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WATCH LIVE | Ruling expected in trial of former DCFS workers in connection to death of 5-year-old A.J. Freund

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:31 GMT

CHICAGO -- A McHenry County judge is expected to make a ruling on two former DCFS workers accused of ignoring signs of child abuse in the case of 5-year-old A.J. Freund. They have both pleaded not guilty.Carlos Acosta and Andrew Polovin worked on 5-year-old A.J. Freund's case, who was killed by his parents in 2019.They are accused of ignoring signs of abuse and failing to remove 5-year-old A.J. Freund from his Crystal Lake home despite multiple police reports indicating the situation. Testimony also was heard from emergency room doctors who treated Freund. Freund was murdered in 2019 by his parents and his body was found in a shallow grave after his parents claimed he was missing. Chicago to open new migrant shelters weekly His parents, Joanne Cunningham and Andrew Freund, were both convicted of numerous charges in connection to his murder and are serving at least 30 years in prison. The defense has tried to poke holes in the police reports for a l...

Man expected to plead guilty to stealing 'Wizard of Oz' ruby slippers from Minnesota museum

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:31 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A man charged with the museum heist of a pair of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the “The Wizard of Oz” was expected to change his plea to guilty in court Friday, pulling back the curtain on a whodunit mystery dating back 18 years. Terry Jon Martin, 76, was indicted in May on one count of theft of a major artwork. The shoes from the film were stolen in 2005 from the Judy Garland Museum in the actress' hometown of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, and recovered in 2018 by the FBI. No one was arrested until Martin, who lives near Grand Rapids, was charged this year. Martin’s attorney, Dane DeKrey, said his client, who is in poor health, has been cooperative with him, if not with authorities.“I think Terry is facing his own mortality, and I think when people are reaching that point in their life, they cut through the pleasantries and talk turkey,” DeKrey said in an interview ahead of Friday's hearing.The one-page indictment gave no details of the path that led investiga...

City council to meet on Israel resolution Friday in special meeting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:31 GMT

CHICAGO — City council will meet Friday afternoon for a special meeting on the war in Israel and a debate is expected.Ald. Debra Silverstein (50th Ward), the only Jewish member of city council, is getting push back on her "Israel Solidarity" resolution, which she initially wanted to bring to the floor on Wednesday.Silverstein said the need for the council to stand with Israel is "obvious," but some council members argue it is not that simple and the situation is far more nuanced than what the current version of the resolution expresses.Loud outbursts were heard Wednesday when she tried to bring it to the floor. Some alderpeople pushed to allow only virtual public comments, citing safety concerns. But Mayor Johnson denied the request, citing the Open Meetings Act.The resolution is the only meeting on the agenda for Friday.Ald. Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez (33rd Ward) wants to add language to the resolution so it recognizes injustices against Gaza Strip residents. Project Dynamo helpi...

Does 'Day of Jihad' pose a threat to US cities?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:31 GMT

(NewsNation) — The conflict between Israel and Hamas could spread to cities worldwide after a former Hamas chief called for a "Day of Jihad" by Muslim communities.Khaled Meshaal designated Friday, Oct. 13, as the "Day of Jihad," asking Muslims to take to the streets and deliver a message of anger in support of Palestinians.U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., is among those who have responded, saying Americans will be armed and will not be intimidated.NewsNation has also learned New York City police on duty tomorrow have all been ordered to show up in uniform and be ready to deploy. This comes as Columbia University closed its campus to the public in preparation for protests there. US, Qatar to stop Iran from accessing $6B from prisoner swap Michael Balboni, former New York state homeland security adviser, joined “Elizabeth Vargas Reports" to discuss the potential threat, saying, "The thing people are most concerned about is the call for bloodshed.""They are not calling for peaceful prot...

Ford recalls over 238,000 Explorers to replace axle bolts tat can fail after US opens investigation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:31 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — Ford is recalling more than 238,000 Explorers in the U.S. because a rear axle bolt can fail, potentially causing a loss of drive power or allowing the SUVs to roll away while in park.The recall comes after U.S. safety regulators opened an investigation into the problem after getting two complaints that repairs didn't work in two previous recalls this year and in 2022.Affected are certain Explorers from the 2020 through 2022 model years.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says in documents posted Friday on its website that the rear axle horizontal mounting bolt can fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect, increasing the risk of a crash.Dealers will replace a bushing and the rear axle bolt. They also will inspect the rear axle cover for damage near the bolt hole and replace the cover if damage is found. Owners will be notified by letter starting Nov. 6.Ford said in documents that it knows of 396 reports of rear axle bolt failures, and fe...

From broadcast booth to DJ booth, Adam Amin's talent shines through 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:31 GMT

CHICAGO — A Chicago Bulls television broadcast with Adam Amin and Stacy King is a soundtrack of slams, a mixtape of movie references, and a playlist of personality.  “This is a performance-based job, it’s theatrical when broadcasting games,” Amin said. “You are trying to tell a story, using your voice as an instrument.”  There’s a reason Amin approaches his job with a musical cadence. He learned to play the violin at age seven, the guitar at 12, and performed in theater and choir at Addison Trail High School.  “I trained to be an opera singer for six months and quickly learned that was not in the cards for me,” Amin said.  But eventually, a turntable would turn the tables for Amin. His brothers Mustapha and Abdullah introduced him to DJing, which became his new musical muse. A teenage Adam turned his new hobby into a part-time job, performing at weddings and even at school.  “At Addison Trail during Homecoming week they said, ‘Why don’t you take four periods off to DJ...

Kristen's Classroom: Make a tornado in a bottle

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:31 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Tornadoes are one of Mother Nature's most destructive forces, but they're also one of the most fascinating weather phenomena.Just like cupcakes, tornadoes require the perfect amount of ingredients — warm air, cool air, moisture and a change in winds with height. Not every thunderstorm produces a tornado, but the ones that do tend to be rotating thunderstorms with a lot of energy and instability.At-home experiment: tornado in a bottleSupplies:Two 2-Liter bottles (empty)Duct tape or tube connectorWaterFood coloring Experiment:Fill one of the Liter bottles halfway with water & two drops of food coloring.Using duct tape or tube connector, attach the other Liter bottle to the one with water.When ready to make a tornado, flip the bottle with water over the empty one.Vigorously move the two bottles in quick, small circle.As the bubbles rise and the water begins to fall into the empty bottle, a "tornado" will form.Tornado in a bottle set-upClose up view of "tornado"

Why doctors say parents should ask their pediatrician now about the new RSV shot for babies

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:31 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, affects about 97% of children by the age of two. “RSV on a national level causes 1.5 million outpatient visits. It causes 80,000 hospitalizations in kids less than five years of age every single year, and it causes 300 deaths in ages zero to five,” said Dr. Juanita Mora, an immunologist and American Lung Association Board Member.This week, the American Lung Association launched a new campaign about RSV and the newly approved shot against it. US approves 1st vaccine for RSV after decades of attempts “This is the first year where we have a lot of hope, because we actually have a therapy now to help protect babies from getting so sick from RSV,” said Dr. Mora.The CDC recommends the newly approved RSV antibody immunization for all infants younger than 8 months, born during or entering their first RSV season.Dr. Mora stressed the importance of clarifying the monoclonal ant...

Parker McCollum to perform at SPAC's Broadview Stage

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:31 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Country music singer Parker McCollum will perform at SPAC's Broadview Stage on Friday, May 24, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. as part of his "Burn It Down" tour. Tickets will go on sale Friday, October 20 at 10 a.m. online. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! According to his website, McCollum is the owner of PYM Music and released his first EP 10 years ago in 2013. He is known for his hits such as "Pretty Heart," "To Be Loved by You," and "Handle on You." “2024 is going to be the biggest and best show we have ever put together," McCollum said. "I can’t wait for all the fans to come see what we are working up. The Burn It Down Tour is going to be absolutely epic.”

Police are looking for a missing St. Louis County resident

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:31 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY – A St. Louis man has been missing since around 9:41 p.m. on October 12th. His name is Jermaine Griffin, and he was last seen before the officers arrived at his house. St. Louis Police officers from the North County Precinct responded to the 1700 block of Nemnich Avenue after receiving a report of a missing person. When police arrived, they spoke with Jermaine Griffin's mother, who told them that her son was last seen before the officers arrived, walking away from their home, but she was unsure of what direction he was heading. Griffin was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, ripped blue jeans, and white sneakers. He is 6'02" tall, weighs 165 lbs., and has black hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information regarding Jermaine is urged to call 911 or contact the St. Louis County Police at 636-529-8210.