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Claims guards aided killer fake death in S. Africa jailbreak

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:09:25 GMT

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — A convict serving a life sentence for murder and rape who escaped from a top-security prison in South Africa by faking his own burning death likely got warders to help smuggle a corpse into his cell, a parliamentary hearing was told Wednesday.Thabo Bester’s elaborate escape happened nearly a year ago — when he was formally declared dead by suicide — but has only been made public and pieced together in the past three weeks. Critics allege that officials intentionally covered up the story.New details emerged in Wednesday’s hours-long parliamentary hearing into security failures in the breakout, as lawmakers questioned senior officials from the prison and British private security company G4S, which has a long-term contract to run it.Bester, who was convicted on one count of murder and two counts of rape and sentenced in 2012, was finally re-arrested in Tanzania last weekend along with his girlfriend, a celebrity doctor and socialite, police sa...

FBI: Armored truck robberies reported in Chicago area

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:09:25 GMT

CHICAGO — The FBI is investigating three armed robberies of armored trucks on Wednesday afternoon in Lansing, Calumet City and Chicago.The first one happened in Lansing, according to the FBI.Another armed robbery happened around 9:30 a.m. in the 1900 block of Sibley Boulevard in Calumet City. String of mail carriers robbed at gunpoint in Chicago continues The third armed robbery was reported around 2 p.m. in the 500 block of West 31st Street in Chicago. This is in the city's Bridgeport neighborhood.A witness said they saw someone jump into the armored truck with a firearm and then come out with bags of money. The witness said the person put the bags into a vehicle and the driver drove away.The witness said they then flagged down a police officer who was driving by and reported the robbery. Man dies after being shot in head while inside vehicle on South Side "They ended up taking out the gun and pointed it at the driver of the Brinks truck and the other two went into the Brinks ...

It's a different feel during the Bulls' postseason in 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:09:25 GMT

Matt Peck of CHGO joined "9 Good Minutes" on WGN News Now, an online talk show that features local journalists discussing a wide variety of Chicago sports topics. TORONTO — Getting back to postseason play hasn't been the celebration it was a year ago for a franchise that is looking to return to the top of the National Basketball Association.While fans weren't naive to the fact that the team needed work in April 2022, winning 45 games and returning to the playoffs was something to feel good about. It was a small step back to respectability after a mostly forgettable Fred Hoiberg and Jim Boylan era that saw the team miss the playoffs for four-straight campaigns.But an inactive offseason started turning the tide more towards the negative and that only continued into an inconsistent regular season. Never were the Bulls over .500 after November 2, never winning more than three games in a row over the 82-game slate.Great efforts against some of the NBA's best were often followed by lacklu...

These cities are bouncing back best (and worst) from the pandemic

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:09:25 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- San Diego has surged back from COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns, but a few hundred miles north, San Francisco's downtown is near death, according to recent findings from the Institute of Governmental Studies public policy research center. In a study updated earlier this year titled "The Death of Downtown?" researchers looked at a number of economic health factors for 62 major cities to see which appeared least damaged by nearly three years of economic uncertainty. "With the initial shock of the pandemic, downtowns emptied out. Even as life has gradually returned to malls and neighborhood commercial corridors, the urban core is no longer a bustling center of activity. This trend has led many to wonder: is this finally the death of downtown?" study authors wrote. Researchers say a debate is forming about whether urban centers have emptied out permanently, similar to what was seen in the 1970s, or whether the recent urban resurgence will regain momentum as we fully ...

Economists optimistic as inflation hits 5%

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:09:25 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - There's good news for the U.S. economy, from another sign of falling inflation."Well, I think it was an encouraging report," Stephen Juneau, BofA Global Research Senior U.S. Economist, said."I think we're making progress," Bharat Ramamurti, National Economic Council Deputy Director, said.Ramamurti says seeing the inflation rate drop to 5 percent shows the president's policies are working."I don't want to say we're all the way at our goal yet, there's still more work to do," Ramamurti said.Economists, like Juneau, agree the report is encouraging."We're not seeing prices outright fall, but you are seeing kind of that movement in the right direction. You still have inflation way above the fed wants it to be, but there's progress," Juneau said.The report also shows grocery prices fell for the first time in months."You saw food prices fall and where you saw it was in meats, poultry, eggs, and also fruits and vegetables. And these are your staple products and it's o...

Rockford woman nabbed for allegedly stabbing another woman in Garfield Park

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:09:25 GMT

CHICAGO — A 23-year-old Rockford woman is charged with causing serious injury to another 23-year-old woman in Garfield Park last summer. Shamonica Turner faces one felony count of aggravated battery with great bodily harm after allegedly stabbing the woman in the 700 block of S. Albany on June 12, 2022. Man, 18, charged with killing CPD Officer Andres Vásquez Lasso pleads not guilty Members of the U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force took Turner into custody on April 11 in Rockford. She was due to appear in court on Wedneday.

Prosecutors rest case in ComEd corruption trial

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:09:25 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Prosecutors rested their side of the trial Wednesday against four people accused of seeking favors for Illinois' largest electric utility by arranging $1.3 million in contracts and payments for associates of a powerful state politician.Michael Madigan, the former House speaker, is not in court and faces his own separate trial. But he's been a key part of the evidence presented over 17 days.Longtime Madigan ally Ed Moody got more than $300,000 between 2012 and 2018 through ComEd's contracts with various firms. He testified Tuesday that he believed the money was a reward for him to keep doing political work for the Chicago Democrat.Moody denied doing much work for ComEd, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.Defense attorneys tried to diminish Moody's testimony by suggesting he was trying to please prosecutors and avoid being charged.The four people on trial are former Madigan confidant Michael McClain, former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore, former ComEd lobbyist Jo...

Target announces dates for 2023 car seat trade-in event

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:09:25 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (WHO) – Target has announced the dates of a program popular among parents looking to trade in expired child car seats for new, baby-related merchandise. The 2023 Target Car Seat Trade-In event will take place from April 16-29, the company announced on Tuesday.During the promotion, customers can turn in any used, old, or damaged car seat for a coupon good for 20% off a new car seat, stroller, or other baby gear. Most car seats sold in the US have an expiration date, usually six to 10 years after the date of manufacture. Over time, plastic parts that make up the bulk of car seats become worn down, lessening their ability to perform as expected in a crash. Sam’s Club offering $10 memberships for limited time Since starting the program in 2016, Target says that it has recycled 32.9 million pounds of car seat materials.Customers will find a drop box near customer service in most Target stores where they can drop off a car seat and then scan a code on a sign to receive thei...

Walmart closing locations across 12 states this year: Here's where

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:09:25 GMT

CHICAGO (WGN) —  Walmart plans to close four of its stores in Chicago by mid-April, the company announced Tuesday, adding to more than a dozen locations the retailer has already closed this year. Affected Chicago stores will close on Sunday, April 16. Walmart officials cited profit margins as the reasoning behind the closing."The simplest explanation is that collectively our Chicago stores have not been profitable since we opened the first one nearly 17 years ago – these stores lose tens of millions of dollars a year, and their annual losses nearly doubled in just the last five years. The remaining four Chicago stores continue to face the same business difficulties, but we think this decision gives us the best chance to help keep them open and serving the community," a press release stated. Sam’s Club offering $10 memberships for limited time So far this year, Walmart has closed or announced plans to close nearly two dozen locations. The retailer first confirmed closures in e...

Council item aims to limit parking lot requirements for bars to curb drunk driving

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:09:25 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A City Council resolution calls for eliminating certain parking lot restrictions for bars."Eliminating parking requirements for bars can encourage alternative modes of transportation and reduce the incidence of drunk driving," the resolution reads. District 3 City Council Member Jose Velasquez is behind the measure. According to current building standards, properties that are at least 2,500 square feet accommodate at least 25 drivers. Bars 10,000 square feet or more must have enough room for a minimum of 400 cars. The new resolution would still require ADA parking options. The draft of the resolution states parking construction can cost businesses between $10,000 and $40,000 per space."Decreasing parking requirements for bars and restaurants could also encourage the growth of local businesses and increase economic activity in the City," the proposal reads. KXAN is speaking to members of the public about this idea. Check back for updates.