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Illinois leaders react to recent attack on Israel

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:51 GMT

CHICAGO (WMBD) -- Leaders across Illinois have spoken out and released statements after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel Saturday.Gov. JB Pritzker spoke during the Jewish United Fund’s Israel Solidarity Gathering, which was held Tuesday. He said he is praying for the men and women of the Israeli Defense Forces."Each step of the way they should know, and the people of Israel should all know, that America and Illinois unequivocally stands with them in their battle to end the ongoing Hamas attacks," Pritzker said.Pritzker also stated that state police and law enforcement have been put on alert for attacks against synagogues and other gathering places for Jews across the state, though no threat has been reported at this time. WATCH: Pritzker gives remarks at Israel Solidarity Gathering U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released a statement on the attack on Saturday.“My heart goes out to the people of Israel as they face these horrific, unconscionable and ongoing coordinate...

Avalanche addresses depth concerns by trading for Caleb Jones, placing Pavel Francouz on injured reserve

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:51 GMT

There was more personnel shuffling one day after the Colorado Avalanche set its season-opening roster.The big move was trading for defenseman Caleb Jones from the Carolina Hurricanes. Jones, the younger brother of Seth Jones and the son of Nuggets assistant coach Popeye Jones, could be an important depth defenseman for the Avalanche. Colorado sent minor-league forward Cal Burke to the Hurricanes.“I like his experience,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said. “I like his ability to get up in the play and help a little bit offensively. He’s got decent size. … We’ll get him into our system, teach him what we know and see if he can be a fit.”The Avs are going to start the season with six defensemen on the active roster, but Jones joins a group with the Colorado Eagles in the AHL that includes veteran Brad Hunt and younger players like Sam Malinski and Nate Clurman who could jostle to be the first player recalled at the position. Bednar noted that he’d like to add another defenseman to the NHL ros...

Aurora police arrest 16-year-old boy in fatal Southlands mall shooting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:51 GMT

A 16-year-old boy wanted in connection with a fatal shooting outside the Southlands shopping center in September turned himself into police on Monday, according to the Aurora Police Department.The boy, who was not identified because he is a minor, was booked into the Aurora Jail on suspicion of second-degree murder, aggravated robbery and failing to report an accident to police.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Aurora police officer who shot 14-year-old Jor’Dell Richardson cleared of policy violations, two others cited Crime and Public Safety | Aurora police seek 5 suspects in fatal shooting of 15-year-old outside Southlands mall Crime and Public Safety | 2 shot in Aurora during Sunday morning road rage incident Crime and Public Safety | Neck hold used on Elijah McClain emerges as focal point in officers’ trial over his 2019 death Crime and Public Safety | Police blame some deaths on “exci...

Jury deliberating in first trial of Aurora police officers charged in Elijah McClain’s death

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:51 GMT

Elijah McClain is pictured in this undated photograph. (Photo provided by family of Elijah McClain)Jurors began deliberating Tuesday in the trial of two Aurora police officers charged in the death of Elijah McClain more than four years ago.Attorneys for both sides made their closing arguments to jurors Tuesday afternoon, following two-and-a-half weeks of testimony in the jury trial for Aurora police officer Randy Roedema and former officer Jason Rosenblatt.Roedema, 41, and Rosenblatt, 34, are each charged with reckless manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and assault in connection with McClain’s 2019 death. They are the first of the five people indicted in the killing to stand trial in Adams County District Court.McClain was walking home on Aug. 24, 2019, when officers contacted him because a 911 caller had reported McClain as a suspicious person. The 23-year-old was wearing a runner’s mask that night, as he often did because he was frequently cold. Within seconds...

Broncos coach Sean Payton on trade deadline: We answer phone, but “we’re not looking to do business with any of our players”

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:51 GMT

The Broncos have already traded one veteran player this season, but coach Sean Payton says the team isn’t in a big rush to part with more.Speculation around trade targets is only going to increase in the three weeks between now and the Oct. 31 trade deadline in the NFL, but Payton on Tuesday said that he and general manager George Paton aren’t shopping anybody.“George and I talk every day. Three or four times a day,” the first-year Denver head coach said. “We’re not looking to do business with any of our players. That doesn’t prevent teams from calling at times. You pick the phone up, but that’s kind of where it’s at.”Teams called for most of the offseason, too, particularly about wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton. Payton and Paton didn’t get a deal they liked for either one and held the line. At 1-4, though, and with a rugged schedule ahead, the math is different at the trade deadline than it is in the summer when nobody’s lost a game yet.In the coming wee...

Former L.A. Kings coach, ESPN analyst Barry Melrose to retire amid Parkinson's battle

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:51 GMT

One of the most beloved personalities in American hockey coverage is stepping away from the game he's dedicated his life to. On Tuesday, ESPN announced that Barry Melrose would be heading into retirement to spend more time with his family as he battles Parkinson's disease.Melrose played six years in the National Hockey League, appearing in 300 games and scoring 10 goals and 33 points as a defenseman for the Winnipeg Jets, Detroit Red Wings and the Toronto Maple Leafs. He spent the early part of his career in the now-defunct World Hockey Association.Los Angeles sports fans might know him best as the head coach of a Los Angeles Kings team that immediately made the 1993 Stanley Cup Finals under his stewardship, led by the "Chosen One," Wayne Gretzky. He also had a brief stint as the head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning.Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins is interviewed by Steve Levy and Barry Melrose of ESPN after his team's 3-1 victory to win the Stanley Cup on June 12, 2016 in ...

Newsom signs law protecting undocumented crime victims from deportation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:51 GMT

Coming forward to report a serious crime can longer get you deported in California.On Tuesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1261, dubbed the "Immigrant Rights Act," his office announced.The bill, which was authored by Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón and sponsored by Assembly Member Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles), is designed to encourage undocumented immigrants who are victims of crime to come forward without fear of being turned over to immigration officials.Crimes covered under the new law include stalking, extortion, domestic violence, prostitution, rape, human trafficking and kidnapping, among others.“Your immigration status should never be a barrier to safety,” Gascón said when the legislation was first introduced. “Public safety for everyone and equal access to the justice system is possible if we protect those that are most vulnerable.” “Californians should not lose their livelihoods simply because they came forward to report a crime,” said ...

Yong Gustavson Dies in Pedestrian Accident on Foothill Boulevard [Los Angeles, CA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:51 GMT

75-Year-Old Woman Pronounced Dead after Hit-and-Run Collision near Sunland BoulevardLOS ANGELES, CA (October 10, 2023) – Early Thursday, a pedestrian accident claimed the life of Yong Gustavson on Foothill Boulevard.At approximately 5:30 a.m., emergency responders arrived near Sunland Boulevard just east of the 210 Freeway.According to reports, a red pickup truck traveling north on Foothill Boulevard struck a female pedestrian. Subsequently, a black Toyota Tacoma also struck the pedestrian as she attempted to regain her footing.Following the collision, the driver of the red pickup truck left the scene without offering assistance or seeking help. In stark contrast, the driver of the black Tacoma stopped and provided aid to the victim.First responders pronounced the female pedestrian, later identified as 75-year-old Gustavson from Los Angeles, deceased at the scene.Those with any additional information about the hit-and-run incident on Foothill Boulevard are urged to contact the...

Letters: Russia’s direction | Workers for disabled

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:51 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Trump would drive U.S.in Russia’s directionDonald Trump greatly admires Vladimir Putin, but how many of us would like to live in Russia?Given its vast natural resources, educated population and good infrastructure, Russia should be an economic powerhouse. Nonetheless, Russia ranks 52nd among the countries in the world in average per capita incomes, 100th in life expectancy, and 79th in self-reported life satisfaction. Even before the Ukrainian War, Russia had an emigration problem because many people wanted to leave Russia.What Trump likes is that most of Russia’s wealth is in the hands of a small group of oligarchs while the rest of the population suffers. I prefer to live in a country that promotes the middle class, and I oppose Trump’s efforts to Russify the United States.Samuel KnappSunnyvaleWorkers for disabledalso deserve a raiseRe: “Gov. Newsom signs fast-food minimum wage bill” ...

Rep. Santos faces new allegations of fraud, theft

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:51 GMT

By Jake Offenhartz | Associated PressNEW YORK — A new indictment filed Tuesday charged U.S. Rep. George Santos with stealing the identities of donors to his campaign and then using their credit cards to ring up tens of thousands of dollars in unauthorized charges.Prosecutors said some of that stolen money ended up in his own bank account.The 23-count indictment replaces one filed earlier against the New York Republican charging him with embezzling money from his campaign and lying to Congress about his wealth, among other offenses.The new charges include allegations that he charged more than $44,000 to his campaign over a period of months using cards belonging to contributors without their knowledge. In one case, he charged $12,000 to a contributor’s credit card and transferred the “vast majority” of that money into his personal bank account, prosecutors said.Santos is also accused of falsely reporting to the Federal Elections Commission that he had loaned $500,000...