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Chicago's new leaders' Memorial Day weekend public safety plan

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:24:00 GMT

CHICAGO — Memorial Day marks the first holiday weekend in leadership for Chicago's new mayor and his interim top cop.Mayor Brandon Johnson will join Chicago Police Department Interim Superintendent Fred Waller Thursday afternoon to share the city's public safety plan in advance of the unofficial start to summer. Bleeding control kits at wall stations in Wrigley Field The two are expected to be joined by Chicago Fire Department Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt, Alderman Desmon Yancy, Alderman Lamont Robinson, Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities Executive Director Esther Franco-Payne, along with other city and community leaders.WGN plans to livestream the press conference in its entirety within this story beginning at approximately 1:30 p.m. It will then be update later today with details of the plan and reaction.

Bleeding control kits at wall stations in Wrigley Field

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:24:00 GMT

CHICAGO — Bleeding control kits are now available at more than 20 wall stations at Wrigley Field, including a tourniquet, gauze and trauma shears to cut through clothing."Bleeding is the number one cause of death after injury, you can decrease the blood loss ..get to the hospital better situation," Dr. David Shapiro from the American College of Surgeons said.Doctors with the American College of Surgeons say knowing how to stop the bleed is just as important as knowing CPR. The ACS offers a free hour-long course and has trained millions of people around the world …on how to respond to bleeding emergencies in those critical moments before first responders arrive.  Michigan man faces federal charges for dredging river inside Sleeping Bear Dunes OEMC officials say a security guard used the kits to render aid after two boys were injured in a shooting outside a library in West Garfield Park.Chicago has the kits available at more than 300 locations. City officials say Wrigley F...

Thursday Forecast: Temps in mid 60s, breezy and cooler conditions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:24:00 GMT

Thursday Forecast: Decreasing clouds to sun, coolest lakeside, warmer SW, ENE 10-15 G20. High: 63, Low: 57Thursday Night: Clear, NE 5-15. Low: 47Chicago Weather | Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center's Forecast (wgntv.com)Friday: Sunny, cooler lakeside, ENE 5-15. High: 68, Low: 61

WGN fixes Taylor Swift ticket trouble for suburban family

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:24:00 GMT

It’s not just Ticketmaster struggling to keep up with the enormous demand for Taylor Swift tickets as the superstar brings her shows to Chicago next week.WGN Investigates was contacted by a LaGrange Park family frustrated after spending the past six months trying to secure tickets for seats they purchased via StubHub.“They state: ‘Your order guarantees a ticket valid for entry in the event,’” Diana Finnegan said reading off the confirmation email she received after purchasing four tickets last November. When the electronic tickets didn’t arrive, Finnegan embarked on a six month ordeal that included dozens of phone calls, emails and messages to StubHub customer service.“We’re here to make sure you get your tickets in time for the event” StubHub reps wrote in multiple emails. “We will provide you all the help that you need to receive the tickets for the event.” However, the fine print of StubHub’s “Fan Protect Guarantee” says the company promises to get buyers the tickets th...

Some US cities may be at risk for mpox outbreaks this summer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:24:00 GMT

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The mpox health emergency has ended, but U.S. health officials are aiming to prevent a repeat of last year’s outbreaks.Mpox infections exploded early in the summer of 2022 in the wake of Pride gatherings. More than 30,000 U.S. cases were reported last year, most of them spread during sexual contact between gay and bisexual men. About 40 people died.With Pride events planned across the country in the coming weeks, health officials and event organizers say they are optimistic that this year infections will be fewer and less severe. A bigger supply of vaccine, more people with immunity and readier access to a drug to treat mpox are among the reasons.But they also worry that people may think of mpox as last year's problem.“Out of sight, out of mind,” said Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, who is advising the White House on its mpox response. “But we are beating the drum.”Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a health alert to U.S. doctors to...

3 more APD officers facing possible indictments related to 2020 protests

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:24:00 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for May 25, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — Multiple sources have confirmed three more indictments against Austin Police Department officers are being presented to a special grand jury Thursday related to their actions during racial justice protests in May 2020. KXAN reached out to the Travis County District Attorney's Office about the new APD officer cases, but the office told KXAN it could not confirm or provide a comment at this time. RELATED: 2 more APD officers indicted related to 2020 protests The new cases being presented Thursday comes five days before the three-year anniversary of the May 31, 2020 protests. The three year anniversary also marks the last day that charges could be pursued against officers for their actions on May 31, because of the statute of limitations outlined in the Texas Code of Criminal Procedures. With the exception of specific felony offenses outlined in the code, felony indictments must b...

$350K in safety upgrades coming to North Lamar, West Koenig intersection

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:24:00 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for May 25, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Safety improvements are underway this summer to enhance the North Lamar Boulevard and West Koenig Lane intersection.The Austin Transportation and Public Works Department will begin construction this month on a $350,000 intersection upgrade project, funded through the 2016 Austin Mobility Bond. The intersection has been flagged as a high-crash zone in the past, with more than 150 crashes reported there across the past five years, per TPWD.The project includes two crossing islands "for pedestrian protection and motorist safety," as well as signal infrastructure improvements and signal timing upgrades. A new median, added pavement markings and flex posts would be added to help slow the speeds of vehicles making right turns. Restriped, high-visibility crosswalks and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant curb ramps are also planned to enhance pedestrian access. Construction on...

Longhorns go 2-and-out in Big 12 tournament, have to wait and see if they'll host NCAA regional

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:24:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The No. 1 seed in the Big 12 Conference baseball tournament is out after just two games.Texas lost to fifth-seeded Kansas State 6-0 Thursday at Globe Life Field in Arlington to go 0-2 in the tournament and leave its NCAA regional hosting aspirations in question. Had the Longhorns won a couple of games in the tournament following a 3-game sweep of West Virginia, the selection committee would potentially be more inclined to put Texas in the top 16. Now, there's another reason to send them on the road to start the NCAA tournament.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersKansas State's pitching and defending gave the Longhorns problems all game long. Texas didn't get its first hit until an infield single in the fifth inning by Mitchell Daly, and even when the Longhorns made hard contact, the Wildcats were positioned well to make routine plays. Texas was 0-for-8 with...

Hill Country showers before a few dry days

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:24:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Storms in West Texas have arrived in parts of the Hill Country this afternoon bringing brief rain to parts of Mason, Gillespie, Llano and San Saba Counties. Other parts of the area may see a stray shower, but most of the rest of us stay dry.Mainly dry conditions under a mix of sun and clouds can be expected for most of today. Afternoon highs will return to the mid-80s, slightly below normal for this time of year.Next 24 hours BLOG: Summer forecast released: When do 100º days begin Hotter and mainly dry weather is in the forecast Friday through Sunday, but scattered late-day storms return on the Memorial Day holiday. Be sure to download the KXAN Weather App so you get lightning alerts as you are enjoying the outdoors.Holiday weekend forecastFlood Awareness WeekWhile this weekend's rain chance does not appear to bring a high flood threat at this time, Memorial Day floods in Central Texas in 2015 killed 14 people and destroyed thousands of homes. On Memorial Day 1981...

Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah’s ‘Chain-Gang All-Stars’ is one of the year’s goriest novels. It’s also one of the best.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:24:00 GMT

Christopher Borrelli | Chicago Tribune (TNS)In the first nine days that Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah was on tour this month for his novel, “Chain-Gang All-Stars,” there were 23 mass shootings in this country. More than 30 people were killed. Many more were injured. That’s according to the Gun Violence Archive, a Washington, D.C., nonprofit that defines mass shootings as four or more killed or wounded. (They take their cue from the FBI, which defines mass “killings” as four or more victims.) When I met Adjei-Brenyah in the West Loop, he didn’t know those statistics; I didn’t know them, either. I looked them up later at home. Still, on a whim, I asked if he had an idea of how many people were killed by guns since his tour began.He didn’t, and why would he? But the thought was not lost on him:Adjei-Brenyah, who belongs on anyone’s shortlist of great new American writers, specializes in tales of acceptable violence: How much do we endure? Who suffers? Is some amount of violence in the Unite...