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WATCH LIVE | Procession for CFD lieutenant who died following Northwest Side fire earlier this month

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:59 GMT

CHICAGO —A Chicago firefighter with over 25 years on the job has passed away following a house fire earlier this month, the Chicago Fire Department reports.Lt. Kevin Ward was one of three firefighters injured in a blaze Aug. 11 in the 8300 block of West Balmoral near O'Hare. A mayday call was issued during the fire and Ward was transported in critical condition. Two days later, CFD said he was making improvements at Loyola Medical Center but remained in serious condition. Previous: 3 firefighters injured following Northwest Side house fire Ward, 59, was surrounded by family at the time of his death. He joined the department in 1996.Ward's death is the third line-of-duty death the department has dealt with in 2023. In the same week in April, CFD lost Jermaine Pelt, 49, and Jan Tchoryk, 55, in separate fires."On behalf of the City of Chicago, I offer my sincerest condolences on the passing of Chicago Fire Department Lieutenant Kevin Ward. I pray for th...

FEMA opens Chicago area recovery centers for those affected by summer storms

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:59 GMT

CHICAGO — Those who were affected by floods in the Chicago area in late June and early July will have the chance to get some help from FEMA starting Tuesday. They agency has opened four disaster recovery centers for those who were negatively impacted by heavy storms from June 29-July 2 in Cook County. Per FEMA, specialists from their organization along with the U.S. Small Business Administration will help survivors apply for federal disaster assistance, upload documents, how to prepare their property to be more "disaster resistant," while also answering other questions in person.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog Assistance will be offered in a few spoken languages along with American sign language, with translated materials being available at each location. Here are the locations of the FEMA disaster recovery centers opening on Tuesday.Washington Square Mall 4851 West North Avenue - Chicago, IL 60639​​     &nbs...

3 teens charged with first-degree murder after man shot, killed in Aurora

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:59 GMT

AURORA, Ill. — Three teens have been charged with first-degree murder after a 19-year-old was shot and killed while inside a vehicle in Aurora.At around 7:25 p.m. on Aug. 20, officers responded to the 1300 block of North Glen Circle on the report of a person shot.Officers at the scene located the 19-year-old man, later identified as Edwin Valera, suffering from gunshot wounds inside of a vehicle that crashed. Valera was pronounced dead at a local hospital.Three teen boys, a 16-year-old and two 15 year olds, were arrested on Thursday. They have all been charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery. Previous: 19-year-old man shot, killed in Aurora Additionally, the 16-year-old was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.Despite the charges, Aurora police said they are still investigating the shooting.

New proposed shelter site for migrants is former Marine Corps facility on NW Side

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:59 GMT

CHICAGO — Governor JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson sent a joint letter to the Homeland Security secretary to allow migrants to get a job faster.The city is also taking steps to house about 550 migrants at a former Marine Corps facility on the city's Northwest Side, that has been vacant for about eight to 10 months.The city would buy the former facility from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District for about $1.5 million. It is located on Foster, just west of the river and Kedzie.The facility itself would still need some upgrades, but city staff says the facility is in pretty good shape and has existing showers and a cafeteria. The city will also have to come up with maintenance costs, which is estimated to be aroung $43,000 a year. The full Chicago City Council will need to approve in order to purchase.If it is approved, migrants could begin moving in about three weeks later. It is up for a vote in mid-September.The city says about 500 migrants are still in police stations ...

Chicago man exonerated of 1989 double murder conviction

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:59 GMT

CHICAGO — A 52-year-old man who has spent more than three decades in prison for the murder of two youths has been exonerated.Francisco Benitez was convicted in Sep. 1991 but maintained his innocence of the crimes, according to a press release from The Exoneration Project. An evidentiary hearing was held April 5-6, 2023 during which evidence was presented in support of his exoneration. CFD lieutenant dies following Northwest Side fire earlier this month Part of Benitez's argument involves two police officers involved with his conviction. The Exoneration Project cites two other murder convictions involving these officers which have been vacated.Tuesday Benitez was officially found innocent by a judge and was able to return home for the first time in 34 years.

Cubs give Sister Jean a 104th birthday gift, continuing a recent tradition

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:59 GMT

CHICAGO — Some might argue that the best moment of the start of a critical Cubs' series with the Brewers came before the game.That's when a beloved member of the Rogers Park community who has found international fame over the last few years got a bit of a birthday present at the Friendly Confines - and kept what's become a recent tradition going.(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)Sister Jean, the basketball chaplain and longtime member of Loyola University, got the chance to throw out the first pitch before the game at Wrigley Field on Monday night.It comes just after she celebrated her 104th birthday on August 21 and she was greeted warmly by the crowd as she was pushed onto the field. Sister Jean waved to the crowd and was set just a few feet away from home plate.(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)After rotating the ball in her hands and winding up her arm a few times, she gave an underhand toss towards the plate to mascot "Clark The Cub," who was the catcher for the first p...

What is considered a 'major hurricane'?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:59 GMT

(WHTM) - The peak of hurricane season is just around the corner, and that means these storms are likely to make an appearance in the coming weeks. According to the National Weather Service, Hurricane Idalia is expected to strengthen to an "extremely dangerous major hurricane." But what is a major hurricane and why does it matter? According to the National Hurricane Center, a hurricane is considered "major" when the sustained winds within the storm reach 111 mph or higher. This corresponds to a Category 3 or higher storm on the Saffir Simpson Hurricane Winds Scale, which has ratings up to 5. A Category 3 storm, according to the scale, has winds between 111 mph and 129 mph. TIMELINE: Idalia approaches and storms increase According to the NHC, storms of this strength can cause major damage and trees can be "snapped.""Well-built framed homes may incur major damage or removal of roof decking and gable ends. Many trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking numerous roads," the NHC st...

Megan Rapinoe's USWNT finale will be in Chicago

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:59 GMT

CHICAGO — The international career of one of the greatest women's soccer players in American history will come to an end in Chicago.It's a fitting place for that to happen, too.On Tuesday, the United States Women's National Team announced that Megan Rapinoe will play her final match for that squad at Soldier Field this fall. That will be an international friendly against South Africa on Sunday, September 24 at 4:30 p.m. central time. Rapinoe, who plays for OL Reign of the National Women's Soccer League, announced earlier this year that she'll retire from professional soccer at the conclusion of their 2023 season. She took part in her final FIFA World Cup in Australia and New Zealand this past summer, where the USWNT was eliminated in the Round of 16.In some ways, it's a full circle moment for the two-time World Cup champion (2015, 2019) and 2012 Olympic gold medalist. Rapinoe began her professional career with the Chicago Red Stars in 2009 as their first round draft pick (2nd overal...

Parents worried about Adderall shortages as kids start school

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:59 GMT

(NewsNation) — Back to school means many things, including an Adderall shortage for those who need it. A nationwide shortage of Adderall, the drug commonly prescribed for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), has dragged on since last October, and the pharmaceutical industry hasn’t been able to catch up.Millions of children have been diagnosed with ADHD, and the number of them who take Adderall to help them stay focused in the classroom has grown in recent years.“These medications are very necessary and can really affect a child’s performance and attendance at school,” Dr. Sujatha Reddy said. Millions impacted by Adderall shortage: Here’s what we know The U.S. Food and Drug Administration blames manufacturing delays for the shortage as demand increased significantly during and after the pandemic.Also, because ADHD medications are considered controlled substances, the FDA and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration set a limit on how much medicine can be manufactured a...

Idalia could come ashore as a dangerous Category 3 storm

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:59 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Florida residents loaded up on sandbags and evacuated from homes in low-lying areas Tuesday, less than a day before Hurricane Idalia was expected to barrel into the state with the threat of flooding that could swamp the Gulf Coast.Idalia was churning in the Gulf of Mexico as a Category 1 storm, but it was projected to come ashore as a Category 3 system with sustained winds of up to 120 mph (193 kph) — a potentially big blow to a state still dealing with lingering damage from last year’s Hurricane Ian. Hurricane Idalia forecast to become ‘extremely dangerous’ major hurricane, NHC says “You still have time this morning to make your final preparations ... but you got to do that now,” Gov. Ron DeSantis announced at the state’s emergency operations center.Tolls were waived on highways out of the danger area, shelters were open and hotels prepared to take in evacuees. More than 30,000 utility workers were gathering to make repairs as quickly as possible in the hu...