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Prosecutors recommend six months in prison for a man at the center of a Jan. 6 conspiracy theory

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:19:55 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal prosecutors on Tuesday recommended a six-month term of imprisonment for a man at the center of a right-wing conspiracy theory about the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol — an attack that he has admitted to joining.Ray Epps, who is scheduled to be sentenced next Tuesday, pleaded guilty in September to a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct on restricted grounds.Epps, a onetime Donald Trump supporter from Arizona, became the focus of a conspiracy theory that he was an undercover government agent who incited the Capitol attack. Right-wing news outlets amplified the conspiracy theory and drove him into hiding after the Jan. 6 riot.Epps, who worked as a roofer after serving four years as infantry in the U.S. Marine Corps, has vehemently denied ever working for the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Gordon said during Epps’ plea hearing in September that he was not a confidential source for the FBI “or any other law enforcement agency.”Epps, 62, filed ...

What's that smell? Gas odor detected in the north and northwest suburbs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:19:55 GMT

MCHENRY COUNTY, Ill.  — A strange odor throughout the north and northwest suburbs stems from an incident in Iowa, authorities in McHenry County said Tuesday. According to an alert from McHenry Police, the smell poses no threat to the public."McHenry PD is aware of a natural gas odor in the area," the department said. "There is no gas leak in our area, and there is no danger to residents. Due to wind speed/direction/temperature, the odor is traveling to us from Iowa. There is no need to call 911 to report the odor as there is no leak in our stars and no threat to the community."According to the Clinton County Sheriff's Office, it is believed the natural gas-like odor likely originated during the maintenance of equipment in Cedar County, Iowa. WGN News received several complaints from viewers about the smell. At this time, however, the cause of the odor is unknown.A WGN News crew is working to learn more. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines This is a developing story. Che...

25-year-old out of hospital after West Town shooting New Year's Day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:19:55 GMT

CHICAGO — A man is out of the hospital after a shooting in the city's West Town neighborhood on the morning of New Year's Day.According to the Chicago Police Department, a 25-year-old man was standing in the 1600 block of West Ohio Street around 9:45 a.m. Monday when he noticed five unknown men standing down the street outside of a white vehicle. The 25-year-old got into his vehicle and attempted to drive away when he heard multiple gunshots and felt pain. According to police, he saw the five men enter the white vehicle and flee southbound on North Marshfield Avenue.The victim's roommate told WGN News he took him to the hospital after the shooting and the whole ordeal was a close call. According to the roommate, a bullet went through the hat the 25-year-old was wearing, but he wasn't hit and is doing okay. ‘Those officers were heroes’: 2 adults, toddler pulled to safety after crashing car into pond in Naperville Police said the victim declined treatment at the scene before going t...

Biden, Democrats begin 2024 with key constituencies unhappy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:19:55 GMT

CHICAGO — President Joe Biden kicks off 2024 with alarming weakness among reliable Democratic voting groups. The president has been quite just doing his job despite months of party discontent.In Chicago on Tuesday, reproductive and LGBTQ justice activists announced they intend to protest at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago to demand more rights.Linda Loew with Chicago for Abortion Rights said, "We are tired of politicians using our slogans as talking points and then failing to deliver. No delegate will arrive in or leave Chicago without hearing our voice or knowing that we are serious about fighting for our rights and winning them." Harvard president resigns amid plagiarism claims, backlash from antisemitism testimony The president – 81 years old – may also have challenges among younger voters who are Black and Hispanic.A new USA Today poll shows Biden with just 63 percent support among Black voters. The number is down from the 87 percent he carried in 2020. Amongst H...

Several Chicago suburbs to discuss ongoing issues associated with migrant arrivals

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:19:55 GMT

HINSDALE, Ill. — Several suburbs are holding meetings on Tuesday night to tackle the ongoing issues associated with migrant arrivals. Hinsdale, one of the towns set to discuss the recent drop-offs, has seen the arrival of hundreds of migrants in recent weeks, and now the city wants to put a plan in place before the next bus arrives. At least 11 buses carrying around 450 people have arrived in recent weeks. Video taken on Monday shows a group being dropped off at the Metra stations, left to finish their journey to Chicago. It’s all part of a growing problem where busloads of asylum seekers are being brought from Texas and dumped outside of Chicago, sometimes stranded without shelter."One bus dropped off in Petone, basically in the middle of a field," Kane County Sheriff Ron Hain said.  Kane County ‘party mom’ charged with DUI crash that injured kids Efforts are underway in Kane County to pre-empt similar problems."We are always trying to be prepared," Hain said. In a...

2 in custody after crash in River North

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:19:55 GMT

CHICAGO — Two Chicago men were taken into custody on Monday night after one of them allegedly fled from police before crashing into a car on the Near North Side.According to Cook County Sheriff’s Police, it all started in the 600 block of North LaSalle Drive, in River North, when officers attempted to stop a gray 2017 Ford sedan. Officers say the driver initially pulled over, but when officers exited their vehicles, the driver allegedly fled. Driver crashes into tree near ice rink in Millennium Park Police did not pursue the driver, but officers say they watched as he allegedly ran several traffic lights before crashing into another car in the 700 block of North LaSalle Drive.POlice say one person was inijured in the crash, but refused medical treatment atthe sceneOfficers say the driver, who was later identified as 40-year-old James Harris, and his passenger both had outstanding Cook County warrants and were taken into custody by Sheriff’s police.Authorities say Harris was later ...

Prosecutors move to dismiss most charges against Jackson Mahomes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:19:55 GMT

OLATHE, Kan. (WDAF) -- Prosecutors are moving to dismiss some charges against Jackson Mahomes, the brother of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Jackson County prosecutors filed a motion Tuesday to dismiss three felony charges of aggravated sexual battery against Jackson Mahomes, 23. A judge would still have to approve the motion. Jackson Mahomes arrested, charged with sexual battery The charges stem from an alleged incident on Feb. 25, 2023 at Aspens Restaurant and Lounge in Overland Park. The restaurant's owner told police that Jackson Mahomes shoved one of her employees. She initially told investigators she took him to another room. Surveillance video from inside that room allegedly shows Jackson Mahomes grabbing the owner by the neck and trying to kiss her.Jackson Mahomes pleaded not guilty to the charges last year. Woman at center of Jackson Mahomes case regrets police involvement According to court documents, the victim at the center of the case plans to ass...

Former Packers center Ken Bowman, who played on three straight championship teams, dies at 81

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:19:55 GMT

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Ken Bowman, who played center for the Green Bay Packers from 1964-73 and was part of three consecutive championship teams, has died. He was 81.The Packers announced Tuesday that Bowman died last Wednesday in Oro Valley, Arizona. The team did not disclose a cause of death, but the Packers' statement cited Bowman's wife, Roseann, saying he died of natural causes.Bowman was part of the Packers' NFL title-winning team in 1965, the year before the first Super Bowl, and the Super Bowl-winning teams of the next two seasons. Cubs announce new manager Craig Counsell’s 2024 Major League coaching staff He is perhaps best known for snapping the ball to Bart Starr and delivering a block on the Hall of Fame quarterback’s game-winning 1-yard touchdown sneak in the “Ice Bowl,” the Packers’ 21-17 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in a 1967 NFL championship game that had a kickoff temperature of minus-13 degrees Fahrenheit.That sent the Packers to the Super Bowl, where they bea...

Family, police can now petition to confiscate a dangerous person’s guns. How does the new MN law work?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:19:55 GMT

As of Jan. 1, Minnesota is one of 21 states with a so-called red flag law, which allows a court to order people to give up their guns for up to a year if they pose a threat to themselves or others.It’s one of two new gun control laws on the books now after a busy legislative session for DFL lawmakers in control of state government. The other, which went into effect on Aug. 1, requires universal background checks for firearms sales. Both were part of a 500-page $880 million public safety package Gov. Tim Walz signed into law in May.The red flag, or “extreme risk protection order” law, is just one gun control policy DFLers hoped to enact in Minnesota. Similar laws have been challenged in other states, but so far have held up in court.DFL backers and gun control advocates held a news conference at the Minnesota Capitol on Tuesday to mark the new law taking effect and explain how it works. Supporters, including Walz and Richfield Police Chief Jay Henthorne, say the orders will be a powe...

'A shield for others:' Kodak Center crash victims remembered as heroes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:19:55 GMT

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Family and friends of the two concertgoers killed in a crash outside the Kodak Center in Rochester Monday remembered them as best friends who "spent their last moments together, enjoying their passion and friendship," and as heroes who unknowingly protected a crowd of pedestrians. Albany Police Union responds to review board lawsuit Justina Hughes, 28, and Joshua Orr, 29, were passengers in a rideshare car leaving a parking lot after a New Years Eve concert when a man in a rented vehicle loaded with gasoline canisters crashed into it. Hughes and Orr did not survive. The suspect died later Monday evening. Josh Orr and Justina HughesInvestigators said Tuesday the driver appeared to speed into oncoming traffic and toward a crowd of pedestrians before hitting the rideshare car instead. At least nine pedestrians were injured.Hughes' and Orr's families said they consider the two heroes for their role in preventing more serious injuries among the crowd outside th...