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Second teen charged in murder of McKinley Park drummer

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:10 GMT

CHICAGO — A second teen has been arrested in the 2022 alley murder of a South Side musician.In early March, a 14-year-old boy was taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder of 27-year-old Ryan Arliskas.“This was a club I never wanted to join,” his mother Molly told WGN News after the arrest. “I want a society that cares more about their own children than guns. So this really caused my misery to become a mission.”On Wednesday, a 15-year-old boy was arrested in the 1300 block of West 14th Street and charged with first-degree murder.Arliskas, 27, from Crystal Lake, moved to the city to get closer to Chicago’s music scene. A dog walker by day, he loved playing the drums and was in three bands.On the night of April 8, 2022, Arliskas left another friend’s apartment seven blocks away at around 10:15 p.m. At around 10:30 p.m., family said Arliskas had his AirPods in when he was pushed into an alley by three young suspects in the 2000 block of West 35th Street.The three suspects...

'A real showing of support': How a slight change to a Highland Park race will honor July 4 shooting victims

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:10 GMT

HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. — A traditional race in a Lake County city is getting a change in 2023 to help those affected by what happened on July 4, 2022.This was all the idea of one resident and a hobby she rediscovered after being close to the mass shooting that occurred in Highland Park nearly 11 months ago. "It sort of cleared my mind and connected my mind and body, which was really disjointed following the parade," said Ali Burnham, who took up running after ten years and aided in forming a run club in the city as a way to cope with the tragedy. They were the catalyst in changing the name of the North Shore Classic, a half-marathon and 5K race, to the Highland Park Strong Race that's set to be run this Sunday at 7:30 a.m. It will be the 45th time that it's been staged and will also feature a new one-mile race as well.Burnham along with the Highland Park Strong Running Club, which was formed last July, worked with Buffalo Grove-based Ventures Endurance to change the name of the event. ...

4 young women attacked, robbed in Lincoln Park: police

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:10 GMT

CHICAGO — Four young women were attacked and robbed in the city's Lincoln Park neighborhood.The incident happened around 12:10 a.m. Thursday in the 700 block of West Webster. Police said three 18-year-old women and a 21-year-old woman were approached by two men who implied weapons and demanded their belongings. According to police, one of the men struck the 21-year-old woman in the face. An 18-year-old woman attempted to run but fell to the ground, and one of the men grabbed her buttocks, police said.The men took the women's personal property and fled westbound.Police said the women declined medical assistance. No one is in custody. Area Three detectives are investigating.

CPD: Woman missing after heading to North Side store

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:10 GMT

CHICAGO — A 28-year-old woman is missing after she was headed to a store, CPD said.Victoria Rodriguez was last seen by her family on Monday night in the 1400 block of North Oakley Avenue.Police said she was headed to a store in the vicinity of North and Western. CPD did not indicate which store it was.Rodriguez has brown eyes and brown hair with green coloring on the lower ends of her hair. She is 5'2 and weighs 138 lbs.Rodriguez also has a mole on her cheek.Anyone with information can call police at 312-746-6554.

Beloved swan from NY pond killed, eaten; 3 teens charged in her death

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:10 GMT

MANLIUS, N.Y. (WSYR) – Faye, a beloved swan who lived in an Upstate New York pond, was killed and eaten over Memorial Day weekend, police say.Police in Manlius, New York, were notified Monday that Faye and her babies, or cygnets, had gone missing from the Manlius Swan Pond. Officers later received several tips from the community and found two of the babies at the Shop City Plaza shopping center. Additional information helped police find the two other babies at a home in Syracuse.Faye, however, had been killed and eaten, they said. Police ultimately arrested three teenagers, a 16-, 17- and 18-year-old, each of whom was charged with grand larceny, criminal mischief, conspiracy and criminal trespassing. Raccoon brought to pet store, kissed by other customers euthanized Manlius Police held a press conference at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday to discuss the details. They said the three suspects — neighborhood friends who went to high school together — hopped the Manlius Swan Pond fence in the ...

APD launches internal review into handling of 2020 DNA linked to Raul Meza

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:10 GMT

Editor's Note: The above video shows previous coverage of the police investigation into Raul Meza Jr.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- DNA evidence from the 2019 death of Gloria Lofton linked her case to Raul Meza, Jr., according to court documents — and police arrested him on a murder charge related to her death this week. TIMELINE: What we know of Raul Meza’s criminal history Meza's arrest affidavit stated that in 2020, a DNA profile obtained from a sexual assault kit for Lofton's matched Meza's DNA, but police did not arrest Meza at that time.On Thursday, the Austin Police Department said it's conducting an internal review of how investigators pursued the case upon obtaining the DNA match. "[APD Chief Joseph] Chacon was recently made aware of all of the details in this case. Chief Chacon has opened an administrative review regarding potential investigative lapses," an APD spokesperson told KXAN.Meza was convicted of murdering Kendra Page, 8, in 1982.This week, police also arrested Meza on a mu...

How did Texans in Congress vote on the debt ceiling bill?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:10 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation Wednesday night to suspend the debt ceiling.The bill, negotiated by President Joe Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy, passed by a vote of 314-117. It now heads to the Senate.How did the Texas congressional delegation vote?There are 38 Texans in the U.S. House: 25 Republicans and 13 Democrats. Both parties were split on the bill.Of the 25 Republicans, 11 voted in favor while 14 were opposed. Meanwhile, nine of the 13 Democrats supported the bill, while four voted against.Here's a look at how each member voted:Republicans voting in favorRep. Jodey Arrington (R-Lubbock): "Do the biggest cuts to the woke and bloated bureaucracy, record rescission of fed funds, & reforms to welfare and enviro regs constitute a meaningful step in the right direction? I believe they do."Rep. Brian Babin (R-Woodville): "This bill is not perfect, but it is a step in the right direction toward the goal of bringing fiscal responsibility bac...

'Music in the Garden' planned for Thursdays at Zilker Botanical Garden throughout summer

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:10 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- If you're looking for a bit of weeknight fun without having to stay out too late this summer, the Zilker Botanical Garden may have the perfect event for you. The Zilker Botanical Garden Conservancy is hosting "Music in the Garden" on Thursday evenings throughout the summer. Each week, musicians will perform in the shaded Rose Garden from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The lineup is as follows: June 15: Lew ApolloJune 29: Natalie PriceJuly 13: Scott StricklandJuly 27: Nik ParrAugust 10: Aubrey HaysDowntown Burgers and Austin Beerworks will be available for attendees to buy food and drinks from each week. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or chair to sit on. Music in the Garden is family-friendly and included with general admission to the garden. Attendees can reserve tickets online for the date of the event you wish to attend and arrive at the time of the show. All ages are welcome and the garden is dog-friendly. There is free parking on site.

Austin student 1 of 11 advancing to Scripps National Spelling Bee Finals

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:10 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A competition beginning with 231 contestants has dwindled down to 11 students, and one student from Austin has made it into the Scripps National Spelling Bee Finals.Tarini Nandakumar, a student at Challenger School – Avery Ranch in northwest Austin, advanced through the quarterfinals and semifinals of the competition Wednesday. Texas is home to most Scripps National Spelling Bee champions Shrethan Botla, another student from Austin participating, was one of 48 students disqualified during round four of the spelling competition.The finals are set to air Thursday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Longhorns prepare for Ragin' Cajuns team that defends, runs like the nation's best

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:10 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — When Texas takes on the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns in the Coral Gables regional of the NCAA baseball tournament Friday, the Longhorns will have to hit it where they ain't.The timeless baseball cliche is particularly important for the Longhorns because Louisiana is one of the best defensive teams in the country. In 2,222 total chances this season, the Cajuns have committed just 40 errors, equating to a .982 fielding percentage that's tied for fourth in the country. They've turned 42 double plays, which puts them just outside the top 50 nationally, and the solid defense has helped them shut teams out on five occasions this year. Texas Longhorns placed in Coral Gables regional, will take on Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Coupled with how Louisiana loves to run and put pressure on opposing defenses, ranking third in the country with 161 stolen bases, the Longhorns will have their hands full with the squad from the Sun Belt Conference as they regroup from an 0-2 performance in th...