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Jurors in 'ComEd Four' bribery trial face daunting challenge, legal experts say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:24 GMT

CHICAGO -- The second day of jury deliberations in the "ComEd Four" bribery trial took place Thursday.The “ComEd Four” on trial are former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s confidant Michael McClain, former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore, former ComEd lobbyist John Hooker and former ComEd consultant Jay Doherty. All have pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including bribery conspiracy.On Thursday, jurors had several more questions for Judge Harry Leinenweber, including a pair of requests for hard copies of trial transcripts and transcript binders. As the jury grapples with a complicated nine count indictment, the defendants potentially are looking at serious jailtime. Cow located in Niles after ‘senior prank’; students cited Potentional jail time and fines for the "ComEd Four," includes a guilty conspiracy verdict on Count 1 could lead to a maximum  $250,000 fine or 5 years imprisonment or both, according to the US Attorney’s office.Also, a bri...

1 dead in 4-car crash on Jane Adams Tollway in Schaumburg

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:24 GMT

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — One person is dead in a crash involving several cars Thursday afternoon on the Jane Adams Tollway in Schaumburg, according to Illinois State Police.The crash happened in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 90 near Meacham Road. Cow located in Niles after ‘senior prank’; students cited Four vehicles were involved, state police said. One driver died and the three other drivers were taken to a hospital with unknown injuries.As of 4:45 p.m., traffic is still moving on the shoulder while investigators are on the scene.The identities of those involved haven't been released.

Most common jobs 150 years ago in Illinois

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:24 GMT

With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to impact the global economy, the current job market is a hot topic in the news cycle. But while the pandemic itself is, historically, something of an economic aberration, the U.S. economy that we know today has a long and storied history of expansions, recessions, and evolution.At the time of the American Revolution, most of the job market in the U.S. revolved around agriculture or food acquisition in some way. Many individuals and communities farmed for subsistence, not even growing enough to have an excess to sell for profits. As the fledgling country grew, so did its economy, springing forth during the Industrial Revolution of the late 1700s and early 1800s, and inexorably shifting the nation's economic focus from agrarian efforts to those of manufacturing, trade, and other forms of business. Inventions like the steam engine and cotton gin accelerated production, feeding a booming job market that was met with immigrants eager to find work.By...

Indiana woman accused of posting another woman's nude pictures on Facebook

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:24 GMT

SPICELAND, Ind. (WXIN) — An Indiana woman reportedly told police she posted nude images of a known acquaintance to Facebook in order to "get back" at her for a perceived betrayal. The 26 year-old now faces one count of distribution of an intimate image, a misdemeanor. According to court documents, the woman, of Spiceland, Indiana, found the nude photographs and videos of the victim on her boyfriend's phone and ended up posting them on Facebook, in addition to sending them to the victim's close friends. Indiana student was told to eat his own vomit with a spoon as staffers watched, police say In the Facebook post, the woman shamed the victim and accused her of having sex with her boyfriend and his best friend. The victim told police this accusation was a lie. The victim explained to police that the intimate images had been made for her boyfriend who, in turn, shared them with the Spiceland woman's boyfriend. The victim had not given the woman permission to publicly post her intimat...

Skilling: Cloudy weekend ahead for Chicagoland

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:24 GMT

Chicagoans were treated to the warmest temps Thursday of the past 6 day—with a 66 at O'Hare marking at 14 degrees increase over Wednesday's 52. Easterly lake breezes off the 46-deg lake waters held shoreline and beach temps to the 50s.Downstate clouds and showers are northbound—but to a rendezvous with a portion of the Chicago area by morning and into the early or mid afternoon hours Friday. Modeling suggests Chicago proper has the highest chance for some showers in the 6 p.m. to 2 or 3 p.m. Friday time frame.More important is the spin-up of a significant and slow moving upper air low pressure which will be home to a pool of chilly, unstable air aloft beginning this weekend and carrying over into the opening days of next week. Such weather systems associate themselves with clouds and instability showers—and this one will be no different.While rains won't be continuous, the prospect for showers roaming the area is to be elevated Saturday through Tuesday—and the presence of sun-blocki...

Dansby Swanson gets a 1st with the Cubs in win vs Padres

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:24 GMT

CHICAGO - He's been able to pull off a lot so far in his first month as a member of the Cubs, but a major first happened for Dansby Swanson on Thursday. The shortstop, who has shown more power over his last two seasons, hit his first home run as a member of the team against the Padres at Wrigley Field. It was the final big moment for the Cubs in a pleasant afternoon in which they defeated San Diego 5-2 to take the series 2-1. Swanson's long ball came in the seventh inning of his 23rd game of the season and was one of three the hosts hit on the afternoon. Eric Hosmer and Nelson Velazquez went back-to-back with solo shots in the second inning as the Cubs have now put at least one pitch into the seats in their last eight games.This is another highlight for the shortstop in what's been a consistent start to his Cubs' career after signing a 7-year, $177 million contract. Before Thursday, he was hitting .274 with three doubles and five RBI, adding to that by going 2-for-4 with the homer a...

Lyft will cut 1,000 jobs in upcoming layoffs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:24 GMT

Lyft's latest round of layoffs announced last week will include more than 1,000 job cuts in what the ride-sharing company says is an effort to cut costs. "As part of Lyft’s previously announced restructuring and efforts to reduce costs, we are parting with just over 1,000 valued team members across the company. This was a hard decision and one we didn’t make lightly, but the result will be a far stronger, more competitive Lyft," a company spokesperson said in a statement on Thursday. Just days after David Risher started as Lyft CEO, he told employees in an email last week that the company would  “significantly reduce the size of the team” and let employees know their employment status by Thursday. He said at the time that the job cuts will set up Lyft to “invest in competitive pricing, faster pick-up times, and better driver earnings.” The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Lyft would cut 1,200 jobs, citing people familiar with the plans. A spokesperson for t...

Texans could pay $200 annual fee to drive electric vehicles

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:24 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — By a vote of 145-0 Thursday, the Texas House gave approval to legislation that would impose an annual $200 fee on drivers of electric vehicles. The bill, known as Senate Bill 505, already passed the Senate on March 29, so it's now headed to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk for his signature, which would make it become law in Texas.The bill's author, Republican Sen. Robert Nichols of Jacksonville, wrote in comments about the legislation, "As more of these vehicles drive on Texas roads, there are concerns about how they contribute to the funding of the roads which they use. Currently, Texas uses the gasoline/diesel fuel tax to fund transportation projects; however, with the growing use of EVs, the revenue from the fuel tax is decreasing, which diminishes our ability to fund road improvements for all drivers."Furthermore, Nichols wrote EVs use the same roads as petroleum-powered vehicles, so they should be "subject to an equalization of road use consumption amount."During a Sena...

APD holding news conference for south Austin homicide

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:24 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is holding a news conference after the agency confirmed a homicide in south Austin Thursday.The homicide occurred in the 1200 block of Kenyon Drive, APD confirmed on Twitter.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

When does Valentina's TexMex BBQ open in Buda?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:24 GMT

BUDA, Texas (KXAN) -- Central Texas barbecue lovers will have plenty to celebrate with the opening of Valentina's TexMex BBQ in Buda later this spring.The restaurant is expected to open in late 2023 at its new, 6,5000-square-foot restaurant. Modesty and Miguel Vidal first opened its Valentina's food truck 10 years ago and has since become renowned for their Tex-Mex-inspired smoked meats. Valentina's TexMex BBQ is expected to open its restaurant in Buda in late May. (Courtesy: Buda Economic Development Corporation, Valentina's TexMex BBQ)Valentina's TexMex BBQ is expected to open its restaurant in Buda in late May. (Courtesy: Buda Economic Development Corporation, Valentina's TexMex BBQ)Valentina's TexMex BBQ is expected to open its restaurant in Buda in late May. (Courtesy: Buda Economic Development Corporation, Valentina's TexMex BBQ)Valentina's TexMex BBQ is expected to open its restaurant in Buda in late May. (Courtesy: Buda Economic Development Corporation, Valentina's TexMex BB...