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Feds want justices to end Navajo fight for Colo. River water

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:55:01 GMT

States that rely on water from the over-tapped Colorado River want the U.S. Supreme Court to block a lawsuit from the Navajo Nation that could upend how water is shared in the Western U.S. The tribe doesn’t have enough water and says that the federal government is at fault. Roughly a third of residents on the vast Navajo Nation don’t have running water in their homes. More than 150 years ago, the U.S. government and the tribe signed treaties that promised the tribe a “permanent home” — a promise the Navajo Nation says includes a sufficient supply of water. The tribe says the government broke its promise to ensure the tribe has enough water and that people are suffering as a result.The federal government disputes that claim. And states, such as Arizona, California and Nevada, argue that more water for the Navajo Nation would cut into already scarce supplies for cities, agriculture and business growth.The high court will hold oral arguments Monday in a case with critical implica...

Gov. Pritzker continues community college tour with Chicago stop to promote proposed budget

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:55:01 GMT

CHICAGO — Illinois Governor JB Pritzker brought his community college tour to Chicago Friday to continue promoting proposed higher education investments.The governor has been making stops across the state in recent weeks to try and garner support for his fiscal year 2024 budget. In addition to higher education, his proposed budget includes the Smart Start Illinois plan to support early childhood education and universal preschool. WGN Sports brought Michael Jordan and the ’90s Bulls to Chicago — and beyond His Friday event was held at Malcolm X Community College, part of City Colleges of Chicago.

Zion man wanted after infant, woman killed in marijuana-related crash last year

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:55:01 GMT

UNINCORPORATED WAUKEGAN, Ill. — A warrant is out for the arrest of a man charged with reckless homicide in a marijuana-related crash, after a baby and woman were killed in Unincorporated Waukegan in October. According to police, Jarelle Brown, 28, of Zion will be facing two counts of reckless homicide and two counts of driving under the influence of cannabis. 24-year-old man’s body recovered from Chicago River on North Side On October 29 around 4:15 p.m. police were dispatched to a crash on North Green Bay Road near Atlantic Avenue where two vehicles were found damaged. A Toyota, driven by a 34-year-old man, was leaving a parking lot when the vehicle was "T-Boned" by a Dodge travelling northbound. Driver wanted after woman critically injured in South Side hit-and-run Police reports say an eight-month-old baby restrained in the back seat of the Toyota was transferred to Advocate Condell Medical Center in critical condition. He was later pronounced dead. A 29-year-old woman sitt...

Biden cabinet member discusses Chicago gun violence, mental health

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:55:01 GMT

CHICAGO — U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra is in Chicago Friday to focus on mental health and gun violence in the area.Becerra will join a community roundtable at Kennedy-King College alongside U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-IL-01) and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL). The trio will then hold a media availability following the roundtable discussion. AG: Illinois lottery employee stole, redeemed winning tickets WGN plans to livestream the media availability within this story beginning at approximately 11:45 a.m.

Twin toddlers drown in Oklahoma City swimming pool

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:55:01 GMT

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - Two 18-month-old children are dead after drowning in a backyard swimming pool Thursday morning at a home in northwest Oklahoma City. When firefighters pulled up to the home in the Cobblestone neighborhood, they found the children had already been pulled out of the water by a parent who was administering CPR.  Restaurant owner makes miraculous recovery after near-death accident First responders continued CPR on the children as they transported them to Baptist Hospital.  “It was a male and female... They were siblings,” said Greg Merrell, Battalion Chief OKCFD. They were two twins, according to several neighbors. ‘I pray that you cry out for God on more days than you don’t’: Emotions run high after Oklahoma man pleads guilty to 2021 triple murder The Oklahoma City Fire Department told KFOR they are not sure how long the kids were in the pool. “I saw the mother who was distraught, who got in an EMS vehicle,” said neighbor Mike Bernar...

Buona, Rainbow Cone opening in Valparaiso

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:55:01 GMT

VALPARAISO, Ind. — The first Northwest Indiana Buona and Rainbow Cone location is opening up next month.The new location is set to open April 12, at 2901 John Howell Drive in Valparaiso.It is the second Buona location to open in Northwest Indiana after their Schererville store opened up in March 2018."Our Indiana communities share the same passion for Buona and Rainbow Cone as our incredible Chicago-area customers do," said Joe Buonavolanto Ill. "Our expansion to the state has had enormous success. We welcome our Valparaiso neighbors to the Buona/Rainbow Cone family!" ‘Sickened’: Robert Smith blasts Ticketmaster fees ahead The Cure’s upcoming tour The new location features drive thru and dual lane options, with plans for kiosks in the future.In addition to a opening of the new Valparaiso location, Buona and Rainbow Cone plan to bring food trucks to celebrate with area residents

'Digital Terror Report' released: Shows increased hate online

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:55:01 GMT

COOK COUNTY, Ill. — Antisemitic, racist, anti-LGBTQ hate and violence against Black, immigrant, and Jewish resident posts have been increasing online, according to a newly released report.Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle will be joined by other community leaders Friday to officially release the Simon Wiesenthal Center Digital Terror Report and discuss its findings.WGN has a reporter at the event and this story will be updated later today with additional details.

RCMP Commissioner Lucki Retires, Calls For An Indigenous Commissioner Grows Louder

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:55:01 GMT

Slovakia Becomes Latest NATO Country To Send Fighter Jets To Ukraine

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:55:01 GMT

Derek Chauvin pleads guilty in tax evasion case

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:55:01 GMT

The former Minneapolis police officer serving time for the 2020 murder of George Floyd pleaded guilty Friday to two counts of tax evasion.Derek Chauvin. (Courtesy of the Minnesota Department of Corrections)Derek Chauvin entered the plea in a Minnesota court before Washington County Judge Sheridan Hawley. Chauvin appeared via Zoom from a federal prison in Tucson, Arizona. He was standing in a room and paced around before the hearing began.Chauvin and his now ex-wife were charged with multiple counts of underreporting their income and failing to file tax returns. His ex-wife pleaded guilty earlier to two counts. Chauvin was previously convicted on state murder charges for the May 2020 killing of Floyd and on a federal count of violating the Black man’s civil rights.Floyd died May 25, 2020, after Chauvin, who is white, pressed his knee against the Black man’s neck for more than nine minutes. Floyd, who was handcuffed, repeatedly said he couldn’t breathe. The killing, which was recorded...