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'I Stand with Israel' signs vandalized in Skokie, police investigate as hate crime

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:00:29 GMT

SKOKIE, Ill. — Some Skokie residents posted 'I stand with Israel' signs in their front yards in the wake of the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas. Those signs were vandalized Thursday night in what Skokie police are investigating as a hate crime."We are American citizens and we are Jewish and Israel is our home away from home, and we just put these signs up to show the world that we stand with Israel," said Leah Graber, Skokie resident. For the Graber family, they said the sign in their front yard is a symbol of love and peace. But it and others in their neighborhood were vandalized overnight — ripped out — some even torn to pieces. Leah’s kids noticed the damage when they left for school Friday morning."They saw it and they thought it was the wind and I knew, I knew it wasn’t the wind when I looked around and saw others had theirs taken away also," Graber said. "The antisemitism hits home."One of Graber's neighbors captured on their doorbell camera what appeared to be three vandals with sign...

The career of Ed Burke: Power personified 

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:00:29 GMT

CHICAGO — It was the end of an era back in April when one of the last of the old-school Chicago machine politicians, Alderman Ed Burke, bid the Chicago City Council farewell."Many of you have over the years heard me quote the great Anglo, Irish statesman Edmond Burke who wrote, 'In politics, there are no permanent enemies, no permanent friends, only permanent interests,” Burke said in his last council speech. He may be retired, but the story of Ed Burke’s extraordinary 54-year reign is still unfolding, and the final chapter of his legacy will be written by the results of his federal corruption case. "He was one of a kind in terms of the way this city operates, and sadly he was also not that unusual in terms of his willingness to be corrupted by the system that he helped create," David Greising, President and CEO of the Better Government Association, said.  Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Burke’s rise began in the 1960s. After a stint as a Chicago police officer,...

Paul Lisnek on migrant housing in Chicago, House Speaker Mike Johnson and more

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:00:29 GMT

WGN Political Analyst Paul Lisnek joined WGN Evening News to discuss several big stories from the week.The topics include the latest on migrant housing in the City of Chicago, new House Speaker Mike Johnson, the Trump sons’ fraud trial testimony and more.  Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesTune in on Sundays for WGN-TV Political Report with Paul Lisnek.

Opossum runs across field during TTU vs. TCU game

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:00:29 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An opossum made an appearance during the Texas Tech and Texas Christian football game where it ran across the field at Jones Stadium in Lubbock on Thursday.The little one was wrangled by stadium authorities before reaching the 20-yard line.Texas Tech University President Lawrence Schovanec was seen petting the marsupial earlier on Friday telling KXAN he is used to seeing them around his home."This will sound kind of weird, but there are a lot of opossums in our neighborhood and I've always fed them. I think when the creature is that homely and unattractive someone needs to love it," he said. "My wife thought it was disgusting and my son said 'I hope you sanitize your hands.' I did I wash them."The animal's special appearance turned out to be good luck for the Red Raiders who defeated TCU 35 to 28.

Williamson County Child Advocacy Center hosts ribbon cutting for new building

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:00:29 GMT

GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — Staff, leaders, and volunteers celebrated the official opening of the Williamson County Child Advocacy Center's new facility Friday afternoon. The upgrade in space is expected to help the agency grow its educational and support resources for children and families.Kerrie Stannel, CEO of the WCCAC, along with other local, county and state leaders, addressed a large crowd outside the new facility.She thanked those in attendance for their tireless devotion to the WCCAC's mission of supporting children that have survived abuse, trauma, or other crimes.Such services include aiding with forensic interviews, providing mental health services for children, as well as educational programs for families.Stannel said the project was only made possible with the help of multiple local agencies, such as the Williamson County Sheriff's Office, multiple city chambers of commerce and Williamson County."It was so inspiring to have so many people show up. We've had great invest...

Abbey Murphy helps Gophers women’s hockey team scrap out win over Minnesota State

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:00:29 GMT

Gophers star right winger Abbey Murphy made her way to a postgame interview Friday night at Ridder Arena walking gingerly on a sore right foot. Anyone who watched her efforts in a 3-1 win over the Minnesota State Mavericks knows that her foot wasn’t the only thing hurting.When she wasn’t scoring a goal — giving her a team-high 10 on the season — the 5-foot-5 dynamo was her usual aggressive self, throwing herself completely into a difficult win over a Mavericks team that came into the game 0-6 in the WCHA but gave the Gophers (6-2-0, 4-2-0) all they could handle for most of the game.Murphy’s aggressiveness led to three trips to the penalty box (cross-checking, boarding and unsportsmanlike conduct), drew two penalties from the Mavericks (2-7-0, 0-7-0) and led to her being a target after the Gophers scored twice late in the third period to break a 1-1 tie.She was cross-checked by Sydney Langseth during a scrum in the Mavericks crease after the Gophers took a 2-1 lead. With two minutes ...

State boys soccer: St. Paul Academy boys repeat as Class A champions

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:00:29 GMT

The St. Paul Academy Spartans became Class A boys state champions after defeating Pine Island/Zumbrota-Mazeppa 3-2 in the state championship Friday night.St. Paul Academy’s Ezra Straub (11) collides with Pine Island/Zumbrota-Mazeppa defender Grady Streit during the first half of the Class A championship game of the Boys State Soccer Tournament at U.S. Bank Stadium, Friday Nov. 3, 2023. (Craig Lassig / Special to the Pioneer Press)The first 40 minutes were relatively quiet on the offensive end. St. Paul had a couple of shots on goal, but couldn’t quite get any to go. Pine Island drew first blood at the 20-minute mark, and it was the only goal of the first half.The Spartans answered back quickly after the half with a goal from junior Liam Sullivan in the 48th minute. Not long after, they took the lead on a penalty kick from senior Orion Kim in the 54th minute.The nail in the coffin came courtesy of senior Awaale Osman on a free kick in the 73rd minute, putting SPA up by two with...

High school football: Rosemount’s running game, defense, help Irish outlast Woodbury to return to state

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:00:29 GMT

Running the ball and defending at a high level is the recipe for Rosemount football’s success. That formula led the Irish to a Class 6A state championship game appearance last fall.It has Rosemount back in the state tournament a year later.Through ball control and a couple of key defensive stands, Rosemount controlled the contest Friday in Woodbury, knocking off the second-seeded Royals, 14-7.The running game starred in the first half, with Rosemount tallying two full possessions — both of which ended in Joe Meleckzedeck rushing touchdowns. His scores capped lengthy, clock-milking drives.The Irish opened the game with a 17-play, 72-yard scoring drive. After forcing a Woodbury turnover on downs on the ensuing drive, Rosemount marched on another 15-play scoring drive to make it 14-0.Woodbury’s second possession of the game started with just two minutes to play in the half. The Royals capitalized on that, though, with George Bjellos hitting Charlie Jacobson for a 2-ya...

Pittsfield woman strikes pedestrian, second vehicle in serious crash

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:00:29 GMT

PITTSFIELD, Mass. (NEWS10) -- Pittsfield police are investigating after a serious crash Friday afternoon. The incident began around 3:30 p.m. Police said an 85-year-old Pittsfield woman was driving northbound on Central Berkshire Boulevard when she struck a 26-year-old pedestrian from Albany. She then continued to West Housatonic Street where she struck a pickup truck at the intersection of Lebanon Avenue. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! She then left the road and struck a tree.The pedestrian was taken to Berkshire Medical Center and then to Albany Medical Center by life flight. He is listed in critical condition. The Pittsfield woman was taken to Berkshire Medical Center with serious injuries. No other injuries were reported.The crash remains under investigation. Anyone who witnessed the incidents is asked to call police at (413) 448-9700 ext. 549.

Troy fire chief retires after 34 years of service

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:00:29 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- After more than three decades of service, the chief of the Troy Fire Department is retiring. Chief Eric McMahon first began working for the fire department in September 1989. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! He was also part of a group of Upstate New York firefighters who went to New York City to help during the 9/11 terror attacks.He was honored Friday during a walk out ceremony at the fire department's Central Station on Sixth Avenue.