Nation/World

Crime

1,000 pounds of substances used with meth, cocaine seized in Chicago

The substances were found April 11 in a shipping container on its way from China to northwest suburban Wood Dale.

By Sun-Times Wire

U.S. Supreme Court associate justices, from left, Ketanji Brown Jackson in 2022; Neil Gorsuch in 2021 and Brett Kavanaugh in 2022.

Supreme Court puzzles over corruption definition in bribery law at center of Madigan trial: 'Is it a sin?'

The case before the nation’s high court Monday was actually the corruption case against James Snyder, a former mayor of Portage, Indiana. The justices acknowledged their decision in the case will have implications for prosecutions across the country.

By Jon Seidel and Dave McKinney | WBEZ

Heavy traffic is seen at O'Hare International Airport after pro-Palestinian demonstrators blocked westbound Interstate 90, Monday, April 15, 2024.

Transportation

40 pro-Palestinian demonstrators arrested in protest blocking expressway to O'Hare

The demonstration was part of a global “economic blockade to free Palestine,” according to organizers. Protesters also took to the streets in the San Francisco Bay Area, on the Brooklyn Bridge and Interstate 5 in Eugene, Oregon.

By Mary Norkol and Cindy Hernandez

A purple sphere emitting light against black background.

Education

Northwestern astrophysicists find possibly one of the lightest black holes ever

They used gravitational wave signals to discover a neutron star crashing into a mysterious object, believed to be a black hole.

By Jessica Ma

Obit-HerrickFILE - In this Feb. 6, 2016, photo, Gene Herrick smiles during an interview at his home in Rocky Mount, Va. Herrick, a retired Associated Press photographer who covered the Korean War and is known for his iconic images of Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks and the trial of the killers of Emmett Till in the early years of the Civil Rights Movement, died Friday, April 12, 2024. He was 97. (Stephanie Klein-Davis/The Roanoke Times via AP, file) ORG XMIT: VAROA302

Obituaries

Gene Herrick, AP photographer who covered the Korean War and civil rights, dies at 97

As a photographer for the Associated Press, Gene Herrick photographed the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks and the men accused of killing Emmett Till. He also covered Major League Baseball, Elvis Presley and five U.S. presidents.

By Associated Press

Israel-Hamas War

Chicago health workers protest American Medical Association's differing response to Gaza and Ukraine

Speakers at a River North protest say the AMA exhibits a ‘double standard’ in calling for a cease-fire in Ukraine but not for one in Gaza. They also question $100,000 in aid sent to Ukraine.

By Violet Miller

Food and Restaurants

Caffeinated competition: World's best tasters grind in Chicago at Specialty Coffee Expo

The city is hosting its first World Coffee Championships — or the “coffee Olympics,” as one organizer put it — which cover a variety of java jousts, from tasting to brewing and latte art.

By Violet Miller

Nation/World

Israel says Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles, 99% of which were intercepted

In Washington, President Joe Biden said U.S. forces helped Israel down “nearly all” the drones and missiles and pledged to convene allies to develop a unified response.

By Associated Press

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie speaks during a gathering in Manchester, N.H., last year.

Columnists

No dice for No Labels? How Chris Christie almost made third-party presidential run — but didn't

In an exclusive interview, Dan K. Webb, who was in charge of creating the vetting process for the No Labels third-party run, tells Michael Sneed “the ticket came this/close to reality weeks ago.”

By Michael Sneed

Education

Chicagoans have hopes, doubts about new student debt relief proposed by Biden

“I just feel like I’m going to die paying off my student loans,” said one high school counselor in Southeast Chicago after the president introduced a plan to aid nearly 25 million more student loan borrowers. But a borrower in Pilsen said the program could “radically change my life.”

By Lisa Philip | WBEZ

Crime

Hotel near O'Hare played brief role in O.J. case: 'He was tired. He wanted to go to bed'

O.J. Simpson stayed briefly at the O’Hare Plaza Hotel — now a Holiday Inn — the day after the bodies of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman were found in Los Angeles. Law enforcement officials combed his room and scoured a nearby lot to look for bloody evidence.

By Emmanuel Camarillo

The United Center displays DNC 2024 on its LED screen outside of the arena on April 11, 2023.

2024 Democratic National Convention

'Security footprint' plan for Democratic Convention kicked to City Council for Wednesday vote

Protesters, residents and other DNC observers would be prohibited from bringing laptops, large bags, scooters and other items into certain areas closest to convention attendees under a proposed ordinance.

By Mitchell Armentrout

Environment

Chicago climate lawsuit against Big Oil moved to federal court — for now

BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Exxon Mobil and Shell argued city’s case belongs in U.S. District Court. A legal expert predicts it will move back to Cook County Circuit Court.

By Brett Chase

News

O.J. Simpson dies at 76

A message posted Thursday on Simpson’s official X account — formerly Twitter — said he died after battling cancer.

By Ken Ritter | AP

President Biden Hosts Japanese PM Kishida For Official State Visit

Politics

Chicagoans, including Rahm Emanuel, attend White House State Dinner for the Japanese prime minister

U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, the former Chicago mayor, brought his wife Amy and two of their children to the dinner.

By Lynn Sweet

Israel-Hamas War

Local aid workers say Israeli strike on World Central Kitchen workers caused 'chilling effect' on aid efforts

The seven World Central Kitchen workers killed April 1 are among the more than 220 humanitarian workers who have been killed in the conflict, according to the U.N.

By Violet Miller

Duane Short, wearing a blue shirt, views the beginning of the eclipse through his eclipse glasses next to a camera and tripod set to take photos and a blooming dogwood at War Bluff Valley Wildlife Sanctuary.

Outdoors

Nature dared not disappoint as southern Illinois experiences its second recent solar eclipse

As darkness descended Monday in the path of totality, the air cooled, a bullfrog hummed a bass line and birds of all kinds called out to mark the occasion.

By Dale Bowman

People clad in winter coats hold signs and and Israeli flags as they march in Highland Park to call for the release of hostages captured by Hamas.

Israel-Hamas War

Six months after Hamas attack, hundreds gather in Highland Park call for hostages' release, support Israel

Protesters pushed for the release of hostages captured in the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas militants. ‘We are not OK until they are all home,’ one speaker said.

By Mary Norkol

2024 Democratic National Convention

Media representatives to visit Chicago on May 22 for Democratic convention logistics briefings

This week, residents and businesses near the United Center and McCormick Place will receive briefings on how they will be impacted by convention security plans.

By Lynn Sweet

Former Chicago Bears Coach Mike Ditka (left) speaks at a news conference in Pittsburgh in 2015; Former President Donald Trump (right) speaks at a rally on Tuesday in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Columnists

When Mike Ditka said no to Donald Trump — and Hope Hicks feared she’d hear, ‘You’re fired!’

It was a stunner this week when news hit that former White House aide Hope Hicks may testify as a prosecution witness in former President Donald Trump’s latest trial. It prompted a flashback to a 2016 Sneed column involving a phone call between Trump and Ditka that Hicks thought would cost her her job.

By Michael Sneed

Immigration

Arab American community in Chicago says data from new racial category could help address disparities

The federal change to how Arab Americans will be identified in future census surveys comes after Illinois passed a law that added Middle Eastern or North African as a distinct racial category.

By Elvia Malagón

Nation/World

From Krispy Kreme to SunChips, more and more companies roll out total solar eclipse promotions

The doughnut maker will partner with Oreo on an eclipse-themed product. Delta and Southwest airlines are offering flights in the path of totality, and a special MoonPie will be on shelves.

By Associated Press

Nation/World

Chicago students in Taiwan during 7.4-magnitude earthquake: 'We'll be happy to have them home'

The students from St. Ignatius College Prep were eating breakfast when the quake hit, breaking plates and shaking tables. Parents back home were worried. The students return Saturday.

By Mary Norkol and Cindy Hernandez

Activists Protest Outside The White House Calling For A Ceasefire In Gaza War

Israel-Hamas War

Biden faces protest over his support for Israel during White House meeting

Chicago-area doctor Thaer Ahmad, who has treated patients in Gaza, walked out of a meeting of Muslim leaders Tuesday in protest of the administration’s continued support of Israel.

By Associated Press

News

Naperville teen, 2 others killed in avalanche near Swiss resort of Zermatt

The avalanche occurred about 2 p.m. Monday in an off-piste area of the Riffelberg, above the resort and below the famed Matterhorn peak. Rescuers recovered three bodies and the injured skier, a 20-year-old Swiss man.

By Daily Herald

Atty. Gen. Merrick Garland speaks in Chicago Wednesday.

Crime

Attorney General Merrick Garland, in Chicago, announces $78 million in federal grants for violence prevention

Merrick Garland said the new funding represents a “doubling down” by the Justice Department for programs that began two years ago to counter a surge in gun violence.

By Andy Grimm

Nation/World

Taiwan's strongest earthquake in nearly 25 years damages buildings and causes a small tsunami

Taiwan’s earthquake monitoring agency gave the magnitude as 7.2. It struck about 18 kilometers south-southwest of Hualien and was about 35 kilometers deep.

By Associated Press

Dr. Thaer Ahmad, wearing black, leans across a Gaza patient he's treating as other medical professionals — wearing scrubs, lab coats or street clothes — work in the background.

Israel-Hamas War

Oak Lawn doctor, Muslim leaders angry over Gaza reject chance to break Ramadan fast with Biden

A year ago, President Joe Biden marked the end of the holy month of Ramadan by holding a celebration at the White House. This year, Muslim invitees including the Palestinian American doctor, who treated wounded in Gaza, declined to join an iftar dinner.

By Associated Press and Emmanuel Camarillo

Obituaries

Lou Conter, last survivor of USS Arizona from Pearl Harbor attack, dies at 102

Lou Conter was on the main deck of the Arizona as Japanese planes flew overhead at 7:55 a.m. on Dec. 7, 1941. About 87,000 military personnel were on Oahu that day, and about 19 survivors of the attack are estimated to still be alive.

By Associated Press

City Hall

Ald. Sigcho-Lopez survives Housing Committee ouster attempt after flag-burning controversy

The leadership coup failed by a 29-16 vote, after the City Council member reported he met on Easter with Ald. Chris Taliaferro, a military veteran who led the call for his resignation as committee chair.

By Fran Spielman