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Chicago cousins wrongfully convicted in 1981 homicides exonerated

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:18 GMT

CHICAGO — Two Chicago men wrongfully convicted of murder more than 40 years ago will be home with their families for the holiday season.Jimmy Soto's wife says the ruling is a long time coming. "We're grateful to the judge," she told reporters in the Cook County Criminal Courts Building lobby. Family questions CPD’s response after Midway Airport worker shot, killed Soto, along with David Ayala, were wrongly arrested and later convicted in 1981 in connection with two Chicago murders. Under coerced testimony, both were convicted, with Soto being the shooter and Ayalya, a gang leader who allegedly ordered the hits. The Exoneration Project took up their cases and proved corruption."Both of them are absolutely innocent and it’s a tragedy. They have served 42 years...over 42 years wrongfully that they will never get that back," said Lauren Myerscough-Mueller with the Exoneration Project.Ayala was 18 at the time of the arrest. Soto was 20. Soto's sister, Pilar More, was eight when h...

Mayor says Elk Grove Village police officers used Taser before deadly shooting: report

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:18 GMT

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill. — The mayor of Elk Grove Village said police officers tried to defuse a response that resulted in the death of a 24-year-old man. The Daily News-Herald reports that Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson spoke at a village board meeting on Tuesday, saying that officers tried to use a Taser to disarm James Murray on Dec. 1. Police said Murray was armed with a knife amid their response to the 200 block of Fern Drive. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Family of Elk Grove Village man shot, killed by police seek answersLethal force was only used once Murray advanced toward officers with a knife, officials added.In the days following the deadly shooting, Murray's family retained the law services of Romanucci & Blandin. Through a statement, family members raised questions about the shooting, saying that the Elk Grove Village Police Department knew of Murray from previous encounters. Murray had called village police in the past, seeking help if he felt his health and wellne...

What's Mayor Brandon Johnson's safety plan for Chicago?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:18 GMT

CHICAGO -- Mayor Brandon Johnson unveiled his long-awaited community safety plan on Thursday with some proposals that sound similar to previous mayors' commitments.The mayor insists his efforts to invest in at-risk kids and re-invest in neighborhoods hard hit by violence are different because they'll be led by community leaders. Mayor Brandon Johnson faces rising pressure to address migrant crisis following failed Brighton Park site The focus would be on the causes of violence in the city and Mayor Johnson said Chicago has placed too much responsibility on policing.He hopes Violence Interrupter Specialists will help to defuse violence before it happens and more outreach workers to help with breakdowns in mental health and more. City Council rejects ruling on police discipline, approves contract extension Executives with BMO Commercial Bank and other business leaders are reportedly looking to back the new effort, including $100 million investment.For more, watch WGN-TV Julian Cre...

Ultra-rare Nikes worth $10K found in donation bin at Oregon shelter

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:18 GMT

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — In 2019, Academy Award-winning filmmaker Spike Lee hired famed Nike shoe designer Tinker Hatfield to create a custom set of Jordan 3s for a small group of people in honor of his 2019 Oscar nomination for “BlacKKKlansman.”Years later, a pair of those sneakers tumbled down the donation slot at the Portland Rescue Mission and into the hands of former homeless man and recovering addict James Free. Free, who was undergoing worker training at the Portland Rescue Mission warehouse in West Portland, found the sparkling gold shoes and brought them to the staff’s attention.“He was sorting through a large crate of backlogged donations when he saw the shiny pair of gold Nike Air Jordan 3 sneakers,” the Portland Rescue Mission said. “After gathering second opinions from sneaker-heads and experts, staff members realized what they had on their hands.”$10,000 shoes sitting in a bin at the Portland Rescue Mission. (Photos courtesy of the Portland Rescue Mission)James Free pos...

Downtown Austin murder suspect previously released on $1 bond

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:18 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Hilario Chavez Adrian, 56, the man arrested on a murder charge after a homicide Sunday on Congress Avenue, was previously released on a $1 bond for another violent crime, according to online court records.Those records show a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon from April of this year, and that in August - the bond was modified from $40,000 to $1. PAST COVERAGE: Austin police investigating downtown homicide early Sunday KXAN reached out the Adrian's attorney for a statement. This story will be updated if a statement is received. KXAN also reached out to the district court for more info on the bond reduction.The Austin Police Department received a call around 4:15 a.m. Sunday reporting a stabbing downtown. In a media briefing, APD said officers got to the scene within five minutes and tried to save the victim's life, but the victim later died at the hospital.The identity of the victim has not yet been released.An APD source confirmed the suspect and v...

United Airlines flight attendants picket at AUS for fair contracts

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:18 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Flight attendants with United Airlines picketed Thursday outside of the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.Organizers said the demonstration was to demand United Airlines executives fairly negotiate a contract with the workgroup.“Expectations are high after decades of austerity, delayed improvements, and more recently significant improvements for pilots,” organizers said.The flight attendants said they were represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), a union representing flight attendants in the U.S.Organizers said the Flight Attendant Union had been at the table for over two years attempting to negotiate a fair contract.“The disrespect is palpable and the flight attendants are more committed than ever to fight for their fair share and pay for all time on the job, which is not just time in the air,” organizers said.Now, thousands of Flight Attendants around the world will take this fight to the streets as the flying public begins their hol...

HHSC: Time to start processing Medicaid applications trimmed amid OT push

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:18 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Texas kicked off than a million people from Medicaid this year without checking if they were still eligible for coverage, according to an analysis released the same day the Texas Health and Human Services Commission said its overtime push is helping to start unclog the backlog. In November, it took an average of 120 days for an application to be touched. That was cut to 43 days on Dec. 9 and 36 days as of Dec. 14, according to HHSC spokesperson Jennifer Ruffcorn. The state agency is "taking all possible actions" and "moving aggressively to implement additional strategies" to increase staff and get Medicaid and federal food benefit applications processed faster, she said. During the week of Thanksgiving, Gov. Greg Abbott's office said new changes at HHSC -- including moving 250 staff from other projects to focus on expediting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, applications and giving 600 new staff Medicaid training to help process combined applicati...

Video captures Geminid meteor shower over Kansas City area

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:18 GMT

LEE'S SUMMIT, Mo. - One of the best celestial displays is peaking this week, and one Kansas City-area resident captured the show. The Geminid meteor shower is lighting up the night sky, with its peak happening Wednesday and Thursday nights. FOX4 viewer Brody Harrison captured a Geminid meteor from Lee’s Summit early Wednesday. Watch it fly across the sky in the video player above. The Geminids earn their reputation because they're known for their vibrant and vivid meteors. They stand out as one of the most reliable and active meteor showers annually, according to NASA. El Niño predicted to flood both coasts: Here’s where risk is highest They have a rich history that dates back to the mid-1800s. They started with a modest showing of only 10 to 20 meteors per hour, which initially made them unremarkable.Over time, the meteor shower has evolved, and observers can witness a spectacular display of up to 120 Geminids meteors per hour under optimal conditions at its peak. These...

Football recruiting: Former Vanderbilt star WR Will Sheppard transferring to Colorado

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:18 GMT

After starring at Vanderbilt for the past few seasons, Will Sheppard is ready for a new challenge.On Thursday, Sheppard announced that he has verbally committed to come to Colorado for his final season of college football.In four seasons with the Commodores, Sheppard caught 152 passes for 2,067 yards and 21 touchdowns. He ranks in the top eight in Vandy history in all three categories, including being tied for third in receiving touchdowns.Related Articles Judge sets aside NCAA transfer rule in wake of lawsuit brought by Colorado AG Phil Weiser, six other states Colorado School of Mines Division II championship preview: Orediggers a favorite in Texas against run-heavy Harding AP All-America football team 2023: CU Buffs’ Travis Hunter named to first team; CSU’s Dallin Holker, Air Force’s Trey Taylor honored Football recruiting: Cincinnati tight end, 4-star receiver commit to CU Buffs Keeler: N...

Travis Hunter becomes 31st consensus All-American in CU Buffs history

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:18 GMT

Colorado’s Travis Hunter is a rare talent and on Thursday he joined some rare company.The Buffaloes’ star cornerback/receiver was named first-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and The Sporting News. He was first-team in the “athlete” position by The Sporting News and first-team all-purpose for AFCA.Related Articles Judge sets aside NCAA transfer rule in wake of lawsuit brought by Colorado AG Phil Weiser, six other states Colorado School of Mines Division II championship preview: Orediggers a favorite in Texas against run-heavy Harding AP All-America football team 2023: CU Buffs’ Travis Hunter named to first team; CSU’s Dallin Holker, Air Force’s Trey Taylor honored Football recruiting: Cincinnati tight end, 4-star receiver commit to CU Buffs Keeler: No. 1 Colorado School of Mines, John Matocha are men on a mission. Next stop? Turning Golden into Titletown, ...