Home

7 weeks after train crash, CTA Yellow Line reopens early Friday morning; passengers express joy, relief

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:32 GMT

SKOKIE, Ill. — After a nearly two-month disruption, the "Skokie Swift" is back on its tracks, albeit a little less swift.Seven weeks after a CTA Yellow Line train crashed into a piece of snow-removal equipment, sending more than a dozen people to the hospital, scheduled train service for the line — called the "Skokie Swift" because it runs between Dempster St. in Skokie and Howard St. on Chicago's North Side — resumed Friday at 4:45 a.m.While it was closed, Yellow Line passengers have been riding shuttle buses.CTA passenger Sharon Reed let out a celebratory, "Whoooo!" when asked by WGN on Friday morning at Skokie's Oakton stop how it feels to be back on the Yellow Line again."I'm so excited!" Reed said. "When they said the Yellow Line was back to running, I didn't know what to do."I said, 'Thank you, Lord!'"While the National Transportation Safety Board has yet to determine what caused the crash, CTA has still worked with the NTSB to put several interim safety enhancements in place....

Chicago Bears president Warren donates $1M to Lurie's cancer center

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:32 GMT

CHICAGO -- The foundation run by Bears president and CEO Kevin Warren and his wife pledged one million dollars to Lurie Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders Friday morning. "Whenever we can provide to soften the blow on any level, we're in," Greta Warren said.In 2023, the Warrens made a donation to help families and children with cancer diagnosis, making a similar donation to a hospital in Minnesota. "With both are upbeat people, we both are people with a heart of gratitude, and grateful. Every once in a while, I get a little sad about something some issue I may dealing with, I would open up my phone and read about the different families we were able to assist with these grants," Warren said ‘Thank you for revitalizing my hope in humanity’: Man rescued from truck days after crash posts emotional update The impact a cancer diagnosis is especially personal to the couple after Warren's sister died in 2014 of brain cancer. He says her dying wish to her brother was to do wh...

3 years after Capitol riot, almost 1,000 convictions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:32 GMT

(The Hill) -- Ahead of the three-year anniversary of the deadly Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, about 1,000 rioters have either pleaded guilty or been convicted of crimes ranging from felonies such as seditious conspiracy and assaulting police officers to misdemeanors such as trespassing. More than 1,200 individuals have been charged with federal crimes over the insurrection. In what has become the biggest criminal investigation in American history, prosecutors are still searching for suspects in an effort that promises to continue to keep Washington's federal courthouses busy for months to come. Around 1,230 people have been hit with federal crimes. Some 730 have pleaded guilty, while approximately 170 people have been convicted on at least one charge at trials decided by a jury or judge, according to an Associated Press (AP) database. Only two defendants were cleared of all charges. Federal prosecutors are still looking for at least 80 suspects. They also want ...

Former U.S. Capitol police officer who defended the Capitol on Jan. 6 is running for Congress

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:32 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Harry Dunn, a former police officer who testified before lawmakers about defending the Capitol on Jan. 6 is running for Congress in Maryland’s 3rd Congressional District.Dunn made the announcement in a video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter saying, “Today, I’m running for Congress to stop Trump’s MAGA extremism & ensure it never happens again.”The announcement comes one day before the 3rd anniversary of the Capitol insurrection.The former U.S. Capitol police officer says he is running in the Democratic primary to replace Rep. John Sarbanes who is a Democrat that is not seeking reelection. Five state legislators are currently running to fill the spot.Maryland’s 3rd Congressional District stretches between Baltimore and Washington, D.C.Dunn testified before the Jan 6. Committee in a hearing held at the Capitol in July 2021. During that testimony, he told lawmakers he had to receive private counseling therapy for the emotional trauma he endured on Jan. ...

CPD: Man killed inside Lincoln Park apartment

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:32 GMT

CHICAGO — A man was found dead inside a Lincoln Park apartment on Tuesday and a homicide investigation has been opened.At around 6:55 p.m. Wednesday, a 43-year-old man was found dead by officers inside of an apartment in the 500 block of West Deming.His death was ruled a homicide by asphyxia and assault. A person of interest from the scene was transported by CPD for questioning. 7 weeks after train crash, CTA Yellow Line reopens early Friday morning Police said the investigation remains ongoing.

City of Austin warns of website impersonating 'Park ATX' app

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:32 GMT

Editor’s note: The above video shows KXAN’s morning headlines for Friday, Jan. 5, 2024.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin warned users about a "fraudulent" website impersonating Austin's Park ATX app Friday, according to a press release from the Austin Transportation and Public Works Department. Austin rolls out new payment option for street parking The City said a sponsored website that is not connected with the Park ATX app is currently showing up at the top of Google search results for “Park ATX” on a mobile browser. The website is requesting credit card information but isn't allowing users to start a parking session.The website appears as am5.com, the release said. As of Friday morning, the website is still active when searched."The City has made its Park ATX vendor, Passport, aware of the fraudulent website and reported the issue to Google," the release states.The official Park ATX app allows users to pay, extend and manage their on-street parking sessions from a mobile app.I...

November 2023: Which local restaurants received a perfect health inspection score?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:32 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The data for health inspections in November 2023 shows that Austin Public Health checked 591 locations (restaurants, grocery stores, school cafeterias, etc.) in Travis County.Around 68% of those locations got a score above 89, but only 12.7% earned a perfect score of 100.Many of the locations that earned perfect scores were schools and medical locations.However, the following restaurants earned a perfect score in November 2023:Noa Noa Bar & Grill, located at 4720 South Congress AvenueCannon + Belle Restaurant, located at 500 East 4th StreetPoke Austin, located at 5601 Brodie Lane, Sunset ValleyThese chain restaurants also earned perfect scores:McDonald's, located at 3300 Bee Caves Road, West Lake HillsChipotle Mexican Grill, located at 2424 FM 685 Road, PflugervilleDominos, located at 18701 Limestone Commercial Drive, PflugervilleAs of December 2023, APH has inspected around 623 locations per month.The number of locations inspected each month in 2023, January to ...

MAP: Where have Austin's homicides occurred in 2024?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:32 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — KXAN is keeping track of the number of homicides in Austin.As of Jan. 5, one homicide has been reported thus far in 2024.Last year, 73 homicides were reported, up from 71 in 2022, but down from a record-high 88 in 2021.The charts below will be updated as we learn new information. Scroll down for a map of where each homicide occurred. If the charts or map do not appear, click here.The chart below shows how the number of homicides reported in recent years changed through the year.Below is a map showing where homicides occurred in 2024. The map is interactive, so clicking on or hovering over a dot will reveal information about that incident. You can also click on a month in the top left to show only homicides that occurred during that month.The chart below shows the number of homicides reported each month in 2024.JanuaryJan. 1: APD arrests man accused of fatally shooting girlfriend in 1st homicide investigation of 2024

Arrests made after pregnant teen, boyfriend killed in San Antonio

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:32 GMT

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (KXAN) — Police are set to discuss the arrest of a father and son suspected of killing a pregnant woman and her boyfriend in San Antonio. San Antonio Police Chief William McManus and Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales will hold a news conference Friday morning to talk about the investigation that led to the arrests of Christopher and Ramon Preciado. Police said the two men are accused of shooting and killing Savannah Soto, 18, and Matthew Guerra, 22. Police found the couple dead in a vehicle on Dec. 26 after their families reached out to law enforcement when the pregnant teen missed an appointment to be induced.

The Loop NFL Picks: Week 18

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:32 GMT

Vikings at Lions (-3½)Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell picked Nick Mullens to start the season finale and try to save the Vikings’ long-shot bid to earn a wild card berth. That’s very disappointing to most Vikings fans who would have preferred that they try starting the NFL’s first edible quarterback.Pick: Lions by 14(Screen grab from ESPN)Bears at Packers (-3½)Aaron Jones absorbed a punch to the noggin while trying to calm tensions after last Sunday night’s rout of the Vikings in Minneapolis. Detailed analysis of the video proves it was the only shot landed on the Packers all evening.Pick: Bears by 3(Screen grab from NBC)Jets at Patriots (-2½)Jets QB Aaron Rodgers suggested this week, without a scintilla of evidence, that comedian Jimmy Kimmel would be included on the client list for convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This confirms The Loop’s analysis that Rodgers might be even more slimy than Jeffrey Epstein.Pick: Patriots by 11(Screen grab from ESPN)Falcons at Saints (-3½)ESPN ...