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US sending more warships, Marines to Gulf to counter Iran’s efforts to seize commercial ships

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:23 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. is sending additional warships and thousands of Marines to the Middle East to increase security in the wake of Iranian attempts to seize commercial ships there.Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Thursday approved the deployment of the USS Bataan amphibious readiness group and the 26th Marine Expeditional Unit to the Gulf region, according to U.S. officials. The readiness group consists of three ships, including the Bataan, an amphibious assault ship. An expeditional unit usually consists of about 2,500 Marines.In an announcement, U.S. Central Command said the deployment will provide “even greater flexibility and maritime capability in the region.” The announcement did not name the ships, but U.S. officials detailed the units involved in the deployment on condition of anonymity to discuss troop movements.Along with the Bataan, the group includes two other warships, the USS Mesa Verde and the USS Carter Hall. The group left Norfolk, Virginia, earlier th...

Jury deliberations begin in double murder trial of rapper YNW Melly in South Florida

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:23 GMT

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Jurors in a South Florida courtroom began deliberating Thursday afternoon in the double murder trial of rapper YNW Melly, and the 24-year-old artist could face a possible death sentence if convicted of the fatal shooting of two childhood friends. Broward County prosecutors delivered their closing argument Thursday morning in the October 2018 shooting deaths. They reminded jurors that the fatal shots came from inside a Jeep where the victims had been shot, and by every account, from the seat where YNW Melly was sitting, the Sun Sentinel reported. Melly, whose legal name is Jamell Demons, had his breakout in 2017 and went on to work with Kanye West on “Mixed Personalities,” which was released in January 2019, a month before Demons was arrested on murder charges.Killed were Anthony Williams and Christopher Thomas Jr. Williams and Thomas were both part of the YNW collective, known respectively as YNW Sakchaser and YNW Juvy.According to prosecutors, Demons, W...

St. Charles police arrest 5 in human trafficking case in suburbs, Chicago

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:23 GMT

ST. CHARLES, Ill. — Five people have been charged in a months-long human trafficking investigation in several western suburbs.The charges were announced Thursday by the Kane County State's Attorney's Office and the St. Charles Police Department. Firefighters battle apartment fire in Elmwood Park Between Feb. 17 and Wednesday, the five people charged allegedly commercially sex trafficked seven people by causing or threatening harm to at least one person, according to a news release.It all started when officials said they found a brothel in St. Charles, which led them to a bigger enterprise that operated in Aurora, Chicago, Elgin, Hanover Park, unincorporated Palatine and South Elgin.On Wednesday, they said 10 women were taken into protective custody. All of them, officials said, are from South America and were flown to the United States for trafficking purposes.Hector Briseno, 54, of Chicago, Christian Hurtado, 27, of Elgin, Daniel Hurtado, 26, of South Elgin, Martha P. Hurtado-Her...

Arrest made in shooting death of youth football coach in Oakland

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:23 GMT

CHICAGO — A 34-year-old Northwest Indiana man is charged in connection with the deadly shooting of a youth football coach in Chicago's Oakland neighborhood.Loved ones said Jermone Baker, who coached the Chicago Seahawks Youth Football Team, was gunned down around 6:30 a.m. in the 700 block of 38th on May 11. The shooting occurred outside Baker's home as he prepared to take his daughter to school.Darius Jackson (Photo/CPD)SEE ALSO: Boy, 16, charged after 2 people shot, 1 killed at Scene75 Entertainment Center in RomeovilleThe 34-year-old was a father of five. “He was the strongest, most genuine, loving, caring, ambitious,” said Tishara Woodward, the mother of three of Baker's children. “He was so motivated. He wanted to help everybody.” Police on Thursday announced that Darius Jackson is charged with first-degree murder following his Wednesday arrest.Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesJackson is due in court on Friday.

2 families displaced after apartment fire in Elmwood Park

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:23 GMT

ELMWOOD PARK, Ill. — Two families are displaced after an apartment fire Thursday in Elmwood Park.Flames could be seen coming from the apartment in the 2400 block of North 72nd Court. The fire started around 3:45 p.m.Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesAccording to a spokesperson for Elmwood Park, the fire broke out on the top floor of the building.One person was home at the time but they were able to escape unharmed, the spokesperson said. No other injuries were reported.The cause of the fire hasn't been determined yet and is still under investigation.

Deadly rabbit disease found in Illinois. What you should know

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:23 GMT

CHICAGO —  A highly contagious disease has recently been detected in wild and domestic rabbits in Chicago and other parts of Illinois.According to the US Department of Agriculture, rabbit hemorrhagic disease can cause sudden death.Jackie Buckley, a health research coordinator at the Lincoln Park Zoo, joined WGN Evening News at 4 to discuss the signs locals should for and steps to take if a dead rabbit is discovered.Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesWatch the full interview in the video player above.

New McFlurry flavor coming to McDonald's next month

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:23 GMT

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — If you're missing the Grimace shake, McDonald's is bringing a new sweet treat that you can try in August. Peanut Butter Crunch McFlurry (Image from McDonald's Menu Spotter)McDonald's announced on Menu Spotter that the Peanut Butter Crunch McFlurry will be available at participating stores across the United States on Aug. 9. The new flavor will include "creamy vanilla soft serve and blended with crispy cereal mix and chocolatey peanut butter cookie pieces," according to the Menu Spotter. The new flavor will be available for a limited time, or while supplies last, alongside the classic M&M and Oreo McFlurries. The Menu Spotter tease, which was released on Wednesday, did not say how many stores would be participating, just that it would be offered at "participating McDonald’s locations nationwide." McDonald’s wedding catering coming to some international locations This new sweet treat comes as the fast food chain continues to test limited-time products ...

Michael Kopech bests a former White Sox pitcher to prevent a sweep

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:23 GMT

NEW YORK — In a match-up that featured a former White Sox No. 1 starter and a pitcher the current club hopes could develop into one someday, it was Michael Kopech who came out on top.It was a much-needed performance for the starter and it kept the brooms from being brought out at Citi Field on Friday.After a trip to the IL and a difficult start to the second half, Kopech delivered a strong performance in the White Sox 6-2 win over the Mets and starter Jose Quintana. Kopech gave up just one run and two hits in 5 2/3 innings with five strikeouts compared to four walks.The 89-pitch effort along with a four-run sixth inning by the White Sox allowed the team to leave New York with a win in the three-game series as their record goes to 41-57. Kopech needed this performance after a rough stretch in late June and early July where he gave up nine earned runs in 8 2/3 innings with a stay on the IL due to right shoulder inflammation in the middle. He allowed his only run in the fifth on a home...

Registered sex offender receives new charges, HCSO finds evidence of additional victim

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:23 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Deputies in Hays County said there are new charges filed against a man registered as a sex offender after they found evidence of an additional victim.The Hays County Sheriff’s Office said Diego Alejandro Cortez, 24, was arrested earlier this month in connection with harboring a runaway child and child trafficking. Now deputies shared Cortez also had pictures and videos that depicted child pornography."They were able to discover several pictures, several videos, all of whom our detectives believed were young females," Deputy Anthony Hipolito said. RELATED: Registered sex offender accused of finding 10-year-old victim on Snapchat, arrested in Hays County According to HCSO, on July 3, investigators found and identified a 13-year-old victim. HCSO said the girl was a second victim of Cortez's. A statement from HCSO said the victim was interviewed, and during that interview, the victim said she and Cortez had multiple sexual ...

Whataburger to put first 'digital kitchen' in Austin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:23 GMT

AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) -- When a sleek sign advertising a "digital kitchen" recently appeared on a Whataburger LLC restaurant under construction off Bee Cave Road, social media was abuzz with questions about the new fast-food burger joint. How do you pronounce ‘Whataburger’? While details are still sparse, Austin Business Journal has learned more about the location, including that this will be the first digital kitchen for the San Antonio-based chain.It will look much like a regular Whataburger but will be centered around to-go dining, with a "digital pick-up lane" instead of a traditional drive-thru.In 2019, Whataburger founders sold their majority stake in the restaurant to BDT Capital Partners, LLC, a merchant bank based in Chicago. The sale was viewed as a way for the chain to expand, the company said.Read the full story in the Austin Business Journal.