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'It seemed to be the only choice': Suspect allegedly leaves note inside victim's car after violent attack

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:14:37 GMT

HARWOOD HEIGHTS, Ill. — Police say they plan to pursue additional charges against a man accused of beating a woman and zip tying her neck during a carjacking in Harwood Heights, Illinois on Wednesday.Court documents allege that 24-year-old Reese Miller attacked and strangled a 61-year-old woman while she was outside of her house in the 4400 block of North Natchez Avenue early Wednesday morning, leaving the victim on life support. Child, teen among those wounded in weekend shootings The victim, who has been identified as Ma Operio, died from her injuries on Sunday, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.24-year-old Reese MillerAccording to a bond proffer from the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, a neighbor who witnessed the attack told police that he had seen Operio lying face up in the road in front of her blue Toyota as he was preparing to leave for work around 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday. The witness told officers that he had seen a person in a black hoodie, who...

Chicagoans hit the beaches on a hot and humid Labor Day

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:14:37 GMT

CHICAGO — It's the last day for beaches to be open across Chicago for the season, and locals took full advantage of a beautiful Labor Day to soak in all the toasty sunshine."We've just been hanging out, having fun and spending time together," said McKenzie Dalcerro, who was at the beach with her family.Beach-goers have until 7 p.m. Monday to hit the beach, at which point all 22 beaches run by the Chicago Park District will be officially closed for the season. Starting Tuesday, lifeguards that man the beaches will be moved to indoor pools for the Fall season, as the Chicago Park District shifts to its autumn programming. More from Alyssa: ‘Skip-the-Line’ program kicks off Friday at Illinois DMVs Still, most at beaches around Chicago Monday weren't thinking about the end of summer. As temperatures soared into the low-to-mid 90's, many were thankful the summer heat stuck around late into the season.""You know because you just can't get any better than this," said Liz Kimball, another...

'What happened? What made you do that?': Ex-boyfriend of Carlee Russell talks about kidnapping hoax

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:14:37 GMT

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — "This is my last time talking about this situation."That's what Thomar Latrell Simmons, the former boyfriend of Carlee Russell, made clear during his podcast, "205 Boyz," when he discussed how she faked her kidnapping in July. Russell has since been arrested on suspicion of filing false police report charges.During the podcast, which debuted Friday, Simmons was joined by friend and co-host Marcus Moody, who asked Simmons about what his life had been like since Russell's admitted hoax, as well as the online rumors about him having a part in her going missing for several days before walking home."[I'm] trying to get back to my normal life, but it’s never going to be normal for me," Simmons said. "I can’t even go around Birmingham without people knowing who I am. It’s crazy, bro." Timeline of Carlee Russell’s disappearance, return and the ongoing investigation into what happened to her On July 13, Russell called the police in Hoover, Alabama, claiming that s...

Driver crashes into a Texas Denny's, injuring 23 people

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:14:37 GMT

Rosenberg, TX (AP) — A driver plowed through a wall of a busy East Texas restaurant, injuring 23 people.Police in the Houston suburb of Rosenberg, Texas said a man crashed his SUV into a Denny's restaurant just off the highway late Monday morning. The vehicle slammed into the restaurant's south wall leaving patrons with injuries ranging from minor cuts to “severe injuries” that don't appear to be life-threatening, police said in a statement. Victims ranged in age from 12 to 60 years old.The driver of the SUV was not injured, police said. The cause of the crash was not immediately released.Video of the aftermath shows a red vehicle fully inside the restaurant, with the wall and windows around it demolished.

Zero sugar, two choices: What's the difference between Coke Zero and Diet Coke?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:14:37 GMT

(BLOOM) — Coke Zero and Diet Coke are go-to options for soda lovers who want to cut the sugar but not the fizz. But wait a minute — they're both zero-calorie, both from Coca-Cola, and both claim to offer the classic Coke taste without the sugar. So what sets them apart?The Origin Story: More Than Just a NameDiet Coke was introduced in 1982, when the Coca-Cola Company recognized a growing demand for lower-calorie beverages as consumers became more health-conscious. Diet Coke was not just a sugar-free version of the classic Coca-Cola, but a completely new formula. It was the first extension of the Coca-Cola trademark and was aimed primarily at Baby Boomers who were starting to seek healthier options. Over the years, Diet Coke has undergone several rebranding and repackaging efforts, including the introduction of various flavors like Cherry, Lime, and more recently, Ginger Lime and Feisty Cherry.Coke Zero: The Millennial MagnetFast forward to 2005, and the landscape had changed again. ...

Pflugerville ISD joins lawsuit taking issue with new A-F school ratings

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:14:37 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Pflugerville Independent School District has joined a lawsuit against the Texas Education Commissioner, saying the new rules for how the state will grade schools and districts were not provided before the school year they will be applied to.The 2023 A-F accountability ratings will go public on Sept. 28. The lawsuit asks a judge to prevent the Texas Education Agency from releasing scores that use the newest metrics.Seven school districts, including Del Valle ISD, are already a part of the lawsuit alleging the TEA violated state law by not providing districts with the new methods and metrics earlier.The districts said new methods will dramatically decrease campus and district scores statewide.“I’d recommend that we go ahead and join the lawsuits,” Pflugerville Superintendent Dr. Douglas Killian said during an Aug. 17 meeting. “It’s time for folks to hear that the fairness of the accountability system is in question right now.”TEA officials said they can’t comment o...

More self-driving cars are coming to Austin

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:14:37 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — More self-driving cars will be cruising through Austin soon.Waymo will be the newest company to add these autonomous vehicles to the streets around the city."I think this is something I can really get behind," said Ayush Vajhala.Vajhala said he welcomes more self-driving car companies, adding he recently rode in one and was impressed."I took a trip to get some food downtown and it was really nice," Vajhala said.Self-driving cars are popping up in cities across the nation, but not everyone is excited to see them."I don't think I am comfortable to drive in one of these vehicles without a driver," said Omar, who drives for UBER. "We are trying to do our job, but unfortunately the self driving, AI are going to take our jobs." Cruise driverless cars turning heads in Austin Omar said he worries with more companies coming to Austin he could miss out on money, but he also has concerns about safety."They block the traffic, they don't stop properly," Omar added.Videos and pi...

Why Gophers receiver Chris Autman-Bell played just one snap against Nebraska

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:14:37 GMT

When the Gophers offense took the field Thursday in the season opener against Nebraska, Chris Autman-Bell lined up at wide receiver for the first play, completing a comeback from a torn anterior cruciate ligament last September.It was one and done.The seventh-year senior exited the game after that one snap and didn’t play again in Minnesota’s 13-10 victory at Huntington Bank Stadium.“It was based on how he felt,” Fleck told the Pioneer Press on Monday. “It’s all based on how he feels. We are going to listen to our players; we always do. We will listen to our trainers. And those two have to be in line.”Fleck said Autman-Bell is still dealing with the recovery from that knee injury, but “we are closer and closer every minute.”Without Autman-Bell, Daniel Jackson led the way with nine receptions on 16 targets for 68 yards and the stunning, toe-drag touchdown catch with 2:32 remaining in the game.Fellow receiver Corey Crooms Jr. had a big debut for the U. The Western Michigan trans...

Darryl Mount remembered 10 years later

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:14:37 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Mourners with Saratoga Black Lives Matter gathered at Congress Park to remember the life of Darryl Mount, 10 years later.  BLM activists planned to hold a memorial for Mount this past Sunday. However, the event was cancelled over concerns of safety for attendees when police responded to an armed robbery at the Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream on the corner. Black Lives Matter vigil interrupted by attempted robbery Saratoga BLM decided to reschedule the vigil for Monday, during their first ever Freedom Flea market.“The person or the criminal was out at large at the time. So, he wasn’t caught until a couple hours later. So, we thought it would be safer just to cancel the event and just continue to talk about Darryl, today,” said Saratoga BLM co-founder, Samira Sangare.Members of the group came together to remember the life of the 24-year-old, biracial man who died in 2014 after a police chase in 2013. Police say that Mount died from the injuries he suffer...

Small risk of isolated showers this evening

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:14:37 GMT

ST. LOUIS – Historically, there is a 29% chance of rain on any given Labor Day. That has mostly played out today.There have been a few isolated showers and a couple of rumbles of thunder this afternoon. Most of the region has been dry, but a few spots have picked up a brief downpour.The risk of a quick shower will continue into tonight, although they will continue to be isolated at worst. St. Louis radar: See a map of current weather here Temperatures will fall through the 80s, heading to the mid-70s by Tuesday morning. Tuesday and Wednesday will continue to carry the risk of a couple whack-a-mole-type storms.It will become rather breezy Tuesday, with highs again back in the low 90s. The risk of spotty storms will start to fade Wednesday, while the rest of the week looks dry and seasonably warm. Daytime highs will be in the 80s and overnight lows will range from the upper 50s to the mid-60s.