven” restrictions on abortions forcing its closure, according to a Monday announcement.Amy Hagstrom Miller, president of Whole Woman’s Health Alliance, said in the statement that staff have seen over 1,100 women for medication abortions “in our small but mighty South Bend clinic” since it opened seven years ago.Staff at Whole Woman’s Health Alliance — which has clinics in Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Mexico and Virginia — will still provide remote services, such as referring patients to other abortion clinics in Indiana or states where abortion is legal. Patients have not been able to physically visit the Indiana clinic since December 2022.“While we will no longer provide abortions at our South Bend clinic location, our resolve to help Hoosiers is as strong as ever,” Hagstrom Miller said.The Indiana clinic was&nb...

Canadian wildfire smoke causing hazy skies, poor air quality in the US

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:25:40 GMT

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) – People around the Northeast are seeing (and smelling) the aftermath of the massive fires burning in Canada. As of Monday afternoon, more than 400 fires were burning around Canada, from British Columbia and Alberta in the west, to Nova Scotia and Quebec in the east. For much of May, smoke was billowing out from the wildfires primarily in Western Canada. Denver was hit especially hard by smoke, making the skies look apocalyptic. However, the main source of this week's smoke is from newer wildfires in the province of Quebec, just north of New York. The Air Quality Index, or AQI, jumped to 172 for Syracuse Tuesday afternoon, which is an unhealthy level for everyone regardless of overall health conditions. New York City ranked among the worst air quality in the world Tuesday, according to IQAir. El Niño’s arrival is imminent and there’s a 90% chance it lasts all year, forecasters say In addition to New York state, Connecticut was nearly entirely shrouded in u...

How inmates are using mail to get high at Cook County Jail as overdose incidents more than double

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:25:40 GMT

A rare look inside the Cook County Jail as crews search cells for drugs making their way inside through the mail system.  WGN Investigates first told you about the problem three months ago. Letters and books soaked in dangerous chemicals are being mailed to the jail, and later used by detainees to get high.Sheriff Tom Dart says, “We’ve got our radar up on a lot of these things but it’s wildly complicated.” More Coverage: WGN Investigates At the end of last year, the Cook County Jail saw an average of about 7 overdose incidents each month. This year the average number is up to 18 monthly overdose incidents.  A team is now tasked with searching cells each week, going through books and beds to find the contraband.According to Dr. Priscilla Ware, who oversees Cook County Correctional Health, “the pages are often soaked in roach spray, insecticides and pesticides.” It can cause a deadly high. Ware adds, “people are coming in unresponsive, wi...

‘Let’s just say it’s been done’: Will Texas lieutenant governor sign ‘dead suspect’ bill?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:25:40 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — While the mystery surrounding a missing transparency measure at the Texas Capitol remains, the attention it grabbed in recent days – from state lawmakers, frustrated families and open records advocates nationwide – ensured any movement to advance House Bill 30 would not go unnoticed.“That’s a whole long story,” Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick told reporters Tuesday afternoon during a press conference. “It will take care of itself before you know it.”As the Senate prepared to reconvene for its special session work that evening, those stakeholders were waiting to see if Patrick would sign the "dead suspect loophole" legislation overwhelmingly passed by both chambers in the final stretch of the regular session. His signature is required in the Texas Constitution, and his House counterpart – Republican Speaker Dade Phelan – had already signed off more than a week earlier. LISTEN: KXAN investigation into bill’s holdup featured on Texas Standard radio program Phelan’s co...

Developer expresses 'astonishment' over state hearing to consider park takeover

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:25:40 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Just days after a meeting was scheduled to consider acquiring a state park through eminent domain, the developers purchasing the property have expressed their "astonishment" that the state would consider that option, in a letter sent to Texas Parks and Wildlife commissioners.Fairfield Lake State Park permanently closed to the public on Sunday. The park, about 70 miles east of Waco, has been leased to the state for decades by Vistra Energy, which formerly operated a power plant on Fairfield Lake. After the plant closed in 2018, the company gave the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department notice that it would terminate its lease.Vistra said it encouraged TPWD to put in a bid to purchase the property, but it did not. The company then entered into a contract with developer Todd Interests in April 2022.While Todd Interests and Vistra have not disclosed the sale price, citing confidentiality provisions in their contract, the property was listed online for more than $110 millio...

Family of man killed by APD officer last year pushes for police to commend de-escalation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:25:40 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The family of a man shot and killed by an Austin police officer last year are now calling on the department to recognize efforts in the future that avoid the use of deadly force. The mother and brother of Rajan Moonesinghe held a news conference Tuesday morning outside Austin City Hall, where they pushed for the Austin Police Department and Chief Joseph Chacon to create a new award to give to officers. Mark Moonesinghe, Rajan's oldest brother, said police should "establish a preservation of life medal that commends those that employ de-escalation tactics to preserve a life"Mark said the foundation created by his family in memory of his brother would even fund such an effort. He also pointed the police departments in Philadelphia and Los Angeles already give out similar honors to their officers. "De-escalation and preservation of life need to be rewarded on the same stage with officers who receive medals for valor, for Purple Hearts, for community service and the 20 e...

It's official: Austin adopts Phase 1 of Project Connect light rail plan

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:25:40 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In a joint meeting Tuesday afternoon, Austin City Council, the CapMetro board of directors and the Austin Transit Partnership board of directors officially adopted the first phase of Project Connect's light rail program, paving the way for expanded transit services in the Texas capital."These great, generational programs do not happen overnight, do not happen in the blink of an eye and it takes every single one of us to make them happen," said Veronica Castro de Barrera, chair of ATP's board of directors, adding: "This board, this vision, this program will be treated with respect because it's your hard-earned money."What will the first phase of light rail in Austin look like?The adoption followed ATP's announcement of its recommended Phase 1 light rail investment late last month, featuring an initial service route running from 38th Street to Oltorf Street in the south, as well as Yellow Jacket Lane in the southeast. The now-approved first phase of light rail service...