The CTA van Darion Lindsey admitted he helped set fire to on May 30, 2020. U.S. District Court records A federal judge handed a sentence of more than three years in prison Thursday to a man who helped set a CTA van on fire during the rioting downtown in May 2020 — and who has already served nearly that entire sentence. Darion Lindsey, 22, pleaded guilty in February to arson conspiracy and civil disorder, admitting he helped set the unoccupied van on fire on State Street on May 30, 2020. Denzal Stewart and Lamar Taylor also previously admitted helping set fire to the van. Stewart was sent ..read more

The Federal Trade Commission building in Washington. U.S. companies would no longer be able to bar employees from taking jobs with competitors under a rule approved by the FTC. Alex Brandon/AP file WASHINGTON — U.S. companies would no longer be able to bar employees from taking jobs with competitors under a rule approved by a federal agency Tuesday, though the rule is sure to be challenged in court. The Federal Trade Commission voted 3-2 to ban measures known as noncompete agreements, which bar workers from jumping to or starting competing companies for a prescribed period of time. Accor ..read more

Imani returned to his birthplace for the third year running. Birders first observed him Thursday morning. Courtesy of Matthew Dolkart Piping plover Imani returned home to Montrose Beach on Thursday, leading Chicago birders to wonder if the eligible bachelor will find a mate this year. Imani is the son of beloved couple Monty and Rose. Imani, Searocket, Prickly Pear and Wild Indigo headed south for the winter around the beginning of August. Birder Matthew Dolkart spotted Imani at 5:30 a.m., according to Tamima Itani, the lead volunteer coordinator of Chicago Piping Plovers. “He admitted t ..read more

FILE - Harvey Weinstein arrives at a Manhattan courthouse for jury deliberations in his rape trial, Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in New York. New York’s highest court has overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction and ordered a new trial. Seth Wenig/AP NEW YORK — The decision by New York's highest court to overturn the rape conviction of movie mogul Harvey Weinstein has reopened a painful chapter in America’s reckoning with sexual misconduct by powerful figures — an era that began in 2017 and helped launch the #MeToo movement. Here's what you need to know about why Weinstein's rape con ..read more

Chicago police officers surround Dexter Reed’s SUV. Civilian Office of Police Accountability Dexter Reed was shot at least 13 times when he was killed in a gun battle with Chicago police during a traffic stop last month in Humboldt Park, according to a newly released autopsy report. The Civilian Office of Police Accountability, the oversight agency investigating the shooting, has reported that four officers fired nearly 100 rounds at Reed after he shot another officer in the wrist on March 21 in the 3800 block of West Ferdinand Street. Reed was struck four times in his buttocks and twice ..read more

In this image taken from Uber dashcam video released by authorities, William Brock, right, holds a weapon to Uber driver Loletha Hall outside his home in South Charleston, Ohio, on March 25, 2024. Clark County Sheriff’s Office As hard as we try, staying one step ahead of scammers is difficult. I am appalled and saddened by what happened to Loletha Hall, a 61-year-old Ohio woman who was allegedly gunned down by an 81-year-old man last month. Both parties were apparently victims of a scam. William Brock was indicted on three counts of murder and one each of kidnapping and felonious assault ..read more

The United States and 17 other countries on Thursday called for the release of all hostages held by Hamas. Leo Correa/AP WASHINGTON — U.S. President Joe Biden and other leaders issued a joint statement Thursday calling for Hamas to release hostages held in Gaza, the latest attempt at public pressure to advance negotiations over a potential cease-fire with Israel. The statement was issued by Biden and the leaders of 17 other countries, all of which have citizens who are missing or were taken hostage during the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas. The other countries are Argentina, Austria, B ..read more

House Music 40 founder Vince Lawrence (far left) is joined by Wayne Williams, Curtis McClain, Byron Stingily, Chip E. and Marshall Jefferson, who are scheduled to perform as part of the Chicago House Music Showcase at this summer’s NASCAR weekend in Chicago. Tara Lawrence Some of the biggest names in house music will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of the genre in Grant Park as part of this summer's NASCAR Chicago Street Race Weekend (July 6-7), it was announced Thursday. The Chicago House Music Showcase — in partnership with House Music 40 — will feature a stellar lineup t ..read more

Sun-Times file photo Sun-Times Four armed robberies were reported in downtown Chicago over 30 minutes early Thursday, police said. Eight people were targeted in the robberies that took place between 12:25 a.m. and 12:55 a.m., according to Chicago police. In each case, two robbers pulled up in a sedan and demanded property while showing guns. A 66-year-old woman was walking in the 600 block of North Fairbanks Avenue around 12:25 a.m. when two robbers approached and fired shots, police said. One of the robbers dragged the woman into the street before she let go of her belongings. She was t ..read more

A man is charged with felony child abduction and luring of a minor after following a 14-year-old girl who was walking home from school Monday in the 5000 block of South Long Avenue in Stickney Township. Google Maps A Southwest Side man is accused of trying to abduct a 14-year-old girl this week in Stickney Township. The girl was walking home from school about 4:45 p.m. Monday in the 5000 block of South Long Avenue — about half a block from her school — when she noticed a silver car following her and driving slowly next to her, prosecutors and the Cook County sheriff’s office said. The dr ..read more