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Chicago man convicted of 1989 murder may be exonerated

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:49:52 GMT

CHICAGO — A 53-year-old man who has spent more than three decades in prison for the murder of two youths will learn Tuesday morning if he will be exonerated.Francisco Benitez was convicted in Sep. 1991 but has maintained he is innocent of the crimes since that time, according to a press release from The Exoneration Project. An evidentiary hearing was held April 5-6, 2023 during which evidence was presented in support of his exoneration. CFD lieutenant dies following Northwest Side fire earlier this month Part of Benitez's argument involves two police officers involved with his conviction. The Exoneration Project cites two other murder convictions involving these officers which have been vacated.WGN plans to livestream any post-court press conferences within this story. This story will be updated following today's ruling.

FEMA opening Chicago area recovery centers for those affected by summer storms

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:49:52 GMT

CHICAGO — Those who were affected by floods in the Chicago area in late June and early July will have the chance to get some help from FEMA starting Tuesday. They agency is opening four disaster recovery centers for those who were negatively impacted by heavy storms from June 29-July 2 in Cook County. Per FEMA, specialists from their organization along with the U.S. Small Business Administration will help survivors apply for federal disaster assistance, upload documents, how to prepare their property to be more "disaster resistant," while also answering other questions in person.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog Assistance will be offered in a few spoken languages along with American sign language, with translated materials being available at each location. Here are the locations of the FEMA disaster recovery centers opening on Tuesday.Washington Square Mall 4851 West North Avenue - Chicago, IL 60639​​            Hours: Monday - Sunday 7 a.m.-7 p.m.Morton...

Why some homeowners are dropping their insurance

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:49:52 GMT

(KTLA) - Just as high healthcare costs have prompted millions of Americans to forgo health insurance, now some homeowners are skipping home coverage because of rising premiums.The national average for home insurance has risen 20% this year to just over $1,400, and you could pay a whole lot more in well-heeled places like Southern California.While lower-income homeowners blame high annual costs for ditching coverage, wealthier people say they have enough cash on hand to handle rebuilding, so there's no need to pay a monthly insurance fee.That's bad thinking, advisers say."It is a risky proposition to go without home insurance, and you need to fully understand the financial consequences if you lose your home," Noah Damsky, a financial adviser in Los Angeles, told the Wall Street Journal. Costco crackdown: Can people in my household still use my Costco membership? If your residence burns down, for instance, you might lose not just your home and all your possessions, but you will al...

Elton John briefly hospitalized after fall in France

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:49:52 GMT

(KTLA) - Sir Elton John had a bit of a medical scare this week. After finally signing off from touring and now relaxing at his Villa in the South of France, the 76-year-old slipped and fell Sunday at his French home.Elton John's final North American show of his "Farewell Yellow Brick Road" tour on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, at the Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP)According to BBC News, the "Candle in the Wind" singer was treated for "minor injuries" at the Princess Grace Hospital Center in Monaco. Shakira to receive the Video Vanguard Award at the MTV Video Music Awards He returned home after spending the night in the hospital. "Elton visited the local hospital as a precautionary measure," a spokesperson for John told the outlet. "Following check-ups, he was immediately discharged this morning and is now back at home and in good health."The rock legend's Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour lasted, with a pandemic interruption, for five years, wrapping ...

Trial begins for Austin 6th Street mass shooting suspect

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:49:52 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The murder trial for a man accused of firing into crowds on Austin's Sixth Street in June 2021 began Tuesday after one day of jury selection. One person died and more than a dozen were hurt in the mass shooting.De'Ondre White, 21, also faces an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge. Trial to start Tuesday for Austin 6th Street mass shooting suspect The shooting took place in the heart of the entertainment district, near Trinity Street. The man who died was Douglas Kantor, 25, who had been visiting the city from out of town.Jala Washington will be in court to cover opening statements. Follow her updates below:Tweets by Jala__WashTV This story will be updated throughout the trial.

Here's why Texans were asked to conserve energy 4 days in a row

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:49:52 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — After some heat relief for parts of the state, Monday marked normal electric grid conditions and the end of a four-day streak after state operators asked Texans to conserve energy back-to-back days. While high temperatures posed a risk to the grid with near-record demand over the weekend, it held up without reaching an emergency status or rolling blackouts, which is the worst case scenario. Pablo Vegas, CEO of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas or ERCOT, told Dallas NBC affiliate KXAS last Thursday that the conservation notice resulted in an "incredible response" from Texans."It actually really is making a difference," he said. "Every little bit does help when we're dealing with very tight margins." Vegas said with the consecutive high temperatures, the demand on the electric grid has been higher than normal. Additionally, lower forecasts for wind and solar last week also contributed to ERCOT's decision to ask Texans to voluntarily conserve four days in a r...

Best Buy and the reluctant shopper: Sales fall as Americans pull back on spending

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:49:52 GMT

By ANNE D’INNOCENZIO (AP Retail Writer)NEW YORK (AP) — Sales and profits at Best Buy slid in the second quarter as the nation’s largest consumer electronics chain continues to wrestle with a pullback in spending after Americans splurged during the pandemic.The decline in sales was smaller than what Wall Street had anticipated, however, and profits were better than expected, sending shares higher in early trading. The U.S. job market has remained resilient, but Americans are facing higher prices and more expensive credit with the Federal Reserve hiking benchmark interest rates to combat inflation. It’s more expensive to take out loans for appliances, cars and houses, or to use a credit card. As a result, consumers have become reluctant to spend unless there is a sale. They’re being more selective with what they will buy and, in many cases, trading down to buy cheaper stuff.Retailers including Best Buy are also now bracing for the impact from the ending o...

Season preview: Gophers defense needs sacks and ends should be able to get them

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:49:52 GMT

During the Gophers football team’s open practices in preseason, it was sometimes hard to find defensive line coach Winston DeLattiboudere among his pupils.While DeLattiboudere played 51 games for the U from 2016-19, the current Gophers D-line make their new position coach look small.DeLattiboudere stands 6-foot-2 and played defensive end at roughly 250 pounds, but the Gophers now have a trio of specimens at that end spot — Jah Joyner (6-5, 265), Jalen Logan-Redding (6-4, 285) and Anthony Smith (6-6, 285).“This is no disrespect to our tremendous defensive line coach,” head coach P.J. Fleck said about the discrepancy during his FOX 9 show last week.Fleck has often said it’s his job to out-recruit his current players, and that rangy and bulky trio is maybe the best example yet. The five-technique defensive end spot is arguably the deepest position on the U’s full roster this season.The Gophers defense has been one of the nation’s best in every full season since 2019, but it has often d...

New York State Police arrest Westerlo man for rape

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:49:52 GMT

WESTERLO, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- New York State Police of New Scotland arrested Michael Dickershaid, 32, for third-degree rape. Westerlo was arraigned at the Westerlo Town Court and released on his own recognizance. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! Police say they received information on December 17, 2021, that an adult man had sexual contact with a child. Dickershaid was identified as the subject involved and police determined that he reportedly had sexual contact with a child under 17 in November 2021.

Pittsfield holding housing resource fair

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:49:52 GMT

PITTSFIELD, Mass. (NEWS10) -- The City of Pittsfield's Homeless Advisory Committee will sponsor their second Housing Resource Fair on Thursday, September 7, from 10 a.m. to noon. The fair, held at Persip Park (175 North Street) will offer a variety of resources and assistance to those in the community looking for help accessing stable and secure housing. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! The event is free and open to the public. Representatives from local housing organizations will be on hand to help educate attendees about affordable housing options, and information on resources for rental assistance. Personnel from ServiceNet, Berkshire County Regional Housing, Second Street Second Chances, Elder Services, The Christian Center, Berkshire Housing, and the Pittsfield Housing Authority will be on hand. “The purpose of the fair is to bring together community organizations and the residents they serve to create meaningful community connecti...