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Wrongfully convicted Kansas man to get $7.5 million payment

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:42 GMT

OSKALOOSA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man who spent 16 years in prison for a rape and murder he didn’t commit will receive $7.5 million from the county where he was arrested and convicted of the crime.Jefferson County commissioners approved the settlement last week with Floyd Bledsoe, who was released from prison in 2015 after DNA evidence showed he could not have been the killer of 14-year-old Camille Arfmann in Oskaloosa.Bledsoe will receive $1.5 million initially, with the rest to be paid over the next 10 years, The Kansas City Star reported. Bledsoe, who is now 46, was 23 when he was convicted in 2000 of killing the girl. He was arrested even though his brother, Tom, confessed to the killing in 1999, turned himself in and led authorities to the girl’s body.According to a lawsuit Floyd Bledsoe filed in 2016, Jefferson County authorities persuaded Tom Bledsoe to recant his confession and “framed” his brother by hiding evidence of his innocence.In 2015, DNA testing revealed T...

Canada to continue air evacuations from Sudan, navy vessels on standby

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:42 GMT

OTTAWA — The federal defence minister says efforts to evacuate Canadians stranded in Sudan will continue today even as conditions deteriorate in the war-torn East African country.Anita Anand says the military intends to conduct at least one evacuation flight today for Canadians and other residents of allied countries looking to leave.She says a total of 375 Canadians have been airlifted out so far, either on Canadian flights or those operated by allies.Anand says the window for future air evacuations is closing, adding that two naval vessels set to depart for the Indo-Pacific region have been ordered to stay near Sudan’s main port for the time being.A total of four Canadian military flights have left the Sudanese capital of Khartoum since Thursday amid escalating clashes between the Sudanese army and a paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces.Gunfire continued in the capital today despite a formal ceasefire between the two sides, and the Sudanese Doctors’ Syn...

Antioch man charged with allegedly making violent threats towards synagogue, police say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:42 GMT

ANTIOCH, Ill. — Antioch police arrested a man Friday evening who they said allegedly made threats towards Jewish organizations across the country and then made repeated direct violent threats toward a local synagogue.Christopher Williams, 33, of Antioch, was charged by the Lake County State's Attorney's Office with Hate Crime, a Class 4 Felony, and Electronic Harassment, a Class 4 Felony, according to a news release from the village. 81-year-old woman killed in Antioch crash Christopher WilliamsAntioch police and federal law enforcement partners started the months-long investigation after Williams allegedly made threats towards Jewish organizations across the country, according to the release.He then made "repeated directed threats of violence" towards a synagogue in nearby Lindenhurst, according to the release.In November, the Department of Homeland Security issued a terrorism threat bulletin saying the country remains in a "heightened threat environment."According to DHS, lone o...

Saturday Forecast: Cloudy and afternoon rain

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:42 GMT

Saturday's forecast is looking mostly cloudy & mid-morning to early afternoon rain likely. W 10-15 mph. High 59, cooler lakesideSaturday Night: Scattered evening showers, breezy. W 10-20 mph. Low 41 Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Sunday: Mostly cloudy, breezy, & PM showers likely. Cold for the season. W 10-20, G30 mph. High 47 Full forecast details at the WGN Weather CenterExtended outlook calls for showers, breezy and cold for Monday as well with highs in the mid to upper 40s. Still a chance of some rain on Tuesday with temps a bit milder back in the mid 50s. Wednesday and Thursday back to near 60 with a chance of some showers. 

'A Promise to Never Forget': Chicago Police Memorial honors four fallen officers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:42 GMT

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Police Memorial paid tribute to four fallen officers Friday.The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation commemorated officers who died serving over the last two years."It is not how these officers died that made them heroes, it is how they lived," Executive Direct of the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation Phil Cline said. "These four officers are heroes- they died doing a job they loved, serving a city they loved even more."Family members unveiled the names of their loved ones for the first time on the memorial wall at Gold Star Families Memorial and Park."I hope that at this wall you will find a safe space, a special place that offers comfort, strength, and pride,"19 year veteran Officer James Svec, 21 year veteran Officer Jose Huerta, and 27 year veteran Detective Joseph Tripoli died after contracting COVID19 while serving the city of Chicago.Officer Andres Vasquez Lasso died in the line of duty earlier this year.The names of the officers joined 595 other officer...

Paul Lisnek on Kim Foxx, Brandon Johnson and more

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:42 GMT

CHICAGO — WGN Political Analyst joined WGN Evening News to discuss the latest news on Kim Foxx, Brandon Johnson, the ComEd trial and more.Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesYou watch this story in the player above.

Chicago's Very Own: Bookstore offers diverse collection to help children

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:42 GMT

CHICAGO — Representation matters is the motto for Brown Babies Books, a non-traditional bookstore with a special emphasis on offering a diverse collection of books to boost self-esteem, confidence and compassion in children of color.Chicago native Tameca Lyons said the early childhood classic "Corduroy" takes her down memory lane. Family helping students with STEM education with innovative approach "This was the first time I saw myself in a book," Lyons said. While most readers gravitate towards the teddy bear named Corduroy, Lyons connected with the young Black character named Lisa."For the most part, that's how my mother used to do my hair, the bangs and the press and comb," Lyons said. Lyons, a mom who works as a college career counselor, said she's always dreamed about owning a bookstore but didn't think it would happen until retirement."It's one of those dreams that you have as a kid and you say 'Oh one day I'll open a bookstore,'" Lyons said. Chicago couple establishes f...

Weekend Break: One-of-A-Kind Spring Show

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:42 GMT

CHICAGO —  Join WGN Weekend Morning News where Marcella visits the One-Of-A-Kind show at the Merchandise Mart joined by 300 vendors with an assortment of unique art.Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.

5 killed in 'execution style' mass shooting in Texas, suspect on the run

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:42 GMT

CLEVELAND, Texas (KIAH) – Five people are dead, including an 8-year-old boy, after police said a man under the influence shot them inside a Texas residence Friday evening.Police said the suspect is now on the run.Deputies with the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office were called to a home in the 100 block of Walters Road in the Trails End area of Cleveland on reports of harassment. As deputies were en route, the communications center received multiple 911 calls of an active shooter incident at the dispatch location.When officials arrived, they found four people shot dead above the neck “almost execution style," according to a release from the sheriff's office.A fifth victim, an 8-year-old boy, was not found dead inside the residence. He was taken to a local hospital via life flight, where he later died.Preliminary information showed the victims had reportedly asked the suspect to stop shooting in the yard since a baby was trying to go to sleep. Police said the suspect was drinking at...

Chicago native and 'The Voice' contestant back in Chicago

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:42 GMT

CHICAGO — Katie Kadan, Chicago native and 'The Voice' contestant on Season 17 joins WGN Weekend Morning News to share more about what she's doing right here in her home town.Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.