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Saskatchewan judge grants bail to sisters who say they were wrongfully convicted

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:36:14 GMT

YORKTON, Sask. — Two sisters who have spent nearly 30 years in prison for what they say are wrongful murder convictions hugged tightly after a Saskatchewan judge granted them bail. “I always knew in my heart we’d be free,” Odelia Quewezance, 51, said outside Yorkton Court of King’s Bench on Monday. Quewezance and her sister, Nerissa, 48, were convicted of second-degree murder in the 1993 stabbing death of 70-year-old farmer Anthony Dolff near Kamsack, Sask.The federal Justice Department started a review of their convictions last year, saying there may be a reasonable basis to conclude there was a miscarriage of justice.Defence lawyers asked for the Indigenous sisters to get a conditional release while the federal review continues.Justice Donald Layh granted their request, saying the Quewezance sisters raised sufficient “evidentiary matters that make their application of appropriate strength to support their release.”“I wish you the best on your ne...

Chicago firefighter accused of running prostitution business inside his condo

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:36:14 GMT

CHICAGO —  A Chicago firefighter is charged after allegedly promoting a prostitution business from his home on the city's Northwest Side.  Brendan Kennedy-Gasior, 37, allegedly ran an erotic massage business where he allowed sexual acts to be performed in exchange for money from May 2020 to August 2020, according to court documents obtained by WGN News. SEE ALSO | 4 CPD officers stripped of police powers amid investigation into gun seizures, source saysProsecutors allege that Kennedy-Gasior advised the female victim to get a burner phone to post ads on an adult website. Upon inquiries, Kennedy-Gasior would determine the price for services. Kennedy-Gasior would allegedly receive payments through cash or Zelle before the sex act was performed, court documents detailed.Witnesses who spoke to investigators admitted to going to the condo several times for erotic massage services. Investigators allegedly uncovered digital receipts, renewal of services and emails about setting up...

'How is Ramadan for Muslim inmates?:' Religious leader visits inmates during holy month

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:36:14 GMT

WAUKEGAN, Ill. — As Muslims around the world embrace the spiritual month of Ramadan, a North-suburban religious leader makes it a point to share grace with those spending the special time of year away from loved ones. “Mosques across the world are packed in these blessed nights. The community is standing shoulder to shoulder in prayer, breaking their fasts together, there is a lot of joy. But the Muslim community often forgets to ask, 'How is Ramadan for Muslim Inmates?'" Imām Azfar Uddin said.Imām Uddin, a religious guide to the Islamic Foundation North community in Libertyville, wants to provide Muslim inmates the community that they are often stripped of when they enter the system.He visits the Lake County Jail once a month to provide a Friday sermon to Muslim inmates. Once the pandemic hit, Imām Uddin was limited to only speaking to them through a glass wall — a barrier that turned to a bridge.“When I was first told about our new arrangements, I was upset. But I realized I was a...

WGN Poll: Vallas leading Johnson in Chicago Mayoral runoff election

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:36:14 GMT

CHICAGO (WGN) -- With eight days left before Chicago voters choose a new mayor, new WGN-TV/Emerson College/The Hill poll shows Paul Vallas holding a five-point lead over Brandon Johnson, 46% to 41%.Paul Vallas vs. Brandon JohnsonThe exclusive poll also found that 13% of likely voters are still undecided.   When undecided voters are asked which candidate they lean toward, and the vote is accounted for, Vallas’ lead increases to six points, 53% to 47%.    Your Local Election Headquarters To make up ground, Johnson would likely need a surge of younger voters casting their ballots before polls close on April 4.    Johnson, 47, a Cook County Commissioner and Chicago Teachers Union activist, is ahead among voters 49 and younger. He is backed by 58.2% of likely voters between the ages of 18 and 34, and 45.7% of voters 35 to 49-years-old.   But data from the Chicago Board of Elections shows that just over 18% of ballots cast on February 28 were cast by voters 18-3...

Cubs make a trade ahead of Opening Day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:36:14 GMT

CHICAGO - One of the players the Cubs acquired ahead of the trade deadline in 2022 won't be around for the start of the 2023 season. That's because the club has made a trade ahead of Opening Day.The Cubs announce that they’ve traded infielder Zach McKinstry to the Tigers for pitcher Carlos Guzman, who was primarily a starter in the minors in 2022. @WGNNews pic.twitter.com/hWLxZPmyNR— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) March 27, 2023Infielder Zach McKinstry is headed to the Tigers in exchange for minor league pitcher Carlos Guzman, who spent the entire 2022 season in the Detroit farm system. This deal comes as the Cubs are getting ready for their season opener against the Brewers on Thursday at Wrigley Field.McKinstry joined the Cubs in a trade with the Dodgers on June 30, 2022 for relief pitcher Chris Martin, who was added to help Los Angeles in the playoffs. In 47 games the rest of the season, the infielder played second base, third base, and shortstop, posting a slash line of .206...

Nashville shooting marks 13th US school shooting in 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:36:14 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – A deadly shooting at a small private Christian school in Nashville Monday morning marks the 13th school shooting in the U.S. so far in 2023. Three children and three adults were killed in the incident at The Covenant School in the Green Hills neighborhood of Nashville. Police said a 28-year-old woman shot all six before responding officers fatally shot her.According to metrics tracked by Education Week, more victims died in Monday’s school shooting in Nashville than any of the 13 school shootings that have happened in the U.S. this year. This latest tragedy comes less than a week after a school shooting in Colorado. On March 22, two school administrators were injured in a shooting at East High School in Denver. The suspect in that case, a 17-year-old, was being searched as he entered the school when he got hold of a weapon and began firing. He was later found by a SWAT team searching for the teen. 3 children, 3 adults killed by female shooter at Nashville school, ...

Nashville school shooter ID'd as 28-year-old woman, former student: Here's what we know

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:36:14 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The shooter who opened fire at a Nashville private school has been identified as a 28-year-old woman, Police Chief John Drake confirmed Monday afternoon. Drake said the woman, whose name was not immediately released, was a Nashville resident. Police also believe she was once a student at The Covenant School, the small Christian school where officers say she killed six people. The shooter was shot and killed by police minutes after they arrived on scene, Drake said. FBI data shows why female suspect makes Covenant School shooting unusual When police entered the school's first story, they heard gunshots coming from the second floor, police spokesperson Don Aaron said. They immediately "went to the gunfire," he said, where they found the woman armed with two assault rifles and a handgun who was firing. The responding officers on the second floor were part of a five-member team, according to Aaron. Two of those officers opened fire on the shooter."By 10:27 t...

A Game-Changing Factor to Job Search: Your Ability to Make Human Connections

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:36:14 GMT

Texas DPS to send resources to help with Austin police staffing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:36:14 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- City leaders, in conjunction with the Texas Department of Public Safety, will announce Monday that DPS resources will be deployed to Austin as part of a violent crime task force in the city, a law enforcement source told KXAN. Austin street takeovers highlight persistent problem: Staffing shortages Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, interim City Manager Jesús Garza, Austin Police Chief Joseph Chacon and Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steven McCraw will hold a press conference Monday afternoon to announce a new plan to "address safety concerns," according to a city release.The release states leaders will discuss a "new plan to keep Austin safe as staffing shortages continue to create challenges for public safety departments."Texas Gov. Greg Abbott directed DPS resources to Dallas in a similar initiative in 2020, according to a previous release from Abbott's office.The 2020 release from the governor's office said multiple DPS resources were sent to DFW as pa...

Cooler, windy weather arrives overnight with an isolated thunderstorm

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:36:14 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A pleasant day is underway with plenty of breaks of sunshine and mild, comfortable temperatures.A cold front pushes through the area tonight that may spark an isolated shower or thunderstorm. The Storm Prediction Center is forecasting a marginal risk (1 out of 5) of strong to severe thunderstorms tonight. Hail appears to be the main threat.Severe storm outlook overnightTuesday will be breezy and cooler with most highs in the middle/upper 60s to a few low 70s. The north wind will gust in excess of 25 to 35+ mph.Wednesday will be the coolest day this week with lows from the middle/upper 40s to low 50s and highs below normal in the middle to upper 60s. An upper-level low is in the eastern Pacific off the coast of Washington. It will head to the southern Rockies by Thursday. Once again, there will be a chance of late-week showers and thunderstorms although the probabilities are low.The set up will be similar to those of the past few weeks. A dry line will move across th...