Chicago-area election results set stage for April races – NBC Chicago

NASHVILLE, Tenn. A Tennessee man, Oscar Smith, is scheduled for execution on Thursday after being convicted of murdering his estranged wife and her two teenage sons in 1989, despite consistently claiming his innocence. Smith, who narrowly escaped execution in 2022 due to issues with the lethal drugs, has faced legal challenges regarding new DNA evidence that was deemed insufficient to reopen his case. The Tennessee Department of Correction has revised its execution protocols, leading to...

Ethan Kirkwood, a 21-year-old from Pennsylvania, faces charges for allegedly providing alcohol to 20-year-old Kavan Markwood, who critically fell 20 feet from the bleachers during a Pirates-Cubs game on April 30. Markwood, who reportedly consumed two beers, is recovering from serious injuries including a broken neck and back. Kirkwood has been charged with two counts of furnishing alcohol to a minor, with a preliminary hearing set for June 23, as the incident is being treated...

Frank Kameny's Activism for LGBTQ RightsAfter losing two federal court battles, Frank Kameny petitioned the Supreme Court, boldly challenging societal views on homosexuality and asserting its moral legitimacy. Although his petition was denied in 1961, it marked a pivotal moment in his life, propelling him to co-found the Washington, D.C., chapter of the Mattachine Society and lead public demonstrations for LGBTQ rights, including the Annual Reminder protests. Kameny's insistence on a strict dress code for...

SummaryLess than two weeks before the Atlantic hurricane season, FEMA's acting Administrator David Richardson has rescinded the 2022-2026 Strategic Plan, citing its disconnection from the agency's mission. The strategic plan, introduced under former administrator Deanne Criswell, aimed to instill equity, enhance climate resilience, and promote preparedness but is now replaced by a new strategy focusing solely on legal requirements. Critics, including a FEMA official, warn that this shift, including the elimination of the Office of...

In Miami, Feeding South Florida is facing significant challenges due to a $1 billion cut in federal funding, which has reduced its budget by 40%, affecting its ability to serve 1.2 million people across four counties. The cuts, impacting programs that allowed food banks to purchase from local farmers, have led to increased desperation among families relying on food assistance, as reflected by longer lines for weekly distributions. Farmers also feel the strain, as partnerships...

NEW ORLEANS -- An alleged victim of a man who escaped from a New Orleans jail has called for Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson to resign, citing her failure to ensure public safety. Following the escape of 10 inmates, Hutson acknowledged her responsibility and suspended her election campaign to focus on security, citing staffing shortages and aging infrastructure as contributing factors. The victim expressed frustration over not being promptly notified of the escape and criticized...