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Jury begins weighing death penalty or life in prison for Pittsburgh synagogue shooter

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:36:20 GMT

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A jury is deliberating whether the man who killed 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue should receive the death penalty or life in prison without parole. Robert Bowers perpetrated the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history when he stormed the Tree of Life synagogue in 2018 and opened fire, killing members of three congregations who had gathered for Sabbath worship and study. The same jury that convicted Bowers in June on 63 criminal counts began deliberating his sentence Tuesday morning. In closing arguments Monday, prosecutors said the 50-year-old truck driver was clearly motivated by religious hatred, reminding jurors that Bowers had spread antisemitic content online before the attack and has since expressed pride in the killings. They urged jurors to impose a death sentence.Bowers’ lawyers asked jurors to spare his life, asserting that he acted out of a delusional belief that Jewish people were helping to bring about a genocide of white people. They said he...

$50K reward offered after armed robbery of USPS carrier in River Grove

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:36:20 GMT

RIVER GROVE, Ill. — The United States Postal Service is offering a $50,000 reward after a letter carrier was robbed at gunpoint last month in River Grove.The armed robbery happened July 18 at around 9:30 a.m. in the 8700 block of West Richard.Authorities said a group of four attacked the carrier. The carrier was not injured.On Tuesday morning, USPS released a surveillance image of one of the four suspects.Authorities said the man is 5'6", has a thin build, wore a light grey hooded sweatshirt and a black facial covering.The suspects are considered armed and dangerous.Anyone with information can contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455.

Helicopter crashes into cornfield in southern Illinois, killing pilot

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:36:20 GMT

OAKDALE, Ill. (AP) — A helicopter crashed Monday afternoon in southern Illinois, killing its pilot, authorities said.A Bell UH-1H “Huey” helicopter crashed in a field in Oakdale, Illinois, around 1:45 p.m., the Federal Aviation Administration said.Only the pilot was on board, the FAA said.The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash, the FAA said.The pilot was declared dead at the scene of the crash, Illinois State Police said.Investigators believed the helicopter hit power lines, causing it to lose control and crash into a cornfield, police said.Oakdale is about 45 miles (72 kilometers) southeast of St. Louis, Missouri.

Shedd Aquarium transformation plans unveiled

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:36:20 GMT

CHICAGO — Shedd Aquarium leaders plan to unveil "never-before-seen renderings and new details about construction plans" for their Centennial Commitment.2030 will mark the Shedd's 100th anniversary. Last year the organization announced a $500 million investment to modernize the aquarium by that centennial anniversary. Is tonight your lucky night? Mega Millions $1.05 billion jackpot up for grabs again Shedd leaders will be joined by Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson Tuesday to reveal plans for new exhibits, learning spaces, and amenities to be installed over the next few years, according to a press release.WGN plans to livestream the event in its entirety within this story beginning at approximately 10 a.m.According to the Shedd's Centennial Commitment website, the vision for the aquarium includes:Deeper community investments and partnerships that not only bring the aquarium further into Chicago neighborhoods, but also bring neighborhood-level environmental discussions and ...

St. Louis rappers honored in NPR's 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:36:20 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Several artists from St. Louis were honored in celebration of Hip-Hop's 50th anniversary. To pay tribute to black creatives in the 'Gateway City,' an article from NPR went into detail about several rappers' contributions to the music genre and the legacies they've built sonically.They also shared a list of St. Louis rappers who've changed radio over the years:Chingy, 'Holidae Inn' (2003)Jibbs, 'King Kong' (2006)Lil Whit, 'Put Em In Check' (1994)Nelly, 'Ride with Me' (2000)Nelly, 'Dilemma' (2002)Raw Society, 'How Deep is Your Love' (1996)Smino, 'KLINK' (2018)Smino, 'No L's' (2022)St. Lunatics, 'Midwest Swing' (2001)Sylk Smoov, 'Something For Your System' (1991)Before being recognized globally, rapper Nelly shared that he was a microcosm of the music in the city - detailing the singularity of 'St. Louis Blues,' in its melodies and thoughtful sadness."I'm basically representing for everybody [in the] Midwest, South - everybody with that slur on their English," Nelly express...

Denver weather: Flash flood watch, heavy rain likely with booming lightning storms

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:36:20 GMT

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch covering metro Denver and most of Colorado’s Front Range as thunderstorms develop over the mountains, and forecasters warned that storms hitting Tuesday afternoon and evening likely will drop heavy rain.Sunshine may appear Tuesday morning before clouds thicken and storms hit, mostly after 3 p.m., weather service forecasters said. The rainfall in spots could exceed 2 inches in 45 minutes, forecasters said, estimating the likelihood of precipitation at 70%.The high temperature in Denver will be 86 degrees, decreasing to 62 degrees at night, forecasters said. On Wednesday, the high temperature is expected to be 85 degrees. More storms are likely on Wednesday.Intense rain may lead to flooding along waterways, across low-lying areas, and in cities where landscapes cannot easily absorb water. Weather service officials warned drivers to avoid flooded streets, calculating that one foot of water is enough to sweep away a small...

Whittier police officer in ‘good spirits’ after being shot

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:36:20 GMT

An officer with the Whittier Police Department was rushed to the hospital Monday night after being shot. Details about the incident are limited, but the shooting occurred at around 9 p.m. in the area of Pickering Avenue and Mar Vista Street and may have started with a police pursuit. Aerial footage from Sky5 showed authorities with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department assisting Whittier police with a perimeter. Officers had cordoned off an area between Mar Vista Street and Pickering Avenue while the investigation into the incident continued.A suspect involved in the incident who was also shot has been taken into custody. They were transported to the hospital in unknown condition. The officer, a female, was possibly shot in the leg. She was taken to Los Angeles General Medical Center where she was said to be "in good spirits," according to a social media post by Whittier Mayor Joe Vinatieri.A Whittier police officer was shot and a suspect is in custody on July 31, 2023. (KeyNe...

LADWP eases watering restrictions after rainy winter season

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:36:20 GMT

After three years of drought, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has decided to ease its water restrictions thanks to a winter of consistent rain that helped to replenish reservoirs.Customers will be allowed to water three days a week instead of just two, according to the LADWP website.Water flies from a sprinkler on a lawn in Sacramento on July 8, 2021. (Rich Pedroncelli/Associated Press)Those with odd-numbered street addresses can now water on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Watering days for those with even-numbered street addresses will be on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. All watering must be done before 9 a.m. or after 4 p.m., according to the LADWP. Summer showers fall in Claremont; T-storms could be next for Southern California The change, which went into effect on July 27, ends one of the strictest water restriction orders Los Angeles had ever seen.The LADWP serves about 4 million customers.

Teenager hospitalized in drive-by shooting in South Los Angeles 

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:36:20 GMT

A boy was injured in a drive-by shooting in the Florence neighborhood of South Los Angeles on Monday night. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, shots rang out around 10 p.m. in front of a home on 79th Street near San Pedro Avenue. Video from the scene shows paramedics treating a teenager at the scene for a gunshot wound. Witnesses said he is 15 years old.  Man’s body found inside barrel at Malibu beach The teen was transported to a local hospital, where his condition is unknown. He is believed to have been the victim of a drive-by shooting, authorities said. It is unclear whether the teenager was the intended target. No suspect or vehicle description has been released. Anyone with information is urged to contact the LAPD. 

Saweetie has a Happy Birthday

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:36:20 GMT

Saweetie has a Happy Birthday: Grammy-nominated rapper Saweetie has released two singles simultaneously — “Shot O’Clock” and, our pick, “Birthday.”“‘Comin’ live on my birthday, spendin’ hundred racks on a new chain,’ Saweetie raps over a pulsing bassline,” reads the press release. “Her collaborators then tackle a verse a piece, each putting their own spin on the swaggering anthem. The final result is the kind of unstoppable club monster that demands people to move.”True enough. And “Birthday” features guest spots by Tyga and YG, both of whom bring the fire. The song essentially sees Saweetie explain how she’s going to be celebrating her birthday, with new chains and going insane, while the fellas explain how they’ll be celebrating with her.“In the track’s suitably slick video, Saweetie serves eye-candy and attitude on her birthday and it’s clear she’s in control,” they s...