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Man who spent 30 years in prison for Chicago murder he said didn't commit released

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:57 GMT

CREST HILL, Ill. — A man who has claimed his innocence for 30 years in a Chicago murder case was released from prison Thursday afternoon.A judge vacated Lee Harris' conviction Thursday morning and in the afternoon, prosecutors said there's not enough evidence to re-try the case. Man convicted of Gold Coast ‘ATM murder’ says he was framed Harris has proclaimed his innocence for all these years and was the subject of a WGN Investigates report that exposed serious questions about his conviction and the investigation that sent him to prison. "I've been unjustly convicted of a crime I had no part in," Harris said at the time. "I trusted the wrong people and that's what got me a 90 year prison sentence."Six years after WGN Investigates shared Harris' story, and 33 years after he was branded a murderer and sentenced to prison, his release essentially confirms his claims."I got 90 years for killing sombody I have never seen, somebody I never seen a day in my life," Harris said.In 1989, Ri...

AG: Illinois lottery employee stole, redeemed winning tickets

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:57 GMT

CHICAGO -- An Illinois lottery employee has been charged for stealing and redeeming winning lottery tickets Wednesday.57-year-old Dean Derrick, of SpringfieldAccording to the Illinois Attorney General's Office, 57-year-old Dean Derrick, of Springfield, allegedly stole books of instant lottery tickets from retailers while working as a Lottery sales representative for the Illinois Lottery.Derrick reportedly removed certain books, which he then took to separate retailers to redeem for prize money. His actions are believed to occur between March 23 and April 13, 2022.Derrick was charged Wednesday with four counts of theft of governmental property greater than $500 but less than $10,000, class 2 felonies punishable by three to seven years in prison; seven counts of official misconduct, class 3 felonies punishable by two to five years in prison; and three counts of wire fraud, class 3 felonies punishable by two to five years in prison.The Attorney General's Office alleges Derrick gave a c...

FBI: Suspects burglarized Lincoln Park Bank of America by breaking into nearby building

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:57 GMT

CHICAGO — At least two males are suspected of burglarizing a Lincoln Park-area Bank of America by accessing a vacant building near the bank, authorities said Thursday. The burglary occurred Sunday, March 12, sometime between 12:30 a.m. and 6 a.m., at the Bank of America in the 2100 block of N. Clybourn Ave. Police: Man dies after shooting in Walmart parking lot on Chicago’s South Side According to police, the suspect broke into Method: broke into the vacant building next to the bank and drilled through the wall to access the vault.A silver/metallic color SUV and a black/dark sedan may have been used to flee the scene.Tips may be reported anonymously to (312) 421-6700 and tips.fbi.gov.

Chicago man gets 20 years for failed carjacking at suburban gas station

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:57 GMT

CHICAGO — A Chicago man was sentenced to two decades behind bars for an armed carjacking attempt at a Downers Grove gas station in September of 2021. Demario Butler, 31, received his sentence Thursday after pleading guilty to one count of aggravated vehicular hijacking with a firearm in January. Prosecutors said Butler and another male, who prosecutors allege is 24-year-old Pierre Baugh, approached a woman at the BP gas station in the 4300 block of Main St. Butler demanded the victim's keys and cell phone while threatening the use of a firearm. Benedictine University student faces felonies for child porn: Police The victim obliged.Both Butler and Baugh ran off to the mini-mart and entered their getaway vehicle When the car failed to start, both men fled the scene on foot. Butler was taken into police custody on Oct. 22, 2021. Baugh is due in court on March 17.   

'Reckless, dangerous': US releases video of Russian jet hitting drone

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:57 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — The Pentagon released video Thursday of an alleged Russian attack on an unmanned U.S. drone.A Russian fighter jet had collied with the surveillance drone over the Black Sea on Tuesday. U.S. officials say it illustrates Russia's continued aggression.The 42-second clip shows two back-to-back interactions. First, the Russian jet swoops past the U.S. drone while dumping fuel. Moments later the jet returns, allegedly striking the drone's propeller. After temporarily losing signal, video shows the damage.Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, the press secretary for the Pentagon, said it was "reckless and dangerous behavior.""We felt that it was important to provide this imagery," Ryder said. Senators temper outrage over Russian jet provocations to avoid escalation The Pentagon says it released the video to prove the attack occurred, after Russia denied it."Our words and our actions speak for themselves and similarly Russia's inaccurate information," Ryder said. "Grasping at straw...

Uber rolls out 'Record My Ride' feature in more cities — are there privacy concerns?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:57 GMT

(KDVR/NEXSTAR) — Ride-sharing giant Uber is expanding an optional safety feature in more cities across the U.S. — "Record My Ride" lets both riders and drivers record audio of their ride right on their phones in the event of safety issues. But should you worry about your privacy?Here's how it works: riders and drivers can add the safety feature in the app's Safety Toolkit section. After it's enabled, the option to "record audio" can be initiated by hitting "start." Both parties can begin or end a recording at any time during a trip. The feature automatically shuts off after a trip is completed. IKEA mirrors recalled over laceration hazard Uber says audio files are encrypted and stored on the device of the person who enabled it. The company explains that "no one can listen to the audio — including Uber, the rider or the driver" while the recording is on a device. Uber does not have access to it unless one of the parties submits an issue and attaches it. Only at this time will the a...

Author of 'Perfect Day Chicago: Grab and Go Itineraries for Everyone'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:57 GMT

From favorite neighborhoods, to Lake Michigan beaches, to museums, Chicago has a lot to offer.And now there is a new guidebook to help narrow it down.Author Wendy Altschuler joined the WGN Evening News to talk about her book “Perfect Day Chicago: Grab and Go Itineraries for Everyone.”She also has some upcoming book signingsSaturday, April 22, from 12 – 2 p.m.Skydeck Chicago at the Willis Tower233 S Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606(312) 875-9447Free and open to the publicSaturday, May 6, from 1 – 3 p.m.Museum of Illusions Chicago25 E Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602(312) 722-6780Open to the public (buy tickets to explore the museum afterward: https://moichicago.com/tickets/)

Tornado Watch in effect for parts of the Hill Country

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A late-evening cold front brings a risk of strong to severe thunderstorms tonight.A Tornado Watch is in effect for only Lampasas County in the Hill Country at this time, until 8 p.m. tonight.We are tracking a much colder airmass surging into Texas tonight. Along its leading edge, we expect a window of potentially strong to severe thunderstorms between now and 1 a.m. Storms are expected to move into the Austin area between 11 p.m. and midnight, then southeastern areas before 1 a.m.Line of storms moves through late tonight into early Friday morningMost of Central Texas remains in at a level 2 out of 5 (slight) severe weather risk this afternoon through Friday morning. Isolated to scattered severe storms are possible with hail and wind damage the main concerns. We do not expect a widespread, damaging severe weather event.Severe weather risk Thursday afternoon to early Friday morning (SPC)Rain totals generally add up to 1/4"-1/2", with lighter amounts in the Hill Countr...

Burnet County judge suspended without pay following indictment

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:57 GMT

Editor's note: The video above is a story previously reported on by KXAN.BURNET, Texas (KXAN) — Burnet County Judge James Oakley was suspended without pay, effective immediately, a suspension order from State Commission on Judicial Conduct confirmed Thursday.Oakley was previously indicted last week on felony and misdemeanor charges, according to the Burnet County Sheriff's Office. Burnet County Judge James Oakley indicted on felony and misdemeanor charges Oakley was booked into the Lampasas County Sheriff's Office March 9 and was released, LCSO confirmed to KXAN.He was booked on the following charges:Abuse of Official Capacity-Count 1Abuse of Official Capacity-Count 2Tamper/Fabricate Physical Evidence W/Intent to ImpairOfficial Oppression“I have every confidence that my attorney will be successful in the outcome of addressing these allegations during the process,” Oakley previously said to KXAN in a statement.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Accumulating snow possible Saturday morning in the Hill Country

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A late-season cold snap blows into central Texas on the heels of strong to severe thunderstorms late Thursday night.Cold winds Friday morning push temperatures down to near 40 degrees with wind chills falling below freezing in some communities. Friday morning rain comes to an end with cloudy, windy weather the rest of the day for St. Patrick's Day plans.Forecast wind chill temperatures Friday morningA secondary disturbance is expected to bring the return of light rain sprinkles late Friday night into Saturday morning.As rain falls through a cold, dry cloud sub-layer, evaporative cooling may drop temperatures quickly in parts of the Hill Country to near or just above freezing. Above ground level early Saturday morning, temperatures are expected to be below freezing.This means that light rain in the southern Hill Country Saturday morning will likely transition to a period of wet snow. High-resolution radar forecast Saturday morning with cold rain in Austin and wet snow...