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Judge plans May trial for US Sen. Bob Menendez in bribery case

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:00 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — A judge is planning a spring trial for U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez and his wife, who are accused of accepting bribes of cash, gold bars and a luxury car from three New Jersey businessmen who sought the senator’s help and influence over foreign affairs.The tentative trial date of May 6 would come just one month before New Jersey’s June 4 primary, meaning it could still be underway when voters start casting ballots on whether to return Menendez to the Senate.An indictment last month charged the Democrat, formerly the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, with taking payouts in exchange for corrupt acts that included passing information to Egyptian military and intelligence officials. Among other things, prosecutors accused Menendez of ghostwriting a letter for Egyptian officials that sought to influence U.S. policy on military aid.The indictment also said Menendez used his influence to try and pressure state and federal prosecutors in New Jersey into ...

Gunfire erupts amid armored car robbery attempt near Walmart in Country Club Hills

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:00 GMT

COUNTRY CLUBS HILLS, Ill. — Police responded to a Walmart parking lot in Country Clubs Hills following an armored car robbery attempt that resulted in an exchange of gunfire, authorities said Monday.The shootout involved armored vehicle personnel, Walmart security personnel and unknown offenders, according to County Club Hills police.SkyCam9 flew above the scene at 167th Street and Pulaski, where evidence markers were visible near the front entrance of Walmart. SkyCam9 captured the aftermath of an apparent collision involving the armored car and another vehicle, possibly an SUV, mere feet away from the entrance to the department store.SEE ALSO: 5 years later, pregnant Chicago postal worker Kierra Coles still missingA witness who did not wish to be identified told WGN News that the alleged armed robbers targeted the armored car security. Amid the robbery attempt, however, witnesses told WGN News a shootout ensued, resulting in the shock and dismay of shoppers nearby."It's heart-wrenc...

What to know about the 2023 Chicago Marathon

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:00 GMT

CHICAGO — After months of training in warm summer weather, thousands of runners will descend on the Windy City to complete one of the world's most prestigious road races.The 2023 Chicago Marathon will go off on Sunday, Oct. 8 on Columbus Drive, making its way to the north, west, and south sides of the city in a 26.2-mile loop that will test every participant's endurance.So what can you expect this weekend and race day? Here are a few things to know ahead of this year's Chicago Marathon.(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)How many people are taking part in the race?According to Chicago Marathon organizers, there are over 47,000 participants in this year's marathon. That means the 2023 event could break the event record for finishers, which stands at 45,956 in the 2019 race. In 2022, 39,420 runners crossed the finish line for the Chicago Marathon.Along with the shot at the record number, the race will also have its one-millionth finisher on Sunday. See the story of the first Chic...

Chase Claypool will be away from the Bears even longer

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:00 GMT

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — On a team where there is drama in a few places after a terrible start to the season, the biggest storyline at the moment concerns one of their wide receivers.Fans didn't see Chase Claypool in uniform or on the sidelines for the Bears on Sunday in the loss to the Broncos, and his absence will be extended. During his news conference on Monday morning, head coach Matt Eberflus confirmed that the wide receiver will not be with the team this week as they prepare for a Thursday night game against the Commanders at FedEx Field at 7:15 p.m. This comes after Claypool was a healthy scratch in the 31-28 loss to Denver at Soldier Field in which the Bears dropped to 0-4 on the season."We just feel that it's best for the team at this time," said Ebeflus of the decision to not have Eberflus with the team this week, which he announced in his opening statement. "Ryan (Poles) and I have informed him of that, and that's where it is. We just feel that's best for the team right now."...

Car crashes into townhome in Glenview

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:00 GMT

COOK COUNTY, Ill. — Emergency crews were called to the scene after a car crashed into a townhome in Glenview on Monday afternoon.The crash happened in the 4500 block of Concord Lane, along the boarder of Glenview.According to Glenview police, the driver suffered a medical episode, which caused him to lose control of the car, leading to the crash. WGN Skycam9 was over the scene around 2:50 p.m. when crews could be seen working to remove the vehicle from the home.Police say nobody was home at the time of the crash and the driver of the vehicle was taken to the hospital to be treated for minor injuries.This is a developing story, stay with WGN News for the latest updates.

MedWatch Digest: CDC recommends antibiotic to prevent STIs — and more

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:00 GMT

For Monday, Oct. 2, WGN’s Dina Bair has new medical information, including:CDC recommends antibiotic to prevent STIsThe CDC has made a new recommendation to prevent sexually transmitted infections. For the first time, the health agency says doctors should consider giving the potent antibiotic Doxycycline after sex to stop the spread of some STIs.The approach, dubbed 'Doxy-prep' for short, comes after growing research that the antibiotic effectively prevents bacterial infections from taking root in the days after exposure. The recommendations are open for comment for 45 days. A final version will be drafted next year. Warning about artificial sweetener erythritolThere's a new warning about an artificial sweetener.  A study in the Nature Medicine journal linked the sugar replacement erythritol to severe health risks, including blood clotting, stroke, heart attack and death. Erythritol is used to add bulk or sweeten Stevia, monkfruit and keto-reduced sugar...

Powerball jackpot hits $1.04B: What a winner would actually get

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:00 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — The Powerball jackpot has continued rolling, hitting an estimated $1.04 billion ahead of Monday night's drawing. Despite its record-setting size, a winner won't become an instant billionaire. Powerball players have been watching the jackpot grow since mid-July when yet another record jackpot worth $1.08 billion was hit by a ticket sold in California. Without a winner on Monday, the current jackpot could easily surpass that yet-to-be-claimed jackpot.Regardless, the current jackpot stands as the fourth-largest in Powerball history, and the ninth-largest lottery draw game prize in the U.S.Don't be deceived by its massive size: If you beat the overwhelming odds and win the Powerball jackpot, you'll be taking home far less than $1.04 billion. Here's why. Powerball payoutsPowerball jackpot winners can either receive their payout as annuitized payments or a lump sum. The first is represented by the big, flashy number of $1.04 billion, which is the annuity value. The second is t...

Missouri teacher on leave after school discovers OnlyFans account

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:00 GMT

ST. CLAIR, Mo. (NewsNation/KTVI) — Officials at a Missouri high school placed one of its teachers on leave last Wednesday after discovering she was performing pornographic content on the site OnlyFans, according to multiple reports. Brianna Coppage, a 28-year-old English teacher, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that her teaching days at St. Clair High School were likely over and that she'd probably never teach again. She said she knew the risks of joining the website, but did it to supplement her salary, which was only around $42,000 last year, according to CBS News. To Coppage, the risks were worth it as she made an additional $8,000 to $10,000 a month performing on the website, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. Girl, 9, may have been abducted at New York state park: authorities “I do not regret joining OnlyFans. I know it can be taboo, or some people may believe that it is shameful, but I don’t think sex work has to be shameful,” Coppage told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “...

Free COVID tests arrive today – but they may look expired

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:00 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – The United States Postal Service might have a special delivery for you today. The agency started delivering free at-home COVID-19 test kits in mailboxes and at doorsteps Monday.People who ordered their allotment just after the website relaunched last week received tracking information Monday morning alerting them the delivery was on the way. Each package contains four tests plus an information card on the test kits' expiration dates. That's because the tests being sent out may be past their originally designated best-by date. Free at-home COVID tests are back: Here’s how to get yours A package received by a Nexstar employee contained tests by Celltrion DiaTrust with the expiration date Feb. 2, 2023, printed on the packaging. But the Food and Drug Administration says these tests aren't actually expired. The agency has extended expiration dates for at least 19 different brands of COVID tests.A USPS delivery of free at-home COVID tests received on Oct. 2, 2023. (Alix Mar...

Vehicle of suspect in Bell County homicide found abandoned in Leander, suspect at large, BCSO says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:00 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for Oct. 2, 2023.BELL COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The vehicle of a suspect wanted in connection with a homicide in Bell County was found abandoned in Leander last week, the Bell County Sheriff's Office said on social media.Law enforcement believe Ryan Adam Madden may be in Travis, Williamson or Burnet Counties, BCSO said. Furthermore, he is also known to have ties to the Bell County area, more specifically, in Belton.Madden is wanted in connection with the homicide of Cody Wayne Kinslow in Little Flock. BCSO said an arrest warrant for murder was issued, and there was an attempt to arrest Madden on Sept. 28. However, he evaded that arrest attempt, BCSO said.Image of Ryan Adam Madden provided by the Bell County Sheriff's OfficeMadden was last seen driving a white GMC dully pickup, which was found abandoned in Leander, according to BCSO. The truck has the Texas license plate SHN9954.Anyone with any information on Madden's...